"I'm drunk... but not that drunk to say things I don't mean."
I added those words, not wanting him to doubt my feelings for him all over again. It was something I couldn't afford.
"All the explanations I've given you were full of truth. I know you doubted it, also my love. I have accepted it, and I swear... Gusto kong bumawi. Gusto kong matutong maging mabuti para sa 'yo. Every time I think of you being gone and slipping away from me so easily, every time I think of us not being together... I simply don't see myself living a happy life."
From the beginning of my time, happiness was my priority. It was a simple word, that I never thought a person named Beaumont would be the definition of it... My Beau.
"If you don't need me to save you, well, I need you... I don't want to drown in my emotions, and I can't save myself on my own... I can't swim alone... I choose you to swim with me... I understand now what you meant when you said you didn't need saving, but you need me by your side while you save yourself... I feel it now..."
I constantly restrain myself from feeling. I was just focused on one emotion. Happiness. I was not fully open to the strong ones... Anger, confusion, distress, which were just a phase of my wild, messy tides. I didn't swim back up strongly enough, allowing the tides to grab me, lure me in, and jumble me until I... drowned.
But tonight, admitting all of my feelings for him has only made me realize that I should've faced it bravely. I should've let myself feel fully. Accept. That the tides are not always calm, and that the wild ones will sometimes rule.
"This time... I will stay. I want to live the life we planned together. I want to watch the sunrise and share a cup of coffee with you only... I want to spend this lifetime with you. You're the only one for me. I will not give my love up... I will not give it all up," I said with full assurance.
My heart always aches in regret as I remembered how much I begged him before to give us up... and how I told him I'm giving it all up... I'm giving up on us, on him.
But I'm different now. Braver.
"I will never not love you, Marco." I hugged him tighter. I can feel his heart beat in double rhythm since my head remained on his chest.
My heart hoped. Hoped for a better tomorrow for us. That maybe this time, it will be different. This time will be our beginning... not our end.
Marco was as stiff as a tree, so I decided to glance up at him. He did nothing but blink. I gently tapped his cheek to bring him back to reality... Did I overwhelm him?
"Love?" I called.
"Tangina," marahang mura niya at tumawa.
"Are you okay, babe?"
"Hindi pa nagsi-sink in sa akin ang sinabi mo, tinatawag mo na ako diyan ng kung ano-ano. Teka lang... Mahina ang puso ko, Zy..." Bumitaw siya at hinilot ang dibdib niya, masama ang tingin sa 'kin.
I stared at him for a moment before I bursted out laughing, my head falling back and almost losing my balance. Right! I'm full of alcohol!
Naupo ako sa stool habang pinagmamasdan siya. Kumuha siya ng tubig. Akala ko ibibigay niya sa akin para ma-sober up ako pero siya ang uminom sa baso, pinapakalma ang sarili.
"Ako water," hiling ko.
Natigilan siya sa pag-inom. "Sa 'yo dapat 'to, eh," natatawang amin niya bago sinalinan ulit iyong baso at inabot sa 'kin.
I hid my smile through pursing my lips. His ears were red in color. Nagpunas siya ng pawis gamit ang dulo ng sleeves niya. Pagkatapos, kumamot siya sa pisngi niya habang iniiwasan ang mga mata ko. Hindi siya mapakali.
"Someone's shy," I teased.
"Ikaw kasi," he blamed, scratching his head before walking behind me. He hugged me and buried his face on my neck. I can hear him chuckling softly.
I let out a laugh. "Ganiyan ka ba kiligin?" First time ko siya nakitang ganito!
"Marry me." It was almost a whisper.
Nagpintig ang tainga ko at natigilan sa pagtawa, humihigpit ang hawak sa baso. Nakaramdam ako ng kakaibang sensasyon sa dibdib ko.
"What..." I was lost for words.
"You will marry me."
Desidido ko siyang nilingon bago hinampas sa balikat. "Ang demanding mo, ah!" I felt myself tear up. Is he serious?!
"Kailangan mo akong pakasalan. Panindigan mo ito." He took my hand gently and placed it on his chest, looking into my eyes while shaking his head with a smile. "You're the only one... who can make this feel alive, Ica."
"Really?" I couldn't help my joy.
