Chapter 58:
The Role
BLAIR carefully sat at one side of her mother's bed. Natutulog na ito nang mahimbing at bakas sa mukhang naging maganda ang buong araw nito.
Maingat niyang inangat ang kamay at hinaplos-haplos ang buhok nito. She could see that her mother was very comfortable with Ninong Aalto and Nala although Bridgette can't remember them at all after 2 weeks.
Pero siguro, ang hatid ni Ninong Aalto na kaginhawaan sa Mama niya ay laging nandoon—naalala man nito o hindi ang matalik na kaibigan. Hindi nawawala iyon sa paglipas ng kahit ilang panahon at kahit anong sakit...
"I believe this should have been your life, Mama, if you have chosen Ninong from the very start," bulong niya rito. Nangingiti. "I know you sincerely loved Papa, too. Got obsessed and chose a lot of wrong things... But God is still good. Today, you're with the one who has always been your supporter, your safe place...
"Ninong Aalto said he'll continue reading the Bible and share Jesus to you. Kahit uuwi na 'ko, hindi siya titigil."
Inabot niya ang kamay ng ina. Pumikit si Blair at inilapat iyon sa kanyang pisngi.
Her heart hurt a little bit. Yet she smiled amidst the unavoidable pain. Bukas na ang flight nilang pamilya pauwi ng Pilipinas...
"Mama, I don't know if I... will see you, again." Huminga siya nang malalim. "Sigurado kasing hindi na muna ako papaalisin ni Jack habang nagbubuntis pa. I don't know if..."
Napalunok siya. Ayaw niyang umiyak para sa huling gabi na ito.
"I don't want to leave you, but I guess, my heart can't take it once you leave first as I watch. I can't... Siguro, alam ni Jack iyon. Siguro alam niyang sapat na ang oras na nakasama kita pero hindi ko na kailangan pang makita kapag umalis ka na talaga...
"I will always pray for you, Mama. I want to see you in heaven one day. And yes, I can't believe this too. But after so many years of hating and cursing you, at the end, I love you still. Kayo ni Papa, mahal na mahal ko kayo..."
She kissed her mother's hand. "Since I fully accepted Christ, the pain from my childhood and from the years I rebelled, it was slowly cured by His word and soothed by Him and by the people He placed around me... Si Jack, si Santino... ikaw.
"I heard you, Mama. I heard your remorse, your repentance, your pain, your agony, and your tears... I heard it all, Mama. I finally heard it and saw it all. And I pray that days get better for you. I forgive you. I know Papa already forgave you. Tita Bella forgave you... Ninong Aalto forgives you... Ultimately, God forgives you and I hope you get to receive the peace of being forgiven.
"This is grace for you through believing in Jesus, Mama. Unearned, undeserved, but still you're loved enough to be gifted upon you. I hope you receive it well and enter heaven with a joyful heart. Hindi ko alam paano, pero magtitiwala ako sa Panginoon na hinayaan ka Niyang mabuhay ng ganito pa katagal for a purpose. He works wonderfully, Mama. Beyond our human expectations. Doon ako magtitiwala."
Nag-iwan si Blair ng halik sa noo at pisngi nito. Tinitigan niya pa ang ina nang may pagmamahal sa mga mata.
Tumayo siya saglit at kinuha ang vase kung saan niya nilagay ang nabili niyang daisies kanina.
Ipinatong niya iyon sa bedside table. Para kahit wala na siya mamaya sa paggising ng Mama niya, makikita nito ang paborito niyang bulaklak.
Alam niyang imposible na siyang maalala ng Mama niya bilang anak nito na si Blair. Pero maniniwala siyang naaalala nito ang paborito niyang daisy mula pagkabata.
"I remember, Jack told me before that I'm like a wildflower. Wildflower grows even though no one takes care of it. May mga bulaklak na kailangan ng masinsinang pag-aalaga para lang mabuhay at lumago, Mama... But a wildflower is solely dependent on whatever care it receives from around it. Kung papaulanin ni God, madidiligan ito. Kung matatapat siya sa liwanag ng araw, may nutrisyon siyang nakukuha... And most people ignores them, but they still flourish and grow...
