Chapter 7
(Date)
"What happened to you?" Walang emosyong tanong niya habang nagbabasa ng mga report. Sa harap ng kanyang office table ay nakatayo ang nakatungong si Danny.
"We fought the other day... and he injured my face."
Doon lamang siya nag-angat ng tingin rito.
"Show me your face." Direstong utos niya.
Dahan dahan na nag-angat ng tingin si Danny sa kanya. Bakas sa mukha nito ang pagkadismaya at hiya maliban sa pasa nito sa mata at sa gilid ng pisngi.
"Why did you show up to me late?" Nakahalukipkip niyang tanong. Prente lamang siyang nakasandal sa kanyang upuan.
Aambang magbaba ng tingin si Danny ngunit galit niyang sinigawan ito.
"Don't look down, you bastard!"
Umayos ng tayo ang kaharap at pilit na tumitingin ng diretso sa kanya. Ngunit alam nilang pareho na takot itong magalit siya.
"Are you going to answer my question or not?" Ngitngit ang ngipin na tanong niya.
"I-I had to cool down for a while after my encounter with Clade Ivanov before I show myself to you. I know how much of a disappointment I am." Guilty'ng sagot nito.
Umismid siya. "It's good that you know. I briefed you about him, on what he can do. But just a simple task to injure him, you were not able to do it properly."
"I was able to punch him on his face-"
"Well did he fall on the ground? Is your damage to his face big enough to make him stay in a hospital bed?" Sarkastikong aniya.
Natutop ang bibig ni Danny.
Binuksan niya ang drawer ng kanyang mesa at inilabas doon ang iilang larawang nakuha niya ilang araw ang nakalilipas. Itinapon niya ang mga iyon sa paanan ni Danny.
"Look at the injury you're talking about. Just a small cut on the corner of the lips? How do you punch, you idiot? Like how a 16-year-old would?!" Napatayo siya sa kinauupuan at galit na tinitigan ang kausap.
Nang hindi sumagot si Danny ay pilit niyang pinahinahon ang sarili. Naupo muli siya at pumikit. Sinubukan niyang huminahon sa pamamagitan ng paghingang malalim.
Makalipas ang ilang minutong katahimikan ay nagpatuloy siya sa pagtatanong.
"Did he say anything to you?"
"He wanted me to send a message to you. He said that you should show yourself to him and not be a coward. He also mentioned how you know each other which means he has an idea who you are. Lastly... my injured face is his welcome gift for you."
Saglit siyang tahimik na nakatitig sa nakatungong si Danny bago unti unting namutawi ang halakhak mula sa kanyang bibig. Naging malakas ang pagtawa na iyon na tumagal ng ilang segundo.
Napailing siya sa kawalan. "So typical of him to say those things... Don't worry, I don't really intend to hide my identity from him. I only hide my plans, so that he'll see a lot of surprise attacks. I will only show myself to him once I saw their family crumble."
"What do you need me to do?" Tanong ni Danny sa kanya.
Bumaling siya ng tingin rito. "We will do our next plan. Attack them again, and this time," mariin niyang tinuro ito. "Do it right. Hire some people to help you do it."
Maiging tumango si Danny na tila sinasabing hindi siya bibiguin.
"Noted, Aed."
---
"Sino 'yan?" Nang-uusisang tanong ni Ela.
"Si Graziella Canazza. Nakilala ko sa Italy four years ago. Nakasama ko sa isa sa mga malalaking hospital sa Rome kung saan nag-assist din ako."
Tumango siya. "Mukhang flirt ah?" Aniya habang pinagmamasdan si Grazie na masayang nakikipag-usap kina direk at sa ibang doktor na dumating dito sa department namin.
Sinapok ko siya ng mahina. "Gaga! Mabait 'yan. Napakahinhin."
"Kilala ni Clade?"
Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya. "Oo. I've introduced them with each other once. Why?"
Nagkibit-balikat siya. "Wala. Just be careful. Trust me, I know those things."
