Kabanata 8
Nanatiling lutang ang isip ko habang nasa harap ko si Jared. He keep on asking about my past. Kung nakakaalala ba ako, if I remembered Ella, the squad, my ex.
"Adam said you lost your memories after the explosion. You were in coma for months and when you woke up, you forgot everything." Kita ko ang pagkuyom ng kanyang kamao. "But then, fuck! He should've admitted you to me!"
"He's my husband..." I said in a very low voice.
"Husband?! Hah!" He gritted his teeth. "You're mine in the first place! Akin ka, Natasha, bago ka naging sankanya! He stole you away from me and betrayed me!"
Napaigtad ako sa pagsigaw nito. I heard him took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "He then said you're both married with each other and..." Yumuko ito at hindi nakatakas sakin ang pagpatak ng luha mula sa kanyang mga mata. "And you have a child."
Ramdam ko ang kirot sa aking dibdib habang pinapanood siyang nakayuko at patuloy parin ang pagpatak ang kanyang mga luha. I want to run to him and hug him. Tell him it's alright. That everything was just a lie. But no. It's better this way. Much better nga ba ang ganitong paraan? I can't risk his family. May anak na siya kay Kelly. I don't wanna be a family wrecker. I don't want his child to grow up without a father. Dahil mahirap. It's so damn hard to grow without a father. It feels so incomplete. It's like you lost your other wing to fly. Yes, I still love him. But I can't be selfish.
"Even if I'm Natasha..." I cleared my throat. "Even if I'm her, I can't go back like the way it was before. We're both already married. I love my husband." The hell. "So quit this. Yes, I was her. But I'm not her now." I can feel the ripping of my heart. Damn, it hurts as fuck.
"Natasha—"
Tumayo ako at tinitigan siya. I smile brightly to hide the sadness. "Kung ito ang dahilan kung bakit gusto mo akong kausapin, I need to leave. There are a lot of patients I need to check. Their condition is more important than this nonsense conversation. I have to go."
I turn my back at him and walk near the door. Ngunit nahigit ko ang aking hininga nang maramdaman ko ang mainit niyang dibdib sa aking likod at ang makisig niyang braso sa aking beywang.
He tighten the hug on my waist. "Please. Don't walk out of my life again."
Hindi ako nagsalita, sa halip ay pumiglas ako sa kanyang yakap at agad siyang hinarap. But I guess that was the most stupid thing I've ever done.
Out lips meet.
Sa gulat ko ay agad ko itong itinulak. But unfortunately, he held my waist bit my lower lip making me moan involuntarily.
"Dude, I've got you a— oh hell."
Pwersahan kong siyang itinulak at nilingon ang lalaking biglang pumasok sa loob ng silid.
"Fuck it, Redmond!" I heard Jared hissed.
Ngunit wala sa kanya ang atensiyon ko, kundi nasa lalaking nakatayo sa pinto na may isang mahiwagang ngisi sa labi. He looks familiar. Nakita ko na ba siya dati? But I'm sure I did not. But why does his features, no. His face! He looks so fucking familiar.
"Miss, you're drooling," he said with a mischievous smile on his lips. He walk to our direction and extended his hands. "I'm Peter Cyrus Redmond, your future husband." Nagtaas-baba pa ang kilay nito.
I was about to accept his hands when someone suddenly pushed it away. "Stop fucking around, Redmond."
"I'm not fucking, dude. But you are..." He eyed us both. "...about to."
Hindi ko maiwasang mangunot ang noo. Did I met him before? Pero wala akong naaalala na nakilala ko siya. Even his name hears so strange. Alright, I guess I'm just hallucinating or I just met his doppelganger or his looked a like. Whatever.
"I need to go, excuse me." I bowed my head before leaving the room.
Ramdam ko ang pagsunod ng tingin sakin ng dalawa ngunit hindi ko nalang ito pinansin. I'm so damn tired. My bed is calling me.
Habang naglalakad sa hallway papuntang elevator, nakasalubong ko si Dr. Versoza. The bitch.
She raised her left eyebrow. "Look who's here." Dumiretso ang tingin niya sa pinto kung saan ako nanggaling at kunwaring nagulat. "Oh? Did you done something wrong this time?"
Hindi ko na lang ito sinagot at nilampasan na.lang ito. Ramdam ko ang pagtangka niyang paghawak saking braso. Agad akong humarap at hinawakan ang kanyang kamay, I gripped it tightly.
"I'm not in the mood, Dr. Versoza. Don't try my patience." I send daggers towards her direction before letting go of her hand.
Agad akong tumalikod at dali-daling pumasok sa loob ng elevator. I immediately pressed the close button and lean on the wall. Damn it!
I held my chest and took a deep breath, just when the elevator opened and a young maiden enter. She smiled at me while holding her IV Fluid. I smiled back. Umugong naman ang telepono ko. I answered it without looking at the caller's ID.
