Conditions of Worth

Chapter 45

NASA tapat ng salamin si Luna habang pinagmamasdan ang hindi pa gaano kaumbok na tiyan.

She's caressing it like it's already a baby. Hindi pa rin masyadong nagsisink in na... magiging nanay na siya.

"Are my babies okay?" Napaangat ang tingin niya sa asawa na nasa pinto't nakasandal habang mapagmahal silang tinitignan, "You have a visitor downstairs"

Lumapit ito sa kanya at niyakap siya mula sa likod. He snaked his hands on her belly and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Are you sure that you want to talk about this?" Masuyo nitong tanong sa kanya habang ang labi ngayon ay nasa likod ang tainga niya. She likes that. Gustong gusto niya ang init na binibigay ni Atlas sa kanya.

It has been a week since she was discharged at the hospital. Hindi na siya pinapasok ni Atlas mula noon, at laging nakatutok ito sa kanya.

Tumango siya, "I can't let this pass, Atlas..." napakagat siya sa labi niya, "Lalo na hindi lang pala ako ang nasa peligro nang mga oras na iyon, dala-dala ko pati anak natin..."

"Shhh" Alo nito sa kanya, "You're sounding like that again. Hindi ba ayokong sinisisi mo ang sarili mo?"

Hinarap niya ito, "But I can't help it. I am five weeks pregnant, Atlas... Bakit hindi ko naramdaman na parang may nagbabago na sa akin? Bakit hindi ko man lang naramdaman ---"

"Luna" tawga nito sa pangalan niya na may pagsinta, "Ngayon ka pa lang nabuntis, normal lang na hindi mo mapansin"

Hindi kumbinsidong sumagot siya, "But, I should have been aware of the signs since we don't use any contraceptives..."

"Look at me" He said, "You are always careful of yourself. You think first before doing anything, buntis ka man o hindi, you know how to take care of yourself. What happened to you was not an accident..."

Niyakap na lang niya si Atlas. Ano na lang ang gagawin niya kung wala ito?

Bumaba silang dalawa sa living room at nakita si
David, kinumusta nito siya at binalita na nasa kulungan na si Mr. Saavedra.

Atlas gave them some space. For some reason, she didn't know why. Hindi naman nito kailangan lumayo.

"It could be considered as case closed since he was caught on the act. Kailangan na lang ninyong humarap sa korte, para matapos na" Balita nito patungkol kay Mr.Saavedra, "You also have to be prepared with the media, okay?"

"Thank you, David" She said and smiled, "This means so much to me..."

Tumango ito at may binigay pang papel sa kanya. "That's my resignation"

What?

"I am giving you back what's rightfully yours" dagdag pa nito, he deeply sighed. Napakagat din ng labi at tumawa ng kunwari, "Nung umalis ka, natakot ako... Natakot akong hindi ka na bumalik.."

Hindi naalis ang tingin nito sa kanya. Paguusapan ba nila ito ngayon?

"Kaya kinuha ko ang bagay na alam kong hindi mo kayang bitawan ng basta basta. I took over the company that you build" Hindi alam ni Luna kung ano ang gagawin, his voice were sure. Hindi niya magawang sumingit rito, "But, when you came back...."

"I wasn't the same" dugtong niya rito, she knew. "Does it frustrates you?"

Napakagat ito sa labi, "Yes, so much.. because I regret everything... it frustrates me that you... you were not anymore to be called mine"

Ito na ba ang tinatawag nang iba na closure?

"Mapapatawad mo pa ba ako?" tanong nitong muli sa kanya, "Sa lahat ng ginawa ko?"