EVELYN DeMARCUS

I managed to ignore Third for a good two weeks. Kina Eva ako umuuwi lagi, kahit medyo mas may kalayuan 'yon. He doesn't know where their condo is kaya para sa'kin ay mas safe. All his calls were forced to go to voicemail every time habang ang mga text naman niya, ni hindi ko nabubuksan. I only read some of it, kapag hindi natatabunan ng panibagong text.

The board was glad of the news when I told them of the clause. I assured them na sigurado na talaga ang pagpapakasal ko by the end of the year. The only thing I have to do now is to find myself a groom. Someone that would fit 'the likes' of Alexander III Lounge.

"How about this Mikhail Donovan, ate?" usisa ni Eva na ginawang trabaho ang paghahanap ng mapapangasawa ko. "It says here he's single and he's a lawyer! May sarili din siyang criminal law firm."

Napangiwi ako. "What use is his criminal law firm to me? Wala namang illegal na ginagawa ang kumpanya natin."

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "Malay mo lang, ate. Baka mamaya may laundering na nangyayari, o kung hindi, baka may magnakaw na investor—"

"Seriously, Eva, you watch too many crime shows."

"Oh! How about ate Kyla's brother? 'Yung kuya niya, ate."

This time, I threw a crumpled paper at her. "Yuck, Eva! He's basically my brother-in-law!"

"What? Hindi naman 'yon incest, ate!"

"No! Jeez! How can you even say that?"

Sumimangot si Eva. "I'm trying to help you. Ikaw nga, ate, ni hindi ka naghahanap ng mapapangasawa, e. Need I remind you that you need to get married by the end of the year? Sinabi mo mismo sa board."

I groaned when I remembered. Dapat pala sinabi ko, end of next year nalang. Kinausap ko naman si dada at ayos lang sakanya ang isa pang taon ng pamamahala. He even encouraged me to date whoever first before jumping into marriage.

I ignored Eva and her constant match-making. Kung hindi ko lang siya kapatid ay baka kanina ko pa siya binato palabas ng opisina ko. But the fact is, she is my sister and what she's doing is for me. Ako lang talaga 'tong ayaw kumilos. It's as if I wasn't as motivated to get the presidency anymore. Sa katotohanan nga, madami na akong na-delegate kay Russell na trabaho na hindi naman niya madalas ginagawa. It got so bad that he stormed to my office a few days ago, claiming he had no interest in working for the headquarters. Sapat na daw sakanya na siya ang namamahala sa isang branch namin.

Why the Lord gave me such stubborn siblings, I'll never know.

"Oh, ate! By the way, kuya Third has been bugging me lately. Halos araw-araw na," biglang sabi ni Eva. A sly smirk went to her face when I paid attention to her. "Mhm! He even said na mali daw 'yung claim mo tungkol sa provisions ng last will. Dapat daw ay siya lang ang p'wede."

Kabado man sa sinasabi niya, nagkunwari akong kalmado. The hell was he saying? Klaro naman sa will na hindi lang siya ang option ko. If I take Eva on her offer, p'wedeng lapitan ko na si Mikhail Donovan ngayon din.

"But I say just ignore him, ate. Besides, sila parin naman nung girlfriend niyang si Jane, hindi ba? He can't keep her and then marry you. Excuse me, you're a DeMarcus!" Eva sounded so apprehensive, para bang siya pa ang naiinsulto.

Tinaasan ko nalang siya ng kilay pero hindi na nagsalita pa. She had a point, of course. What's the point of pursuing him again, kung wala din naman pupuntahan? I've already done enough damage to Jane and her family's business, ayoko nang dagdagan pa ang kasalanan ko sakanya.

On Saturday, nagulat ako nang tumawag sa'kin si mommy. She said that there would be a formal dinner in a nearby restaurant. Pamilyar ang pangalan, doon ko naalala na 'yon ang bagonh restaurant ng mga Lounge, the one that Luis was currently handling as a starting point. Hindi na ako nagtanong, pumayag nalang ako dahil minsan lang din naman mag-invite si mommy.

