Chapter 26
"Sino pong hinahanap niyo?"
Magalang na tanong ni Ina sa mga taong nasa labas. Biglang kumabog ang puso niya, she has the same shape of nose and lips with the girl in front of her.
"Ina, my princess."
Both Kaiser and Ina was shocked upon hearing the man called her "my princess ".
Silence filled the spaces between them. Walang nagsa-salita maski isa sa kanila. Kaiser was the first one to break it.
"Nice to meet you again, Mr. Collin. How may we help you?"
"Yes, thank you for the kindness Mr. Kaiser. But, may i please talk to my dau-" tumikhim ito saka tiningnan si Ina. "To your wife?"
Ina has a hint. May nararamdaman na siya. And she won't play dumb for it.
"My wife is.. "
"Please get inside. Mr. Collin. Love, can you accompany the guests inside. I'll just talk with Mr. Collin at the garden." putol ni Ina sa anumang sasabihin ng asawa.
Makikita ang pagsilay ng lungkot sa mga mata ni Mr. Collin dahil sa tinuran ni Ina ngunit binalewala niya ito.
Pagkahatid nila sa mga kasama ni Mr. Collin, nagpatuloy silang dalawa sa paglalakad papuntang garden. Umupo sila sa isang bench doon na nakaharap sa mga kumpol-kumpol ng ibat-ibang bulaklak, mga puno, at iba pa. Madami ring mga ibon na naghuhuni rito. May isang maliit na tulay sa gitna ng garden na nagdudugtong dito sa isang puno sa kabilang bahagi ng garden. Isa itong malaking tree house. Samantalang, may umaagos na tubig sa ilalim ng tulay.
Pagkaupo nila, Pinakiramdaman ni Ina ang paligid. Pumikit siya saka marahang itinaas ang ulo para tumingala. It's past 10 am at hindi naman masyadong mainit ang sikat ng araw dahil na rin sa mga puno sa paligid.
Tahimik rin si Mr. Collin habang tinitingnan ang kagandahan ng view sa harapan niya.
Pagkalipas ng ilang segundo, nagsalita si Mr. Collin.
"You've finally get back here. How's your.." lumiit ang boses ni Mr. Collin. Parang may nakaharang sa lalamunan niya na hindi niya maituloy ang gustong sabihin.
"My life?.. Well.. It's pretty good.. " tumango si Ina saka iminulat ang mata at tumingin sa mga mata ng kausap. "Much better than my past life when I'm still not married." ibinalik niya ang tingin sa mga bulaklak.
"Ina, I.. I don't have any excuses why you are in this situation. But, my princess.. Can you please listen to your Papa's explanation?" pagsusumamo sa kanya ng kausap.
My princess. Papa? hinawakan niya ang bandang kinalalagyan ng puso dahil sa bahagyang pagkirot nito. Nag-aalalang napatingin naman sa kanya si Mr. Collin.
"I'm okay..."
"Are you sure."
Inayos ni Ina ang pagkakaupo. Hindi niya na mapigilan ang sarili na magtanong kaya sinimulan na niya.
"Can I please ask you a question?" bahgyang tumango naman ito.
"Since when did you know about my existence?"
Tumingin din pabalik sa mga harapan si Mr. Collin. "When your mother is pregnant with you for 8 months."
Napasinghap si Ina. Hindi siya makapaniwala rito. "8 months? You still had the chance to.. to.. take at least a little bit of time to h-help my mother. B-but, what have you done? After you impregnated her? You don't have any plans on taking a responsibility? How can you leave a pregnant woman alone?" asik ni Ina.
"Ina my princess.. Please listen to Papa first."
"H-how can you leave her alone? In that state of her? She's sick and alone. And she's bearing your child. (sob)." tiningnan niya sa mga mata ang ama. "Yet you leaved her. Alone."
"Please hear my explanations first. I know your angry at me. But, hear me first."
"I'm not angry. I'm just disappointed.. I don't have any rights to be mad. I know where to place ourselves. But, given the situation, you could have do something for her."
"I tried.. Many times. I begged her. I even knelled down on your mother. But, she won't let me." may pait at hinanakit sa boses ng ama habang sinsabi ito.
"Katrina hide her pregnancy to me. If i didn't get a call from her 9 months after she broke up with me and stood me up on our wedding day, I would never learn about you."
