"Good bye Dr. Elisse, we will miss you here" bati ni Nurse Ellain. It was my last duty at the hospital. They offered to renew my contract but Papa will retire as Embassador so what's the point in staying.
3 years ago, when Papa brought me here after the accident, I couldnt Imagine life here, I couldnt imagine life in general. Ayaw ko na mabuhay. Nakalimutan ko yung importanteng tao sa buhay ko, si Sandy.
After Sandy was born taking six months off to take care of him exclusively at mag- breastfeed, namiss ko ang pagdodocotor, buti na lang nagkaroon ng chance na mag-practice dito sa hospital sa Norway, nakapag- take ng mga certifying exams buti na lang na-ipasa, goodluck charm ko ata si Sandy.
Iniisip ko kung pano na ako ulit bubuo ng buhay sa Pilipinas, iniwan ko lahat doon, paano ulit ako magtratrabaho, pano kami ni Sandy. Buti na lang si Jody at si Arkin tinuruan ako mag- invest sa stocks at sa family business namin ang Echavez- Chua Group, hindi ko namalayan malaki na ang nainvest ko na shares, atleast alam ko may ipapamana ako kay Sandy and we could live comfortably kahit hindi ako kayod kalabaw. In a month, uuwi na kami ng Pilipinas, maguumpisa nanaman ng panibagong buhay.
"Elissa! kailan ang uwi niyo? susunduin ba namin kayo?" tanung ni Glyssa
"malamang sino pa ba suusundo samin?!" masungit na sagot ko sakanya
"Asan na si Sandy namin? Sandy mommy ninang is here" 2 years na kasal si Glyssa at Lito , hindi na rin ako nakapunta ng kasal nila. 1 year after their wedding , nagpa-work up siya kasi hirap sila magbuntis, only to find out may problema ang kanyang mattress kung hindi mahirap baka hindi siya magkaanak. nalungkot ako para sa knaya, ayaw na lang daw niya masyadong isipin at ang anak ko na ang tinuring nilang anak nila ni kuya Lito.
Sinabi ko na sakanila na isend ko flight details namin para alam nila kailan at what time kami susunduin. Sinabi ko na rin sa kanila na sunduin si Manag Clara na siyang makakasama ko mag- alaga kay Sandy.
Nag- aayos ako ng mga bagahe namin sa kwarto nung pumasok si Mama Mae.
"Elisse anak, pwede ba tayo mag-usap" binaba ko muna ang inaayos ko na mga laruan at umupo kami sa dulo ng kama.
"bakit mama? baka pipigilan mo pa kami, naka- book na kami ng ticket" tumawa siya pero alam ko hindi yun pinunta niya dito
"makikipag kita ka ba sa daddy ni Sandy?" seryosong tanung niya.. umiling ako at sinabi ko na hindi. hinawakan niya ang aking mga kamay.
"mahirap ang may tanim na galit sa puso elissa, maghahanap na nang tatay yung anak mo, ano sasabihin mo" with a look of concern on her face
"sasabihin ko wala, na akin lang siya" sumibangot ako at tumtayo na mula sa kama.. hinawakan ni mama ang kamay ko
"Pano yung mga magulang din ni Sandro na pinagkakaitan mo makilala nila apo nila" i looked at her na naiiyak.
Ofcourse I wanted to tell Sandro's mom. She wanted so much to have a grandson, I loved her dearly. Pero paano? Paano ako babalik doon halos ikamatay ko nung bumalik ako doon
"Dahil ba mahal mo pa si Sandro?" Tumingin ako kay mama
"Opo" ... sagot ko..takot ako bumalik doon, takot ako bumalik uli doon.
"Pag-isipan mo anak" she kissed my forhead at tinulungan na rin ako mgimpake.
Huminto na muna ako sa pag-impake at kinuha ko na si Sandy para matulog, mukhang napagod kasi nakatulog agad.
Nakita ko na online si Vincent sa kanyang social media
EEchavez: Vincent, busy ka ba?
Makalipas ng ilang minuto
VincentMarcos: Ate elisse?? Whats up? Hindi naman
EEchavez: uuwi na kami ni Sandy.
