SINAMAAN NI Lorch ng tingin si Clysm ng kinuha nito si Bunny mula kandungan niya habang pinapakain ang kuneho. It's Sunday and they are all at his house doing nothing but annoying each other.
"Didn't you see I'm feeding him?" Tanong niya sa kaibigan.
"Bud! Bunny is already overweight! You are gonna kill him if you keep feeding him like that!" Clysm glared back as he cuddle Bunny in his arms but it keeps shifting to try to get away.
"He looks cute—"
"Fuck off! He always looks cute but he doesn't have to be fat! He'll die sooner than he should if you keep on feeding him!" Inayos nito ang hawak sa kuneho. "Ipapaalala ko lang, bud, kuneho ko 'to kung gusto mo sayo bumili ka. Papatayin mo pa alaga ko!" Gigil na saad nito.
Sasagot sana siya ng tumawa si Sanity.
And before Sanity could open her mouth, Unx was fast to speak.
"Don't even say a word woman," Unx ordered.
"Why?" Sanity hardly could stop her chuckles.
"Because what's going to go out of your mouth will be about things between our legs," Raven scoffed.
Sanity laughs louder. "Well boys, you weren't wrong."
Bumuntong-hininga si Loch ng umalis si Clysm dala si Bunny. Dahil wala na siyang mapagtuunan ng pansin ay nilapag niya sa tiyan ni Unx ang hawak na bowl na naglalaman ng damo.
"What the— why do you I get this fucker?" Yamot na tanong nito at naupo.
"Bring that to the kitchen unless you want to eat some grass, I'm going outside," sagot niya at hindi ito pinansin ng minura siya nito.
Nagtungo siya sa likod ng bahay niya kung saan ang pool pero natigilan siya ng marinig ang boses ni Youri na may kausap.
"Venice will be dragging you to different shops that is for sure. She has never been in New York yet, so expect my sister to be hyper," anito.
New York? Lorch frowned at the same time his heart pounded. Pagnaririnig niya ang New York hindi niya talaga maiwasang maisip si Saskia.
"Anyway, I have to hang up, it's getting late already. Take care there." Paalam nito.
Nang maibaba ni Youri ng tawag ay nagbuga ito ng hangin saka pumihit paharap sa kanya.
Lorch saw the surprise on his friend's face at the same time panic flickered in his eyes but it was short live and it disappeared.
"Kanina ka pa kuya?" Tanong nito at ngumiti.
Lorch was looking at his friend's hand, rubbing his nape and with Youri's gaze averting away. Youri looks uncomfortable.
"No, but long enough to overhear you talking about New York and your sister, Venice," Lorch replied, his eyes observing his friend very closely.
Napapansin niya sa kaibigan na madalas itong tahimik. He didn't ask because he was preoccupied with many things— emotionally and physically. But Youri's odd behavior when he's around hasn't gone unnoticed. They were trained to spot the slightest change in character on a person so he know when Youri started to change.
Maybe his other friends noticed it too but didn't think much about it, but he couldn't ignore it. Amongst all the friends he has Youri will be the one that will always come after his brothers.
Exhaling, Lorch buried his hands in his pocket and walk toward Youri.
"Are you okay, Youri?" he asked.
Ngumiti ito. "Yeah, kuya. Just tired."
Lorch hummed, not believing his friend but he let go of it and ask, "You're leaving with Venice to New York?"
Tumango ito. "Um... yeah..." Youri sighed. "Ano— we're going to spend my birthday there because she has never been to New York and..." Yumuko ito at halatang hindi ito komportable. "We will be spending some time with Saskia too..."
Napakurap siya sa narinig.
"Why?" tanong niya ng makabawi sa bigla.
He wasn't informed they were close so he doesn't see a reason why.
"Sorry I didn't tell you but my sister become friends with Saskia and it kind of— you know — expanded on to me."
"Does it mean you and Saskia are friends now?" he asked.
