Phone

Midas'

"BABE, are we going to the Delta Kappa Phi's charity event this Sunday?"

Midas heard Lara speaking. He just finished taking a bath. Nawala sa loob niya ang event na iyon. He received his invitation the other week, but he totally forgot about it because he had too much work in the office. He put a towel around his waist and got out of the shower. Lara was sitting on the couch inside the walk – in closet. Nang makita siya nito ay tumayo ito tapos ay inabutan siya ng robe.

"It's this Sunday? Akala ko next Sunday pa." Lara smiled.

"Makakalimutin ka talaga, Babe. Yes, this Sunday na, actually bukas na pala. I asked Mommy to look after Milo tomorrow, so we can attend. Everyone is going to be there no. If you can't tomorrow, I'll cancel na lang." Parang nalungkot naman si Lara. Alam niyang gustong - gusto nito ng mga ganoong events, at maraming beses nitong dine-decline ang iba dahil sa hindi siya pwede o kaya man ay ito na mismo ang umaayaw dahil alam nitong hindi pasok sa schedule niya.

Lara is patient and understanding when it comes to him and their son kaya madalas ay hiyang – hiya siya rito. She became the woman that answers all his need, at nakikita niya iyon kaya lang, hindi rin niya maintindihan ang kanyang sa sarili.

"Do you wanna go?"

"Yes, babe. Please? Just this one time, please..." Ngumiti siya rito. Lara even made that puppy dog eyes, palagi siyang nakukuha nito sa ganoon.

"Alright. Tomorrow, we'll go together."

"Yey! Thank you, Babe. I love you." Tumayo ito para halikan siya sa labi. He did kiss her back.

"You're so sweet, Lara." Muli ay nakita niyang natigilan ito at kaagad namang lumayo sa kanya ngunit hindi nawala ang ngiti sa labi nito.

"I'll go check on Milo. Thanks, Babe."

Iniwanan siya nito upang puntahan si Milo. Wala naman siyang gagawing kahit ano ngayong araw. He decided to take a day off dahil sa dami ng nangyari sa office nitong linggong ito. He just wanted to chill and be with Milo today. Nagbihis na siya at sumunod sa silid ni Milo kung saan natagpuan niya ang mag – ina. Lara was lying on the bed while reading to Milo. Pumunta siya sa kabilang side upang tabihan rin ang dalawa. Napapagitnaan nila si Milo ngayon.

"Mom, Dad, I thought of something." Milo said. Natawa siya rito, mukhang matagal na pinag-isipan ni Milo ang sasabihin. Kilalang – kilala niya ang tingin na iyon ng kanyang anak.

"Do you want a new book?" He asked. Sa batang edad ni Milo ay napakahilig nitong magbasa, libro ang madalas ipinabibili nito kaya palagi niyang pinagbibigyan ang bata dahil sa kasimplehan lang ng gusto nito sa buhay.

"I want a sibling." Biglang wika nito. Napatingin siya kay Lara na napanganga tapos ay biglang tumawa.

"Anak, ikaw talaga."

"What? Some of my classmates have siblings. They have someone to play with at home. I want someone to play with too, and I want to share my books with him."

"Mom and I will talk about it, Kiddo." Ngumiti lang siya at hinagkan ang noo nito. Lara seemed hopeful. Hindi naman niya matingnan ito sa mga mata.

Night came, and just like the other nights, he found himself awake. Ni hindi siya dalawin ng antok, ayaw tumigil ng isipan niya sa kakaisip. He looked at the right side of the bed, naroon si Lara, tulog na tulog. Bahagya pang nakanganga ito. He knew how much she loves him. His father always commended him for being with Lara. Ang sabi nito ay sila Lara raw ang pinakatamang desisyon niya sa buhay but at the back of his mind, he knew why he's with her.

Bumangon siya upang lumabas ng silid. He checked on Milo who was also in his deep slumber. Hinagkan niya muna ito sa noob ago niya ayusin ang kumot at iwanan ito. Lumabas siya sa balcony at doon tumayo.

