CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
NANG INAYA siya ni Bettina na magpunta sa salon ay hindi na siya nag dalawang isip pa, sumama kaagad siya. She was stressing herself for a days now and pampering herself will help her.
"No, just above my shoulder. It would be fine with me." She said to the hair stylist behind her.
Pinagmamasdan niya ang itsura sa harap ng malapad na salamin. Ang kislap sa mga mata niya ay hindi niya na makita, hindi katulad noon na magkasama sila ni Brooke, her eyes was always twinkle in happiness when she was with him.
Nung tinawagan siya ni Brooke at sabihing namimiss na siya nito, ay hindi napigilan ng puso niya na sumaya kahit sandali lang.
Ano ang ibig sabihin niyon? May pagtingin din ba sa kanya ang kapatid niya?
Gelicah frowned. No, that can't be.
"Mas lalo kang gumanda, hija." Napakurap siya nang magsalita sa gilid niya si Bettina tapos ay marahan na hinaplos ang may kaiksian niya ng buhok. "At mas lalo kang gaganda kung ngingiti ka na."
Tipid siyang ngumiti rito mula sa repleksyon ng salamin. "He called last night, Tita."
"Your husband?" Isang tango ang naging tugon niya do'n, hindi na itinama pa. Hindi na ipinaalam pa kung ano ang nangyayari sa kanila ni Brooke. "Sinusuyo kana?"
Hindi niya alam kung panunuyo ba 'yon. "Nangamusta lang po kung okay kami ni baby."
"Yon lang?"
"Miss niya raw ako."
Bettina patted her shoulder gently. "Ang sweet naman pala ng asawa mo. Makikipagbati na 'yan kaya huwag ka nang magmukmok, okay?"
"I will try not to, Tita. For o-our baby."
"For you and for the baby." Bettina corrected her. "By the way, we better go and visit your mom?"
"Mabuti pa nga po." Aniya at inayos na ang sarili.
Pagpasok nila sa silid ng mommy niya ay pakiramdam niya ay nalanghap niya ang pamilyar na pabango. It was Brooke perfume, hindi siya pwedeng magkamali. Kaagad na lumapit siya sa ina at hinalikan ito sa noo, nagtagal pa ang tingin niya rito.
"Ahm, Gelicah, ikaw muna rito, ha? May pupuntahan lang ako." Paalam sa kanya ni Bettina, hawak na ang handbag nito.
"Saan ka pupunta, Tita?"
"Just in the restaurant near here. Bibili na rin ako ng pagkain natin. May gusto ka bang ibang kainin?"
"Umm, ice cream?"
Bettina cackled. "Sure, just wait for me."
She kissed her cheek before leaving the room. Nang mapag-isa sila ng mommy niya ay kinausap niya ito, habang hawak ang malambot na kamay.
"Mommy, kumusta ka na ba? Gusto ko na po maramdaman ang pag-galaw ng kamay mo, gusto ko na po marinig ulit ang boses mo...miss na miss na kita." Inilagay niya sa pisngi ang kamay nang ina at dinama 'yon. "Alam mo ba? Magkaka-apo ka na, sana bago ako manganak, magising ka na."
Sa biglang pagbukas ng pinto ay nahinto siya sa pakikipag-usap sa mommy niya. Isang blonde na nurse ang pumasok at nang makita siya ay bahagyang nawala ang ngiti sa labi nito. Tila ba na disappoint ito na siya ang nakita, o baka nagkakamali lang siya?
"Good morning, Miss. I will just check Brianna." The nurse greeted her with a small smile on her lips now.
"Morning," She greeted back and let the woman check her mother.
"This is my first time to see you here, Ma'am." The nurse started a conversation with her American accent.
"Yeah, I was in the Philippines for a months, but now I'm back to look after my mom."
"Oh, Brianna is your mother?"
The woman looks surprise. She even took a second look at her and to her mother, as if she was comparing their looks. Alam niya naman na hindi niya kamukha ang mommy niya, mas kamukha niya ang daddy niya.
"Yeah,"
"So, the handsome man who's visiting here is your brother?"
Lumalim ang gatla sa kanyang noo. What is this woman talking about? Is she referring to Brooke? Did he visits their mother already?
"What are you talking about?"
