Chapter 6
"Buti naman naisipan mo pang umuwi..." my mother said cattily, eyeing me like a hawk over her teacup.
I tried not to exhale a tired sigh. It was one heck of a travel from Manila to La Union in short notice. Philodemus tried to come with me and cancel his morning show but I didn't allowed him to. Muntik pang mauwi sa away ang pagpupumilit niyang samahan ako sa pag-uwi sa La Union nang mabalitaan kong inatake si Dad.
"Mommy..." I said silently and nodded at her, but dare not approach and give her a kiss. Hindi naman siya ang ipinunta ko dito.
My gaze roamed around the mansion. Denver sent with me my two bodyguards to accompany me. Siya na din ang bahalang magpaliwanag sa direktor na hindi muna ako makakadalo sa shooting ngayon dahil sa emergency na ito.
Leonora Roman elegantly set her teacup and pulled herself up. Inignora ko siya at hinanap ng mga mata ko si Shantel. She'd called me earlier and said she'll be there at the house to welcome me.
"Your father's resting at his room. If you're going to talk to him, try to make it short. He needs some rest and I'm not quite sure he wants to see your face after disappearing from this family for years."
I gritted my teeth. Me ignoring her intensified her anger. I could hear the stabbing clicks of her heels. Bago pa man niya ako mahabol ay bumukas ang pintuan sa kwarto ni Shantel at iniluwa siya nito.
Her eyes widened when she saw me.
"Stormie!"
Within seconds, I was engulfed by a tight embrace of my sister. Mother abandoned her plan to attack me and walked away, scoffing to herself. Inignora ko pa rin siya at hinarap ang kakambal.
I smiled at her. "How are you?"
"Law school is proving more and more complicated..." she sighed and adjusted her eyeglasses before smiling back at me. "But I'm okay."
"What happened to Dad?" diretsahan kong tanong sa kaniya.
Her lips went into a thin line. Tahimik niya akong iginiya patungo sa kwarto ng mga magulang ko. I knocked softly before entering. Napalingon sa akin ang private nurse na inaasikaso ang kaniyang dextrose at ngumiti nang banayad.
"You must be Stormie?"
I nodded my head. My heart ached at the sight of my father. The once powerful Joachim Roman had fallen ill on his bed. Payat na payat na ito ngayon at halos hindi ko na makilala. Ang mabuto niyang mga kamay ay nakahimlay sa kaniyang tiyan. Mabagal at mabibigat ang kaniyang paghinga.
"What happened to him?" I almost whispered. Nangingilid na ang mga luha kong lumapit sa kaniya. I've seen pictures of him a couple of months ago, in a social gathering. Malusog pa siya noon. Bakit biglang bumagsak nalang ang kalusugan niya ngayon?
"Your father had a mild stroke. He was paralyzed for a few days but now he's starting to gain his senses."
"I called you earlier because Dad suddenly stopped breathing..." murmured Shantel. "Natakot lang ako."
I nodded in understanding at her before I turned to my father with tears brimming my eyes. I heard the door opened and mother entered.
"You can go now, Stormie, now that you've seen your father. Let's give him some privacy..."
Throwing one last sorrowful look at my unconscious Dad, I dragged myself away from him. Tumango din ang nurse, sang-ayon sa sinabi ni mommy na kailangan niya munang magpahinga.
Pagod akong sumunod sa kanilang dalawa palabas ng kwarto. Mother rosed an eyebrow at me. I stared back at her.
Wala pa ring pinagbago. She's still as beautiful as ever. Mother managed to maintain her looks over the past few years. She looks half her age while my father looks twice his age. Sumasakit ang dibdib ko sa tuwing naiisip ito.
Dumako ang tingin ko sa saradong pinto ng aking kwarto. I contemplated. Ayokong manatili dito sa mansion at makasama sa iisang bubong si mommy. But I also wanted to be here when my father opens his eyes.
Mukhang nabasa ata ni mommy ang nasa isipan ko dahil bigla siyang nagsalita.
"Don't expect that you still has a room here, Stormie. When you left, we also considered you dead. Your room has been renovated and was transformed as my walked-in closet, connected to the master's bedroom. So stay away from it." Mariin niyang wika.
I smiled bitterly at her. Ano pa bang aasahan ko sa kaniya?
"Huwag po kayong mag-alala, mommy. Wala naman akong balak manatili rito."
"Are you sure?" Shantel worriedly queried. "You can still stay in one of the guest rooms downstairs..." hinawakan niya ang braso ko at bahagyang pinisil.
"It's okay, sis." Bumuntong-hininga ako. "I'll just check in one of the nearby hotels. I'll stay here in La Union until Dad wakes up."
