CHAPTER 40
"APOLOGIES for asking your daughter's hand for marriage without properly introducing myself, Sir. I am just waiting for the perfect opportunity to meet you and formally introduce myself." Pormal siyang nagsalita sa harapan ng ama ng fiancee niyang si Seiranel.
Simon Entrina, Seiranel's father, just let out a soft laugh.
"It's okay. I already expected that this would happen as soon as my daughter told me that she will go back in Philippines. I know she will go to you." Seiranel father's smile is very warm while looking at him.
He remember the first time he met Mr. Simon Entrina. This old man's smile was different back then. They were both strangers to each other. Hindi niya pinaalam kay Seiranel noon na pinapahanap niya ang ama nito. Ilang buwan din ang hinintay niya bago tuluyang nalaman kung saang bansa ito nakatira.
"I knew that my daughter is very special in your heart back then." Nanatili itong nakangiti.
"I love her so much, Sir," he said with utmost sincerity.
"I know. I knew it the moment you beg me to bring her to Europe. All I can see in your eyes back then was your love for my daughter and your eagerness to help her so that she could live in comfort and away from her painful past. I saw a man who wants to protect the woman he loves the most. I saw the desperation and sadness in your eyes. You were willing to sacrifice your own happiness for my daughter and that actually put me at ease." Masuyo nitong tinapik ang balikat niya at muling nagsalita, "And I want you to know that I am only accepting you as my son-in-law. I won't welcome any man for my beloved daughter but only you."
Natigilan siya sa huling sinabi nito. Tila bigla ay mayroong humaplos sa puso niya. Sa dami ng magagandang nangyayari sa kaniya nitong mga nakaraang araw, hindi niya mapigilang tanungin ang sarili kung deserve ba niya ang lahat ng ito? Deserve ba talaga niya na makaramdam ng ganitong saya sa puso?
"You deserve so much better, son," sabi nito na tila ba nabasa kung ano ang nasa isip niya.
"S-Sir..." He's out of words.
Simon Entrina just let out a soft laugh.
"Tell me, son. How was your life for the past seven years without my daughter? Did you regret your decision? Did you ever blame me for taking her away from you?" Sumeryoso ito habang nakatingin sa kaniya.
Awtomatiko niyang tiningnan si Seiranel na nasa loob ng bahay, hinahanda ang meryenda para sa ama nito.
"Part of me regretted my decision, Sir. I didn't know that she was pregnant with Anastacia. That's the only thing that I regretted. Because I wasn't there during her pregnancy. I wasn't there for Sei and Anastacia. But for the rest, I am glad that I let you take her away from me. I asked for it. I begged for it. Because that was the only way I could help and protect her, even from me. I don't have the right to blame you, Sir. We both agreed. And I am grateful that you believed me right away when I told you about Sei. You didn't doubt me. And I trust what I saw in your eyes back then. There's no way I would beg you to take Sei away from me if you're not trustworthy." Tumingin siya sa daddy ni Sei, pinakita at pinaramdam ang buong sinsiredad.
"And for the past seven years?" Mahina siyang natawa. "It wasn't easy. Without her by side for the past seven years was..." Muli siyang tumingin kay Sei na ngayon ay nakatingin na sa gawi nila. Awtomatiko siya nitong nginitian. "...it was painful enough and I almost lose my sanity, Sir," he continued as memories for the past seven years flashed back on his mind.
Tila pinipiga ang puso niya habang pinagmamasdan si Seiranel na umiiyak sa labas ng basement. He could clearly see the confusion, the pain, the shock, and the fear in her eyes. Naikuyom niya ang kamao. He already saw her opened the door earlier but he didn't stopped her. He wanted Seiranel to know how evil he is. It's time for her to know the real him. It's time for her to know how dangerous he could be. It's time for her to realize that they are not for each other.
