Chapter 27

The Bliss

The woman in front of me had black hair tied in a messy bun on top of her head and dull dark blue eyes. She looked pretty with just her large shirt and jeans but a scowl was on her face. Magkasalubong ang kilay niya at pakiramdam ko ay papatayin na ako nito gamit ang tingin.

I gulped.

She looks just like me, but lesser. I'm more beautiful, of course.

"Good morning. Nandito ba si Coelan?" tanong ko rito at tiningnan ang address na nasa notes app ko bago tiningnang muli ang babaeng mukhang suplada. "He gave me his address last time."

"Anong kailangan mo sa asawa ko, ha?" angil nito na ikinagulat ko at ano? Asawa? That means this woman is Lan's wife? And also the reason for Spaise's unrequited love? "Kabit ka ba ng asawa ko?"

"K-Kabit?" Fucking hell. Hinding-hindi ko babalikan si Lan. Eh baliw 'yan. "Magkakilala kami."

"Kakilala, huh?" Umungot nito. "Hoy gago! Nandito na ang original!" tawag nito at tumingin sa loob ng bahay.

Ah? Original? Ano raw?

"Anong pinagsasabi mo—oh!" I stared slack-jawed as I saw the lunatic wearing a towel around his waist. Hindi ko na tinitigan ang bakat doon dahil baka may makita pa akong kakaiba. "Am I dreaming?" His grey eyes widened a bit before his sexy lips tugged into a grin. "Hello, lovely Wynfrost."

"Gago."

Tinawanan lang ako nito bago ako pinapasok sa loob ng condo unit nila. Nagpaalam pa ito para magbihis bago sinabihan 'yong babae na dalhan daw ako ng juice.

And so I awkwardly waited on the couch while having a staring contest with Lan's wife. I couldn't even look at their living room properly because she was weirdly staring at me.

"Only few people could call him Coelan back then," biglaan niyang sabi habang kaswal na nakapandekwatro. "But now, you are the only one who could call him that, you know."

"Ha?" taka kong tanong sa babaeng 'to. "What do you even mean by that?"

"Hindi mo ba alam na mula noong nag-break kayo, ayaw na niyang may tumatawag sa kanya ng Coelan?" she said with a mocking smile that made me kinda irritated. And why is she even mentioning my past relationship with that crazy guy? "And he just lets me call him Coelan on bed."

I furrowed my brows.

Is she saying Lan is—wait. Hahahahaha. That's just funny. Nagbibiro ba ito?

"Excuse me, Miss but I think you're having the wrong idea—"

"Alam mo ba kung bakit niya ako pinakasalan?" Nagpatuloy ang suplada na para bang hindi ako naririnig. "He married me because I put up with his shit and because I act and dress just like you." She pointed her hairstyle. "And even this hairstyle." She chuckled while I still couldn't believe what she's trying to say. Nasaan na ba kasi si Lan? "Nagkataon lang na nakita niya ako noong mahogany ang pinakulay ko sa buhok ko. I don't even want to mention how he's crazy for blue eyes but when I saw you today, it all clicked."

I sat there stupefied.

"W-Wha—?"

"It sounds crazy, right?" Hindi ko alam anong dapat sabihin dahil doon. "He's still in love with you."

"H-He was never in love with me!" What the hell is with this girl?

"Talaga?" Mapang-uyam ang ngisi nito sa akin. "But he always screams your name when he explodes."

"You don't have to tell her that." Nangibabaw ang malamig at matigas na boses ni Lan kaya lumingon ako rito. He was already wearing casual clothes. Madilim ang kanyang mukha habang ang titig niya naman ay matalim na matalim. Namangha pa ako sa babae dahil nanatili siyang suplada sa sitwasyon.