Tumango si Shantel sa sinabi ko. Mother stared at me with a disgusted look on her face.
"Well, you better go. I don't welcome strangers here in my house, mind you. Since you have the money to change your face, of course you can afford a hotel of your own as well."
Hindi ako sumagot ngunit sumama ang titig ko sa kaniya, hindi nagugustuhan ang mga salitang binibitawan niya.
"Gosh. My amigas will be coming here tomorrow. You better not introduce yourself as my daughter, too! Baka mamaya ay magtaka pa sila..."
"Mom!" saway ni Shantel sa kaniya.
"Mawalang-galang na po, mommy..." humigit ako ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga at sinabayan ng bahagyang panginginig ng mga kamao. "Hindi po kayo ang ipinunta ko dito. And if you're going to insult me and my job, you should do a mirror check on yourself, too. You say I'm fake? Well, your personality is faker than my face... what with fooling the Romans of the true heiress..."
My gaze bitterly dropped at the Crucifix necklace on my sister's slender neck. Leonora's eyes widened in anger. She took a step and slapped my hard on the face.
"How dare you!" she screamed through gritted teeth.
"Mommy!" mabilis na inawat naman siya ni Shantel.
My cheeks throbbed from her slap. But nothing felt more good than being able to say what is inside my mind. Nakahawak lang ako sa namumula kong pisngi.
"Don't you dare talk to me like that, rotten child! Go back to your band of artists... go and mingle around people with fake noses and buttocks, just like yours! I am so ashamed of what you have become, Stormie! Between a lawyer and a shag in the showbiz? Ha. It could've been better if only Shantel was born!"
Tears brimmed my eyes but I dare not blink. Nangako ako sa sarili ilang taon na ang nakakalipas na hinding-hindi ako muling iiyak sa harapan ng babaeng ito. And the time has come to prove my vow to myself.
"Ilang beses mo na ba yang sinabi sa akin, mommy?" ani ko. I laughed bitterly. "You think it'll still hurt me? Words thrown repeatedly become meaningless to one's ears in the long run..." iniling ko ang ulo ko at humakbang palapit sa kaniya. She stared at me with such a havoc of wrath in her beautiful face. "So go on and try hurting me again with your words, mommy... because I'm telling you... this is the battle that you will never, ever win again."
As the last words rolled out of my mouth like a rehearsed script, I grabbed my suitcase and dragged it down the grand stairs. Kaniya-kaniyang alis ang mga kasambahay na nakikinig lang sa pag-aaway naming dalawa ni mommy. I quickly pulled my phone out to inform my bodyguards that I'm headed out.
I climbed inside the SUV and sighed when I finally closed the door. Sumasakit ang ulo ko at pumipintig din sa sakit ang kaliwang pisngi na sinampal ni mommy kanina. I have a bad feeling that it'll swell. Kaya naman dumaan muna kami sa botika at pinabili ko sila ng gamot bago ako nagpahatid sa Puerto de San Jose Hotel.
Once I settled inside my hotel room, overlooking the dark beach, I sighed tiredly and plopped on my bed. I'd be lying if I say that the fight with my mother didn't affect me. But I am less hurt compared to before when I wasn't able to voice out what I am feeling.
Pressing the cold compress against my throbbing cheeks, I answered my ringing phone right after I stepped out of a cold shower. Philodemus called to check if I'm okay, anda asked what happened.
I told him everything, except for the slap I received from my mother. It'll only worry him and they have a guest performance tonight. Ayokong makaabala pa sa kaniya.
"I'm free tomorrow. Pupunta ako ng La Union..." aniya.
I sighed. "There's no need, Philodemus. I'm fine here."
"I insist. Gusto ko ring bisitahin ang mga Treveron. I'll be staying with you until the weekend for Rigor's birthday."
I hesitated but ended up letting him come anyway. Wala na akong nagawa pa. He wanted to be with me as much as I wanted to be with him. But I'm not sure if I want him to see how bad the situation is in our family right now. He knows we're fucked up long before. It only deteriorated over time.
My night was spent with talking to him on the phone until I fall asleep. Maaga akong nagising kinabukasan. I put on my running shorts and sports sando, jogged around the beach while the sun is still down and the people are still sleeping, before slipping back to my hotel when people started to notice me.
Nakaabang na ang dalawa kong bodyguards sa labas. I took the time showering and dressed in my casual jeans and white button down shirt. I also tied a headscarf around my head and pulled my loose curls into high ponytail before I went out with my sunglasses on.