"Really." He nodded. "Alam mo, tinanggap ko na na hindi mo ako mamahalin ulit. Na hanggang ganito lang tayong dalawa. Good parents for Kie. Sabi ko kontento na ako kahit na ako lang ang nagmamahal sa 'yo... pero mas masarap pala sa pakiramdan na mahal mo ako... Na ako pa rin pala."
Sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ko at pinilit siyang yakapin sa leeg kahit na nakaupo ako. He immediately adjusted his stance to hug me comfortably. I only thought it was in movies where you hug the person you love and suddenly have a sense of warmness envelope you. It was real.
"I will never not love you," I said.
"Cute." He let out a small chuckle. "I will never not love you... and I'm never letting you go again."
That night we became... intimate for the first time after years. It felt so new... the way he made love to me. It was so passionate with a sense of gentleness. We felt closer as if we shared a deeper connection with each other.
The next morning, I felt hang over while traveling back to Manila. Ang kaingayan ni Kie sa backseat ay dumagdag sa sakit ng ulo ko. Ayaw ko naman siyang patahimikin dahil ang maaliwas ng mood niya.
"Da, I want food!" Sumiksik siya sa gitna ng mga upuan para masilip si Marco.
"What do you want? Let's pass by a drive thru."
Tumili kaagad si Aqeila kaya napaigtad ako, gulat sa lakas ng boses niya. I felt a vibrating sensation when my elbow hit the door. Napayuko ako at ininda iyong sakit.
"Momma, are you hurt? Oh no!" Kie tapped my back to get my attention, making me laugh.
"I'm okay, baby. Don't worry about Momma." I stretched my arm to get rid of the vibration before carrying her. Masaya naman siyang naupo sa hita ko. Pinaulanan ko siya ng halik sa pisngi kaya humagikgik siya. "I love you, Aqeila."
"I love you, Ma!" Siya naman ang humalik sa pisngi ko at niyakap ako nang mahigpit.
"Sali n'yo naman ako," naiingit na sabi ni Marquenzo. Sumulyap siya sa akin saglit bago tinuon muli ang mata sa daan.
"I love you, babe."
His eyes narrowed and he caressed his chest as if he didn't expect me to tell him that. Masyado bang nakakapanibago sa pandinig niya? Well, he should get used to it!
"I love you, babe!" panggagaya ni Kie sa akin kaya napuno ng tawa namin ni Marco ang kotse.
Kasal naman ni Cali ang sunod na pinaghandaan ng grupo. Their wedding will take place on Balesin Island. Marco and I have already scheduled a week off for that. We'll also treat it as a vacation.
"Arrivederci, nonno!" Kie waved at her lolo.
"Take care. I'll visit you, amore." Dad kissed her cheek.
Lumipat kami ni Kie sa condo ni Marco habang nagpaplano pa kaming magpagawa ng bahay. We both just didn't see the point of living in different houses when everything was starting to fall in its proper places.
"Una na kayo ni Kie sa loob ng airport. I'll just meet you inside," I told Marco on the phone, walking to the parking lot. Galing akong firm. Kasama ko si Mikolai pero hindi ko alam kung bakit wala siya sa likuran ko.
[Hindi, hintayin na kita sa labas. Ingat sa pag-drive. Matagal pa naman ang flight.] Narinig kong nanghihingi ng licorice si Kie sa kaniya kaya nabaling ang atensyon niya roon.
Just as I ended the call, my phone tumbled to the ground as someone shoved me to the car, my back smashing against the door. I groaned when I felt the excruciating pain on my spine.
A man with a black mask stood in front of me, pointing a gun at me and strangling my neck. As I felt the chilly tip of the gun on my temple, coldness entered my system and my lips quivered slightly.
"Akin na iyong bidyo o ipuputok ko 'to," nakakatakot na banta niya. I was sure he'd do that without hesitation.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, refusing to give in even though my life was in danger. I knew precisely what he meant. Video. I wasn't going to give it away. Even if he manages to steal it from me, I've already copied a lot of it.
He yanked my shirt and threw me against the car, causing me to scream. He was infuriated. I tried to recognize him by looking at his face, just incase he'd run away.
"Sabing akin na iyong bidyo. Iyong ebidensya. Saan mo nilagay? Nasa cellphone mo? Nasa kotse? Ibigay mo." He pulled the slide of the gun and then pointed it deeper into my temple, choking me tighter. I immediately couldn't breathe. "Magsasalita ka o ipuputok ko 'to?" mariing banta niya.
Tanga! Paano ako magsasalita kung sinasakal niya ako?!