The woman glance at her with small smile. "Brooke, that's his name."
Gelicah's heart race in instant. So, that man was there without telling it to her?
"Oh," She force a smile. "When did he visit?"
"I saw him last night when I went here to check Brianna." She could see the twinkle on the woman's hazel eyes. "You are lucky to have a brother like him. I wondered if he's already taken?"
"He is," Pakiramdam niya ay sumungit ang boses niya.
"Oh," The woman sounds disappointed.
"He's married. And they expecting their first child in a few months,"
The beautiful woman shrug her shoulder. "I wasn't wrong after all. I saw his wedding ring on his finger. His wife is very lucky, that even he's away, he stay loyal. Men usually remove their wedding ring when they're away with their wives and have fun with other women."
"Because he love his wife, that's why he needs to stay loyal and faithful." She confidently said.
"I can see that, Madam."
Ilang sandali pa ay magalang na umalis na ang nurse. She get her cellphone and send a text message to Brooke. She felt like a bit irritated knowing that he's there without telling her.
THEY ARE in the same restaurant when Brooke met Bettina. The woman arrived earlier than him.
"Here. I had to ask her to go to Salon for this hair." Bettina handed her the sealed plastic with Gelicah's hair in it. "And this is Brianna's hair." Then she took another plastic from her bag and give it to him. May pangalan na ng dalawa sa bawat plastic.
"Thanks for these."
"You're welcome. By the way, how's your mom last night?"
A small smile escape his lips. "I felt her fingers last night, she moved it again for the second time. I talked to her doctor before I left the hospital this morning. He told me that, there's a big chance that mom would wake up anytime soon."
That good news made his day. The burden on his chest lessen because of it. He can't even wait for his mother to wake up, but of course he needs to be patient for that day.
"That's a good news! Gelicah will be happy once I tell it to her!"
"Yes, tell it to her so she would feel better."
"Medyo umaayos na ang pakiramdam ni Gelicah lalo at nalaman kong tumawag pala ang asawa niya sa kanya nung isang gabi."
"Do you think she like it when her husband is calling her?"
"Yes, it makes her feel better. Her husband should make a call always."
I will. His mind told him.
Then his cellphone suddenly vibrate on his pocket. Kinuha niya 'yon para lamang makita ang message ng babaeng pinag-uusapan nila.
From: Gelicah
So, you visited, mom? Without telling me?
Ibinalik niya ang cellphone sa bulsa nang hindi nag-reply. How did she know that? It supposed to be a secret between him and Bettina. Then an image of nurses in the hospital flashed his mind. Malamang ay ang mga 'yon ang nagsabi? Though it doesn't matter to him now, pasasaan ba at malalaman din ng asawa niya na nando'n nga siya.
"Anyway, I need to go. I will bring this hair to someone I know who's here. He will help me with the DNA."
"I wish for the good result, Brooke."
"Me too."
"Aalis na rin ako. Bibili rin kasi ako ng pagkain namin ni Gelicah. At, ice cream." Bettina shrug. "Hindi pa yata tapos ang cravings ng buntis."
Brooke gets his wallet and give Bettina some money, American dollar.
"Here, take this."
"No need, Brooke. May pera pa naman ako rito."
"I insist." Kinuha niya ang kamay nito at inilapag do'n ang pera. "Buy whatever you and Gelicah's wants. I don't mind you guys spending money."
Walang nagawa si Bettina kundi tanggapin ang pera. "Sigurado akong ang swerte ng asawa mo sa'yo, Brooke. You know how to spoiled women." Bettina beamed at him.
"Women love it."
"Yeah, I agree." Tinapik nito ang balikat niya. "O siya, mauna na ako sa'yo."
Isang tango ang ginawa niya bago ito pinanood na lumabas sa restaurant. Nang mag vibrate ulit ang cellphone niya ay napalabas siya ng hangin sa bibig. Kinuha niya 'yon para lang mabasa ulit ang message ng asawa.
From: Gelicah
Bakit mo nga naman sasabihin sa'kin ang bawat galaw mo. Wala na nga palang tayo. By the way, the nurses here were looking for you.
Brooke could almost smell the bitterness on her message. He dialed her number to talk to her. But the hardheaded woman did not answer his call. Napahilot siya sa sintido at nag-type nalang ng mensahe para sa pag-aalburoto ng asawa.