"Sort of but not close." Youri scratched his head. "I hope you don't mind."
"No, of course not." Tumingin siya sa pool. "How is she?"
"I'm not sure how is she. I don't talk to her that much but Venice said she's okay."
Napatango siya saka walang buhay na umangat ang isang gilid ng labi niya. "Glad she is."
"You still love her, kuya?"
Smirking, Lorch slowly nodded. "Yeah, very much. It's tough to wipe it off especially when I'm doing nothing to forget her."
"You don't have to."
Mahina siyang natawa saka umiling. "Someday I will have to, Youri. My love for her is forbidden."
Youri sighed, nodding his head.
Nagpaalam itong matutulog na samantalang siya ay naisipang umalis ng bahay niya kahit gabi na.
Straddling his motorbike, Lorch drove off without a clear destination in his head aside from driving the main road around the Island. That's roughly over seven hundred kilometers and will take him six hours at normal speed but he's going over one hundred kilometers per hour so that shouldn't take him that long.
He was halfway on his drive when he felt the vibration in his pocket. Kaya naman ay huminto siya para sagutin ang tawag. This must be something important for somebody to call him this late.
Kumunot ang noo niya ng tauhan niya iyon. One of the two people that he ordered to look after Saskia's parents.
"Yes?" he asked after swiping to take the call.
"Boss, sinugod po sa hospital ang ama ni miss Saskia."
Umawang ang labi niya at kahit pigilan niya ay hindi niya mapigilan ang kaba at pag-aalala na bumalot sa puso niya.
"What happened?" he asked as he starts his motorbike again.
"Stroke boss. Iyon ang pagkakarinig ko mula sa ina ni miss Saskia."
"Damn it!" Lorch cussed and drop the call before turning around to head to the airport.
Pagkarating ng airport ay agad niyang tinawagan ang kaibigan niyang transporter sa grupo nila.
"Sanity, I need a sane pilot. Now!"
Sanity groaned. "I only work as a pilot or a driver when we have a case, Lorch. Spare me with your— "
"Fuck! Sanity! Saskia's father had a stroke I need to be there!" Lorch shouted.
"Oh! Sorry. I'm coming! I'm coming! Where the heck are you?" Tanong nito sa mabilis na paraan at narinig niya na lang ang tumatakbong mga yabag at sigaw nito. "I'm going out! Lorch had an emergency!" Sigaw nito sa iba nilang kaibigan.
"I'm at the airport, Sanity. Be quick."
"Copy."
Lorch rubbed his face after ending the call. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself but it barely help.
Nag-aalala siya. Natatakot. Hindi niya alam kung para kanino. Kung para sa sarili niya ba, sa tunay niyang ama o para kay Saskia.
"Damn it... Saskia will be devastated if something is to happen to her dad."
Ilang minuto siyang nagpalakad-lakad sa bukana ng entrance ng airport at hinihintay ang kaibigan niya. Nang dumating ito ay kasama nito ang ibang kaibigan nila na sa bahay niya nakatira.
"Hey, baby!" Sanity throws her keys to the valet. "Take care of my car," saad nito saka nagflying kiss sa lalaking valet na naestatwa habang nakatitig kay Sanity. "Thank you!"
"Let's go," yaya niya sa anim na kaibigan.
"Where are we headed?" Tanong ni Unx.
"Naga. Saskia's parents are currently residing there after losing their property," he informed as they take swift steps going to the terminal.
Ginamit nila ang jet plane niya at agad silang umalis.
"How bad is it?" Youri who sits beside him asked when they were already traveling. "Will he be okay, kuya?" Dagdag na tanong nito ng may pag-aalala sa boses.
"I hope he will. I don't want Saskia to lose her dad this early. She'll be really devastated." Sinandal niya ang ulo sa headrest. "Damn... Saskia hardly takes a breath from pain," he whispered, closing his eyes.
"Don't think too much. I'm sure her dad will be fine," ani Youri at mahinang tinapik ang balikat niya.