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Huwag kang judgmental, Michaela. Kilalanin mo muna yung tao bago mo sabihin sakin ang mga 'yan."
"Whatever, sis." Aniya at naglakad palapit sa mga nag-uusap.
Napailing na lamang ako. Lumapit din ako sa mga nag-uusap at nakinig sa kanila.
"Dr. Canazza is a great doctor. She spent years in a big hospital in Rome where she had set a good record in the department of surgery as well." Nagmamalaking tugon ni direk.
"Do you know her personally, Director?" Nakangiting tanong ni Dr. Silverio.
Masaya itong tumango. "Yes. She's the daughter of a former colleague. I was friends with her mom before, but she died early. It was surprising to know that she became a doctor. Last time I saw her, she was still a little girl."
Napatingin ako kay Grazie na mahinhing nakangiti at bahagyang nakatungo. Napangiti ako sa aking sarili. She is still the shy type, just like when we were in Italy.
I still remember how she approached me first in the hospital. I was eating in the cafeteria alone when she sat in front of me. She introduced herself as a doctor and that's when we started becoming close both in the medical field and as friends. May mga times pa ngang nagra-rant siya sa akin tungkol sa mga seniors niya.
I didn't expect that she would transfer here in IMC at all.
I was dragged back to reality when I saw her looking at me. I smiled genuinely which she immediately returned with a shy one.
"Welcome to IMC" I mouthed. Itinaas ko ang aking isang kamao at pinakita iyon sa kanya bilang pagsasabi ng "You can do this."
Tango at mas confident na ngiti ang isinukli niya. Napabaling naman ako kay Ela nang marinig ang makahulugan niyang pagtikhim sa aking tabi.
"What?" Kunot noo kong tanong.
She just glanced at me and Grazie alternately. There's that knowing look of hers. Afterward, she stared at me for a second and gave me a sarcastic smile.
Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako. "Ela, what did I say? Kilalanin mo muna, okay? After a month, doon mo sa akin sabihin kung ano ang totoong impression mo sa kanya."
"Like I said too, sis... Whatever."
Hindi ko na pinansin ang sinabi niya. Hinayaan namin ang patuloy na pag-uusap ng mga kasama namin hanggang sa magpaalam ang ibang doctors na babalik na sa kanilang mga department. Naiwan naman sa amin si Grazie.
I took that as an opportunity to formally introduce her to Ela. At nang matapos na ang kahibangan ng isa.
"Grazie," pumunta ako sa kanyang tabi at inakbayan siya. "I would like you to meet my best friend. She's the one I've been telling you about in Italy. Her name's Michaela."
"Oh," namamanghang saad ni Grazie. She held out her hand for Ela. "It's nice to finally meet you, Michaela... Sorry, can I call you that?"
Pasimpleng tumikhim si Ela bago ngumiti sa kausap. "Sure. Michaela's fine. Nice to meet you too."
Wala sa limang segundo silang nagkamay. Masama kong tiningnan si Ela dahil halatang agad niyang binawi ang kanyang kamay. Ngunit hindi niya ako tinapunan ng tingin kahit alam kong nakikita niya ang matatalim kong mata.
"I'm sorry, I have to go now. I still have something to do. Excuse me." Paalam ni Ela.
"Oh sure," medyo natatarantang sagot ni Grazie.
Nakaramdam ako kaunting inis kay Ela dahil sa pakikitungo niya sa tao. It's very obvious that Grazie is a good person and she's just innocent. Pero pinapanindigan pa rin niya ang mga kahibangan niya.
Matapos kong pakalmahin ang sarili, bumaling ako kay Grazie na tahimik na nakatingin sa akin. Kami nalang dalawa ang natira rito sa hallway malapit sa mga office ng Surgery Dept. Ngumiti ako sa kanya.
"I'm sorry about that. I think she's just jealous... because you know, she's the best friend." Sinundan ko pa iyon ng tawa upang ibsan ang pagkailang niya.
