DUMIIN ANG hawak niya sa manibela ng lumiko ang sasakyan na gamit ni Saskia sa isang police station.
Seems like Saskia is not somebody that he can follow around and he'll go unnoticed.
Lorch huffed and slowed down after driving half a kilometer ahead of the police station.
Kinuha niya ang cellphone niya saka tinawagan ang isa niyang kaibigan— na tinuturing din nilang pinsan — na siguradong magmumura dahil sa pandidisturbo niya gayong malalim na ang gabi.
"Tang'na mo, Lorch!" Unx foul-mouthed him just like what he expected.
"Sweet dreams, bud," Lorch deadpan, uncaring if he just disturbed a sleeping friend.
"Just what the fuck do you want moron?! Do you know what time is it?" Unx asked, groaning in annoyance.
"It's time for you to tell me where I can find one of your houses outside the island. Or any house that you own or your brothers own?" he asked.
Maraming bahay ang kaibigan niya na pag-aari din ng mga kapatid nito. Unx has three brothers, they are a set of quadruplets.
"BGC."
"Near where I am at."
"Just where the fuck are you?" Unx hissed.
"Outside the island. Go check my location and find out the nearest house I can crash in and swap my motorbike with a car."
Umungol ito sa inis pero narinig niyang tumalima ito pero panay ang reklamo.
"Tang'na mo talaga, Lorch. I'm gonna make your nose bleed for this, fucker!" Unx keeps in grumbling because of annoyance.
Lorch disregarded it and rolled his eyes. "Moron, that's what the least you can do for me for living in my house rent-free."
"Oh, shut up..." Unx tsked. "You're fucking a crybaby when you're alone. We living in your house is a plus for you. You got companion."
"Whatever," Lorch dismissed.
"What are you doing in Quezon?" Tanong nito matapos ang ilang sandali.
"Following someone."
"Creep."
"Tch."
"Thirty miles ahead and Lrx has a house," anito saka binigay ang address. "You can use the house because it is listed for access for all the club members."
"Thanks, bud."
"Whatever, fucker." Unx ended the call while he hurried to get to the house.
Pagkarating doon ay ginamit niya ang card niya sa club para makapasok sa loob ng bahay. The card they have from the club is something that allows them to enter any property that has been listed to be accessed by every member of the club when needed.
Unang tinignan niya pagkapasok ng gate ay ang sasakyan. Lorch inwardly thanked when he found a car not too expensive. It'll not take so much attention which is what he wanted.
Pagkapasok ng bahay ay agad na naglog-in entry siya sa isang tablet na naka install sa dingding malapit sa main door. After that, he headed to the second floor to look for clothes. Kasing tangkad at katawan niya naman ang apat kaya sigurado siyang makakahanap siya ng damit na pamalit sa motorbike outfit niya.
Taking a navy blue cotton short-sleeved polo and casual shorts, Lorch changed his clothes before leaping out of the house to continue following Saskia.
Tinignan niya ang GPS at nakita niyang bumalik na sa pagmamaneho ang dalaga. This time he followed her further behind. About one kilometer apart from her car. Ginamit niya na lang buong oras ang GPS para masundan ito at siguraduhing maayos itong makakarating sa bahay ng magulang nito.
Yeah, he followed her just to make sure she'll arrive safe at her parent's home. He just felt it that she'll be going home to her parents tonight.
Saskia once told him that she always runs to her father when she's sad or heartbroken. At alam niyang nasaktan niya ito kanina. Pero kahit na alam niya iyon ay pinigilan niya ang sarili na kausapin ito.
There is just no sense anymore.
It's either they end the relationship with her not mad at him but just disappointed or tell her everything and she'll hate him.
He doesn't want the second. Not in a lifetime.
Ang isipin pa lang na kamumuhian siya nito ay nagpapatakot na sa kanya.
So he'll leave it like how it is right now. Maybe soon enough he'll hit his head and wake up the next morning and realize he has been a total idiot for falling for his half-sister. Or he was a fool to mistake his feelings as love for a woman when it's just totally a love for siblings.
But he doubts it is.
His boner when she's just being innocently sweet to him says it all. Tsk!
Matapos ang ilang oras na biyahe ay malapit na sila sa bahay ng magulang nito.
Lorch can't help but get impressed with how Saskia could drive all night without stopping to take a nap. She must be dedicated.
Nang ilang kilometro na lang ang bahay ay lumapit na siya sa sasakyan na gamit nito. Near enough to see her plate number clearly.
