Forgiveness

"I made my promise, Madam."

"I almost got back your company and other properties. But as of now, the company was named after me since I did buy the remaining 30% stocks from the owner and the other stockholders for 20%. So basically I already own 70% of stocks now. Much higher than Thompson family—"

"Alex, what are we talking about?!" I intruded and my eyes furrowed.

Kanina pa ako gulong-gulo sa mga pinag-uusapan nila pagdating namin dito sa hospital. Maayos na ang lagay ni mommy kailangan na lang obserbahan at ipagaling ang kanang braso dahil tumama ito sa pintuan ng sasakyan, that caused a fracture.

Kumunot ang noo kong napalipat-lipat ng tingin kay mommy at Alex. Para silang nag-uusap na sila lang nagkakaintindihan. And last I stayed my gaze to Alex while mommy holding my hands.

He smiled. "I need to buy the remaining stock to do my plan, Serna, of course with permission from your mother. And my friends are willing to invest in your company, and if it's continued there's a possibility na bumaba pa lalo ang stocks na hawak ng Thompson since 70% of their stock was owned by 4 families, but I negotiated the 40%... and with the help of my friends by investing—"

"Alex, you don't have to do this!" I exclaimed.

Hindi ko makapa ang tamang nararamdaman. Hindi niya naman kailangan gawin ito pero, bakit pinagpipilitan niya.

Alex stared at me as I sighed. "Mommy already wants to give up the company, you don't have to invest. And what with that stocks—"

He cut my words and he shook his head. I could see how serious he is with this talk. "Hindi lulubog ang kumpanya n'yo. Have you investigated for what happened?"

"Alex, ano ba!" anas ko.

Napataas ang boses ko at napatayo na rin ako ngunit hinawakan ni mommy ang kamay ko kaya bumalik ako sa pagkakaupo.

Bumuntong hininga ako bago muling binalingan si Alex na seryoso ang mukha pero banayad ang mga matang nakatitig sa akin.

"Serna, I'm serious. I'm helping you with this. This company is very important to your parents..."

"Why are you doing this Alex! Labas ka na rito! Pamilya namin ang dapat gumagawa nito hindi ikaw!"

Pumungay ang singkit at asul niyang mga mata habang nakatitig sa akin. He looks so exhausted yet, he still here and explaining.

"Kasi mahal kita, Serna. Mahal na mahal..." aniya sa malumanay na tinig.

My heart was pounding so fast and I felt warmth on my chest but I slowly shook my head. "Labas parin 'yon, labas ang personal na buhay ko rito. Hindi mo 'to problema, Alex..."

He smiled genuinely. "No, kung anong problema mo, problema ko. Kung anong nangyayari sa'yo tutulong ako. Kung anong pinagdadaanan mo nandito ako. Let me do this, it's also for your piece, Serna. Ayoko makita kang nahihirapan..."

Sinalubong ko ang titig ng mga mata niya sa akin pero kalaunay umiwas din dahil hindi ko kinaya. He's too persistent. Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ko at humugot ng hangin bago tumingin kay mommy sa gilid ko.

"Mom..." I uttered.

She smiled. "Baby, let's listen to him, first. I don't even know what really happened to our company. I thought it was running well, but... " mommy breathed out heavily as her tears fell.

Wala na akong nagawa kundi ang tumango na lamang. Napalabi ako at napaayos ng upo bago muling ibinalik ang atensyon kay Alex na naglalabas ng papel sa brown envelope na hawak.

I watched him while seriously doing it. He was wearing a formal black color tux and he also wore eyeglasses which looked good to him and he looks very professional.

My eyesight dropped down to his pointed nose, down to his lips and it slowly formed a small smile. Napaigtad ako sa gulat ng bigla siyang lumingon sa akin, tumaas ang isang kilay niya at bahagya pang pinasadahan ng dila ang labi.

Napalunok ako at parang nanuyot ang lalamunan ko dahil sa ginawa niya, parang nang-aakit. Narinig ko na lamang ang mahina niyang halakhak kaya napairap ako sa kawalan.

Pilit kong binabalik ang atensyon sa usapan. Hanggang matapos siya sa mga dokumentong nilalabas muling nagseryoso ang ekspresyon niya.

Tumingin siya pabalik-balik sa amin ni mommy bago ito hininto sa akin.

"Baby, I now understand why your mother is taking you to a business course. Why does she want you to handle your company."

Napanguso ako dahil sa sinabi niya. "B—Bakit?"

"Madam?"

Nagtaka akong lumingon kay mommy. Mommy stared at me intently as she held my hand tightly.

"Anak, hindi ako magaling sa pagpapatakbo ng negosyo. I was so stressed handling it so I forced you to take a business course 'cause I believe in you. Youre the one who can helped me. I believe on your daddy's blood running on you... bumabagsak ang kumpanya habang tumatagal simula ng iwan iyon ng daddy mo sa akin—"

"Madam, no. You're good at handling too but, someone is sabotaging your business..."

May nilabas at pinakita siyang mga dokumentaryo at mga litrato.

