I cleared my throat, "This is unexpected, Mrs. Santiago."

"I... I know. I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time."

"Actually, you did."

Saglit na natahimik ang babae sa simple kong pambabara.

Well, what I said were true.

Bad time because I just wanted to have a relaxing time with Laila up until Sunday morning.

And I never imagined receiving a call from the Santiago matriarch.

Ito pa lang ang pangalawang beses na nagkausap kami ng babae. Ang una,

"The last time you called, you harshly ordered me to stay away from your daughter. So, I hope you'd understand my incredulity and irk, Madam Santiago."

"Uhm... yes. I-I remember. I'm sorry. It was a mistake."

Tumaas ang isang kilay ko.

That's odd.

A Santiago apologizing to a Marquez. And ...wait!

"A mistake? What do you mean?"

I heard her sniff.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Uhm... N-not really. It's Rebec—"

A loud thud then a child's cry cut her off.

"I'll call you again, Raphael. I hope it's fine with you."

Bago pa ako makasagot, nawala na siya sa linya.

Napatitig na lang ako sa cellphone ko habang inulit sa is pang pinag-usapan namin.

Then, I remembered, may ingay akong narinig sa background ni Mrs. Santiago. Hindi ko lang napansin dahil nabigla nga ako sa tawag na yun.

There were men talking but far enough that I couldn't make out any word said. And there were other noises. I just don't know what.

It was a big riddle to me.

I was tempted to ask Agoncillo agency to run another investigation on the old Santiagos.

Ako na rin ang pumigil sa sarili.

What for?

I have no intention to spend additional time, effort and money on their family's emotional breakdown. I mean, I can understand a mother's feelings when her child is in the hospital without assurance of she'd survive her fight against breast cancer. The invasive type.

It's indeed saddening that someone you know is suffering. But if that someone is from a family who has been wishing ill about your own, well, who are they to expect compassion from me?

Not that I am being inhuman, but I am no hypocrite too.

The Santiagos have the money to spare for medication.

Mas nakakaawa ang mga mahihirap na wala.

Isa pa, nasa may katawan rin. Rebecca is one spoiled-rotten woman. Nasanay na kung ano ang gusto ay yun ang masusunod. From what I learned, siya mismo ang ayaw magpa-confine sa ospital.

I believe it's one of the reasons sa paglala ng kundisyon niya.

Breast cancer's survival rate is high. But if the patient is not cooperative, what then?

"May problema ba?"

Napakurap ako nang ilang beses kay Laila.

That was the next morning, we were having breakfast.

"Huh?"

"Kagabi ka pa ganyan," she said.

"Eerr... alin?"

"E-ewan ko. Basta, may iba sa iyo."

"Gusto mong bisitahin natin si Mang Ben?" pag-iiba ko sa usapan.

I don't want her to have any hint that I am somewhat bothered by that call from Mrs. Santiago.

"Sige!" excited niyang pagpayag pero agad ring tumamlay, "B-baka pagalitan tayo ni Tatay kapag sabay tayong dadating dun."

Napangiti ako, "Ako na'ng bahala."

"Baka magtatalo na naman kayo. Naiirita ako na sinasagut-sagot mo si Tatay. Eh ang yabang-yabang mo pa magsalita."

Although I was surprised to hear her thoughts, I couldn't help but laugh.

"Ano'ng nakakatawa?" may bahid inis niyang tanong.

"Nothing," I answered still trying to suppress my amusement.

"Wala naman pala pero tumatawa ka pa rin! Huwag na. Dito na lang ako sa bahay!"

"No...no... I'm sorry. Wala akong intensyon na magyabang," I said. "I was only trying to prove a point na mas safe ka sa mansion."

"Hindi mo ba naririnig ang sarili mo ngayon?" she snapped.

"May issue ka ba sa mga nakakaangat sa buhay, Laila?" I calmly asked.

"Oo. Mga matatapobre!"

I was taken aback this time.

Ganun ba ako? Kami ng mga kaibigan ko?

"Wait a minute there, lady," I said hurt to what she uttered. "That's discriminating, you know. Generalizing us."

