After 2.5 months. LOLZ! 

Sorry na. Pero di na mawawala ang pagka-busy sa sched ko. Mababago lang from busy to busier. Hahahaaayysst!

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Ralph's POV

It's been three days since my Grandpa, and Dad finally met Laila. And the old farts are intentionally staying in the mansion when they previously said they wanted some time off in our farm in Abra.

Medyo maayos na ang pakiramdam ko. My nausea, vomiting and fever already subsided. Although, sinisinat pa rin. Hindi pa ako nakakawala sa dextrose. Reasons I am still not reporting for work. Not even remotely.

Maraming kumokontra kahit sabihin kong magre-review lang ako ng emails.

"Laila, hija, can you tell this hard headed man not to insist?" si Lolo.

"Uhm..." halatang na-awkward ang babae. Nakaupo ito sa gilid ng kama ko.

"Aw, common, Abuelo," reklamo ko.

"Ralph, iho. Lalo kang matatagalang hindi makakapagtrabaho kapag nabinat ka," singit ni Tita Fe.

"But I will just read—"

"Raphael..." malumanay na tawag ni Laila sabay pisil sa braso ko.

"Yes?"

Sa mahinang tinig ay, "Naririndi na ako sa kakulitan mo. Pinayagan ka na ngang kumain sa baba at hindi na rito sa kuwarto mo."

"Tss," ang tangi ko na lang nasabi.

"Pakibalik na lang po nito sa study," ang bilin niya sa maid na inutusan kong kumuha ng laptop ko.

I heard my grandfather chuckle. But Tita Fe kept a dead pan face.

That was early this morning.

Pasimple kong tinapunan ng tingin si Laila na katabi ko sa dining table. Nanananghalian kami.

Walang imik ang babae. Actually, mula pa nga noong araw na dumating sina Daddy ay hindi ako masyadong kinakausap nito. Maliban kung kailangan lang, or napipilitan.

"Kanin pa?" tanong ko sa kanya dahil paubos na lang laman ng pinggan niya.

Umiling siya.

"Then have some dessert," si Daddy.

"U-uhm... sige po," ang mahinang sagot.

"Ako na," ang salo ni Tita Fe nang tangkain kong abutin mula sa maid namin ang dessert goblet. "Ang dextrose mo."

Mabilis ang kilos ng may edad na babae na kanina lang ay nakatayo sa likod ni Lolo who is sitting at the head of the table. While Dad and I are on his right and left respectively, across each other.

Hinayaan ko na.

Halatang may sigla ang mga tao sa mansyon. Hindi ko na maalala kung ilang linggo na baa ng lumipas nang huli kaming magsabay-sabay kumain sa main dining table. Kaya ipinagpalagay ko na ganun rin ang damdamin ni Tita Fe dahil dama ko ang madalas niyang presensya nitong mga nakaraang araw. Dati ay hindi naman siya ganito ka-attentive kahit kumpleto kaming tatlong lalaking Marquez dito.

She never put food in our plates, much more to a guest.

At naisip ko ngayon lang... may pagkapormal ang may edad na babae mula nang umuwi akong may sakit.

Not sure if it has something to do with Laila's presence. Maybe, she is observing the woman whom I declared to carry our family name.

I respect the old woman and I practically grew up in the mansion with her in it. Personal assistant siya dati ni Lola, pero nanatili pa rin siya sa empleyo ng mga Marquez kahit wala na si Lola. Pinalitan niya ang dating mayordoma dito na umuwi na ng probinsiya sa hindi namin maunawaang dahilan.

Only that Tita Fe has this habit of imposing some things in our house without consulting my olds or me.

Just like that conversation we had when Dad and Lolo arrived.

"Bueno, kailan pwedeng makausap si Mr. Centeno?"

"Dad! Lolo! I thought you will be in Abra until next week?" gulat kong tanong.

"I received that my only son is very sick. So... here we are. Abra to Manila is just less than an hour via air travel."

"So, you used my A-Z privileges again, huh?" sumbat ko.

"Well..." si Daddy, sabay kibit-blikat.

Tss.

I really need to consider Reid's suggestion that we purchase our own preferred aircrafts, then have it rented kapag hindi namin gagamitin. We'll have A-Z as our rental agent while we park at their hangar.

"Una vez que se recupere, hablaremos con el Sr. Centeno para la mano de su hija," singit ni Lolo.