Nagtanung na siya kung may susundo na ba sa amin at kung saan kami mgstay inooffer niya yung condo nila sa Makati, ang biro nga niya kay Sandy naman yung bahay kasi sa daddy niya yun.
Hindi na ako umimik, ang sabi ko may naayos na na tirahan para samin.
VincentMarcos: makikita ka ba namin?
EEchavez: Hindi ko pa alam..
Naalala ko a year ago hindi sadyang nagkita kami ni Vincent sa hotel dito sa Norway. May business meeting siya at may convention kami. Nakita niya rin si Sandy.
Unang kita pa lang niya alam niya yun ang anak ko dahil kamukhang kamukha daw ni Sandro.
He kept my secret, no one knew about us from their side of the family. The reason why papa took me to Norway.
I kept in touch with him eversince, pang bawas na lang ng consensya ko na atleast may isa sa kanilang pamilya may alam sa anak ko.
Hindi rin niya ako pinipilit, lage lang niya tinatanung kung kailan. Lage naman pareho ang sagot ko....
Hindi ko alam.
Palapit ng palapit ang araw ng pag-uwi namin sa pilipinas. Pagdating ko ay diretso kami sa Baguio kasi may event ang Echavez- Chua Group of Companies.
First time ko pupunta ulit sa event, sabi naman ni Glyssa nabook na niya kami ng hotel room namin, hindi ko na rin pinasabi kay Arkin at Jody para ma-suprise sila. Nag-open ng Main office doon, may party daw after.. as usual.
We are known for our after parties, pag natulog si Sandy ng maaga pag-isipan ko kung pupunta ako. Si Sandy din kasi lage naghahanap ng katabi pag natutulog, hindi rin ako basta basta makakalabas.
——————-—
**knock knock
"Ano yun Mariella? May ka- meeting nananam ba ako?" - I just had three meetings and all of them didnt go as well as I hoped
"Sandro, si Mathew andito kakausapin ka?' I think that Mariella thinks that I treated her to dinner, that it means something, like I like her.. Why the hell will she call me Sandro, she's my secretary. There's only one girl, I like, that one girl I can not seem to find.
"Mariella, call me Sir and address my visitors with their proper distinction" i looked at her straight in the eye, I have no time for this.
"let mathew in" i gestured with my hands
"yes sir" she left with her head down
"nagpaiyak ka nanaman ng secretary Sands?" Mathew came in wearing his white polo shirt, and khaki short and his brown sperry's, looking like he's on vacation.
"what do you want, Matt?" I leaned in my chair with my arms across my chest.
"Init ng ulo Gov! I just came by to tell you I was invited by my business partner, you know Arkin Chua, cousin-in- law of Elisse.. to the opening of their main office in Baguio and now Im inviting you" he sat down on the couch in front of my desk
"You think she'll be there?" I asked hopeful
"No one has seen here cous, all the Echavez- Chua Group's events she is always a no- show, from what Arkin tells me, she is one of the major stock holders but she never goes.. I dont mean to sound negative but its a slim chance.. you hired one of the best private investigators in the country and he still cant find her except for the fact that she's not in the country anymore" God I hate Mathew sometimes
"okay, so I wont go" I layed my head on my desk, getting even more frustrated.
"ikaw kasi tangga ka eh!" he chuckled.
i threw the paper weight on my desk at him. this jerk
"please leave, I have another meeting" massaging the bridge of my nose.
"Sungit Sands, remember on Friday night, we leave for Baguio, already asked your mom if we can stay at your house there" he then left, pretty amused at himself.
I went home from a day of meetings and going around the province to oversee ongoing projects. My favorite was always the ICU wing at the regional hospital, that was Elisse's project, it now houses a 20 bed capacity for very ill kids. That was her baby, when I see that place, I remember her, I remember how passionate she was about her patients, how much time and effort she put on that, I wish she could see that all her hard work paid off.
"Sandro, we will be coming to Baguio with you and Mathew, I need a changed in environment" mom announced.
"Mom I really dont want to go.. I have a lot of things to do here" I got to the bar in the dining area and poured myself a drink. mom approached me and grabbed my glass.
