Nathaniel Craig Juariz
It's been two days since we last saw dad's ex-lover. Tumawag ito noong nakaraang araw para ipaalam nandito na sila sa Manila. Tomorrow will be his last day here in Manila and I've already set up their meeting.
Pero ayokong ituloy ang plano hanggat hindi ko ito naipapaalam kay mom. She deserves to know what might happen tomorrow. She is my mom and she deserves to know what I really wanted but it's upto her if she accepts it or nah.
It's already past 9 in the evening ng puntahan ko ito sa rooftop na paborito nitong lugar dito sa mansion.
"Ma." Pagtawag ko sa kanyang pansin. I found her staring blankly into space while drinking from her wine glass.
Hindi yata ako nito napansin dahil hindi man lang niya ako tinapunan ng tingin. I walked to her table and sat in front of her. Ibinaba nito ang kanyang wine glass at tumingin ito sakin. A smile appeared on her face.
"Ginabi ka yata, nak? Why are you here, you should be sleeping now. Pagod ka sa trabaho." She said, I got a cup of wine from the table and poured myself some wine.
Ininom ko 'yon at tumingin rin sa kawalan. This is it. I gathered all of my courage and face her.
"Mom, I want to marry Austine." Panimula ko. "I am planning to get him back and protect him but I need dad's approval or atleast his help."
Hindi ito nagsalita at sa halip ay nagsalin ng alak sa kanyang kopa. She drank it silently. She stared at me calmly and I can't predict what's going on in her mind. I would be lying kung sasabihin kong hindi ako kinakabahan. No matter how much I tried to make myself believe that I wouldn't get affected, it will not change the truth that I am my mother's son and whatever her judgement will be will become a burden in my heart.
"Nathaniel, ever since you were little suportado ko ang lahat ng gusto niyong gawin sa buhay niyo but I don't have much authority to oppose your father. I really can't help you much. I know Austine is a good man but if I didn't do that hindi lang kayong dalawa ang mahihirapan. Marami ang pahihirapan ng papa niyo." My mom's voice was calm but there's a hint of sadness and regret. I didn't detest my mom for sending Austine away because I'm just the same as her.
"But dad loves you, ma. Isn't that enough reason for him to hear you out and your opinion about this situation? You're supposedly dad's soft spot."
Umiling-iling ito na para bang may sinabi akong kabaliwan. I even saw a tear escape from her eyes na mabilis nitong pinunasan.
"I think you know why, Nate. I know you've met Christian Balbueno already." She smiled at me. The kind of smile she always give us everytime she caught us red-handed.
"Me and your dad, we're forced in this marriage. Pareho kaming nahulog sa mga patibong ng mga magulang namin. Inipit kami ng mga magulang namin and no matter how much we try to resist we just keep on getting hurt. Hindi lang kami ang nasasaktan, Nate. The people we loved got hurt more than us." Nag-uunahang nagsilabasan ang mga luha ni mama.
Seeing her cry broke my heart. My mother's tears is my weakness. Minsan lang itong umiyak sa harapan namin. I stood up and reached her place. Umupo ako sa tabi nito at ikinulong siya sa aking bisig. Ilang minuto rin itong nanatili sa mga yakap ko habang umiiyak.
"I got married secretly to my first love bago ako nabuntis ng papa mo." Kumawala ito sa bisig ko at tipid na ngumite sa kawalan.
"To whom mom?"
"His name is Martin. Dati namin itong driver at security guard. Masipag ito at scholar pa sa school ng pamilya ng dad niyo. Sikreto lang ang aming relasyon dahil masyadong mapang mataas ang lolo at lola niyo. We got married when I was in my second year of college ng mabuntis ako. Sikreto kaming nagpakasal noong lunch break namin." Mahina siyang tumawa at nilaro ang hawak-hawak na wine glass. "It was the most scary, exciting and happiest moment in my life. The thought of getting married and creating a family with someone you love is surreal. I felt like I was on cloud nine kahit na sobrang kaba ang nararamdaman ko habang nagpapakasal kami sa huwes. Kinagabihan nun ay nagtanan kami. I was willing to live a poor life basta kasama ko lang siya. Pumunta kami sa isang bundok somewhere in Cebu at nanirahan malapit sa kuta ng mga rebelde. It was risky but it was worth it. Pero nahuli kami ng lolo at lola mo noong kabuwanan ko. They brought us back here in Manila at dito ako nanganak sa...ate mo. Akala ko tanggap na kami ng parents ko kasi pinatira nila kami sa bahay and they even bought things for our baby. Pero akala ko lang pala 'yon lahat." Muli na namang naiyak si mama.