"W-wedding? What do you mean wedding? I thought she was a mistress?"
Maging si Mr. Collin ay nagulat. "What mistress? Your mother? She's not. Who told you that iha?"
"My mom... I mean.. My aunt Kiara."
"Don't believe her my princess. Your mother has never been a mistress."
"Then, why are you not with her during her pregnancy?"
Her father sighed. Then start reminiscing the past. "Our relationship is a whirlwind one."
FLASHBACK
Naglalakad ng nakapaa si Katrina sa dalampasigan. She woke up early and instead of jogging for her exercise, she choosed to walk at the seashore and enjoy the breezy wind. Bahagyang lumilipad ang suot niyang dress dahil sa lakas ng hangin. Nakahawak pa siya sa sumbrero niya. But, the strong blow of the wind calm her.
It's her 2nd day staying at this resort. It's a hidden resort actually. Only for those who wants to spend their vacation alone. Before reaching the resort, you have to ride a public transportation like jeeps, bus or tricycle for 2 hours. Then, someone from the resort will pick you at the terminal and will take you to the resort via tricycle for 1 hour. After that, you have to walk for 30 minutes again to reach the place. Vehicles are not allowed. For eco-friendly reason.
Nagpunta siya sa resort to get some rest. She wanted to clear her head. 1 year ng patay ang both parents niya because of an accident. Ang nakatatanda niyang kapatid na 3 years ang agwat nila ay may sarili na ring pamilya at malapit na ding manganak. So basically, she's alone. Nakapangalan sa kanya ang ilang ari-arian ng magulang, she also has the biggest share with their company. Kilala din siya sa fashion industry because of her profession as a well-known designer. But, none of it makes her happy. Not even a single thing of it. May taning na ang buhay niya. Nakasalalay na lang siya sa mga gamot na inirerekomenda sa kaniya ng kaibigan niyang cardiologist. She wanted to end her life quickly but she knows it's a sin. 2 years ago ng malaman na niya ang kondisyon at todo alaga sa kaniya ang mga magulang niya until their last moment, kapakanan pa rin ni Katherine ang iniisip nila. She's just 24 and young. Pero bakit siya ang may sakit? Mabigat ang damdamin niya kaya pinili niyang magpunta sa resort na yun.
Hindi pa lumalabas ang araw, dahil alas-singko pa lang. Nagpatuloy siya sa paglalakad. Hanggang sa umupo siya sa isang malaking bato na mejo nakalusob sa tubig. Ang nag-sisilbing wall ng resort sa katabing resort ay mga bato na pinasadyang pagpatung-patongin at mga punong itinanim dito.
Ibinaba ni Katrina ang mga paa at tuluyan na itong nabasa. Napangiti siya sa lamig na naramdaman saka pumikit at tumingala sa kalangitan. Itinukod niya ang magkabilang kamay sa magkabilang gilid. Sobrang gandang pakinggan ang tunog ng mga alon at ng simoy ng hangin. She's even humming para sabayan ito. Then all of a sudden, may sumagi sa paa niya kaya agad niyang naimulat ang mata saka nahila pataas ang mga paa. Isang babasaging bote ng branded na inumin pala ito. At may nakalagay sa loob na parang isang maliit na papel.
Katrina chuckled as she picked it up.
"So childish." wika niya sa sarili.
Tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo saka balak umaksyon para ihagis ulit ang bote. Pero nagdalawang isip siya. To might as well read it before throwing it out to the sea again. She was about to open it when a man suddenly came from somewhere then warn her.
"If you're going to open it, then be sure to fulfill the wish inside."
She was shocked to hear someone behind her, and that made her fall. Nahulog siya mula sa kinatatayuan. Napasigaw pa siya nang dahil dito. Nang tuluyan na siyang mahulog, hindi niya namalayan na nahila siya ng alon. She's not afraid of the water, but she's afraid of drowning. Especially because she can't swim.
The man was taken aback because of what happened. Nang makita niyang biglang nawala ang babae at napasama sa alon, hindi siya nagdalawang isip na lumusong sa tubig para iligtas ito. Nang tuluyan na niyang maiahon ang dalaga, Inihiga niya ito. Habang patuloy naman sa pag-habol ng hininga ang dalaga dahil sa nangyari. Mabuti na lang naging mabilis ang binata sa pagligtas sa kanya kaya hindi siya tuluyang nawalan ng malay.