She laughed a bit too. "Yeah... I totally understand. I just need to prove myself to her then-"
"No." Putol ko sa sinasabi niya. "Nobody needs to prove herself to anybody. You just have to learn on your own here and do your thing. I promise, Ela will eventually know you and she will then like you."
I saw that hopeful glint on her eyes. All I can do is give her an unsure smile.
Giniya ko siya patungo sa mga offices ng aming department. Ipinakita ko sa kanya ang loob ng bawat opisina, maging ang mga importanteng files sa departamento. Huli naming binisita ang aking dating opisina.
Napangiti ako nang makitang pareho pa rin ang itsura nito, nag-iba lamang ng kaunti sa pagkakaayos ng mga gamit gaya ng mesa, drawers, at equipment. Pinaupo ko si Grazie sa sofa'ng nasa maliit na sala ng opisina ko.
"Here," abot ko sa kanya ng coffee. Naupo ako sa sofa'ng nasa harapan niya. "With cream and sugar."
Tumawa siya. "You still remember my preference with coffees?"
Nakangiti akong tumago. "Of course, it's only been a year since we last saw each other. How's your volunteering in Middle East, by the way?"
"Oh," ibinaba niya ang tasa mula sa kanyang mukha at humugot ng malalim na hininga. "Very chaotic and dangerous. The wars in there are no joke, Ari. There were a lot of moments when I thought it would be my last."
I gave her a sympathetic look habang matamang nakikinig sa kwento niya.
"A lot of times when I almost lost my life... Be it bombs, bullets, knives, and of course, many terrorists. I actually developed PTSD, but you know, I'm gradually becoming okay." Mahina siyang ngumiti sa akin.
Tumayo ako at lumipat sa kanyang tabi. Agad kong hinawakan ang kamay niya bilang pagdamay.
"I had no idea you've gone through all that. Why did you have to go there in the first place? You were doing fine in Rome and our work there wasn't so bad." Saad ko.
Bumuntong-hininga siya. "I wanted to help the injured there, Ari. It has been my calling. A man close to my heart called for my help, and I couldn't turn him down."
"A man close to your heart?" Kunot-noong tanong ko.
"Yeah. He asked for my help and he was desperate. Knowing that, I couldn't say no to him. So, I immediately fled to Middle East." May kaunting ngiti sa kanyang mukha habang sinasambit iyon.
Nagtakaka akong nag-isip. Wala akong alam na boyfriend niya o lalaki na malapit sa kanya sa loob ng tatlong taong nakasama ko siya. Lalo pa na isang lalaking nasa Middle East.
"Who is this man? A boyfriend?" Usisa ko.
Natawa siya ng bahagya. Akala ko ay sasagutin niya ngunit nagkibit balikat lamang siya.
"What the heck? You're being showbiz now! Tell me who he is."
"Secret." Natatawang aniya pa. Pati ang pagtawa niya, mahinhin pa rin.
Pabiro ko siyang inirapan. Masikreto talaga ang babaeng ito kahit kailan. Napailing na lamang ako nang patuloy niya akong tinatawanan.
"Come on, Ari. Things are complicated between us, okay? And he's far from being my boyfriend."
"Why? There's no chance?"
"Well... he's just close to my heart and he's a family. The only family I have left, so he's important to me."
Family? I'm pretty sure she has no family in Italy and as far as I know, she's an orphan and an only child. Baka kababata or malapit na kaibigan ang tinutukoy niyang lalaki.
"Is he in the army? That's why he asked you for help in Middle East?"
"Kind of. He works with guns, bombs, and he is involved in lots of chaos."
Sounds so much like Clade's life, huh? Pinakatitigan ko siya ngunit hindi kababakasan ng kakaibang emosyon ang mukha niya. Mukhang ordinaryong lalaki nga lang ang tinutukoy niya, walang espesyal.
"You're full of secrets, tsk." Umiling ako.
