CAMERON'S POV
Dirediretso lang ako sa paglalakad palabas ng silid niyang 'yon, slamming the door on my way out. Not even glancing back at her kahit naririnig ko pang tinatawag niya ang pangalan ko.
And in spite of the fact na gustong-gusto kong nahahawakan ito, ayoko paring lingunin ito ngayon. I just don't trust myself to never lash out at her for her answer 'pag humarap pa'ko.
"I'm going to kill him if he was indeed that man, Mr. Del Fuero."
When her answer resounded in my head, my fingernails started to dig up on my palms as mmtge clenching of my fists tightened.
So her plan stood still. Tuloy parin ang mga plano nito at parang hindi man lang nito inaalala na may maiiwan ito kapag tinuloy niya ang kalokohang 'yon.
That made me grind my teeth just the thought of her leaving me behind like I was just nothing to her. Like I would just be fucking fine without her!
And now that I heard her answer, mas mabuti ngang hindi ko na muna sasabihin sa kanya ang totoo. This way, I'll be able to protect her from anyone. Especially from herself. I can't just allow her to kill herself in the end. That would never gonna happen.
At kung kailangan kong gumawa ng paraan just to make her never leave my side, gagawin ko. Kahit na kailangan ko pang itali ito sa buhay ko, then I'd definitely do that with pleasure kahit na makasarili pa ang gagawin kong 'yon.
Liam and Rose sitting on the bench with Suzy-- the woman this idiot Liam was crazily smitten with--- quickly got up on their feet nang mamataan na nila akong palabas na ng silid na'yon.
"How's the talk going? Did you convince her? Alam na ba niya ngayon?" Liam fired me those questions pagkalapit nito sa'kin.
I just absently nodded at him as I blow out a deep breath.
"I did tell her na nakita ko na ang file na'yon but not the content." I answered in almost a growl tone.
Relief suddenly flooded through their faces nang marinig nila 'yon. Clearly relieved with her still clueless with what was happening right now.
"Tuloy pa rin ang plano to kill that man she strongly believed na siyang pumatay sa pamilya niya kaya naman mas mabuting hindi na muna niya malalaman ang tungkol sa file na'yon at sa ama niya.."
"Pumayag ba syang sumama muna sa'yo?"
I nodded at Rose's way when she inquired that with hopeful voice.
Relief flickered in her eyes dahil sa sagot kong 'yon but at the same time, a hint of glum look can be detected in her face right now.
She was definitely saddened with that.
Ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataong makaharap ito ng malapitan. At talagang magkamukhang-magkamukha nga ang mga ito. It was like I was facing the old version of Samantha Javier now.
"Mabuti naman kung ganun... Mas magiging ligtas siya dun kaysa sa bahay ko. I'm not prepared yet to give her the answer she want."
"Gusto nya sana kayong makausap muna bago siya sasama sa'kin but I have convinced her to just give you time and she agreed with that."
A smile slowly crept to her mouth while nodding her head. Clearly satisfied with that.
"Kailangan ko pang kausapin si John so just make sure na mababantayan mo siya ng maayos, Cameron. Ayoko munang malaman niya ang tungkol sa ama niya with her condition right now. This news could really devastate her and knowing Samantha, gagawa at gagawa 'yon ng paraan just to get to the man na siyang tinuturo ng file na'yon at baka mapahamak lamang siya."
The grinding of my teeth worsened when she reminded me with that but I nodded at her anyway. Reassuring her that she had nothing to worry about her daughter.
"Just leave her with me. Malayo sa mga tao at press ang bahay ko so she'd be fine there. Nakausap ko na rin ang mga katulong ko sa bahay at ang mga special therapists na aattend sa kanya so you have nothing to worry about her finding that out."
I noticed her blow out a deep sigh saka nakangiting tumingin uli ito sa'kin, making me cocked a brow.
Kung ang anak niya lang sana ang kaharap ko ngayon, I would've tell her to quit that knowing look in her face right now dahil alam ko na ang iniisip nito. But unfortunately, it wasn't the case this time. And I wasn't facing the daughter right now but her mother actually.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked out of curiosity.
I frowned when a smirk peeking through the side of her mouth.
"You really like that brat, don't you?"
"Excuse me?" Litong tanong ko rito when she suddenly asked that.
"Oo ang sagot dun, Cam hindi 'Excuse me'. Ano ka ba naman! Ang hina mo naman! Yes, tita. Gustung-gusto niya nga ang anak niyo kahit hindi an halata sa mukha nito."
