CHAPTER 47

HINALIKAN NI HAPPY ang noo ni Lucky nang bisitahin niya ito sa ospital. Katatapos lang niyang magpatingin dahil ngayon ang una niyang follow-up check up mula nang makalabas siya ng ospital dahil sa pagsabog at sa first degree burn na natamo niya sa kanyang kanang paa.

Good thing King was there to pull her out before that fire engulfed her body.

She stayed nearly a weak in the hospital before the doctor discharged her. At habang hinihintay ang resulta ng checkup niya, pinuntahan at binisita niya ang kapatid.

"A-Ate..." bulong ni Lucky habang may ngiti sa mga labi.

Even in her state, Lucky still managed to smile as brightly as she could.

"How are you feeling?" tanong niya habang hinahaplos ang pisngi nito.

"O-okay lang," sabi nitong nakangiti. "I'm strong. I can do this."

Tumango siya. "I know. Kaya mo 'to. Ikaw pa ba?"

"Where's Blaze?" tanong ni Lucky. "H-how's the married life?"

Natigilan si Happy sa tanong ng kapatid pero hindi siya nagpahalatang may pinagdadaanan sila ni Blaze. Her sister didn't need to know. In her state right now, she had to focus on getting better not on her problems.

"Married life is... happy." She smiled. "You know..."

"I-inaalagaan ka ba ni Blaze?"

Tumango siya habang pinipigil na umiyak. "Oo naman. You know how he is. He's a baby but he takes care of me."

Lucky smiled brightly. "T-that's good. I'm happy for you."

Hinalikan niya sa pisngi ang kapatid. "Ikaw... kumusta kayo ni Blake?"

"He's sad," sagot ni Lucky na unti-unting nawawala ang ngiti sa mga labi. "I'm putting him through hell, Ate. G-g-gusto ko lang naman siyang mabigyan ng anak, pero hindi ko naisip na mahihirapan siya nang ganito. Every time I look at him, I'm questioning myself if my decision was right."

Hinawakan niya ang kamay nito. "I know you only wants what's best for your husband, Lucky. Panghawakan mo na lang 'yon and everything will be fine. Blake loves you kaya he's hurt to see you like this. But when the baby comes out, you'll be one big happy family."

Lucky's eyes watered. "D-do you think I'll live?"

"Of course," mabilis niyang sabi. "Magkakasama pa tayo nang matagal. Excited na akong makita ang pamangkin ko."

Lucky smiled. "Me too."

Happy smiled back before roaming her eyes around. "Nasaan pala ang asawa mo? Hindi ko siya nakita sa labas. This is the first time that he left you alone."

Mahinang tumawa si Lucky. "May importante lang siyang ginagawa. Saka alam niya na bibisita ka kasi nag-text ka raw sa kanya."

"Ah." Napatango-tango siya. "Kaya pala. How's Dad with you, by the way?"

Lucky smiled. "Daddy is spoiling me. So much. Hindi na siya pinapalapit ng doktor sa akin kasi ibinibigay niya lahat ng pagkain na gusto ko na bawal sa akin."

Happy chuckled. "Well, that's Dad. He will always do what he can for us."

"I know. But now he's trying to reign himself," kuwento ni Lucky habang nakangiti pa rin. "Sabi kasi ng doktor ko hindi raw sila papayag na ilibing sila ni Daddy kung si Daddy naman daw ang ikakapahamak ko."

Mahinang natawa si Happy. "Sungitan mo sana si Daddy. Hindi talaga 'yan nakikinig hangga't hindi tinataasan ng boses."

Lucky chuckled weakly. "Nagkuwento siya sa akin na binu-bully mo raw siya palagi. Nagpapaawa sa akin si Daddy kaya sabi ko hindi ko siya bu-bully-hin. And then Dad said that I got my niceness from him."

Happy snorted. "At naniwala ka sa kanya?"

Lucky shrugged weakly. "I don't know..."