"My husband said, I'm his wildflower." Umupo ulit siya sa gilid ni Bridgette at hinawakan ang kamay nito.
"And daisies are wildflowers, Mama. A daisy symbolizes new beginnings, beauty, innocence, hope, fun, and motherhood..."
Yumuko siya at marahang pinagtama ang noo nila ng ina. "I loved this flower without knowing what it represents. But when I learned all of this, maybe that's why it's my favorite..."
Pumatak ang isang butil ng luha mula sa mata ni Blair papunta sa pisngi ni Bridgette. Marahan niyang pinalis iyon.
She caressed her mother's cheeks. "You're my daisy, Mama. You're my wildflower."
Although Bridgette was unconscious to hear and understand everything that Blair had confessed, Blair still believes that one day, she'd get to say it straight to her mother once she could recognize her.
Siguro, kahit hindi na sa buhay na ito.
Bago siya bumalik sa sariling kuwarto ay hinalikan niya pa ulit ang ina sa noo. Blair's heart was contented to see her mother peacefully sleeping with a little smile in her lips and with no nightmares. May God continue to protect her mother from those scary voices...
Pagkabalik niya sa kuwarto ay mahimbing na ring natutulog ang anak niya. Santino's hugging his favorite pillow while his little mouth was open. Natawa siya ng bahagya at sinubukang isara ang labi nito. But it fell open, again. She just gave Santino a baby kiss on the lips.
Hinarap niya na ang maleta. She's packing the last-minute. Habang sinisilid ang mga huling gamit sa loob ay may mahina siyang katok na narinig sa pinto.
Paglingon niya ay sumilip mula roon si Ninong Aalto. Blair smiled. "Hi, Ninong. Do you need anything po?"
"Oh, are you busy? Nakita ko kasing nakabukas pa 'tong pinto mo. I was wondering if we can have a little talk."
"Sure, Ninong! Hindi pa naman ako inaantok."
"Hindi ba masama para sa baby mo?"
Hinaplos niya ang tiyan. "Hindi naman po. I'll drink my milk while we're talking."
Tumango at ngumiti nang mabait ang Ninong niya. "I'll wait for you downstairs."
Ibinalik ni Blair ang atensyon sa maleta. Nakaayos na ang lahat ng damit. Isa na lang...
Lumapit siya sa pinakababang drawer ng aparador. Mula roon ay may kinuha siyang maliit na box na naglalaman ng isang maliit at itim na USB.
Mukhang oras na rin talagang umuwi siya para harapan nang makausap ang mga kapatid niya. Tita Bella told her that there's a right time for Kuya Bari and Kuya Sandro to learn about the things that were entrusted to her.
Ngayong peaceful at stable naman na silang lahat—lalo na si Kuya Bari, pati na si Kuya Sandro, kailangan niya nang gawin ang huling bilin ni Tita Bella.
Akala niya ay next year niya pa masasabi. Ngunit mas mapapaaga pala kaysa sa inaasahan niya. Mabuti na rin siguro iyon at para matapos na.
Isinilid ni Blair ang maliit na box sa safest compartment ng kanyang hard-case luggage. In case naman, may back-up siya ng mga nakalagay sa USB. It's just that, it was the original storage of all the classified information and top cases that secretly revolved around the Delos Santos family.
Pumunta siya sa kabilang guestroom. Kumatok siya at agad naman siyang pinagbuksan ni Jack.
"Hello, babe. Am I bothering you?"
Umiling ito. "I was just reading a book."
"Okay. Pa-help naman ako sa luggage ko. Can you close and lock it for me? Dalawa 'yon sa room ko. I'll just go downstairs kasi mag-uusap kami ni Ninong," lambing niya rito.
Tumango naman si Jack. Napangiti siya ng matamis. "Thank you, babe!"
"Sleep right after the talk. Bawal sa 'yong mapuyat," striktong utos nito.
"Yes, Mr. Valleroso!" Nag-thumbs up pa siya rito.
