Dasha can't help but to smile seeing how eager Kairo wants to hold her hand while they entered the elevator. Tinatanggal niya ang kamay mula sa paghawak nito at paulit-ulit naman nitong inaabot ang kamay niya. She liked it very much, the feeling of falling inlove into someone who feels the same. A kind of feeling that you know it's genuine and overflowing.
" I think I need to buy an engagement ring today!"
Mahina niya itong siniko sa tagiliran. "You aren't serious when you told your Mom about it right?"
"It depends on how my Mom perceived it!" nakangiting wika nito saka kinindatan siya. Napamaang naman siya ng maalala ang ina nito. His Mom is weird, if she'll think that it doesn't count she would let it go, but if she thinks and make big deal with it worse comes to worse.
"It's just a reminder for her, I made a decision myself."
Nang bumukas ang elevator agad silang lumabas at dumiretso sa kwarto ni Kyrie. She let go of his hand and walks in before him.
Nakita niya ang anak na nakaupo sa bed habang nanunuod ng palabas. Kasama naman nito ang Yaya nito.
"Grandma said she had to leave early because she had something to do."
Tumango naman siya at tiningnan si Kairo na nakangiti lang. Umiiling nalang siyang umupo sa sofa, eksakto namang pumasok si Damien para tingnan at suriin si Kyrie. Marami itong habilin sa kanya saka sinabi nitong makakalabas na si Kyrie kinabukasan.
"You can go home now, Kyrie's fine. I know you haven't had enough sleep since last night." wika niya kay Kairo tumango naman ito saka lumapit kay Kyrie at magpaalam.
"I'll send him off!" paalam niya sa anak.
Kairo grabs her hand and walks out of the room. Damien saw it and laughed ridiculously. Damien knows Kairo's childish behavior. He's so territorial, when he saw them last night talking he was staring at them like he's going to throw a bomb at him. Alam nito kung ano ang relasyon nilang dalawa, pero masyadong obssess si Kairo kay Dasha kaya natatawa nalang si Damien.
"What's wrong with you?" tanong ni Dasha kay Kairo. Umiling lang ito saka kumindat sa kanya.
"I DON'T THINK YOU'RE a cool guy anymore!" bulalas ni Zeke saka tiningnan ang pinsan. "You're sure about that love, are you?" tanong nito.
Kairo just shrugged and walks into the living room of his parents house. Mas malapit kasi ito sa hospital kaya doon siya dumiretso, just in case tumawag si Dasha makakapunta kaagad siya doon. Sumalubong sa kanya si Gavin saka niya ito inaya sa maliit na opisina niya sa kwarto niya.
Gavin told him about the situation in the company. Good thing everything went well except for the Directors who's complaining about his absence. Some shareholders even suggested to replace Gavin as the president. They don't know Gavin is loyal to him that's why he trusted him the most. He once offered him the position as vice president of the company but he declined the offer. Gavin doesn't want a position in the company, he earned enough already as a personal assistant and right hand of the president. His Mom even spoiled him kaya nga ito bumili ng sariling condo.
Nang matapos ito sa paglalathala sa nangyayari sa kompanya ng mawala siya ay saka ito nagligpit at umupo ng maayos at humarap sa kanya.
"What else?" tanong niya dito.
"Your Mom!"
"What about her?" tanong niya habang abala ang atensyon niya sa paghahalungkat sa phone niya. He's waiting if Dasha would call or text him.
"She's arguing with your Dad about your wedding."
Naibaba niya ang phone niya saka tumingin kay Gavin. He looked so relax, of course he would, dahil ibig sabihin nun hindi na siya kukulitin ni Mrs. Francis na magpakasal dahil sa kasal ni Kairo. Minsan kasi naiisip din ni Gavin na mahirap maging ampon ng pamilyang ito dahil masyadong walang magawa ang Ginang kaya nakikisawsaw sa buhay nila.
"I think I can rest and sleep soundly because she won't brag me anymore about getting married." wika nito.
"She'll realize soon and would weep herself." sagot niya saka tumayo at pumasok sa bedroom niya. "Lock the door when you leave." sigaw niya kay Gavin saka pumasok sa banyo.
"Siguro naman babalik ka na sa kompanya dahil tapos na yang problema mo sa pag-ibig." habol na sigaw nito bago lumabas sa kwarto ni Kairo.
Maaga pa lang ay nakaupo na ang ina niya sa living room habang hinihintay siya.
"Sit down!" wika agad nito saka tinuro ang sofa.
"What is it?"