(Once you get well, we will talk to Mr. Centeno for the hand of her daughter.)

"Kami ba ni Tatay ang pinag-uusapan ninyo?" mahinang tanong ni Laila sa akin.

Bago pa ako makasagot ay sumingit si Tita Fe nang, "Oo, iha."

The old woman can understand Spanish, although not fluently.

Ewan ko, but I was somewhat pissed by her interjection.

Hindi na uli nagsalita si Laila. But Tita Fe did not stop there.

"Pag-usapan ninyo siguro ito sa ibang pagkakataon, Senior. Kailangang magpahinga ni Ralph para klaro ang pag-iisip niya."

"¿Qué quieres decir con eso?" si Lolo.

(What do you mean by that?)

"Ang sa akin lang ay huwag magpadalus-dalos. Para hindi na maulit ang nangyari dati sa mga Santiago."

My eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"¿De verdad necesitas mencionar eso, Fe? ¿Delante de la prometida de mi hijo?" baling ni Dad sa kanya sa kaswal na tono na may tipid na ngiti.

(Do you really need to mention that, Fe? In front of my son's fiancée.)

Ngiting kahit ako ay tinatamaan ng kaba.

"Uhm... P-para ko na rin kasing anak—"

"Sabes que no es tuyo. Así que no actúes como si lo fueras su madre."

(You know he's not yours son. So don't act like as if you are his mother.)

I was thankful that my father put her where she should be. Noon ko pa lihim na naobserbahan ang malamig na pakikitungo sa kanya ni Daddy.

Dati ay tila gustong umangal ng kalooban ko, pero hindi ngayon. Nararamdaman ko na rin kung bakit ganun si Dad kay Tita Fe. Although, this is my first time to see and hear my father said something rough to her.

Lamang, parang may ibang ibig ipakahulugan ang sinabi ni Daddy.

Then I saw Grandpa touched my father's arm lightly. It was to remind him to stay calm. Kaya isinantabi ko muna na tanungin si Dad sa ibang pagkakataon.

"Laila, iha," si Lolo.

"P-po?"

"Kailan ang schedule ng eye operation mo?"

"Uhm..."

"Soon," salo ko. "Since, hindi naging successful ang una, I plan to bring her outside the country for that."

Di ko pinansin ang pabiglang lingon sa akin ni Laila. Alam kong hindi siya makakakontra ngayon. Hindi sa harap nina Daddy at Lolo.

"What for?" takang tanong ni Lolo."Lalong matatagalan pa ang kasal ninyo."

"Senyor, hindi pa nga kayo nakakapamanhikan," singit na naman ni Tita Fe. "Walang singsing."

Nahuli ko ang pigil na pagtalim ng tingin ni Daddy. At ang pigil na pagkaalerto sa mata ni Lolo.

Napakunot-noo ako.

Ano ba'ng meron?

"Ah, sí," sang-ayon ni Lolo tapos ay tumingin sa akin. "¿Por qué no llevaba ninguna?"

(Ah yes. Why was she not wearing any?)

"La propuesta ocurrió en una circunstancia muy diferente, Abuelo. Por favor, no preguntes más y dejemos de hablar en español. Es grosero con mi..." at pasimple kong tinapunan ng tingin si Laila.

(The proposal happened in a very different circumstance, Lolo. Please do not ask anymore and let's stop talking in Spanish. It's rude to my ...")

Halata ang matinding pagkailang ng babae.

"Oh," napapahiyang sabi ng matanda. "I'm so sorry, Laila. I will refrain from talking in Spanish."

"Uhm... It's alright, S-señor Marquez."

Nabigla ang babae, kahit ako, dahil sabay na natawa sina Daddy at Lolo.

"Ano'ng nakakatawa, Dad?" I asked.

I felt offended for Laila.

"No, no. Don't feel bad, you two," si Daddy. "Ngayon lang tinawag ng mapapangasawa mo si Papa tapos ay Señor Marquez."

"Hindi ko malaman kung masama ang loob ni Laila na tawagin akong Lolo," may panunudyo sa tinig naman ni Lolo.

Namula ang babae, at napakagat sa labi, "H-hindi naman po."

Dad cleared his throat, "After lunch, let's talk, Raphael."

"About?"

"Pupuntahan ka namin ni Papa sa kuwarto mo mamaya. Magpahinga ka muna uli after lunch."

