Epilogue

"Dwight, I told you, not her. Bukod sa galing siya sa kalaban, sobrang arte niya. Can't you see?" Leiden jabbed my ribs with his elbow, and Gilbert nodded in agreement.

Ilang beses ko na ba itong naririnig sa dalawa kong pinsan? Hindi pa ba sila nagsasawa? It's been what? Three years?

Kailan ba ako nagsimulang manuod sa kilos nitong si Olbes na makinis, maganda at saksakan ng arte?

I didn't mind them, and I continued staring at her good pair of legs while she's busy instructing her squad about their cheering steps and all.

Both of her hands were on her waist as her sweet yet annoying voice dominated the whole gym. She's the cheer leader with her short fitted yellow uniform, na bahagyang tumataas sa bawat hakbang niya.

Kailan kaya ako makakakagat dyan sa binti na iyan, Olbes?

We're currently inside our campus gymnasium, watching the cheer leaders having their practice. Malapit na ang sportsfest at naghahanda na ang bawat department para sa kani-kanilang cheering squad. It's now the College of Nursing's turn, kasama ang ibang course na related sa medicine. She's a BS Biology student, kung hindi ako nagkakamali.

"White, kanina pa tayo rito."

"Shut up, Leiden." I hissed.

"Ligawan mo na kaya?" tanong ni Gilbert.

"Seriously? Sa tingin mo sasagutin niya si White? She's an Olbes, kahit sulyap hindi niya gagawin. Kalaban ang tingin niya sa atin, tapos magpapaligaw?" sagot sa kanya ni Leiden.

"Don't get me wrong, Leiden. Katulad mo hindi ko rin gustong lumapit si White sa isang Olbes, but try to think of it. We've been wasting our years threatening her supposed suitors! Dapat may mapala man lang itong pinsan natin." My right eyebrow arched after hearing Gilbert's statement, pero nanatili pa rin akong nakatitig sa binti ni Olbes.

Ilang gago na ba ang pinagbantaan naming tatlo sa likuran ng campus na ito na huwag lapitan si Olbes? I can't count. She's mine. Ako ang unang kakagat sa maputing binti ng maarteng babae.

"White shouldn't waste our effort for years, para tayong nagbabantay sa mansanas na wala namang kakagat." Gilbert added.

"Mansanas? Are you an idiot? That kind of apple has a poison." Katwiran ni Leiden.

"Shut up, cousins. Napapatingin na sila rito." I said. Nakaupo kaming tatlo bleachers.

"Because you're getting crazy! Alam mo ba na pinababantayan ka na ni lolo?" napatingin ako kay Leiden.

"He did?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

"Yes. He's aware about your intense stalking-" lalong nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

"A-and?"

Leiden sighed. "Sabi niya hayaan ka na raw, and just don't get yourself killed."

Ngumisi ako sa narinig ko, as expected from my grandfather.

The Olbes princess stomped her foot frustratingly when one of the dancers made a mistake, I heard a lot of 'oh my gosh!'

My cousins were watching with their brows crossed, but I was grinning. Kapag inartehan niya ako ng ganyan, patay siya sa akin. Kagat na papayag.

And then, I suddenly laughed that made our presence more visible for them. Natigil sa pag-iinarte si Olbes at iritado siyang lumingon sa aming magpipinsan. She rolled her eyes before she turned her back again.

"Eh? Gandang babae..." I absentmindedly blurted out in whisper, but loud enough for my cousins. They both snorted.

They pulled me outside the court, dahil baka kung ano pa raw ang magawa ko kay Olbes.

"About the apple..." natigil sa paglalakad si Leiden at Gilbert na nauuna sa akin maglakad.

"Kakagatin ko..." I said while staring at the different direction. These idiots were always by my side, pero hindi ako magugulat kung sasalungat sila sa akin. They were loyal to our family, I was loyal too, but not until my eyes got caught by that woman.

I thought I would be hearing a rain of curse, but the idiot stepped backward and I just found their arms on my shoulders.

"May you live longer, Dwight." Nang-aasar na sabi ni Leiden.

"Hail and prosperity to our family." Natatawang sabi ni Gilbert, sabay ko silang siniko.

**

Halos mabingi ako sa walang katapusang tawanan sa loob ng kwarto ko nang sandaling magmulat ako ng mata.

"It was some idiomatic expression, hindi naman kailangan kumagat sa literal na mansanas na may lason!" pulang-pula na si Leiden sa pagtawa.

"We have learned our lesson, from now on, we will not try to communicate with him through idioms-" hindi na matapos ni Gilbert sa sasabihin niya. "Mahina ang pick-up ni Dwight."

"Fuck off! Hindi ko alam na may pampatulog iyong mansanas! Malay ko ba!" hindi ko maisip kung bakit may dalang mansanas na pampatulog ang Olbes na iyon.