I growled when the idiot Liam beside me suddenly butted that in na patango-tango pang nakangiti sa ginang habang nakaakbay ito sa'kin.
"Kahit ganito katigas ang pagmumukha ng kaibigan kong 'to, patay na patay 'to sa anak niyo tita kaya 'wa-la' kang dapat ipag-alala kay Sam. Just leave her to us and this man here." Pointing his finger at me with a stupid grin.
"Aalagaan niya ng maayos ang anak niyo like a porcelain doll so she'd recover right away." he added with arrogance in his voice sabay tapik-tapik ng balikat ko, annoying me more.
This asshole!!
"Liam.."
The idiot just grinned more at me when I slowly warned that na syang ikinaasar ko pa lalo.
Mauupakan ko talaga ang tarantadong 'to!
"Well, good to hear that then. Makakampante akong ikaw ang kasama niya kaysa ako ang makakasama niya while she's still recovering." Nakangiting sagot nito while nodding her head in satisfaction.
"Oh no. Wag kang makampante na siya ang makakasama ng anak mo tita, Cameron is still a cold-blooded man and he fantasize Samantha-----"
"Liam!!!"
"Oops!" Nakangisi pang saad nito habang nakataas ang mga kamay nito sa ere and giving me a coy look. Furthering my annoyance at him.
"I'm sorry, Cam but she just have to----owh!" Napapangiwing igik na lamang nito when I elbowed his side out of annoyance, shutting his damn mouth.
"Oh what-the-fuck!!!" Napapangiwing mura nito while clutching his side, causing Ms. Rose and Suzy to chuckle at him in amusement habang napapailing-iling.
"That's what you earn dahil sa pangingialam mo, Liam. Masakit ba???" Suzy sarcastically asked him from his left bago ito tumawa uli, making him pout at her like a kid asking a rescue from his mom.
"By the way, kailangan ko na munang magpaalam sa kanya ngayon. I still have to talk to John in jail later kaya maiwan ko na muna kayo rito, Cameron .."
I turned to her when I heard her said that. Agad na'kong tumango rito which she answered with a nod as well.
"Bye, tita.. Makausap mo sana ng maayos ang taong 'yon mamaya.." paalam pa ni Liam kahit napapangiwi pa ito.
She just nodded at him with a tight smile in her lips before she headed inside her daughter's room. .
Agad narin akong nagpaalam sa kanila ni Liam and made my way down to the first floor to settle everything para makaalis na agad kami rito.
And once I was done, Rose was nowhere to be found in the hospital. Siguro nakaalis na ito kanina lang kaya naman minabuti narin naming umalis sa lugar na'yon bago pa man kami abutan ng gabi rito.
~~~~~~~~~~
SAM'S POV
The ride throughout his house was a total pin-drop silence. No one dared to talk between us. Just the loud swooshing of the wind against the windshield and the soft revving of car engine were the only thing that could be heard.
Kahit na magkatabi kaming nakaupo sa harapang bahagi ng sasakyan nito kanina, parang ang lalim-lalim ng iniisip nito para istorbohin ko ito. He just seems so lost in his thoughts habang maigi lang itong nakatutok sa daan.
He had walked out from me this afternoon at ngayon naman, hindi ito umiimik sa ilang oras na biyahe namin papunta sa bahay nito kaya naman alam kong may problema ito.
At parang may kinalaman dito ang naging sagot ko sa tanong niya sa'kin kanina...
"This will be your room while you're here. Kung may kailangan ka, just pressed that intercom malapit sa bed mo so that Manang Rita could tend to your needs."
I was pulled out from my thoughts nang marinig kong sabihin niya 'yon, giving me those instructions as I just kept studying his face habang nakaupo na'ko sa gilid ng magiging kama ko rito while I'm here, trying to read what was in his mind right now.
"Tomorrow, dadating rito ang mga therapists na tutulong sa'yo araw-araw para mapabilis ang paggaling mo. I'll go now. I'll just be in my office. May mahalagang bagay lang akong gagawin dun ngayon. Don't call me. Matulog ka ng maaga." Paalam pa nito before he gave me a chaste kiss on my forehead. Then with that, agad na itong nagtungo sa pintuan without even bothering to glance back at me.
And it was bloody killing me inside na parang iniiwasan nya ko ngayon at parang nagmamadali pa itong makaalis agad rito.
"Galit ka ba sa'kin?"