"Stop this sweetheart, iinom ka nanaman, wala ka naman ginagwa dito pag weekend, dont tell me youll be spending the weekend staring at your un- finish house." she gave my glass to the maid
" ewan ko ba kasi sayo bakit ayaw mo na tapusin yung bahay" she linked her arm with mine and we made our way to the living room
"it doesnt feel right without" i took a deep breath "her"...mom knew who I was talking about.
"you havent found her yet?' she was hugging me
i sighed in frustration, "she doesnt want to be found mom.. I'll head to my room now"
"Go to Baguio with us, you need a change of scenery" mom called out..
Vincent, Mom and dad headed to Baguio a day early. Mathew and I choose to bring separate cars since his golf tournament might extend beyond the weekend, I could not afford to extend I have a couple of meetings to attend to on Monday morning. I brought Mang Ambo with me even if I wanted to drive the JEEP compass today, I was too distracted, I wanted to get my mind of Elisse, just for once not think about her.
**Flashback**
It was my fault. I didn't tell her about Shayne, an old girl friend that told me I fathered a child with her. Just when I thought my life was perfect with Elisse. Hindi ko kaya sabihin sakanya, pero hindi ko rin kaya that I wont answer for that kid. At that time, that felt like the easiest way out for her, to tell her I have found someone else.
Grabe ang galit sa akin ni mom when I got home and Elisse had left. I was so stupid, I hurt her. I brought the kid home, I wanted to be a father to him but it just didnt feel right. When the media blew up "Sandro Marcos fathered a love child" I was mortified, what did Elisse think, did she see the news? how did her family take it?.. all those questions.
I secretly did a paternity test and lo and behold... Shayne was lying.. Fck! the child was not mine! I destroyed my relationship over a lie.. when the media got hold of the news, I wanted so bad for her to see it, I could have payed a reporter to hand a newspaper on her door step if I could.
With all that anger and frustration I couldnt even bare sue Shayne, i felt pity for her and her son but I made our lawyer work up a document that she will not step in Ilocos or 100 feet from me and my family. I tried so hard to contact Elisse, but she changed her number, I thinked her family blocked me too. Arkin Chua wont say anything, he says he will get disowned by his wife's family if he tells me anything about their cousin.
I went to their house in the province as soon as the paternity test came out. I wanted to explain, I wanted to get her back if she'll have me. I saw her sister Joan and Luke.. "Aalis ba kayo?" I asked her sister, noticing that the house was almost empty and there was a ton of boxes that were packed.
"Oo Sands, tinawag na kami sa Canada ni Raymond yung asawa ko, doon na kami ni Luke, etong bahay iiwan na muna kay Manang Clara" from there I guess they wont be coming back anytime soon. She wont give me any information about Elisse, her car was not in the driveway and I caught a glimpse of her room which was almost empty except for the bed frame.
I hired the best private investigator my staff could find. A month searching for her, he found nothing. No hospital, no clinic affiliation.. Did she quit being a doctor? No social media, she disappeared.. later on, The investigator found out that her papa, Under secretary Echavez got promoted to Embassador of the Philippines to Norway. He couldnt get hold of information since families of diplomats were almost off limits and confidential. I just wanted to see her but She doesnt want to be found. She left.. like she did not exist
We arrived to a very gloomy Baguio weather. It was almost noon so Mathew had to run to the Country Club to meet his golf mate, he was tagging me along but I was not in the mood to socialize I ate an early lunch and went back to bed.
Around 4pm Mathew was jumping up and down my bed waking me up.
"Ano ka ba! Are you retarded!! Get off my bed" -i threw him a pilow
"Sands 4pm ang event, halika na" he was pulling me off the bed
I had no choice but to get dress. We took my car, Mathew was in the mood to drive. It was a big event. The entry to the lobby was lined by pictures of Elisse family, mostly her cousin, she only had one picture, it was not a recent one, it was a copy of her picture hanged at their family home.
I missed her...
We were seated with other friends and Investors.
I wasnt familiar with their faces but Matt seems acquianted with some of them.
"You think magpapakita si Elisse ngayon?" The guy in the green dress shirt asked
"Alam mo naman yung chismis diba? Hindi yun magpapakita" the guy with him wearing a black coat answered
I was listening intently to their conversation trying not to look obvious
"Anung chismis?" The guy in green asked
"Oh common pare, yung urban legend sa companya... she did a stint in Ilocos and went home pregnant, thats why Embassador Echavez took her out of the country"
It felt like ice water was poured over me.