Hawak-hawak ni Katrina ang dibdib saka pinipilit pa rin habulin ang hininga. Kinakapos na siya sa hangin ng dahil sa nangyari. At dahil sa nakikita, nag-alala ang binata.
"Miss, are you alright? Come here, I'll bring you to the clinic." saka inilahad ng binata ang kamay kay Katrina para alalayan siya. Walang lakas na kinuha ito ni Katherine saka nagbakasaling tumayo. Pero biglang nawalan na siya ng lakas at tuluyang nawalan ng malay. Nasalo naman ito ng binata. Kaya't binuhat niya ito saka agad na tumakbo papuntang clinic. Mejo natagalan pa ang nurse na naka-assign dito dahil masyadong maaga at ginising pa muna ng isang staff ng resort.
Hindi mapakali ang binata at makailang ulit na nagpapabalik-balik sa nurse para itanong kung anong nangyari sa dalaga. Dahil 5 oras na itong tulog. Pinayuhan lamang siya ng nurse na maghintay dahil kung magkakaroon man ng problema meron namang ambulance na handang lumarga para sa kanila.
Hinawi niya ang kurtina na nagsisilbing divider ng mga kama. Saka umupo sa isang stool katabi ng kamang kinahibigaan ng dalaga.
Alam niyang mag-isa lang ang dalaga dahil ang resort na ito ay hindi tumatanggap ng guests na couple or pamilya. Pinasadya ito para sa isahang bisita lang. And he's also there for the same reason. To be alone.
Tinitigan niya ang dalaga. She has a smooth caramel skin, long chocolate brown waivy hair that almost reaches her waist. She has a plump pouty lips and a small button nose. She also got the perfect curves.
And while staring at her, hindi namalayan ng binata ang pagbukas ng mata ni Katherine.
"Who are you? Why are you here?"
Napatanga ang binata sa dalaga. She has a chinky honey colored eyes. He was mesmerized that he was not able to answer until Katherine asked him again.
"Excuse me? Mr.. Uhmm.. Who are you?"
Ipinilig ng binata ang ulo saka ngumiti at sumagot.
"I'm Collin Zavaroni." inilahad niya ang kamay kay Katherine. Tinanggap naman niya ito.
"Katrina Alvarez. Btw, uhmm.. How long have i been sleeping?"
"About six hours. The nurse told me that because of the drowning incident. You lost consciousness. are you feeling better now?"
Ginamit ni Katrina ang lakas para bumangon mula sa pagkakahiga na inalalayan naman ni Collin kaagad.
"Here let me help you. May gusto ka bang inumin? Water? Tell me."
"No.. I'm okay." tanggi ni Katrina. "Wait, you can speak Tagalog?" gulat na tanong pa niya.
"Yes.. It's not my language but I wanted to learned it somehow." ngiti sa kanya ni Collin. Tinanguan naman ito ni Katherine.
"I'm really sorry about what happened. I didn't mean to scare you like that"
"It's alright. Nagulat lang ako kasi di ko ini-expect na may tao sa likod ko. Sayo ba ung bote?"
Tumango naman si Collin.
"Still, am sorry. You almost drowned because of me."
"Forgiven. And Thank you. For saving me."
Katrina smile at him. And so Collin.
End of flashback
"what happened after that?" Ina is keeping her cold expression.
"we decided to stay there for 2 weeks more. We became friends to lovers. I... I even proposed to your mother. She said yes.. But on the day of our wedding. A civil wedding to be exact, she.. She didn't showed up. And i haven't seen her for the next 9 months."
"Mom, run away? But, why? She said yes to your proposal but she left? For what reason?" naguguluhang tanong ni Ina.
"On the day of our supposed to be wedding day, she found out the reason I stayed here at the Philippines. I was engaged to my current wife. I left home and came at this country."
"You left home? Pero bakit po? You said you're engaged?"
"It's an arranged marriage. But, she was my ex. And i didn't know that she was bearing my child also. That she's 5 months pregnant. I haven't seen her because our parents wanted us to marry as soon as possible because she's pregnant. And they're about to tell me on the engagement party. But i left. And i happened to meet your mother. I fell for her."
