Jade's POV
"Ma'am Jade, may kailangan pa po ba kayo?"
"No more, Katarina. You may go." I answered my secretary with a tired smile.
"Okay po. Mauna na po ako." She said and gave me a warm smile before exiting my office. I heave out a heavy sigh as soon as she disappeared on my sight.
I glanced at my wrist watch and it says 11 in the evening. I've been like this for the past two years. Going home late and keeping myself busy to avoid thinking about her - Althea.
It's been two years since the last time I saw her. After our night to remember, I never got the chance to see her. It was clearly my fault if she decided to avoid me but she might at least let me explain what really happened. Hindi yung basta na lang siyang mawawala. Even Batchi and Wila do not know her whereabouts. Hindi ko alam kung tinatago lang nila si Althea sa'kin or yun talaga ang totoo.
The morning after we made love, I got a call from David regarding our engagement. Desidido na akong umatras at piliin si Althea noong mga panahong yun dahil mahal ko siya. Wala na akong pakialam kahit itakwil ako ng mga magulang ko basta ang mahalaga, magkasama kami ni Althea.
But David had a plan. He said that I just needed to attend our engagement then he'll take care of the rest. I was hesitant at first because he wouldn't tell me what his plan is. He said that I just needed to trust everything on him.
And so I did.
I left Althea in her condo, still sleeping soundly. I didn't wake her up to tell her everything because I'm expecting to see her not later on the same day. Kampante kasi ako sa plano ni David kaya hindi ko na siya inabalang gisingin. And I promise myself to not leave her kahit anong mangyari.
So after ko umalis, I went straight at our mansion. Trying my best to act normal. To act like I'm excited for the engagement as David instructed me to do so. I'm still clueless for his plan so I just let myself to go with the flow.
My dress I worn that day was the best I ever laid my eyes on. Pakiramdam ko, ang ganda-ganda ko noong sinuot nila sa'kin ang red vintage dress na aminado akong hapit na hapit sa hubog ng katawan ko. It has this laced design covering my whole torso and a v-neck shaped at the back. The skirt was flowy and if blown by the wind, it will perfectly dance with it. My hair was tied into a bun with loose strands of hair on both sides of my face. My mother's gift to me was a pair of diamond dangling earrings that finished it off. I can't deny, I looked extravagant that day. Lahat ng tao na nakakakita sa'kin ay hindi maitago ang pagkamangha dahil kahit ako, namangha din ako sa sarili ko.
But the beauty I admired was fake and pretentious.
I knew deep inside what I feel at kahit anong gawin ko, hindi nito matatakpan ang lungkot at takot na nararamdaman ko. I know I just have to pretend but that doesn't made me confident that everything will end well.
As soon as the party started, mas lalo akong kinabahan. Hindi ko pa din nakakausap si David. I tried calling him but he's not answering his phone. Simula ng dumating kami dito sa venue, hindi ko pa siya nakikita. Pakiramdam ko nga pinaglalaruan lang ako ni David. That this was all his plan para matali ako sa kanya. But I knew better. Alam kong hindi niya ako tatraydurin. Buti na lang din Sally and Kuya Paul stayed by my side at sila ang nagpapalakas sa loob ko na magtiwala sa plano ni David.
So wala na akong nagawa. I just waited for him to come and make his plan happen. All the while, I was thinking that this is for Althea and I. That after this, we'll be starting our for keeps. Kapag iniisip ko yun, narerelax ako at napapakalma nito ang puso ko.
When my father got into the podium and was about to announce our engagement, David came rushing through the door with a girl on his side. Everyone darted their eyes on him, confused on what he is trying to do, including me. I never saw the girl he was with at mas lalong hindi ko alam ano ang ginagawa ng babaeng yun on my own engagement party.
Until David shouted, "I'm sorry to tell you but there will be no engagement happening today. I can't marry Jade because I already have the woman I want to marry. Buntis siya at siya lang ang pakakasalan ko magalit man kayo sa'min." He said with all authority that left us all slack-jawed. Lahat ng tao sa venue natahimik with his sudden announcement. We were just standing, frozen to where our feet was. I glanced at his parents and saw disbelief written on their faces. Kahit ako hindi makapaniwala sa ginagawa niya.
What the fuck is he doing?! Ito ba ang plano niya?!
I was about to shout back but my father charged at him and punched him right on his face. "Ang kapal ng mukha mo! Paano mo nagawang hiyain ang pamilya ko?! Walang hiya ka!" He said in between punches that David welcomed open arms. Hindi siya nanlaban sa kahit anong suntok na ginawa ni Dada sa kanya.
Until Tito Mike came over in between them and stopped my father. Makikita sa mukha ni Tito ang pagkadismaya pero hindi rin niya maatim na binubugbog sa harap niya ang sarili niyang anak. David has always been a father's boy kaya naiintindihan ko kung bakit ganoon si Tito sa kanya kahit na mali ang ginawa nito.