That made him halted with his steps when I asked that. Stopping his hand midway to the doorknob with his stiff back facing me. Nanatili lang itong nakatayo without even glancing at my way.
This shit. Nagsisimula na'kong mainis ngayon dahil sa malamig na trato nito sa'kin. Kani-kanina lang, parang ayaw na niya 'kong bitawan and now, ganito nalang niya 'ko kagustong iwan agad dito.
Hindi 'to maaari! Ayoko ng ganito!
"May kinalaman ba 'to sa naging sagot ko kanina?"
I noticed his shoulder tenses, a reaction which confirmed my guess.
But that was what I've always dreamt to do simula pa man noon kaya yon ang sagot ko. Kaya nga ganito ang pinili kong trabaho at buhay dahil ang mahanap ang taong 'yon ang tanging dahilan why I'm still alive until now.
"Alam kong bago mo pa ako alukin na magtrabaho sa'yo, pinaimbestigahan mo na'ko kaya naman alam kong alam mo na noon ko pa hinahanap ang taong 'yon.. ang taong maaaring tinuturo ng file na'yon.." mahinang saad ko rito while I just stared at his back.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit gusto kong magpaliwanag sa kanya. I just felt like it was right na maintindihan niya 'yon. Kahit na wala naman sanang dahilan para magalit ito because that man deserved to be killed anyway dahil sa kasamaan nito.
His hand just balled in tight fists at hindi man lang ito lumingon sa'kin with his back turned in a more ramrod post.
Kung nakakalakad lang sana ako ngayon, I would've force him na humarap ito sa'kin ngayon but as useless as my legs was, hindi ko man lang magawa ang bagay na'yon. Kaya naman mas pinili ko nalang na magpatuloy sa pagsasalita just to make him turned to my way.
"And now that I am close to that, hindi mo'ko masisising gusto ko ng mabuksan ang file na'yon nang matapos na ang kaso kong 'to. I wanted to be done with it dahil 'yon lang---"
"Yon lang ang dahilan mo why you're still here kaya naman buhay ka pa hanggang ngayon, 'di ba? Because you've only devoted your life for your mission. And that is to kill that man."
That made me gaped at him in surprise when he suddenly cut that off as he faced me with his furious eyes.
"How the hell--"
I stopped when he scoffed as he shook my head.
"Don't ask me kung paano ko nalaman yon dahil ikaw mismo ang nagsabi sa'kin nyan when we're in Mindanao. You are only living for this case kaya naman gustung-gusto mo ng mahanap ang taong 'yon!"
"Yes. You're right. This case was the only thing that keeps me alive til now." I answered stonily with a nod na siyang mas ikinatigas pa lalo ng mukha nito habang kuyom ang mga kamay nito.
His knuckles had even turned white now dahil sa mahigpit na pagkakakuyom nito.
Gusto ko lang liwanagin dito that I was just really into this case at para hanapin ang taong 'yon, na ito lang ang tanging dahilan kung bakit pinipilit kong mabuhay hanggang ngayon..
Pero noon 'yon... At ibang-iba na ang sitwasyon ngayon..
I have him now. I've found a new reason to live now out of him. At gusto kong malaman niya 'yon.
"Ito lang ang tanging dahilan kung bakit ginusto kong mabuhay mula pa man noon and I'm happy with that dahil hanggang ngayon, buhay pa'ko and I even get the chance to find the man that I thought---"
"That you thought was impossible to find and that was that man na gusto mong patayin, tama ba'ko?"
"No! Hindi yan----"
"Stop now, Ms. Javier!"
I groaned in protests when he shouted that. Demanding me to stop what I really wanted to tell him.
This bastard!!
"Kung gusto mo talagang tapusin ang misyon mo, magpagaling ka muna para magawa mo agad 'yon pero wag na wag mong iisipin na tatayo lang ako sa isang tabi at papanoorin ka lang na tapusin ang buhay mo after you kill that bastard."
That made my eyes instantly widened, shock with him saying that.
So even my plan, alan niya rin ito.
"At kung kinakailangan, ako na mismo ang tatapos sa taong 'yon just to keep you safe from that man and yourself. Now that you're here, I couldn't just let you leave now. You are stuck with me from now on whether you like it or not." He ended with his promising voice, making the hair on my nape stood up and giving me goosebumps on my body with how he had possessively stated that.
And before I could even utter an answer, tuluyan na nitong binuksan ang pintuan and then got out from there. Leaving me frozen on my bed with my mouth hang agape.