"Car..." pang-uuto ko noong lumawag ang hawak niya. Just like that, pushed my back to make me walk to wherever my car was. Tumakbo kaagad ako nang luminga siya saglit sa paligid noong may kumaluskos. Tumili ako noong nagpaputok siya kasabay ng pagtama ko sa isang sasakyan.
"Okay ka lang?" Mikolai asked, groaning.
"Gago! Ikaw ang nabaril! Bakit mo tinatanong kung okay ako?!" Hingal na hingal ako habang pinapanuod ang mukha niyang nalulukot. Humarang siya kaya hindi ako natamaan ng bala!
"Bulletproof, but it still fucking hurts like hell." He winced before pulling his gun at the same time he started dialing something on his radio. Then he looked at me. "Stay put. Don't move an inch. I'll be back."
Tinakpan ko ang tainga ko habang naririnig ang putukan, hindi mapakali. Biglang may sumulpot na mga lalake sa tapat ko kaya sumigaw ako sa takot.
"Kami 'to, Ma'am." My bodyguards raised their guns up. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag pero bigla silang tiningnan nang masama.
"Where the hell were all of you? I'm not paying you so you'd just chill around! You need to protect me!"
"Nasa order po na kailangan naming dumistansya, Ma'am." The other one sounded so apologetic. Right! They should act invisible for me to move around normally.
They caught the culprit. He was working for the Valmorida. Gosh! Hindi pa pala sila tapos sa akin?! I don't even handle any of their cases anymore! The man might've mistaken me as the other lawyer at the firm who was handling a Valmorida case.
I have no time to go to the precinct since I have a flight to catch. Pinagbigyan ako ni Lai. He even dropped me to the airport to make sure no one will try to attack me on the road. Malapit na rin ang mga kotse ng guards sa 'kin dahil request ko. I felt safer.
"Thanks, Lai. Hope you're okay," I told him as he took my luggage out of the trunk.
He chuckled. "Why won't I be? I wasn't shot, Ica."
"You were. In the back."
"Told you, I was wearing bulletproof. That's not counted," pagrarason niya. Umirap ako at tinulak ang mukha niya, making him fake a groan.
"Talagang hindi tanggap ng ego mo na nabaril ka, ah?"
"I apologize, by the way. I went to the bathroom that's why I wasn't around at the moment..." His brows furrowed as he stared at my neck. Tinusok niya iyon kaya napaigtad ako. "Damn, it's red. Does it hurt?"
"I literally just flinched, Miko!" Sinapok ko siya bago kami nagtawanan. Nakita ko si Marco na kumakaway sa may entrance kaya binatukan ko si Lai bilang paalam bago tumakbo, hila-hila ang luggage ko. "Baby!" I let go of my luggage and hugged Marco by the neck. Lumambitin ako sa kaniya kaya madali niya akong niyakap.
"Wow, dumating na ang AFAM ko. Ayos. Nakabingwit. Dream come true, shet," pang-aasar niya.
Sinilip ko siya. "Bobo. Dapat galing ako sa loob kung ganoon," pambabara ko sabay bitaw. Hinila ko ang luggage ko palapit sa amin. Kinuha niya kaagad iyon sa akin.
"Police iyong kasama mo, 'di ba?"
"Oo." I smiled a bit, not wanting to elaborate so he wouldn't know what happened. He hummed as a response. Paakbay niya akong hinila papunta sa entrance.
"Wait, I forgot something..." He grabbed my chin and leaned over to kiss me softly.
Niyakap ako ni Kie nang nagkita kami sa loob bago siya bumalik kay Alex, may kinekwento. I feel like he was her favorite uncle. Alex was also very fond of her.
Inside the airplane, I chose to endure the pain in my back and neck, not making a sound since I didn't want Marco to ask anything.
"This song reminds me of you, love." Sinalpak ni Marco ang isang earphone sa 'kin.
"Pahiga." I gave him a tired smile before leaning my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes to get some rest.
"What happened to your neck? Kanina pa pula," pagpansin niya. Umakto akong hindi siya narinig. I didn't want to lie, but I also didn't want to answer.
The entire resort, especially the beach side, was stunning, and the setup was magnificent. Cali and Manu's wedding must have cost a fortune. The venue itself was expensive. Sila pa nagbayad ng plane tickets and rooms for all their guests.