Natawa siya, saka akmang pabubulaanan ang sinabi ng ama kay Lucky na dito nito nakuha ang kabaitan nang tumunog ang cell phone niya.

Nang makitang si Kane 'yon, agad siyang nagpaalam kay Lucky.

"I just have to take this," sabi niya nang makatayo. "Babalik ako agad."

"Sige, Ate."

Lumabas siya ng kuwarto ni Lucky bago sinagot ang tawag. "What is it? Are you okay? Are you hurt? Are you—"

"I'm fine, Lady Happy."

Happy let out a sigh of relief. "Akala ko napaano ka na. Ngayon ka lang kasi tumawag sa akin. It's always Yrozz who's calling me."

"I just have a bad news. That's all."

Worry instantly consumed him. "What is it?"

"His Highness is missing for a week now."

Blaze? He was missing? "What? Hindi ba siya mahanap ni Yrozz?"

"He's hacking everything now. Hindi namin napansin agad kasi masyado kaming na-busy sa Triad. I'll update you later."

"Thank you, Kane." But before Happy could worry about Blaze being missing, she saw a twin turning to the left hall, towards her direction.

The other twin started running towards her when he saw her.

"A-are you okay?" Worry was in his eyes and guilt and fear and a lot more in their depths.

Bago pa siya makasagot, nilampasan sila ni Blake at pumasok sa kuwarto ni Lucky. Habang siya naman ay nakatulos lang at nakatitig kay Blaze.

"Okay ka lang ba?" He looked and sounded worried. "I heard what happened. Knight told me."

"As you can see, I'm still alive and breathing," sabi niya sa malamig na boses. "But aren't you a week late to worry?"

But Blaze was still worried. "I'm your hippeis, I should have been there with you—"

"It's okay. I know you're going through a lot lately. But don't worry about being my hippeis, you already have a replacement."

Shock and pain filled his eyes. "R-replacement?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I need people in my team, Blaze. I can't wait for you, lalo na't alam kong galit ka sa akin. We've been taking down Triad's HQs here in the North. I need men to fight and to watch my back and to protect me if worst comes to worst."

"B-but that's my job."

"Where were you then?" Happy couldn't reign the bitterness on her voice.

"Baby—"

Umiling siya. "Please don't call me that," she begged then smiled. "I'm sorry pala for asking where you were. It came out wrong. But I'm thankful that you're here. That's good because you can help with the clean up. I need more men if you're in. We lost some on our last raid. Shit that bomb which nearly got me."

"But I'm not here for that, I'm here for you—"

"My lady..." It was Deth while waving the paper he was holding at her. "The results are here."

Ito ang kasama niya dahil nagka-second degree burn si King nang iligtas siya nito at hanggang ngayon ay nagpapagaling pa rin.

"Don't we need a doctor to read that?" tanong niya kay Deth nang makalapit ito sa kanya.

"Don't need one. I'm right here," sabi nito sa nagmamalaking boses. "Your new hippeis has a medical background. So, no worries."

Tumaas ang kilay niya, kapagkuwan ay napangiti nang makita ang suot nito sa ilalim ng leather jacket kanina. "Oh, and here I thought the shirt I bought you was ugly looking."

"I can't believe you bought me a Micky Mouse shirt." Deth tsked.

Happy laughed. "Well, it was a couple shirt."

Deth grimaced. "Please tell me you are not giving the other one to my brother."

Nakangisi siyang umiling. "I'm giving it to Kane. Team Virgins. Yey!"

Bigla na lang namula ang pisngi ni Deth na ikinatawa niya.

"Stop it."

Happy laughed again. "Oh, you're so cute. Kane is innocent but he doesn't blush."

"Stop teasing me." Deth grimaced. "I can only endure too much. And I'm only enduring this shirt because King said you will be insulted if I don't wear this. That, or I'll walk around shirtless, he said."

"Well, you have muscles in the right places," sabi niya, saka tinusok-tusok ang braso nito at dibdib. "Women wouldn't mind."

Napatango-tango lang si Deth, saka binasa nito sa harap niya ang test results niya.