Because hell! I was supposedly mad at him dahil sa pagbabawal nitong makaalis ako rito pero bakit parang---- bakit parang bigla yatang uminit dito ngayon? Nakabukas naman ang aircon dito bakit parang pinagpapawisan yata ako ngayon??
Mas lalo pang uminit ang silid na'yon when memories of him touching me intimately earlier at the hospital came back to me.
That made me swallowed hard nang bigla kong maalala ang nangyaring 'yon kanina, causing my hand to unconsciously wiped my forehead, na para bang may pawis talagang namumuo rito ngayon kahit wala naman. Probably I was just being horny right now dahil sa madudumi kong naiisip ngayon.
Mukhang kailangan ko ng simulang linisin ang utak kong 'to dahil mukhang ang dumi-dumi na nito ngayon, punung-puno na ng kaharutan ito.
I quickly shook my head at that, wanted to get my mind out of the gutter.
Frustratedly, napasalampak nalang ako ng higa sa kama while tightly closing my eyes. Attempting to clear up my green mind and get a sleep dahil lumalalim na ang gabi. Kahit na gustung-gusto kong puntahan ito ngayon sa office nito, I have to stop myself dahil ayokong isipin nitong nasasabik akong makasama ito.
I wasn't like any woman na gagawin ang bagay na'yon for goodness sake! I was way better than those women at Hindi ako malandi at mas lalong hindi ako mahinaaa!!
Sigaw ko nalang sa isipan ko while forcing myself to sleep.
With that thoughts in mind, tuluyan na'kong nakatulog maya-maya lang. Sleeping with just half of my body lying on my bed habang ang kalahati ay nasa malamig na sahig pa rin.
Yeah. I was just too sexually frustrated para maalala pa 'yon before I doze off to sleep.
At nababaliw na nga siguro ako.
Dahil kahit sa panaginip ko, dinadalaw pa rin nya'ko at saka binuhat pa raw ako ng gago while murmuring sweet words in my ears.
Something like 'I love you'..
At kahit panaginip lang ito, I couldn't help a giggle to escape from me. Giggling like a crazy teen getting an 'I love you' from her long time crush.
~~~~~~~~~~~
JOHN ENRIQUEZ'S POV
"No, papa. Hindi ako ang anak mo na pinagtangkaan mong patayin kundi yong isa mo pang anak."
"..Ms. Javier is your real daughter at muntikan mo na siyang mapatay kanina kung nagkataong mas malala pa ang ginawa ng magaling mong mga tauhan!!!"
I squeezed my eyes out when Charles' voice echoed in my head again. It just kept echoing in my head and even appearing in my dreams. Halos isang linggo na magmula ng marinig ko ang bagay na'yon at halos isang linggo na rin akong hindi pinapatulog nito. Add to the fact that my hard bed wasn't as comfortable as my bed back in my house. Mas malaki pa yata ang bathroom ko sa bahay kaysa sa letseng lugar na'to!
With an irritated groan, tumihaya na'ko ng higa and just blankly stared at the filthy cream ceiling above me habang nakaunan ang ulo ko sa kanang braso. I wasn't bothered with these cobwebs na halos nasa mukha ko na kundi sa mga sinabing 'yon ni Charles.
Hindi ito maaari... Rosie couldn't be fooling me all these years. Nagsisinungaling lang ito. Wala kaming naging anak nito.. dahil matagal ng patay ang anak namin... Matagal na panahon na nang mangyari ang aksidenteng 'yon...
"Sir, nasa hospital po ngayon si Ms. Rose, nabangga raw po ang minamaneho nitong sasakyan kanina at---"
"What??!"
All heads were snapped to my way when I accidentally exclaimed that aloud nang ibulong yon sa'kin ni Enrico, suddenly forgotten that I'm in a middle of a board meeting right now at sa araw ring ito ipagkakatiwala sa'kin ng mga Maverde ang posisyon bilang Chief Executive Officer ng kompanyang 'to. Ang pinakahihintay kong araw..
Don Vedano Maverde, my wife's father, instantly let out a displeasured groan at his chair while giving me disapproval look.
I quickly gave the board an apologetic look before I got up on my seat.
"I'll excuse myself for a second everyone. Kailangan ko lang magbanyo sandali." I lied before I rushed out of the meeting hall habang nakasunod lang sa'kin si Enrico.
"Enrico, anong sabi mong nangyari kay Rose? Anong nabangga??" Agad na tanong ko rito when we were out of the earshot, bothered with that news now.