Bumagal ang pagmamaneho niya ng tumigil ito sa isang itim na gate. Sa tapat mismo ng bahay ng magulang nito.
Siya naman ay tumigil limang bahay ang layo sa bahay ng magulang nito at pinanood ang dalaga.
He's finally relieved she's home. Safe and sound.
Nagdoorbell ito at bigla siyang nakaramdam ng kaba. Ngayong nakauwi na ang dalaga ay siguradong malalaman na nito ang tunay na kalagayan ng magulang nito na pilit na tinatago ng dalawa sa pinakamamahal nilang anak. Yet, they can only hide much and this long. Their daughter will now find out the gravity of their financial woes.
Enrique and Amanda must be looking awful with all their financial woes, debt, and lack of house service. They will surely go down the drain and get depressed.
Well, all their mountain of problems is depressing. They now probably realize how it is to be in his mother's place. Miserable. Depressed.
Napabuntomg-hininga siya.
He's witnessing Saskia's parent's downfall but it'll also take her down with them.
Napasandal siya at nakaramdam ng bigat sa dibdib sa isiping iiyak at iiyak ang dalaga. Saskia is heartbroken, he wonders if her dad could cheer her up now that he got a ton in his hand.
Yumuko siya ng bumukas ang gate ng bahay ng magulang ni Saskia.
Kahit ilang taon na ang lumipas mahirap parin para sa kanya makita ang dalawang taong sumira sa pamilya na meron siya noon. Ang dahilan kung bakit kailangan niyang makita ang unti-unting pagbitiw ng ina niya sa buhay nito at ang pagdaan niya sa buhay na kailan man at ni nino man ay hindi gugustuhing maranasan.
It's still fucking hard. They took so much from him when they cheated on his mom. He lost his family, a father, his mom, and his childhood.
NAKAHINGA NG maluwag si Saskia matapos patayin ang kotse.
Thanks to her angel, she survive a grueling whole night's travel without being crept again after that one time. Hindi niya na ulit nakita yung itim na motorbike.
Pagkalabas ng kotse ay umungol siya habang nag-iinat ng katawan. Matapos ay nilapitan niya ang maliit na gate at nagdoorbell.
Saskia waited and smiled when she heard a door opening and footsteps coming.
"Sask—"
"Mommy! Surprise!!!" Saskia exclaimed when her mom opened the gate, spreading her arms for an embrace but she paused when she had a good look at her mother.
Mom has lost weight. Her hair is not perfectly fixed. No splendid clothing. No make-up. Her face... it's not what she remembers.
This isn't the regal Amanda Serano she knew. Not the woman who dearly loved to always look beautiful.
"Mommy..." Sakia drawled, really taken aback. "What's wrong?"
Tumingin siya sa mata nito at nabasag ang puso niya ng makita ang takot at pagod doon. Naiiyak din ito.
"Anak..." mom whispered and grabbed her into a hug, breaking down in her arms.
"Mom, what's wrong?" she asked as she tries to calm her down. "Tahan na, mommy." Alo niya at pilit na nilulunok ang emosyon para masuportahan ang ina niya.
Ngayon niya lang nakitang ganito ang mommy niya. And the feeling is awful. Never had she thought that seeing one of your parents break could be this painful. It feels like she's never gonna get through her struggles if her mom is like this. Seeing her mom this way is weakening her from the inside but she knows she has to pull it together and be their strength if they are on the verge of giving up.
Bumitaw ito at malalim na huminga saka pinunasan ang pisngi.
"Pasok ka, anak."
Hinila siya nito papasok at nabigla siya ng makita ang garahe para sa tatlong sasakyan na ni isa ay walang nakagarahe.
"Mom, where are the cars?" she inquired, looking at her mom who was fixing her hair.
"Let's have a bread and tea first and I'll tell you everything," anito.
Tumango siya.
Pagkapasok nila ng mansyon ay nabigla siya ng ni isa ay walang sumalubong na katulong. The whole house is eerily quiet and it's creeping her out. Not to mention, the lack of displays.
Gone were the expensive vases, paintings, statues, and even some of the furniture.
"Wait for me in the garden. Let's have our breakfast there."
"I'll help you—"
Hinaplos ng ina niya ang pisngi niya at ramdam niyang wala na ang lambot ng kamay nito.
No...
Nakagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi para pigilang umiyak.
"I can see you are tired after a long travel. So go, have some rest while I prepare the food."
Saskia nodded and headed to the garden to gather herself and take a breath but the moment she saw how unkempt the garden that used to have a clear pool, lush greens, and flowers she just lost it.