"Don't worry, you'll get to know me more from now on because I plan to work here for a very long time."
Napangiti ako. "Speaking of, why did you choose IMC? Was it only because of Director Reyes?"
"Yes. But also because of you. When I found out that you also work here and that Clade was actually the owner of this hospital, I decided to work here," binigyan niya ako ng matalim na tingin habang pabirong umiiling. "You didn't even tell me that this is how rich you guys are."
I shrugged her remark off. "Well, I don't think it was relevant to our friendship. Besides, it is all my husband's wealth, not mine. I'm just a mere employee."
"How's he anyway? Still cold and distant? How 'bout your kids?" Taas-kilay niyang tanong.
"Yes." Natatawa kong sagot. "As I've been bragging about before, he's only kind to me... And the kids, they're fine."
She scoffed at me and crossed her arms on her chest. "Once I found my man, I'll be the one bragging to you."
Nagtawanan kami. Nagpatuloy ang aming catch up hanggang sa may tumawag sa aming dalawa upang mag-assist ng cases. Naging hectic na ang aming first day matapos iyon.
Maghahatinggabi na nang matapos sa trabaho. Nauna nang umalis sa akin si Grazie dahil may kikitain pa daw itong importanteng tao. Habang si Ela nama'y sinundo na ni kuya halos isang oras lang ang nakakaraan. They offered me a ride, but I refused.
Binuksan ko agad ang phone ko nang makitang umilaw iyon. Napangiti ako nang mabasa ang text. Sumandal ako sa swivel chair habang malambot ang ekspresyon na nakatitig sa mensaheng natanggap. Nakakawala talaga ng pagod ang ganito.
My Last:
Waiting for you outside atm. Pls don't make your husband wait for too long. Love you :)
Hindi ko mapigilan ang pagngiti habang nagtitipa ng reply.
Ako:
I thought our driver would pick me up tonight? How are the kids? Did you put them to sleep?
My Last:
Yeah. They were chaotic just an hour ago. If I hadn't threatened to take all their toys away, they wouldn't sleep. They don't listen to me so easily.
Natawa ako ng malakas sa sagot niya. That's so cute of them. Those two really know how to irritate their dad. Kailangan pa muna talagang mag-effort si Clade sa pananakot sa kanila para lang sundin siya. Napailing ako. 'Yan ang resulta kapag spoiled ang mga anak. Mabuti pa ako't napapasunod ko sila dahil hindi ko sila ini-spoil.
Ako:
Alright. I'll be there in a minute. Love you
Nag-reply pa siya ngunit hindi ko na tiningnan. Inayos ko na ang aking mga gamit at ang mga files na nakalatag sa mesa ko. Nang masigurong wala akong nakalimutan dalhin, lumabas na ako ng opisina at ini-lock iyon.
Wala na halos tao sa mga hallway. Habang ang mga nurse station naman ay tig-iisa o tig-dadalawa na lamang ang mga naka duty. I smiled at those who greeted me on the hallway.
Nang makalabas sa main entrance, agad kong nakita si Clade na nakasandal sa kanyang kotse. Kaunti na lang din ang tao dito sa labas kaya agad ko siyang nakita. He wears his coat on top of his casual clothes, but that weren't what caught my attention. It was the white coat and bouquet on each of his hands.
I smiled widely at the sight. I'm living for moments like this. I could just bring my car to drive myself here, but this isn't actually so bad. Bukod sa pagod na akong mag-drive, nakakasama ko pa siya minsan ng ganito. Kaya naman hinayaan ko siyang sunduin ako o kaya naman ipasundo ako imbes na dalhin ang sasakyan ko.
He smiled immediately when he saw me. Siya na ang naglakad palapit sa akin at agad niyang pinalibot ang coat sa katawan ko upang protektahan ako sa lamig ng hangin. Afterward, he offered the bouquet na agad kong tinanggap.
Nahigit ko ang aking hininga nang yakapin niya ang baywang ko at halikan ako ng malalim. It took us seconds before our lips parted.