"Kailan mo siya balak pakasalan?" agad na tanong nito. Natatawang umiling si Kairo sa sinabi ng ina saka tumingin rito.
"We're not rushing things here Mom!" sagot niya.
"Ano? Nagagawa mo pa talagang tumawa? Paano kung biglang dumating ang ama ng anak niya? Ayoko lang makitang nasasaktan ka. You can just laugh when you tied a knot with her, someone can stole her away from you as long as you aren't tied yet."
"Ma? Ano na naman bang napapanuod mo o nababasa mo? I will respect Dasha and I won't rush her about that. She's still adjusting herself about us, you know it wasn't easy for her."
Bumuntong hininga ang ina saka siya sinenyasan na umalis.
"You better rush Gavin not me. I bet he had a better relationship with someone than me."
"Don't ever involve my name in that business we broke up already." seryusong wika ni Gavin at dire-diretsong lumabas ng bahay. Sumunod naman siya at hindi na pinansin ang pinuputak ng ina. As usual she's uttering of dying without seeing her grandchild.
"What happen? " tanong niya rito, hindi umimik si Gavin at pinaandar ang sasakyan at mabilis itong pinatakbo. "You better take a vacation." umiiling na usal ni Kairo.
"Ang hirap intindihin ng mga babae. I should have just choose being a priest than being a stupid falling head over heels into someone who's mindset is as chaotic as rubics cube."
They arrived at the company too early because of Gavins mood. He's too heartbroken that he keeps on working, kaya halos lahat yata ng trabaho niya inako na nito.
"Don't exhaust yourself!" paalala niya saka lumabas ng opisina.
ONE DAY LATER
Sinabi ni Damien na pwede nang lumabas sa hospital ang bata. Excited naman ito saka nauna pang lumabas sa kwarto. Sinundo naman sila ni Kairo dahil hindi siya nagdala ng sasakyan. To their surprise, Kairo prepared a little surprise for Kyrie. A banner where there's a word saying Welcome back home na nakalagay ang tumambad sa kanila ng buksan nila ang pintuan ng condo. Mayroon pang cake at mga pagkain na inihanda ang Yaya nito.
"Thank you Mommy, Thank you Yaya, Thank you President!" wika nito saka niyakap sila isa-isa.
They spent the rest of the day celebrating his return. Dumating naman si Zeke na may dalang paborito nitong mocha cake.
It was past nine in the evening when Kyrie fall asleep on his room while Kairo was still in the sofa watching TV. Umuuwi kasi ng five ng hapon ang Yaya ni Kyrie at umuwi na rin ng mag alas syete si Zeke dahil may naghihintay daw sa bahay niya.
"Aren't you going home yet?"tanong niya rito. Hinila lang siya ni Kairo paupo sa tabi nito saka sumandal sa balikat niya.
"I want to stay here with you!" mahinang wika nito saka yumakap sa kanya. Hinayaan naman niya ito saka nanuod din ng palabas.
ZEKE CALLED early in the morning and told her to borrow Kyrie. Gusto daw nitong dalhin ang anak niya sa inaanak nito para magkaroon din ng kaibigan. She agreed on hiM dahil sabi ni Damien makakabuti sa bata kung makakasalamuha ito ng tao sa gayun mababawasan ang pagiging introvert nito.
Excited naman ang anak niya na nag-impake ng ibang gamit. Hinatid muna niya si Kyrie sa bahay ni Zeke bago siya dumiretso sa Gallery. She was too busy that day that she forgot to call her son. It was past three in the afternoon when Mrs. Francis arrived at the gallery looking for her.
Nakaupo ito sa sofa ng opisina niya ng pumasok siya.May sinabi naman ito sa kanya kaya at makalipas ang isang oras na pag-uusap nila ay agad din itong nagpaalam. We'll she was just asking if she can borrow Kyrie. Wala daw kasi itong kasama sa bahay, she want to borrow Kyrie so she have someone to talk to. Hindi nito alam na hindi madaldal ang anak niya, sinabi naman niya sa Ginang kung nasaan si Kyrie kaya malamang magtutungo ito roon o magtatanong ito kay Zeke kung nasaan si Kyrie.
Sinundo siya ni Kairo ng magtakipsilim at sinabi ritong may pupuntahan sila na lugar. Habang nagmamaneho si Kairo at tinatahak nila ang daan ay saka naman niya naalala na ang tinatahak nila na daan ay daan patungo sa mountain restaurant na pinagkainan nila noon.
"I guess this is our first date as a couple." wika nito saka siya ngumiti. Nang makarating sila sa lugar ay walang maski isang customer at sobrang ganda ng paligid. A heartshaped ballons with a fresh and scented flowers on the entrance.
