"PEREIRA! The fudge! You're alive?!" Napasapo siya sa noo dahil sa sinabi ni Lucian. "We fucking mourn for you, you dumbass! I even say my fucking cringe message at your eulogy!" Lucian dropped his eyes to the plate. "And now you're here, eating that fucking pasta?!"
Agape looked at Clare with helpful eyes. Nakatanga lang din ang kaibigan at hindi alam kung anong gagawin.
"Man, where the hell are you hiding? You wouldn't want to imagine how hard it was for your wife and daughter-
Saved by Wine's cries! Halos magpasalamat na siya sa anak nang bigla itong umiyak. Iniwas niya ang tingin kay Archer at kunwari pinatahan si Wine.
Clare dragged Lucian somewhere. Thanks to that.
Binabawi na niya! Hindi na niya idol si Lucian!
Thena remained silent. Pero hindi nakaligtas sa paningin niya ang pagpapalit-palit ng tingin nito kay Wine at Archer.
"Shh.. baby, that's Tito Lucian, okay? Daddy's.. " she immediately stopped. "H-He's m-mommy's friend, " iniwas niya ang tingin.
"Da.. d-da.. " Wine whimpered.
Her heart hammered inside. Then, Wine's always giggling if she's seeing the picture of her father. At ngayong umiiyak ito sa harap niya, biglang hindi niya alam kung paano ito papatawarin.
"Thena, yung tissue nga, " utos niya sa dalaga na agad naman nitong sinunod. She wiped Wine's clenched palms. Kinukusot-kusot kasi nito kanina ang mata.
"Do you want to come home, Wine? Uwi muna with mommy?" she talked. Wine just hugged her. Napabuntung-hininga siya at niyakap na lang din ang bata.
Natanaw niya ang papasok na si Clare at Lucian. She stared at Lucian and he nodded. Looks like Clare made him understand the situation.
"I'm sorry, I misinterpret you for someone, " Lucian casually said like he didn't made a scene earlier. Napasapo na lang siya sa noo. What would she expect to her husband's bunch of friends?
"That's okay, " Archer said, eating his pasta.
"Oh. You also sound like him, " tumango-tango si Lucian. Tinaliman niya ng tingin si Lucian at nagbikit-balikat lang ito.
"Who?" Napatigil siya sa pagpupunas sa luha ni Wine nang biglang nagtanong si Archer.
Lucian's lips pursed. "Some fucker, " he answered.
She sighed. "Lucian, can't you see? Wine's here, don't cuss, " she warned.
Lucian only nodded. "Alright, " he went near them. "Hey, Wine, do you want Ninong to carry you?" Halos walang emosyon nitong sabi. Sanay na siya sa gano'n, pero kahit talaga sa bata, hindi man lang inaayos.
Wine stared at Lucian, observing him. But then, Wine suddenly hid at her neck.
Agape laughed and Lucian frowned. "No gift for you this Christmas, Wine, " he said, and Clare laughed.
"Kahit wala na daw sa Christmas, pero bahay ang gusto ni Wine ngayong birthday niya, " ani Clare.
"Hmm, do you like that, Wine?" he asked again.
Mas lalong natawa si Clare nang hindi ito pinansin ni Wine. Ganoon din si Thena. Siya naman ay napangiti na lang. And Archer, remained silent, just listening to them.
Wine keeps on stretching her arms. Sa sobrang likot tuloy ng kamay nito ay naaabot na si Archer na nasa tabi niya. Archer would just stare at Wine. Tila hindi naman naiinis ang lalaki at hinahayaan lang nito si Wine.
"Wine, " Agape warned her daughter when Wine fully stretched her arms, almost reaching Archer's shoulder blade.
Wine just giggled. Lucian just shrugged his shoulder and left the table. Sigurado siya na ibabalita nito ang nakita sa mga kaibigan nito.
One thing she discovered with Gray's friends, lahat sila chismoso.
"I'm sorry, Wine's.. " she apologized to Archer.
