Kabanata 25
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Royce agreed. He has to finish some things so he waited in a cafe near the spa. Pagkatapos ko roon, at kapag tapos na siya sa ginagawa niya, sabay na kaming pupunta sa restaurant sa malapit para makausap si Mama at Papa.
I stepped into a hot bath. My appointment is this three-hour relaxing spa, body scrub, and manicure and pedicure. Then an hour or so for my hair.
May tao na sa loob ng sauna. Sanay na naman ako dahil ganito naman dito madalas. I didn't really mind until I realized who was it. Tumayo si Lavender at umambang aalis na. I sighed and felt relieved. Pero nang nakita niya ako, bigla siyang naupo muli at bumalik.
Nagkatinginan kami. Wala ako sa mood para makipagplastikan sa kanya. I'm here to relax because later, I will be in a roller coaster emotions and yet she's here.
She smirked. It annoyed me. Hindi naman talaga ako mabait pero hindi ko siya uunahan sa kung ano mang nasa isip niya.
"I'm surprised you have time to relax right now."
I gritted my teeth. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin pero may pakiramdam akong alam niya ang tungkol sa mangyayari mamaya.
"Ako, I have all the time. I'm even elated these past few days kaya I like relaxing and all that-"
"Talaga? Nagre-relax ka sa lagay na 'to? I didn't know that relaxing meant shit talking?" iritado kong sinabi.
Hindi ko nga lang pinahalata ang iritasyon ko. I smirked when I saw her smile fading. She was taller than me. Tanging tuwalya lang ang saplot naming dalawa at kami lang ang tao roon. Hindi ko iniisip na bayolente siyang tao, lalo na dahil may iniingatan siyang pangalan. Pero kung lalala man 'tong lagay naming dalawa, the best I can do to protect myself is to push her away and fucking run. She's tall but she doesn't look sporty so...
"Don't be so cocky. I know what's up with you..." she smirked.
Kahit madilim, kita ko ang mga butil ng pawis sa kanyang dibdib. She should be done with her sauna now but she doesn't wanna go. Talagang sinasadya na magtagal para lang mabwisit ako ng ganito.
"Sige, what's up with me?" hamon ko.
She smirked more. "I know you've fallen in love with Royce."
Tinitigan ko siya. My grin is still on my lips. Nang nakita niyang walang nagbago sa ekspresyon ko, ngumisi siya lalo.
"I don't blame you. He's damn attractive, right?"
"Ako ba talaga o baka naman ang sarili mo ang tinutukoy mo?"
She snorted. "We're lovers, Sky. So it's a given for both of us."
What the hell?
Nakita niya siguro ang pagbabago sa mukha ko kaya lalo siyang ngumisi.
"Kaya kung ako sa'yo, huwag mo nang ipilit ang sarili mo. His drive to put everything in place when it comes to his career always outweighs his feelings. Kaya nga pinagbigyan ko na siya na magpakasal muna sa'yo."
What?
She's lying, right?
Sila ni Royce? Kaya ba alam niya ang mga plano nito? Somehow it makes sense that she knew about his plans, and that they're together. But isn't it fucked up that they both agreed to this. At na mag-asawa kami ni Royce ngayon tapos may nangyayari pa sa amin?
Nanlamig ako habang naiisip iyon. This isn't right. She knew that she affected me so she smiled more.
"Pinahiram ko lang siya kaya huwag mo nang ipilit ang sarili mo."
"Ipilit ang sarili ko? Do you know what will happen tonight? My father will talk to him about our divorce because I asked him to. I wanted to get rid of Royce kaya sa'yong sa'yo na siya."
Tumayo ako kahit hindi pa tapos. Hindi ko na kayang manatili roon. Hinawakan niya ako sa braso. That's when I wanted to flip out. Ayaw kong hinahawakan ako ng kahit sino. Lalo na siya.
I pulled my arm away from her hand. Mapilit siya at mahigpit ang hawak niya kaya mariin kong hinawakan ang kamay niya para alisin iiyon mismo sa braso ko.
"Ouch!" she screamed and looked at the back of her hand.
"What, Attorney? Kakasuhan mo ako?" hamon ko.