"Totoo naman. Palagi mong ipinangangalandakan na marami kang pera."

"Did I? Or was it about me and Rob telling you not to worry about the expenses because we will take care of everything? Do call that boasting our riches? We are only trying to help the best way we can, don't you think so?"

Wala siyang sagot.

"I'm sorry if you feel that way. Rob and I ... kahit kailan, hindi namin yun inisip or what."

"Bakit mo dinadamay si Mr. Agoncillo sa usapan?"

"Then, sa akin ka lang talaga may issue?"

She kept her mouth shut.

Yeah, I took that as a yes.

And it added more jab to my chest.

I let out a sigh.

I finished my food in silence and so thus she.

Tahimik din akong umakyat matapos kumain. Tutal ay inako na ni Pong ang paghuhugas ng pinggang kinainan namin.

Nahiga ako sa kama.

Suddenly, I felt exhausted.

The type of exhaustion I never felt before. Driving me to the brink of losing motivation.

Siguro, dala na rin nang tagong inggit ko kay Mike.

Kanina kasi ay tumawag ito sa opisina,

"Two weeks or less, I guess," sagot ko.

He was asking how quick our office can fix all documents for a marriage license.

I understand him.

We've been to Bataan twice since that kidnapping lawsuit against him and Kennie. She does not know about the battle Mike is fighting for her and Gelo.

"Can you start working on those, Ralph?"

"Are you sure about this, Montecillo? What if she says 'no'?"

"She won't," was his answer in a confident tone, but somewhat nervous.

"She has to know what's going on. You cannot keep her in the dark for long. You have to tell Kennie the soonest."

I heard him sigh with frustration and exhaustion.

"Baka mamaya," ang sagot tapos ay malalim na nagbuntung-hininga uli. "Gabi-gabi naman kaming nag-uusap pati si Gelo."

"You gonna pop her the question, too?"

"Yes. I got the rings since the other day."

"Rings?"

"Engagement and wedding rings. Mabilisan nga. As soon as the papers are out, we'll have the civil wedding."

Boy scout, gusto ko sanang tuksuhin.

But can't. Dahil kahit ako ay nakakaramdam nang alangan sa kasong isinampa ni William Garcia. We all know he really is Gelo's father. Tagilid talaga kami kapag humingi ito ng DNA test. Kakailanganin namin ang Agoncillo Agency para itago ang totoo.

"Alright, ipapalakad ko na sa dedicated department ang papers. Just let me know in case your 'proposal' goes south."

"Marquez, I can and will make her say 'yes'."

Napahinga ako nang malalim sa naalala.

"R-raphael..."

I opened my eyes.

Laila's standing beside the bed.

"Hmm?"

"Uhm, a-ano'ng oras tayo aalis papunta kay Tatay?"

I didn't say anything for a few seconds then I let out another sigh.

"Laila?"

"Oh...?"

"Do you... uhm. Nagsisisi ka ba'ng pumayag na ako ang hahawak sa kaso ng tatay mo?"

"Ha? H-hindi."

"Are you sure?"

I saw that she was getting uncomfortable. She started fidgeting as she found her way to sit on the office chair which was tucked under the desk.

"Ikaw lang ang nakikita kong pwedeng tapatan si Jus—ang mga Santiago."

"I see. Ahm, how about that thing you told me?"

"A-alin?

"That challenged you said. Na pagkakataon ko nang makaharap or I think what you really meant was makaganti sa pantatraydor ni Atty. Navarro at sa mga Santiago dahil sinulot nila ang isa sa inaalagaan naming abogado."

"O-oo naman. Bakit mo naitanong?"

"Kasi," napabuntung-hininga uli ako. "You ... bakit may impression ako na ako yung masama sa paningin mo?"

She turned her head down, not saying anything.

"Nung una, hinahayaan ko lang. Hindi kasi ako naniniwala sa kasabihang 'first impression lasts'. So I thought, whatever you think of me would change. But you see, no matter what I do...tsk!" I heaved another sigh. I just couldn't help it. "I think you know that I am confident about myself. My capabilities. And that I may not be a saint, but I am not a bad person. And yet... Alam mo ba'ng paunti-unti, nade-demoralize mo ako?"