I was left frozen in my seat. I could not speak or think properly about my mom's confession.
"Your ate's name is Nathalie Marie, Nate. She's the most beautiful angel I have seen, kuhang-kuha nito ang magandang mata at labi ng ama niya." There was longing in my mom's eyes. "Palihim na inasikaso ng lolo Nathaniel mo ang pagpapawalang bisa ng kasal namin ni Martin. One night, I woke up seeing my husband with my daughter being shooed away from that hell. Itinaboy nila ang mag-ama ko na para bang mga langaw. Rinig na rinig ko kong paano nila minaliit ang asawa ko. Sinubukan kong sumama sa kanila pero nakatutok sa kanila ang maraming baril at espada. My dad is willing to kill my husband and my daughter. Pinili kong manatili nalang sa kanila kesa masaktan ang mag-ama ko."
I wiped my mom's tears. She looks so devastated. Nagpapasalamat ako na namatay na ang tatlong gurang na 'yon. My dad's father and my mother's parents are a bunch of power-hungry, control freaks. We had our fair share of shitty moments with them but I guess Jonas had quite a lot of bullshits from them. Iyon siguro ang dahilan ng ugali nito and I couldn't even imagine what we'd become if Jonas didn't step in and took the spotlight.
"After I had Jonas, tinulungan pa ako nila Allistain at Christian na makapunta sa mag-ama ko. I had a hard time getting back on their life but it was always worth it. But after a few months they nahanap nila ako. Nilason nila ang ate mo. Sinubukan kong humingi ng tulong sa dad mo at kay Christian pero iniipit din sila ng papa ni Allistain. I had no choice but to go home and kneel in front of them. Ipinagamot nila ang anak ko kapalit ng kalayaan ko. If being with my husband and daughter means death for them then I'd rather suffer forever. I betrayed Christian and Allistain. Muli akong nagpabuntis kay Allistain para pakasalan niya ako. Iyon ang kapalit ng buhay ng mag-ama ko. Almost 7 years have passed tumawag sa amin si Christian and he was asking for Allistain's help. My parents were threatened at muli nila akong tinakot sa kaligtasan ng mag-ama ko. I was pregnant with Francis that time. Tinakot ko ang ama mo na ipapalaglag ko si Francis kapag tinulungan niya si Christian. I was willing to die kapag namatay ang mag-ama ko." Mariin itong napapikit at hinilot ang kanyang noo.
"Ma, I think it's time for you to rest. Let's go, ihahatid kita sa kwarto mo. Bukas ko nalang sasabihin sa iyo." Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo ko at inalalayan ito sa pagtayo. I wrapped my suit around her at marahang inakbayan.
Bigla itong nagsalita habang pababa kami papunta sa kwarto niya.
"Malaki ang kasalanan ko kay Christian at Allistain. You don't have to worry too much about my feelings towards their meeting tomorrow, anak. They deserve to meet and catch up with each other." I stopped and kissed my mother's temple. My mom may sound selfish but I think she's just being a mother and wife to her first family.
"You deserve everything too, ma. You deserve to meet your former husband and my sister."
"May bago na silang pamilya, Nate. I'm no longer welcome in their life."
Nasa harapan na kami ng kanilang kwarto at nakapasok na ito doon.
"Goodnight, anak. 'Wag mo sanang isipin na hindi ko kayo mahal. Mahal na mahal namin kayo ng dad niyo. I love you, Nate."
"I love you too, mom. Goodnight and sweet dreams." She gave me a sweet smile bago niya isinara ang pinto.
You're still welcome in their life, mom. Hahanapin ko sila at tatanggapin ka nila whether they like it or not. You sacrificed a lot for them, karapatan mong maging parte ng buhay nila.
Bago ako dumiretso sa kwarto ko dumaan muna ako sa kwarto ni Noah para icheck kung maayos ba ang kalagayan nito. Baka patayin ako ni Austine kapag pinabayaan ko ang anak namin. After checking him up,pagod at parang binugbog ang katawan kong pumasok ng sariling kwarto.
Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko ng madatnan ang isang di kaaya-ayang tanawin. Dyna's sitting lewdly on my bed and I could smell something different in my room. I couldn't point it out but it's making my skin uncomfortable.
"What the fuck are you doing here, Ms. Wang?" I asked her flatly. She smiled shyly at me at dahan-dahang naglakad papunta sa akin.