To: Gelicah
Don't be jealous. I made it sure to them that I'm married. That I wasn't interested at all no matter how beautiful and hot they are.
Brooke went out to the restaurant and hop in to the car he rented. His bodyguard is in the front seat, waiting for him together with the driver. Papunta sila sa hotel kung saan siya tumutuloy at kung saan naghihintay ang isang kaibigan.
His cellphone vibrated again. Brooke rested his back and read Gelicah's reply.
From: Gelicah
Still, you talked to them. Akala mo siguro hindi ko malalaman.
He dialed her number quickly but she did not answer it again. So he needed to type a message again. He's not into texting, he prefer phone calls but his wife is being a bad girl.
To: Gelicah
Why don't you answer my call and let me hear all your tantrums?
Nakarating na sila sa Hotel lahat-lahat ay hindi na siya nakatanggap pa ng mensahe mula sa asawa. Maybe he hit something on her and she realized that it's useless to argue with him for talking to other women.
"Welcome to L.A, Dr. Howell Banchero," Brooke sarcastically said to the man who's sitting casually in the corner of the restaurant of one of the luxury hotel in California.
"Thank you very much, Montero." Howell give him a smirk and motioned him to sit down.
"As much as I want to talk more but I think it would be better if we bring this," ipinakita niya ang plastic na hawak niya. "to your friend."
Howell shrug his shoulder and stood up. "Like that I have a choice?"
"We could have a drink after, what do you think?"
"I'm thinking to go home after."
Brooke looks at his friend in disbelief. "Kadarating mo lang kagabi."
"Yeah, but I miss my girl. So yeah, I better go home tonight or tomorrow."
"In love, eh?"
"We are just same, brute."
"No—"
"Yeah? You can fool yourself but you can never fool me, Brooke." Howell patted his shoulder coolly. "You will never disturb a friend if you don't need help. This must be very important to you."
"It is, but it's not what you think about it."
"Can you please tell me why are you so eager to know the result of the DNA test?" They hop in to the car. "Ah, because you wanted to make sure that your wife isn't your sister."
"Shut it up, brute."
"I am damn right." Howell teasingly whistle. "I haven't seen your wife personally, maybe I could take a look at her before I leave? So I will know why the mighty Brooke Montero is going nuts because of her."
"You know, I called you to help me not to fucking annoy me." He looked at the busy street of Los Angeles. "You better leave after the test."
"You're very much welcome, Montero." Howell sarcastically said. "I appreciate it a lot. Ang lapit nga lang naman ng Pinas dito sa tate, 'no?"
Napailing nalang siya sa kaibigan. He trust Howell for the DNA test, he has a trusted friend who was working in America, that's why he called him for a help and to pull some strings to make the DNA result done within this week.
PANAY ANG hugot niya ng hangin sa dibdib habang nasa balkonahe ng silid ng ina. Iritado parin siya at mas lalong nairita sa palitan nila ng text message ni Brooke. How dare him tell her that she was jealous and she tantrums?
"Oh, may problema ba? Hindi na naman maipinta 'yang mukha mo." Puna sa kanya ni Bettina at binigyan siya ng ice cream.
Nakasimangot na tinaggap niya 'yon. She took a one scoop and let it melt on her mouth. This ice cream could be her stress reliever.
"He's here, Tita." Icah informed the woman.
"Talaga? Eh, di maganda. Sinundan ka niya." May kasiyahan sa boses nito. "Makikipag-ayos na 'yan. Papuntahin mo rito."
Napangiwi siya. Hindi niya yata makakaya 'yon. Sila ni Brooke kaharap ito at ang mommy niya? They need to act like a stranger to each other if that happen. Hindi naman nila pwedeng sabihin na mag-asawa sila, baka atakihin ang Tita Bettina niya.
"Huwag nalang po. Hindi pa ako handa na makita siya."
"Bakit naman? This is the chance to make everything right for the both of you."
Malungkot siyang ngumiti sa kawalan. Kung normal lang na mag-asawa sila ni Brooke ay hindi na siya mag-aatubili pang makasama ulit ito, pero iba ang sitwasyon nila. Masasaktan lang siya kapag nagkita sila, sa Hospital pa at sa harap ng mommy nila. Parang tinanggap na rin nilang magkapatid sila? Kung gano'n nga ang mangyayari.