"It's fine, let her, " napatikhim siya. She doesn't know if Wine understands it. Pero mas naging makulit si Wine at tila gusto nang umalis sa kan'ya.
Halos mapabalikwas siya nang magpumiglas si Wine na bumaba. Thanks to Archer's fast reflexes, Wine fell without a single scratch.
Agad kasi itong nahawakan ng lalaki kaya't hindi natumba ang anak sa sahig.
"Careful, " Archer whispered, pertaining to Wine, who's still holding his hand. Akmang aabutin na niya ang anak para mapaupo ulit sa hita niya, nang maglakad ito palapit sa lalaki.
She gasped. Hindi alam kung paano pababalikin si Wine. She's now standing beside Archer's, still holding his hand.
Wine didn't uttered a word. Nakatingala lang ito sa lalaki. She heard Clare loud sighs, and Thena remained silent.
Agape was frozed in her place when Wine stretched both of her hands in the air, gesturing Archer to carry her.
"U-Uh, Wine.. h-he's eating. Come here to mommy first, " tawag niya sa anak pero hindi siya pinansin ni Wine. Nakatingala pa rin ito sa lalaki habang nakabuka sa ere ang kamay.
Halos sabay pa silang napainom ni Clare ng tubig nang biglang binuhat ng lalaki si Wine. He let her sat at his lap, and Wine automatically giggled. Naglilikot pa ito, tumayo sa kandungan ng lalaki, at niyakap ang leeg nito.
Napaiwas na lang siya ng tingin. She can feel the tears forming at her eyes. And before Agape can even breakdown, she stood up.
"R-Restroom, " paalam niya. Isang beses pang tiningnan ang anak na komportable sa pagkakayakap sa leeg ng lalaki.
Clare nodded at her. Nang marating niya ang washing area, agad bumuhos ang luha niya.
How long can she stay like this? She wanted to be with him freely, without minding the past - the forgotten memories.
But she can't disclosed the facts. Alam niyang hindi pa talaga malinaw kung ang lalaki nga ang asawa niya. Maybe.. her heart felt it, but her heart can make her believe to lies, too.
If she's blinded by longing, then her heart can lie.
Just few more waiting, Agape. Once the result comes out, make your move.
It's either letting go and holding on.
She calmed herself and went outside of the restroom. Nang makarating siya sa may hagdan ng second floor, she saw Lucian, talking to someone at the phone.
"I'm not lying! Gray's really here! What?! Are you telling I'm a crazy bastard who's making up things? Damn you, Lucas!"
Binaba nito ang cellphone at agad na nagtipa roon.
"Hey, Acosta.. Yeah, No.. hindi ako uutang! I have lots of money! I already sent a message in the group chat! I told you, I saw Pereira! He's here! Eating that fucking Oglio pasta-
Napailing-iling na lang siya at hindi na ito pinansin.
Napaatras siya sa paglalakad ng makitang bahagyang tumatawa si Archer. Wine keeps hugging his neck, at nakaalalay naman ang lalaki sa bata.
"D-Da.. dada.. " Napapikit na lang siya sa paulit-ulit na binubulong ni Wine. Agape wanted to take Wine away from him, but she doesn't have a heart to hurt her daughter.
It's obvious that Wine got attached with the man who looks like her father.
"U-Uhm.. Wine, what do you want for your birthday?" Clare softly asked Wine. "Do you like this?" pinakita ni Clare ang picture ng stuff toys sa phone nito.
Wine just stared at her Tita Ninang. "Dada.. " she only said and hid her neck again to Archer.
Clare cleared her throat. "You like barbies, right? Do you want Tita Ninang to buy one for you?"
Hindi ito kinibo ni Wine. Tumingin siya sa anak at nakitang nakatingin ito sa kan'ya "My.. my.. " tawag ng anak sa kan'ya. Wine can't still pronounce Mommy clearly. "Da.. dad-da.. "
Agape was about to go to Wine when her phone rangs. When she saw that Lucas is the caller, she immediately answered it.
"Where's Wine?" bungad ng lalaki. Napatawa siya ng bahagya. Everyone really adores Wine.