Nakayuko ako habang naglalakad. Nakasunod naman ang dalawang bodyguards sa akin hanggang sa makasakay ako. Philodemus and I have already talked. Lampas alas otso na siguro siya makakarating rito sa La Union. I felt a little guilty, knowing that he has little to no sleep tapos dumiretso pa siya dito.
Sa mansion ako nagtungo. I texted Shantel that I'm outside the gate dahil ayaw kaming papasukin ng security guard, dala na rin ng utos ni mommy. She hurried outside at pinagsabihan pa si Manong bago tuluyang nakapasok ang sasakyan ko.
I sighed tiredly. Just thinking that I would meet my mother again makes me feel so exhausted. I saw her with her amigas drinking tea at the patio where Abuelita used to sit. Sumakit nang bahagya ang dibdib ko sa mga alaala. I ignored it and followed Shantel upstairs.
Sakto namang naroon pa ang doktor pagdating ko. Wala pa ring malay si Dad at kausap naman ngayon ng doktor ang nurse na nag-aalaga kay Daddy.
"Do you want some breakfast?" tanong ni Shantel sa akin.
"It's okay... thanks." Ani ko at binalingan ang doktor. "Hi. I am Stormie, daughter of Joachim." Pagpapakilala ko sa batang doktor.
The young man looked at me in surprise before he accepted my hands and shook it. "I didn't know that he has another daughter. Leonora said..." he trailed off.
Ngiti lamang ang isinagot ko sa kaniya. Nasanay rin naman ako. "Can I have a word with you in private, please?"
Napatingin ang doktor kay Shantel, bago siya bumaling sa akin at nag-aalangang tumango. "Sure..."
Inside my father's room, walang naiwan kundi ako nalang at ang doktor. Nang tuluyan nang makalabas si Shantel at ang nurse ay binalingan ko kaagad siya.
"What happened to my father, doc?" nag-aalala kong tanong sa kaniya.
He sighed. "Well, his health had been failing for the past few months, Miss Roman. Maybe because of too much work... he'd neglected his health. Naparalisa siya at nahihirapang huminga..."
Mariin akong bumuntong-hiniga. The disastrous look in my face is very visible.
"And... I found something."
"What?" umarko ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya.
"Wolf's bane." He said in a silent voice. "I found components of aconite running in his veins."
"Aconite..." I trailed off, my brows creasing in confusion. "Isn't that a poisonous herb?"
"Yes, it is." He said grimly. "I'm trying my best to extract it from his system. Your mother didn't allow me to bring him to the hospital, as the public would know. Ang alam ng publiko ngayon ay nagbabakasyon ang ama mo."
My heart sank inside of my chest. Nanghihina akong napaupo.
"Miss Roman... your father is a political man. His life is always at stake, especially now that the re-election is upcoming. I suspect he got poisoned by one of his opponents. He'd been seen mingling with them for the last months before his health failed."
Mahina akong tumango.
While the doctor is talking, I glanced at my father. The man who had neglected me for years. The man who adored no one but my mother. He cared less about his children and became a slave to Leonora Roman. Now that his health is failing, his wife is downstairs sipping the fucking tea with her amigas.
Ikinuyom ko ang mga kamao sa galit. Someone tried to poisoned my father and my mother isn't doing anything. Shantel probably has no idea about it. Napunong galit ang dibdib ko.
I hated my Dad as much as I hated my mom... but God knows that I can't bear to see him like this. Nadudurog ang puso ko. I'd rather have him as a ruthless politician who ignores me than a sick old man lying on his bed.
The pain didn't subside even after I left the house and inhaled the sea air. The picturesque view of La Union did nothing to calm me down and so I looked so depressed when I met with Philodemus on his flat. I couldn't show him the same enthusiasm I've showered when he came back from his tour.
Pansin kaagad iyon ni Philodemus. Gumapang ang kaniyang kamay sa aking beywang at hinigit ako. He searched for my eyes.
"What happened, Stormie?" seryoso niyang tanong sa akin.
Sensing his bodyguards lurking around us, he scoffed and led me inside his flat. It was the same as before. Malinis at halatang wala nang nakatira. Maybe he hired someone to clean it for him because I couldn't spot dust and dirt anywhere.
Iniupo niya ako sa couch at ikinandong. He wrapped his hands around my waist again as he pulled me closer.
"Stormie?"
Tears brimmed my eyes. Isinubsob ko ang mukha sa kaniya at hinayaang tumulo ang mga luha. Sobrang naaawa ako sa Dad ko at naaawa din ako sa sarili ko.
How can I pity a man who did not once show any pity for me?
I hate how I can't control my emotions. Maybe I became a good actress because it's very easy for me to cry. To create the waterworks. My life's been a mess that crying had become a habit in the long run.