"H-ha?"

I smiled half-heartedly. With the way she reacted, she was not aware she does.

"Yes, you do, Lai," I said sincerely... and hurt. "Although, I can't understand why I am compelled to prove myself to you. Yung... bakit kailangang mabango ako sa pananaw mo."

I don't know why I'm saying this to her. But I guess, I really need to. For her ... especially for me.

"S-sorry..."

Siguro nga ay naghihinanakit ako kaya kahit nakita kong may tumulong luha sa pisngi niya ay hindi ako gumalaw mula sa pagkakahiga.

"Do you know that I have this principle not to back down to a challenge?"

Umiling si Laila.

"Gusto mo bang...kausapin ko si Rob na iba na ang hahawak sa kaso ni Mang Ben?"

Umiling siya. Ilang beses.

"Do you know that I never treated any woman like I do to you, Lai?"

Pandalas na ang pagtulo ng luha nito. Nagpipigil pa nga ng hikbi.

Fuck! Bakit nag-iinit na rin ang mata ko at lumalabo si Laila sa paningin ko?

"C-can you be nice to me, p-please? Am I asking too m-much, Lai?"

And damn it, my voice cracked!

"S-sorry, Raphael," she said standing up and walked towards the bed.

She sat beside me then palmed my face with her two hands. I closed my eyes then inhaled the scent of her hand. That was the only time I learned I already teared up. Because she wiped the sides of my eyes with her thumbs.

"I'm sorry talaga."

Hinuli ko ang mga kamay niya at hinalikan ang mga yun.

"Apology accepted," I said tiredly.

I meant that. Wala naman akong magagawa.

Ilang segundong katahimikan na ako rin ang bumasag.

"Kung may kailangan kang gawing worksheet sa braille class mo, gawin mo muna. Iidlip lang ako. Medyo masakit ang ulo ko."

Napadilat ako nang sa halip na pumunta sa study desk ay lumipat siya sa ulunan ko.

"Unan ka dito," tapik sa hita niya then sniffed. She was still a bit tearing up. Maybe out of guilt. "Ima-massage kita sa ulo hanggang makatulog ka."

Nakangiti akong sumunod.

"Huwag mo akong tutuluan ng sipon ha?" I teased. "Aaaww!"

She pulled some hair from my sideburns.

"Nakuuu talaga!" she murmured.

I chuckled rubbing that part.

After a few minutes, "You're good at it. Saan ka natuto?"

"Hmm, si Nanay ang nagturo sa akin noon. Palagi niyang minamasahe sa ulo si Tatay bago matulog. Isa yun sa pinakamagandang tanawin noong kabataan ko kapag bumababa sa barko si Tatay."

I can tell she's saying the truth.

She spoke those words dreamily as if still seeing that picture of her parents now.

And I am happy she's doing the same thing what her mother did to Mang Ben to me.

Not a bad idea.

I opened my eyes... stared at her face as she continued talking and massaging my head.

Kahit bahagyang maga ang mata at namumula ang ilong mula sap ag-iyak kanina, it's evident she's happy telling me her good memories of her parents.

"Nu'ng bago pa lang mawala si Nanay, naaglunod si Tatay sa alak. Ilang buwan din yun. Hanggang yun ngag mapa-barangay siya...."

Kahit alam ko na ang tungkol doon mula mismo sa barangay captain nila, hinayaan kong magkuwento si Laila.

"Pag-uwi namin, yun ang unang pagkakataon na hinilot ko sa ulo si Tatay. Nakiusap ako sa kanya na tigilan na ang pag-inom. Kasi nawala na si Nanay. Ayokong pati siya mawala sa akin. Dun siya parang nahimasmasan," then she sniffed.

She's tearing up to that memory. A think both a sad and happy memory for both father and daughter.

"Tapos,ayun..." napangiti si Laila. "Simula nun, kapag hihilutin ko siya sa ulo, tatanungin niya ako kung may hihilingin ba ako na mabigat. Hanggang nakagawian na naming mag-ama. Kapag may hihingiin ako, o magpapaalam o ma kasalan ako..."

