"Mommy," I whispered after answering her call. I leaned my back on the countertop while I'm facing the working place near the sink.

"What the hell, Mauree! Where are you? You're not answering my calls for a couple of days! Hindi mo rin sinasagot ang mga tawag ni Ysmael! Ilang araw ng itinigil ang mga transactions ng Daddy mo para ipahanap ka na sa lahat ng tauhan--"

"I'm safe, Mommy." Putol ko sa salita niya dahil sa tingin ko, kung hindi ko gagawin iyon ay hindi kami matatapos sa paguusap.

I didn't answer a call from anyone the past few days because Mirae remind me to refrain communicating to anyone using my phone. Maaari naman raw na paminsan minsan akong makipagkomunikasyon gamit ang aking phone. Hindi siya nagsabi ng dahilan ngunit alam kong inaalala niya na maaaring matrace ang aming lokasyon gamit ang aking phone.

"You're safe? You'll tell me that after I'm already here at the airport? I'm looking for your Dad-- wait, saw him already."

Agad na namilog ang aking mga mata. She's here? I heard her synchronized footsteps, tila nagmamadali. Siguro ay dahil nakita na nga si Daddy.

"God! Even Elvira's worried for you! Gusto pa ngang sumama sa akin. Hindi ko lang naisama at nagmamadali na talaga akong makauwi."

I heard someone called Mom's name from the background. Probably Dad.

"I miss both of you already," my lips pouted as I've said those words.

I smiled as I remember my Nana Elvira. She's my nanny ever since I was a baby. Isa siya sa mga kasama namin ni Mommy sa States. She's also a Filipina. Tagalog din kadalasan ang gamit namin sa States, lalo kapag nasa loob ng mansyon dahil halos lahat ng kasama namin doon ay pinadala ni Daddy na mula rin dito sa Pilipinas.

Reason why even I grew up in States, I'm fluent in speaking the language in the Philippines.

She made a low growl, annoyed sound. "Sinabi na kasing 'wag ka ng umuwi ng Pilipinas. And I remember, sabi ng Daddy mo ay may iniutos siya sa'yo para tingnan kung napatay nga niya ang Universe ng Cosmos? Kaya't alalang alala iyon dahil baka raw nahuli ka ng lintik na mga Cosmos at--"

"I'm safe, Mommy. Tell Dad that he doesn't have to worry. Uuwi rin ako. I..." I trailed off as I cleared my throat. "I took a vacation. I just want to clear my mind first and I'm a bit enjoying the past few days, that's why I missed your calls. I'm sorry..." I bit my lower lip. My conscience's slowly eating me but I need to lie.

"Alright, here's your Dad. He wants to talk to you. I'll give him my phone."

Hinayaan ko si Mommy niya. Its not my intention to make them worried. Gusto ko ring sundin ang sinabi ni Mirae dahil ayoko naman na malaman ni Daddy kung nasaan ako at kung sino ang kasama ko.

"Mauree, anak!" A smile plastered in my face as I heard Dad's voice. Kahit gaano kasama ang mga ginagawa niya ay Daddy ko pa rin siya. I still love him no matter what. "Wherever you are, are you alright?"

"Yes. I'm fine here."

I heard him sighed in relief. Siguro ay natanto niyang nasa maayos nga ang aking kalagayan. "Really? I heard you're in a vacation, if you need something, anything, just call me and I'll give it, huh?"

Hindi mawala wala ang ngiti sa aking mga labi, lalo na nang marinig ang sinabi ni Daddy. "Yes, Dad. Don't worry. I'll be fine here."

"Alright, I'll end this call so you can enjoy again in your vacation. Take care."

I hummed as I heard the sound from the phone, indicating that the call ended already.

Nakangiti kong ibinaba ang aking phone at agad na nagtungo sa refrigerator nang maalala ang aking gagawin. But a firm voice made me stopped on my track.

"Who are you talking to?"

Napalis ang ngiti sa aking mga labi at namimilog ang mga matang napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses na iyon.

My lips parted as I saw Dasher near the countertop. Ni hindi ko namalayan na naroon siya. His eyes were coldly staring at me that it looks darker. "Who the fuck are you talking to, Maureen!"

Agad akong napapitlag at tumalon ang aking mga balikat dahil sa pagtataas niya ng boses. Nahigit ko ang aking hininga dahil sa tono niya.