"Did you rent this place?" tanong niya rito, tumango naman ito saka iginiya siya papasok habang manghang-mangha siyang inilibot ang paningin sa paligid.
"Do you like it?"
"Yeah!"
They seated on the table where they sit before. There's a candle on the center and a very melodic music that adds up the romantic ambiance. May lumabas naman na waiter saka sinerve ang mga pagkain. A smile formed on her lips as she looks at the cake with a her name on it. "TO MY PRETTY DASHA!"
Nakangiti siyang tumingin kay Kairo habang nakatitig sa kanya. They both enjoy the food and their first date. He even gave her a bouquet of her favorite flowers. Dahlia ang lilac.
They took a troll outside the restaurant and stargazing, she leaned on his shoulder while looking at the sky.
"Kai?"
"Hmm?"
"What if one day, you met the person you hated the most? What would you do?"
"Hmmm, I'll let it go. I don't like holding grudges towards someone. Why are you asking me that?"
"I just realize recently that I'm holding a grudge to someone unknown. I want to avenge myself and curse him. If ever one day he'll came I don't know what to say. I hate that person truly, sometimes I was imagining that I strangle that person to death, I stab him to death and even buried him alive in my mind"
"You're referring to Kyrie's?
Tumango siya saka bumuntong hininga. "Does it still bother you?"tanong nito. Tumingin siya rito saka tumango. Niyakap naman siya nito saka hinalikan sa noo. "Some things felt better when you let it go. I would definitely feel jealous---"
Hinalikan niya sa Kairo saka siya malawak na ngumiti. "I was just curious. Saka sinabi ko na sa sarili ko na hindi na iyon maibabalik pa. It's in the past and I don't want to hold onto it anymore." wika niya saka yumakap ng mahigpit rito.
KAIRO stood in front of the cafe near at the hospital where Damien is working. Tumawag kasi ito sa kanya dahil may kailangan itong sabihin na importante. He was curious that's why he came early that early. He never had a nice talk with that doctor, that's why she's puzzled why all of a sudden he invited him for a talk. He was looking at the cafe before he gets inside.
Natanaw naman niya si Damien na nakadamit panghospital pa na palapit sa cafe at may hawak na brown envelope. Pumasok ito saka umupo sa harap niya ng makita siya.
"One coffee please." order nito sa waiter. " How about you?"
"I'm fine!" sagot niya saka tumingin rito.
"You haven't remember what happen to you five years ago right?" diretsong tanong nito saka kumunot ang noo niya.
Five years ago, he was abducted by an unknown individuals and was drugged. How come this guy whom he met not so long ago knows about it.
"I asked Zeke about it because I want to confirm something. He was hesitant to tell me at first but I forced him to. Five years ago, you were staying at El Ruiz Hotel and you were walking down the street to relax I bet. You suddenly got abducted by two individuals and got in to a van. You lost your consciousness because you were drugged. When you woke up you realize that you are inside a hotel room naked. Zeke told you that it was a mistaken identity? Maybe it is but it can't be burried forever. "
Tumingin siya rito ng diretso at sa di maipaliwanag na dahilan naikuyom niya ang kamao. He felt like something's not right.
"You're not wondering, how did your famous cousin and one of the best private detective didn't get the information about that night? Don't you think you trust him too much that you've been blinded by the truth?"
"Why are you telling me all of this?"
"When I saw you with Kyrie that night at the hospital I thought it was such a coincidence so see someone resembles someone perfectly." wika nito saka binigay sa kanya ang envelope na dala nito. "See it for yourself!"
Kinuha niya ang envelope saka binuksan at kinuha ang laman niyon. It was a DNA paternity test of him and Kyrie. He was reading the content until his gaze stops at the right bottom part of the paper.
"The alleged father is in fact the biological father!"
Agad siyang tumingin kay Damien na naguguluhan habang paulit-ulit na binabasa ang statement sa Paternity Test.
"I'm doing this for Dasha, she had suffered too much. I told Zeke to tell the truth but he said he'll find a perfect timing. But when is that perfect timing? Now you found out the truth, make a decision yourself. You love her I see that, but can that love save you both from the truth? You should know how much she hated the person who hurt her that night. In short, she hated the person which is you coincidentally. Dasha's mind is unpredictable, she's very vulnerable and I can't just watch her suffer. Do something about it, don't let her find out the truth first."