David left the venue still dragging the girl. Hindi man lang ako nakapagsalita at nakapagreact. I didn't even notice I was crying the whole time. I didn't know what I'm feeling that time. Was it shame? Was I happy because finally, I'm free? Or is this really freedom? After ba nito, magiging malaya na kami ni Althea? So many questions pero ni isa, wala man lang akong kayang sagutin.
After that fated night, my father was gone berserk. He locked at us up inside the house, including my mother. Nagtataka din ako anong nangyari sa kanya bakit hindi siya nagrereact. I would caught her staring blankly then she would give me a small smile whenever I pulled her out of her thoughts. Nahihiya kaya siya sa'kin? But why? It's not her fault after all.
I tried reaching for Althea but my father confiscated all of our phones. Pinaputol din niya lahat ng landline. Lahat ng pwedeng maging source of communication, pinatanggal niya. Tanging siya lang ang nakakalabas sa impyernong bahay na ito. Kahit si Ahya Paul, wala ding magawa. He's been quiet all along pero alam kong namomroblema din siya kagaya ko. Si Ahya Gab naman, wala din magawa dahil takot din siya kay Dada. I totally understand dahil we know what he's capable of doing.
Isang buwan din kaming nakakulong sa bahay. Hindi ko alam ano ng nangyari kay Althea. Kahit kay David wala na akong balita kung anong nangyari after ng revelation niya. The last time I heard about him was he flew to New York kasama yung girl pero naiwan ang parents niya dito sa Pilipinas. Si Sally pa ang nagkwento sa'kin about dun nang mapadalaw siya dito sa bahay. Hiniling ko sa kanya na hanapin si Althea at sabihin ang kalagayan ko pero nahuli kami ni Dada na nag-uusap kaya pinagbawalan na din niya itong pumunta.
I really don't understand where is he coming from. Lahat kami nadamay sa kalokohan ni David. Akala mo siya yung naiwan sa ere. Akala mo sa kanyang reputasyon lang ang nasira. Akala mo siya lang ang napahiya. It was David who backed out, not me. Hindi kami makatakas dahil laging may mga gwardiya na nagbabantay sa mansion, 24/7. I was starting to feel hopeless that I might lose Althea forever. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako magsisimula dahil wala akong mahingian ng tulong.
Not until one fated night came.
I saw Paul tip-toeing his way outside our gates. That was around 3 in the morning. Nagulat na lang ako pagsilip ko sa bintana, naglalakad na siya ng parang ninja. Mabuti na lang din at tulog ang gwardiya na naka-aassign sa may gate dahil tingin ko, yung natitirang dalawa ay nasa likod. Pinagmasdan ko paano siya nakalabas ng ligtas at hindi nahuhuli. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng makita ko siyang tumakbo palayo sa bahay na ito. Kasabay ng kasiyahan ko para sa kanya, ay lungkot naman ng puso ko.
I envy him. I envy his courage to do that.
Talagang hindi siya nagpapatalo. All along, akala ko sumuko na din siya dahil madalas lang siyang tahimik at nagmumukmok sa loob ng kwarto. But I was wrong. Nag-iipon lang pala siya ng lakas ng loob para tumakas. Naghihintay lang ng magandang tyempo para umalis. And I knew kung kanino siya pupunta.
I wish I could do the same. God knows how I wanted to get out of this hell hole pero hindi ko magawa. Everytime I try, I always backed out. Too afraid I might get caught. Lagi kong sinasabi na dapat bukas nakaalis na ko dito, pero walang nangyayari. Naiinis ako sa sarili ko kasi hindi ko malabanan. Parang biglang nawala yung Jade na handang harapin kahit pa galit ng mga magulang niya. I don't know what happened. It feels like this isn't the real me.
So I've decided. I am going to get out of this place, tomorrow morning. Mahuli man ako o hindi, I still need to try. I really miss Althea and I'm dying to see her.
I just wish meron pa akong uuwian.
Something stirred inside me when I thought of that. Parang bigla akong nagising sa isang masamang panaginip. Oo nga pala, I have this girl I need to win back. Kailangan ko siyang makita dahil kung hindi, baka huli na ang lahat. Baka isipin niya na iniwan ko na naman siya at hindi siya ang pinili ko. I cried with the thought of it. I can't stand if she'll get mad at me again.
No this can't be. You have to do something now, Jade.
So I promised to myself to leave our house tomorrow at dawn. Kagaya ng ginawa ni Paul. I have to make a move now. Hindi ko hahayaang magpatalo na lang. I immediately pack enough things on my backpack and hid it under my bed. I'm too hyped right now, I wanted to leave next to Paul but it will be too risky. Lalo pa at nakabalik na yung dalawang guards galing sa likod ng bahay. I'll wait 'til tomorrow and I swear I won't back down.
When tomorrow came, all of them were looking for Paul. Especially my father. Kitang-kita ko kung paano siya nagwala at nagalit dahil nakatakas si Paul. Lalo akong natakot sa kanya dahil ibang-iba na siya sa Dada namin noon. Hindi ko na siya kilala at hindi ko matanggap na itong taong nakikita ko ngayon ay mismong tatay ko. Kahit ang itsura niya, malayong-malayo na din sa dati. Gulo-gulo ang buhok, nanlalalim ang mga mata at bumabagsak ang katawan. Hindi ko alam kung anong meron sa kanya but with a mere sight of it, it's not good.