Napahawak ako sa aking noo. This would be a very big scandal, baka ngayon ay kalat nang nilason ako ng isang Olbes... fuck!

"W-what happened? N-nagkakagulo na ba-" sabay umiling ang mga pinsan ko. I sighed in relief.

"Our grandfather covered everything up, hindi na nalaman ng ibang Arellano dahil siguradong gulo na naman, lalo na at malapit na ang eleksyon."

Minsan ay napapaisip ako kung tama ba itong ginagawa ko. The election is coming, mas sensitibo ang apelyido namin hindi lang para sa amin kundi pati na rin sa mata ng probinsiyang ito. Pero nagsimula na ako, hindi na ako pwedeng umatras pa.

Matapos kong makatulog dahil sa mansanas niya naging madali na sa akin ang makalapit. I was enjoying her beautiful face trying to look composed with the thought of clawing my face. I could feel her burning animosity towards me, bagay na hindi ko kailanman naramdaman sa kanya.

"Let's make this quick, Arellano." She said, dinala ko siya sa isang restaurant matapos ko siyang lapitan. I was here to have her while she has her different goal, a typical conniving Olbes. Hindi na nakagugulat.

"Just eat first, Olbes." I said, pretending to be cold. I want to ravish those lips of hers. Shit, calm down, White.

"May I know you plan?" I asked.

"Why would I tell you? You're an enemy. Guess." She retorted.

I knew her plan, at alam kong ito rin ang pinaniniwalaan niyang gusto kong gawin sa kanya. But it was actually beyond that, I don't fucking care about the politics, I was here for her. And It will take time, damn long time.

"You'll make me your toy, you'll infiltrate our family without any effort because of me. That's it, ilalabas ng pamilya n'yo ang baho ng mga Arellano hanggang sa manalo kayo sa eleksyon." I said, her grip tightened against her utensils.

Ano kaya ang gagawin ko sa sandaling naisip niyang saksakin ako ng kutsara at tinidor? Hindi ito malayong mangyari. I was fantasizing to kiss her, but she's dreaming of killing me. How romantic.

"Wow, I didn't know that you have this kind of political thinking." Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong tumawa, political thinking? Seriously?

"No, it's a dirty thinking." I answered, composed. I sipped my glass of wine, kanina pa akong natutuyuan ng lalamunan sa labing 'yan, Olbes. Her lip tint suits her well.

Mahaba pa ang pinag-usapan namin, I couldn't help but to be proud of myself. Dahil kahit labi at hita niya ang naiisip ko habang nag-uusap kami, nasasagot ko ang inaakala niyang pakay ko.

"So let's get this straight Olbes, we proceed to our original plan. Be my girlfriend."

"Sure." She answered quickly. I stopped myself from grinning like an idiot, pero alam kong nakita niya ang saglit kong pagkabigla. That was fast, as expected from an Olbes, she's unpredictable.

That's my girl.

Inihatid ko siya pauwi sa mismong gate ng mga Olbes. I was nervous as hell, baka sa sandaling makalabas na siya ng kotse, biglang may magpapatak ng bomba sa akin.

I like her, but this woman doesn't like me. Hail and prosperity to my family, may I live longer!

"I'll go now." Naalarma ako sa sinabi niya at nang akma niya nang bubuksan ang kotse ko agad akong gumalaw. If her family will bomb me, I wouldn't allow her to leave my car without my damn kisses and my lips will haunt her to eternity.

I pulled her closer with my arms around her and my lips dominating her. She trembled, but that didn't stop me, instead it ignited me to open her mouth and pushed my tongue forward to play with hers. I thought it would be a single person participation, but when her lips moved and her tongue tried to tease me, I'd finally realized that our French kiss was getting deeper.

Ako na ang kumawala sa kanya sa takot na hindi ko na siya magawang palabasin sa kotse at pumutok bigla ang balitang dinukot ng isang Arellano ang nag-iisang prinsesa ng mga Olbes para-well? Papayag naman yata siya.

"Woah, I didn't know that you're actually into me." I teased her.

"Uhuh? baka malason ka..." she whispered.

She boldly wiped her swollen lips in front of me, yes, I was offended. This girl.

And poison? I was poisoned a long time ago, Olbes... sisiguraduhin kong ikaw naman ang malalason.

"Bye." She said.

But I was annoyed, for the second time around, I quickly held her face and captured her lips with a bit of intensity. She couldn't just wipe my kisses, pantal ka sa akin.

"Huwag kang magpupunas ng labi sa harapan ko, Olbes. And yeah, pinaaalala kong hindi lang ikaw ang may lason."

And that's the beginning of it, I was motivated to poison her but, in the end, it was her who drowned me with her poison again and again and again.