Lorch smiled sadly. "I hope..."
He really does.
"AND HOW is he?" Salubong niya kay Unx pagkapasok nito sa opisina ng isang doctor kung saan pinayagan silang manatili.
"He's fine and stable," anito at hinubad ang suot na coat at binigay kay Raven na katabi si Sanity na natutulog. "Cover her, she looks cold," anito.
Nakahinga ng maluwag si Lorch sa narinig. "What has caused his stroke?"
"A lot but mostly was stress and lack of sleep." Tumabi sa kanya si Unx. "His wife said he has trouble sleeping since the chaos in his business started and it didn't get better since even if they are no longer in danger of being sued because they know Saskia is in debt to save them."
Lorch runs his finger in his ruffled hair and paused while thinking.
"Do you know if Saskia knows about what happened?" Tanong niya.
"Wala siyang alam, kuya," singit ni Youri. "I called her a while ago and asked about her father and she seems like she is not informed because she said they are fine."
With that answer, his other friends frowned at Youri and asked how he end up having contact with Saskia.
Siya naman ay hindi na nagtaka pero hindi niya mapigilan makaramdam ng inggit. Youri could talk to Saskia anytime he wanted while he on the other hand can't. And it's been damn long since he last heard her voice.
Sighing, Lorch asked Unx when will be the best time to visit Saskia's dad. Maybe it's time to talk to him and finally put behind every grudge to move on from the past that has been holding him back for so long to finally have his peace of mind.
"He'll be home tomorrow. But if you plan to talk to him, you better wait a few weeks," anito.
Tumango siya bago sinabihan ang mga kaibigan niya na pwede na ang mga itong umuwi kung gusto nila. Samantalang siya ay naghanap ng hotel para doon na muna manatili hanggang sa pwede na niyang makausap ang ama ni Saskia.
Youri wanted to stay with him but he reminded him that Venice will have a party to attend soon and Lorch knew that Youri always escorts his sister. Kaya napilitan itong bumalik ng Crown Island kasama sina Unx.
Siya naman ay mag-isang naiwan sa Naga at pinadala na lang ang laptop at ilang bagay na kakailanganin niya para makapagtrabaho kahit wala siya sa isla.
Lorch massages the bridge of his nose after working eight hours straight without a break. Tumayo siya saka lumabas ng balkonahe at pinanood ang ilang sasakyang dumadaan. His life in this place has been quiet and over two weeks had passed since he stayed in Naga, waiting for Saskia's dad to get better.
Kinuha niya ang cellphone niya saka tinawagan ang doctor na binayaran niya para tignan ang lagay ng ama ni Saskia araw-araw.
"Doc— this is Lorch Crown, how's your patient?" he asked.
"He's great. So far he has not shown any signs of having another attack and he's in good spirit this morning."
"Can I visit him and talk about things today?"
"Of course, as long as it is not something that will stress him, you can," anito.
Sa nalaman ay nagpasalamat siya sa doctor saka muling pumasok sa loob ng silid niya at inayos ang mga gamit niya.
After the talk, he will leave the place and go back to the Island. He got so much to do and meetings to attend. Hopefully, the talk will be lighter and nothing bad happens after.
Matapos ayusin ang mga gamit niya ay lumabas siya ng villa na nirentahan niya. He waited for the FastTrack mobility service he requested and after just over a minute it arrived and drove him off to Saskia's parents.
Ilang sandali siyang nakatitig sa apartment ng makarating siya doon.
"I hope I'm doing the right thing here..." Lorch whispered as he gets cold feet.
It has been so long since he last time saw him and all these years he has carried so much hate for the man that had the heart to leave him when he needed him the most. Hopefully, this time he'll find a way to forgive him. That his reason for leaving him like that like he is not worthy in his life will suffice to clear the hatred he has and the pain he caused.
