Chapter 31

I haven't realized how much I missed being in the house as soon as I saw it. I groaned weakly, before I fluttered my eyes open. Nararamdaman ko ang malakas na braso ni Alas sa aking beywang.

"We're home..." he whispered on my ears before kissing me gently on the cheeks.

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at lumabas na ng sasakyan. Julius, after parking the SUV, followed us as well. The puppy greeted us excitedly, and from the porch, I could see Zeus running towards us in his cute little steps to greet us as well.

"Mummy! Dada!" he cried and raised both of his chubby arms.

Tumawa ako at kinarga ang anak. I winced in pain when he accidentally hit my belly. Hindi iyon nakaligtas sa matalas na paningin ni Alas kung kaya't mabilis siyang nag-presenta na siya na ang magdadala sa bata.

"Welcome home po, Ma'am..." nakangiting wika sa akin ni Ella. Krista smiled at us from the kitchen, too. "Ipinagluto po kayo namin ni Sir para ipagdiwang ang muling pagbabalik niyo sa bahay."

"Great! Good food at last!" Julius declared before marching right into the kitchen. Nginitian ko si Ella at tinapik ang kaniyang braso bago ako sumunod kay Julius kasi sa totoo lang, nagugutom na din talaga ako.

My mouth watered when we reached the dining table. It must have taken them a lot of time because of plenty of foods on the table. There were roasted chicken, grilled spare ribs, ramen noodles, pinakbet, and of course, my favorite caldereta.

Alas pulled a chair for me. Itinabi niya sa akin si Zeus at siya naman sa kabila. Ngiting-ngiti si Julius kay Krista na inignora lang ng dalaga. Tahimik lang itong nagsasalin ng kanin sa kaniyang plato.

I grinned.

"We could feed the whole barangay with this, Krista. Thanks a lot."

"Wala pong anuman, Ma'am..." nakangiti niyang tugon sa akin. "Na-miss ka naman, eh."

I laughed and then started eating my food. Tahimik at seryoso lang si Alas sa pagsasalin ng pagkain sa plato ko. After we've said our prayers, we started eating already.

"Bakit nga pala hindi sumama yung attorney dito, Belle?" kaswal na tanong sa akin ni Julius.

Alas growled angrily at his statement. "Bakit naman yun sasama?"

Bahagya ko siyang hinampas sa braso at sinamaan ng tingin. Tapos ay binalingan ko si Julius.

"I tried to invite him earlier but he told me he's busy." Sagot ko naman sa kaniya.

"He should be really busy." Sabat kaagad ni Alas sa akin habang sinasalinan niya ang kaniyang baso ng paboritong Jack Daniel's Whiskey. "He's an attorney. Sure enough, he could afford himself a good meal. Hindi yung kung kani-kanino lang nakikikain..."

"Engineer, nagseselos ka po ba sa attorney ni Ma'am?" hindi na napigilan ni Krista ang magtanong.

"Of course not!" he barked immediately, dahilan kung bakit nagtawanan ang lahat.

"Parang tanga 'tong asawa mo, Belle..." halakhak ni Julius.

Alas glared at him. "You have a death wish, Julius?"

Napangisi nalang din ako. My chest has been heavy these past few days that I forgot how it feels like to eat a normal dinner with your family. I am so grateful that all of this drama is about to end and I can finally join my husband in bed without worrying about anything at all...

"Pagkatapos ng trial, ipagpapatuloy ko na ang thesis ko at papasok na ulit ako sa trabaho," anunsiyo ko.

Alas turned sharply at me. His fiery eyes protested.

"Alas... I need to work soon. At isa pa, nangako na din ako kay Dr. Madrigal na ipagpapatuloy ko na ang thesis ko."

I can tell that he still wanted to argue with me but he kept his mouth shut. Hanggang sa matapos ang dinner ay hindi na niya iyon binanggit pa sa akin.

"Ako na ang magpapaligo ngayon kay Zeus, Ella..." presenta ko nang makitang buhat-buhay na si Zeus ng kaniyang governess patungo sa kanilang kwarto.

Ella nodded. Ibinigay niya sa akin si Zeus.

"Hindi po kayo pagod, Ma'am?"

I smiled at her. "Ayos lang. Miss ko na ang anak ko, eh."

She nodded again in understanding. Pinagbuksan niya kaming dalawa ng pintuan at iniwan din pagkatapos.