**

I was ready to face her family, I even consulted my grandfather and my parents, I fought my love for her, I was serious and willing to do everything for her. We could be the bridge of this undying feud between our family, I was too motivated na inakala kong wala nang hahadlang sa amin, but I was wrong...

My chest tightened when I saw the guest lists inside this certain mansion, one particular name was familiar. My agency had been tracing these syndicate's track, and the intelligence told me that the list was the confirmation of the living parties involved.

He's one of them... my babe's precious grandfather. I knew Autumn was really fond of her grandfather, kahit sensitibo itong pag-usapan sa pagitan namin, hindi niya maiwasang hindi magkwento sa akin. She loved her grandfather the way I loved mine, and this information would wreck her.

Anong ginagawa ni Don Olbes dito? Alam kong may hidwaan sa pagitan ng pamilya namin, but I never thought of him this low despite about the rumors, dahil alam kong ganito rin ang mga usap-usapan tungkol sa amin na mapapatunayan kong hindi totoo. I was assuming that Olbes and Arellano had the same plate of problems.

My job as an informant was to transmit message to my agency, an identified courier to avoid familiarity, hindi lang sa labas kundi sa loob mismo ng ahensiya. Wala akong kilalang miyembro sa kanila maliban sa isang tao na siyang nagbibigay sa akin ng mga impormasyong kailangan ko. My grandfather told me that that man was one of his favorite person, and he trusted him for life that he'd allowed me to work with him.

Sa ilang taon kong pagiging informant, kailanman ay hindi ko binigo si Officer Satchel na siyang pakilala niya sa akin. But just in a blink of an eye, I made a move that could break his long years of trust. Pumasok ako sa mansyon na hindi dapat at pinili kong hanapin ang matandang hinahangaan ng babaeng mahal ko.

I was nervous, this wasn't my job but the Autumn's heart was at stake. It was simple if it is just rumor that would break her, but I already had an idea after I surrendered the list. A clash between the agency and the syndicates that would lead to death or worst a betrayal. These syndicate members would definitely push each other to cliff just to save their own life from death.

Right now, I don't have any idea about my movement, alam kong wala akong magagawa sa sandaling sumabog na ang bagay na ito. I don't hold any power and I was just an informant. But there's something that pushed me to keep going... if our grandfathers were indeed friends before, how the hell did Autumn's grandfather end up here?

I was lucky that someone's late from the catering crew and I pretended to be one of them. Ang lakas ng pintig ng puso ko nang ako ang utusan magdala ng wine sa lamesa ni Don Olbes kasama ang kapwa nito sindikato. Alam kong kilala niya ako, and when our eyes locked as saw how surprise he was, but he immediately composed himself, something that Autumn had inherited from him.

Pinagpawisan ako ng malamig nang makabalik ako sa bar kung saan ako kumuha ng wine. Hindi na ako ulit lumapit roon at hinayaan ang mga kasamahan ko magserve sa kanila, pero hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko sa kanya.

Ano itong ginagawa ko? I might get killed.

I craned my neck when Don Olbes left his table, gusto ko siyang sundan pero inutusan na ako ng head crew.

"Follow Mr. Olbes, he asked for another bottle of wine." Bulong sa akin ng babaeng crew, nagawa pa ako nitong kindatan.

"Bago?" she asked.

Napatango na lang ako kasabay ng pagtulo ng pawis ko. Shit! Sinabi nilang nasa terrace si Don Olbes at mag-isa lang ito para manigarilyo. Mabibigat ang hakbang ko patungo sa kanya.

Ano ba itong ginagawa ko? Pumasok ako sa laban na walang sandata!

The terrace was shadowed because of the large oak tree at the side of the mansion, our view was covered by the silk curtain and sliding door, isang putok lang ng baril na may silencer patay ako.

Nang sandaling hawiin ko ang kurtina at ilang beses na humakbang, malakas na braso ang agad sumakal sa akin. What the fuck! I tried to struggle against the arms wrapped against my neck, Don Olbes was as tall as I am, his arms tight and the click sound of something on my head made shivers down my spine.

A fucking gun! Don Olbes will kill me!

"W-why are you here?" he growled from the back.

Pilit kong tinatanggal ang braso niya sa leeg ko. I couldn't breathe...

"Alcerio sent you here?" pilit kong hinampas ang braso ng matanda. But he's actually skilled! What the fucking hell!

"N-no!" nagsisimula nang manlabo ang mata ko.

"W-who!?"

There's no way I'd sing our damn agency, he could kill me.

Buong akala ko ay tuluyan na akong mamamatay, but my love of my life just saved me out of his maarte ways...

My phone rang with a customize ringtone using her sweet voice.