She giggled then suddenly stopped. Her face went nostalgic.

"So... ano ba ang hihingin mo sa akin?" pabiro pero malambing kong tanong.

Ngumuso siya, "Gaya-gaya ka naman sa amin ni Tatay."

Again, not a bad idea.

I closed my eyes again.

"Nami-miss ko na si Tatay..."she said but I guess she was only thinking out loud.

"Don't worry, Lai. Tuloy tayo kay Mang Ben mamaya," sabi ko.

"Talaga? Akala ko kasi..."

"Oo, kahit inaway mo 'ko. Aaww!"

Hinila niya uli ang patilya ko.

Natatawang hinuli ko ang kamay niya, "Halika, idlip tayo saglit."

"Mamaya na. I-massage pa kita hanggang makatulog ka na."

"Tatabi ka sa 'kin ha?"

"Oo," she said smiling.

She did keep her word, only that when I woke up around lunch time, she wasn't sleeping. Nakahiga nga sa tabi ko pero nagbabasa ng braille.

Di na ako nagkomento. Palagay ko ay excited ang babae na pagbisita sa ama kaya hindi magawang makatulog.

At dahil ayokong masira ang magandang mood ni Laila, pasikreto kong pinaabutan ng sulat si Mang Ben sa isang pulis nang sunduin ang matanda sa selda nito.

Nakapaloob sa sulat ang pakiusap na huwag nang magalit na magkasama kaming pumunta ng dalaga rito.

Isang mabilis pero matalim na tingin ang ibinigay sa akin ng matanda bago maupo sa katapat naming upuan. Pero kagyat na lumamlam ang mata nito nang agad na hagilapain ni Laila ang kamay niya sa ibabaw ng lamesang nakapagitan sa amin.

"Musta ka na, 'Tay? Miss na miss na kita."

"Mabuti naman. Ikaw?" tapos ay tinapunan ako ng tingin. "Kayo?"

Napatikhim ako, gayun rin si Laila.

"Uhm, a-ayos naman po?" at agad ding inilihis ang usapan. "Yung gamot ninyo sa baga, 'Tay, naiinom n'yo ba nang regular?"

"Ah, oo," pero saktong napaubo si Mang Ben na agad niyang pinigilan.

But despite the short coughing, it sounded bad.

Agad na bumaha ang pag-aalala sa mukha ng anak, "Eh... bakit... bakit ganyan ang ubo ninyo? Parang mas malagom ngayon?"

I never thought that for the first time, nakaramdam ako nang pagpapasalamat na hindi nakakakita ngayon si Laila.

Dahil tama lang na mag-alala siya. Mang Ben's health is dropping. His diabetes is causing a poor outcome to his tuberculosis medication. The doctor required him to wear mask all the time, maliban kung matutulog.

Hindi pa man umuusad ang kaso, parang ngayon pa lang ay nahatulan na itong guilty. Slow suffering physically, mentally and emotionally is worse.

Magkatulong kaming nagpaliwanag ni Mang Ben kay Laila na regular ang check-up at pag-inom ng gamot ng matanda.

Paano ay umiyak na naman ang babae dahil hindi namin napigilan ang ginawa nitong pagkapa sa ama kaya nalaman din niya ang pagbagsak ng katawan nito.

"I told you before, the prosecution is countering it. They got themselves a doctor to disagree with ours dahil nailipat na si Mang Ben sa city jail infirmary. Isolation room yun."

"Gaano yung 'isolation'? Maraming may kaparehong sakit si Tatay dito. Siguradong marami pa rin sila doon."

"That's why your father's doctor is preparing medical recommendation with charts and everything strong enough para ma-grant ang hospital arrest request," sabi ko.

"Kailan pa? Kapag malala na talaga si Tatay?"

"Malakas pa ako, anak," salo ni Mang Ben.

"Paano akong maniniwala, 'Tay? Hindi maaring magsinungaling sa akin kung ano ang nakapa kong pagkakaiba ng katawan ninyo ngayon. Pati yung mandatory pagsusuot ng mask palagi. At yang mga maliliit na butlig na nagsusugat na braso n'yo? Scabis... galis yan, di ba?"