"This one of whom one of the investors in your company was a silent spy and stealing—"

"Wait, is that Melissa?!" I interrupted as my eyes widened.

Alex looked at me. "You knew her?"

"Yeah," I then glanced at mommy.

"She talked to me, Shan that she's interested to invest in our company months ago. But I didn't know that you're friends with her."

"Anong meron sa kanya?" balik na tanong ko kay Alex.

"According sa investigation, nagkaroon siya position sa kumpanya n'yo dahil sa malaking stocks na hawak, pero hindi napansin kung bakit tumataas ang stocks na hawak niya at bumaba ang sa inyo."

Napahawak ako sa kamu ni mommy nang maramdaman ang panginginig nito. "Melissa is related to the Thompson family."

"Yes, yes. I know." I responded. We're friends and she's the one who deceived me to play with you.

Alex nodded. "They are stealing it. Your mother couldn't notice it 'cause they're good at making moves without any trace. And they are using another account which all the stocks and even the amount of money they'd stole are directed there, to make their records clean."

"Teka naguguluhan na ako—"

"And they make you believe in the wrong information. You don't have any debt amounts, even a single cent, instead, they're the ones who had debts. Damn these people! How could they do this in you!" Alex burst into madness.

Hindi ko maiwasan ang mapatitig sa kaniya dahil ganito pala siya kaseryoso pagdating sa negosyo. Mahigpit na nakahawak ang kamay niya sa papel habang nag-iigting bagang. Mahahalata sa mukha niya ang bakas na galit.

"What do you mean with that, Hijo?" mommy asked and made me feel uneasy. She's called Alex hijo...

"Here Madam, the original documents with the penmanship of your husband. He doesn't have debt. They just fooled you and made you believe in the wrong one."

Mommy hold the paper and read it properly as she swiftly bellowed. "Oh my goodness! Ibig sabihin—"

"Yes, Madam. Maibabalik lahat ng ari-arian n'yo, and they will pay the amount for the damages they made."

Namilog sa gulat ang mga mata ko. "Ibig sabihin—" hindi ko na rin kailangan magpakasal kay Dexter para sa utang namin...

"Yes, Serna! Walang kasalan na magaganap, sa inyo ni D.K." Malamig na sambit niya at tumitig sa akin ng taimtim.

"DK?"

Tumaas ang kilay niya sa akin at umiling-iling. Tatanong lang eh... "Teka, paano mo nalaman na ikakasal ako?"

Alex smirked. "Sa tingin ko hindi ko malalaman 'yon?"

"Edi ikaw na!" umirap ako sa kaniya at lumingon kay mommy.

Mommy cried silently while hugging me "I'm sorry, anak... I'm sorry... muntikan ka pang madamay sa lahat..."

Hindi ko na rin mapigilan ang mapaluha at yumakap pabalik kay mommy. Parang lumuwag ang pakiramdam ko dahil sa mga nalaman. Pero hindi maalis ang nakatanim na galit sa puso ko dahil sa mga panlolokong nangyari sa amin. At hindi ko mapigilan sisihin ang sarili dahil iniwan ko si mommy sa mga panahon kailangan niya ng katuwang.

Tatlo lang kami ngayon na nasa silid dahil umalis si Zylea. Nabalot kami ng katahimikan habang magkayakap ni mommy, until we interrupted by someone's phone rang.

"Excuse me, I'll just answer this..." said Alex and he was about to get out of the room when I interfered.

"Dito mo na sagutin. Lalayo ka pa! Sino ba 'yan?!" napairap pa ako sa kawalan, ngunit natigilan ako dahil sa iniakto. Binalik ko ang mga mata sa kaniya na nakatitig sa akin.

Kumunot ang noo niya pero kalaunay ngumisi. "O—Okay..."

"Hello?"

He loudspeakers the phone.

"Sir, Alex. May nalakap po kaming impormasyon tungkol sa nangyaring aksidente."

Alex grin. "Oh, that's good. What is it?"

"Sir, umamin na po ang driver na nakabangga, inutusan lang daw po siyang sadyain ang pagbangga sa sinasakyan ni Mrs. Yanson—"

"What?!" I exclaimed in shock.

"Have he said who ordered him?" muling nagseryoso ang mukha ni Alex.

"Oo—"

Napakunot ang noo namin ng biglang makarinig ng sunod-sunod na putok ng baril sa kabilang linya. Napahigpit rin ang hawak sa akin ni mommy.

"Wheres that fucking Humilton?!"

"Boss wala po si Sir..."

"Where is he?" narinig namin ang malakas na sigawan sa kabilang linya kaya napatuwid ng tayo si Alex.

"Oh, you're talking with your boss? Give me your phone boy!"

Umusbong ang kaba sa dibdib ko dahil sa mga naririnig sa kabilang linya na mas lalo pang lumalakas ang sigawan. Ma naging malamig ang awra ni Alex na nagpapanibago ng tingin ko sa kaniya.

"Hello, Mr. Humilton, long time no see..."

"Mr. Lagman."

"Great you know me, but I would be glad if you'll see me—"

"Alex..." I murmured. He looked at me emotionlessly. I shook my head to him but he remained serious.