I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out of it. I bit my lower lip as I placed my phone at my back.

Hindi ka niya kilala, Maureen. Calm down. He won't know. You grew up in States, hindi ka niya makikilala.

"Are you betraying us? What the fuck are you planning!" I can see his veins peeking at his neck.

I immediately shook my head. I can feel my hands trembling from behind.

"What's happening?" I don't know if I should be relieved that Ridge and Donna came or what.

Hindi man lang nilingon ni Dasher ang dalawa at nanatiling matalim ang mga matang nakatitig sa akin.

"I'm talking to a f-friend. I-I won't betray you."

I watched him as his jaw tightened. Ilang segundo pa siyang nakatitig sa akin bago binawa ang mga mata. "Make sure you won't. I'll fucking kill you if you do."

That's what he said before turning his back on me. Donna smiled apologetically before following Dash.

Si Ridge naman ay dumiretso sa akin. "Did you do something?" He asked and of course he'll take Dasher's side.

I shook my head as I refrain myself to utter even a single word. Bumaling ako sa refrigerator at kumuha ng kahit anong maaari kong pagbalingan ng pansin. I took out a cup of yogurt.

"Pagpasensyahan mo na si Dasher."

Napatigil ako nang muling marinig si Ridge. Ilang sandali ay nagpatuloy ako sa paggalaw ngunit ngayon ay marahan na kaysa sa kanina. Tila hinihintay kung may idudugtong pa siya sa mga sinabi.

"He's not like that before--"

"I know." Tama ako sa hinalang matagal na nilang kilala ang isa't isa. Either they're colleagues or Ridge is also a part of Cosmos. Or both.

"That... I think is because of what happened?" Alanganing sambit niya na para bang pati siya ay hindi sigurado. "If its not too much, just understand his situation."

But Dasher's not like that when it comes to Mirae or Astrid. O kahit kay Archer. They'll probably argue but he won't raise his voice on them.

Even to Ridge and Donna. He's a bit distant and cold but he's using his casual tone when talking to them.

Bakit kapag sa akin, lagi siyang galit at parang iritado. I just want to take care of him. Iyon lang naman ang gusto ko. Bakit parang ang hirap noon para sa kanya?

Tipid na ngiti ang iginawad ko kay Ridge ngunit hindi ako sigurado kung umabot iyon sa aking mga mata.

"Just..." He trailed off. Nagaalangan kung itutuloy ba ang sasabihin. He cleared his throat after awhile. "Don't betray him. Hindi ko dapat sinasabi sa'yo 'to pero--" Natigilan ito bahagyang napailing.

"What?"

"Nothing. Nevermind. Don't do anything that'll surely make your life in danger."

Iyon ang mga salitang binanggit niya bago ako tuluyang tinalikuran.

Napalabi ako habang matamang nakatitig sa bulto niyang pabalik na sa sala.

I already did. The moment I applied as Dasher's nurse, I know I'm already in danger. Lalo na kapag nalaman nila kung sino talaga ako. That I'm a daughter of Ysmael Rozelli, the reason why Dasher's suffering in this situation.

But aside from that, hindi na ako gagawa ng iba pang ikapapahamak katulad ng ipinaparating ni Ridge. That'll I'll betray Dasher? I won't. Not because I'm threatened that he'll kill me but because I simply won't.

I emptied the cup of yogurt before walking towards the sala. Nadatnan ko roon si Ridge na nakaupo sa mahabang sofa, kasabay ng paglabas ni Donna mula sa silid ni Dasher.

"Let's let him rest for awhile."

I nodded at Donna as I sat on a single seater sofa. Sumandal ako sa sofa at hinayaang dumulas ang aking ulo patungo sa gilid ng couch. I placed my elbow on the armrest as I let my lips kissed my knuckles.

There was a deafening silence between the three of us, tila may kanya kanyang laman ang isipan, until Donna turned to me.

"I already cleaned the room beside Dasher. You can use that."

Napakurap ako sa sinabi niya. I slowly shook my head while apologetically looking at her. "You don't have to. Sinabi ni Dasher na may pupunta rito para gawin 'yon." I nibbled my lower lip as I shifted on my seat.

"If he's referring to you, ako na dapat ang naglinis. I mean, you're also a nurse..."

She shrugged. "Done already. Don't worry, that's included in my job."