"Hindi naman ako nauubusan ng supply ng gamot, tamang pagkain at mask, Laila. Alaga ako dito sa loob," salag pa rin ni Mang Ben.

"Kahit ano'ng alaga sa inyo, kung siksikan at halu-halo—"

"Laila," I cut her off holding her hand on the table. "Please, calm down."

Tumaas at tumitinis na kasi ang boses nito sa emosyon.

Pero hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang biglan pagtalim ng mata ni Mang Ben na nakatingin sa kamay namin ng anak niya.

Kaswal ko yung binitawan tapos ay tumikhim, "We're taking all possible avenues to make that hospital arrest happen, okay? Please, stop crying and raising your voice. People and the guards at looking."

Saka lang ito tila nahimasmasan. Napaubo muli si Mang Ben, and it became automatic to me to stand up to get Laila from beside her father back to her seat next to me.

Ayun na naman ang tingin ni Mang Ben.

Alam ko, nakakahalata na ang matanda.

"Lai, balik ka na sa upuan mo," sabi ko na inalalayan siya tapos ay tiningnan ang matanda."Wala akong intensyion na kung ano pero alam nating lahat kung paano nalilipat ang sakit ninyo."

Tumango ang matanda.

"Anyway, Mang Ben," pag-iiba ko nang makaupo muli kami. "Yung hearing ninyo sa susunod na Lunes, I think, mabilis lang."

Pinaliwanag ko na malaki ang posibilidad na ang kampo mismo ng mga Barcelona ang muling magpapa-move nun. Not only because they wanted to delay but because of the new document which I forwarded to the prosecution last Thursday.

I did not elaborate on everything. Alam naman ni Mang Ben kung ano'ng dokumento ang sinasabi ko.

Yun ang mismong record ni Laila na nasa waiting ito ng Eye Bank Foundation para sa cornea transplant.

It will contradict the prosecution's argument on the motive of the robbery. Dahil ang nakalagay doon ay approved ang babae sa malaking discount at ang babayarang halaga ay maaaring instalment. The instalment amount was calculated to the financial capacity of the patient.

Siguradong matataranta ang prosecution dahil ang kanilang private prosecutor counterpart ay idinawit ko sa mismong dokumento.

It was not a lie. It was Atty. Navarro who made a request to pull out her name from the recipient list of the discount grant.

The reason he provided a few years back was attached in Laila's file in the Foundation as a waiver for the withdrawal.

Sa private na raw magpapa-opera. At dahil nagpakilala at nagpresinta ng papel bilang legal representative ng pamilya Centeno, pinayagan ang request. Although, Laila's name remains in the list of cornea recipient dahil mandatory iyun, private man o public operation.

Another was, ibinigay sa akin ni Mang Ben ang phone number ng Eye Bank Foundation. Galing daw yun kay Atty. Navarro, isang linggo bago ang kasal sana nito kay Laila.

We found out that the number belonged to an office supply shop near the Foundation which was already closed for two years now.

At nahanap namin ang babaeng sumasagot at nagpapanggap na empleyado ng Eye Bank sa tuwing tatawag si Laila o Mang Ben. Handa itong tumayong testigo kung bakit niya nagawa yun. Nagbigay na nga ito ng sworn statement.

Something was definitely wrong somewhere.

Alam ni Mang Ben ang tungkol sa ginawa ni Navarro dahil nakatanggap sila ng sulat galing sa Eye Bank Foundation last year.

Ang problema lang ay si Laila mismo.

Nawalan nga ng gana. At walang lakas ng loob ang matanda na sabihin pa sa anak ang natuklasan na lalong ikalulugmok ni Laila sa depresyon.

"Nasa sulat ng Foundation na ilang ulit nang nalampasan sa listahan ang pangalan ni Laila. At kung gusto raw naming mag-apply uli sa discount grant. Siyempre, um-oo ako. Pero sinabi ko rin emosyunal na lagay ng anak ko. Kaya ang sabi, kapag na handa na si Laila, ipa-prioritize siya dahil nga eh na-oberteykan na siya ng iba. Importante daw kasi na malakas ang sikolodyi ng pasyente."