"What's all these for?" Bulong ko sa kanyang labi.
He shrugged. "Nothing. I just want to date my wife."
"Date?" Natawa ako. "It's midnight, Clade. There are no open restaurants now-"
"Nah," isinabit niya ang iilang hibla ng buhok ko sa likod ng aking tainga. "I made a reservation in our favorite restaurant."
Nanlaki ang mata ko. Pinalo ko ang dibdib niya. "Why did you have to reserve it right now? You're bothering people, Clade."
Tumawa lang siya at muli akong hinalikan. "Come on. We don't want to keep their staff waiting, do we?"
I rolled my eyes with his naughtiness. Nang-aabala siya ng tao sa ginagawa niyang 'to! Ngunit wala naman akong nagawa kundi sumama sa kanya.
"Good evening... I mean, good morning, sir, ma'am?" Medyo naguguluhang tanong ng manager ng restaurant habang tinitingnan ang relo niya.
Natawa kami ni Clade sa kanya. It's already 12 AM, I understand why he's this confused.
Tinapik ni Clade ang balikat niya. "Yeah, good morning. I'm sorry for disturbing you this late night."
"Oh, no, Sir Clade. This is us serving our regular and VIP customers, it's not a disturbance for us. We are more than happy to serve you and Ma'am Ariadne, especially when you told me that you wanted to date her."
Pilit kong itinago ang tuwa sa aking mukha dahil sa narinig.
"Alright then. But I'll make sure that next time, we will reserve at an earlier time."
"Noted, sir. This way please."
Giniya niya kami sa usual na pwesto namin dito dati. I enjoyed the changes in this restaurant. They integrated modern designs and style with the classic ambiance of the whole place. Mas naging elegante ang dating ng lugar. I actually liked how we own the whole place right now. Tanging kami lang dalawa ang customer nila.
Nang makarating sa table, hinubad namin ang aming mga coat at nilagay sa isa pang upuan bago kami naupo.
Iilang waitress and waiter, maging mga chef, ang nasa malayong gilid namin. They are waiting to serve us. After we chose our meal from the menu, they left us to prepare our order.
"So, how's your first day? Were they treating you well?" Pagbubukas niya ng topic nang kaming dalawa na lang.
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Too well, you mean? Director Reyes wanted to give me a special treatment, Clade. I didn't like it, so I rejected it."
Inosente niya akong tinitigan. "I don't know anything about that," depensa niya. "I know how much you hate special treatments."
"Tss," sagot ko sa depensa niya.
"I'm serious, milaya."
"Yeah... By the way, I met Grazie in IMC today. She will be working with me starting today."
"Really?" He sounds uninterested with the topic.
Napangiti ako habang nakikipagtitigan sa kanya.
"What?" He asked.
"Nothing..." Nagpatuloy ako sa topic. "We did some catching up with each other. She actually experienced trauma from her volunteer work in Middle East."
"How come she applied in IMC?"
"Well, she knows Direk Reyes and she found out that I'm working there too. And..." I smirked at him. "She knows you're the owner of IMC."
He scoffed. "Proud wife, huh?"
Natawa ako. "Of course, my husband owns a famous hospital who also provides good services. Who wouldn't be proud, right? But I wasn't the one who told her, okay? She found out by herself."
"Yeah, I know how humble you are, dear."
I smiled and stared at him for a while, thinking of ways how to make up to him. Naalala ko ang plano kong bumawi at humingi ng pasensya sa kanya dahil sa mga nangyayari sa nakalipas na araw. I feel bad for pressuring him and stressing him out.
"Hey. You okay?" Pukaw niya sa pag-iisip ko.
"Uh yeah... I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"About how I need to apologize to you... for pushing you too hard these past few days. I didn't lose my trust in you, Clade. I was just scared and worried for all of us."