"Momma, I want a white rabbit," Kie said out of nowhere as we walked to the restaurant for dinner.
Sabay kaming natawa ni Marco. "Why do you want a white rabbit?"
"Because it looks like Mishu! Fluffy!" she told me with a pout. Napanguso rin ako. Mishu already passed away. "Dada, can I drink vanilla shake?" Nag-request na naman siya bago tinaas ang kamay para magpabuhat.
"Whatever you want, princess," he told her in a sweet tone, picking her up.
Manu, Alex, and Raya were in the restaurant, drinking shake. Mukhang iyon ang unang na-serve. Pagod na raw iyong iba kaya nagpa-room service na lang.
Napahilot ako sa sentido ko nang narinig ko ang usapan nila Marco at Kie sa tabi ko. They were reciting the parts of the body. After that, they talked about the skeletal system, then dinosaurs, then evolution of human. All Science. Mukhang interesado rin si Kie dahil sa napapanuod sa TV.
"Are we good, love?" Marco caressed my thigh when I spaced out.
"Yup. Just tired from work..." Napatigil ako sa pagsasalita at sinamaan siya ng tingin nang lumipat ang marahang haplos niya sa gitna ng binti ko.
"Ah, pagod ka. Mukhang masarap sana mag... ano, eh..." He tilted his head to the side, smirking at me flirtatiously while he continued to caress my thigh.
"Mag ano?" Kinunot ko ang noo ko para hindi halatang natutuwa ako sa suggestion niya.
"Mag sex," he bluntly answered.
Magnus suddenly started coughing and tapping his chest. "In front of my steak, bro? The disrespect." He groaned. I didn't know he was listening! "Get a room, you guys. Jesus won't be proud of you discussing sex in front of food."
"Akala mo naman inosente itong hayop na ito," pambabara ni Marco sa kaniya bago sila nagtawanan.
I put my palm on top of his hand to stop him from tracing circles on my thigh because the sensation made the hair on my nape rise up. Gosh, this guy! Nasa hapag kami pero lumalandi pa rin!
Binasa niya ang ibabang labi niya bago kinagat iyon, lalong nagiging mapungay ang mga mata.
"Kahit saglit lang, ayaw mo?" Marco wiggled his brows, deeply chuckling. "Ayaw mo ng literal na baby time?"
"Jesus Christ," tawag ni Manu sa diyos bago sumubo ng pagkain.
Hindi naman ako iyakin but Manu's wedding vow for Cali was super... wholesome. Damang-dama ko ang saya at sinseridad sa bawat salitang kaniyang binitawan. Another reason I was moved was witnessing their love and hardships... and how they re-unite.
"Cali, oh my gosh! You're so beautiful, babe!" I complimented when we met each other again at the reception and she passed by our table to greet. "I'm so happy for you!"
"Thank you, Ica!" She gave me a tight hug. I caressed her back when she started crying again in happiness. Lumayo siya at nagpunas ng pisngi, pouting because everybody started to tease her.
I wasn't entirely listening to the unfamiliar people who first delivered their speeches. Barkada yata ni Manu.
"Ica," Jericho suddenly called me, making me turn to him with curious eyes. He gave me a genuine smile. "Alagaan mo iyong best friend ko, ah. Loko lang iyan pero grabe kung magmahal. Wagas."
"You don't even have to ask, Echo. Talagang aalagaan ko at mamahalin ng buo. I won't leave him like before. I promise you that." I returned his smile with a sincere smile.
"Noong iniwan mo siya.... Inaamin kong naging basher mo ako. Nagalit ako sa 'yo actually ng very slight," natatawang amin niya at nag peace sign para humingi ng tawad.
"I know! Nakwento nga ni Marco sa 'kin." I wasn't offended. He sighed heavily and swept his hair to the side, looking at Marco. Napagaya rin ako. Nagu-ululan sila ni Sasy sa flavor ng champagne.
"Thank you because you came back and you're making my brother happy again," Echo said. Kapatid na talaga ang tratuhan nila. It's nice to know Marco has a strong support system behind him if I'm not around anymore.
"I love you!" Our heads shot to the front when Cali's yell echoed on the microphone.
"Alam ko naman na mahal mo siya, Cal, but the point is kailangan bang ipagsigawan?!" Marco shouted. Epal talaga 'to sa relasyon nila Cali!
"I remember something about you!" Magnus raised a brow. Sumulyap pa siya sa 'kin nang nakangisi kaya umirap ako. Hayop!