"Uh, playing, " tanging sagot niya.
"At Lucian's restaurant?" he asked, confused.
"Wine is a kid, Lucas, " she said. "Kahit nasa eroplano pa 'yan, playing will be just normal for her, " giit niya.
He tsked. "Malay ko ba, hindi pa naman ako nagkakaanak. "
"What do you want? I'm not with Red, " aniya. Lucas were too head over heels with Red. At first, Agape thought he was just playing along. Ngayon.. hindi na niya alam.
"Oh. Don't worry about that, hindi ko na type si Red, " he chuckled in the other line.
She rolled her eyes. "Sinabi mo din 'yan last year, pero sinundan mo pa rin sa Seattle, " she shrugged.
He laughed. "Scam lang 'yun, this one is the legit. "
"Ilang beses mo nang sinabi 'yan, "
"Then, today is the last one, "
Napabuntung-hininga na lang siya at sumimsim sa pineapple juice.
"So, if it's not for Red, then why did you call?"
"A fucker messaged us, saying that Gray's alive. Is he?" Lucas asked.
Agape sighed. "I don't know, we're waiting for the DNA results, " mahina pa sa bulong niyang sabi.
"Want my help?"
Tumaas ang kilay niya. "How much?"
He let out a small chuckle. "It's free, or maybe.. invitation to Wine's birthday?"
"Oh. That's easy. You're included, anyway, "
"Cool, " Lucas uttered. "So, want to do some digging?"
"Can you?"
Agape was waiting to Lucas' answers when his facebook profile popped up to her screen.
Video call! Sinagot niya ito at halos mapasapo na lang siya sa noo nang makitang kumpleto ang magkakaibigan. Except for Lucian.
Siyempre, si Lucian nga ang nagpasa ng balita.
"Don't click that fucking stickers, Acosta. Look at our face, it has some fucking puppy ears and nose, " Daniel groaned.
"Try sticking out your tounge guys, now this is cool, " Phoenix sticked his tounge out.
"It's not cool at all, you all look like a dog, " Zadrick changed the sticker to a butterfly.
"Of course, it's a dog. Not a cat, horse, and pig. Because it's a dog's sticker or filter or whatever the fuck you call that, " Damien shrugged.
"Remove all that shits, and this butterflies in the screen, " Lucas hissed.
"You guys.. okay?" Agape hesitantly asked. They are fighting about who will hold the phone. "Just put the phone somewhere, or put it on top of that table, " she advised.
"Thanks, Mrs. Pereira, " Lucas said.
"Saan si Wine? I'll ask her about what gift she wants, " Zadrick
She rolled her eyes. It's not that.. Wine will really answer him.
Agad siyang napatingin kay Wine. Agape was remained breathless for a second when her eyes met Archer's. He was looking at her, and suddenly dropped his eyes to the phone she's holding.
Tahimik siyang lumapit sa anak na nakaupo sa hita ng lalaki. She gave the phone to Wine. Sanay naman ito dahil madalas silang magvideocall ni Abuela.
"Wine, I have a barbie house for you. Ninong Phoenix is your favorite ninong, right?"
"That's absurd, Stravinsky. I gave Wine her own car last year, " Lucas shrugged.
"I'm the one who will architect her house, fuckers, " Lucian
"And what about me? Wine has her own free pass in my hospital, no expiration, " Zadrick even rolled his eyes.
Hindi na lang siya umimik, ganoon din si Wine.
"Who's carrying Wine? Si Thena? Bakit lumaki braso?"
Halos mapatalon siya sa upuan sa biglang naging tanong ni Caleb.
"Uh.. my d-driver?" mahinang sabi niya.
"Oh. All around na pala driver niyo? That's cool. Which agency did he came from?"
Agape cleared her throat. "Someone just recommend him to me, "
She sighed in calmness when the boys continued talking to Wine.
When the call ended, Agape silently glanced at her daughter. It looks like Wine's comfortable with Archer. Napabuntung-hininga na lang siya at umayos ng upo.
"Sino sa kanila ang tatay ni Wine?"