I wore a dark lavender dress for that night. It had a halter top and showed off my bare back, the skirt of it ending below my knees. I was ushered to a private room at ang laki ng gulat ko nang makita ang mga makakasama namin. Third immediately stood up when he saw me, pero napatigil siya sa paglapit ng maalala kung sino ang katabi niya.

Tita Candice was smiling widely at me, welcoming me with an embrace, habang si mommy naman ay nagaalinlangan na lumapit sa'kin. She squeezed my hand before leading me to sit.

She and tita Candice sat at the head of the long table. Ako naman ay tumapat kay Third, na katabi ang nag-iisang Jane Mangaoil. I was still at lost as to why I was here at kung bakit andito sila, lalo na si Jane, pero wala ata sa panahon.

They already ordered food at tahimik lang ako nakikinig sa pagkakamustahan nila. They would ask Third and I questions, pero napansin kong walang kibo si Jane. The two mothers were acting as if she wasn't there. Muli ay tinablan ako ng kakaibang guilt... I know how tita Candice disliked her, and I used that as an opportunity. Ngayon ko lang narealize kung gaano kalala ang nagawa kong damage.

"—right, Candice. I talked to a friend of mine and even she recommended that designer from Paris," sabi ni mommy kaya nakuha niya muli ang atensyon ko. I remained quiet as she continued. "She makes the most stunning wedding gowns ever! Hindi ko alam kung bakit 'di ko pa narinig ang pangalan niya."

Slowly, my mouth parted. Doon ko naalala! Shit! Tita Candice and mommy were planning the wedding! The wedding between Third and I, na hindi ko pa nasabing hindi na tuloy! I didn't know na hindi sinabi ni dada kay mommy ang tungkol sa will, pero kasalanan ko din dahil nawala ito sa isip ko! Oh my God!

I looked at Third and he gave me a stern glare. Kinagat ko ang labi ko at hindi na mapakali, especially after seeing Jane's fallen face.

"Mommy..." pigil ko but she only gave me a smile. She was the kindest women ever, but she could not have tamed the wild Inigo DeMarcus if she wans't sinister herself. I glanced at Jane and saw her bowed head. Her shoulders were tensed, too. Shit, shit, shit!

"We can maybe just send Evelyn's measurements, then have her make a custom gown!" Tita Candice looked at me with awe. "I'm sure hindi siya mahihirapan. Your body is the type she usually designs for, dahil mala-model and all that."

Umiling-iling ako, hindi malaman ang sasabihin. "No, tita.."

"Mom," mariin na sabi ni Third, hindi na natutuwa. "Respeto naman po kay Jane. She's right here."

My mommy cleared her throat, hindi natuwa sa narinig. She only looked at me, then at tita Candice.

Nagulat ako nang tumawa si tita Candice. Her pointed nose so high in the air with such pride and ego. "At respeto din sa mapapangasawa mo, Alexander. I was clear when I said this was a dinner meant to plan your wedding. And you brought her?"

"Jane!"

I gasped in shock when she stood up. Bago siya makalabas ng private room, hinarap niya muna kami at halos manikip ang dibdib ko nang makita ko ang kakaibang sakit sa mga mata niya. Her eyes were free-falling at hindi agad ako makapagsalita. Even Third stared at her in shock.

"H-hindi ho ako kasing-ganda ni Evelyn, oo. Hindi rin kasing-yamam ng pamilya ninyo, pero mahal ko po si Third. Sana po, sapat na po 'yon para sainyo, dahil kahit hindi ko maibigay ang mga materyal na bagay, kayang-kaya ko siyang mahalin ng walang pag-aalinlangan."