"Si Dad..." hikbi ko.
Iniisip ko pa lang ngayon na walang nag-aalaga sa kaniya kundi ang private nurse na kinuha nila mommy ay mas lalo pa akong napaiyak. I don't understand. Why am I born in this kind of messed up family? Why can't the mother love her children fairly and the father show the same affection just like any other normal family? Bakit kailangang ganito pa?
Philodemus nodded his head in understanding. Hinigpitan niya ang yakap sa akin. I cried hard and told him the story in between sobs. He didn't say anything. The grim look on his face showed that he shares his sympathy with me.
"I'll see what I can do..." aniya pagkatapos kong kumalma. "My Tita is a doctor. Maybe she could check on him as well."
Pagod kong ihinilig ang ulo sa balikat niya.
"I wish I didn't care for him this much..." I whispered in a hoarse voice. "Then I'll not get my heart broken for a man who didn't even love me."
It's hard to hate someone who has the same blood running in your veins. During the past few years, I had a hard time hating my parents. They gave me life. Who am I to despise them?
But with all the pain and sufferings they've caused me, I've come to realize that even if you share the same blood with them, it doesn't necessarily mean that they don't have the power to hurt you.
In fact, they hold everything that can destroy you. Even your own family can be your greatest foe.
"Don't say that, Stormie." He scolded in a soft voice.
I swallowed and closed my eyes. "I don't want him to die..." bulong ko sa hangin. "No matter how evil he is to me while I was growing up... I still don't want to see him die. Not yet... not now."
Curling in the couch like a baby, I fell asleep on his lap. Pagod na pagod ako kaya nang magising ako ay malapit nang dumilim. Philodemus is already cooking something in the kitchen. Kumunot ang noo ko nang pumasok ako sa kwarto niya. I spotted an olive green Topshop dress with skirt that stops on my mid-calf and off-the-shoulder bodice. Lumabas ulit ako at nakitang inilalapag na ni Philodemus ang mga plato sa lamesa.
"What's that dress for?"
"Nakita mo na pala..." aniya habang seryosong naglalagay ng tinidor at butter knife. He wiped his hands and then smirked at me. "You'll wear that tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" I tilted my head a bit. "For what?"
"Ipapakilala kita sa pamilya ko..."
I have never been nervous like this my entire life. My hands keep on sweating like crazy and I couldn't sit still. Samantalang si Philodemus ay prente lang na nakaupo sa tabi ko. Nakapasak ang earpods sa kaniyang tainga at hawak naman ang isa kong pawisang kamay.
Sure, I performed in front of hundreds and thousands of audiences. But now that I'm about to meet the Treveron's, I couldn't understand the feeling. Sobrang nininerbyos ako at pinagpapawisan. I have no idea what his parents are like. Or the Treveron family, for that matter. Natatakot ako sa maaaring sabihin nila sa akin, lalo pa't kalat na kalat sa social media ang mga nangyayari sa buhay ko.
"Relax, baby..." I felt him squeezed my palms. Tinanggal niya ang earpods at nilapitan ako, saka hinalikan sa pisngi. Namutla ako nang makitang bumagal ang sasakyang lulan kami. The big mansion came into view as the tall gates were opened for us. "They're going to love you."
I swallowed hard and clutched my chest. Kinalma ko ang sarili ko. Philodemus climbed off the car first and guided me when I stepped out. Nag-aabang ang dalawang kasambahay sa harap ng malalaking pintuan sa labas.
"Welcome back po, Senyorito..." halos sabay nilang bigkas. "Welcome po, Senyorita..."
I smiled dryly at them. Halata siguro nila ang kaba ko dahil nagkatinginan pa silang dalawa bago kami pinagbuksan ng pintuan. Similar to our mansion, the grand parlor welcomed us when we entered. But the Treveron mansion has more like than ours. I spotted Queen Anne's lace, colorful daises, and santan flowers growing so beautifully in their garden, bursting with colors and life. Mukhang may mga bata ding nakatira dito dahil sa nakitang bakal na swing kanina at kiddie pool.
Philodemus wrapped his arm around my waist as we stepped inside. A tall woman in a black pant suit and heels greeted us. Her hair is in an elegant pleat and even with the wrinkles on her face, her immaculate make-up tells me that she had been once a young, beautiful woman.
"Philo!" she cried and hugged him. I supposed this is his mother, Sidra Treveron. She embraced him like a baby and closed her eyes in affection.
Biglang kumirot ang puso ko. This is his foster parents and yet, they treats him like their own son. Kahit kailan ay alam kong hindi ako mayayakap ng ina ko nang ganito.