She was fuming mad but she didn't do anything anymore.
"Tell Royce to hurry up and divorce me. I can't wait for him to leave the country."
Hindi na ako naghintay ng kung ano pa mang sasabihin niya. I walked out but I heard her words clearly.
"You really think he's loyal to your father? Think again. Once he's outside of the country, he'll leave your company. At doon na babagsak si Brandon Rockwell..."
Natigil ako saglit. Nilingon ko siya. She paled when I looked at her. I opened my mouth to speak. Hindi ko nga lang tinuloy. Imbes ay padabog kong sinarado ang pintuan ng sauna room at dumiretso na sa silid ko.
Matagal bago ko naproseso ang sinabi niya. At base sa pamumutla niya pagkatapos sabihin ang huling sinabi, it feels like she's not meant to say it. It was as supposed to be a secret.
Once he's outside the country, he'll leave our company and work where? Namilog ang mga mata ko nang naisip ang mga malalaking kalabang hoteliers ni Papa.
Did he have an offer? Hindi nga naman imposible iyon. He is a big catch given his credentials. If someone has offered him a better position in another company, then it makes sense.
At babagsak si Brandon Rockwell? What does that bitch mean?
Hindi ko na ulit nakita si Lavender sa spa. Hindi rin ako nakapagrelax na dahil sa dami ng iniisip ko.
My phone beeped and I wanted to curse when I read Royce's name on it. How dare him!
Royce:
Text me when you're done. I'm done so I can wait for you in the lobby.
Hindi ako makahinga ng maayos habang nagtitipa ng reply.
Pabagsakin si Brandon Rockwell? At hindi naman talaga siya loyal kay Papa? Ibig ba noong sabihin, may masama silang binabalak sa kompanya namin? O kay Papa?
How dare you, Royce!
It was my father who created his name. It was my father who helped him. Maaaring magaling nga naman siya at nagkataon lang na kay Papa siya nagtrabaho, but it was my father who gave him opportunities. It was my father who believed in him and he deserved his loyalty... or at least his respect.
Hindi na ako magtataka kung totoo na may masama silang binabalak. Alam ni Lavender lahat ng ginagawa ni Royce, kaya siguro mas marami pa itong alam bukod doon.
Namumutla siya at para bang nagkamali siya nang nabanggit niya ang tungkol sa loyalty ni Royce at pagbagsak ni Papa.
Ako:
Mauna ka na. Matatagalan pa ako dito. I don't want my father to wait for us.
Royce:
Magsasabay tayo, Sky. I'll wait for you.
Ako:
My father will be mad if you're late. You're just his employee, I'm his daughter. Kaya mauna ka na. Susunod naman ako.
I put my phone down and refrained from looking at it.
Tiningnan ko ang mukha ko sa salamin. Magsisimula na ang pag-aayos ng buhok ko. My phone rang but I put it in silent mode when I realized what I need to do now.
Hindi ko alam kung totoo ba ang narinig ko kay Lavender pero parang mas mabuting maniwala ako at mag-ingat kaysa manatiling nabibilog ni Royce.
He isn't really loyal to my father and he might have plans to destroy him. My family have been in this business for generations. Hindi maipagkakaila na maraming detractors si Papa at malaking kawalan kung lilipat nga si Royce sa ibang kompanya. He can leak future projects and expose any anomaly within the company.
My father trusts him so much and it hurts to know that he will be betrayed.
Hindi ko pa napapatunayan iyon pero mas mabuting maging maingat. At bago nila mapabagsak si Papa at ang kompanya namin, pababagsakin ko muna sila.
My eyes were bloodshot as I stared at my reflection on the large mirror. Hindi ako kailanman napakinabangan ni Papa sa kompanya, pero sisiguraduhin ko na habang nandoon ako, walang mangyayaring masama sa kompanyang inalagaan ng aking pamilya.
Royce will go down. He can take his lover with him.
I was an hour late. Sigurado akong hindi na ako hinintay ni Royce. Malapit lang ang restaurant sa spa kaya hindi niya kakayaning paghintayin ang parents ko - not because of his loyalty and respect, but probably because he wanted them to trust him for his deceit.