"Yes, sir. Tumawag sa'kin 'yong isa sa'ting tauhan na nakasunod kina Nickandro kanina. I think Ms. Rose had overheard our plan na takutin natin ang kapatid nya kaya naman sinundan nya agad ang kapatid nya to warn him pero sa pagmamadali nito sa pagmamaneho, hindi nya po naiwasan ang isang sasakyan na-----"
"What???!" This time, my heart started to hammer inside my chest as worry instantly crept inside me.
"Kumusta ang mag-ina ko, Enrico?? Kumusta ang lagay ni Rose ngayon? Hindi ba malala ang naging pinsala niya??"
"Okay lang naman ang kalagayan ni Ms. Rose, sir pero---"
"Mabuti naman kung ganun! Mabuti naman!" I exclaimed, relieved to hear that news habang napapahilamos ng mukha.
"Mabuti nalang talaga.. Ano? Kumusta naman---" Napatigil agad ako sa pagsasalita when I saw Enrico's solemn face, telling me something was wrong. Dahilan para muli na namang kumabog ng malakas ang dibdib ko ngayon.
"Unfortunately, sir.. hindi po nakaligtas ang dinadala ni Ms. Rose. Malala ang nangyaring banggaan kaya naman hindi po nakaligtas ang bata."
That news made me stood frozen on my feet, making my breathing suddenly hard to do while I just stared at Enrico with wide eyes.
I bet shock was all over my face right now while my mind still trying to take in that news.
My baby.. My baby didn't survived...
"Sir!" Rinig kong biglang sigaw nalang ni Enrico sabay lapit sa'kin para alalayan akong makatayo ng maayos nang bigla nalang akong nawalan ng balanse with my legs being paralyzed.
"This couldn't be happening, Enrico! This----"
"John? Ano pang ginagawa mo rito? I thought you're in a meeting with the board?"
Nilunok ko na agad ang hagulgol na nagbabadyang lumabas sa mga bibig ko when I heard my wife's voice from behind us. Agad na'kong tumayo ng maayos and forcing myself up, I turned to her way habang nakangiti na rito.
Hindi niya dapat malaman ang tungkol rito.
"Laila.. Anong ginagawa mo rito? Where's our son Charles? Nakauwi na ba galing sa school?" I asked sabay halik sa pisngi nito habang pilit na pinasasaya ang boses ko kahit na gusto ko ng sumigaw ngayon dahil sa sakit na balitang 'yon.
She nodded at me with a smile, oblivious with my suffering right now.
"Nakauwi na sa bahay. Halika na, let's go in now. Baka hinahanap kana ni Dad ngayon. Ngayon na ang araw na iluloklok kana nya sa posisyon kapalit nya so let's go." I just nodded at her saka hinayaan lang itong hilahin ako papasok uli sa conference room. Kung saan mangyayari na ang pinakaaasam kong mangyari mula paman noon.
To get Maverde Construction Company into my hand. With that thought, nilunok ko nalang lahat ng sakit na nararamdaman ko ngayon and decided to just settle this matter later. Later when I'm already the new CEO of this company.
"Congratulations, John. Now that you're the new CEO of MCC, I trust you that you'll going to take care of this company from now on.. Wag mo kaming bibiguin.."
I smiled at one of MCC's shareholder when he'd greeted me with that while firmly shaking my hand.
"You can trust me with that, Mr. Sandoval." Nakangiting sagot ko rito.
When the other people inside that room bid me their congratulations, I just nodded and shook their hands with a forced smile.
"Sir, Ms. Rose is on the line sir. Gusto nya kayong makausap ngayon." When Enrico whispered that in my ears, reminding me with the bad news I received today. Reminding with the pain starting to gnaw my heart with the thought na totoo nga ang balitang 'yon.
I quickly excused myself from there and out of that room with my phone in my hand saka mabilis ng pumasok sa pinakamalapit na restroom.
I have to talk to Rosie. I have to hear it from her kung ano ba talagang nangyari sa anak namin.
"Rosie.."
A loud sobbing can be heard from the other line.. hindi ko na kailangang alamin pa kung sino ang umiiyak na'yon sa kabilang linya, it was her. And hearing her crying now, then this could only mean one thing.... Hindi maganda ang balitang ibibigay nito.