Lumabas na ito ng kuwarto at pumunta sa loob ng kuwarto niya. Siya naman ay bumaba na at nakita niya si Ninong Aalto na nagtitimpla ng tsaa. Ininit niya sa microwave saglit ang gatas na kanina pa tinimpla ni Jack para sa kanya.
"What do you want to talk about, Ninong?" nakangiting tanong niya rito.
Ngumiti rin ito at tumingin sa kanya. "I just want to say thank you for trusting me, hija. Thank you for believing that the genuine love and care I have for your mother. And for giving me the chance to... keep my promise to her."
Tumunog ang microwave. Kinuha niya muna ang baso ng gatas at saka tumabi sa Ninong niya sa dining table.
"Ako dapat ang mas magpasalamat sa 'yo, Ninong. You have no direct obligation to Mama. Pero heto ka... You even transferred your business and Nala's schooling here. Just to take care of Mama. I'm so grateful to God that He brought you back in our life. Akala ko po kasi talaga, hindi mo na po mapapatawad si Mama."
Nanatili ang mga ngiti nito, pero nahagip ng mga mata niya ang paglamlam ng mga mata nito. Napayuko ito sa tasa ng tsaa na hawak.
"We can never underestimate love. Totoo na ang tunay na pag-ibig, mapagpatawad. I thought I'll never hate Bridgette or get angry with her. But I did. I did for five long years. But at the end, love always prevails. Pinili kong magpatawad dahil maikli lang ang buhay, Blair. And I don't want to spend it with hate. I choose to love Bridgette, again, because ever since, that's the only way I know how to feel and look at her..."
Uminit ang puso niya. "I'm sorry, Ninong, that Mama wasn't able to return that same love to you..."
Umiling ito at nag-angat na ulit ng tingin. Sinalubong nito ang kanyang mga mata. At halos matunaw si Blair sa kabutihang nakikita niya roon.
Hindi nag-iisa si Jacquin. Ninong Aalto is one of them...
"Ang tunay na pag-ibig, walang hinihinging kapalit. Matagal ko nang alam iyon, but my late wife showed me how it's truly done. Nala's mother taught me that love—whether properly reciprocated or not, is never wasted. Because as human, we are all made to love. We all love like how we are supposed to...
"I don't want to act all clean and innocent. You might have known that my friendship with Bridgette wasn't all platonic and pure. When we were younger, we played with the benefits. We crossed what friends weren't supposed to do. And Ysabella told me before, those were one of the reasons why your father hated me and Bridgette. We physically cheated when they were still in a relationship, and your father found out about it. Santino Delos Santos might had been very cold and detached. But he's serious when committed with Bridgette before..."
Napainom si Blair ng gatas. Yeah, nakuwento na nga sa kanya iyon mismo ng Mama niya. Isa naman iyon sa pinagsisihan nito.
"I'm not very proud of it, too. Sa ilang pagkakataon na naghangad ako ng sobra kaysa sa pagkakaibigan, lagi lang akong nasasaktan. I can still tell you how many times your mother rejected my marriage proposal. Pero may mas malalim pa palang dahilan iyon. She couldn't keep looking at me without feeling guilty because of our supposed to be child together..."
Sabay pa silang napahugot ng malalim na hininga ng Ninong niya.
"Si Jacquin... He's a very patient man," biglang sabi ni Ninong Aalto out-of-the-blue.
Napatingin siya rito. "My husband...?" Nagtaka lang siya kung paanong napunta sa asawa niya ang usapan.
Bumalik na ang ngiti sa labi ng Ninong niya. "Maliban sa 'yo, siya ang pursigidong nagpapadala sa 'kin ng mga emails. Hindi ko rin pinapansin iyon noong una katulad ng mga mensahe mo. But one time, Jacquin sent me a very long testimony how God gave him the power to forgive you over and over... And how he learned to always choose you even in times that you're not worth choosing anymore."
Napainom na naman si Blair ng gatas. Actually, she didn't know about this. Pahapyaw lang na sinabi sa kanya ni Jack na nagpapalitan ito at si Ninong Aalto ng emails. Hindi naman niya akalain na sobrang tagal na palang nag-uusap ng mga ito!