"Well... ahm, I give up." Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Deth habang sinusubukang basahin ang resulta. "My medical background is not that great after all. I take it back."

Natatawang inagaw ni Happy ang papel na hawak ni Deth, saka pabirong inirapan ito at wala sa sariling napaharap kay Blaze na titig na titig sa kanila ni Deth.

"Hmm?" she hummed at him.

Inilahad nito ang kamay. "I'm a doctor. I can read that."

Happy smiled. "I already have a physician, though thanks for offering," sabi niya, saka naglakad para lampasan ito.

Agad namang sumunod sa kanya si Deth.

"Who's that guy?" agad na tanong ni Deth. "He looks like in pain when you didn't let him read your test result."

Itinaas niya ang kamay para makita ang wedding ring niya. "My husband."

"Oh. Are you two getting divorce or something?" Deth asked curiously. "I mean, you look okay, smiling even... but he looks like he's in pain."

"I don't know. Maybe," sagot niya, saka pumasok sa opisina ng doktor niya.

Nakaupo si Happy habang nakatayo naman si Deth sa likuran niya habang binabasa sa kanya ng doktor ang resulta ng tests niya.

Everything was fine. Everything was normal. Except for her hCG level. It was higher.

HAPPY CAME BACK to Lucky's hospital room after the reading of her test result while Deth went home first because Lyf called. Wala roon si Blaze sa kuwarto ni Lucky na ipinagpasalamat niya.

Nagpaalam lang siya sa kapatid na uuwi muna sa bahay at bibisitahin na lang ito uli.

Pero nang makalabas ng ospital, agad niyang nakita si Blaze na nakapamulsa sa parking lot, sa tabi ng kotse niya. Para itong wala sa sarili habang nakatayo at nakatingin sa kawalan.

"Can I help you?" tanong niya kay Blaze nang makalapit dito.

Napakurap-kurap ito nang tumingin sa kanya. "Baby..."

"Don't call me that please," pakiusap niya sa malumanay na boses, saka ngumiti. "What is it, by the way? May kailangan ka ba?"

"Can we talk?"

"What for?"

"About what I said. That day."

"Oh." Napatango-tango siya, saka nakangiting inilahad ang kamay sa sasakyan. "Hop in. Let's talk inside."

Sa halip na sumakay sa driver's seat, sa backseat sila sumakay ni Blaze para magkausap.

He was here to talk then she would listen. Gusto niyang ibigay rito ang hindi nito ibinigay sa kanya, ang ipaliwanag ang sarili niya at ang parte niya.

"Well?" basag niya sa katahimikan sa loob ng sasakyan. "Let's talk."

Blaze looked at her. "You're cold."

Sumilip siya sa labas, saka nagbiro. "It's winter."

"No. Not that." Blaze was serious.

Happy took a very deep breath. "Okay, joke's over. Let's talk about Midnight's file. Are you okay? How are you feeling?"

"I'm a jerk for leaving you like that."

She nodded. "At least I don't have to tell you that. Ahm... still angry?"

"At you?" Umiling ito. "I'm a sick bastard for even thinking that it was your fault. I can't face you because of what I said and did. Hiyang-hiya ako sa iyo, sa mga kasama natin."

"Still blaming me?"

Umiling uli ang asawa. "I'm an idiot." The he looked at her. "Please tell me I can still fix us... please..."

"Gusto mo ng totoong sagot mula sa akin?"

Blaze nodded.

"Okay." She took a deep breath. "What you said to me. I keep asking myself that. What makes my life more important than hers? My answer is nothing. Wala namang buhay na mas importante pa sa buhay ng iba. A life is a life. That's it. What makes me worth it than hers? Also, nothing. Lahat naman ng tao, may halaga. Everyone is worth it, Blaze. Everyone. It just happen that my dad was selfish and he made a big mistake. Para sa akin. But it was his decision to make, not mine.