"I hold all your employees as my hostage, Humilton. I'm expecting you to be here!"

Alex's jaw tightened as he clenched his face. His aura is way colder than a while ago.

"Don't you fucking hurt them, you'll see what I can do, Mr. Lagman!"

Para akong nanigas sa kinaroroonan ng marinig ang malamig, malalim at mapanganib na boses ni Alex na puno ng awtoridad.

The line ended and he blew out a loud breath. This is the first time I saw nothing on his face but it was full of rage and it makes me a bit shivered.

Silence envelope us as he dialed another number. Nakatanaw lamang ako sa kaniya na gumagalaw ang panga.

"Tito Rogan, I need your help." He said when someone answered his call.

"My employees got hostage just now, please I more have trusted in you than the police—"

"Thank you, Tito. I'll be there too..."

He walked straight to go out without looking in our direction, na para bang nakalimutan niyang kasama niya kami. Napakaseryo at lamig pa rin ng mga mata niya na siguradong hindi mo gugutuhing makatitigan. Even I felt trembling I still I called him.

"Alex, saan ka pupunta?"

He stopped from stepping and he slowly glanced at me. Ang kaninang seryoso at walang ekspreyon na mukha ay unti-unting humuhupa at napapalitan ng pagkalumanay.

"I'll be back..." he uttered.

Napabitaw ako kay mommy at palakad-takbong nagtungo sa kanya at mahigpit siyang niyakap. "Thank you," sabi ko.

"I love you," he stated as he gently stroked my head.

"Balik ka ah? Mag-uusap pa tayo..."

He grin. "Yes, mag-uusap pa tayo with something."

Nag-init ang mukha at mabilis na kumalas sa kaniya. Ngumuso ako upang pigilan ang ngiting gustong kumawala. Bumaling ako sa kaniya na bahagyang nakataas ang kilay. "Sira! Umalis ka nga,"

Malapad siyang ngumisi at dahan-dahang nilalapit ang mukha sa akin. "Kiss muna..."

"Bawal!"

"Please? Isa lang."

He pouted as he pointed out his right cheek. Pinanliitian ko siya ng mga mata ngumisi lang siya. I couldn't explain what exactly I felt but it seemed like there's something inside of me that is going to explode.

Mabilis kong pinatakan ng halik ang pisngi niya ngunit bigla siyang humarap kaya sa labi iyon tumama. Sa gulat ko ay naitulak ko siya. "Baliw ka talaga!"

"It's just a kiss, Serna. As if we didn't do something more than that..." he laughed naughtily as he quickly hugged me.

"Sisilihan ko talaga 'yang bunganga mo napaka pasmado! Kapag narinig tayo mommy, lagot ka!" mariin na bulong ko.

Tumawa lang siya at kumalas ng yakap. Hinaplos niya ang mukha ko at marahang pinisil ang pisngi. "Go catch up with your mom, I'll be back later..."

"Okay," I pouted.

He nodded as he kissed my forehead. "I'll be back..."

"Ingat ka..."

"Yes, Ma'am..."

Pinagmasdan ko ang papalayong bulto ng katawan ni Alex bago bumalik kay mommy na nakatingin pala sa akin.

She smiled at me genuinely and it makes me a bit shy. "You look so happy..."

I licked my lips as I sat down beside mommy. "Kumusta po kayo? Nagugutom po ba kayo? Nauuhaw? Do you want anything mom?" sunod-sunod na tanong ko.

Tahimik lang si mommy habang nakatingin sa akin kaya natahimik ako at tipid na ngumiti. Nanatili ang tingin ko sa kaniya dahil sa kabila ng tumatanda niyang edad ay nanatili ang kagandahan sa mukha niya at hindi maikakaila na makinis pa rin ito.

"I just want your forgiveness, Anak..." she whispered while teary-eyed.

My eyes watered as I held mommy's hand. "You don't have to ask that mom, I should've been the one saying that for being distant with you, for leaving in the time you have needed me... I'm sorry mom..." my voice broke while tears fell down.

Mommy sobbed as she hugged me tightly. "I'm sorry too, my daughter. Ang dami kong pagkukulang sa'yo simula ng mamatay ang Daddy at Ate mo. N-Napabayaan kita—"

"Mommy, tahan na. Nagpapagaling pa kayo..."

Tumango siya pero bakas ang pagsisisi at panghihinayang sa mga mata niya. Inabot ko ang baso ng tubig na nasa side table at maingat na inabot kay mommy na agad niya namang kinuha at ininom, binalik niya ito sa akin at nagpaalam na magpapahinga.

Pinagmasdan ko si mommy na halata ang panghihina sa katawan kaya imbis na makipag-usap ay hinayaan ko muna siyang magpahinga. Marami pa naman panahon para makasama siya at sisiguraduhin kong susulitin ko iyon at babawi sa mga oras na nawala sa amin. Tinulungan ko siyang makahiga ng maayos hanggang sa unti-unti ng pumipikit ang mga mata.

I smiled slightly while staring at my mom's face and a few minutes later I'd feel asleep too beside mommy. And I look like a baby cuddling with her.