Taking a deep breath, Lorch slowly walks toward the door and knocked. It didn't take long when Saskia's mom opened the door and by the look on her face, she recognize him.
Lorch just stood there unable to say a word or move other than gulp and look down.
At mukhang nabigla ito ng makita siya dahil natigilan rin ito.
"I..." She trailed. "Um— halika iho, pasok ka. Pasensya na nabigla lang ako," anito ng makabawi.
Nagtaas siya ng mukha at tipid na ngumiti at pumasok ng niluwagan nito ang bukas ng pintuan.
Lorch looked around the home and slyly sigh seeing that his room is bigger than the place. Though, it was finely neat and well decorated.
"Do you want something to drink? Um— tea? Soda? Tell me I'll prepare anything for you." Hindi magkamayaw na tanong sa kanya ng ina ni Saskia.
Shaking his head as he stared at Saskia's graduation picture, Lorch refused.
"I'm just here to talk to your husband." Bumaling siya sa ginang. "Can I? It would be best if I talk to him now because I'm leaving the city tomorrow. I have a ton of work." Pormal na saad niya.
"Ganoon ba..." Malalim itong huminga saka tumingin sa mga mata niya. "He has been looking forward to talking to you and he'll be really happy to finally see you after so many years. And I understand that you hate him... but I hope you don't lash out now. He's in a delicate state and I know it is too much to ask, but please, don't be harsh on him. He's still recovering from a stroke I don't want him having an attack again. I can't lose him..."
Lorch swallowed as he stared at Saskia's mother, eyes pleading with him and on the verge of crying.
Nagbawi siya ng tingin. "Worry not, I'm just here to hear his reasons for leaving. I'm not going to bad mouth him."
"Thank you..." Saskia's mom whispered in relief before she invited him upstairs.
"Iiwan ko kayong dalawa para komportable kayong makapag-usap. I'll be downstairs," anito pagkatapat nila sa isang pintuan.
Tumango siya at nang umalis ang ginang ay kumatok siya.
Lorch heard a faint voice telling him it was open.
With one deep sigh, Lorch removes any emotions on his face before opening the door to see the man that he had blamed for every suffering he had to go through in life.
"Wife you don't need— " Natigilan ito sa pagsasalita ng makita siya.
Looking frail and so much older than what he remembered, Lorch still recognizes the man.
"L-Lorenz..." Bulong nito at gumalaw para sana bumaba ng higaan nito pero mabilis niya itong nilapitan.
"Don't." Pigil niya at hinawakan ito sa balikat para lang din bumitaw ng kinabig siya nito at mahigpit na niyakap.
"Son..." His voice broke.
Lorch tightly closes his eyes to stop his tears but he can't. It still escapes despite all his effort to bury his emotions. The hug... It reminds him of those times when they were having fun and doing something amazing together. When his life was still innocent about how people could be cruel to some.
"Lorenz— son..." Bumitaw ito saka siya pinakatitigan habang hinahawakan ang braso at mukha niya. "I can't believe I'll ever see you again..." wika nito habang umiiyak. "I'm very very sorry for leaving you like that..."
Lorch smirked, one that was cold and dismissive. "Almost..." he whispered bitterly. "It almost happened when I almost died. If I did, of course, you will never ever see me again," aniya habang nakayuko.
"I—"
"Just tell me why?" Lorch cut him off. "That's the only thing I want this time."
Tumingin siya dito. At kahit nasa harapan niya na ito ay hindi niya ito makuhang tawaging ama. There are just many reasons why he can't.
Tinuyo nito ang luha habang tumatango. "If that will help a bit to attain my mistakes, I will." Umusog ito. "Upo ka."
Naupo siya sa gilid ng kama pero hindi siya tumingin dito.
"Do you want everything to know?"
Lorch nodded.
Enrique sighed. "Very well... First of all, I want to ask if you remember going to my room every morning. Waking me up and telling me to prepare you breakfast?"
Kumunot ang noo niya. "Yeah..."