"Ah! Don't expose me, bro. I'm a bit shy." Marco slowly turned to face me with a lazy smirk plastered on his lips.
"Sure. Just remember my advice."
Nagpintig ang tainga ko sa sinabi ni Manu at gumapang ang kuryosidad sa sistema ko. "Huh? What advice, babe?" Kinalabit ko si Marco, nang-uusisa.
"Huh?" he mocked.
I pouted and reach for the cute bottle with pink sand inside with a small card attached on it, our name written. Iyon ang souvenir ng wedding nila.
At the after party, close friends lang ang naroon dahil pagod na makihalubilo Cali sa mga bisita nila. Raya challenged us to play darts. The men was on the other side, drinking while some of them played billiards.
"I love you all! If you weren't by my side since day one, I wouldn't survive!" Lasing na si Cali, as expected. "I love you, Ari!" Lumambitin siya kay Esme.
"Oh! Calm down!" Esme hugged her and tapped her back a little.
"I love you, Ray! I love you, Sas!" Lumambitin na naman siya habang niyayakap ang dalawa. "I love you, Ica! Oh my gosh! I love you all with all my heart!"
Inasar ko siya. Lumagpas ang tingin ko sa kabilang parte ng resort, kung nasaan ang mga lalake.
Echo respectfully smiled at the women and walked away casually, not wanting to embarrass them. Alex declined when some asked for pictures. Kai raised his hand proudly without even looking. Manu simply sat on the chair, sipping from the bottle. Marco didn't even spare them a glance and continued playing billiards.
They came over to our table after their game. We were having a chillnuman while Manu tried to sober up Cali. While eating a cupcake, I rested my head on Marco's shoulder.
"Grabe, ang layo na ng narating natin. Ang tanda na natin." Echo held his chest dramatically. "Parang kahapon lang iniwan pa ako nito." Tinuro niya si Esme.
"Babe! How dare you!" Esme gasped dramatically, hitting his shoulder.
"Oy, ako rin pala iniwan! Shet na malupit!" Marco laughed and tapped my head harshly, making me complain and laugh. Pinanggigilan niya ako ng yakap at halik sa ulo. I hugged him back, not saying a word. "Bwisit!"
"Ako rin iniwan! Quin, Echo, best friends nga tayo! Mga shet kayo!" Nakipag-apir si Sasy sa kanilang dalawa kaya napahagalpak silang tatlo ng tawa na parang baliw, maiyak-iyak na. Nagsasabihan pa ng 'deserve mo iyon.'
"Ang tatlong shet," walang kwentang sabi ni Raya.
"Bow," pagsasabay ko naman kaya nag-apir kami.
"Well, someone named Eunice left me twice." Manu gave Cali a sarcastic smirk. She flashed him a sweet smile before pouting and hugging him.
"Bro, Raya left me twice as well," Alex joined proudy. Kaswal na nag-apiran sila ng best friend niya.
"Huh? Nabingi yata ako." Raya acted innocent, tapping her ear.
Everybody kept on laughing as we reminisced. I wasn't exactly present in all their events but they explained all of it to me so I could relate. I appreciated it, and it warmed my heart... I felt like I belonged.
"Pahangin tayo," Marco whispered his invite in my ear.
Ang hinantungan namin ay ang ceremony venue nila Cali. Naka-wrap up na ang staff nang kaunti. Wala na iyong mga bulaklak sa gilid, kaunti na lang ang mga bangko, pero nanatili ang mga lights kaya may liwanag pa rin kaming dalawa.
"Ano'ng gusto mo para sa kasal natin, love?" Inikot niya ako bigla kaya tumili ako.
"Fairytale!" Hindi ko na pinag-isipan. "It's my dream since I was a kid. It's so dreamy and beautiful, like those in Disney movies. I want to feel like a princess at least once in my life. Ganito iyon..." Pinilit kong bumitaw sa kamay niya para makapagpaliwanag sa pangarap kong kasal. "Itong mga upuan, dapat puti lang pati curtains para matchy," turo ko sa mga bagay.
"Uhuh?" Marco crossed his arms, watching me adoringly.
"Tapos dapat itong carpet, puno ng bulaklak. Lavender and white." Tumapak ako sa carpet at dahan-dahan naglakad, nakataas ang mga kamay. "And there are going to be beautiful flower arches above of the same color as I walk straight." Tumigil ako sa tapat ng altar sabay lingon sa kaniya.