Inayos pa nito sa harapan ko ang strap ng kanyang see-through red lingerie. My eyes went down to her full chest at hindi ko maiwasang maisip si Austine. I read a book about a carrier's pregnancy and one topic made me smirk like a shit. Carriers can grow their boobs and lactate for almost a year as a survival mechanism for their children.
"You look so tired, Nate. I just want to offer some....help. I'm good with nassage." She ran her fingers up and down my chest slowly unbottoning my white long-sleeved polo.
I stared at her face na ninakaw nito kay Diana. Diana doesn't deserve to be disrespected like this. Walang karapatan ang babaeng ito na gamitin ang pagmumukha ni Diana sa mga kahayupan niya sa buhay.
I grabbed her arms and pinned her on the wall. I lowered my face para magpantay ang mga mukha namin at mas lalong idiniin ang katawan ko sa kanya.
She was staring back at me with her half-closed eyes. She's obviously waiting for me to make a move on her. If I'm not committed to Austine...hindi pa rin ako magkakamaling pumatol sa babaeng ito. I have better options than this bitch in front of me.
Nilapit ko ang bibig ko sa kanyang leeg at marahas iyong kinagat. I bit her hard.
"A-Aray! N-Nathan m-masakit!" Iyak niya.
"Mmm.." Ungol ko habang hinalik-halikan ang kanyang balat papunta sa kanya tenga. I bit her ears and then licked it.
"You kinda look hot but I don't fuck criminals. I put them in jail." Bulong ko dito bago ko inilayo ang sarili sa kanya. "Get out of my room." I ordered harshly.
"W-what do you mean, Nathan? You were feeling it awhile ago!" Pagmamaktol nito. May gana pa itong hawakan ang braso ko.
Fuxk, I'm feeling dizzy.
Muli kong naalala ang kakaibang amoy na nalanghap ko kanina pagpasok ko dito.
"You know what I mean, Dyna! GET THE FVCK OUT OF MY ROOM. NOW!" Dumagundong ang boses ko sa buong kwarto. I don't care if Ian or Francis wakes up. Kaunti nalang ang kulang at masasapak ko na talaga ang babaeng 'to.
"No! No! NO!" Ang matigas nitong sigaw at parang batang umupo sa sahig.
The hell? May sira na talaga sa utak ang babaeng 'to.
She hugged my knees and tried to unzip my pants but I tear her hands off from me at kinaladkad ito palabas ng aking kwarto.
"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME, NATHAN! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!" Ang malakas niyang sigaw pero hindi ko ito pinansin. I'm not feeling good and I think I'd pass out any moment.
Pabagsak kong isinara ang pinto sa kanyang mukha at isinara ito mula sa loob. Tinakbo ko ang bathroom at inilubog ang katawan sa bathtub. My body's feeling so hot and itchy at sa tingin ko ay aphrodisiac candle ang nalanghap ko kanina.
"Damn it." Ang huli kong bulong bago ako tuluyang napapikit.
Nagising ako na nakababad pa rin ang katawan sa bathtub. Mabuti nalang at hindi ako nalunod. Tiningnan ko ang water-proof kong relos at nakitang pasado alas dos na ng umaga. I got out of the bath and dried myself off.
Hindi na ako nag-abala pang magpalit ng damit dahil mas komportable naman akong natutulog na walang saplot. Nakita ko ang isang cup na may lamang kandila sa ibabaw ng side table ko. Kinuha ko ito at malakas na itinapon sa dingding. Fuck that bitch.
Inihiga ko ang sarili sa kama at kinuha ang aking cellphone. Idenial ko doon ang numero ni Austine at sinubukang tawagin. I miss that idiot so much and I can't wait to have him in my arms again.
I'm not really expecting for him to answer my calls but there's a little hope in my heart.
"Hello?! Ano ba naman kya alas dos pa oh? Wit nga akong order sa shoppee! Stress Bernal na ako sa iyo kuya ha. Ke aga-aga nambwi-bwiset ka." Ang talak nito sa kabilang linya kaya hindi ko mapigilang matawa ng mahina. Damn, I can even imagine the face he's making right now.
"I love you. Wag kang magkakamaling pumatol sa panglalandi ng pangit niyong kapit-bahay." Ang sabi ko dito bago ko pinatay ang tawag at natulog.
-
Hindi ako mapakali sa opisina ko habang hinihintay ang tawag ni Francis. Kung hindi pa ako pinilit ni Roan na pumasok ngayon araw ay baka tumakbo na ako sa kompanya ni Francis at doon hinintay si Dad at Christian.