"I'm touched and amazed by your husband's unwavering faith and persevering love. Later on, I found myself replying to his messages. I told him to keep it a secret. Ayokong malaman niyo pa ni Bridgette kung anong nangyayari sa 'kin. I'm still not ready to open up my life again to anyone. Jacquin respected my decision. So please, excuse him that he kept it from you. He has a word of honor. Nakuha niya ang tiwala ko. Mas dumalas ang pag-uusap namin. Until I accepted Jesus in my life when Jacquin shared the gospel to me. I was able to accept the past and to forgive Bridgette. From there, we carefully planned how I could go back and take care of your mother.
"Nahuli lang siguro ako nang pag-aayos sa negosyo ko at sa papasukang school ni Nala, dahil hindi na 'ko naaalala ni Bridgette sa pagbabalik kong 'to. I'm honestly sad, but I'm also humbly thankful that I was given a chance to love Bridgette with God's love this time.
"To give her again a genuine and innocent friendship... To keep my promise to her since we were children; that I'm going to be her friend until her... last breath..."
Sumikip na ang dibdib ni Blair. The inevitable is coming soon. They just have to be prepared for it.
Inabot ni Ninong Aalto ang palad niya. "You know, maybe everything that happened before was allowed to happen because you have to be born, Blair. Hindi ko jina-justify ang ginawa ni Bridgette kay Santino. There were a lot of people that got hurt because of that. But there was something written in the Scriptures: The sorrow you've been feeling can't compare to the joy that's coming...
"Siguro, hindi hinayaan ng Diyos na hanggang sakit lang ang maramdaman ng mga magulang mo...
"You were born. You're a bundle of joy that came, Blair. They were just too focused on their sins, pain and trauma—which were all valid, that they didn't see you..."
Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ni Blair.
"I guess that's why the Lord always reminded us to feel the pain but do not dwell with it too much. Because we're going to miss something that's waiting beyond it." Hinaplos ni Ninong ang kanyang pisngi. He gave her a fatherly smile. "Nagsisisi naman sina Santino at Bridgette dahil hindi nila agad napagtanto iyon, hindi ba?"
Tumango siya. "Papa was very sorry. Mama, too. They both told me they love me. I brought them..." Blair smiled as one tear slid down her face. "I brought them sunshine, but they were just too hurt to appreciate it..."
"You did, Blair. Kahit sa 'kin. Remember, I even thought you were my child before? Because I really do want you to be my real daughter. I love you as my own. Nang nakita kita noon, ang saya-saya ko. May ibang liwanag kang hatid. I would always help Bridgette to take care of you. Ako ang namilit na maging ninong mo. Hindi ko tinigilan si Bridgette sa pangungulit."
Natawa siya at pinalis ang luha. "Really, Ninong?"
"Yes. Until she agreed. At ako pa ang nag-ayos ng lahat para sa binyag mo."
Malambing siyang sumandig dito. "You're the best, Ninong!" Ilang beses niya rin namang hiniling noon na ito na lang sana ang Papa niya.
"I believe, you caught Ysabella's heart, too, when she met you."
Tumango siya. "Nasaktan lang siya nang malaman ang existence namin ni Kuya Sandro. Pero nang makita niya raw kami, pagmamahal lang daw po ang naramdaman ni Tita."
Tinapik-tapik nito ang balikat niya. "Maybe you know now how much you are loved, Blair. More than the love being given by the people around you now."
She nodded happily. "That's what I want Mama to know, too, Ninong. Being loved is not just felt or seen, it is believing you are."
We would always seek for love, Blair learned. We would always yearn and search it all over the wrong places. And it would never satisfy us until we believe Christ is enough to fill our hearts.
Amazing how everything is connected to Him in this unbelieving world.
"I'm proud of you, anak. Wherever you go, may you shine God's love more. So, others may believe that He is real."
Napapikit siya. Blair felt her godfather's kiss on her forehead.
"At sa pag-alis mo, lagi mong asahang minamahal ng tama ang Mama mo rito. Kung... kung sa oras na puwede ka nang bumalik at... at w-wala na siya, magtiwala kang hindi siya umalis nang hindi masaya..." madamdaming pangako ni Ninong Aalto.