"Why not in the lanai after this meal?" tanong ko.

Narinig ko ang pagbuntunghininga ni Laila sabay ang palad niya sa balikat ko. Tapos ay mahinang nagsabing, "Huwag ka na makulit, Raphael. Dadating mamayang gabi ang doctor mo. Kung maayos ka niyang dadatnan, siguradong papayag na yun na alisin ang dextrose mo."

"Uhm, alright," was all I could say.

I heard my old men chuckle a little. I could not stop giving them a face.

Sumabay si Laila nung paakyat na. Wala itong sinasabi basta alalay siya ni Elsa. Ako naman ay nauuna sa akin ang isang private nurse ko na hawak ang dextrose stand.

"Heart..." tawag ko sa babae pagdating namin sa second floor ng mansyon.

Napangiti ako nung bumaling siya sa direksyon ko. I'm happy that she's getting used to my endearment name for her.

"Pahangin tayo sa balcón," yaya ko. "I mean, balcony."

"S-saan ba yun?"

"Dito lang rin sa second floor. Malapit sa kuwarto namin ni Lolo."

"Uhm, masyado pang maliwanag ang araw. Masakit sa mata," ang sabi. "Hindi kaya ng prescription glasses ko ang pangtanghaling liwanag sa labas."

"May sunglasses ako sa kuwarto. Wait."

"Ako na ang kukuha," boluntaryo ni Pong.

Tumango lang ako at sinabi kung saan makukuha sa silid.

Nang nakapuwesto na kami sa tag-isang sun lounger sa malaking balcón, sinabihan ko ang private nurse na iwan muna kami.

"Just keep your phone with you. Tatawagan kita kapag kailangan."

"Yes, sir."

Dumistansiya rin sina Elsa at Pong. Mahinang nagkuwentuhan sa gilid ng habang nakaupo sa top railing.

Ilang minuto ring katahimikan sa pagitan namin ni Laila ang lumipas bago ako nagsalita.

"Lai... I'm sorry."

Hindi agad siya sumagot, kaya, "Lai?"

"S-saan?" ang mahinang tanong.

Nakabaling siya sa kawalan, suot ang sunglasses ko.

"Parang... nabo-bore ka na yata rito."

"Uhm... h-hindi naman..." tapos ay humugot nang malalim na bntung-hininga.

Nagsisinungaling ito o maaaring may gustong sabihin na di na lang itinuloy.

"You can tell me. I will listen," udyok ko.

"Ang alin?"

"Kung ano yung nasa isip mo ngayon."

Di siya umimik kaya,

"Lai, ayaw mo ba rito? Kumpleto naman kami—"

"H-hindi yun."

"Then what?"

"Basta."

"Is it Tita Fe?"

Walang sagot. Kahit reaksyon sa mukha, wala.

"Lai...?"

"Gusto ko nang umuwi, R-raphael."

"Bakit?"

"Hindi ko makagalaw dito ng malaya."

"Why not? The house is so big."

"Hindi yun... basta."

"Paano ko magagawan ng solusyon ang problema mo kung ayaw mo sabihin sa akin."

"Ikaw ang gumawa ng problema, Attorney. Umpisahan natin na kinuntsaba mo si Tatay na magpanggap na legal guardian ko. Bakit hindi mo makita yun?!" she snapped.

Natigilan ako. Napatingin din sa gawi namin sina Elsa at Pong dahil sa bahagyang pagtaas ng boses ni Laila.

Bumagsak ang balikat ng babae kasunod ang malalim na buntung-hininga uli.

"Hindi ko mintindihan ang intensyon mo sa pagdala sa akin dito. Niloko mo ako. Inilihim mo na hindi tayo sa ospital pupunta. Kung alam ko lang, hindi ako sasama," sabi niyang salat sa emosyon.

I feel guilty, kaya hindi agad ako nakapagsalita.

"Sinadya mo, hindi ba? Tapos naririto ang tatay at lolo mo. Ikaw na ang may sabi. Gustung-gusto nila na makapag-asawa ka. Sa harap nila. Matataas na tao. Iginagalang. Ako, eto lang. Bulag. Kailangan ng tulong. Ano sa palagay mo ang kakayanan ko na salungatin ang gusto nila, eh yung ikaw pa nga lang, hirap na akong—"

Nagbuntung-hininga uli siya sa halip na ituloy ang sasabihin.