"Ano'ng sabi ni Gina?" tanong ko.

"Walang alam si Gina. Baka hindi yun makatiis ay sabihin kay Laila ang totoo. Basta ang akin, nakahanda lagi ang papeles na ipapasa para sa grant."

"Ah, 'Tay...?" tawag ni Laila sa ama.

"Oh?"

"Pupunta ako sa hearing mo ha?"

"Eh..." nag-alanang ang matanda.

"Sige na..." lambing-maktol ng babae. "Pumayag ka na, 'Tay."

Napapangiti ako sa inaakto nito.

"I think, okay lang naman na naroon si Laila, Mang Ben."

Binigyan ako nito ng tingin na nag-aakusa. Diskumpiyado pa rin talaga ang lalaki sa kaligtasan ng anak kapag kasama ako.

So I said, "Yun na ang huling pagkakataon na makikita ninyong bulag si Laila. Naka-schedule na ang cornea transplant niya Thursday same week."

Sabay silang napabaling sa aking mag-ama.

Nabigla man, halatang masaya.

Seeing them happy, then I'm happy.

Kagyat na nagbago ang reaksyon sa mata nang matandang Centeno.

"Kailan mo nalaman?" tanong ni Laila.

"Kanina lang. Gusto ko kayong isorpresa ni Mang Ben."

At hindi ko na talaga masisisi ang matanda sa pagdududa dahil hindi napigilan ni Laila ang yakapin ako.

"Akala ko... akala ko..." naiiyak na natatawa niyang sabi.

"Nangako ako sa iyo. At pinag-usapan na natin, di ba?"

Tapos ay napatingin ako kay Mang Ben.

Pasimpleng itinuro ako at ang sarili niya sabay bumuka ng bibig na walang tinig.

Ang basa ko ay, "Mag-usap tayo."

Tumango ako.

Nang magpaalam kami,

"Sa susunod na punta mo tao mag-usap. Yung wala ang anak ko," mahinang sabi ni Mang Ben.

Ewan ko pero para akong kinabahan though alam ko na naman ang magiging topic namin.

"Ihatid mo na agad si Laila, bago ka umuwi sa inyo. Huwag na kayong kung saan-saan magpupunta," makahulugang bilin ng matanda.

Bilin na di ko naman sinunod.

"Ikaw talaga. Hindi nga kayo nagtalo ni Tatay pero sinusuway mo naman," malambot na sita ng babae sa akin nang sabihin ko kay Pong na dalhin kami sa BGC para doon maghapunan.

I just chuckled.

"Don't worry. He won't know. Unless you tell him."

"Baliw! Siyempre hindi."

"Yun naman pala. Partners in crime tayo."

Natawa na lang ako nang mahina nang umirap ito.

At gaya ng plano ko, na isa pa uling pagsuway sa tatay niya, doon pa rin ako natulog sa bahay ng mga Centeno.

I got up the next morning around five. I tried to dress up and prep my things as quietly as possible. I don't to wake Laila up. Sinabi ko na naman na maaga akong aalis para sa golf tournament ng Marquez Law Firm.

As I was zipping up my hand-carry bag, I caught a glimpse of a paper na nakaipit sa isang braille book ng babae.

I opened the book to take a look at the paper.

My browse creased.

Ito yung inipit ni Laila sa bra niya. I took her phone and checked the reminders.

Wala namang entry.

Ipinagkibit-balikat ko na lang. Baka kaya niya doon inilagay ay yun na mismo ang reminder sa page na yun, so I put it back where I got it.

Gumalaw ang babae kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. Tulog pa rin. Nagpalit lang ng puwesto.

I chuckled a little because one of her butt cheeks showed out. I fixed the blanket to cover her well.

Yep, much as I want to avoid it, I just couldn't.

I terribly missed her under me. We had one gentle round last night, but I'd still rate it as a blast.

I just has light breakfast and coffee then hit the road.

"Finally!" was what I heard from the people I am to play with at the tournament when I arrived at Alabang Golf and Country Club.

Natatawang kumaway ako sa kanila.