Sininghot ko ang leeg ni Zeus, making him giggle boyishly.

"Mabaho na ang baby ko... tara, ligo na tayo?"

He nodded in excitement. I grabbed his red robe and ushered him inside the restroom. Kumpara sa amin ay walang tub si Zeus. Just a small shower and a plastic chair that his governess must be using in cleaning him up every time.

Zeus behaved like a good boy. Mabilis ko siyang napaliguan kasi hindi naman siya naglilikot. I wrapped him in his cute robe and carried him to his bed.

"Let's sleep early tonight, shall we?"

"Yes, mummy..."

I cuddled with him until he fell asleep. Muntik na din akong makatulog. Malamig at madilim ang kwarto. I groaned and then pulled myself up. Dahan-dahan kong inalis ang brasong nakapulupot kay Zeus at hinalikan siya sa noo, bago ako lumabas ng kaniyang kwarto.

"Is he sleeping already?"

Nagulat ako sa biglang tanong ni Alas. I turned to him. He's wearing his black robe. Nasa labas siya, sa portico, at naninigarilyo. When he saw my scowling face, kaagad niyang pinatay ang sigarilyo at ihinagis sa basurahan bago ako nilapitan.

"Why are you still up?" tanong ko sa kaniya. Julius went home already. Both Ella and Krista are sleeping. Alas dyez ng gabi at sobrang tahimik na ng buong bahay.

"I was waiting for you." he murmured, and then tenderly kissed cheeks. "Let's bathe together..."

Nginisihan ko siya. Pilyong 'to. Alas placed his hands at the small of my back as we entered our room. He locked the door and grabbed my robe for me. Siya na mismo ang naghubad sa damit na suot ko.

"C'mon..." he said in his usual baritone voice.

Sumunod ako sa kaniya na parang bata sa loob ng CR. Puno na ng tubig ang tub at naamoy ko ulit ang pamilyar na bangong lavender sa tubig.

I slipped into the water. Alas removed his robe and smirked at me before he joined me in the tub. The warm water is soothing my tired muscles.

Nakaupo ako sa gitna ng mabalahibong hita ni Alas. He pulled me closer to him and his hands rested on my stomach.

"I missed you..." came his raspy voice, and it was followed by a sensual kiss on the crook of my neck.

"Hmm..."

"Won't you say you missed me too?" he growled in my ears.

I chuckled. Hindi ko siya nilingon. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niyang nakapatong sa tiyan ko.

"I missed you too, Ferrer..."

"Good." He answered immediately. "I'm still trying to convince you to change your attorney but seeing him earlier, I realized you've made a good choice."

My slender shoulders and chest vibrated in laughter.

"Selosong 'to..."

"Hindi naman talaga ako magseselos kung hindi ako pinagseselos ng asawa ko, eh..." pang-aalaska niya sa akin.

I turned to him and squinted my eyes. "Anong sabi mo, Ferrer?"

He answered me with a kiss. Instead of protesting, I rested my palms on his chest and answered him with the same passion and intensity he's giving me right now.

"I'm just saying... baby, sometimes you frustrate me to no end..."

I rested on his chest, feeling warm and secured. Gusto kong ganito nalang kami palagi at nang makapagpahinga ako nang maayos. Heck, I can't even remember the last time we were able to relax, after things have turned upside down with the governor's evil doings.

"And about the vacation I told you about..." ani Alas. I am fighting to stay awake right now. Sobrang komportable na ako sa yakap niya at sa mainit na tubig na nakapalibot sa aming dalawa. "We're gonna talk about it after the trial. Hopefully, we can all take on a short vacation this coming December."

Hindi ko na mapigilang hindi maghikab. "What about the resort?" I asked groggily. "Still not done with it, right?"

"We'll be able to finish it next year..." confident nitong wika sa akin. "For now, I want to rest and relax with my family..." at gumapang ang kamay nito sa aking tiyan. "Especially now that we're going to have another baby."

Napangiti ako. Hindi ko na napigilan ang hikab ko pa ulit at tuluyan ko nang ipinikit ang mga mata. I could feel Alas' warm lips kissing my ears and my hair before the sleepiness took over me.

Madaling araw nang magising ako. I am already dressed in my nighties with no underwear on and Alas has his arm wrapped around me in the middle of the king-sized bed. Napakurap-kurap ako sa oras na nasa harapan. Alas dos na ng madaling araw.