Niyakap niya ito nang mahigpit.
Blair would always love Santino, yet Ninong Aalto deserved the recognition of being a good father to her—a great support and inspiration when she was still younger.
Kahit hindi nito obligasyon, minahal siya nito bilang tunay na anak. Kahit alam nitong laging mauuna ang Papa niya sa puso niya, kontento ito bilang maging pangalawang ama. Never greedy and pushy.
"I love you so much, Ninong Aalto. Nala is so blessed to have you as her father. I'm so blessed you grabbed every opportunity you were given to father me. Thank you so much. I praise God for your life, Ninong."
Sa mga binabasang libro ni Blair, laging may main characters at supporting characters... Sometimes, supporting roles are the smallest and not appreciated much but they are still relevant.
Maybe in this life, people were given purposeful roles (no matter how small), so they can play it the best they can.
Kahit ninong lang ang Ninong Aalto niya sa kanya, pinaramdam nito ang pagmamahal ng isang ama kay Blair. Kahit kaibigan lang si Ninong Aalto para sa Mama niya, naging kaibigan ito hanggang dulo.
Same with Tita Bella, right? Kahit stepmother lang nila ito ni Kuya Sandro, humigit sa pagiging madrasta ang pagmamahal nito sa kanila.
At marami-rami pang naiisip si Blair na tao sa buhay niyang higit ang binigay na pagmamahal kaysa sa inaasahan sa mga ito.
And maybe, love wasn't supposed to be measured no matter how small your role in someone else's life was.
If there's a chance to love, may we all love well...
"You've become a wonderful daughter and mother, anak. I'm so proud of you. Now, be the best wife. And I know you can do it too."
She chuckled. Tiningala niya ito. "Pinapasabi ba iyan ni Jack sa 'yo, Ninong?"
"Sshh..."
Nagtawanan sila at muling nagyakap. How she missed those times that she was just a little girl and Ninong Aalto would cage her inside his warm arms, carry her and sway her up in the air...
If Blair would just look closely in the past, God really took care of her. May Ninong Aalto at Tita Bella para sa kanya no'ng mga panahong hindi pa kaya ng Papa at Mama niyang mahalin siya ng tama.
She's glad that the eyes of her heart were opened now, to see a clearer picture of what she thought was a very unfair life before.
Kinabukasan, nagpaalam na si Blair sa lahat. She hugged Nala tight and whispered, "Take care of our parents, okay?"
"Yes, Ate Blair," she sweetly responded. "I'll see you soon."
"You can always chat me. I would love a video call, too."
Nagpaalam na rin si Blair sa helpers nila. She hugged them. Then went to Ninong Aalto and hugged him one last.
Natutulog pa rin si Bridgette at wala naman sa plano niyang hintayin pa itong magising. Kundi ay baka mahirapan siyang makaalis.
"All bags were loaded in the service car, Blair," tawag ni Jack sa kanya. Buhat-buhat nito si Santino dahil tulog pa rin ang anak nila. Madaling araw pa lang kasi.
"Okay." Huminga siya nang malalim. "Just one last look at Mama."
Jack patiently nodded. "We'll wait in the car."
Mabilis na umakyat si Blair sa kuwarto ng Mama niya. Maingat niyang binuksan ang pinto. Sumimoy ang bango ng daisies na iniligay niya roon. Mahimbing pa rin ang tulog ng ina. Blair does not want to wake her up. So, she silently walked closer to her.
Maingat niyang hinawakan ang kamay nito at hinalikan iyon. Then, she slowly bent her head to leave a kiss on her mother's forehead. "I love you so much, Mama. I'm thankful you are my mother."
Bago pa siya maging emosyonal ay nakalabas na siya ng silid at mabilis na muling lumabas. Sumakay siya sa naghihintay na service car para sa kanila.
Blair waved goodbye to Ninong Aalto and Nala. Habang umaandar palayo ang kotse ay tinigil niya na ang pagkaway.
Umayos siya sa pagkakaupo at huminga nang malalim.
"Mommy..."
Napabaling siya sa anak. Katabi niya ang asawa sa backseat at kalong pa rin nito si Santino. Their son sleepily crawled to her lap. Natulog lang ulit ito sa mga bisig niya.