When she pulled away from him, she is grinning from ear to ear. She even pinched his cheeks, much to Philodemus' annoyance. Pagkatapos ng ilang sandali ay dumako ang tingin niya sa akin.
"You must be Stormie?"
"Yes, Ma'am." I nodded my head politely.
"Silly girl." She pulled me into a brief hug and kissed both of my cheeks. "Just call me Tita Sidra, seeing that you're going to be a part of the family now..." she winked suggestively.
Pumula ang buong mukha ko sa sinabi niya. Tita Sidra laughed at my reaction and held my hand, leading me to the large and noisy dining hall.
"Everyone, Philo and Stormie are here!" she announced rather cheerfully.
Some of them stopped and turned to us. Ang batang babaeng katabi ni Thyron ay nanlaki ang mga mata nang makita ako. She nudged him but Thyron ignored her, grinning at me.
"Long time no see, Stormie..."
"Hi, Thyron."
The table went noisy again as we sat. Kung anu-ano ang itinanong nila sa akin. Philodemus is talking to one of his cousins silently, in a hushed tone as they attacked me with questions.
"Ikaw po ba talaga si Storm Roman? Yung bida sa Purple Rain?"
I smiled shyly. "Well, yeah."
"Oh my gosh! I'm a fan! Pwede po ba akong magpa-picture mamaya?"
"Silver!" saway sa kaniya ni Thyron.
I smiled at the girl. She must be around 14 years old. "Of course."
She giggled in response. Tita Sidra held my hand and smiled at me.
"Pagpasensiyahan mo na sila, medyo maingay."
I shook my head. They're very warm and welcoming. Our dining hall had and will never be this noisy and full of life. Minsan ay tinatamaan ako ng inggit kapag nakikita kong nakikipagbiruan pa si Tita Sidra sa mga anak niya.
Her husband, Antonio Treveron soon joined us in the table. A business tycoon, best known for his strategic plans and connections in the business world is just one seat apart from me. Compared to what I've read in the news, he is rather a funny man. The Treveron couple are jolly and vibrant.
Habang kumakain kami ay biglang bumukas ang pintuan. Rigor came rushing in and mumbled an apology. Medyo magulo pa ang buhok nito at halatang kulang sa tulog.
"Back in the studio again, dear?" Tita Sidra asked as he settled on his chair.
"Well, yeah... got some deadlines to catch." Anito habang inaayos ang upuan. He glanced at me and his brows shot up in surprise. "Hey, Stormie. Fancy seeing you here..."
Nahihiya akong ngumiti sa kaniya. The dinner went on. They are talking light-heartedly about what happened on their days. Palagi akong sinasama ni Tita Sidra sa usapan. She's making sure that I'm not left out. Si Philodemus naman ay sumasagot lang kapag kinakausap. But countless times I've felt his hands landing on my thighs.
I turned to him. He is very lucky to have a big, noisy family like this. Malayong-malayo sa pamilyang kinagisnan ko. The nervouness I felt faded like magic the moment Tita Sidra welcomed me with open arms. Nagiging emosyonal ako habang pinapakinggan silang magkwento at mag-asaran sa lamesa.
After our hearty dinner, the adults moved to the living room while the young and teenagers went outside for fresh air. The housemaids served us coffee and tea while we talked in front of an old painting, with the Treveron Senior resting on his rocking chair and his wife by his side, massaging his tired hands.
"I'm just so glad that Philodemus finally brought a girl in the house! College ka pa namin naririnig, mula kina Thyron at Rigor..." his mother said with a knowing smile on her face.
Nahihiya akong ngumiti sa kaniya.
"Philo rarely comes home..." may himig pagtatampo pa ang boses nito. "I was starting to worry that we'll not recognize him anymore. Whilst Rigor is constantly updating me with the whatnots of his cousin, iba pa rin kapag narito sa bahay si Philo."
Binalingan ko si Philodemus at bahagyang pinaningkitan ng mga mata. His mother is such a sweetie. She doesn't deserve a broken heart!
"Kailan ba kayo magpapakasal dalawa?"
Muntik ko nang maibuga ang iniinom kong tsaa sa sinabi ng ama ni Philodemus. He is staring at the two of us seriously, making sure that I don't mistake his question for a joke.
"P-Po?"
"Gusto ko na ng apo."
Tumawa nang malakas si Thyron sa sinabi. He nudged his brother who glared at him. Philodemus grinned as well, and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer.
"Malapit na, Papa."
"Baka mauna pa ang apo kesa sa kasal, ha!" his mother said in horror.
"Hmm..." Philodemus said naughtily as he squeezed the sides of my waist. A wicked grin crossed his lips. "Baka nga, Mama."