Wayto, babe... Wayto babe, do you hear me? Pick up the phone... you're sooo rude na... babe... your pretty girlfriend is calling... pick up, pick up... babe...

Ilang minutong umalingawngaw ang maarteng boses ni Autumn at ramdam ko ang unti-unting pagluwag ng pagkakasakal sa akin ni Don Olbes. Agad akong napaluhod at dinalahik ng ubo habang hinahabol ang aking paghinga.

Patuloy pa rin sa pagtawag si Autumn at alam kong kilalang-kilala ni Don Olbes ang boses na iyon.

"A-answer her!" sigaw sa akin ni Don Olbes.

Nangangatal ang kamay kong kinapa ang telepono ko sa bulsa, and I picked up her call.

"Babe! Ba't ang tagal sumagot? You don't love me na?" I love you so much...

"Busy, sorry..." I softly chuckled, sobrang tindi pa rin ng kaba sa dibdib ko. My phone was in loud speaker na hindi ko alam kung dapat ko bang ipagpasalamat o hindi.

Please don't speak about beddable right now, babe, nasa tapat ako ng nguso ng baril.

"Don't be. Ikaw mahal ko kahit ikaw 'di agad sagot tawag." Mas malambot na sabi niya sa akin.

How can I Chinese talk right now, babe? Gusto kong sabunutan ang sarili ko.

"Ikaw mas mahal ko..." I said. Mariin akong napapikit sa takot na baka may marinig akong kalabit ng baril.

"W-why did you call?"

"I just want to apologize, k-kasi ikaw lagi ang una. You'll introduce me first to you family, t-tapos hindi kita maipakilala. But don't worry, you know among my family, favorite raw ako ni lolo. He'll accept you and our love, kasi mahal na mahal ako ni lolo... siguro kapag natapos ang eleksyon?--" saglit siyang natigilan. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko.

"Ah! I really don't know, I can't decide yet. Pero... don't be afraid, okay? My family will not kill you-kasi para na rin nila akong pinatay kung sasaktan ka nila." They will not kill me? Nasa nguso na 'ko ng baril, babe...

Ramdam ko ang unti-unting pagbaba ng nguso ng baril mula sa akin.

"I love you..." I whispered; Autumn giggled from the other line.

"Babe, I need to go, I'll call you later."

"Okay, love you, Wayto."

Nang sandaling matapos ang tawag hindi ko alam kung tatakbo ba ako o hindi.

"So it's you..." sabi ni Don Olbes matapos magbuga ng usok.

"You're my granddaughter's boy pet."

"Boyfriend po."

"And an Arellano." He said with full of animosity. "Why are you here?"

"Y-you will hurt her if this-" hindi ko na magawang maituloy ang sasabihin ko. Against the rule! Sinisira ko ang tiwalang ibinigay sa akin ni Officer Satchel.

"W-why?" naguguluhang tanong ko.

"Kung hindi ako nagkakamali mas malaki ang yaman ng mga Olbes kaysa sa pamilya namin. Your family possessed numbers of business na hindi kailangan ng pundasyon ng illegal na bagay, why are you-I don't understand."

"You are informed well, huh?"

"These syndicates will betray you and worst, they will kill you for their own escape. Hindi mo ba sila nakikilala? One of them have a power to annihilate a whole family! Matagal na siyang tinutugis ng mga-" fuck! I slipped my damn tongue. I said too much!

Nanlalaki ang mga mata ni Don Olbes nang marinig niya ang sinabi ko.

"For a political enemy-" umiling siya. "What agency are you involved with?" nanlamig ako sa tanong niya. How could he...

Some explanation about my grandfather's involvement with the three powerful Dons were given by Don Ferell, matapos ako nitong muntik nang balatan ng buhay kasama ng mga apo niya ng makita niya ang condom na dala ni Autumn.

"Mga recruiter ba kayo ng mga pasaway na bata!?" sigaw ni Don Ferell nang dalhin kami nito sa isang hotel.

Para kaming mga tuta na minumura ng isang malaking inahin, dahil kapwa kami nakatungo at nakaupo sa mahabang sofa habang nakapamaywang sa harap namin si Don Ferell.

"Hindi naman yata condom iyon? 'Di ba, White?" tanong ni Nero, halos pandilatan niya ako ng mata para magsinungaling.

"H-hindi-"

"Tahimik!"

"H-hindi naman po namin iyon gagamitin ni Autumn..."

"Hanggang daliri lang ang nahahawakan niya LG, maniwala ka sa akin, magkaibigan kami, he's telling me everything."

Napahilamos si Don Ferell sa sinabi ni Nero, he's making the things worst.

"Mas lalo akong hindi maniniwala, Nero. Get up, young Arellano. Let's talk." Agad akong tumayo at sumunod kay Don Ferell.

