Chapter 14

Kakalabas ko pa lang ng kwarto ay agad kong nakita iyong mukha ni nakakunot na noo ni Archie habang may binabasang dyaryo. I paused and took a deep breath. I knew that he would not approve of this, but it's needed. It was such a good headline. It was so hard to pass up on in opportunity to paint him as a knight in shining armor.

"Good morning," I greeted as though I had no idea that his morning was far from good.

"Unbelievable," he said as he continued to read the article. Palalim lang nang palalim iyong kunot ng noo niya.

"What is?" I asked as I walked towards the coffee maker and grabbed myself a mug.

"This headline," sabi niya at saka pinakita sa akin iyong litrato.

Ah... that.

I was the one who approved that photo before it was sent to various newspaper company and tv stations. I also had the team email it to different online publications since we can reach a lot more with social media. Iba na talaga ang labanan ngayon. And since Abuela offered the opportunity for Archie to run for the Senate, it wouldn't hurt kung makikilala na rin siya nationally.

"Oh," was my only response.

Napailing na lang siya habang pinatong iyong dyaryo sa counter. "I can't believe it. They really are vultures," he said. Bless him if he really was mad because of the headline.

"Is the girl okay?" I asked.

"No," he replied. "Why would she? She lost her entire family."

He's being very sensitive about this. Tumahimik lang ako. Ininom ko iyong kape. Archie grabbed his phone and read something.

"Shit," he said.

"What is it?"

"Nakita na nila iyong bangkay."

"Ng buong pamilya?"

Umiling siya. "Iyong sa magulang pa lang."

"At the very least, there's closure," I offered as I reached for his hand and held it.

"I guess so..."

"We can go to the funeral," I told him.

He looked at me like he was surprised that I even offered to do that. "You would do that?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes, of course," I said as I squeezed his hand tight. Tumingin siya sa akin at bahagyang ngumiti.

* * *

I told Archie to focus on his work and promised him that I would help that poor girl with the funeral of her parents. Archie sure did sound worried about the girl. This was important to him kaya naman kailangan kong ayusin 'to.

"That's very nice to hear," sabi ko kay Cheryl nang ireport niya sa akin iyong feedback sa litrato ni Archie. The approval rating was very promising. Kung magpapatuloy sa ganito ay hindi malabo na sa senado na nga ang susunod na destinasyon namin.

"I think we should hold on to the girl, Ma'am," Cheryl said.

"I know," I replied dahil bago pa man niya sabihin 'yan ay marami na akong plano para sa babae na 'yon. "What's her name again?"

"Rosie," Cheryl replied.

"Rosie..." I repeated as I leaned my head against the headrest of my seat.

"Do you need me to do a deep dive, Ma'am?"

"No need for now," I replied. She'll take whatever we'll give her. After all, beggars can't be choosers.

I already had Cheryl contact the funeral house para sa mga magulang ni Rosie—along with all the others na namatayan din nung kasagsagan ng bagyo. Hindi naman pwede na sina Rosie lang dahil alam ko na agad kung ano ang kakalat na balita sa lugar na 'to. People hate favoritism lalo na kung sila ang naagrabyado. Gusto nila kung ano ang meron ang iba, meron din sila. Kaya minsan, nakakaubos ng pera ang politika. And not defending the corrupt officials, but honestly, saan ba kukuhanin iyong pera na binibigay din?

Before going to Rosie's parents' funeral, dumiretso muna kami sa iba. Archie told me to go on his behalf. Nagsend na rin naman na ng bulaklak na may pangalan niya sa mga namatayan.

I introduced myself as Mayor Gallego's wife. I didn't care about the spotlight. I didn't really care about introducing myself as Nadia de Marco, but these people already know me as such. They all looked so grateful for my mere presence. Bakit naman hindi? I took time off my precious day to visit them.

"Thank you," I said as Cheryl poured alcohol on my hands nang makapasok na kami sa sasakyan. "Where are we going next?"

"Rosie's."

"Good," I replied. "Is Archie on his way?" I asked because it was already 4PM. I had been going around the whole day. Nakakaubos ng oras din makipagkapwa tao.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Good," I said. "The press?"

"Nandon na rin po."

Pagdating namin sa funeral house ay nakita ko na agad iyong sasakyan ni Archie. Nauna na pala siya. Naglakad kami papasok sa loob. I haven't told Archie yet about the plan to give a house to the poor girl and then help her finish school and even a job after. I was sure that he'd be pleased with it.