"Why can't I, huh?" she asked with a wicked glint on her blue eyes. "Afraid the great and famous Attorney would have his reputation soiled because he has fetish for girls wearing highschool uniforms? Or should I say school girls who have HER eyes?" Tinuro ako nito at tumawa. "Here she is in your house, Lan. Won't you ask her to wear a kinky high school—"

"That's enough." Ako ang nagsabi niyon. "Why are you even telling me this?" sabi ko sa babae. "Kung asawa ka niya, bakit mo siya tinutulak sa akin?" Nagulat siya sa sinabi ko at hindi nakasagot. I looked at Lan who's currently grimacing. "I don't know what happened when we broke up but the both of you are old enough to consent doing this shit. Now, if you'll excuse me—"

Tumalikod na ako para umalis na condo na iyon. Klaro namang hindi ko kayang humingi ng tulong sa taong may dinadala na palang mabigat na problema.

"Wynfrost—" Lan murmured. "I can explain."

"No," sabi ko habang hindi lumilingon. "You should talk with your wife, first. We can talk later. Goodbye."

Ilang minuto lang akong nanatili sa loob ng condo pero ang dami ko nang nalaman. Was Lan's wife really telling the truth? Was Lan that obsessed with me that he married a woman that's—I can't believe I have to think about this.

And that fetish?

Fucking hell. If the both of them were serious, I don't know I had already pushed Lan to have that kind of desire.

But wait, didn't someone tell me that Q's sister is Lan's wife?

I blinked a few times while standing still in the lobby of Lan's building.

That was Quentin's sister.

I groaned as I tried to analyze the situation. I'm really sure Lan doesn't love me. He sees me as an ex and an acquaintance but love me? That's just crazy. No way. Ano ba ang issue ng lalaking 'yon at iba ang pinaparamdam niya sa asawa niya?

Tsk. I barged in at the wrong time. Buti na lang at hindi ako kasal. Napakakomplikado pala. Kapag binibida ni Lan ang asawa niya, halata na talagang masaya siya pero bakit iba ang nakita ko kanina? He loves her but doesn't show her. What the hell is he even doing?!

And if Lan loves me, why would he introduce me to his wife's brother? The way I'm seeing it, he's just playing like a matchmaker to somehow right his bullshit. He's probably thinking that if Q and I will be together, he'll feel less guilty from what he's doing to his own wife.

Can't believe they're having that kind of marriage. Was that woman that crazy to marry that crazy fucker? Or was she blinded by love like most idiots?

Hah. Ah. Whatever. I was supposed to ask for help to find me a secret OB-GYN so Quentin's family wouldn't know about the baby.

I couldn't even quadruple check if I'm really really pregnant since someone will probably know and they'll immediately find out who's the father.

I tapped my tummy and smiled.

"Don't worry baby. You don't need anyone but me."

"Oh, wow. You're pregnant? Congratulations."

Napalingon ako sa nagsalita at masayang nagpasalamat.

"Yeah, thank—what are you doing here?!"

Halos mawalan na ako ng malay habang nakatitig sa hindi inaasahang lalaki.

"Same to you, Wynfrost," sabi nito habang masamang nakatitig sa akin. "Now, tell me. Who's the father?"

Sa dinarami-rami ng makakita sa aking kinakausap ang tiyan ko, siya pa talaga.

Kabute ka ba Rondel?!

~

Nakakuyom sa mga hita ko ang aking mga kamay habang nakatingin lang kay Rondel na tahimik na pumipili ng pagkain. May tinuro ito sa menu booklet at bumaling sa waiter na naghihintay sa order namin..

"We'll take two of this and a jar of orange juice." He glanced at me as if asking if I want some more but I just glared at him. He sighed. "Add a bowl of Caesar salad and a large fruitcake."

Pinigilan kong huwag mapangiti at nanatiling masama ang tingin sa kanya.

"Is that all Sir?" the waiter asked.

"Yes." Pagkatapos ay inabot na nito ang menu habang kinuha na lang ng waiter ang menu ko na nilapag ko lang sa table bago umalis. "So how are you?" Inilibot ko na lang ang mga mata sa paligid. Minimalistic ang disenyo na binagayan ng mga neutral na mga kulay. Sinadya yata iyon ng may-ari para mag-match ito sa pagkain na sineserve nila rito. "Wynfrost."