"Lai... heart...I'm ... I'm sorry..."

Bumaling siya sa akin, "Naaalala mo ba nung isinusumbat mo sa akin na may issue ako sa mayayaman, Raphael. Masisisi mo ba ako ngayon?"

"W-wala naman akong... I mean, di naman ako nagpa-power trip, Lai. Hindi talaga ako mahilig magpa-ospital. You can ask the people in this house. And ... yeah... I want you here."

"Para akong preso. Ganun ang pakiramdam ko," himutok niya.

"What? Pwede ka namang lumabas ng kuwarto mo, Lai."

"Hindi lang dito. Kahit sa bahay. Kahit saan," frustrated na niyang sabi.

Now I think why she's saying all this.

"Then... let's go to the US. Doon ka magpa-opera ng mata."

"Tapos? Ano'ng kasunod, Raphael?"

"Uhm... pakasal na tayo. Sa US na rin."

Pagak siyang tumawa, "Hindi mo kayang magpakasal sa bulag?"

Naihilamos ko ang palad sa mukha, "Okay, we get married first. Civil wedding sa US then paopera ka na. Happy?"

"Civil wedding?!"

"Hindi ba't ayaw mo sa simbahan?"

"Bakit sa US?!"

"Dahil doon ka nga magpapaopera after ng kasal. We can freaking walk-in at any little white chapel in Las Vegas and be married within the day!"

"Bakit ba masyadong kang nagmamadali sa lahat?" may bahid na ng iritasyon sa boses niya.

And I am getting pissed as well.

"Laila, tell me what you want. Hindi ako manghuhula!" tumaas na rin ang tinig ko. "I will give it to you, for Pete's sake!"

Napasapo siya sa mukha, at umiyak, "Hindi ko alam! Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang gusto kong mangyari!"

Nahulog na ang suot niyang sun glasses.

"Goddammit!" ang nasabi ko na lang sa sakit, sabay hila sa dextrose kong nawala na yata sa tamang pagkakatusok sa kamay ko dahil lumipat na ako sa sun lounger na kinauupuan ni Laila.

"Ginugulo mo ang mga plano ko. Ang mga plano namin ni Tatay," patuloy niyang sabi sa pagitan ng paghikbi. "Maayos na eh. Ginulo mo na naman! Isinali mo pa ang daddy at lolo mo!"

"Hey... Hey...I'm sorry," I said as I enclosed her in my arms.

"Ralph!" saway nina Elsa at Pong na agad lumapit.

Itinuro ni Pong ang kamay ko. Umangat ang dugo sa IV line. Hindi ko pinansin. Tuloy lang ako sa pagpapakalma kay Laila.

Agad na lumabas si Elsa para tawagin ang nurse ko.

"Calm down, heart. I'm sorry," ang paulit-ulit kong sabi.

"Sir—"

Sinenyasan ko ang nurse na huwag lumapit dahil ayokong mapahiya si Laila.

Alerto naman si Elsa. Dinampot ang sun glasses at hinawakan si Lai sa braso.

"Sa kuwarto ka na muna. Space muna kayong dalawa. Magpakalma ka at yang mata mo... Tsk! Si Ralph, kailangang magpahinga eh baka mabinat," ang malumanay na sabi.

Walang imik na sumama sa kanya si Laila.

I fell into deep thinking upon returning to my room.

Nakaka-guilty pero hindi pwedeng iaatras ang mga plano ko. Sa US paooperahan si Laila at doon kami magpapakasal. Civil muna, yung mabilisan lang. Oo, tama siya. Nagmamadali na ako. Then we plan for another wedding.

Garden or beach wedding... whatever she wants.

I don't care.

Ang importante, makaalis kami agad because I have a bad feeling about something.

Nakatanggap uli ako ng dalawa pang missed calls from the same international number.

I think, it's Rosemary Santiago, Rebecca's mother.

Isa yun sa dahilan nang pagsakay ko kay North at pagpunta sa laot. Para mag-isip. Nagtatalo ang kalooban ko kung kukumpirmahin ko nga kung siya yun. At kung bakit siya tumatawag.

I do not want any association with the Santiagos anymore except on the professional level.

Especially that Navarro's annoying mother had spilled the beans to Laila about my previous relationship with Rebecca.

Damn that old woman!

Then her son, of course.