"Is it true?" tanong nang isang senior associate as I took a driver club handed by my caddie.

Isa siya sa team namin.

"What about?"

"The reason you weren't able to join us the past weeks was a woman."

I simpered matched with scratching my head.

"Gotcha! You're guilty!" sabay tawa nito.

Damn! I definitely agree that I acted that way.

"Who the hell d'you—"

"Your Dad and Atty. De Mesa. They're over there. Nauna lang sa iyo nang mga sampung minuto," natatawang tinapik-tapik ako sa balikat.

In my mind, I'm strangling those two old farts. Tss.

"Common, Ralphie Boy. All of us in the senior department has been waiting for you to get hitched. We're actually betting when. Your Grandpa is even planning to put a car on raffle for the employees to can guess, or at least nearest, when you will say 'I do'. So don't spoil the fun. "

Natatawang napapailing na lang ako.

Di ko alam ang mga kalokohang yun ah.

And I was the center of everyone's teasing that day at the tournament. Thanks to my father.

Before I'd normally dodge this topic nonchalantly. But today, I was kind of giddy about it.

Although we ended at third place that day, I had fun the whole weekend.

Yes, including yesterday despite the 'word whipping' from Laila.

Overall, I got my mind off that call from the Santiago matriarch and the Garcia's lawsuit.

But I guess, I spoke too soon.

Middle of that week, news spread that there was a riot in the prison where Bran Santiago was booked. But I doubt Bran would engage in such. Not his type. Kaya napaisip ako nang malamang isa siya sa mga dinala sa prison infirmary para gamutin.

Later that day, Reid called me,"Hey, you heard the news?"

"About?"

"Bran Santiago."

Mabilis sa sirkulo namin ang balitang ganun.

May mga ka-business deals at competitors si Reid na kliyente ng Santiago.

"Ah, oo. Kanina pang bago magtanghali."

"So, you didn't know the latest?"

"Nope. Hindi pa ako lumalabas ng office room ko after lunch. I told my secretary not to disturb me unless it's necessary. I'm too busy."

"He's dead."

Saglit akong natigilan, "Oh!"

"What do you think?" Reid asked.

"About what?"

"You know what I mean, Ralph."

I inhaled, "I don't know. Riots are not new in prisons. It might have broken down and Bran was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Pero kahit ako, hindi isandaang porsiyentong kumbinsido sa sariling sinabi.

"Drew and I will pay our respect to the Santiagos, I hope you won't mind. They're a friend of a friend."

"No worries. Malamang pag-usapan din namin nina Dad at Grandpa. Kahit hindi sila nagpunta noon sa funeral service ni Grandma."

"But, Ralph. Be vigilant. You told me and Rob about his brother-in-law, who happened to be your sneaky ex-apprentice."

"I'll keep that in mind, pal. Thank you for updating me."

After that call, nawala ang focus ko sa ginagawa ko kanina.

Kahit papaano ay nakaramdam ako ng awa kay Rebecca.

It won't be good for her health if she'll be there for the wake of Bran. Kaya lang ay imposibleng hindi ito pupunta. Close ang magkapatid.

Close in the sense na nagkuntsaba para lokohin ako dati, patago sa mga magulang nila.

Kaya nga ako tinawagan dati ni Mrs. Santiago para layuan ang anak na babae.

Napapitlag ako nang tumunog muli ang cellphone ko.

Si Daddy.

Tungkol din kay Bran ang itinawag niya.

"Should we go to his funeral service?" I asked.

"Not your Lolo. Alam mo naman yun. And I am not sure myself, son. "

"Maybe we should, Dad."

"After what the Santiago sbilings did to you, and that ex-employee of ours, seriously, Raphael? May on-going pa kayong kaso, hindi ba?"

"Actually, my gut feeling is telling me to go there, Dad."

"Why?"

I briefly told him about what Rob's report about Bran's arrest and detainment. Then Mrs. Santiago's brief call that left me hanging.

"I dissent, son. We should not meddle with their family's issues. It's the Santiagos who pulled that snake into their nest."

"I'll go, Dad. At least to paying my respect is my way of thanking them for taking away Navarro from us."