We were all quiet after what she said and I knew, then and there, that Jane Mangaoil might be meek and timid, but she was stronger because of her love. Tumingin ako kay Third na nakatitig lamang kay Jane. I could see admiration in his eyes, pero nang tumingin siya sa'kin ay biglang nagbago ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya. Nawala ang kahit na anong emosyon.

"Kung hindi niyo ho mamasamain, mauuna na po ako." Jane said and she quickly left. Nataranta naman si Third at pinanood ko siyang tumakbo palabas, following her.

My heart was so heavy, pero wala akong karapatan na umiyak. I was at fault here and I have to fix it. Hindi ko na makakaya kung magtutuloy pa ito..

"I'm so sorry about my son, Evelyn," hingi ng tawad ni tita Candice pero umiling lang ako. She frowned, disappointed. "I don't know what she sees in her, but my son is not thinking right, for sure! Kakausapin ko siya, Evelyn dear, don't worry..."

Again, I shook my head. "Tita, thank you for the concern, b-but... Third is too in love with her." Napalunok ako dahil ang hirap palang sabihin non. The painful squeezing in my chest doubled as I said the next words. "H-he deserves to be with the one he loves, tita, mommy... at hindi ako 'yon. I can't force him to love me, lalo na ang pakasalan ako. I am in no position to demand that of him."

"Oh Evie..." Mommy sighed. She understands.

"Paano ang kasal? Most are already done..."

I smiled tightly. "Kung okay lang po sainyo, it would be nice to go on with the preparations. Hindi man kami ikakasal ni Third, kailangan ko parin hong ikasal sa taong ito."

"But, anak..." Mommy was confused. So hindi nga talaga nabanggit sakanya ni dada ang nalaman namin.

In-explain ko sakanila ang nalaman ko at pareho silang hindi makapag-salita. They kept asking me questions pero wala akong maisagot sakanila. It was just too much.

Ako ang naunang umalis. They decided to stay and change some aspects of the wedding. Hindi na ako umapila kahit na ang bigat bigat na ng loob ko. The wedding was just the last thing on my mind at this point. Kailangan kong makausap si Jane, o kahit si Third man lang.

Paglabas ko ng room, nagulat ako nang salubungin ako ni Luis. His face was serious at alam ko na agad kung bakit.

"Where is he?" mahina kong tanong.

"At a bar. He sent me his location.." Sinuri niya ako ng mabuti, napapansin siguro ang pagkabalisa ko. "I can drop you off, if you want."

Pumayag ako at agad kaming umalis. Sinabi kong p'wede na niya akong iwan doon at siniguro muna niyang makapasok ako bago umalis. It was then I realized I left my purse in his car. Double shit!

Hindi na bale... gagamitin ko nalang ang phone ni Third mamaya. He still has Eva's number so I'll just call her.

I went in search for Third, pero hindi ko siya makita kahit saan. Naisipan kong umakyat sa mas pribadong parte ng club. I reached into the padding of my dress for some cash. Binigay ko 'yon sa bouncer at pinapasok niya agad ako.

Third was alone in one corner, may alak sa harap niya pero hindi naman siya mukhang lasing. His glass was not even touched at all, parang tinititigan niya lang ito.

When I approached him, nandilim agad ang mukha niya pero hindi naman niya ako tinaboy. He merely ignored me like I was some scum in his life.

"Third..."

"Go away."

Huminga ako ng malalim at tumabi sakanya. Hindi parin niya ako tinignan. "I'm sorry... Kinausap ko na sila. I explained everything to them. I'll even talk to Jane—"

"Don't," mariin niyang pigil, "don't say her name."

Napalunok ako para hindi maiyak. I've been doing enough crying for him. Nagsasawa na rin akong maging mahina.

"Galit na galit siya sa'kin, Evelyn, at dahil 'yon sa'yo."

Yumuko ako. "I'm sorry.."

