Eva

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Congressman Santiago has died. His remains were found in the wilderness, approximately fifty kilometers from the city.

Naagnas na ito at medyo hindi na makilala si Congressman, pero siya ito at ginagawa na ang otopsiya. The media are swarming like bees at the place where they found him. Ang mga tauhan ni Sebastian ang unang nakakita. Naniniwala sila na matagal nang nakatago ang katawan ni Congressman sa lugar na iyon. Napuntahan na nila ang lugar na iyon. Malapit lang din kasi ito sa kung saan nakita ang sasakyan niya, pero hindi nila inakala na andoon lang din naman pala ito sa lupa.

Sebastian and Graham are stressed, and the press waits outside for the result.

"We should tell them the truth," si Graham.

"No, we cannot do that. We should not tarnish the Congressman's name. Let's at least ensure he has that for his peace," Sebastian replied.

Nagtitigan kami ni Sebastian. Kaming tatlo lang ang nasa silid na ito. Tatlong tao lang din ang may alam kung anong klaseng tao si Congressman. . . Si Sebastian, Graham at si Madam, ang asawa ni Congressman. Siguro dumagdag na ako, dahil ako naman ang legal na adviser.

"We cannot tell that to them, Graham," sumingit ako. "We must avoid disclosing the truth of what transpired. We cannot reveal that his downfall resulted from his own negligence. Nobody will accept that story. The media will merely delve into irrelevant details, involving everyone connected with Congressman Santiago."

"Maraming madadamay na inosente." Talas ko silang tinitigan.

"So, ano ang suhesyon mo, Attorney?" si Graham sa akin.

"Hindi ba may treat letter si Congressman noon? Gamitin natin iyon... Sabihin na natin na may nakakita kay Congressman sa gabing iyon. Hindi na masama, makakatulong ito sa pag iimbestiga."

"We knew he had overdosed, but we also believe someone was with him before it happened. The question is, who was it?" Humakbang ako, at panay ang tango ni Graham. Seryoso lang din ang tingin ni Sebastian sa akin.

"May suspek tayo, pero hindi natin kilala kung sino. May mastermind sa likod ng pagka overdose ni Congressman, pero sino?"

"Tama, tama..." Ngumisi si Graham.

"We won't disclose those details. We'll simply state that the investigation is ongoing, and we cannot provide a comment at this time. We ask the media and the public to pray for Congressman Santiago's soul. He was truly a good man, having invested significant efforts to assist his district, undertaking numerous projects, and helping many people."

"Privacy lang ang hihingin natin sa kanila. Respeto at pag unawa sa mga mahal na naiwan ni Congressman."

Huminga si Sebastian nang malalim at saka tumango.

"I believe you can deliver that message, right, Gov?" I looked at him, and he nodded.

"K-Kung gusto mo, Gov, ako na!" Ngiting aso ni Graham.

Napangiwi ako. Hindi ko talaga gusto si Graham. Parang may mali talaga sa kanya.

"No. I will do it, Graham," sagot ni Sebastian.

--

Sebastian appeared solid and flawless as he stood before them. Dressed entirely in black, his hair was slicked back neatly as if styled with gel. Lahat ng kinang nang kamera ay nasa kanya. Polido, at buo ang tindig niya bago siya nagsalita.

Everyone listened as he speaks. Parang huminto ang mundo saglit dahil dito at ang lahat sa paligid ko.

Sebastian has the ability to make everyone pledge loyalty to him. He is a born leader with a unique talent.

"That was so cool, Governor. Well done!" si Graham.

Ngumuso ako at saka inis na tinitigan si Graham. Ewan ko lang. Pero hindi ko talaga siya gusto. Something about him is a waving walking red flag.

"Come here..." Hinila agad ni Sebastian ang kamay ko at nabigla pa ako.

Maraming tao sa paligid, pero wala naman yatang nakapansin sa paghila niya sa akin. Sa isang cubicle na malapit sa mens toilet kami. Maliit na compartamento at lalagyan ito ng mga panglinis ng kapitolyo.

"I need you..." He hugged me and buried his face against my neck. He is hugging me from behind, resting half of his body weight on me.

"What you did back there was impressive, Seb. You can become a president one day," pagbibiro ko. Hinaplos ko na ang gilid ng mukha niya.

"I don't want to take that role. I'm done with politics. But I can't escape the calling, Eva...My parents are into politics too."

Mahina akong tumango. Alam ko na ito, dahil pinag aralan ko na ang pamilya niya. Tatlong termino rin na naging Mayor ang Papa niya sa Cebu. Sikat ang Mama ni Sebastian. May sariling hospital na pagmamay ari ng mga angkan sa side ng Mama niya.

His father and the foundational efforts established THE GRAYSON, and under Sebastian's management, it has expanded nationwide and is now looking to enter the Asian market. Sebastian is also collaborating with the Mondragons. Pumasok na ang pangalan nila sa mga angkan nito.