He heaved a sigh, "Alright. Just be careful, Ralph."

"Sure. Thanks for understanding, Dad."

"There's a catch to it."

"What?"

"Bring home your woman. Introduce her to me and your Lolo."

"Tss. Whatever."

I heard him chuckle before I could end the call.

I don't know, but I have this feeling the need to talk Elsa.

"Wala namang kakaiba," ang sagot nito.

Tinanong ko kung may may napansin na pagbabago sa kilos o routine ni Laila. O sa labad ng bahay.

"... maliban sa tumawag yung braille tutor niya na a-absent bukas. Magme-make-up class na lang daw sa Biyernes."

"I see."

The next day, I had one of our messengers check on Mang Ben, too. I'm pretty tied up with workload and meetings to do it myself.

Maayos naman daw ang matanda.

Then latest news, walang maiturong depinidong suspect sa pagkamatay ng kapatid ni Rebecca. At tila parang hindi pinagtutuunan masyado ng pansin ang masusing pag-iimbestiga.

Kaya lalong hindi ko napigilan ang doon matulog sa mga Centeno kahit Huwebes pa lang.

Something is really wrong somwhere. And it's bothering me.

"Lai ..."

"Oh..." sagot nito na tuloy lang sa pagbubutas sa braille paper.

"Massage mo naman ako uli sa ulo," ungot ko.

Hindi naman ako nabigo.

"Stress ka sa trabaho, ano?" untag niya makaraan ang ilang minutong paghihilot sa noo ko.

"Sakto lang," kaila ko. "Sanay na."

"Okay. Sinabi mo eh."

Napangiti ako, "Lai..."

"Hmm...?"

"Your period... dumating na ba?"

"Meron ako ngayon. Bakit?"

"Well... what's ... what's your plan in case... you know...I got you pregnant?"

"Magde-demand ako ng child support," walang gatol niyng sagot.

Medyo hindi ko inaasahan na may handa siyang sagot doon.

"You don't have to. Hindi tayo aabot sa demandahan."

"Ano'ng ibig mong sabihin?"

Napadilat ako at napatingin sa mukha niya.

Tama ang basa ko sa tono niya. Yun rin kasi ang nakabakas sa reaksyon niya.

"I'm not talking about abortion, silly. Of course, We'll keep the baby."

"We? Kasali ka?"

"Of course."

Hindi na siya nagkomento."

"Lai..."

"Hmm..."

"Di ako makakapunta dito sa weekend."

"Um... okay. May lakad ka?"

"Uhuh."

"Saan?"

"Somewhere south."

"Batangas?"

"Mindanao area."

Bahagyang lumungkot ang mukha niya.

"Taga-doon si Mama at Papa. Pero hindi pa ako nakakarating kahit minsan. Di ka naman siguro magtatagal dun. Hearing ni Tatay sa Monday."

"Isang araw lang kami dun. Babalik din the same day kung walang aberya."

"Kami?"

"May appointment kami ni Jeannette."

She frowned.

Napangiti naman ako.

"Sige na," biglang sabi. "Kailangang tapusin ko yung worksheet ko."

"Broker ko si Jeanette," nagpipigil tawa ko na imporma.

"Di ko naman tinatanong."

Pero wala. Tinoyo na talaga.

Naatulog na ako pero hindi pa rin nahiga si Laila.

Papaalis na ako kinabukasan, tulog pa rin siya.

Tsk! Women!

I planted a kiss on her head before I left.

"Hey, Ralph," si Reid, tumawag uli. "Today is Brandon Santiago's last night of service. We're going."

"Yeah, I heard."

"I guess you're right. Something's really off," he said.

I know what he meant.

The wake is too quick. Just two days, then he'll be cremated tomorrow.

Hindi man lang hinintay ang mga magulang.

"I'll go, too."

Nagkasundo kaming magkita doon.

But we weren't able to.

Because Navarro's security did no allow me to enter the chapel unit in that prestigious memorial home.

Wherever I looked at it, the fucktard intented to embarrass me in front of all the people there from our circle.

Damn! He wants an all out war ... then I'll give it to him!

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