"You're a selfish bitch, Evelyn. Lahat ng ito ginawa mo para sa'yo." He gave me a bitter laugh at mas lalo akong nanliit sa sarili. Ni hindi ako makaapila sa mga paratang niya. "You didn't even care that someone was hurting. Tumigil ka lang noong nalaman mong hindi mo pala ako kailangan."

"That's not true, Third," I softly said, pero hindi niya narinig.

"She's been in my life for so long, Evelyn. Hindi p'wedeng mawala siya."

Tumango-tango ako kahit ang sakit-sakit na. "I understand. Aayusin ko 'to, Third. I promise.."

He only scoffed.

Naging tahimik kami pareho. Hindi siya umiinom pero nilalaro niya 'yon. I silently sat next to him. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kalmado siya, but I was expecting something more... angry. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi niya ako sinisigawan, o pinagmumura. He only gave me heated words, but that's about it.

Nang bigla siyang tumayo, sumunod ako sakanya. I was getting worried because I didn't have my phone. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano hihiramin sakanya 'yung kanya. Maybe I should've asked Luis to stay a bit..

We reached his car and he only glared at me. Pero hindi niya ako p'wedeng iwan dito! I have nothing left! The last of my cash went to that bouncer para makapasok ako sa private area ng club. He can't leave me here!

But then I realized... Bumagsak ang mga balikat ko at hindi ako makatingin sakanya. Of course he can. He is not obligated to protect me or anything. Wala siyang responsibilidad sa'kin. I can pretend he does, but reality is that he doesn't.

"Hey, um, Third?"

Inirapan niya ako. "What?"

Umiling-iling ako, nagdalawang-isip na. "M-mag-ingat ka.."

Hindi siya sumagot. Pumasok nalang sa kotse niya. Wala pang isang minuto ay umatras na siya at iniwan na ako doon. Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako, nag-iisip ng paraan para maka-alis dito. I have a prepaid card with me, which I always bring when I leave the house, pero konti lang ang laman non. And I need an ATM to withdraw some cash.

The club wasn't too hidden, actually. May mga ibang establishments din sa gilid na p'wede kong puntahan. I figured one of them must have some landline I can use. Kabisado ko naman ang landline nina mommy kaya doon nalang ako tatawag.

Still in my high heels, I walked a mile or so para sa pinakamalapit na lugar na hindi sketchh masyado tignan. It looked like a decent place to stay in.

A creepy lady was behind the desk. Isang mapanghusgang tingin ang iginawad niya sa'kin, lalo na sa damit ko. I realized I looked so out of place. My formal attire screamed luxury in a ghetto area. Pero sana lang ay mabait siya.

"Uhm, excuse me po, p'wede ho bang pagamit ng phone?"

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay bago lumapit para tignan ang kabuuan ko. "Ang sosyal mo namang tignan para mapadpad dito, ineng. Sigurado ka bang alam mo ang pinapasok mo?"

"Ho?" Ano'ng sinasabi niya? Hindi ba motel 'tong pinasukan ko?

Napailing siya at tinignan ako na para bang naaawa siya sa'kin. "Kay ganda mo pa naman, makinis pa ang balat mo. Pero tiyak na maraming magkaka-interes sa'yo.."

Nanlalaki na ang mga mata ko ngayon. "Ano ho bang sinasabi niyo? Makikitawag lang po ako dito, wala na!"

Just then, bumukas ang pinto at may dalawang kalalakihan na pumasok. I cringed when I saw their malicious glare towards my body. Ni hindi ako makagalaw ng lumapit silang pareho sa kinaroroonan ko. By the smell of them, lasing ang dalawa. But they seem to be sober enough to go here.

"Aba, Boobay! Bagong salta ba 'to? Ngayon ko lang nakita ah!" sabi ng isang mas matabang lalaki. He eyed my breasts with interest at halos masuka ako.

The lady behind the counter chuckled. "Nakikitawag lang daw."

"Kung ganon, miss, may cellphone ako. Nasa bahay namin.." Humagikhik pa na parang tanga 'yung isang lalaki naman.