I groaned. Did I really fell asleep in the tub that Alas has to carry me to bed and dress me? Uminit ang mga pisngi ko habang inaalala ang nangyari kanina...

The windows rattled. It looks like it has been raining all night. I could hear the violent waves from a distance and the angry wind pounding on our windows. Nilamig ako kung kaya't isiniksik ko ang aking sarili sa malaking katawan ni Alas.

The trial will continue today. Mallory, along with the six other women will be there to testify against him. Nakausap na din ako ng kaniyang asawa at handa siyang ipresenta ang naging resulta ng kaniyang imbestigasyon kasama si Aaric, tungkol sa pagkamatay ni Sefrah Monterio. May kinalaman ulit ang governor doon.

I shivered. How many innocent people have he killed already? What if the number of the murdered victims that we are investigating right now is not as it is? Paano kung may napatay pa siyang iba?

My chest swelled in pain. I cannot imagine how he can sleep comfortably at night, knowing that he had killed a couple of people because of his greed of money and power. Look how powerful money is. It can manipulate an individual into doing evil things to the point that it involves assassination and killings.

Pumatak ang isang luha sa mga mata ko. I blamed myself, too, for not watching over my mother securely. I should've known that she is in trouble. She's told me already that she wanted to escape from the governor and yet, I ignored her.

Sometimes, I wonder... kung hindi ko pinakasalan si Alas at sumama ako kay mommy sa North Carolina, buhay pa kaya siya ngayon?

At makakaya ko bang basta nalang din iwan si Alas Ferrer dito sa Pilipinas ngayong natagpuan ko na siyang muli?

I guess the answer is no...

I heaved a sigh. Sobrang lungkot ko ngayon. I wanted my mother to be here, soothing me, and telling me that everything's going to be alright. Sa kaniya lang kasi ako naniniwala. She's been there for me through thick and thin. She died trying to protect me. I should be ashamed being a daughter of a selfless mother.

"Belle..."

Hindi ko namalayang naalimpungatan pala si Alas. He stared at me, his eyes full of worry. Mas hinigpitan niya ang kapit niya sa akin.

"What's wrong, baby?"

My lips trembled. The incident is still fresh and vivid at the back of my mind. Hindi ko iyon magagawang kalimutan nang basta-basta nalang...

Umiling ako at isinubsob ang aking mukha sa dibdib ni Alas. He started stroking my hair. Ang kaniyang hitang nakadantay sa akin ay mas lalong humigpit habang inaalo niya ako.

"Belle..."

I silently cried in his arms. I could be a strong woman and show the governor my grit, but when it comes to my mother, I know I will really break down into pieces. Such tragedy is not the one you can easily forget.

I sucked in a deep breath and tried to calm myself. Pinunasan ni Alas ang mga luha ko at hinalikan ang ibang takas na napunta sa aking pisngi.

"Stop crying, Belle... shh..."

Pagod ko siyang tiningnan. I wonder how he could endure this random breakdowns of mine for as long as we are married and living under the same roof? Hindi kaya magsawa din siya?

Iniling ko ang ulo. Alas is not that kind of a person. He will understand and he'll continue to support and protect me. I know he will. Our bond is strong and cannot be swayed. Even the damned governor.

"Ikukuha kita ng tubig..." aniya. He threw the sheets away, revealing nothing but his boxer shorts.

"Sasama na din ako..." mahina kong wika. Binuksan ni Alas ang kaniyang bibig para sana magprotesta, pero sa huli'y tumango nalang siya at hinayaan akong sumunod sa kaniya palabas ng kwarto.

"Or would you rather have tea, instead? It can help you to calm down..." he said in a low voice as he slowly opened the door.

"Tea would be great." Sagot ko sa paos na boses. The rain poured harder. I wonder if it continues 'till tomorrow morning? Maaga pa naman kami sa courthouse bukas.

I followed Alas in the dimly-lighted kitchen. He expertly filled the kettle with water and set it on the stove. Next, he placed a white ceramic tea cup and on the counter and opened the fridge for the tea bags.

Nakapanuod lang ako sa kaniya habang ginagawa niya iyon. Unti-unti na akong kumakalma. Seryoso ang mukha ni Alas habang hinihintay na kumulo ang tubig.

Something sounded from Zeus' room, dahilan upang mapalingon kaming dalawa ni Alas sa kinaroroonan ng kwarto. The kettle sounded. Kumukulo na ang tubig.