"I'm so proud of you, baby..." I faced him and kissed him intently.

Gumalaw ang kamay niya, at bumaba ito sa pwet ko. He kissed me tenderly, thrusting his tongue and tasting every bit of my mouth. Kinagat niya ang pang ibabang labi ko nang bumaba ang kamay niya sa gitna ko.

"Oh, please, not here, Seb..." Habol hininga ko.

Huminto siya at saka bahagyang natawa. "I know. I can't wait for tonight." Pilyong ngiti niya at humalik lang din ulit sa akin.

"Let's get out before they notice we are missing." I laughed.

THERE was no longer a secret, and I guess everyone in the office knows about me and Sebastian. Lihim pa rin naman sa iba na nakatira na ako ngayon sa bahay ni Sebastian. Ito pa yata ang palihim sa amin. Pero hindi na sa kapatid ko at sa mga kaibigan ko.

"In the end, sa kanya pa rin ang bagsak mo!" Dismayado ang mukha ni Tricia. "Ang rupok mo talaga ano? Pero okay lang 'yan. As long as you are happy, then, I am happy too!" Tawa niya.

"So, kailan ang kasal?" si Shasha.

"Anong kasal? Wala pa nga'ng proposal. Huwag nga kayong atat!" Naupo si Amye sa tabi ko at ibinaba ang pagkain na binili niya.

Naka-video call ako kina Shasha at Tricia. Nandito si Amye kasama ko. Ngayon lang ito dahil abala siya sa negosyo at panay ang travel pabalik Maynila-Cebu-Singapore.

"So, how is it to live with him? In fairness, you are blooming, Eva!"

"Salamat, Tricia. Matagal na akong blooming ano!" Halakhak ko.

"Ano 'yan? Mangga?"

"Mangga at kebabs. Gusto mo?" Ipinakita ko ito kay Shasha.

"I miss the Cebu. I can't wait to visit you. Kailan ba tayo bibisita, Tricia?"

"Saka na kung kasal na nila ni Governor," sagot ng bruha at natawa na sila.

Tumayo muna ako para maghugas ng kamay. Iniwan ko na muna si Amye at panay ang talak niya sa dalawa.

I wash my hand thoroughly because I was doing the gardening earlier. Galing akong market mall at namili ng mga indoor plants. Pinili ko ang mga malalaki na babagay sa paglalagyan ko sa bahay ni Sebastian.

Malaki ang bahay ni Sebastian. May katulong, pero hindi stay in. May dalawang security at isang gardenero. Purong mga matatanda na. May aso siya, si Ruby, at ito ang inaalagaan ng kasambahay. Matanda na si Ruby, pero mabait at sweet. Kay binilhan ko rin ito ng dog bones at damit. Sana magustuhan niya ito mamaya.

"E-Eva? Is that you?"

"P-Po?" Pinunasan ko ang kamay sa gilid ng damit ko at lito ko siyang tinitigan.

Makapal ang salamin niya sa mukha at medyo matanda na siya. Pero pormal pa rin.

"Ikaw nga si Eva Serino! How are you, hija?"

She looked at me from head to toe and back again. My mouth parted, and suddenly, I remembered her.

Siya si Ma'am Torres, ang registrar noon sa Law school ng unibersidad.

"Ma'am Torres? Oh my... kumusta?"

"Ikaw nga. Oh my, look at you!"

She embraced me, and I could smell her rich fragrance. It's unmistakably her! Her scent remains unchanged.

"Are you Attorney Evangeline Serino now, right?" She proudly looked at me.

"Opo..." I nodded.

"Oh, thank goodness...everything has paid off, my dear."

Nangunot ang noo ko. Tinigan niya akong mabuti.

"Sebastian Grayson, our current Governor, was searching for you throughout Cebu five years ago. I assisted him and provided all the information," she said.

"Alam mo ba na siya rin ang dahilan kung bakit namatay ang chismis tungkol sa 'yo sa campus."

Namilog ang mga mata ko. Hindi ko alam to ah...

"Do you remember Desiree? She was the one circulating rumors about your supposed affairs... That wasn't even true. Sebastian was furious. I think Vansel was part of that, too. I really felt sorry for Sebastian at times. Parang anak ko na siya eh. Mahal niya si Vansel, pero iba talaga ang bata."

"I'm glad that it's all okay now. I'm so proud of you. Mabait si Sebastian. Mabait ang Governor natin. Marami nang nagawa noon pa man."

Kumurap kurap ako at napatango na lang.

I wasn't aware of this. I thought the gossip about me continued circulating among all those who knew me back then. I was taken aback by Sebastian's actions at that time, and did not know what he did for me. 

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c.m. louden

Thank you, and always vote for support.