As of recent, I heard he's always seen in the hospital where his wife is admitted. I bet he is there for the same reason he is not signing to unplug Rebecca from life support ay dahil ayaw niyang lumala ang pumapangit na imahe niya sa shareholders and partners ng Santiago Law Firm.

Sa pagkakaalam ko, napunta na kay Rebecca ang shares ni Bran after he died. And now that Rebecca is in her death bed, sa anak nila ni Navarro mapupunta ang mga ari-arian ng babae. All expenses of the child is on the Santiago's shoulder. I do not know what other things Navarro got out of the marriage but what I am certain is that he got a high position in the company, and since Rebecca has her own money, his salary is at his own disposal. That was what I heard about their pre-nup agreement. But their child is so young, thus the father will be the custodian.

Nag-iisang apo ng mga Santiago ang anak nila ni Rebecca!

He is gathering money and power, though I doubt the manner how he got both, he is successful so far.

There's only one he aspires to have beyond his reach and I intend to keep it that way.

Kaya nga tama si Laila na sabihing nagmamadali ako. Because I bet he will pick up his momentum on chasing his old flame after his wife to draws her last breath and then he gets full control on the Santiago Law Firm.

What a shrewd snake!

Nakatulugan ko ang pag-isip ganun din sa paghihintay kina Dad at Lolo.

Nagising ako dahil dumating ni Dr. Alonzo.

Pumayag na ito na tanggalin na ang dextrose ko but under a strong condition to follow my meds, take plenty of fluids and healthy meal.

Kasama na niya ang private nurse ko pag-alis.

"Nasaan si Dad at Lolo?" tanong ko sa katulong na pumasok para magligpit ng gamit na dextrose at IV lines sa kuwarto ko.

"Uhm, hinatid po ng Daddy ninyo sa maindoor si Dr. Alonzo pagka-check kay Señor Marquez."

I can understand that. Both are close friends since high school.

Pag-alis ng maid, I asked her to get my laptop from my study. Then I made myself busy checking on emails. Paraan ko na rin para mawaglit ang issue kay Laila at Navarro.

I was in my fourth email when my olds summoned me to the main study in the mansion.

When I stepped inside, Lolo is seated on his office chair at the back of his desk. Si Dad, sa visitor chair katapat ng desk.

There I saw mixed hope, excitement and concern in their eyes.

Isa pa ito.

I can't fail them. Ganyang pinasilip ko sila ng pag-asa na magse-settle down na ako.

Don't kid yourself, Raphael. You are making a lot of excuses why you want to marry the Centeno lady. All of those are not the primary reasons. Not even ego. Hindi ka dating apektado sa pambubuyo ng Daddy at Lolo mo. Pero nang dahil kay Laila, may dating na sa iyo ang pangungulit nila sa iyo.

Tudyo ng utak ko.

Unconsciously, I pressed my lips together with the thought.

At nang mapadako ang mga mata ko sa desk ni Lolo, hindi ko inaasahan ang pagdagundong ng dibdib ko.

Not sure if out of excitement, fear or what.

As soon as I sat across both old men,

"Mi querido nieto..." then he pushed the four vintage boxes to my direction.

(My dear grandson...)

Nag-init agad ang mata ko pagkabukas noon.

"Tu abuela dijo que te diera esto una vez que hayas elegido a la mujer para casarte."

(Your grandmother said to give this to you once you have chosen the woman to marry.)

It's my old lady's jewelry boxes containing her classic pieces. Two of which are mixed gems and trinkets. The other two are sets of jewelry.

I saw a ring slot empty in one of the boxes.

Napatingin ako kay Daddy. Malungkot siyang ngumiti sa akin tapos ay tumango.

Naunawaan ko. Sa asawa niya napunta ang singsing na dapat ay nananahan sa puwestong yun. Di ko alam kung matutuwa ako na sa heirloom na ipinapasa ngayon sa akin ay yun lang ang napunta sa ina na ayokong kilalanin. O malulungkot ako para ka Daddy dahil sila dapat mag-asawa ang magpapasa ng mga ito sa akin. At hindi si Lolo.

"Just choose a ring to give Laila then properly propose to her tonight," si Dad.

Wait...what?

"Tonight?" ulit ko.

Shit, I feel embarrassed proposing in front of these two old farts.

"Yes, may problema ba doon?" he asked.

"Uhm... well, wala naman. It's just that she already has my ring."