"I'll just check on Zeus..." wika ko sa kaniya. Tumango naman siya at isinalin ang mainit na tubig sa tasa. Naglakad ako papunta sa kwarto ni Zeus at binuksan ang pintuan.

In the dark, something sharp glistened. Napako ang tingin ko doon at naglakbay sa nanginginig na kamay. Then, a small shadow appeared, hovering over Zeus' sleeping body.

Napatingin sa akin ang anino nang bigla kong binuksan ang ilaw. My eyes widened.

Hawak ni Ella ang isang malaking kutsilyo at nakatutok iyon sa anak ko ngayon.

"E-Ella..."

"Don't shout." Blanko ang mukha nitong nakatitig sa akin, tapos ay ibinalik niya ito kay Zeus. "Huwag kang sisigaw kundi tutuluyan ko ito..."

Tears welled my eyes. Nanginginig akong nakatayo sa may pnituan, hindi alam ang gagawin. My heart pounded inside of my chest. A tear fell from my eyes because of extreme fear.

"Belle? What is it?" narinig kong tanong ni Alas sa akin mula sa kusina.

"Tell him that nothing's wrong." Kalmadong utos sa akin ni Ella.

"N-Nothing's wrong! Naalimpungatan lang si Zeus..." pinilit kong palabasing normal lang ang boses kahit na tulo na ito nang tulo.

"Ella..." mahina kong tawag sa kaniya. Nakatutok pa rin ang kutsilyo sa natutulog na si Zeus.

Blanko ang ekspresiyon ng kaniyang mukha. Nakatitig lang siya sa anak ko. For a moment, a hint of sadness crossed her eyes. Kaagad din itong nawala nang balingan niya ako.

"Lock the door, Isabelle."

"Please..."

"Lock the door."

I covered my mouth with my hands as I continued to cry. Nanginginig ang mga kamay kong isinarado ang pintuan at ini-lock na iyon.

"Ella, ibaba mo ang kutsilyo... please... maawa ka sa anak ko..."

"And hit you instead?" she smirked at me. "But you're pregnant!"

I choked. Nagsisimula na akong mag-panic at hindi alam ang gagawin.

"Belle?"

Napatalon ako sa gulat nang bigla nalang kumatok si Alas sa pintuan. "What's going on? Why did you lock the door?"

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Ella. I don't know what to do now. Natatakot akong baka kapag humakbang ako papalapit sa kaniya ay tutuluyan niya nang pagtarak ng kutsilyo si Zeus.

"Belle!" nag-aalala na ngayon ang boses ni Alas.

"Make him go away. Huwag kang magpahalata!" asik niya sa akin.

I sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm myself again. Kapag narinig niyang basag ang boses ko ay mahihinuha niya kaagad na may mali. Licking my lower lips, I answered him.

"Mauna ka na sa kwarto, Alas. Susunod lang ako. Nagising kasi si Zeus, eh. Patutulugin ko muna ulit."

I heard him curse. "What the fuck is going on, Belle?"

"Please... Ella..." mahina kong tawag sa kaniya.

Despite her eyes, which by now are full of hatred and if I'm not wrong... fear, she looked away. Her lips are starting to tremble as well.

"I'm sorry..." she said breathlessly. "I didn't mean to do this... it is not my intention to do this in the first place..."

"Just... just put the knife down, please. You can hurt Zeus..."

"I'm just protecting my mother, Belle." Sa nanghihinang boses ulit ay sabi nito.

"I understand and... and trust me... I can help you. If it's the governor—"

"He controls everything!" she yelled angrily at me. "My mother's life is at stake here, Belle..." bumaba ulit ang tingin niya kay Zeus. "If I don't do this..."

"Not my son..." I cried harder. "Please..."

Sa akin niya itinutok ang kutsilyo nang magtangka akong lumapit sa kaniya.

"Don't come closer, Belle!"

"Dammit, Belle! I'm going to break this fucking door if you don't let me in!" galit na wika ni Alas mula sa kabila.

"Ella..." hagulhol ko. Sobra-sobrang takot ang lumukob sa dibdib ko.

"You're just protecting your son, I know. I'm just protecting my mother, too. Ayokong siya ang maging susunod na matagpuang patay dahil sa governor..." wika ni Ella.

My eyes widened in fear. I ran towards her direction, screaming loudly, before the sound of the knife piercing through a gentle skin tore through the quiet night.