"Dr. Reyes speaking." I glanced at wristwatch to check the time.
"Emergency room. Another patient was diagnosed." Dama ko ang pagkakataranta ng taong nasa kabilang linya.
Mariin akong napapikit mata at bumuntong hininga. "I'll be there."
--
Iritado kong sinipa pabukas ang pinto ng aking opisina at nakasimangot na pumasok sa loob. Kaninang alas siete pa sana ang off duty ko. Ngunit hindi ako tinantanan ng mga nars sa emergency room dahil busy ang ibang doktor.
Walang lakas akong sumalampak sa sofa at pinikit ang aking mga mata. Biglaan akong naalerto nang maramdaman kong may papalapit na matulis na bagay papunta sa direksiyon ko. Dali-dali akong bumangon at walang hirap na sinalo ang munting dagger na itinapon sakin ng taong hindi ko napansing nandito sa loob.
My forehead creased. "What the hell are you doing here?" Mas lalo pang nangunot ang aking noo nang mapansin ko ang mga pasa sa gilid ng kanyang labi at ang sugat na tinatabunan ng band aid. "What happened?"
I heard the flicking of his tongue as he went near and sat beside me. "Napalaban."
Matiim ko siyang tinignan. "Did the mafias attacked you?"
"No." He shook his head. "I'm just paying debt to someone I've done wrong."
"Debt? What type of fucking payment is that?" Tumaas ang kilay ko at pinagkrus ang dalawang braso sa'king dibdib.
He just smiled and ruffled my hair. Inis ko namang tinanggal ang kanyang kamay sa'king ulo at sumimangot. "You look tired."
"I am." I rolled my eyes towards him and leaned on the sofa again. "Patient after patient. Kindly remind me why I choose to become a doctor?"
"Because it's your dream?" Humikab ito at tumingin sa kanyang pambisig na relo. "It's already ten. Hinahanap ka na ng anak mo."
I closed my eyes and yawn, too. I'm sleepy, dimwit. Walang gana akong bumangon at hinubad ang aking suot na doctor's gown. Tinanggal ko na rin ang pagkakatali ang aking buhok at sinampay ang gown sa kanyang rack. Hinihilot ko ang aking balikat habang pinupulot ang aking sling bag na nasa mesa.
Nilingon ko si Adam na nakatitig sa mesa. He's acting weird. "Let's go."
Walang lingon likod akong naglakad palabas ng opisina. Ramdam ko naman ang pagsunod niya sa'kin. Saka ko nalang siya pagbabayarin sa ginawa niya pag may lakas na ako. I'm so worn out for today. I need rest.
Habang palabas ng ospital, nagulat ako nang bigla nalang akong hinila ni Adam at mabilis na naglakad.
"Hey? Are you—"
"Doctor Reyes?" I halted on my place as I heard a familiar voice, saying my name. Nilingon ko ito at tama nga ang hinala ko. "Ikaw nga."
I can feel Adam's grip on my wrist tightened. Okay? What's the matter?
"Hey, Mr. Redmond. What is it?" I asked in a casual tone.
"It's nothing. Tinawag lang kita dahil akala ko namamalikmata lang ako." He smile and his eyes landed on Adam who's now looking at Mr. Redmond intently. "Hey, Walker."
"Hey." Tumango lang si Adam. "We need to go. Our son is waiting for us."
Kita ko ang pagbakas ng pagkagulat sa mukha ni Redmond nang sambitin ni Adam ang salitang 'son'. Weird.
"Okay." Tumango rin ito at ngumiti tsaka bumaling sa akin. "It's nice meeting you, Doctor. Till we meet again."
I slightly bowed my head before Adam starts to drag me. Nang makapasok kami sa loob ng sasakyan, nagtataka ko siyang nilingon.
"What was that?" I asked, full of curiosity.
"Nothing." He started the engine and immediately drove the car out of the parking lot.
Napatingin naman ako sa driver's side mirror at napansin ko doon ang nakatayong bulto ni Mr. Redmond habang pinapanood kaming umalis ng parking lot. I raised my brow. Weird.
"Huwag ka nang lumapit sa kanya." Basag nito sa katahimikan.
Nangunot ang noo ko sa narinig. "May I ask why? Why are you acting weird?"
I saw how he tighten the grip of the steering wheel. "I can't afford losing you again."
"What?" Now, I'm raising my eyebrow. Ilang beses ko na bang naitaas kilay ko ngayong araw? "May nalalaman ka bang hindi ko alam, Mr. Walker?"
He didn't respond. And I take that as a 'yes'. I'm not numb and dumb not to notice how he acted weird a while ago. And it sucks.
Hindi na ako muling nagsalita. Mas pinili ko nalang ang sumandal sa aking kinauupuan at panoorin ang bawat street lights na nadadaanan namin. I opened the window beside me and let the coldness of the wind enter inside the car. It relaxes me somehow. Hanggang sa hindi ko namalayang nakaidlip na pala ako.