Napabuga siya sa iniinom sa naging biglang tanong ni Archer.
"W-What?"
"The guys who called. One of them is Wine's father, right?"
"Ah.. " nasabi na lang niya. "Hindi, " she answered.
Napatango-tango ang lalaki. "Oh. It's make sense. They doesn't have even a little features of Wine, " he shrugged.
Napainom siya ng tubig. Clare just groaned at her seat.
"U-Uh, Wine's father is not one of them, e, " she answered. "Can I get Wine? I think she's sleepy, " she fastly changed the topic.
He didn't answer but he stood up to her direction, giving Wine to her.
Nakatulog na pala ang bata.
"Clare, we'll get going. Wine's tired, " Agape looked at her friend. "You have plans after this, right?"
Clare planned to go to the lab today.
"I brought my car. Ihahatid ko na kayo nila Thena, " Clare stood up.
Hilaw siyang napatawa. "Uh, remember? I have a driver now. Siya na m-maghahatid, " aniya.
Clare let out a mischievous smile. "Hatid lang, ha?" mahinang bulong niya.
Her cheeks flushed. She's not a violent type of person. Pero gustong-gusto na talaga niyang sabunutan si Clare.
"Let me carry her, " Acher beside her spoke, pertaining to Wine who's sleeping so peaceful at her arms.
"Okay, " Agape said and he properly took Wine from her.
Naunang maglakad ang lalaki papunta sa kotse. Thena at her side, holding Wine's stuffs.
"M-Ma'am, " imik ni Thena. "S-Sa picture po kasi diba siya.. "
Hindi na nito tinuloy ang sasabihin.
She smiled. "Hindi pa sigurado, " Agape answered the safest one.
"Kamukhang-kamukha niya ma'am. 'Tsaka, parehas sila ng mata ni Wine! Sa tingin ko nga ay nahalata din 'yun nung Archer, "
Sa sinabi ni Thena ay napatango siya. It was too obvious how similar their eyes.
Bago pumasok sa kotse ay inilabas niya ang cellphone at nagtipa ng mensahe kay Aira.
I'm going home, Aira. Pakidala na lang dito 'yung mga pipirmahan ko sa second shelves.
Ibinulsa niya ang cellphone at binuksan ang pinto ng kotse. Sa front seat siya umupo nang makitang nasa likod na si Thena at Wine.
When she was assured that Wine's safe at the back with the bay car seat, she pushed some buttons for music.
"Give me your phone, " utos niya sa lalaki.
When he handed her the phone, she putted her house's location to the Waze. Pero bago niya ibalik ang cellphone sa lalaki, kinalikot pa niya ang laman nito.
She went to the contacts at nakita naman niyang si Aira at siya lang ang nandoon. But she frowned when she saw what her contact name to his phone.
She changed Ma'am Agape to Agape ❤. Okay lang naman kahit may heart, emoji lang naman 'yan.
Pumunta siya sa gallery at wala namang nakitang kakaibang mga litrato. Ang nandoon lang, screenshot yata ng nilalaro niyang Sudoku.
"Oh, " binalik niya ang cellphone sa lalaki.
She changed the music. Nagplaplay ang Dancing on my own ni Calum Scott kanina kaya't pinalitan niya. Sa sobrang sakit yata ng kanta, kahit hindi naman siya medyo relate, maluluha yata siya.
She chose Make it with you by Bread. She likes the music slow.
She felt giddy all of the sudden when Aira replied back.
Okay po ma'am, ihahatid ko po sa inyo.
Hindi na niya pinansin ang sinasabi nito at dali-dali siyang nagreply.
Your brother said that he was hospitalized before. Can I ask you why? Hindi niya sinabi, e.
I'm asking you because it's important. I think it's proper to know some basics info about my driver. Afterall, he's great at driving-
Agad siyang napatigil at binura ang huling linya.
I'm asking you because it's important. I think it's proper to know some basics info about my driver. Afterall, I'm trusting my safety to him.
She smiled a bit when she hit send. Of course! Wala namang sinabi ang lalaki na nahospital nga siya. She was just playing some tricks with Aira.