Ang buong akala niya ay kaya niyang panindigan ang sayang nararamdaman para sa dalaga. Ang akala niya ay sapat na ang pagmamahal na nararamdaman niya para kay Seiranel. Pero kaninang umaga ay basta na lamang siyang nagising na tila sobrang kulang pa rin. Uhaw pa rin siya. At nasasaktan siya sa katotohanang iyon.
The only thing that can satisfy his thirst is to hurt that man who made his life miserable. After torturing him in the basement, it really satisfies him. Which hurts him even more. Paano niya mabibigyan ng masaya, maayos, at payapang buhay ang babaeng mahal kung hanggang ngayon ay ganito pa rin siya? Knowing that Seiranel is still in great pain because of her past, he can't let himself ruin her even more.
Seiranel saw him with blood in his hands that morning. He hurt her. She offered help but he told her to stay away from him. Kaya hinayaan na lamang niya na makita nito kung gaano siya kasamang tao.
Habang patuloy niyang pinagmamasdan si Seiranel na umiiyak ay halos ilang libong saksak ng kutsilyo ang dulot niyon sa puso niya. He pulled out his phone and called Jaxon.
"Sir." Kaagad na bungad nito.
"I have to postpone your vacation for a while, Jaxon. Can you go back here and send Seiranel back to Isla Fontana?" he asked, still looking at Seiranel who have no idea that he's been watching her.
"I'll be there in a few minutes, Sir." Iyon lamang at pinatay na niya ang tawag.
Tinungo niya ang kuwarto. He locked the door and walked towards the window where he can see Seiranel before she leaves. Ilang sandali lamang ay dumating na si Jaxon.
Hinatid niya ng tingin si Sei habang inaalalayan ito ni Jaxon. Tumingala pa ito sa gawi niya na tila na naramdaman nito ang presensya niya. Kaagad siyang umalis sa bintana at sumandal sa malamig na pader.
As soon as the car left, he immediately felt the emptiness in his heart. He stayed in Manila and intentionally didn't showed himself to Seiranel for a month. He's scared that he might see the fear in her eyes again so he chose not to be near her.
"She's pale and barely not eating. You should visit her even just once, Sir." Iyon ang bungad ni Jaxon sa kaniya nang tinanong niya ang kalagayan ni Sei.
Kaagad siyang nag-aalala at mabilis na tinungo ang Isla Fontana. He heard that Sei is alone and sick so he went to their house. Naabutan niya itong may hawak na baso na may lamang tubig pero nabitawan iyon ni Sei at nabuwal.
Mabilis ang mga kilos na hinawakan niya ito at masuyong binuhat. Napakataas ng lagnat nito. Sei mistook him as Lola Helen.
"Lola, paano po kaming dalawa? Hindi po ba puwedeng magmahalan na lamang kami at mamuhay ng masaya, 'la? Bakit kailangang ganito? Bakit sobrang lupit po ng mundo sa'min? Bakit napakalupit po ng mga tao? Bakit po nilagay nila kami sa ganitong sitwasyon, 'la? Bakit po pareho kaming nagdurusa? Bakit po?" Kusang tumulo ang mga luha niya habang pinapakinggan ang pinakamamahal niyang babae.
Nasasaktan siya para rito. Nasasaktan siya para sa sitwasyon nilang dalawa. Mabilis niyang pinigilan si Sei nang makitang sinuntok-suntok nito ang sariling dibdib. Nasasaktan ang puso na pinagdikit niya ang mga noo nilang dalawa. Tahimik siyang umiyak kasabay ng pagsakop niya ng halik sa labi ng babaeng mahal. His lips were trembling because of too much pain inside his heart.
"Mahal na mahal kita. Mahal na mahal din kita. But, love. The world is too cruel for us to be happy and just love each other. I can't heal myself and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, love. I'm sorry." Parang tinataga ng paulit-ulit ang puso niya habang sinasabi ang mga katagang iyon.
Mabagal at maingat niya itong hinalikan sa labi ulit.