"Hindi naman po siya nagsabi na magkita kami."
"Why's he here then?"
"Maybe to visit a friend? Or for business." She bit her tongue for lying.
"Hindi naman kailangan na ang lalaki palagi ang magsasabi kung magkikita kayo o hindi. Siguradong isa sa dahilan niya kaya siya nandito ay para sa'yo. Kaya, kung ako sa'yo, makikipagkita ako sa kanya."
Sana nga ay gano'n lang kadali 'yon.
"M-Makikipagkita nalang ako sa kanya pero hindi rito, Tita." Aniya para matapos na ang usapan na 'yon.
"Good. You need some time alone with your husband." Bettina wink at her, making her blush. Ano ba 'tong iniisip niya? Halata naman na tinutukso siya nito. "May nagpunta na ba na nurse rito?"
"Ah, opo, kaninang umaga. At, ang sabi may bumisita raw kay mommy kagabi."
Nakita niya ang bahagyang gulat sa mukha ng kaharap. "S-Sino raw?"
"Si...Brooke raw." Mahina ang boses niya.
"Oh, your brother!"
Gelicah frowned at the statement. Your brother? My brother? It makes her heart ache.
"Y-Yes, babalik pa kaya siya?"
"I don't know? Maybe? Gusto mong makita?"
Mabilis siyang umiling. "Ayoko pa po. Hindi pa ako handa."
"Siguro mas maganda kung makipagkita ka sa asawa mo at habang wala ka, si Brooke naman ang magbabantay sa mommy niyo."
Napangiwi siya sa ideya ni Bettina. Malabo mangyari 'yon. Iisang tao lang naman ang pinag-uusapan nila.
"Nakakapagod po mag-isip."
"Huwag mo nang isipin. Ipahinga mo nalang 'yan, Gelicah." Anito at bumalik ulit sa loob ng silid.
Matapos ang mahaba niyang pagmumuni-muni ay tumunog ang cellphone niya para sa isang mensahe.
From: Brooke
I'm on my way to the Hospital.
Pakiramdam niya ay lalabas ang puso niya sa biglang paglakas ng tibok niyon. Binasa niya ulit ang mensahe, dahil baka nagkamali lang siya. Pero hindi. Malinaw na tama ang nabasa niya at para sa kanya ang mensahe na 'yon dahil may kasunod pa.
From: Brooke
Let's stop playing hide and seek. I'm tired of our situation. I wanna be with you.
Gelicah went inside the room quickly, making Bettina looks at her with confusion on her eyes.
"Sit and calm down, Gelicah. Ano ba ang nangyayari sa'yo?"
Napakurap siya tapos ay nagpalakad-lakad sa silid, hindi alam ang gagawin at lalong hindi alam ang irereply sa kay Brooke. Ang puso niya ay patuloy sa pagkalampag sa dibdib niya.
Then after a few minutes, they heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," Bettina said casually.
Parang mapupugto ang hininga niya habang pinapanood ang maingat na pagbukas ng pinto. She's wishing that it was not Brooke, pakiramdam niya ay hihimatayin siya pag nagkataon.
Slowly, the door revealed a familiar built of a man. Wearing a casual white shirt that hugs his body, a brown jacket and a black jeans, a man stood there with all his might.
His deep dark eyes was looking at her intently and longingly, making her knees wobble. Her heart was beating so loud that she could almost hear it.
"Brooke," Bettina muttered, surprised by his sudden arrival.
"Yeah," His deep baritone made her realized that she was longing to hear it again personally after a week of being away from him. Brooke eyes never leaves hers, then he spoke. "I'm sorry to interrupt but I could not hold it any longer, I want to be with..." he paused.
"With your mother." Bettina finished the sentence. "I understand. Maiwan ko muna kayo rito."
The woman went out the room, leaving her with Brooke. They stare at each other for a couple of seconds before she heard him curse harshly.
"Damn it!"
Walang sabi-sabi na binagtas ni Brooke ang pagitan nila, kinabig siya at dinala sa bisig nito.
Gelicah was stun. She could not even move a finger. She was letting him to embrace her...and to give his rights to claim her again as his.