Nang sabihin iyon ni Damien agad itong tumayo at lumabas ng cafe. He was left speechless while staring at the Paternity Test Result. He was happy knowing Kyrie is his son but he can't help but to question himself. How the fuck did he believe Zeke that time? He was too stressed that he believes evry words Zeke told him.
"I just realize recently that I'm holding a grudge to someone unknown. I want to avenge myself and curse him. If ever one day he'll came I don't know what to say. I hate that person truly, sometimes I was imagining that I strangle that person to death, I stab him to death and even buried him alive in my mind"
Hinilot niya ang sintido niya ng maalala ang sinabing iyon ni Dasha.
"What should I do?"
He came home later that night and when he saw Zeke entering his room with a long face, he might be expecting something would happen. Kinuwelyuhan agad niya ito at malakas na sinandal sa pader.
"Bakit ka nagsinungaling noon?" galit na sambit niya habang nakabaon sa leeg nito ang siko niya.
"Alam ko kasalanan ko, mali ang ginawa ko. Pero wala akong magawa noon, I was left no choice but to conceal the truth."
"Is this the reason why everytime I ask you about her you'll help me? Kaya ba kaya mong isakripisyo trabaho mo para sa kanya dahil doon? You've been fooling her for fucking five years Zeke." galit na sambit niya saka sinapak ito. Napaupo ito sa sahig habang dumudugo ang labi nito.
"I was too confident that time. You even make me believe how clean their works are that you can't find any evidence that night where in fact it was all your doings. I can't even believe you've been fooling us all this years. Fuck!" galit na mura niya.
"Kai, what's going on?" nag-alalang tanong ng ina na kararating lang. Agad naman nitong tinulungan si Zeke na makatayo. "Bakit mo sinuntok ang pinsan mo? Ano bang nangyayari sa inyo? You've never been like this before Kai, what's going on?"
Hindi niya pinansin ang ina saka lumabas ng kwarto niya at dumiretso sa garahe at pinaandar ang sasakyan.
He was too occupied while driving, huli na ng namalayan niyang nasa harap na siya ng condo ni Dasha. He angrily punches the car steering wheel, he was fucking confused and angry on the fact that he was the person Dasha hated the most.
"Fuck!" paulit-ulit na mura niya sa sarili. Pinatong niya ang ulo niya sa manibela saka pinakalma ang sarili. How can he tell her the truth? To think of it, Dasha would probably hate him like hell.
He took a deep breathe and steps out of the car.
DASHA looked at the time on the wall clock when someone rings the doorbell. Tumayo siya sa pagkakaupo sa mini-studio niya saka binaba ang kagamitang pangpinta saka lumabas at nagtungo sa pintuan.
"Kairo?" gulat na sambit niya ng makita itong mukhang depressed ang hitsura.
Niyakap siya agad nito nga mahigpit, hindi man lang ito nagsalita at nakayakap lang sa kanya. "What happen?" nag-aalalang tanong niya.
"I miss you!" bulong nito sa kanya. Yumakap siya pabalik rito saka ng kumalas ito ay saka niya inayang pumasok.
"What happen?" tanong niya ulit rito.
"I just realize that we haven't go out often yet, do you want to go on a vacation? Just us?"
Hindi agad sumagot si Dasha at nag-iisip pa muna. If she'll leave what about Kyrie.
"We can tag him. I also want to have some time alone with him." Lumiwanag naman ang mukha niya saka yumakap rito.
"Fine, when are we leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
Nagulat pa siya sa sa sagot nito pero tumango rin siya kalaunan. "I have something to tell you!" seryusong wika nito kaya kumunot ang noo ni Dasha sa hitsura nito. Kairo looked so upset, gusto sana niyang tanungin but he looks so stressed.
"Why aren't you asleep yet? It seems like you're painting?"
"Yes, Kyrie asks me a favor earlier, you know I can't say no to him."
"Can I see?"
Dasha stood up and hold Kairo's hand all the way to her mini-studio. She was doing a portrait of Kairo and Kyrie playing in the arcade machine.
"He gave me that picture earlier. He wants to have a big portrait of it and put it on his room. Do you remember the painting you bought during the opening of JK's Gallery? It was his work."
Manghang tumingin sa kanya si Kairo kay Dasha saka malawak na ngumiti. "He painted that because he wanted to tell someone how much he love them. I was kinda surprised when I saw it in your condo."
"He is a genius like his mother indeed. I am so proud that you raised a kid like him. You deserve to be crowned as a great mother of all." puri nito kaya natawa si Dasha at tumingin rito. Kairo became so sweet and talks differently to her. Naninibago tuloy siya.