Pumasok ako sa private room kung saan naroon na si Mama, Papa, at si Royce. Si Royce ang una kong nakita.
Madilim ang titig niya sa akin nang pumasok ako. I looked away but confidently strutted towards my parents for a kiss.
"Sorry, I'm late. Natagalan ang spa appointment ko..." sabay halik kay Mama galing kay Papa.
There was a feast, judging on the table of this private room. Pero nang natahimik ako, agad kong napuna ang ere doon. It was thick and tensed.
"Kumain ka muna, hija..." Mama offered.
I really didn't have an appetite but I didn't want to give it away. I smiled at my mother. Naupo sa tabi ni Royce at tiningnan na ang pagkain sa aking pinggan.
Napatingin ako kay Royce. He looked at me sharply. I smiled at him sweetly. If I was holding back then, right now there was nothing left.
"Okay..." nakangiti kong kuha sa kubyertos.
It was awkward and silent. Nagsimula akong kumain at wala ni isang nagsalita sa kanila. Si Mama lang ang sumusubok na gumawa ng usapang magaan.
"What did you avail on the spa, hija?"
"Just the usual, Ma."
Ginapang ko ang mga mata ko sa kanila. Mama look worried, trying hard to make a topic. Si Papa ay tahimik at nakatitig sa akin. Royce looked like he's trying to break his glass with just his glare.
"So what's up? What is this meeting all about?" pagkukunwari ko sabay tingin kay Papa.
"You know very well what this meeting is all about," Royce said sharply.
Natutop ni Mama ang kanyang bibig. Papa shifted on his seat, his eyes sharp on Royce now.
Hindi ko na naisubo ang kinakain dahil sa gulat. He had the audacity to say that in front of my parents?
"Napag-usapan na namin, Sky. I really didn't want you on this meeting. I just want to talk to Royce, but since you're coming so... I told him that you wanted the divorce done as soon as possible."
Oh. Wait.
I wanted to play innocent but since my father has said it, then so what, right? Bakit parang galit pa si Royce doon?
"Hindi ba iyon naman talaga dapat?" my brow shot up and I looked at Royce.
His eyes narrowed. Halatang galit na galit siya. "Then why did you have to ask? It was your idea to talk about it tonight so why-"
"That's enough, Royce," si Papa na pinutol si Royce.
"Bakit ka galit? Eh, hindi ba 'yon naman talaga ang mangyayari?"
His eyes sharpened. Papa sighed.
"Sky..." tawag ni Mama.
"Sky, he was suggesting to stretch this so no one will notice it-" si Papa.
"Ang sabi mo po, wala naman talagang makakahalata? You will send him abroad. We can just make it seem like we are in a long distance relationship?!"
Lalong nagdilim ang mga mata ni Royce.
"You thought about this so much?" he said sarcastically.
"Bakit, ikaw? Hindi ba? Hindi ba plano mo rin naman 'to?"
"Na ano?"
"That's enough!" my father's voice thundered between us.
Natahimik si Royce. Saglit lang akong naapektuhan kay Papa at nagpatuloy.
"Sige nga, Royce. Anong plano mo? Isang taon? Bakit? Kung malaman ba ng detractors ni Papa na divorce na tayo pagkatapos ng isang taon, mananahimik sila? Hindi! Pareho lang kung ngayon natin gawin o sa isang taon pa!"
"Well, what was our wedding for if we'll just waste it through prematurely divorcing it?"
"Our wedding cleared my name up! Thank you for that! Pero sobra na ang isang taon para maglokohan pa tayo!"
Namilog ang mga mata niya.
"Really? How did you know?" he said calmly and sarcastically.
"Bakit? Tingin mo matatahimik ang detractors sa isang taon? O baka may pinaplano kang iba at inaayon mo 'yong mangyayari sa timeline mo?"
Royce's eyes sharpened more.
"That is enough!" si Papa ulit sa isang malakas na boses.
Hindi na nagsalita si Royce pero nanatili ang tingin niya sa akin. I equaled his glare with a sharp gaze.
"We are trying to find a solution here. Like I said, Royce... I trust your judgement. Kung tingin mo mas mabuting pahabain natin bago gawin iyon, then I believe you..."