"I'm listening."
"Hmm... Dapat sunset para maganda ang backdrop! Sana pink sunset! Oh, and my dress! Oh my gosh! It needs to be bongga so I will really feel like a princess!" I started getting dreamy there.
"Prinsesa ka naman, ah," pang-uuto niya.
"Really?"
"Kahit wala sa ugali." Iyon na nga!
"Thank you for ruining my dream, ha!" I rolled my eyes. "Can my gown be bongga? Is my plan okay? Or do you want a simple wedding?" I ran towards him. Napasinghap ako noong binuhat niya ako at inikot-ikot. Naghampasan kami pagkatapos, parehong nahihilo.
"Kahit anong gusto mo, ibibigay ko." Niyakap niya 'ko at bumuntong-hininga sa leeg ko. "Mahal kita."
I smiled. "I love you more."
"I can't wait to marry you."
I laughed and let go of him. "Me too, but busy pa tayo. And magpapatayo pa tayo ng bahay sa city, right? We're going to spend our money on that first. Hindi ka naman siguro... nagmamadali?"
"Hindi naman. Kahit naman hindi pa tayo kasal, asawa na kita. At kahit saang lumalop man tayo mapadpad, ganoon pa rin ang pagmamahal ko sa 'yo."
"Biglaang ganoon, Marquenzo?" Nagtabon ako ng bibig ko, inaasar siya. "Pero sabi mo dati 'di ka naniniwala sa different lifetime. Ikaw, ah! Someone's turning to a romantic!"
The next morning, Sasy, Raya, and I were the first ones to wake up. We met to eat breakfast at the resto. Dala ni Raya si Azi dahil paniguradong bagsak pa si Cali.
I stopped from sipping my coffee when Marco sat beside me. Sumandal siya sa balikat ko habang minamasahe ang sentido niya.
"Magkakatotoo na nga yata ang inaasar n'yo sa 'kin. Magiging pasyente na ako," he said tiredly.
"At least malakas kami kay Lord kasi may natupad na dasal," walang kwentang sagot ni Sasy habang kinikiskis ng kutsara ang mango niya. I don't know why she was doing that.
"Tama!" pabirong suporta ni Raya. "Hindi naman siguro required na bisitahin ka sa ospital? Kung required, pwede weekly?" tumawad pa siya.
"Good morning, my boy." Manu arrived and kissed Azi on the cheek, placing a bowl of cereal on the table for him
"I already ate, Dad, but thank you." Azi smiled at him.
"Kakatapos n'yo lang uminom?" I arranged Marco's head on my shoulder.
Nagkatinginan si Marco at Manu bago sabay tumawa. "Yeah. Half an hour ago maybe. Kami lang dalawa," Marco answered.
"Kayo lang? Nako! Bagsak talaga hubby ko sa inuman!" Sasy let out a laugh.
"Alex din bagsak," Raya followed.
Marco scoffed a little. "Anong bagsak? Hinatak mo papunta sa kwarto n'yo," pambubuking niya. He stole my plate so he can eat his breakfast—my breakfast. I just let him be. "Eat up." Binalik niya ang plato ko, may nadagdag nang sunny side up and fried rice.
"I thought you were going to eat it," I admitted, putting my cup down.
Work was stressing both me and Marco. Umuuwi siya palagi nang tulala dahil sa mga pasyente niyang hindi nakaka-survive. Ako naman, kinakabahan dahil nararamdaman kong may... nagmamasid sa 'kin palagi.
Nagsimula na si Kie ng kindergarten. She cried on her first day so I had no choice but to sit in. Good thing the teacher understood that I needed to be there. It took weeks for her to ease up to the other kids.
"You're home. Where's Aqeila?" Sumilip ako sa likod ni Marco pagkapasok niya ng unit. It was his turn today to pick her up from school. Salitan kasi kami.
"Ano iyon? Pakiulit," mahinang sabi niya habang nilalapag ang gamit sa lamesa.
My eyes widened and I immediately rushed to the door. "You're supposed to pick her up, Marco!" Napatingin ako sa relo ko at nakitang dalawang oras na ang lumipas nang uwian niya!
Pagkarating ko sa school, nakita ko si Kie nakaupo sa may guard habang yakap ang lunch bag niya, humihikbi. May katabi siyang teacher.