Accident, ma'am. But don't worry po, hindi naman po 'yun makakaapekto sa trabaho niya.
Accident?
Is it a car accident?
She bit her lower lip while waiting for Aira's reply.
Sinabi po ni Kuya? Yes ma'am, sa kotse po.
Kung wala lang talaga siyang kasama sa kotse, kanina pa siya nagmura. If it's a car accident, then possibly, Archer's her husband. But then.. car accidents are not that rare.
Is he okay now? I mean, you know, can he perfectly do his job? Baka may mga injuries pa siya o ano?
Kung ano-ano nang pinagsasabi niya kay Clare. Agape's sure that the results of the DNA will come out after some days, but she can't wait. Kung maghihintay pa siya sa kapirasong papel na iyon na walang kahit anong pinanghahawakan, baka mabaliw lang siya.
Talagang maayos na po siya, ma'am. Though, halos anim na buwan po siyang coma at limang buwang nasa wheelchair.
Pero wala naman na pong problema sa kan'ya ma'am. Isang taon na rin naman pong nagtratrabaho siya sa kung saan-saan.
Her breathing become heavy. Inangat niya ng kunti ang sarili sa pagkakaupo at inayos ang aircon ng kotse. Pinagpapawisan siya sa kaba sa mga nalalaman niya.
She calmed herself a bit before she typed for a new reply. This time, it will end some of her worries.
Hindi naman siguro siya nawalan ng alaala, 'no? haha gano'n kasi sa mga movies
Pinatay niya ang screen ng phone at tumingin ng diretso sa daan. Mas kinakabahan pa yata siya ngayon kumpara sa kapag nagprepresent siya sa board members.
Her phone beeped. Ilang segundo pa niya 'yung tiningnan bago buksan.
Well, parang movies nga po ma'am. He lost all of his memories. The doctor said that it will come back if someone triggered him. Isa po sa mga rason kung bakit kami nasa Manila ngayon. He's looking for his forgotten memories.
Fuck.
Agad niyang pinatay ang cellphone at nang maramdamang tumigil na ang kotse sa tapat ng bahay niya, dali-dali siyang bumaba at binuksan ang backseat para kunin si Wine.
Thena called her but she didn't look back. Marahan niyang inilapag si Wine sa crib sa kwarto niya at agad na dumiretso sa walk-in-closet.
Nanghihina siyang napaupo sa malamig na tiles ng sahig. Isinubsob niya ang mukha sa nakabaluktot niyang tuhod. Halos mawalan na siya ng hininga dahil sa bilis ng tibok ng puso niya. It was painful.. so painful that she's clenching her fist.
I'm supposed to be happy, right? Pero bakit masakit parin?
Oo nga't nakaramdam siya ng kaginhawaan, ngunit hindi nagbago ang ritmo ng sakit na bumabalot sa sistema niya. Mas nadadagdagan. Tila bumalik lahat ng pakiramdam niya na ikinulong niya sa pinakailalim ng puso niya para hindi makawala.
If she let her pain dominate her, she can't be a mother to Wine. She chose to hide her pain, to be a better mother for her daughter.
Iniisip niya noon na maagang binawi sa kanila ni Wine si Gray, at ayaw niya na pati siya ay mawala sa anak.
She have been suppressing her tears for a long time. Kung iiyak siya, sa lugar kung saan hindi siya maririnig at makikita ng anak. Wine maybe not understand why she's crying, but she can't still hear and see it.
Why does it have to be so hard? Noon, gusto niyang bumalik ang lalaki. Gusto niyang humiling sa lahat na ibalik ang asawa. Ngunit ngayong nakikita niya ang posibilidad, bakit masakit parin?
Maybe it's true. That pain really stays. Hindi iyon agad matatabunan sa loob lamang ng isang araw.
Her phone keeps on ringing. Pero hindi niya iyon pinansin at pinatay ang phone. She turned it off, that no one can ever call her.