"And you know what I realized when I got bombed and nearly got killed? It wasn't my fault, Blaze. Yes, I'm thankful to Cassie and I will be forever indebted to her but it wasn't my fault. It was Dad's fault. Sa kanya ka magalit. Feel free. Sabi naman ni Dad tatanggapin niya lahat ng galit mo. But don't blame it on me. Kasi kung gising ako nang mga panahong 'yon at alam ko ang ginagawa ng daddy ko, ako ang unang pipigil sa kanya. Kasi alam ko na hindi mas mahalaga ang buhay ko sa kay Cassie. A life is a life."

"I know... I know and I'm sorry..." His eyes were begging. "I'm sorry." Hinawakan nito ang kamay niya." Alam kong gago ako sa mga sinabi at ginawa ko. There was no excuse to what I did. I'm sorry. I was just so mad at Midnight's file and in our situation. The pain, it came crashing back again and I lashed out on you. And I'm so sorry for being a jerk, for saying those things to you. I'm sorry, please forgive me. I was just so angry. Kaya nahiya akong humarap sa iyo pagkatapos ng mga sinabi ko. I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry."

Malungkot siyang ngumiti. "You know what's crazy? Hindi naman ako galit sa iyo. Disappointed? Maybe... I don't know. Pero hindi ako nagalit sa mga sinabi mo. Nasaktan, oo. Nasaktan talaga ako. But you know what's more painful than your words? You, walking out on me. You, never coming back to the penthouse to see me while I wait like an idiot while blaming myself for a sin that I didn't commit. I waited, Blaze, after you walked out on me... on us.

"Sabi mo may it be negative or positive, you will be there for me." Napailing siya. "You lied. And your words hurt me but there's nothing more painful than you walking out on me. Kasi parang mas pinili mo si Cassie kaysa sa akin. Sana, Blaze, sana hindi mo na lang ako pinakasalan kung mas mahal mo naman pala ang alaala niya kaysa sa akin. We could have saved ourselves from this heartache. Gaga rin naman kasi ako, mahal kita kaya umoo ako. Hayun tuloy, nagkasakitan na naman tayo."

Blaze's eyes watered. "Please don't leave me."

"Give me a reason why I shouldn't."

"I love you."

Umiling si Happy. "I'm sorry, but that's not enough anymore."

"Baby—"

"You always tell me that life is short, that I should take a risk, and I did, Blaze. I risked my heart and my life for you. I married you because I thought you are worth risking my all for. But now I'm regretting it. Now I'm thinking that maybe... maybe you're not worth risking for after all."

Blaze's tear fell from his eyes as he looked at her. "Hindi mo na ako mahal?"

Mahina siyang natawa habang naluluha. "Gago ka ba? Para namang basta-basta lang mawawala 'yon. Siyempre, mahal pa rin kita. Sobra pa rin. Pero ayoko ng ganito, Blaze. Asawa na kita, hindi boyfriend o fiancé. Hindi ako dapat nakikipagkumpetensiya sa ex mo. At dahil may utang-na-loob ako sa kanya, sige, ipapaubaya na kita sa kanya. Hindi ko ipipilit ang sarili ko sa iyo. Ayoko ng ganoon. My life may not be worth it than hers but I know my self-worth and I know that I don't deserve this."

Humigpit ang hawak ni Blaze sa kamay niya habang unti-unting lumuluhod sa sahig ng kotse. "Please... wala ba akong puwedeng gawin para makabawi ako sa iyo? Gagawin ko kahit ano. Gagawin ko. Please... huwag mo akong iwan... please... alam ko ang pakiramdam na wala ka, at hindi ko kakayanin 'yon. Please, baby, don't let go of me. Please... please... don't let me go. Please..."

Pilit niyang pinapabalik sa pagkakaupo si Blaze pero ayaw nitong sumunod.

He was hugging her waist tightly like he didn't want her to go. "Please don't let me go. Please don't let me go. Please! I need you. I need you, baby! I need you! Please! Please! Don't let me go!"