"I did not see any on her finger," Lolo flatly said. "¿Dónde está?"

(Where is it?)

Napahimas ako sa batok, "Nag-away kami nung nakaraan. Ibinalik sa akin."

I got startled when both men laughed out loud. Then my face turned hot feeling sheepish.

Tumayo ako and started walking out.

"Hey," saway ni Dad pero natatawa pa rin. "Go back to your chair, you idiot!"

Asar na naupo ako.

"Then why did you not return it to her?" si Lolo na nagpipigil ng ngiti.

"Ayaw tanggapin. I even asked help from his father but... " napailing na ako. "Uhm, kaya ko dinala na rin siya dito. Ayoko na ngang ibalik sa kanila."

At inaasahan ko na ang pagtatawang muli ng dalawa sa akin.

Kahit pinagtatawanan nila ako ngayon, it actually felt good. Confiding to them. My remaining blood family. The men I look up to.

That triggered it.

I confessed all to my father and grandfather what I did to the Centenos, my intentions then and now, details of Navarro's connection to the situation... and what felt for Laila.

"You are intelligent, Ralph. You know you are not confused. Only in denial," said my father.

Wala akong maipansalag sa sinabi ni Dad. Kaya napayuko lang ako, nakatingin sa nakabukas na jewelry box ni Lola.

Unintentionally, a ring with exquisite vintage design caught my eye. My hand involuntarily went to take it.

"Ese es el primer anillo que mi abuelo le dio a mi abuela," sabi ni Lolo.

(That's the first ring my grandfather gave my grandmother.)

Napangiti ako ng tipid sa narinig. Not bad to replace the first one I bought for Laila. Anyway, that was only for show.

So, meaning...seryosohan na itong kapalit? Tudyo ng utak.

Tsk...Shit! Malamyang mura ng isang parte ng utak ko sa akin.

"Es una buena elección. ¿Tú crees, Papá?" narinig kong sabi ni Dad kay Lolo.

(It's a good choice. You think so, Papa?)

"Sí."

(Yes.)

Di ako nag-aangat ng tingin sa kanila.

Nahihiya pa rin ako. Yung pagkayabang-yabang ko sa kanilang dalawa noon, tapos ganito ang pinag-uusapan namin sa main study ng mansyon.

I heaved a sigh.

Then my father's hand on my shoulder.

"Son, please... just accept that you were wrong in what you believed in about relationship... about love."

Doon ako napatingin sa kanya. Saglit na nagdalawang-isip pero pinili kong tanungin na rin sa kanya.

"Your marriage did not end well, Dad. Why do you still love her?"

Malungkot siyang na ngumiti, "Because not all love stories are two-way roads, son. And just like a traffic, one has to give way for the flow of life to continue."

"It was only her life that continued. Yours did not," I said.

That sympathy and pain I have for my father resurfaced.

"Says who? I have you. You are my life, son."

Damn! That hit big time.

Di ko naagapan ang luhang umagos sa pisngi ko.

Napayuko uli ako at mabilis yung pinunasan.

My father stood in front of me, then tapped my head as if I am still a little boy.

"There are a lot of things you do not know what happened between your mother and me, Ralph. Before, during and after our marriage. I have no intentions of telling anyone. That's already in the past. And yes, I still love your mom, and I have no answer to your question why. I can't explain it myself. But one thing I want for you, son..."

"What?"

"I want you to have a better path in family life. A lasting one like your abuelo and abuela. So, do not make the same mistake I did before."

"What mistake?"

"I knew your mother never felt anything romantic towards me yet I trapped her in a marriage using you and her family's strict tradition as my leverage. Yes, I got what I want. I got I wanted at that time. But I realized, she wasn't happy. You were suffering... so I wasn't happy."

"Dad..." tingala ko sa kanya. "Did you or do you regret your decision to end the marriage?"

"No. Compared to our marriage, your life and safety was more important at that time. My only regret was that I betrayed your mother's trust. In the midst of her being down and broken, she thought I was there as her friend. A close friend whom she thought would have her back when she was drowning herself from alcohol, wine and all. But no. I intentionally got her pregnant with you."

Napaisip ako sa sinabi ni Dad.

Magkahawig yata ang ginagawa ko ngayon kay Laila.