And that, I confirmed she's just like Ridge. She's not just a nurse.

Tumikim ako bago sinulyapan si Ridge bago bumalik ang aking mga mata patungo kay Donna. "How about the both of you? Would you stay here?"

"No." Napalingon ako kay Ridge nang sumagot siya. Agad naman iyong sinangayunan ni Donna.

"Hmm. We'll stay here but not in this villa. They prepared a place for us, I think just a few walks away from here."

Isang linggo ang mabilis na lumipas ngunit walang nagbago sa pakikitungo sa akin ni Dasher. Malamig at tila ayaw maramdaman ang aking presensya. Ridge and Donna's not staying with us but they're visiting our villa everyday.

"Dasher's responsive in our treatments. He can recover faster than we all thought." Ridge continue informing me about Dasher's condition as we walked side by side towards the meat section of the hypermarket. He's pushing the cart containing the groceries needed in the villa.

Napilitan kaming magpunta sa mall dahil kulang kulang na ang stocks sa villa. Bukas pa pupunta ang sinasabi ni Astrid at Mirae na magdadala ng groceries kaya't nagpresinta na si Ridge na bumili dahil may dadaanan din naman siya na malapit sa mall.

Donna insisted to come with Ridge. Ngunit agad iyong tinutulan ni Dasher at ako na raw ang sumama at si Donna na ang maiwan kasama niya. "I guess he prefer Donna better than me." I heaved a deep sigh as I slowly shook my head.

"What?"

Nagtataka akong lumingon kay Ridge. My forehead frowned a bit.

"What did you say?" He stopped on his track. Kaya naman napahinto rin ako at hinarap siya.

"What did I--" Napakurap ako. Did I say it out loud?

"Who prefer Donna better than you? Dasher?" Kumpirma niya kaya't natutop ko ang aking bibig.

"I..." I sighed and decided to tell him. I can't lie to this doctor especially if I said it out loud. "He's distant. Sa akin lang naman. He chose Donna to be with him over me. Siguro ay hindi niya ako gusto--" I stopped when my words sounded different.

Na maging ang tingin ni Ridge ay nagsasabing iba ang dating ng sinabi ko para sa kanya. Klase ng tingin na tila ang intindi niya sa akin ay nagmumukmok ako dahil hindi ako gusto ni Dasher.

"My presence, I mean. Hindi ako-- and ibig kong sabihin--" Putol putol na sambit ko ay sa huli ay napabuntong hininga na lamang. "Mali ang iniisip mo."

My eyes narrowed as the side of his lips tugged into a smirk. "What do you think I am thinking?"

I lazily lifted the side of my lips as I shook my head. Muli kong inalala ang mga dapat naming bilhin at doon itinuon ang sarili.

"He didn't."

"Huh?" Bahagya napabaling ang ulo kay Ridge ngunit nasa mga karne sa aking harapan pa rin ang aking pansin.

I pinched it using my forefinger, I don't even know why I'm doing it.

"If you're thinking that he wants Donna's presence over you just because he asked you to come with me even though Donna insisted already, you might be wrong."

Natigil ako sa kakapindot sa karne at marahang lumingon sa kanyang direksyon. I stared at his eyes with my lips pressed on each other.

Hindi lang iyon ang dahilan, siguro iyon lang ang nakapagkumpirma na ayaw niya nga sa akin. Ayaw niya akong kasama. Maybe to some who has a cold heart, it won't hurt. But for me, it hurts... a lot.

"What are you talking about?" I tilted my head towards him.

"We heard you asking Donna if there's a place near here where you could buy your things."

My lips parted as I listened. Isang hinuha ang nabubuo sa aking isip ngunit gusto kong kumpirmahin iyon.

I remember what he's saying. Kahapon iyon, I don't have a lot of clothes and other things that I need with me. Iilang gamit lang ang dala ko dahil naisip ko ngang bumili na lamang. That's why I asked Donna for a near place where I can buy things. Pero hindi rin niya kabisado ang lugar dahil ngayon lang din siya nakapunta sa lugar na ito.

"He asked you to come with me instead of Donna because he wants you to buy your things and not because he prefer Donna better than you," ngising sambit niya na nakapagpakurap sa akin. I blinked twice. My mouth hung opened as I gasped for air.

"He's still the doctor, the comrade, and the Dasher I know." The corner of his lips tugged up for a smile as he winked at me.

__________