His mind wandered... May mga pagkakataong hindi niya maiwasang isipin si Katryna – isa ito sa mga pagkakataong iyon. Ilanga raw na siyang binabagabag noong batang babaeng karga ni Salvador.

Her eyes are exactly like Kat's at pati na rin iyong hugis ng mukha. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit hindi mawaglit sa isipan niya ang anak ni Salvador, iyon ng aba ang bumabagabag sa kanya o ang katotohanan na magkasama ang dalawa?

Wala silang naging usap ni Salvador noon tungkol sa eskandalong nangyari sa University. Ang alam niya ay pinatawag ito ng Dean pati na rin ng Presidente ng Unibersidad pero hindi naman ito nawala sa eskwelahan. He lived a life in the university habang si Kat ay nawalang parang bula, nawalan man ang dalaga ay hindi agad nakalimutan ng lahat ang nangyari eskandalo noon. Even before they graduate, he can still hear people talking about that incident, ang iba ay paniwalang – paniwalang si Salvador ang nasa video, but others were talking about him, mas naniniwala ang mga itong siya iyon.

Siya naman talaga. Paulit – ulit niyang pinagsisisihan ang araw na iyon. He should've told the truth. Naiisip niyang kung malakas na ang loob niya noon, sana hindi na kinailangan ni Kat ang magsinungaling pa, dapat sinabi niya sa Dean na siya iyon, that they both wanted it to happen, that he had a sexual relationship with Kat, dapat tinanggap niya ang kaparusahan pero alam niyang dahil sa estadong mayroon siya sa buhay, tulad kay Encinas, wala ring mangyayari sa kanya, walang gagalaw sa kanya sa University na iyon.

Kahit na siguro sinabi niya ang totoo, ni hindi man lang siya madudungisan at si Kat pa rin ang agrabyado. He never found out who leaked the video, he tried but he never did. He also tried to find Kat's whereabouts, but he couldn't find her. Para bang ayaw ng pagkakataon na makita niya ito.

Ni hindi niya alam kung kasama ba ito ni Salvador, kaya laking gulat niya na sobrang kamukha ni Kat ang batang dala nito noong araw na iyon. His mind kept wondering, kaya ngayon, hindi siya makatulog.

He wants to see her. He wants to know how she is doing and if she has forgotten about him, kasi siya, kahit na ilang beses baliktarin ang buong mundo, hinding – hindi niya makalilimutan si Katryna Magracia – despite of what happened to the two of them, he will never forget that he got to where he is because of her love and her faith in him.

xxxx

"LARA, let's go, mata-traffic tayo."

Kanina pa nagpapaalam si Lara kay Milo. Natutuwa siya na para bang hindi nito maiwan ang anak nila samantalang anim na taon na ito at hindi na alagain. Lara is a dedicated mom.

"Bye, Mom, I love you. Bye, dad!"

Lumakad si Lara papunta sa kanya. He noticed her wiping her tears. Pinagbuksan niya ito ng pinto ng kotse upang makapasok na. He sat with her at the backseat. Binigyan niya ito ng tissue.

"It's okay. Tita will take care of Milo."

"Sobrang nagi-guilty lang ako kapag iniiwan siya sa bahay. Feeling ko nakakasayang ng oras. I told Dad that I don't want to be in the company anymore, because I want to take care of Milo, pero hindi siya pumayag."

"Milo will be okay, Lara. Stop worrying to much. He's only six, we have a lot of time to baby him, just stop." Tumatawa siya habang pinapahid ang luha ni Lara. Mukhang gumagaan naman ang kalooban nito. Nang tumigil ito sa pagluha ay bahagya siyang lumayo rito. She didn't seem to mind. Mayamaya ay humawak ito sa kanyang kamay. Hinayaan niya lang naman. Mahaba ang byahe, pupunta sila sa Tagaytay ngayon para sa charity event ng Delta Kappa Phi sa isang women's shelter roon.

Si Lara ang isa sa organizers ng event. He needed to be there to show her his support. Habang nasa byahe ay nagkukwentuhan sila, he was asking her about the org, her advocacy and such.