Tumulo ang luha niya.
Hindi ganito ang bahay at mommy na iniwan niya noon bago siya nagtungo ng Crown. It's not even a year yet but the changes are depressing. And she could only guess why.
Her parents must be in financial woes and they hide it from her.
Hapo siyang naupo sa isang rattan na upuan saka napatulala. Iniisip niya kung magkano ang pera na meron siya para matulungan ang magulang niya. Marami rin siyang tanong.
Ilang sandali lang ay dumating ang mommy niya dala ang tray.
Saskia helped her mom and then they sat down in silence for a while before mom sighed deeply.
"We have decided to keep you uninformed of our problems so as not to burden and worry you with it. We didn't want you to feel guilty either." Umpisa nito at inabot ang kamay niya at hinawakan iyon.
Napalunok siya at tumitig sa ina niya.
"Our business is no more..."
Naiyak ito sa kumpirmasyong malaki ang problema ng mga ito sa usapang pinansiyal.
Samantalang siya ay natulala.
That bad? How?
"Sinubukan ng daddy mo na iligtas pero hindi niya kaya. Malaking halaga ang nawala at kailangan bayaran. Your ninong has fooled him and was addicted to gambling without us knowing. He used the money for the company and entered a business dealings without consulting your dad..."
Nagpatuloy sa pagkukwento ang ina niya habang siya napupuno ng galit ang puso para sa taong pinagkatiwalaan ng magulang niya pero niloko lang ang mga ito.
"Huli na ng malaman ni dad mo dahil hawak din ng ninong mo ang karamihan sa accounting department at ang mismong sekretarya ng daddy mo."
"Paanong puro hindi mapagkakatiwalaan ang mga empleyado?" Nagtatakang tanong niya.
"That's because the one who manages the HR department is your ninong's daughter-in-law. Lahat ng pumasok sa kompanya ay halos kilala nila at rikomenda ng mga taong malalapit sa kanila."
Napayuko siya sa nalaman.
She was supposed to be the one to manage the HR department after graduating from college. Pero dahil sa ginusto niyang sa ibang bansa magtrabaho ay hinayaan siya ng dalawa.
They let her do whatever she wants. Her parents love her so much that they always supported her needs and wants. Kahit ang malayo siya sa mga ito at ang hindi magtrabaho sa mismong kompanya na pinaghirapan itayo ng daddy niya ay sinuportahan siya ng dalawa.
Her parents always told her that they will always support her in anything that will make her happy. She never had to beg for happiness because her parents have always made sure she gets it.
"I'm sorry..." Saskia whispered, sobbing.
Niyakap siya ng ina niya. "Don't. Hush, sweety. Nothing is your fault. At kahit ibalik pa ang nakaraan ay susuportahan ka parin namin ng daddy mo sa kahit na anong gustuhin mo hangga't alam naming safe ka."
"I should have helped dad to manage the business instead of working in the other company, mom... maybe everything will be different."
"Don't dwell on it, sweety. Everything will be alright. Surely, Enrique will find a way," anang ina niya.
And she really hopes her dad will find a way.
"DAD, DON'T be headstrong." Pigil ni Saskia ang umungol sa inis.
"Sweety, you don't have to lend us your money," anito.
"And what? The next time I visit you're already in jail? Come on, dad!" Saskia rested her head on the sofa with a flounce.
She has been arguing with her dad for days now after knowing that they have to pay over ten million in damages to customers and give the investors their money back. Not to mention the employees that have been working for two months without getting paid.
Buti na lang at kalahati lang ang babayaran nila. Mahigit twenty million ang lahat-lahat ng kailangang pera para maayos ang problema pero kalahati lang ang dapat nilang bayaran at kalahati naman sa siraulo niyang ninong.
"Saskia, that's your money that you had earned for yourself—"
"Dad, hindi naman ako magkakaroon ng pera kung hindi dahil din sa inyo. Sige na, hayaan niyo na akong ibigay ang pera ko. I can't go back to the Crown knowing you are facing a possible lawsuit because you weren't able to compensate those who you must. Please, dad." Saskia begged, taking her father's hand.
Apat na araw na lang ang natitira sa kinuha niyang emergency leave at kailangan niya nang bumalik ng isla. Kailangan niyang maayos ang problema ng magulang niya bago siya umalis o hindi siya maayos na makakapagtrabaho.
Nagkatinginan ang magulang niya bago mahinang tumango ang daddy niya.