I heard the clicks of the camera habang papalapit ako. Nang makapasok ako ay agad kong nakita iyong babae na nakakayakap kay Archie. Her face was resting against his chest and his hands were caressing her back. Nakapulupot din iyong mga braso niya sa katawan ni Archie.

I looked at the press and they're all taking photos of this.

'Too close,' I thought to myself.

Mabilis akong lumapit doon. Archie quickly saw me at bumitiw siya sa yakap nung babae.

"Condolences," I told the girl.

She looked at me with those grief-stricken eyes. "Salamat po, Ma'am..." she said, her voice sounding hoarse and weak.

We took our seats. Katabi ko si Archie habang katabi naman ni Archie iyong babae. They were talking about something na hindi ko marinig dahil sobrang hina ng boses nung babae. It was fine by me. I heard enough sob stories today to last me the whole year.

Tahimik lang akong nakaupo roon at naghihintay kung anong oras kami uuwi. I had been out the whole day. I was used to being out but there's something about today that was extra-draining. It must be probably due to the fact na puro patay at lamay ang pinuntahan namin. It's so emotionally demanding to be around grieving people.

"Archie," I called out to him when it was already 8PM.

"Hmm?" he replied.

"Are we not going home yet?" I asked. Wala naman dito iyong babae dahil may pinuntahan siya. Kanina pa sila magkausap na para bang hindi nauubusan ng sasabihin.

Napatingin si Archie sa relos niya. "Right..." he said. Tumingin siya sa akin. "Are you tired already?"

I nodded. "And hungry."

"I'm sorry, love," sabi niya. "Magpapaalam lang ako kay Rosie tapos uuwi na tayo."

"Okay," I replied.

I watched as Archie stood up and approached Rosie na nakatayo sa may malapit sa water dispenser. He said goodbye and Rosie gave him a weak smile. And there's hugging again. Tumayo rin ako at lumapit doon.

"Condolences again, Rosie," I said.

Muli siyang ngumiti sa akin. "Salamat po talaga, Ma'am, sa pagpunta niyo rito..."

"Of course," I said as I reached for Archie's hand and held it. "I'll have my assistant reach out to you after the funeral."

"Para saan po?"

"Nothing important," I replied. "Just focus on the funeral."

Nagpasalamat siyang muli at lumabas na kami ni Archie. Ramdam ko iyong tingin niya sa akin hanggang sa makarating kami sa sasakyan niya.

"What was that about?" he asked.

"What?"

"Iyong sinabi mo kay Rosie?"

"Oh, that," I said, acting like it was no big deal kahit na alam ko na matutuwa siya sa akin kapag narinig niya iyong balak kong gawin. "I heard tha she lost her house, so I was thinking of providing her housing—at least until she gets back on her feet." Napatingin ako kay Archie. "What?" I asked.

"What's the angle?" he asked.

"What angle?"

"You're doing this for optics," he said.

"This housing?" I asked and shook my head. "No."

"I don't believe you."

I shrugged. "Don't care," I replied. "The girl lost her whole family and basically her entire life. Besides, I'm not buying her a house. I'm just helping her with her rent for a year. It's not that big of a deal."

Slowly, a smile appeared on his face. "You'll really do that?"

I shrugged. "Why not?"

"Just... unexpected of you."

"Are you saying that you think I'm heartless?"

He laughed as he planted a kiss on my cheek. "A bit," he said, "But you have your moments."

Umirap ako. "Thank you," I said, my tone dripping in sarcasm.

He laughed again. "Oh, I'm so tired," he said as he rested his head on my shoulder. "I wanna eat with you, but I just want to hop on the shower and then sleep."

"It's fine," I said. "I can eat alone."

"I wanna have dinner with you," he mumbled. His eyes were already closed.

"We can do that tomorrow."

"We can have breakfast instead," he said.

"Okay."

"I promise I'll wake up early and make your breakfast," he said... or at least that's what I thought he said because his eyes were already closes and he was just mumbling incoherently. 

**

This story is already at Chapter 17 on beeyotch.ph and patreon.com/beeyotch. Subscription starts at 100php per month for all stories. You can email [email protected] for assistance if you want to pay via GCASH. As of the moment, credit and debit cards can be used directly when paying in the site :) Thank you!