That was when he told me that a certain mistake made them apart, hindi man tuluyan sa kanilang dalawa ni Don Rogelio, pero nagkalamat sa pagitan ni lolo at Don Olbes. I asked if it was the reason of the endless feud, sinabi niyang matagal na talagang magkalaban ang aming mga pamilya, our grandfathers didn't mind it at all before, but something happened that fueled the feud, na ang politika ay nadagdagan pa ng panibagong uri ng dahilan galit at kompetisyon.

Don Ferell refused to detail everything, but he gave me hints, he told me that it was love, betrayal, life and sacrifices.

"I don't understand, Don Ferell..." he patted my head.

"Soon, you'll understand. But for the meantime, you need to wait. Matuto kang maghintay, hijo..."

Tumango ako. "And please, make it a promise, hijo... ayokong magaya ka sa akin ng mga edad ko..." kumunot ang noo ko.

"W-why?"

"I had an ex, she's an Olbes... a very beautiful Olbes. I did love her, she's a tease and irresistible." Bigla kong naalala si Autumn, she's like that.

"Mapaglarong babae, mapusok at isang uri ng masaya at masarap na tukso..." tumango ako. Si Autumn ay isang malaking tukso sa pagkalalaki ko.

"Pero pinalaki akong tama ng mga magulang ko, I respected her at sinabi ko sa kanyang hindi ko siya kayang pagsamantalahan kahit nais na niyang ibigay sa akin." I remembered Autumn again, konting akit pa sa akin, kagat na siya.

"And she broke up with me, dahil hindi ko ibinigay ang gusto niya."

"W-what?"

"Pero kilala ko si Autumn," nagulat ako ng sabihin niya ito, buong akala ko ay kanina niya lang nakita si Autumn? "She's not like that. Pero hindi maaalis sa kanilang lahi ang pagiging magpaglaro..."

"What happened?"

"Nakakilala siya ng ibang nobyo at ibinigay sa kanya ang hinihiling niya. But few months after that, she fell in a certain disease that led to her death." Umawang ang bibig ko.

"What the hell?"

"Hindi rin ako makapaniwala, hijo..."

"And?"

"It happened again, maraming Olbes na babae ang biglang nagkakasakit." I remembered something, sinabi sa akin ni Autumn na siya lang ang nag-iisang babaeng Olbes sa henerasyon niya.

"That's why people came up in a conclusion that a non-virgin female Olbes without a sacred wedding blessing from the altar would lead to their early death." Natulala ako sa sinabi ni Don Ferell.

Saglit siyang natawa. "Pero kwentong barbero lang naman ito, hindi kita pinipilit na maniwala."

Agad kong hinawakan ang kamay ni Don Ferell at dinala ko ito sa aking noo. "Maraming salamat po! Tatandaan ko ang mga sinabi n'yo."

He laughed again before patting my head. "Good boy!"

"S-satchel..." siya mismo ang sumagot sa sarili niyang katanungan.

I waited for his next reaction, but the terrace was now filled by his laughter. "Such a small world."

"What are you?" he asked again. "There's no way that I'll let my granddaughter to someone who's-" hindi ko pinatapos si Don Olbes.

"I am just an informant."

"Still the same. Leave that fuck job and I'll allow you to have my granddaughter even under my grave."

"I-I can save you-" napapikit ako sa sinabi ko. What the hell?

"You'll cover for me?" he asked in humor. "No wonder why you had death threats before, I thought it was to frighten Alcerio, may sarili ka palang gusot."

"You can fix some things while I'll try to lag the information-" he laughed.

"Winning my sympathy for my granddaughter?" uminit ang ulo ko.

"I don't need your sympathy. I want to help you for her. Do what you want and fix what you can fix before I'll send the lists."

"There's nothing to be fixed, young Arellano. Half of my body was already buried a long time ago. I'll blow this syndicate up and-" natulala na ako at halos hindi ko na maintindihan ang sinasabi ni Don Olbes.

He's making himself as the bait. Sinasadya niyang maging butas sa sindikatong ito para mahuli silang lahat.

"W-why are you doing this?" It's clear now. The Don Olbes wanted to annihilate this whole syndicate, and he's been sticking inside this hell like institution as he creates holes for their own weakness.

"A promise..."

"A promise to whom?" naguguluhang tanong ko. The old man blew another smoke, he tilted his head upward as the wind tangled with our body, the shadows from the big oak tree dances as the moonlight touched Don Olbes cheeks.

It glittered. Tears.

"Friends considered this a long-time death march for me, they hated me for my decisions... and your grandfather tried to stop me hanggang sa mauwi sa galit at muhi. He's been cursing me, hinayaan kong magmukhang ang pamilya n'yo ang matinding kumakalaban sa pamilya naming, Alcerio's a good friend, but I never been good to him."