He promised that he will still help and protect her no matter what. Kahit hindi na sila. Kahit wala nang sila, poprotektahan niya pa rin ito. After that, he left Isla Fontana.
"We found him, Sir." Kitang-kita ang tuwa sa mukha ni Jaxon nang sa wakas ay natagpuan na nila ang pinapahanap niyang ama ni Seiranel.
Kaagad siyang lumipad patungong Europe. Matapang niyang hinarap ang ama ni Seiranel at sinabi ang lahat tungkol sa dalaga. The old man wasn't very approachable at first but as soon as he heard about Sei and as soon as he saw her photos, the expression in his face changed.
Ilang linggo ang lumipas at nalaman niya na nagkita na ang mag-ama. That eases his mind. Ito lamang ang tanging paraan na alam niya para matulungan ang babaeng mahal. She will be better without him. He knew that Sei is in good hands now.
"Sir, do you really have to do this? She's been there outside of your house for a few hours now. She'll go to Europe tonight. Ayaw mo ba talagang magpakita?" tanong ni Jaxon sa kaniya.
Kanina pa nakaabang sa labas ang dalaga at sinadya niyang huwag lumabas ng bahay niya. It's better for her not see him anymore. Habang papaalis ang sasakyang lulan ni Sei ay hinatid niya ito ng tingin.
Sumunod siya sa lugar kung nasaan ang private plane ng ama nito. Kahit sa huling sandali man lamang ay mapagmasdan niya ito kahit sa malayo. Habang papasok ang dalaga sa loob ng eroplano ay malungkot siyang napangiti.
"Be happy without me, love. I...love you. I love you so much, Sei," he whispered.
Iyon ang huling pagkakataon na nasilayan niya ang dalaga. Palagi pa rin siyang binibigyan ng update ni Jaxon tungkol kay Sei. Lumipas ang tatlong taon na halos naging robot na lamang siya. Kung noon ay nahihirapan siyang makatulog, mas lumalala lamang iyon.
Isang gabi habang malakas ang buhos ng ulan mula sa labas ay nagising siya mula sa pagkakaidlip. Napatitig lamang siya sa kisame habang pinapakinggan ang malakas na buhos ng ulan mula sa labas. Pinatong niya ang siko sa mga mata habang dinadama ang paninikip ng dibdib.
"I miss you..." anas niya. "I miss you so much." His heart felt very empty.
Pakiramdam niya anumang sandali ay mababaliw na siya dahil sa sobrang pananabik sa babaeng pinakamamahal. Parang kailan lamang ay nasa tabi pa niya ito. Parang kailan lamang ay nasa bisig pa niya ito.
"Fuck. I miss you so much, Sei." Awtomatikong tumulo ang mga luha niya.
Dahan-dahan siyang napahawak sa sariling ulo at mahinang napadaing. His hands were trembling. His heart hurts so much. It's very painful. Halos mabaliw na siya kaya hinampas niya ang sariling ulo sa pader ng ilang ulit.
Kaagad na bumukas ang pinto ng kuwarto at mabilis siyang pinigilan ni Jaxon sa ginagawa. Nanghihinang napaupo siya sa sahig.
"I miss her..." Parang nawawala na siya sa sarili. "Tangina. Hindi ko na kaya." Napahilamos siya sa sariling mukha. Kung puwede lamang sana niyang lapitan si Seiranel. Pero ang isip niya ay matigas na pumipigil. He rather sacrifice his own heart and sanity for Seiranel. Mas mahalaga ang kapakanan nito.
Lumipas pa ang ilang taon na halos gabi-gabi siyang nagigising na halos mawala na siya sa tamang katinuan. Gabi-gabi niyang nararamdaman ang mas lumalim na kakulangan sa puso niya.
Tumigil na rin si Jaxon sa pagbibigay ng update tungkol kay Seiranel sa pag-asang makatulong iyon sa kaniya. Hinayaan niya itong gawin iyon. He didn't ask for Seiranel anymore. He just live like an empty shell.