"I should have told your mother what I felt for her. Instead, I got scared that she'd stay away from me, rather than looking at it as a possible opportunity na matimbang niya kung hanggang kaibigan lang ba ako. I could had opened a communication wherein we can explore our friendship to grow into romance. But with what I did, I pushed her to a cliff of distrust and hatred."

I heard him sigh, "Son, do you understand what I'm trying to say, right?"

Napayuko ako, pero tumango.

Lolo cleared his throat, "So, I guess you should propose to her properly tonight, Raphael. It does not have to be fancy. Laila apparently is not fond of getting the spotlight given her condition and status of her self-confidence."

"Kahit kayong dalawa lang, anak," susog ni Dad. "I can tell, she has something for you. Maybe not that really strong yet. Start there."

I am still having second thoughts.

"You have a lot of leverage against Navarro, son. For one, he is married."

"Not for long, Dad."

"It doesn't matter. He betrayed and shamed her on the day they should be married. I can name a few more, but por Dios por Santo, Raphael! ¡Me sorprende que tengas la autoestima muy baja!"

(I am surprised that you have a very low self-esteem!)

"¡Eso no es cierto!" tanggi ko.

(That's not true!)

"Entonces, ¿por qué tengo que decirte muchas cosas para animarte?" balik niya sa akin.

(Then why do I have to tell you a lot of things to encourage you?)

Natawa si Lolo.

"Alright... alright," I finally said. "Tonight. Please, make sure walang gagawi sa balcón."

"Sure, my boy. Sure," Dad tapping me on the shoulder.

After that talk, I went straight to my own study which is just the next room beside the main study using the adjoining door access.

I put all four jewelry boxes in my safe, leaving that one ring in my pocket.

Then I headed to my desk and pressed a button in the intercom to connect to the servants' quarters. Isang ring pa lang, may sumagot agad.

"Yes, sir?"

Tinanong ko ang pangalan nito. Tapos ay, "Akyat ka rito pati yung cook."

"Uhm... bakit po sir?" tila kinakabahan na tanong.

"Hey, kalma lang. Ipapaayos ko lang ang balcón. Doon kami magdi-dinner mamaya ni Ma'm Laila ninyo."

"Ah, okay po. Impormahan ko po si Madam Fe. "

"Huh?! Bakit?"

"Ano po kasi... uhm... bilin niya po na sasabihin sa kanya kapag ano. Para utusan niya kung sino ang gagawa ng—"

I got a little ticked, "Ako ang amo dito, hindi siya. At ako ang nagsasabi sa iyo na umakyat ka rito kasama yung cook."

Hindi ko nagustuhan ang pakiramdam sa narinig.

"S-sorry, sir. Paakyat na po."

Makaraan ang ilang minuto, dumating na ang dalawa. Saktong pinapasok ko sila ay nag-ring cellphone ko.

When I checked, it's the same international number that I missed picking up for multiple times.

I finally made up my mind and said to the helpers, "Balik kayo mamaya, sorry."

Pag-alis nila, sinaot ko ang tawag.

"Hello?"

"R-ralph...hijo?"

I recognized the voice.

"Yes, it's me."

"Thank you for finally picking up," she said.

I definitely heard relief in her tone.

"How can I help you, Madam Santiago?"

I heard her deep sighs.

"Madam Santiago?" untag ko.

"I-it's... it's not for me, Ralph."

"Your husband then?"

"Uhm, no. It's for my daughter,"gumaralgal ang boses nito.

Gusto kong maawa pero, "I think you are calling the wrong person. Yung asawa niya ang dapat ninyong kausapin."

I heard her sniff.

"I think, there's nothing I can do for her. From what I heard, Rebecca is... ahm... well, even the doctors can't help. And I am no God, Madam Santiago. I'm really sorry."

Sa pigil na hikbi, "What I'm asking is on behalf of Rebecca for our grandson."

"The husband is really the right person to talk to. Keep your family affairs with you and your problems with your son-in-law. You took him in, then deal with it. Anyway, he's your grandson's father."

"He's... he's not."

Napataas ang kilay ko. Then it dawned to me.

Kaya siguro 'nagwawala at gumaganti' si Navarro. Nalaman niyang pinasalo sa kanya ang hindi naman niya anak.

But that's not my problem.

"With all due respect, Madam. This is wrong, you know. I do not want to meddle if this is a child custody battle."

"You have to be involved... because he's your son!" napapiyok pa ang babae sa sobrang emosyon.

"WHAT?!"

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