"Oh, Babe, pupunta pala si Salvador Encinas." Biglang wika nito sa kanya. He looked at her. "Sana hindi ka maging awkward. I mean, iyong nangyari kasi sa inyo—"

"Lara, it's been a while. I have moved on. Wala namang bad blood sa amin ni Salvador. He has kid too."

"Talaga?" Tanong ni Lara. "So, it's true." Lalo siyang nagtaka. "A year ago, remember I went to Hong Kong for a business call, nakita ko si Salvador roon, kasama niya si Miss Magracia and they were with a little girl. I heard the girl calling Salvador Daddy and Mommy kay Miss Magracia, siguro talaga sila na ang nagkasama. I'm happy for them. I hope they are too."

She just confirmed his hunch. Hindi na siya sumagot pa at iniba ang topic ng usapan. They talked about Milo's future at nagkasundo sila ni Lara na i-enroll na si Milo sa big school sa isang taon. He wanted Milo to study at his alma matter too. Milo is a Legacy and he wants him to experience all the perks that comes with it.

Sa wakas ay nakarating sila sa women's shelter. Medyo malayo pala ito at hindi inaasahan ni Midas na ganoon katagal ang byahe. Halos makatulog na sila ni Lara sa kotse, buti na lang ay ginising sila ng driver niya. Inalalayan niya si Lara hanggang sa makapasok na sila sa loob ng shelter. He saw familiar faces, Orion de Salcedo is there, he was talking to Alvaro Monen, may katabing babae sa Alvaro pero hindi niya iyon kilala. Lara walked towards their position. Nakahawak ito sa kamay niya.

"Lara!" He saw Mindy, Lara's best friend.

"Girl! I miss you!" Noon lang bumitaw ito sa kanya. The two have a lot of catching up to do. Hindi naman niya alam kung saan siya pupwesto, mabuti at nilapitan siya ni Alvaro. They did the Delta handshake, inabutan siya nito ng bottled water tapos ay tinapik ang balikat niya.

"Glad you can come. Nabasa ko sa group chat na baka hindi raw makapunta si Lara 'cause your busy. It's good you made time, Midas, ang dami nang events na hindi mo pinuntahan."

"Lara insisted, pinagbigyan ko na, she seemed to miss coming to events like this. Isa pa, siya ang nag-ayos nito."

"Great! It's nice seeing you, Midas." Sabi nito. "Oh, Chava is here."

"Sinong Chava?" Napalingon ako. Nakita ko si Salvador Encinas na kasama si Santiago  Roberto Encinas III – ang ama nito.

"Uncle Santi!" Kumaway si Alvaro na para bang bata. Bigla siyang nakaramdam ng hiya.

"Alvaro, kamusta?" The old man looked at him. "Torrero... Midas Torrero, am I right?" He offered him his hand pero tiningnan lang nito iyon. Bigla itong ngumisi at umili saka siya nito nilagpasan. Napahiya siya. He looked at Salvador.

"Why are you here, asshole? This is an event for women empowerment, yet you came."

"Are you implying something?"

"Really, Midas, nakalimot ka na?" Tumalim ang mga mat ani Salvador. Binangga pa siya nito at tuluyan nang umalis. Napapailing siya. Tiningan niya si Alvaro. Tinapik na naman nito ang balikat niya, He never got along with Salvador ever since that incident. Laging mainit ang ulo nito sa kanya.

"If you have forgotten about it, it's about the sex scandal of you and Miss Magracia before. Well, we know it's you." Bumulong pa si Alvaro. Ikinagulat niya ang pagbalik ni Salvador, hinatak nito si Alvaro.

"Bwisit ka, tara dito! Tayo ang magkakampi!" Dinala ito ni Salvador kung saan. Binalikan naman na siya ni Lara para kunin, pumasok kami sa loob ng isang maliit na auditorium at doon ginawa ang program. I find it boring, really, but I am happy because all of Lara's hardwork is paying off.

Nagkaroon ng pa-lunch para sa mga kababaihan sa shelter. He was just watching Lara as she mingles with the other demolays in the room. Hindi maipagkakaila ang class nito, maganda si Lara pero hindi niya maintindihan ang sarili niya kung bakit hanggang ngayon sa kabila ng dami ng tsansang ibinigay niya rito at sa kanyang sarili ay hindi niya magawang mahalin ito.