She was pregnant?! What!
"She was pregnant?" I joined in the conversation
"Yeah, thats what they said, to avoid scandal they left with her to Norway and she never went back" the guy in black answered, oblivious to my curiosity.
"Sino tatay nun?" it was Mathew who asked, i couldnt speak...
"Sabi ni Sebastian, may politiko siyang naging boyfriend doon kaya nga hindi na sila nagkabalikan.. well who knows diba, baka siya..I mean if she was pregnant, bakit naman niya itatago" the guy in black just shrugged
i think Mathew was choking on his drink looking at me trying to grasp my reaction..
I was confused..
"Is all of that true?" My heart was racing
"No one has seen her, no one has seen the kid" he sipped on his drink and not mentioning anything further
I need to find her, I want to demand this from her, if we had a child I deserve the right to know.
"Good evening ladies and gentleman, welcome to the opening of Echavez-Chua groups main office" the host was opening the event, hindi na ako mapakali sa upuan ko. I want to find Elisse.
"Lets welcome our big bosses,
"Mr. Arkin and Jody Chua" everyone was clapping when Arkin and Jody enterred the hall and to the stage
"Mr. Carlito and Dr. Glyssa Echavez" Lito and Glyssa stepped in.
Glyssa and I locked eyes and she was mouthing something to me that I couldnt understand, she already walked passed our table and on the stage.
"The last member of the group who unfortu" .... Tho host was stoppped mid speech and a staff whisphered something to hin
"Im sorry, Im sorry, Gracing our event for the first time the lovely "Dr. Elisse Martinez"
I stood up from my seat and saw Elisse,. She was still Elisse with shorter hair, in a black dress covered up in a cream trench coat, all smiles walking to the stage.
"Tangina si Elisse! Mukha nman hindi nanganak! Ganda pa rin" I got distracted by the guy's comment.
She sat down with her cousins on stage. Ang ganda ng ngiti niya. Ang ganda niya. Hindi ko na alam kung ano sinasabi ng host, I just wanted to go near her. Hold her. I cant take my eyes off her.
She was surveying the crowd and when Our eyes met.
I saw the shock on her face and the sudden change in her mood. She was talking to Glyssa and Jody who looked like they were arguing. All three of them was suddenly furiosly texting on their phones.
As the host ended his introduction, all 5 of them was in center stage taking pictures for the camera. I dragged Mathew to come with me to the stage
"Sandali nga lang Sands" he was out of breath.
I saw Elisse being guided by two security personal at the back of the stage.
I called Mang Ambo "Manong punta kayo sa exit ng conference room, abangan niyo si Elisse"
"Si Dr Elisse sir?" Tanung ni Mang Ambo
"Oo harangin niyo" i growled.
I reached the stage she was no longer there
"Shit, saan kaya siya pwede pumunta". Fck this is frustrating..
"Sandro!" Lumingon ako sa tumawag sa akin and I saw that It was Glyssa and Jody.
"Saan si Elisse?" I asked them looking very desperate. " i need to talk to her" i pleaded with them
"Sorry Sandro, she left" Jody held my hand comforting me
"Uhm.. I shouldnt be doing this but.. 334, thats her room number sa country club, you might still catch her" Glyssa was talking now
"Glyss! We promised her!" Jody looked upset
"Masyado na matagal ang tagutaguan.. i t think its time... go now!!" She pushed me
I cant help but hug her Mathew and I rushed to the rooms at the country club. Good thing we were both members of the club so we had an easy access.
We rushed to the room that Glyssa said..
The door was open and a cleaning lady was already there,,
"Mam where is the guest of this room?, saan po yunh mga tao sa kwarto na toh" Mathew asked
"Sir, ngmamadali pong umalis, kakakilala niyo po ba? Naiwan po kasi nung bata yung laruan niya" she handed me a small train.