"Alive, as you can see.," I mumbled to answer his lame question and plainly looked at him. Nakita ko sa mga mata niya ang kalungkutan. "If you're telling me to apologize for what happened to your pink bitch then get lost."

"Huwag nating isama si Shey sa usapan." I rolled my eyes when his tone changed. Ganoon niya yata kamahal ang babae na hindi na ako nararapat magkwento tungkol dito. Hah. "I'm here as a concerned friend."

"Wow," sabi ko at napangisi. "Concerned friend?" Tinaasan ko ito ng kilay bago tumawa nang malakas. "You are not my friend. Walang kaibigang nang-iiwan."

"Do you really want to know why I broke up with you?" My smile vanished. What's this idiot talking about? Does he really have many reasons to break up with me?

"Nandito ka ba para ipamukha sa aking wala akong kwentang girlfriend?" I leaned on the chair and raised a brow to act all tough in front of him.

"I'm here to be honest with you."

"Then, go ahead. Be honest for all I care," I grumbled. Nagpangalumbaba ako at nagpanggap na gusto kong makinig habang tinututok ang tenga ko sa kanyang direksyon. "I'm listening."

"Bakit ba kung hindi ka nagbibiro at galit, sarkastiko ka?" aniya habang may hinanakit sa boses. Natigilan naman ako at nakita ang galit sa kanyang mukha. "You were never real when we were together. You were always so guarded as if you couldn't concern yourself with me."

Is that what he thought? Hahahaha.

"Nandito ka ba para manumbat? Isn't this too late?"

"I'm talking about this because you're already having a child, Wynfrost," sabi nito na aakalain mong isang malaking utang na loob ang pagkausap niya sa akin. Hindi ko mapigilang umismid sa pagkadisgusto.

"Don't pull my child in this, Rondel," seryoso kong pagbabanta sa kanya.

"I'm telling you these things because you can't afford to make useless mistakes anymore."

So there are useful mistakes, huh?

"Ikaw lang ang pinakamalaking pagkakamali sa buhay ko, gago. Iyon lang sapat na." I gave him a lopsided smile. "I'm so glad my child's father isn't a bastard like you."

His expression became cold when I told him that .

"Is Quentin the one who—" I winced. Tsk. Klarong alam na nito agad ang sagot. He groaned. "I thought so. You weren't careful enough." Then he paused and stared at me. "You weren't careful, were you?"

It was my turn to groan.

Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat maramdaman. Hinahampas talaga ng gagong 'to sa akin ang katotohanang ayaw kong tingnan.

It's true. I wanted a child deep down and even though Quentin and I didn't really plan it to happen, I secretly hoped.

Pero hindi rin naman kasi ako makapag-isip nang matino dahil kay Quentin. I blushed.

"Y-Yes, I was blinded by how much g-great—"

"Ayokong malaman," mariin na sabi ni Rondel at uminom muna ng tubig bago nagpatuloy. "Hindi ako makapaniwalang humantong tayo sa ganito, Wynfrost."

"Shut up. If you didn't leave me then maybe," I stopped and sighed. "This is my second chance. I don't want to screw up really."

"Noong nakunan ka dati," aniya at bumalatay ang sakit sa kanyang mukha. "Nalaman ko lang na buntis ka noong wala na ang anak natin, Wynfrost." Namuo ang mga luha sa mga mata ko dahil sa naaalala. "Sana naman huwag mong ulitin ang pagkakamaling 'yon."

"Kung hindi ka sana nambabae dati, edi sana hindi—" pumiyok ang boses ko at tumungo.

"Kapag mambabae si Q, baka—"

I immediately cut him off while staring at him intently.

"Hindi. Hindi mangyayari 'yon dahil hindi ko mahal si Quentin."

"Are you sure?" Tumaas ang kanyang kilay nang inismiran ko siya. "Saying yes is easy, you know."

"Yes, I'm sure I don't love him." I swallowed down the lump that formed in my throat. "It isn't that easy."

But he makes my heart beat faster though? But no, no. That's different. Iba ang kilig sa pagmamahal.

Hindi mababaw ang pagmamahal. Ibig sabihin ba, hindi ko totoong minahal si Rondel? I don't really love him?