He has affection for Lara at the mother of his child but that's just it.

"Advocacy ni Lara ang pagtulong sa babae? Parang di ako talaga naniniwala." He overheard Salvador speaking. Nasa kabilang table lang ito. He took his phone, tapos lumipat siya sa katabing upuan nito.

"If you have something to say to her, say it to me." Biglang wika niya. Tumingin si Salvador sa kanya.

"Hindi ako naniniwala sa advocacy ng asawa mo. Narinig mo, okay ka na?" Tumayo si Salvador, kinuha lang nito ang phone at saka umalis na rin. Tumingin siya kay Alvaro na para bang nagtataka rin.

"What the hell is wrong with him?"

"Beats me. Nakikikain lang naman ako."

Bago pa mag-init ang ulo kanyang ulo ay lumabas siya upang magpahangin. May malaking puno sa tapat ng entrance ng shelter, may bench roon, naglakad si Midas papunta roon upang maupo. He needed to breathe. Baka makalimutan niya na para kay Lara ito at baka masuntok niya bigla si Salvador.

He took out his phone to call his son. Epektibong pampakalma ang boses ni Milo sa tuwing nagagalit siya. Ang staff niya sa office kapag alam na galit siya ay bigla na lang naiisipang tawagan si Milo para ipakausap sa kanya, they know what buttons to push, somehow, he appreciates that. At the end of the day, it's always his son the comes top of everything.

He swiped his phone. Wala naman siyang security lock, wala naman siyang itinatagong kahit ano. He is very honest to details when it comes to Lara. Ayaw niyang may pag-awayan silang dalawa. Ayaw niyang nakikita sila ni Milo na nag-aaway.

After swiping his screen, Midas looked at the phone in his hand for a quite sometime because he couldn't understand what is happening.

His phone wallpaper changed. He remembered his wallpaper being Milo holding a puppy, he looked cute in that photo pero naiba na ito ngayon, it's a photo of Salvador's child, nakakandong ito kay Katryna... both are looking at the camera, smiling.

Kat looked the same but somehow different...

Nagulat siya nang biglang may tumawag sa phone.

Yna ang nakalagay na pangalan. He suddenly remembered Kat's mom, iyon ang tawag niya rito. Hindi niya alam ang gagawin, he knew that it's wrong but then, he found himself answering the call.

"Chava, baby, where are you na? Miss na kita." Napakalambing ng boses ni Kat sa kabilang linya. Hinding – hindi niya makakalimutan ang tinig nito. He dreams about them talking, he wanted to see her.

"Chava?"

He cleared his throat.

"Nasaan ka?" Those word came out of his mouth so naturally. Natigilan yata ito kasi tumahimik sa kabilang line pero muling may nagsalita.

"Daddy, saan ka? Gusto ko po ng chicken iyong sa ministop po. Nag-da-drive si Mommy eh pupunta kami sa garden." Tumahimik na naman, ang sumunod ay boses na naman ni Kat.

"Can you buy her some chicken, Chava baby?" She chuckcled. "See you later, love love!" The call ended.

Hindi mapakali si Midas. He needed to know. He's not stupid. He opened the phone again and went straight to the gallery. Ang daming litrato roon pero isa lang ang hinahanap niya – iyong garden. Where the fuck is that garden!

His world stopped spinning when he saw a photo of a sign saying Sana's flower garden. Now that he knows, he can go there –

"Midas, let's go." Biglang dumating si Lara. She was smiling at him. "I miss Milo na, nagpaalam akong uuwi na tayo. Let's go..."

"Okay..."

They went back to the city, pero siya yata ang hindi na nakabalik. He couldn't sleep again. He found himself in his private office holding Salvador's phone, looking through the photos and videos.

Napakaraming litrato ni Kat doon kasama ang bata.

One was her with the kid, eating chicken wing, iyong isa naman magkatabi ang mga ito sa kama habang ngiting – ngiti and there's a video that he played, it was Kat and Sana singing. It was taken a few months back.

"I miss you Daddy. I'll sing po, Mama?"