Ayoko silang patulan kaya aalis na lang ako! Damn them, I can find another phone!

I side-stepped the guy at dahil lasing na lasing siya, hindi agad niya ako nahuli. The other one managed to grab a hold of me at ibang klaseng pandidiri ang naramandaman ko nang hapitin niya ako papalapit sakanya. I pushed him away but he didn't even budge!

"Aba, Mario, mabangong-mabango pa!" The sleazy guy holding me grinned with malice. Doon ako nagsimulang matakot talaga sa p'wede nilang gawin sa'kin. Shit!

"Hoy, hindi nga 'yan babae dito!" bwisit na sabi nong babae sa likod ng counter pero wala namang ginawa para tumulong.

Humagikhik na parang baliw 'yung Mario. "Parenta nalang ng kwarto, kung ganon..."

Sa sinabi ay ngumisi ang babae, natutuwa na may kita parin kahit papano. I wanted to vomit and cry! Never in my life have I even been this disrespected and harassed! Kapag nakawala ako dito, mabubulok sa kulungan ang tatlong 'to!

"Bitawan mo 'ko!" galit na galit na sigaw ko at pilit na pumipiglas, pero masyado siyang malakas.

I was about to let out another scream when the doors were forced open. Nagulat nalang ako nang maraming pulisya ang pumasok sa motel na 'yon. Apparently, they were doing a raid! God, how lucky can I be!

Pero nabobohan din ako sakanila. They arrested every prostitute, even the customers and the owner, pero worst of all: they arrested me!

Kahit ilang beses kong in-explain na andon lang ako para makitawag, they were bound by the book to arrest everyone in the area. Gusto ko mang magwala pero alam kong hindi 'yon makakatulong sa'kin. Plus, they saved me somehow; I owe it to them to just cooperate and explain nicely. Isa pa, sa dami ng nangyari sa gabing ito lamang, wala na talaga akong lakas.

I rode with the policemen in silence. I never complained, but I refused to sit with the other prostitutes in one of the jeeps. Wala ako sa mood na magpa-doctor dahil baka mahawa pa ako. Buti nalang pumayag ang dalawang police na isabay nalang ako sakanila.

At the station, I had to wait for my turn to give a statement. Inuna kasi nila ang mga galit na customers ng "motel" na 'yon. I only rolled my eyes. Ayaw din palang masangkot sa ganitong scandal, pero ang lakas ng loob na pumunta. And I'm sure most of them won't stop. Maghahanap lang sila ng ibang mapupuntahan.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas at wala parin. The clock on the wall says it's already nearing midnight. Dahil siguro sa sobrang daming emosyon na naramdaman sa gabing 'yon, my body was still active but my mind was shutting down. Wala na akong nagawa kundi sumandal nalang sa katabi kong dingding at maghintay. I couldn't even think of anything or anyone at this point, not even my issues with Third.

I just closed my eyes and waited for my turn with the investigators. Siguro naman ay hindi ganon karami ang naging customers. The girls were all detained for questioning in the morning. May dalawa pang dinala sa hospital dahil naghinala ang mga pulis na may illegal na droga sa katawan nila. If proven, the owner will be in serious shit dahil human trafficking na 'yon. The difference between prostitution and human trafficking is the consent. May mga babae talaga na pinili ang buhay na 'yon, while some were forced into it.

Gusto ko sanang tawagan ang mga kapatid ko, just to contact our lawyers, but they refused to let me call anyone hanggang sa oras ko na para ma-question. I'm sure it's illegal to deprive me of my one call, pero tama naman 'yung pulis na hindi naman nakalaad sa constitution kung kailan ibibigay 'yung tawag. And if they allowed me, lahat ng mga sangkot ay kailangan ding tumawag. As if! Ayaw lang siguro nila ng malaking landline bill!

So I just kept quiet. And I waited and waited until my turn.