Her simple cry turned into a sob. "Bakit mo ba sa akin ginagawa 'to? Ikaw ang umalis, hindi ako. Ikaw ang hindi nagpakita sa akin ng ilang linggo, 'tapos magmamakaawa ka na tanggapin ko uli? Bakit parang lumalabas na ako 'yong walang puso sa ating dalawa? Na ako 'yong kulang ang pagmamahal sa iyo? Ikaw ang unang nang-iwan sa akin. Hindi ako. Naghintay ako, Blaze. Naghintay ako. 'Tapos ngayon na tanggap ko nang mas mahal mo si Cassie, heto ka na naman?"

Marahas na umiling si Blaze. "I don't love her anymore, I'm sure of that. I'm very sure. I was just so mad at the reason why I lost them. I was mad at the situation. But when I told you I love you, I mean every word of it. I mean it every time I say it to you, like how I mean it now. I love you, please don't let me go."

Nasapo na lang ni Happy ang mukha habang umiiyak. Hindi na niya alam ang gagawin. Hindi na niya alam. Before Blaze showed up, she had already decided to let him go but now she was conflicted.

Bakit ba napakahirap makita ang taong mahal mo na umiiyak at nasasaktan? Pero ayaw rin naman niyang mahirapan at umiyak ang sarili niya.

But this was not just about her anymore. There was an innocent life inside her now. She had to consider two lives now. Hers and the baby. Hindi niya ipagkakait sa anak niya ang magkaroon ng ama at ganoon din naman kay Blaze.

But what happened to them. Nahihirapan siyang tanggapin ang lahat. Nasasaktan pa rin siya. May nararamdaman pa rin siyang pagdududa.

Hindi sila magiging maayos na dalawa hanggang may ganito pa siyang nararamdaman. It would just ruin both of them.

Bumaba ang kamay niya at hinaplos ang buhok ng asawa. "Please don't kneel and beg. I'm no saint, Blaze."

"Please take me back," Blaze begged again.

Umiling siya, "It's not that easy, Blaze. It's not."

He looked up at her. "I can wait. I will wait. Please don't let go of me. Please?"

Wala sa sariling napatitig si Happy sa folder na iniabot sa kanya ni King kanina. Nasa passenger seat iyon at doon din natuon ang mga mata ni Blaze.

"What's that?" Blaze asked.

"Our annulment papers."

Mabilis na inabot iyon ni Blaze at inilabas, saka binasa ang laman ng folder. Hindi ito makapaniwalang napatitig sa kanya. "You're annulling our marriage?"

Tumango siya. "I figured that you love Cassie more. Sino nga ba naman ako para mapalitan siya sa puso mo—"

"You're Happy. You're my wife. And you own my heart!"

"I used to believe that." She smiled sadly. "But not anymore. When you left me, I felt how much you love Cassie and if she's still alive, I know, you'll choose her over me."

"That's not true! When I told you I love you, I choose you!"

"That's not how I see it. Oo nga't wala na siya pero nakikipagkumpetensiya pa rin ako sa alaala niya. I can never replace her in your heart, Blaze. You could never love me like how you love Cassie—"

"That's not true!" he hissed at her. "Puso ko 'to, kaya alam ko! I know what I feel, Happy. I know!"

Pinakatitigan niya ang asawa. "Bakit ganoon, iba ang sinasabi mo sa ginagawa mo?"

Blaze looked stunned.

"If you love me like you said, then okay, I respect that. Pero sana respetuhin mo rin ang nasa isip ko at 'yon ay ang hindi ako naniniwala sa pagmamahal na sinasabi mo. Yes, Blaze, I'm doubting your love. I'm sorry. Please leave my car."

"Happy—"

"Please?"

Blaze stared at her. "Makikipaghiwalay ka sa akin... I can feel it, Happy. You're letting me go." Humigpit ang hawak nito sa folder. "This?" Nalukot 'yon sa sobrang higpit nang hawak nito roon. "No... I won't let you annul our marriage. Hindi ako makakapayag."

"I have connections now. I can make make it happen even if you don't want too."