"Sir, Mr. Axel Juariz wants to talk to you." Ang sabi ni Roan dahilan para mapatigil ako sa ginagawang pagpindot sa ballpen ko.
"Bakit ikaw ang tinawagan niya?" Ang nagtataka kong tanong dito. I know they're close friends pero hindi ba't dapat ako ang tinawagan ng kolokoy na 'to?
"What's the matter?" Tanong ko dito matapos ibigay sa akin ni Roan ang cellphone niya.
"We're here. Christian Balbueno and his son. When are you coming?" Tanong niya sa akin. Seninyasan ko si Roan na ipakita sa akin ang schedule ko ngayong hapon. He placed an ipad infront of my eyes showing my remaining schedule.
"Papunta na ako and can you stop bothering my secretary? May sarili akong cellphone for personal use." Sermon ko dito.
"Nakakasira kasi ng mood ang boses mo. Anyway, bilisan mo nalang diyan dahil sabi ni Jonas malapit na raw sila ni dad.Bye."Ang sabi niya bago pinutol ang tawag.
Isinauli ko kay Roan ang cellphone niya at inayos ang suot-suot kong suit. "Roan, adjust my schedule for today. Resched the rest of my remaining meetings." Utos ko dito bago dinampot ang susi ng sasakyan ko.
Inabot ako ng halos isang oras papunta sa magiging meeting place nila dad at Christian dahil sa tindi ng traffic. Sa katabing hotel kasi ng company building ni Francis ito gaganapin. Mabuti nalang at wala pa sila Jonas pagdating ko. Kasabay ko lang ding dumating si Ian.
"Hoy, Ian, nagdala ka ba ng emergency kit? Baka atakihin si dad mamaya." Untag ko dito dahil muntikan na itong masubsob sa sahih ng elevator. Puyat na puyat ang mukha nito.
"Yes. Yes. Yes, sir. Ang bossy mong gago ka. Ang sarap mong sapakin."
"Tumahimik ka gago at baka ipasara ko 'yang ospital niyo."
Nanlaki ang mata nito. Bigla itong nabuhay mula sa pagkakaantok at malakas akong sinuntok sa braso.
"Hoy gago! Ospital mo rin 'yon."
Tumawa lang ako dito. Asa naman siyang ipapasara ko 'yon. The money I'm receiving from that hospital is quite a lot.
Malalaking hakbang ang ginawa namin ni Ian papunta sa event room ng hotel. Pagpasok namin doon, nadatnan namin si Axel, Christian and a stranger. Probably, Ethan.
"Tito." Ngumite ako dito at yumakap ganoon rin ang ginawa ni Ian.
"By the way mga anak this is my son Ethan. Ethan, these are Ian and Nathan. They are my friend's children." Lumapit ito sa amin at nakipag kamay. Ethan looks like a cool kid. He has the same aura as Francis and Ian. He looks younger than me though. He's might be around the same age as Francis.
"It's nice to meet you, bro."
Lumapit sa amin si Axel at ipinakita ang screen ng cellphone niya. May litrato itong blurred naman.
"What?" Takang tanong ko.
"Nandito na sila Dad, Jonas at Francis. Let's move to the next room." Sabi niya sa amin. Nagpaalam muna kami kay tito at sinama naman namin sa labas ang anak nitong si Ethan.
"Nathaniel Craig, Axel Zein, Alaric Ian. Bakit kayo nandito at sino 'yang kasama niyo?" Napatigil kaming lahat ng makasalubong namin si dad.
"Dad, you're here. Tinawag kasi kami ni Francis. He told us someone is going to invest in our company. I just came to take a look since his records are quite questionnable. He looks reliable though." Palusot ko dito.
"I see. Bakit hindi niyo ako samahan sa loob?"
"I have to decline, dad. Hindi pa kasi natatapos ang problema ko sa isang cancer patient. I just came to take a look as well." Kanya-kanya kaming tanggi tatlo sa suhestyon ni dad.
"Okay. I'm going in. Let's just see each other at home." Aniya at naglakad kasunod nila Francis at Jonas.
"Let's go. The show's about to start." Aya ni Axel sa amin at ipinagpatuloy ang paglalakad patungo sa katabing kwarto ng pinanggalingan namin.
Damn, this is it.
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Hi guyses! Sorry sa mga typos edit ko nalang pagkatapos kong macomplete ito. Yon lang. Labyu ol! Mwuah mwuah! Ciao! ❤