Blair kissed Santino's forehead before she turned to her quiet husband.
"Mama's dying and I couldn't watch her eternally go even if I was trying to be strong. I can't say that out loud. Still, you heard the voice within me, Jack. Kaya mo 'ko kinukulit umuwi, right?"
Sinalubong nito ang mga tingin niya. "No but I was told."
Napakunot noo siya. "Huh?" Sinabi dito... Nino?
"Anyway, I know you need to talk to your brothers." Tumingin ito ng diretso sa harap. "Marami kang kailangang linawin sa kanila."
Napabuntong-hininga siya. "Please pray for me. Marami akong sasabihin at sana... matanggap nila."
Jack nodded. Nakatingin pa rin ito sa harap pero ipinatong nito ang kamay sa kanyang hita at marahang tinapik-tapik iyon.
"Everything's going to be alright. Your brothers are more accepting and understanding."
Napalabi siya.
Nabibigatan siya sa ibinilin sa kanyang gawin, ngunit napakalaki ng tiwala sa kanya ni Tita Bella.
Napayuko siya sa anak na mahimbing sa kanyang bisig. Blair hugged her son tighter. She closed her eyes and let herself to be thrown back in time...
When they all went to California in 2021...
Katatapos lang gumaling ni Tita Bella mula sa tuberculosis. Binisita nila ito kasama ang kanyang ina.
Nagsusungit pa rin ang Mama ni Blair kay Tita Bella. Pero laging nakangiti si Bella kay Bridgette...
"You look good, Bridge!" puri pa rito ni Tita Bella. "Being a grandmother becomes you."
Buhat ng Mama niya si Santino na natutulog pa sa balikat nito. "What's that supposed to mean, Ysabella?" mataray na tanong dito ni Bridgette.
Lumayo si Tita Bella nang marahang umubo. Ngunit pagharap muli ay nakangiti na sa kanyang ina. "You aged well! Bagay na bagay kang Mamita ng cute na baby Santino na 'yan. Baka para ka talaga maging lola ng isang Santino."
Umirap si Bridgette at tumawa naman si Tita Bella.
"Mukhang hindi naman sila magsasabunutan," bulong niya kay Kuya Bari. Ito ang sumama sa ibang bansa para alagaan si Tita Bella habang nagpapagamot.
"Hopefully not." Kuya Bari shifted his weight to another foot. Kanina pa silang nakatayo habang pinapanood o "binabantayan" lang ang mga ina nila.
Nilingon niya ito. "Magaling na si Tita Bella, right?"
"All cleared from TB..." Huminga ito nang malalim. "I need to go home. Kailangan na 'ko ni Czarina at Elijah..."
Ang mga sumunod na alaala sa isip ni Blair ay nang sumama sila ni Tita Bella para ihatid si Kuya Bari sa airport. Magpapalakas lang si Tita Bella at susunod ito ng uwi sa Pilipinas.
Ang plano ay siya ang magmamaneho pauwi kasama si Tita Bella pagkahatid kay Kuya Bari...
Ngunit hindi man lang sila nakaabot ng airport.... That's when the tragedy happened. Unexpectedly, Kuya Bari had a heart attack while driving. He lost control.
Blair was able to jump out from the car and the road jam happened before her eyes...
May tumulong sa kanyang mga tao para madala rin sa ospital. She got a little broken arm. Nang magamot na siya ay tinawagan niya ang ina...
"Mama, we got into an accident," iyak niya. "S-Si Kuya Bari... si Tita B-Bella..." Nanginginig si Blair. Hindi siya makapagsalita ng maayos.
"Blair, calm down. What happened?"
"M-Mama..."
"Are you okay? Are they okay?"
Napabulalas na lang ng iyak si Blair. She couldn't think straight. Nasa ospital siya at nakita niyang maraming doktor at nurses ang nagtatakbuhan sa emergency room dahil doon din sinugod lahat ng biktima ng road jam...
Kawawa naman ang Kuya niya... Si Tita Bella... Naipit pa ang mga ito sa tumaob na bus sa kotse nila! Hindi niya alam kung nakuha na ba ang katawan ng mga ito...