Nagdalawang-isip tuloy ako kung itutuloy ko pa ang plano ko ng makita ko kung ano ang naging reaction niya. Kung paano niya inutusan ang mga tauhan niya at hindi nagdalawang-isip na sabihing bugbugin ito kapag nanlaban. I shook my head to gather up my thoughts.
I have to do this.
Now.
Kahit ipabaril pa niya ko, hindi na ko magpapapigil. Hindi ko na kayang maghintay pa ng isang gabi because Althea might slip away from me completely. Hindi ako sigurado kung naghihintay pa siya but it doesn't matter. I have faith in her - in our love.
But the odds seemed to be on the other side.
Parang pinaparating nito na sumuko na lang ako. Na huwag ng manlaban as I witnessed my father's goons drag Paul inside our house. Duguan ang mukha nito at lupaypay na ang katawan dahil sa bugbog. I immediately ran to him and gave him a hug but he didn't respond. Mahihinang ungol lang ang naririnig ko mula sa kanya. I felt my anger raise dramatically as I ran to my father and slapped him. I was totally in rage that time. Pakiramdam ko napuno ako at bigla na lang sumabog para magawa ko iyon. But I wasn't sorry. He deserved it.
I cursed him. Shouted at him. Strangled him even though he's too strong for me. The devil inside me, which I didn't know I had, awaken. I wanted him to feel every single pain he caused me. I wanted him to at least dwell on the miseries he's putting us. Kahit man lang sa mga suntok ko, maparamdam ko yung sakit na ginagawa niya. He's my father but what he's doing to us is way beyond of a father's league. Mas daig pa namin ang preso kung tratuhin niya kami.
I wasn't aware of what I was doing until I felt his bodyguards dragging me up inside my room and locked me inside. All I could think of that time was to hurt my father. That and him alone. Hindi ko alam na kaya kong gawin yun but I didn't feel any regrets with what I did. In fact, I felt relieved. I felt tough and invulnerable. Kaya mas lalo akong naglakas ng loob na tumakas mamaya.
As soon as the perfect chance came, I hurriedly grabbed my bag under my bed and sling it on my shoulder. I thank God since the door wasn't locked outside or else, I'll be doomed. I walked carefully out of my room to avoid making any noise. The whole house was dim but you can still see clearly enough because of the dim lights. I heard the guards laughing outside then I gripped the bag's strap to gather my strength. This isn't going to be easy but I have to do it now or I will die trying.
I resumed in walking and when I was halfway the grand staircase, I looked back and stared at Paul's bedroom. I don't know but something inside me was like pulling me to come near his room. So with my instinct, I climbed back and knocked on his door. Gusto ko din naman magpaalam sa kanya at sabihin na sa kanya ako kumukha ng lakas ng loob para maging matapang.
I was knocking three times already but no one's answering. Maybe he's too weak to even walk because of what evil of our father did. I don't have enough time to wait for him so I opened the door myself and walked inside his room.
But I was left dumfounded as soon as I enter his room. I was standing still, my feet won't move as I felt my body getting numb. My bag fell on the floor without me noticing it. I couldn't believe my eyes. My heart was pounding so hard and chest starting to get hurt as if I'm having a heart attack. I clutched on my chest and close my eyes to at least dwindle this seemed to be nightmare I'm in.
Oh God-
I was brought out of my trance when I heard my phone ringing on my table. I wasn't aware that I'm already crying as I remember that fated night - that one hell fated night. It was already two years ago but the pain is still here whenever I think of it.
"Hello Ma?" I answered my phone as I wiped my tears against my cheeks.
"Hija, where are you? Nandito na silang lahat. Ikaw na lang hinihintay." My mother said on the other line.
"Sorry, Ma. Just finished some reports but don't worry, pauwi na din po ako." I said to her as I took a glance on my watch and I learned that it's already 12m.n. I didn't know I was reminiscing that long.
"Okay anak. We'll just wait you here. Be careful driving."
"Yes, Ma. Bye." Then I ended the call. I heave a sigh and gather my things inside my hand bag. I fished out my car keys and went outside of my office. I was greeted by the rounding guards as soon as I reached the lobby.
I went to the parking lot and got in my car. I fished out my phone and glanced at the picture projecting on it. I bitterly smiled as I can feel my eyes already brimming with tears.
"Happy birthday, Paul. I missed you so much. I just hope you're happy whenever you are. I love you, Ahya."
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A.N
Hey guys! So here it is. I've got the chance to update. I know it's quite malayo sa previous chapter but I intentionally did it. I told you I was planning to change the plot line kasi I'm really having a hard time continuing the original one.
I guess you can call this chapter as the start of Season Two. Kabog! Hahaha. So enjoy lang and kung may comments or reactions kayo, comment niyo lang para ma-adjust ko yung story base kung anong bet niyo. Pwede rin kayo magbigay ng ideas para mas mapadali ang pagtapos ng story natin. Ayos ba? ;)))
Alright, bye! ❤️