I was holding it like it held the answer to life
"She had a kid with her?" I asked
"Ano po sir?" Tanung uli nung naglilinis
"May kasama po siyang bata?" I asked again
"Si mam na maikling buhok? Oo anak niya po ata batang lalaki.. mauna na po ako sainyo sir" at nagpatuloy na siyang maglinis
I looked at Mathew.."She has a son"
"You think its yours? I mean shes gone for almost 3 years.. im just saying"
Its Elisse, she's not like that.
They were having dinner at the house when we arrived.
Mom, Pops and Vincent
"Ang aga nyo ata umuwi, come join us for dinner" mom called
I wasnt in the mood for the dinner. My
brows furrowed.
"Oh kala ko naki-party kayo, bakit prang lamay ang pinuntahan niyo" mom commented
"Sandro saw Elisse" Mathew answered mom.
"Oh thats wonderful, did you talk to her? How is she" Mom always loved Elisse.
"She has a kid mom" i hit the dining table with my hands throwing off the glass.
Mom and pops were silent.
"What if the kid was mine, why didnt she tell me. You think Id deserve to know that. And now she left again..why is she like that.. i can demand an answer right?!" i held my head in my hands.
Suddenly Vincent started to laugh.
We were all staring at him. How can he laugh at a time like this.
"Youre such an idiot!" He said loud enough so I can here.
"What did you say?" I went up to him and grabbed his collar ready to punch. Mathew stepped in between us.
"I said... id—iooott" he was smirking at me.
"Fck you Vince, you dont know anything" i let him go and mathew and pops guided me to the seat while mom went to Vincent.
"Ask me if i know if thats your kid.. common ask me" he was teasing me.
"Vincent if you know something tell us now" Mom demanded
"Yes thats his kid! His name is Elixander he's turning two in a few months.. if youll excuse me.." turning his back on us..
All i saw was red, I launched for him and punched him in the face. He fell down the floor bleeding a little on his mouth..
Mom and dad had to help him up while Mathew held me
"What do you know?! Didnt you think I had the right to know?! what?! Why?! Do you like her?!. I... i cant.." i knelt down on the floor, Like the air was punched out of me. I have a son.. we have a son
"Kadiri ka kuya! Elisse is like a sister to me.. Youre such a jerk! You dont deserve them! After what happen" he raised his arm.. he was shaking I can tell there is more to the story.
"Ano ba alam mo?!.. sagot!!!" I wanted to punch him again on the face.
"Vincent! Tell us what you know" it was pops this time..
"3 months after Elisse left, she came back to Ilocos...she went to the house.. she called me that she had something important to say" i can see Vincent trembling
"Next thing I know she was crying and saying that you were happy with your family.. i offered her a room to stay at the hotel, because it was getting late and so we can talk in the morning but she wouldnt"... he breathed deeply..
Suddenly I felt scared to know more..
He moved closer to me... sadness etched on his face..
"Kuya,...Elisse got into a car accident that day, the police called me saying that my pregnant friend was in the hospital.." he was trying to find words to say..."you think its hard to keep it a secret from you.. all of you"... he pointed at me and to everyone...
"First I had to take her home and face her family because you left her, if that wasnt enough I had to call her dad that she was in an accident and hasnt woken up oh yeah, her baby might die.. " He knelt down with me..
God, what have I done to her. It was all my fault. Ang sakit sakit ng dibdib ko, anong ginawa ko sakanya. Kasalanan ko lahat. I almost killed her. He was right, I did not deserve her.
"Her dad asked me not to tell the family, he didnt want any of us near Elisse. When she got transferred to another hospital I lost contact.. till last year when I had to attend business in Norway. I saw her there with Sandy"
"Sandy?" I looked up at him..
"Sandy" he handed me his phone
I saw a smiling Elisse holding a baby in her arms.
"Why didnt you tell me, I couldve flown to Norway if I knew she was there" my face still burried in my hands
"She doesnt want to.... In her words, she just wanted to live" he patted my back and started to walk away
"Vince, I want to see her, I want to see them" I called for him.
"Its not for me to decide kuya" and he left the room...
I have a son.. we have a son. I have a family.
"Ano balak mo gawin?" Mom came to me. Picking me up from where I was kneeling..
"Hahanapin ko siya mom, In going to get my family back" still holding the little train on my hand.