"Yes, baby girl. Look ka sa camera, sing tayo kay Daddy." Kat seemed happy. Iba na ito. She has longer hair, she looks healthy and joyful.

"Like a small boat from the ocean, sending big waves into motion, like every single word can make a heart open, I may only have one match but I can make an explosion..."

Midas found himself crying. Hindi niya alam kung bakit pero habang nakatingin siya sa mag-ina ay naramdaman niya ang kahungkagan sa kanyang puso.

"Say, I love you, Sana." Narinig niya ang boses ni Kat.

"I love you, Daddy!" Nawala ang bata sa camera, si Kat na lang ang naroon. She was smiling.

"I love you and I miss you." He knew that those words are for Salvador, but he kept on playing that part. Paulit – ulit. "I love you and I miss you..."

"I love you and I miss you..." He said. "I do... I love you... and I'm so sorry."

xxxx

Katryna's

KATH yawned. Maaga siyang nagpunta sa shop dahil may maaga siyang kliyente. Sila ang napili nitong supplier ng bulaklak para sa wedding na gagawin nito. Maagang kukuhanin ang mga order nila dahil mag-aayos na sa simbahan, it's only six in the morning, mabuti at hindi pa gising si Sana kundi ay mahihirapan siyang kumawala rito. Sana loves cuddling in the morning – sino bang hindi magsasabing hindi ito anak ng tatay nito? Midas loves the same thing, pero may kasamang kakaiba ang pagyayakap ni Midas sa kanya noon.

She signed the receipt and the client left. She sat in her chair inside the office with a cup of coffee in her hand. She was still wearing her gay sweatpants and white v-neck shirt. Nakatingin lang si Kat sa labas, medyo makulimlim pa. She loves morning like this. Her life in this place is peaceful and slow, ibang – iba ito sa buhay na nakasanayan niya sa Manila noon.

Sometimes, she missed teaching, she missed parting her knowledge to the students, but if ever someone will ask her what she would choose, she'd choose this life, everything she has is all she ever wanted, more pa, kasi may Sana siyang regalo sa kanya.

Nami-miss niya rin si Mavi. Mavi is still in Cebu, may restaurant na ito ngayon ay may dalawang anak na. He got married three years ago, and she's really happy for him. Hindi na talaga nito binalikan ang buhay ng mga Torrero. Sometimes... sometimes, she hopes Midas was more like his brother, pero ilang beses kang iyon. Tinanggap niya noon na kahit kailan, hinding – hindi na maibabalik si Midas sa kanya. Not that she's still hoping, masaya na ito at iyon naman talaga ang gusto niya para sa binata noon pa man.

She just smiles every time she hears news about him o kaya kapag nakikita niya ito sa tv, last time, he was in the news for funding ELSA's advocacy, she's just proud of him, that's all.

"Oh, right, pan de sal." Bigla niyang naalalang gusto ng kanyang bulinggit ng pan de sal. Sakto naman na may kesong puti sa bahay nila. Masarap iyon sa kapeng barako. Bigla ay nakadama na siya ng gutom kaya mabilis siyang lumabas ng Sana's flower garden para magpunta sa kalapit na panaderia. Namili siya ng fifty pesos na pan de sal saka umuwi na.

Naglalakad – lakad siya. Hindi naman siya nagtagal pero nagtaka siya nang mapansing may kotseng nakaparada sa tapat ng garden. Sa pagmamadali niya kanina ay hindi na maalala ni Kat kung naroon ba si Cheche sa post nito. Baka kasi turista ang mga ito at gustong makita ang sunflower garden nila.

He saw a man in a blue jacket, standing in front of the garden's gate. Nakapamulsa ito. Hindi naman niya maaninag ang mukha kas inga nakatalikod.

"Magandang umaga." Binati niya ito. "Pasensya na, Sir, close pa kami, 8 am pa ang open ng garden namin. Can you just come back later?"

Bigla itong humarap sa kanya at halos mabitiwan ni Kat ang supot ng pan de sal na kanyang hawak.

"Kumusta, Binibini?'

Katryna Magracia's world shook. It's Midas. Midas Torrero.