Ibig sabihin ang lahat ng bintang na ibinabato ng mga Olbes sa amin ay hindi mismo mga atakeng nagmumula sa amin. It was all about his syndicate involvement.

"T-their life will be in danger... A-autumn..." biglang may kumawalang luha sa akin. Hindi biro itong usapan namin, this is all about a family's life. Mga sindikato itong kinakalaban ng matandang ito.

Without any kind of help! Walang gustong tumulong sa kanya, dahil sumuko na ang mga kaibigan niya at naniniwala akong walang nalalaman dito ang lahat ng Olbes dahil sa amin pa rin nila ibinabato ang lahat.

What about the agency? Are they willing to help him? Pero alam ko ang patakaran ng ahensiyang kinabibilangan ko. They are just and fair, kahit pagbali-baliktarin ang mundo, kasama sa sindikato si Don Olbes.

"I-I don't know a-about your fucking promise, Don Olbes... but please... allow me to help you. Anong gusto n'yong gawin ko? S-si Autumn po... mapapahamak si Autumn..." nangangatal ang buong katawan ko.

Hindi ako bago sa impormasyon na may kinakalaman sa mga sindikato. Sobra-sobra sila kung maningil, and knowing that Autumn is Don Olbes' favorite grandchild...

Para akong batang nadapa na pilit bumangon, I wiped the tears from eyes and I tried to reach Don Olbes' arms, I saw how startled he was with my reaction, wala na akong pakielam. Si Autumn... iyong magandang babae ko, ang maarteng babae ko, my babe, her laughter, her smiles...

Pictures of syndicate murders flashed on my memory, lahat ng nadaanan ng mga mata ko sa ilang taon kong pagta-trabaho. Wala silang mga awa...

"A-allow me to help you... I'll do everything to help... si A-autumn po... mahal na mahal ko ang apo n'yo..."

Don Olbes' eyes softened, and I just found myself locked around his arms, not as an enemy but a kind of another... grandfather...

"Take care of my Autumn, young Arellano..."

**

I tried to save Don Olbes and I bent my own rules willingly. Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na hindi ko na hihigitan pa sa saglit na pakikipag-usap para magdala ng impormasyon kay Officer Satchel nang sa ganoon ay hindi ako tuluyang magkaroon ng mahigpit na koneksyon at pagkakakilanlan sa ahensiya.

But with my head up high, I faced him, begging to help the old man.

"There's nothing we can do..." nanghihinang sabi niya.

"I-I mean you should send troops! Aatake ang mga iyon sa mga Olbes, it could be a massacre, you're now about to move, hindi mga bobo ang mga sindikatong iyon para hindi makita ang butas na ginawa ng Don-" ang daming madadamay, hindi lang ang mga inosenteng Olbes, maging kaming mga Arellano!

And my grandfather was taking the blame for years! I couldn't help but to think that he's helping Don Olbes by accepting the hatred, na hindi dapat sa kanya.

Fuck their inhumane friendship!

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang sabihin sa akin ni Officer Satchel, na handa sila kung anuman ang mangyari.

Don Olbes and I had few conversations at ipinangako kong susundin ko itong lahat. We both agreed to send Autumn away, sa kahit anong paraan. At isa pa sa kahilingang sinabi sa akin ni Don Olbes na nakapanlamig sa akin ay ang bagay na kailanman ay hindi ko pinangarap gawin. Ang manira ng tao o higit, isang malaking pamilya.

"I owe your grandfather a lot, he kept silent for years. Accepted the blame by our family, I don't know if he's a damn fool or a good friend." He chuckled.

"Pero isa lang ang nais kong gawin mo, Alcer." Si Don Olbes lang ang tumawag sa akin nito.

"Strip our family from politics, reveal everything about me and let my family live their lives away from my dark shadows. Allow me to bury my mistakes on my grave, nang sa ganoon ay wala akong dalhin sa kanila... let my death take all the blame..."

"D-don Olbes..."

"And please... love my little Autumn endlessly..."

That was his last words before Don Olbes death hovered all over the province of Enamel. Isang napakalaking eskandalo na halos pumatay sa buong pagkatao ko.

Autumn was hating me... at least she's safe... away from the massacre.

Halos hindi na ako kumain, wala na akong lakas lumabas at makinig ng balita. I feel so empty, hindi ko na alam kung saan pa magsisimula.

I heard a knock from my door.

"Please, hindi na 'ko kakain!"

Pero nabuksan pa rin ang pintuan, I tried to blink a lot of times, ngumisi siya.

"White..."

"Why are you here, Nero?"

"My grandfather sent me?" nagtuloy siya sa kama ko at naupo siya rito. Tinakpan ko ng braso ko ang aking mata habang nanatili akong nakahiga sa kama.