"My daughter loves you so much, son."
Bumalik siya sa kasalukuyan nang marinig ang sinabing iyon ng ama ni Seiranel.
"Sir?"
His fiancee's father just laughed.
"Stop calling me Sir and just call me dad, son. You are very welcome in my family. It's time for you to heal and face what's ahead on you. I know you can do it. Don't be scared. As long as you're with that two beautiful women in your life, I know that you can conquer everything." Tinapik siya nitong muli sa balikat habang nakangiti.
"Sir, I─"
"I told you not to call me Sir." Sumeryoso ang mukha nito.
Mataman siyang napatingin sa mga mata nito at kapagkuwan ay mahina siyang natawa.
"Okay. Dad..." mahinang sabi niya.a
Kumislap ang mga mata nito.
"There. That's better. And...I can be your dad, son. Just call me and I will always be there for you whenever you need me. You are my son now, okay?" Ginulo nito ang buhok niya dahilan para matigilan siya.
This old man is treating him like his own son. The way he speak and the way how he look at him right now, it's very heartwarming. Again, he can't help but to ask himself if he really deserve all of this. He's receiving a lot of love and care from these special and important people in his life.
"Daddy, don't be harsh to him."
Sabay silang napalingon kay Seiranel na hindi nila namalayang nakalapit na pala. Binigay nito ang meryenda sa ama niya. Inabutan din siya nito ng inumin. Hindi niya mapigilang titigan ang fiancee.
"What?" mahinang tanong nito nang makaupo sa tabi niya.
"What?" tanong naman niya, medyo naguluhan.
"Bakit nakatitig ka sa'kin?" nakangiting tanong nito.
"Because you are too beautiful and I am deeply in love with you," nakangiting sagot niya.
Natigilan naman ito at matamang napatitig sa kaniya.
"What now?" natatawang tanong niya.
"Your smile..." Nakita niyang namumula ito.
"What about it?" Nagtatakang tanong niya.
"Ang natural na ng ngiti mo nitong nakaraang araw. It makes me fall in love with you even more," she said that made him stilled.
Hindi niya iyon gaanong napapansin pero napagtanto niya na madalas na siyang nakangiti ngayon. Not a forced smile. It's a smile coming from his heart. Ngayon niya napagtanto na posible palang ngumiti siya ng ganito at makaramdam ng saya na walang anumang ibang iniisip o bigat sa dibdib niya. He noticed that his heart has been calm nowadays. And it's because of this woman who brings him so much happiness and gives him so much love. And there's his daughter, Anastacia. God, he love these two women so much.
"Don't you like it when I smile?" he asked his fiancee.
Kaagad naman itong umiling at inilapit ang bibig sa tainga niya.
"It's actually making me horny," she whispered.
Nagsalubong ang mga mata nilang dalawa pagkatapos nitong bumulong. Nakangiti ito. Habang siya naman ay napamura sa isip. Ramdam niya ang tensyon sa pagitan nilang dalawa habang nakatingin sila sa isa't-isa. Fuck! If only he could crush her lips and if he could make love to her right here and then.
"Your father is here, love. Don't make it hard for me," he said in a low voice, almost out of breathe.
"Grandpa! Come here! I have something to show you!" Narinig niyang sigaw ni
Anastacia mula sa living room.
Natatawa namang nagpaalam ang daddy ni Seiranel at kaagad na nilapitan si Anastacia. Muli silang nagkatinginan ng fiancee. May kislap sa mga mata nito. Ngumisi siya sabay hila sa kamay ni Seiranel. Nagpaubaya ito at nang makarating sila sa kuwarto ay kaagad niyang ni-lock ang pinto.
Nang humarap siya kay Sei ay mabilis nilang sinakop ang labi ng isa't-isa ng puno ng pananabik.
To be continued...
A/N: Hunter is slowly healing without even noticing it. Ugh. My heart. Ayaw ko silang bitawan pa. Huhu.