"Rosie, anong nangyari sa'yo? Anong nangyari sa anak natin? Enrico must be just mistaken with that news na wala na ang anak natin. You couldn't be careless enough na magmaneho ng sasakyan sa kondisyon mo. Alam mong maselan ang pagbubuntis mo kaya-----"
"Kasalanan mo'to, John. Kasalanan mo'to..."
Agad na uminit ang ulo ko when she suddenly uttered that habang umiiyak parin, blaming me for what happened to her.
"Rosie, anong pinagsasabi mo dyan ngayon? Alam mong kung hindi ka lang sana sumunod pa sa kapatid mo, hindi sana mangyayari 'to sa'yo. How's our baby now? Okay lang ba ang lagay niyo dyan ngayon?" Matigas ko ng sagot sa kanya, now starting to get annoyed with her blaming me.
"Kung hindi mo lang sana binalak na patayin ang kapatid ko, then I would've been fine right now, John. Nandito parin sana ang magiging anak natin.. kasalanan mo'to!!" Sigaw nito bago ito humagulgol na naman ng iyak, causing me to almost let go of my phone from my hand.
Noooo!! Hindi 'to maaari!!!
Just hearing that confirmation from her, napasandal nalang ako sa dingding malapit sa'kin as I clenched my teeth so hard.
"Kung nakinig ka lang sana sa'kin noon na itigil mo na'ting kahibangan mo, then my daughter would've been still here.. Hindi sana sya nawala.. this is all your fault!!"
"Hindi ko kasalanan 'to, Rosie. Kasalanan mo'to dahil ang tigas-tigas ng ulo mo! Alam mong hindi maselan ang pagbubuntis mo pero anong ginawa mo? Sinundan mo parin ang kapatid mo at hindi mo man lang inisip ang kapakanan ng magiging anak natin!" Naiirita naring sigaw ko sa kanya, annoyed with her kept blaming me for something what she had done!
Wala akong kasalanan rito! kasalanan nya ito kung bakit nawala ang anak namin ngayon!
"Oo. Alam kong naging pabaya ako, John kaya nawala ang anak natin...At alam ko ring isa akong hangal dahil naniwala pa'ko na may pag-asa ka pang magbago pero ngayon alam ko na, hinding-hindi na'yon mangyayari."
"Alam mong marami pa'kong pangarap, Rosie. Alam mong marami pa'kong pangarap sa'tin---"
"No, John. Hindi 'yon para sa'tin kundi sa sarili mo lang.."
I groaned in annoyance when she' cut that in.
Hanggang kailan ba sya maniniwala na para sa'min ang ginagawa kong 'to ngayon!
"Wala na ang anak na'tin, John. Wala na ang baby ko kaya wala ng dahilan para magkita pa uli tayo."
Napapatigil nalang ako when she suddenly spouted that, causing me to frown in confusion.
"What do you mean, Rosie? Anong pinagsasabi mo---".
"That means ayoko ng magkaroon pa ng kahit ano pang kaugnayan sa'yo, John. Gusto ko na ng tahimik na buhay ng wala ka.."
"Ros---" Napapamura na lamang ako when I heard that beeping sound from the other line. The indication that she had hanged up on me!
She can't do this to me!!!
Inis na naibato ko nalang ang phone ko sa sahig while heaving up in rage.
"Sir? Okay lang po ba kayo dyan?" Rinig kong usisa agad ni Enrico mula sa labas ng pinto ng silid na'yon with alarm in his voice, probably hearing the loud clashing of phone at the wall.
I just grumbled an 'I'm fine' answer for him before I frustratedly run a hand through my hair.
So ganun-ganun nalang! Iiwan narin nya'ko gaya ng ginawa ng mga magulang ko noon.. pwes! Wala na ang anak namin kaya wala na ngang ibang dahilan pa para magkita kami nito. Nakuha ko na naman ngayon ang gusto ko kaya naman wala akong pakialam kung iwan man nya'ko ngayon. I'm the new CEO of MCC now kaya-----
"Enriquez, may dalaw ka."
Ang boses na'yon ang pumukaw sa'kin mula sa mga alaala na'yon ng kahapon, pulling me from those painful memories na muling bumabalik sa'kin ngayon.
Patay na ang anak namin dahil sa kagagawan nito kaya naman imposibleng maging anak ko ang anak ng Nickandrong 'yon.
"Hoy tanda!! Sabi ng may dalaw ka raw! Ambingi!"