But who could survive that?!
"Blair, nasaan kang ospital?"
Umiiyak pa rin siya habang sinasabi ang pangalan at lokasyon ng ospital.
"I'll be right there."
Hindi na makasagot si Blair. She prayed inside her head, but she's too confused of everything that's happening.
Iyak pa rin siya ng iyak. "Lord, help. Help us... Lord, help Kuya and Tita. Please... please..."
Iyon ang paulit-ulit niyang dasal habang tinitignan isa-isa ang mga katawang sinusugod sa emergency room.
Pulos bata... Sa school bus tumama ang minamanehong sasakyan ni Kuya Bari...
Her heart hurt at the sight.
"Lord, please..." She believes God is listening to her. Wala pa rin ang katawan nina Kuya Bari at Tita Bella... "Please, send us help..."
"Blair?"
Hindi niya agad narinig ang tumawag sa kanya.
"Blair Delos Santos, is that you?"
Doon na siya napalingon. A familiar face came near her. She's wearing a doctor's uniform... Naningkit ang mga mata ni Blair at kahit nanlalabo ang mga mata dahil sa luha ay nakilala niya ito!
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya at agad na tumakbo rito. "Summer!"
Si Summer nga ito! Ang kaklase at kaibigan niya noong high school!
"Oh, my goodness!" Nanlaki ang mga mata nito at inalalayan siya. "Are you involved in the accident, Blair? Nagamot ka na ba? Come here, I'll treat your wounds..."
Mabilis siyang umiling. "Summer, Summer, please help me... Help my brother and Tita Bella!"
Remember the supporting roles of people no matter how small they might be in your life? Kasama si Summer noon sa mga kaibigang tinalikuran niya nang maghiganti siya sa mga magulang.
Blair never saw Summer, again. Narinig niya lang minsan na nag-migrate ang pamilya nito sa ibang bansa. In social media, hindi niya rin sinubukang hanapin ang mga dating kaibigan. Dahil siguro nahihiya na rin siya at iniwanan niya lang ang mga ito ng walang paliwanag.
Summer's a high ranking doctor on that hospital. Ito ang tumulong sa kanilang agad na magamot sina Kuya Bari at Tita Bella pagkasugod ng mga katawan nito sa ospital.
They were treated separately from the others. Agad ding nagawan ng paraan ni Summer na makapag-heart transplant ang Kuya Bari niya.
Tita Bella was treated successfully but in comatose. Hindi na sigurado kung magigising pa ito. Her back was badly injured from the accident...
Dumating si Bridgette kinabukasan. Naghintay pa raw itong magbukas ang isang daycare service center para may mapag-iwanan kay Santino saglit.
"Mama!" Niyakap siya nang mahigpit ni Bridgette.
"Where's Ysabella and Ibarra?"
"Mama, Tita Bella's in coma. Katatapos lang ng heart transplant ni Kuya Bari. But he's in comatose, too. Mama, let's call their family. Kailangan malaman nina Czarina 'to—"
"Blair!" Humahangos na lumapit sa kanya si Summer. "Blair, there's an angry mob outside. Naglabas na ng report ang mga LA police na sa kotse niyo nagsimula ang aksidente. The families of the dead victims are looking for your brother and stepmother. They are crying for justice. Pinipigilan lang sila ng security..."
"H-Hindi naman 'to sinasadya nina Kuya, Summer. He got an unexpected heart attack!"
"Of course. We understand that, Blair. Can you call your own lawyer and security to handle them?"
Napalunok siya. Saan siya—
"I have a plan," biglang singit ng Mama niya.
Napakurap si Blair nang naramdaman niyang hinapit siya ni Jack sa baywang. Nasa loob na sila ng eroplano at iniwas siya nito sa dumadaang mga tao.
They were flying in first class, so they have their own cubicle for this 18-hour flight.
"Wala ka sa sarili mo," mahinang sabi ni Jack. Hinawakan na nito ang kamay niya at hinila siya papasok ng first class area.
"I'm sorry..." Napatingin siya sa anak niyang buhat na nito. "Hindi pa rin nagigising si Santino?"