Mr. Collin sighed. Upon reminiscing the past
"I looked for your mother. But, i can't find her no matter how hard i tried. I don't even know her address, her phone number or whatever it is. She just vanished like a ghost. When i meet my friend from the NBI, I planned to ask for his help for finding Katherine. But, my parents found me. And told me about Camille's situation. That she's pregnant."
"I had no choice but to go back at France. I was by her side until she bore my first child. But, we didn't get married. I explained to her. That I wanted to find Katrina. I know i was a bad person for thinking of another woman when Camille was there and the one who bore my child. But, i was desperate and inloved with your mother. Then, another 5 months has passed. Katrina called me."
"We met. And imagine my shocked that moment. I teared up. She was pregnant. Nangangayayat siya... She looks so weak and I couldn't even do a thing but to hug her and ask for an explanation."
"We talked. She confessed to me about how she's sick. And she was pregnant with my child. I was mad at her.. Why did she hide it from me? Why is she sure that she's dying? She told me that she's going to left you at your aunt's care. She told me about her plans."
Mr. Collin looked at Ina. Nangungusap ang mga mata nito.
"What did you do? Did.. Did you agree?" bakas at garagal ang boses ni Ina. Nalulungkot siya. Masakit isipin na ganun ang naging decision ng kanyang mama. Pero naiintindihan din naman niya ito.
"I begged.. I begged her... I kneeled down and asked her. That I want to marry her. I want her to be my only wife. But, she declined. She doesn't want to be unfair. She wants me to marry Camille. She even reasoned out that she's sick. That she's dying. And she doesn't want me to be alone."
Pinahid ni Ina ang luhang pumatak mula sa kanyang mga mata. Naiisip pa lang niya kung paanong naging matapang ang mama niya para manindigan sa decision niya. Sobrang awa at lungkot ang nararamdaman niya. Inabutan siya ni Mr. Collin ng panyo. Tinanggap naman niya ito saka ipinahid sa mga mata.
"no matter how hard i begged her. She doesn't want to. I told her I want to take you. Then, she begged me, she don't want you to think that your a child out of wedlock. I was hurt, I cried to her. But she's so determined about her decision. She begged me not to force you to know about this. She made me promised that I can let you know about this if only you're married."
"Then she bore you, I was there at hospital. I witnessed how she gave birth to you. How she lovingly kiss you. And how she died. God knows, how much I wanted to begged the doctor to revive her, but I can't. She sign a document that says she doesn't want to be revive the moment her heart stop beating. Then I saw your aunt pick you at the hospital. I also attended the funeral of your mother. When she died, I was lost. I began drinking. I neglected my responsibility to you, Camille and my son. Until one day, I dreamed about Kristina. She wants me to look after you. She wants me to be happy. And, lastly she wants me to proudly present myself to you as your father. That's when I began my life again. And I also married Camille. But, I was always keeping you in surveillance. I attended every event in your school, every occasions, every celebration and on your wedding day. That's why you're always receiving the gifts."
Ilang sandali pa ang lumipas at kapwa silang tahimik. Ina is still processing her father's explanation. She has some doubts, but she don't want to be unfair too. She looked at her biological father.
"last questions, Why didn't you take me, when my aunt was ruining my life? When they're giving me a hard time living with them? When they sold me off to marry?"
"Because I love your mother. I can't ruin my promise to her. I respect her decisions. And regarding your husband, I already know him."
"You know him?"
"Yes, I know what kind of a man he is both in the business world and to you. I know how he watches you from afar. How he keeps on checking on you even after you run away from home. I was planning to destroy your aunt's businesses because of their greed ambition and their plans about you, But, your husband take actions faster that I missed the chance. I would have save you from your marriage but I know him. I know how kind and good he is. At ayaw din kitang pangunahan sa decision mo. I have a spy at your aunt's house and she's telling me all what's happening there. And that includes your decision about the marriage."
Natahimik panandalian si Ina, hind niya ini-expect ang mga narinig. Hindi niya lubos akalain na may malaking sekretong tinatago ang buhay niya. She was shocked and hurt at the same time.
But she knows one thing. During the times she's alone, broken and hurt. She was not alone at all. She has her husband and father that always watch and protecting her.
AN:
PS. may special chapter ung parents ni Ina sa last chapter ng story na ito. Para mas maintindihan niyo ung kwento nila.. Baka kasi may maguluhan dun sa order ng pagbubuntis ng mother ni Ina tsaka ng asawa ng father niya.