Napapaungol na lamang along bumangon mula sa higaan ko when Lucio, one of my cellmates grumbled that malapit sa tenga ko. Sa dami ng tattoo nito sa malaki nitong katawan at sa yabong ng balbas nito sa mukha, kinatatakutan ito ng iba pang kasamahan namin rito sa loob ng selda.
Agad na'kong lumabas sa kulungan na'yon when the police had opened the doorway. Two other police officers were on their guard beside him with their gun in their hands. Agad na'kong pinusasan ng mga ito before taking me to the visiting area.
Pagkabukas palang ng pintuan papasok sa lugar na'yon, a groan instantly rumbled inside me nang mamataan ko na kung sino ang bumibisita sa'kin ngayon. That woman who was sitting at one of the table right now habang naghihintay sa'kin na makalapit sa kanya.
That same woman who had promised na hindi niya 'ko iiwanan at susuportahan lahat ng gagawin ko noon.
When the officer had took off the handcuffs from my wrists, agad na'kong lumapit sa gawi nito with furrowed brows.
"Anong ginagawa mo rito, Rosie? Pumunta ka ba rito para alamin kung nagdudusa ba'ko rito ngayon?" Agad na asik ko rito as I sat down on the chair across from her.
"No, John. Pumunta ako rito para pag-usapan ang ibang bagay."
From the look of her, parang alam ko na ngayon kung ano ang pag-uusapan naming dalawa.
"You are here to talk about your niece, tama ba'ko Rosie? Anong kalokohan na naman ba yang mga pinagsasabi mo sa anak ko, Rosie? Why does Charles kept insisting na anak ko sa'yo ang pamangkin mo? Nababaliw ka na ba---"
"No. I'm not."
My lips pursed in a tight line when she firmly snapped that with low voice. No joke can ever be detected in her eyes right now.
"Samantha is my daughter. Our daughter actually. Siya ang anak natin na muntikan ng mawala dahil sa aksidenteng nangyari sa'kin noon!"
"Pero matagal ng patay ang anak natin, Rosie! Yan ang sinabi mo sa'kin noon!" Timping asik ko na sa kanya while slapping the table before me in exasperation.
Nagsisimula ng magsilingunan sa'min ang ibang taong nandoon din sa silid na'yon with our voices now turning to a shout.
"Well, she's not really dead that time, John. Kinailangan ko lang gawin 'yon because I want to protect my daughter from you. Kuya Nick wanted to protect her dahil sa kasamaan mo kaya naman mas pinili nalang naming itago siya mula sa'yo."
I just stayed frozen on my seat habang nanatili lang na nakatitig sa kanya as I tried to absorb that information, now talking with low voice.
"Wala na ang anak na'tin, John. Wala na ang baby ko kaya wala ng dahilan para magkita pa uli tayo."
Her words still echoing in my head. Patay na ang anak namin but now she was saying na buhay pa ito and it was her brother's daughter. That woman na gustung-gusto ko ng mawala dahil sa pangingialam nito sa'kin.
"Hindi tuluyang nawala ang anak natin noon dahil kahit nasa bingit na kami ng kamatayan noon, Samantha was able to survive from that at sa ikalawang pagkakataong pagtangka mo sa buhay ng kapatid ko, sa taong nag-aruga mismo ng anak mo, nagawa niya paring makaligtas." I heard her continued. Mamasa-masa na ang mga mata nito ngayon, but I can see she was just stopping herself to burst out in sobs dahil sa mahigpit na pagkakakuyom ng mga kamay nito ngayon.
Rosie was never a good actress before kaya alam na alam ko kung kailan ito nagsasabi ng totoo.
And she's not just making up some stories right now, dahilan para mas matigalgal pa'ko sa kinauupuan ko ngayon as my hands started to get clammy.
So that kid was really my daughter.. At wala man lang akong kamalay-malay sa bagay na'yon.
"Sa ikalawang pagkakataong 'yon na muntikan na naman siyang mawala sa'kin, nagawa niya paring makaligtas and this time, ilang ulit mo na namang ginawa 'yon sa kanya!"
"Hindi ko kasalanan kung bakit nangyari ang aksidenteng 'yon sa kanila ng kapatid mo noon, Rosie. Hindi ko pinagtangkaang patayin ang batang 'yon noon.."
When I firmly insisted that, mas lalo pang tumalim ang pagkakatingin nito sa'kin ngayon as her tears now falling on her cheeks.