Saskia widely smiled and embraces her father. Kahit na mauubos lahat ng ipon niya, mawawala ang kabibili niya lang na sasakyan, at malulubog siya sa utang sa apat niyang kaibigan ay ayos lang. She'll work harder this time and save again.
Dahil sa pagpayag ng ama niya na siya na ang magbabayad sa danyos ay agad nilang inayos iyon. She wants her parents free from legal and financial worries.
Hindi niya kayang makita pa ang magulang niya na pagod ang mata at madalas ay tulala.
Unfortunately, they lost their mansion so they'll have money to pay the attorney. Buti na lang agad may bumili ilang oras matapos nilang ilagay sa isang website ang bahay nila.
Nakakalungkot na bitawan ang bahay na siyang kinalakihan niya pero makakalimot din sila. Sa ngayon ay pansamantala lang munang titira ang magulang niya sa isang murang apartment habang nag-aaply siya sa isla para makakuha ng apartment para sa mga empleyado.
It'll be a good help for her parents if they live on the island. She'll be able to see them every day and make sure they are okay.
Matapos ang isang linggo na walang araw na hindi siya umaalis ng bahay. Saskia felt burnt out but she managed to hide it from her parents so as not to worry them. Nakalimutan niya na ang sariling dinaramdam dahil sa problema. Pero minsan sa gabi, hinahangad niya na sana may Lorch na pwede niyang tawagan para makausap.
"Dad, mom, I'll call if I already have the apartment in the Crown. You two take care of yourself, okay?" Saskia reminded while they were outside the apartment complex her parents will temporarily live.
Her dad pulled her into a tight hug and Sakia's eyes welled.
"I couldn't be more blessed to have you as my daughter. Thank you for everything, sweety," dad whispered, voice on the verge of breaking.
"Same here, dad." Saskia sniffed. "I couldn't wish for the best parents than the two of you."
"Take care. We'll call to check on you," anito matapos siyang yakapin.
Saskia nodded and hug her mom before getting inside the car and driving off.
Nang makalayo sa apartment ng magulang niya ay tumigil siya sa isang parking lot at umiyak. She can't hold it anymore. Ilang araw niya ng pinipigilan ang luha niya dahil ayaw niyang makita ng magulang niya na nahihirapan at natatakot siya.
Ubos lahat ng pera niya at malaki ang utang niya sa mga kaibigan niya. She's worried. Pinapanalangin niya na lang na sana hindi siya mawalan ng trabaho. She needs her job more than anything else this time.
Nang kumalma siya ay bumalik siya sa pagmamaneho. Dahil sa kulang siya sa tulog at pagod pa siya ay mabagal ang pagmamaneho niya.
Pero halos lumabas ang puso niya sa dibdib nang muntikan na siyang mabangga dahil hindi niya napansin ang red light.
The male driver from the car she almost collided with got out of his car and took threatening steps towards her car.
"Putang-ina!" Rinig niyang mura nito saka malakas na tinampal ang bintana niya. "Labas!"
Frightened, Saskia rolled her window a little.
"S-sorry—"
"Puta! Lumabas ka! Tatanga-tanga ka at muntikan mo ng mabangga ang sasakyan ko!" Sinubukan nitong buksan ang sasakyan niya. "Labas!"
"Pasensya na kuya, hindi ko naman sinasadaya. Hindi ko naman nasagi ang sasakyan niyo." Kausap niya.
"Pero muntikan na dahil sa kagagahan mo! Alam mo bang nasa loob ang anak ko! Umayos ka sa pagmamaneho!" Sigaw nito.
Nakita ni Saskia na lumabas ang mukhang asawa nito saka kinatok rin ang kotse niya.
"Miss, lumabas ka."
Dahil sa kalmado naman ang babae ay lumabas siya ng sasakyan para maayos na magpaumanhin.
"Paumanhin po. Hindi ko kasi napansin yung red light."
"Umayos ka, dahil sa mga tatanga-tangang driver na tulad mo kaya't maraming nadidisgrasya sa kalsada!" Bulyaw sa kanya ng lalaki.
"Sorry talaga, kuya." Yumuko siya.
"Tanga! Walang kwenta 'yang sorry mo oras na may nangyari!"
Napalabi siya at nakaramdam ng panliliit pero mabilis rin nawala iyon ng maramdaman ang brasong kumabig sa kanya at niyakap siya.
Saskia was about to protest but when her nose smelled that familiar scent, she stopped.
Instead, she held on to him, hugging him tightly as she break down in his chest.
👑
Clfern
📪22.08.19