Nagising nalang ako dahil sa pag-uga sa akin ng kung sino. I opened my left eye and found my son sitting beside my and yelling for me to wake up.
"Mommy! We'll be late for school! Wake up!" Paulit-ulit nitong inuuga ang balikat ko.
I smiled and yawned. "Good morning."
Sumimangot ito nang makitang gising na ako. "We're late to school mommy. It's our family day."
Halos manlumo ako sa narinig. "What?!"
"Dalian mong bumangon." Napalingon ako sa lalaking biglang nagsalita sa hamba ng pinto. "Pete, let's go."
Nakasimangot na tumayo ang bata at lumapit Kay Adam. Pinandilatan naman ako ng mata ng binata bago lumisan habang karga ang bata. Nakasimangot akong tumingin sa vanity mirror na katabi ng aking kama. Messy hair. Dimwit.
Dali-dali akong bumangon at tumungo sa banyo. I took a quick bath and change myself to look presentable. I choose to wear a black pants and white see through long sleeves. I brushed my hair and put some eyeliner and lipstick. I don't need heavy make ups.
Pinulot ko ang sling bag na nasa mesang katabi ng aking kama at nagmamadaling lumabas ng silid. Habang naglalakad, doon ko na lamang napansin na wala pala akong sapin sa paa. Takte. Mariin kong pinikit ang aking mga mata at bumalik sa loob ng silid na nakasimangot.
I glance at my wrist watch and took a deep breath. Agad kong hinablot ang kulay puting converse shoes at sinuot.
"What took you so long?" Nakadekwatrong nakaupo si Adam sa sofa nang makarating ako sa sala.
"Where's Pete?" I brushed my hair using my fingers. "Let's go."
Hindi na nag-abalang sumagot si Adam at tumayo nalang. He headed to the door without looking at me. Okay? Anyare ba?
Nadatnan namin si Pete na abalang naglalaro sa kanyang tablet sa backseat. He glanced at me and continue playing on his gadget. Agad kong binuksan ang passenger seat's door.
"What happened?" I asked as soon as he starting maneuvering the car away from the building.
"Nothing." Huminga ito ng malalim at hinigpitan ang kapit sa steering wheel.
Sasagot pa sana ako nang biglang tumunog ang aking cellphone. Inis kong sinagot ang tawag na hindi nag-aabalang tingnan kung sino ang tumatawag.
"Yes?" I raised my left eyebrow as I leaned on my seat.
"Underground update." Tila naalarma ako nang marinig ang boses ni Spencer sa kabilang linya. "They are tailing you."
"What do you mean?" I gritted my teeth. They're following me? Where would they find guts to do that?!
"I don't know. Look, Spade. This is just my assumption." Mas lalong nangunot ang noo ko.
"Kindly state the motherfu—" I took a deep breath to reign my anger, tangina nandito ang anak ko. "State first how did you get into that kind of assumption."
I heard a deep breath before he answered me. "These past few days, wala nang paramdam ang Red Mafia. One of the gangster reapers said that the founder and the alliance are now in New York City. And my assumption is that, they are following you. But how?"
Nanatiling tikom ang aking bibig habang iniintindi ang kanyang mga sinasabi. I can clearly see Adam keep on glancing at me in my peripheral vision.
"I'll be turning on the radar of my writstwatch." I flicked my tongue to create a sound. "Send me all of the information you gathered from this so-called mafia through my email account."
"Roger."
Tumingin ako sa labas ng bintana. "I'll be sending my private choppers. Iwanan mo muna ibang kasamahan mo diyan. Bring the hacker with you."
"Affirmative." I heard him and I nod. I was about to end the call when he spoke again. "Who'll manage the underground?"
"Your remaining friends. Ipaayos mo ang pagpapatakbo kung ayaw nilang masampolan." I blew a loud breath. "I need to end this call. Take care."
"You should be the one to take care. The enemy is in your territory."
Napangisi ako sa kanyang sinabi bago pinatay ang tawag. I glanced at the side mirror and found Pete smiling from ear to ear.
"What was that?" Napalingon ako kay Adam nang magsalita ito.
"It's Spencer." I played my phone on my hand with a wide smirk plastered on my face. "Looks like I'll be enjoying my stay on this county."
"I know that kind of smirk." Seryosong sambit nito. "And I don't like it."
"Who says you should like it?" Hinawakan ko ang aking hikaw at pinindot ang munting bilog nito.
This earring helps me to be aware whenever there is something unpredictable to be happened. It always alarms me during times I'm all alone in business meetings and illegal transactions. Most of my business partners are bringing illegal firearms. Palagi kong sinusuot ang hikaw na ito. Para malaman ko kung kailan ako maghahanda.
A playful smirk was visible on my lips. Play with everything. But not when I'm with my son. Motherfuckers.