Binalingan ko si Papa sa namimilog na mga mata. Oh my gosh, he is going to fall for it, huh? I can't believe this.
"But then I can't ignore my daughter. Kung hindi niya na kaya ang pagpapanggap na 'to, then maybe we have a solution."
"How is your idea effective, Royce? Sige nga, sabihin mo sa akin. Pagkatapos ba ng isang nasayang na taon, titigil ba ang mga pang iintriga ng mga may galit kay Papa at sa akin?"
Hindi siya nagsalita. Mariin ang tingin na ipinupukol niya sa akin at may pakiramdam akong ubos na ang pasensiya niya.
"Hindi ba pareho lang naman? Is this your strategy? Your best one? Or do you have other plans, why you're doing this."
"Fine. If you want me to leave, then I'm leaving as soon as possible."
My eyes widened a fraction. Napatingin ako kay Papa.
"There you go, Papa. Tomorrow..."
"But it's a Sunday tomorrow," si Mama na para bang may koneksiyon iyon.
Nilingon ko si Royce. I saw a glint of disappointment in his eyes as he looked at me.
"On Monday. I'm leaving to take the position."
"Great-"
"You want to get rid of me so much, huh?"
I ignored him and mercilessly asked. "You're leaving? How about our divorce? Hindi ba mas magandang mag divorce muna tayo bago ka umalis?"
"I told you it isn't a wise decision, Schuyler. The media will smell it. Kahit ilan ang bayaran at itago man, hindi 'yon basta bastang maitatago sa lahat. That was why I wanted us to buy some time-"
"Buying some time is out of the question now. You're leaving and we will divorce, Royce-"
"Really? It isn't enough for you that I'm leaving? The media will turn to us when I leave. Ang susunod niyan ay titingnan nila kung nag-away ba tayo o ano kaya hindi magandang mag-divorce agad sa ngayon!"
"What the fuck-"
"Schuyler!" umalingawngaw ang boses ni Papa. "As much as I want to give you what you want, I think Royce is right. Hindi nga naman maganda na maghiwalay kayo ngayon kung aalis nga siya. The media will check if you two are still together. They will check your social media accounts, even. Kaya mas mabuting may post pa rin kayto tungkol sa isa't-isa-"
"Can't we divorce and continue to post about each other, Papa? Puwede naman 'yon, 'di ba?"
"I told you, it is difficult to keep it a secret right now. Kasi aalis ako at pansamantala tayong aabangan ng media dahil doon-"
"He's right, Schuyler. I can give him the position immediately and leave by Monday. But the divorce can be done some other time. Kapag wala na sa inyo ang mga mata ng media."
"Kailan, Papa? sa susunod na linggo?"
"Tss." Royce snorted. "Why are you so excited? You met your ex and he convinced you to come with him?"
I turned to him, now vexed.
"And why are you not excited-"
"Schuyler!" si Papa ulit. "Are you seeing that boy again?!"
I groaned and looked at my father.
"No, I'm not! Papa, we're not real lovers! Do you really believe that this man can stay away from women when he's outside the country? Hindi ba mas eskandalo iyon sa akin kung may kabit siya? Kaya mas mabuting mag divorce na kami-"
"Why are you saying that? Kung gusto kong makipagkita sa ibang babae, hindi ba dapat ako ang nag su-suggest na mag divorce tayo? Maybe it's you who has plans-"
"That's enough!" nauupos na ang litid ni Papa nang umalingawngaw ang boses.
Natahimik si Royce. I formed a rebuttal but my father is already talking.
"Uuwi kayong dalawa ngayon. Sky, doon ka titira sa condo ni Royce kahit nasa ibang bansa siya. We'll cover it up. The divorce will come when the talk about his promotion and your long distance relationship dies down."
"I am not living with him again, Papa!" giit ko.
Royce snorted and shook his head in dismay. Nakatitig siya sa akin.
"Babalik lang ako sa condo niya kapag nakaalis na siya roon. Uuwi ako sa atin ngayon!" I insisted with finality.
"If that's the case, then Sir. I'll book a flight tomorrow," Royce said without taking his bloodshot eyes off of me.