"Mukhang sa paglipad na ng eroplano mangungulit 'to."
She giggled. Hinatid siya ni Jack hanggang sa first class seat niya. Magkatabi lang naman sila ng cubicle kaya hindi niya na sinara ang pangharang. Jack properly laid their son down on his comfy reclined seat.
"What are you thinking about earlier? You look like in a stance."
Nakita niya ang complimentary water bottle ng flight nila. Kinuha niya iyon at ininuman. Pagkuwa'y tiningala niya si Jack.
"Naalala ko lang 'yung aksidente nina Kuya noon... Doon nagsimula kung bakit napagbilinan ako ni Tita Bella."
Nilagay ni Jack ang kamay nito sa isang bulsa ng pantalon at sumandig ang isang braso sa cubicle niya.
"You're the Delos Santos' truth bearer, huh?"
Napalabi siya. "I think, Kuya Bari would understand naman if I kept first na nagising pa si Tita Bella saglit bago siya pumuntang heaven, right?"
Tumango nang marahan si Jack. "And your Kuya Alessandro knows about the Avant-Garde."
Napabuga siya ng hangin at pinagsalikop ang mga kamay. "Iyon ang nakahuli sa kanya at sa kapatid ni Papa, so yeah..."
Napakaraming lihim ng mga Delos Santos. Dapat matapos na ito sa henerasyon nilang magkakapatid. So that their children can enjoy peaceful and harmonious lives in the future.
"Ang mahirap lang sabihin ay iyong hindi pala nalinis ang pangalan ni Tita Andrea kay Papa... Nadamay lang si Tita Andrea... Masasaktan si Kuya Sandro."
She looked up to Jack. Pinalamlam niya ang mga mata at lumabi. "Can you help me tell them? Mas matalino ka kasi sa 'kin, babe. Baka mas alam mo how to properly explain everything to my brothers..."
"No, Blair." Jack softly declined. "This is your last role as a Delos Santos."
"What do you mean by that?" She was puzzled.
Tinalikuran siya bigla ni Jack at umupo na sa puwesto nito. Santino stirred awake. Mabilis na napaupo ito at nagpalinga-linga ng ulo.
"Wow! Nasa airplane na tayo agad, Daddy? Nag-sleep lang ako last night sa bed, eh!" Kinusot-kusot nito ang mga mata. "I want hot choco with marshmallows, Daddy!"
"I'll order one for you." Nagtawag si Jack ng isang cabin crew.
"Hi, good love. Good morning," bati niya muna sa anak.
"Hi, Mommy!" Kumaway pa ang maliit nitong kamay. "Good morning, Mommy! Let's eat breakfast na! Are we flying already?"
"Later pa, baby."
Ang likot-likot na nito habang nakakandong kay Jack. Fully-charged. As expected.
Nang dumating na ang hot chocolate drink nito ay hinipan-hipan ni Jack ang inumin bago pinainom kay Santino.
She leaned over. Kinalabit niya ang asawa. "What do you mean na last role ko na ang gagawin ko as a Delos Santos?"
"Papabago mo na ang pangalan mo sa lahat ng legal documents and IDs mo, Blair. You'll put Valleroso at the end of your name."
Strikto at seryoso ang boses ni Jack. Authoritative. Nag-uutos at hindi papayag kung papalag pa siya.
Napangiti si Blair. Actually, plano niya naman talagang gawin iyon noon pa. Masyado lang talagang maraming nangyari.
"Ang next role ko is Mrs. Valleroso na pala!" May oras pang kiligin si Blair sa kabila ng naghihintay sa kanyang gawain sa Pilipinas. "Gagalingan ko po ang pagbawi, Mr. Valleroso!"
Ang seryoso pa rin ng buong mukha nito. "You better should."
Humagikgik si Blair at umayos na ng upo. Hinaplos niya ang tiyan. "Your gentle and kind Daddy just unlocked his new role, baby," bulong niya. "Come out healthy para lumambing na ulit siya."
Because Jacquin Valleroso just entered his dominant era!
***
Chapter 59: Good Bye - June 11, 2021
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