"Good. So that happened because you sleep in your mother's bedroom while I sleep in mine. We have a separate bedroom."
"I recall that," he said, glancing at him.
"Have you never thought it was weird?"
Lorch shrugged. "I did when I grow up but I thought it was just the two of you having a weird sleeping plan or whatsoever."
Enrique chuckles. "No, it wasn't, Lorenz—"
"Call me Lorch." Pagtatama niya. "That's my name now."
Enrique pursed his lips while nodding. "I'll try," he smiled. "So, um... yeah, we have separate bedrooms not because we are weird couples but because we were married without love or anything special aside from we wanted to get back at our one true love."
Napakurap siya sa narinig. "What?"
"It's hard to believe but I and Laura end up married because we wanted to hurt our ex and make them feel how we feel. Hoping they will change their mind..."
Lorch listens as the man tells him everything. And as he goes on with his story, Lorch barely could grasp it. It just seems unreal or far-fetched impossible but what catches his attention that made his heart hope and heartbeat erratic were the words that would change a huge part of him and his future.
"... then your mom one day felt sick and she keeps showing signs of pregnancy so I asked her if she's pregnant. And she admitted and that's when I get to know that she's having an affair with your father. Unfortunately, your father was Amanda's husband— Henry."
In shock, Lorch clarified, "You're telling me you are not my real father?"
Enrique shook his head. "No..." he smiled sadly. "And I don't think I deserve you at all after leaving you like that. Nevertheless, I love you and treated you as my son and I never forget you. I've always wondered and prayed that you're safe somewhere."
"Mom... never told me anything..." Lorch whispered.
"Maybe because you were still young."
"Damn..." Tumayo siya saka nagpalakad-lakad at pinoproseso ang lahat ng nalaman niya. "I hated you for many years for leaving us like that like I and mom didn't matter. When you left, she get depressed and eventually killed herself."
"I deserve it— your hate. It's justified. No child should be abandoned like that." Yumuko ito. "I'm sorry for abandoning you and for what happened to your mom. I should have called her because we were still married— she still my wife in papers — even though we were not committed to each other but I didn't..."
Lorch stopped pacing and looked at the man he thought was his real father all along. "I don't think you can stop mom either. Ako ngang anak, hindi ko nakuhang bigyan siya ng dahilan na kumapit sa buhay."
Napabuntong-hininga ito at malungkot na ngumiti. "Your mom was madly in love with your father. It was unfortunate he didn't love her the same."
Nagtagis lang ang panga ni Lorch at hindi tinanong pa kung sino ang ama niya at nasaan ito. Wala na siyang pakialam. Baka pagnakilala niya pa ito ay mapatay niya lang ito.
Huminga siya ng malalim. "And Saskia... she's not my sister or relatives?"
"No, but you can treat her like your sister—"
"I... I love her, you know." Lorch didn't avert his gaze away when Saskia's father narrowed his strict gaze on him, kahit na kabado siya.
"You won't hurt her if you love her. You made her your pawn to get back at me," anito at halatang hindi ito natutuwa sa ginawa niya.
Sino bang matinong ama ang matutuwa?
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I didn't go on with my plan. And when I give it up I didn't dare to tell Sakia— I was afraid of not seeing and talking to her. Pursuing her either was not an option when all along I believe she is my sister. I run a DNA test and it came up positive."
Nagsalubong ang kilay nito. "Positive?" Umiling ito. "That can't be, Lorch. I never shared a bed with your mom. I will bet my life— I am not your biological father. I will prove it to you by running a DNA test."
With his lips tightly pressed together, Lorch nodded. He has to. Kailangan masiguro niya hindi talaga ito ang tunay niyang ama.
It'll give him a chance to have Saskia in his life and love her all he wants. And...
Kumuyom ang kamay niya.
It'll also prove that Youri falsify the DNA result and he has to fucking know why.
👑
Clfern
📪22.08.31