"Milaya..." matiim niyang tawag. Gumapang ang kamay niya sa mesa upang abutin ang kamay ko. "Don't spoil our date, okay? You don't have to ask for forgiveness because I always forgive you easily. Besides, I totally understand your concerns. I also know how much we need to protect our family."
"Thank you for understanding me. I will also try my best to understand you better from now on. I promise, no more pressure from me. I will just trust you silently."
"No," umiling siya. "I want you to voice out your concerns to me always. That's how we can communicate properly to protect our family. We're partners, Ariadne. I need you as much as you need me. We need to be together in this fight, just like before."
Tumango ako. Nag-umpisa nang manubig ang mga mata ko kaya tinikom ko na lamang ang aking bibig. He caressed my hand while I calmed myself.
Moments later, the food were served to us and we ate peacefully. We talked about anything under the sun.
"Thank you for your service. You still have a great one until now. I'll make sure to give a 5-star rating." Ani Clade habang papalabas na kami.
"Oh, thank you so much, sir and ma'am." Anang manager.
"Thank you din," I smiled at him.
Clade opened the door for me. Nilagay ko ang bouquet sa backseat nang makapasok. We drove home quietly, with only the noise of the stereo breaking the silence. Mabilis lamang kami nakarating sa bahay dahil sa kawalan ng sasakyan sa daan.
"Nay, ang mga bata?" Tanong ko sa may edad na mayordoma nang pumasok ako sa kusina upang uminom ng tubig. Si Clade ay nauna nang umakyat sa akin.
"Ay tulog na sila, ma'am. Kanina pa po. Pinatulog ni Sir Clade bago kayo sinundo."
Ngumiti ako. "Hindi po sila nagising?"
"Hindi naman po." She smiled through her wrinkled eyes. Dahil doon, nawala ang pagiging istrikta at masungit ng mukha niya.
"Salamat po. Matulog na ho kayo. Madaling araw na."
"Opo, ma'am. Tatapusin ko lang saglit 'tong paghuhugas ng pinggan." Turo niya sa lababo.
"Okay po. Good night, nay."
"Good night, Ma'am Ariadne."
Tahimik ang buong bahay habang paakyat ako ng hagdan. Diretso kong tinungo ang kwarto ng aking mga anak. Just like what they claimed, they were sleeping so peacefully. Pumasok ako habang iniwang nakabukas ang pinto. I kissed their foreheads and then sat on Carie's bed. Hinaplos ko ng paulit ulit ang buhok ng anak ko. She's too innocent and too young. She needs more protection from us.
Binalingan ko ng tingin si Clay at masuyong napangiti habang nakikita din siyang mahimbing na natutulog. I'm glad that this boy is determined to protect his sister as early as now. But whatever the circumstances are, as parents, we are the only ones who must protect these two angels. No matter what.
"Hey..." sambit ko nang maramdamang may humalik sa aking ulo.
"What are you thinking?" Tanong niya nang maupo sa kama ni Clay. Magkaharapan na kami ngayon. Naka sweatpants siya ngunit walang pang-itaas.
Tipid akong ngumiti. "Protecting them." Lingon ko sa mga bata. "We need to be more careful from now on."
"And we will be. Don't worry too much, okay? I have my men and even your brother to work on things that will protect us from that man. We won't let anything bad happen."
"Alright then." Sagot ko. Napatingin ako sa kanyang hubad na katawan. I only realized now how seductive he looks. I know these moves... he definitely wants something from me right now.
Napabuntong-hininga ako at napailing. Narinig ko naman ang tawa niya.
"What?" Inosenteng tanong niya.
"Please, Clade, we're in our kids' room. Behave."
"I am behave." Mwestra niya sa kanyang sarili. "But if you want, we can go to our room."
Napairap ako ngunit nauna nang tumayo at pumunta sa aming kwarto. Nang marinig ko ang pagsara ng pinto sa aking likuran, hindi na ako nagulat nang bigla akong buhatin at ihiga sa kama.
We spent the rest of the night giving each other some heat.