"Sinungaling! Alam kong may kinalaman ka noon sa pagkawala ng kapatid ko at sa asawa niya, John. Alam kong ikaw ang taong 'yon na tinutukoy ni Samantha na nandoon din sa mismong araw ng maaksidente sila. Ikaw ang may pakana ng lahat ng 'yon---"
"Wala kang alam, Rosie kaya manahimik ka nalang." I snapped at her in a hiss, making her glare intensified.
"Kahit kinasusuklaman ko ang kapatid mo dahil sa pangingialam nito sa relasyon natin noon at sa pangingialam nito sa lahat ng mga ginagawa ko, hindi ko kasalanan kung bakit nangyari ang aksidenteng 'yon noon so stop accusing me for something na hindi mo naman ginawa!"
Her lips formed in a thin line habang mas lalo pang nanlilisik ang mga mata nitong nakatingin sa'kin ngayon. Same look na ginagawa nito kapag galit na galit ito sa'kin noon. Those eyes that declare pure defiance on you.
"Pero ikaw lang ang maaaring gumawa nun sa kanya! Samantha saw some people who were there nang mangyari ang aksidenteng 'yon! Dapat noon pa talaga ako nagsalita, John. Dapat noon pa! Hindi na sana muntikan pang malumpo ang anak ko dahil sa kahayupan mo!"
"Sabi ng hindi ko kasalanan ang pagkamatay ni Nickandro, Rosie!" Hindi ko na napigilang asik sa kanya, slamming my fists on the table, attracting everyone there lalo na ang mga pulis na nakabantay sa lugar na'yon who were now throwing an alarm look to our way.
But Rosie's baseless accusation was just too serious for me to even care about them.
"Masaya akong nawala ang kapatid mo, Rosie pero hindi ibig sabihin nun na ako ang may pakana sa nangyari sa kanila noon just because I was there that time!"
"So ikaw nga ang taong 'yon??" Napapatigil na lamang ako habang kunot ang noong nakatingin sa kanya.
"Ikaw nga ang taong 'yon na tinutukoy ni Samantha noon na nakita niya.." she stated while slowly nodding her head in what I think an understanding.
"I didn't say I was.."
"Huh! Now you're denying it to my face, John.."
I growled when she sternly commented that while shaking her head in a mock disbelief.
"Mas mabuti pa nga siguro kong hindi na malaman ng anak ko that her father was a complete opposite of her adoptive father."
That made me grumbled in distaste when she'd started to utter that, insulting me upfront.
"Mas makakabuti pa nga siguro kong sasabihin ko nalang sa kanya na patay kana. You don't deserve to be her father anyway. That way hindi na siya masasaktan pa sa katotohanan---"
"I want to meet her."
Napatigil agad ito when I suddenly blurted that out. Shock registered in her face but in a second, agad namang naglaho yon at agad na itong napalitan ng galit.
"No. Hindi ko mapapayagang mangyari 'yon---"
"Iharap mo siya sa'kin, Rosie! Gusto ko siyang makita---"
"Para ano pa? Para patayin ka niya kapag nagkataong nakilala ka niya? Kapag narinig man lang niya ang boses mo?"
The clenching of my fists tightened more when she'd snapped that with stern voice.
"You don't know what she was capable of, John. Ayokong makulong ang anak ko nang dahil lang sa'yo kaya mas mabuting manahimik ka nalang. Pabayaan mo na siya. Pagbayaran mo nalang dito sa loob ng kulungan ang lahat ng kasalanang nagawa mo sa kanya. And I hope this would be the last time na magkita tayo. I have to go now." With dismissal tone, agad na itong tumayo saka tumalikod para umalis na sa lugar na'yon.
Kung anak ko man talaga ang batang 'yon, alam kong marami akong kasalanang nagawa rito. But I still have to make sure if she was indeed my daughter.
"Gusto ko parin siyang makita ng harapan, Rosie.."
When I'd uttered that with low voice, her back stiffened as she halted with her steps.
"Gusto kong makasiguro na anak ko nga ang batang 'yon kaya iharap mo siya sa'kin pakiusap. Wala akong sasabihin sa kanya. Gusto ko lang na makaharap siya at yon lang." I added while staring at her rigid back, pero imbes na sagutin niya 'ko, she just squared her shoulders saka tuloy-tuloy na ito sa paglalakad paalis sa lugar na'yon without even glancing at her back.
"Tapos na ang oras ng dalaw mo, Enriquez. Kailangan mo ng bumalik sa loob."
When the police officer informed me that, napapamura na lamang ako saka tumayo na lamang as he handcuffed me again.