"Masakit ba?" I asked him.

"Iyong first time ko?" binato ko ng unan si Nero.

"Gago!" sigaw ko. "Iniwan ka, 'di ba?"

Siya naman ang sumuntok sa braso ko. "Of course, it hurts like hell."

"Hoy, umayos ka, pinadalaw ako ni lolo. He told me that if you decided to-"

"I'll call him." Agad kong sagot.

Hinampas ulit ako ni Nero ng unan. "Get up! Kapag bumalik saka mo atakehin! The game is still on, right?"

"What game?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"The baby marathon."

"What the fuck, Nero?!"

That visit made me eat again, sumabay pa sa akin kumain si Nero.

The next thing happened was when I kneeled in front of the Olbes family clad with my explanations and message from Don Olbes, alam ko sa sariling may posibilidad na hindi na ako makalabas ng buhay mula sa teritoryo nila but I had my back-ups.

Don Ferell and Don Almero saved me from their guns, and they helped me explaining everything. Noong una ay hindi agad ang mga ito makapaniwala, but Don Olbes made a video for all of them.

His last message soothed my broken heart. From all the tragedies and sacrifices, sa lahat ng luha, dugo, pawis at buhay. The world and our families endless feud would soon end...

At hahayaan nila akong mahalin si Autumn hindi sa likuran nilang lahat, kundi sa mata ng napakaraming tao.

"Alcer Arellano is the only man I will accept for my little Autumn. Let them be happy... at habang buhay akong mamamayapa..."

Don Olbes didn't explain his reasons for sacrificing himself just to bury those syndicates alive, na siyang pinanindigan ng ahensiyang iniwanan ko. Siguro, isa na ito sa maituturing katanungang kailanman ay hindi na masasagot...

I asked the Olbes family to put all the blame on me, hiniling ko sa kanilang ako ang magpaliwanag kay Autumn, she could hate me and her revenge... dahil kilala ko siya, ipinanganak na Olbes ang babaeng mahal ko at hindi siya papaya na hindi nakakaganti.

She could put all the blame on me, she could hate me while I'm still loving her. Ilang taon kong inihiwalay ang sarili sa kanya at hinayaan ko rin ang sarili kong kumpletuhin kung anong kulang sa akin. Autumn and I should build ourselves first bago kami muling magharap. Isa pa, hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako kampante, an enemy might be lurking around looking for the Olbes' weakest point, we couldn't take the risk and be happy with an instant ngayong sariwa pa ang lahat. Autumn could accomplish things while hating me... at least she's safe out there.

"Lolo, why?" ito lang ang nagawa kong itanong sa kanya.

"There's something you're always willing to do just for friendship, even though it's idiotic." Ginulo niya ang buhok ko.

"I think Don Olbes was so lucky to be one of your friends..." he shrugged his shoulders.

"You should find someone who are willing to stick with you even if you'd gone mad, always remember that the flower of friendship will not just bloom in lights, it can also bloom in dark." Ngumisi ako sa sinabi ni lolo.

I remembered Nero, he was there when I kneeled in front of the Olbes. He was freshly cut when his love left him, pero nando'n siya sa likuran ko.

"I have good friends, lolo."

"Good to know."

Years passed... just what I'd expected. My Autumn was clad with her vengeance and I welcomed her with my wide-open arms. But the sacrifices had paid off, hindi habang panahon ay galit ang mararamdaman niya sa akin, her love will always prevail.

Our love...

I sighed after lighting the sixty-seventh romantic candle on the floor.

"Autumn, ang dami pang kandila, magmamadaling araw na. Hindi na ako nakahalik man lang."

Our beautiful honeymoon was set on a certain island, a gift from my bestfriend, Nero. Gusto kong murahin ang gago kong kaibigan dahil nagpahanda pa ng setting ng honeymoon, wala naman sindi ng kandila.

Hindi niya ba alam kung gaano kaarte nitong si Autumn? Hindi ako makakahalik hanggang walang sindi ang lahat ng kandila!

"Ang dami pa, Autumn, come on, let's do it." Yayakap na ako sa kanya nang itapat niya ang mahabang kandila sa mukha ko.

"Hep, magsindi ka diyan."

Our bed was on the floor with rose petals, 'di ko alam kung may caterpillar bites. Tang ina. Pinalilibutan ng dilaw na maliliit na kandila, paano kung matabig pa namin ito ni Autumn? Masusunugan pa kami.

Tang ina ni Nero.

"Autumn..."

"Wayto naman e!" binitawan ni Autumn ang kandilang hawak niya at agad siyang nakasakay sa kandungan ko.

I was about to claim her lips when she quickly moved her head. "Not so fast, husband..."