Argh. Fuck. Bakit ba walang eksaktong formula para malaman natin kung mahal na ba natin ang tao o hindi?

"Excuse me, Ma'am and Sir. Here are your orders."

Nakita ko ang waiter na may dala-dalang mga plato. My eyes sparkled after seeing what Rondel ordered for our meal.

"Omurice!" I happily cheered so the waiter and Rondel eyed me with a humored look.

Hindi ko na sila pinansin at tinuon ang mga mata sa pagkain. Mukhang malambot ang omelette na bumabalot sa java rice habang may katabi itong ketchup, mayonnaise, at pipino.

Kinuha ko ang kutsara para tingnan ang loob at naglaway nang may isa pang itlog sa loob na malasadong sunny-side up na nakapatong sa java rice na may mga carrots at tinatad na gulay.

Lalantakan ko na sana ito pero natigilan nang maalalang may kasama pala ako.

Rondel chuckled.

"Go on. I'll order more so you and the baby will be satisfied."

"Good."

Ngumiti ako rito at nagsimula nang maganang kumain. Rondel and the waiter gave me awed looks now so I gave them a glare as I munched.

Malipas ang iilang minuto, nag-order pa ulit ako ng dalawang serving habang si Rondel ay natatawa lang akong pinanood.

"Tangina! Baka mabilaukan ka hoy!" inis na nitong pagbubunganga.

Napatigil ako at napainom ng juice dahil sa gulat. Kanina lang ay para itong kalmadong rich kid, aakalain mong hindi barumbado pero dahil sa pagmumura nito, saka ko lang napansin ang kanyang pagbabago. Buti na lang at nagmura ito dahil kung hindi, baka umuwi akong praning dahil baka hindi talaga si Rondel ang nakausap ko.

People really do have different sides.

"Can you help me?" biglaan kong sabi rito. Wala na talaga akong malalapitan.

And Rondel knows more about me than other people, maybe except Lan. That guy really is a lunatic.

"Is this why you visited Lan?" he inquired so zi nodded. "Klaro naman kung anong kailangan mo, Wynfrost. Narinig ko na iniiipit si Q ngayon para magpa-opera ng mata. Malamang maraming bantay ang isang 'yon."

That's right. Quentin's family must have collected data about me now. Maybe they're even here somewhere—

"Hindi naman sila nag-w-wire tap, 'di ba?" ninenerbyos kong tanong kay Rondel. "Wala naman sigurong nakikinig sa atin, ano? Wala namang mga bug na nakakabit 'di ba?!"

He nodded so I sighed in relief.

"Don't worry. May signal jammer akong dala na nakakaka-cover ng 5 meter radius."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa pinagsasabi nito.

"Bakit ka may dalang ganyan?!" Putakte. Tiningnan ko ang mga customer na malapit-lapit sa amin. Grabe. 5 meters na walang signal? Ano bang iniisip ng gagong 'to?!

"Precautionary measures." Was what he said but holy shit. Has he become a secret agent or something?! "Now, what do you need exactly?"

I coughed to revert back to my serious state.

"An OB-Gyne, a private one."

"Sigurado ka ba na ayaw mo talagang ipaalam kay Q?" aniya matapos marinig ang gusto ko.

"Hindi ako lalapit sa'yo kung ipapaalam ko gago." Sumimangot na ako. "Siguraduhin mong walang makakaalam maliban sa atin dahil baka mabaliw ako, Rondel at ano pang magawa ko ulit." Tinitigan ako nito nang ilang segundo bago napabuntong-hininga at kumain ng salad? "Hoy, akala ko akin ang salad!"

"Sa'yo na 'yang buong cake. Nag-d-diet ako," iritable niyang sabi at nagmura pa.

"Diet?" tanong ko habang natatawa sa nalaman. "Don't tell me you don't have sex with your bitch anymore?" I teasingly said and laughed louded when he looked like he wanted to murder the poor salad.

"Mahal ko siya kaya ganito," he murmured.

Mahal? Hahahahaha.