Fear filled his eyes. "Please don't. Please... huwag kang makipaghiwalay sa akin. Mahal na mahal kita. Please... huwag mo akong hiwalayan."

Hindi siya umimik at tumingin lang sa labas ng bintana.

Doon niya nakita ang babaeng kamukhang-kamukha niya na titig na titig sa kotse niya—sa backseat ng kotse niya!

Malalaki ang mga mata na mabilis siyang lumabas ng sasakyan para matingnan nang mabuti ang babae na ngayon ay naglalakad na palapit sa kanya.

And as the woman stopped in front of her, Blaze stepped out of the car and was about to say something when he saw the woman too.

"Blazey..." sabi ng babaeng kamukhang-kamukha niya, saka nang-aakit na ngumiti sa asawa niya. "It's nice to see you again."

Blaze lips thinned, like he wasn't shocked as she was while seeing the woman. "What are you doing here, Cassie?"

Napatitig siya kay Blaze na walang pagtataka, kaguluhan o gulat sa mukha.

Her heart sunk even more.

He knew. He knew!

Is that why he didn't come home to her for nearly a month?!

Ngumiti si Cassie nang makita ang emosyon sa mukha niya. "Selos ka, ano?" Mahina itong tumawa. "That's right. He was with me in those three weeks. We enjoyed each other's company."

Napatitig siya uli kay Blaze na ngayon ay nakatingin na sa kanya at umiiling.

"Baby... baby, that's not true. Please. I know you don't believe me anymore but that's not true. I will never do that to you."

Bumaling siya sa babaeng kamukha niya. "Akala ko patay ka na."

The woman looked at her and shrugged. "Fake news. It's nice to finally meet you, Happiness Aravena Quinn." She smiled. "Nandito pala ako para kunin ang sa akin na inagaw mo."

Then seconds later, Helena came into view.

"Happy, my baby," sabi nito sa kanya na nakangiti. "I see you two are having marital troubles?"

Before she could answer, Blaze intertwined their hands. "No. We're not."

Helena tsked. "Cassie, I told you, didn't I? Blaze is already married to my daughter. But of course, first love never dies, baby. Blaze will always love Cassie."

Hindi siya makapaniwalang napatitig sa ina. "What do you want from me?"

"Nothing," sabi ni Helena, saka hinawakan nito sa balikat si Cassie. "But she wants Blaze. The man you stole from her. Goodness! After she saved your life, you have the guts to steal her man. What a horrible way to say thank you."

Lumapit ang babaeng kamukha niya kay Blaze, saka umangat ang kamay nito para haplusin ang mukha ng asawa niya. "Blazey, I miss you so much—"

Mabilis na tinabig ni Blaze ang kamay ng babae. "Don't call me that."

Akmang hahawakan uli ni Cassie ang pisngi ng asawa niya nang awtomatikong gumalaw ang paa niya para sipain ito sa dibdib. At nang umapak ang paa niyang isinipa rito, umikot siya para ang isa naman niyang paa ang isipa na tumama sa mukha nito.

Nagtatagis ang mga bagang na tumalim ang tingin niya sa babaeng kamukha niya na ngayon ay matalim na ang mga mata. "Don't touch my husband," she possessively said. "Only I get to do that. I don't care who you are, but my husband is mine. Wait for the annulment, you bitch."

Before Helena and Cassie could retaliate, helicopters roared from above.

Happy smirked. "Meet the Organòsi. I already learned my lesson. I always come prepared, bitches."

Nagmamadaling umalis ang dalawa pagkatapos siyang tingnan nang matalim at pangakuan na hindi 'yon ang huli nilang pagkikita.

As the helicopter chased Helena and her look-alike, Happy faced Blaze with an angry expression on her face.

"Explain," matalim ang mga matang sabi niya habang nagtatagis ang mga bagang. "Before I kill you."

One wrong word or move, she would really not hesitate to end her relationship with Blaze.

She could still tolerate doubt, shame and fear, but cheating? Never!

CECELIB | C.C.