Tanging sakit na lang ang nararamdaman niya ngayon. Tila may bumibiyak sa puso niya. Mahirap huminga. Ang pagpilit niya sa sarili na huwag gumawa ng malakas na pag-iyak ang mas lalong nagpapahirap sa kan'ya.
Catching her breath, she stood up. She went to the side of walk-in-closet where her husband's clothes are properly arranged. Kahit lumipat na siya ng bahay, hindi niya nakalimutang dalhin ang mga gamit ng asawa.
His suits are still hanging at the clothes rack. Nang buksan niya ang glass drawer sa gilid ay agad niyang nakita ang iba't ibang neck tie nito.
Even his shoes, watches, everything. She vowed to keep them forever.
Kumalma siya ng kaunti habang inaabala ang mata sa mga gamit ng asawa. Bahagyang napapawi ang sakit sa dibdib, ngunit mayroon pa ring kirot.
She took his white dress shirt. It reached her mid thigh. Even before, she's so comfortable with his clothes.
She can't removed the swollen in her eyes. Hinayaan niya na lang iyon. She put her hair in a bun, which results in a messy one, and went outside of the closet.
She automatically smiled when she saw Wine, still sleeping at the crib.
She went downstairs after she kissed Wine's forehead. Maybe Aira is already here.
Agad na sinalakay ng kaba ang pagkatao niya nang makita ang lalaking prenteng nakaupo sa sofa. Agad siyang nag-iwas ng paningin at lumapit kay Aira.
"Kanina ka pa?" she asked her secretary.
"H-Hindi naman po, ma'am, " Aira answered.
Napatango siya, iniiwasang mapatingin sa lalaki.
"You should stay for some minutes. I'll prepare a snacks, " she smiled.
Umiling-iling si Aira. "M-Ma'am, hindi na po-
"No buts, " pigil niya.
Hindi na ito nakapagreklamo at bumalik sa upuan. Siya naman ay dumiretso sa kusina.
"Ma'am ako na po, " ani Thena.
Ngumiti lang siya. "Hindi na. Pakitingnan na lang sa taas si Wine, "
She bought boxes of dutch apple pie earlier so she didn't bother to make a snack. A vanilla raspberry cream soda for drink, and that's it.
"Here, dig in, " aniya at nilapag sa lamesa ang pagkain.
Agape sat at the single sofa. Nakita niyang kumain si Aira pero si Archer hindi.
"Hindi mo gusto?" tanong niya.
"I'm full, I can't eat anymore, " he shrugged.
"Okay. Let's talk outside. I have to tell you something, " Agape talked.
Tumingin ang lalaki sa kan'ya. "Alright, "
TANAW ang malawak na pool sa summerhouse na nasa garden ng bahay kung nasaan sila. Pareho lang silang nakatingin sa tubig, hindi umiimik.
"Move out from the apartment you're staying. You will live here, " she stared at his eyes.
"No, " agad nitong sagot. "It's not safe for my sister to live alone, "
Hindi niya inalis ang tingin sa lalaki. "I'm giving Aira a scholarship. I'm sure she will start the dorm life soon, " she answered.
"Do I really have to move in here?"
"Yes, " she automatically answered. "Lumalabas ako ng bahay kahit ala-una ng umaga. I don't like driving so, " she shrugged.
"What are you doing at 1 am?"
"Naggrogrocery, " mabilis niyang sagot.
He chuckled. "Grocery? That's too early. Are stores even open?"
She glared at the guy. "Why? Are you saying I'm lying?"
"I'm not saying anything. You concluded that, " napatahimik siya.
"Just.. do what I said. You're staying here, Mr. Ynares. Don't ask anymore, " nag-iwas siya ng tingin.
"What would I gain if I move in here?"
She looked at his hazel eyes.
"Raise in salary?"
"Just that?"
She stopped and went to his direction.
"Name what you like, I'll give it to you wholeheartedly. "
-
And I'm sorry if this story is not that 'nakakakilig' type. Every words I wrote here came naturally. I don't like working up myself too much so I didn't bother forcing my mind to think of so romantic scenes. So bear with me, hope you're still enjoying the story.