"Baby," I called her softly.
She looked up and when she saw me, she immediately went down the bench and walked towards me slowly. "Momma..." Lumala ang iyak niya.
"Shh..." Lumuhod ako at agad siyang niyakap, hinahagod ang likod niya para patahanin. "I'm here now. I'm sorry."
"Siya na lang naiwan, Ms. Marquez." The teacher gave me a small smile.
"Bakit hindi ako tinawagan?"
"Ay, Ma'am, kanina pa po kami tumatawag." She showed me the paper she was holding. It was the details Marco filled up for Kie. "Kaso iyong isa hindi sumasagot. Iyong isa wrong number naman po. Wala namang ibang number maliban sa dalawang 'to."
Huminga ako nang malalim dahil sa akin pa talaga ang wrong number! Nakita ko si Marco na pumasok sa gate, looking so regretful. I didn't know he followed.
"No..." Kie rejected when Marco tried to get her from me, sobbing more. "You promised... Liar..."
Pain instantly flashed across Marco's face. Sumikip din ang dibdib ko sa salitang binitawan ni Kie. She knew her dad was going to pick her up. She was really sensitive.
She continued sobbing on my chest. For sure, she got scared because the whole school was enveloped with silence. Kinuha ko ang tumbler niya sa bag para painumin siya ng tubig pero ayaw niya.
"Venice," Marco called weaky and knelt beside me.
"No," angal ulit ni Kie at binawi ang kamay niya kay Marco. "You said... you will pick me up... You promised Kie..." Humagulgol siya lalo.
"Shush... Love, calm down." I caressed her back and carried her. I thanked the teacher and guard before striding out of the gate and stopping in front of my car. Binaba ko si Kie para hanapin ang susi ko. Yumakap kaagad siya sa binti ko.
Marco knelt down again and attempted to speak to her, but she threw her hands everywhere.
"I waited, Da..." Kie sobbed more. "Why do that... to Kie?"
"I'm sorry, love." Marco sounded so regretful and in pain. "I'm sorry... I forgot."
"Aqeila, Daddy didn't mean to do that." Lumuhod din ako para suyuin siya. Punas siya nang punas ng pisngi niya habang hinahabol ang hininga. Nabahala ako dahil baka mapaano siya.
"I was scared..." Her voice was inaudible. I tried to hold her pero nagulat ako nang pati sa akin ayaw na magpahawak. She was really afraid. She was even shaking.
"Aqeila!" hiyaw ko noong bigla siyang tumakbo. I quickly ran after her with Marco but I tripped because of my heels, my knees hitting the ground painfully. My heart started to rumble because we were just near the road!
"Venice, stop!" Marco reached for her hand... but it was too late.
I gasped shakily, feeling my heart stopped beating. The way she flew on the other side of the road was so strong. She rolled over a few times as blood covered her small body and her clothes getting drenched in it... Blood started to flow out of her head too.
"Putangina... Putangina!" Marco slammed the car and quickly ran to Kie. He knelt weakly and with shaking hands, he tapped her cheek. "Love, don't sleep please. Open your eyes for daddy... Just open your eyes..." He was running out of breath, beginning to cry while not knowing how to hold her... I want to hold her.
"Dada... It hurts..." I heard her breathless voice before coughing out some blood.
"Ica, ambulansya! Ica!" Marco started shouting at me.
I remained lying there on the ground, unable to move. My mind felt blank as my tears fall continuously. I couldn't process anything. Natauhan lang ako noong nasa hospital na ako, pinapanuod si Kie hilahin sa stretcher. Wala na siyang malay at naliligo sa dugo niya.
"Ica, bawal. Labas." Marco pulled my wrist when I tried to go inside the ER. Pumiglas ako kahit na hilong-hilo na sa amoy ng dugo sa katawan niya.
"No! I want to see my daughter!"
"Labas."
"Ma-"
"Lalique, hindi nga pwede!" Hindi na niya napigilan sumigaw pero dama ko ang panginginig ng mga kamay niya. Hindi rin siya pumasok at niyakap ako nang mahigpit.
I kept on hitting his back while he clenched the back of my shirt, whispering his apology in my ear as we both cried in fear. It was nonstop. We both fell on the floor, the pain etched in our cries getting thicker.
"She can't leave me, Marco! She can't!" I started screaming, hoping it would make the pain go away... but my heart just felt empty.