Her fingers trailed on the sides of my jaw, I gulped. Puyat ka sa aking maarteng babae ka...

"Sige na, babe... sindihan mo muna ang mga kandila. Dahil mamaya ibang kandila na ang sisindihan ko..." she playfully bit my earlobe.

"Magsisindihan tayo, Mrs. Arellano?" I started to slip one of her spaghetti straps.

"Oo... ako isa... tapos ikaw dalawa." I grinned.

"Nilalason mo ko..." I whispered.

"Magsisindi ka na ulit?" I nodded.

Humiwalay siya sa akin at tumalikod, nagsimula na ulit siyang magsindi ng kandila habang ako ay nanatiling nakatitig sa likuran niya.

Umiling ako at tuluyan nang nalagot ang pasensiya ko. My arms encircled around her and I started to kiss her shoulders.

She giggled. "W-wayto..." my silly wife titled her head sideways as she allowed me to kiss her neck. My hands started to roam her body and when my palms located her wonderful breast, our lips immediately met. Her arms curled around my nape as she pressed her whole back against my body.

When our lips parted, I teasingly licked her right ear. "Hmm, desirable..."

And she replied back after she bit my lower lip and her hands on mine pushing it to feel her breast more, "Pinipilit mo na naman ako, babe..."

I grinned. "Habang buhay ka nang mapipilitan, gandang babae..."

**

"B-babe, lalabas na!" Autumn shouted in pain.

Naghalo na ang pawis at luha ko habang nakasakay siya sa wheelchair. Today is my beautiful jowable's wife delivery day. Kung hindi na maipinta ang mukha ni Autumn dahil sa nalalapit niyang panganganak, doble nito ang hitsura ko.

I looked wrecked even though this was the third time!

"Our sister is coming!" natutuwang sabi ni Anthanasia Snow, our first born. Habang nakasunod sa amin ni Autumn, she's still wearing a crown, a gown while carrying a small basket na may lamang glitters na isinasabog niya sa dinadaanan namin. Oh my goodness, Autumn Stassi Olbes!

"Sia, magagalit ang mga doctor sa'yo." Saway ko rito.

"Papa is a kill joy, hmmp."

Kanina lang ay naglalaro sila kasama si Autumn, and they were all fully costumed, kahit si Autumn ay kasalukuyang nakaupo sa wheelchair na may korona. Bakit biglang napaaga ang panganganak ng asawa ko? And with our kids at home? Oh god!

"I'm so excited!" Aurora Snow giggled, katulad ng ate niya ay naka-gown rin ito, korona at magic wand.

"Mr. Arellano, sana po hindi na kayo nagsama ng mga bata." Pinunasan ko ang luha ko, I don't know what to do. Lahat sila ay nagmana kay Autumn.

"Our Queen Bee will give us another princess!" ngumiti si Autumn na may kasamang pagtango kahit hirap na hirap siya.

"It's a Prince." I said.

Autumn and I never checked the gender, I want it surprise. Gusto kong umasa ng lalaki. Please... let me have a boy this time, lord...

"A princess!" sagot ng dalawang anak namin.

"I'm sorry, ayaw nilang magpaiwan." Sagot ko sa nurse.

"Hanggang dito na lang po kayo, Mr. Arellano." Autumn smiled at us bago siya ipasok sa delivery room.

"I love you, babe..." huling sabi ko bago ko siya bitawan.

Nang maiwan kaming mag-aama. Napahilamos ako sa sarili ko habang pinagmamasdan ang dalawa naming babaeng anak na ilang buwan lang ang pagitan, umiikot ang dalawang bata sa akin habang hinihintay ang paglabas ng pangatlo nilang kapatid.

"What is her name, Papa?"

"Dwight Alcerous Arellano, Jr."

"No!" they answered in unison.

Yumuko ako at ibinuka ko ang mga braso ko. "Come to Papa..." yumakap silang dalawa sa akin at sabay ko silang binuhat.

Maraming nagkakamali na kambal ang dalawang ito, they have similar features, na lahat ay nakuha kay Autumn, wala man lang akong makitang nakuha nila sa akin. Oh, the dimples.

Humalik ako sa ibabaw ng ulo nila, bago kami naupo at naghintay kay Autumn.

My silly princesses were already sleeping when a nurse came up. Hindi na ako katayo sa takot na mahulog ang korona ng dalawang batang natutulog.

"Is it a she or he?" kinakabahang tanong ko.

"Another princess, Mr. Arellano."

I laughed, not because I was disappointed but because I just received another gift from heaven.

"Hey, Princess Araceli Snow is coming, she needs a crown too." I whispered to them. I love you, Autumn Stassi Olbes Arellano for giving me these little princesses.

I hugged my daughters lovingly as I heard my third princess' cries, a music to a father's ears. I smiled.