Francis Neil Juariz

"C'mon, Fort, I'm going to be late on my meeting. Let's get you dressed up," ang pag-aaya ko sa tatlong taong gulang kong anak na kakatapos lang kumain.

"More nom, daa," ang pagdadahilan niya habang tinuturo ang lamesa ng highchair niya. 

I sighed. I knew he was not going to eat anymore he just wants to play with his food until I bathe him again. Which I can not do dahil huling-huli na ako sa meeting and an important one at that. 

"We can't, buddy, come on." Binuhat ko na siya mula sa highchair at sinenyasan ang isang maid na naghihintay sa tabi na linisan ang pinagiwanan namin. 

Mabilis kong tinanggal ang damit na suot-suot niya at kinuha ang nakahandang pampalit niya sa kama. I was thankful he wasn't doing his crazy antics today because I might really lose my shit. My temperament is not that great right now. I'm an hour late on my meeting. 

I hear the door creak open. I didn't mind it and continued to dress my son. Ramdam ko ang paglundo ng kama sa likuran ko at ang pag-agaw ng tao sa aking likuran sa atensyon ng anak ko. 

"Lala!" He shouted and waved his little hands. "Sama kaw?" 

My mom chuckled behind me and pat my son's head. "I'm sorry, apo, lola needs to go to the doctor today. Behave ka okay? I will give you a reward pag nag-behave ka." 

"Okay!" My son gave my mom a gummy smile that reminds me of someone. 

Mabilis kong iniwas ang paningin sa anak ko at bumuntong hininga. Kinuha ko ang pambatang suklay sa tabi at sinuklay ang buhok ng anak ko. 

"You've really grown up, anak. Parang kailan lang di ka mapirmi. Puro ka gala, babae at trabaho. But look at you now, trying his hardest to become a good father. I'm sure you find it hard, but I am always here ok? Kami ng dad at mga kapatid mo. We are always here to help you."

I smiled bitterly and nod my head. "Thank you, ma. We better get going. I'm already late." 

I lifted my child and secured him on my arms. Pinulot ko na rin iyong bag niya mula sa kama at nagmamadaling lumabas ng kwarto. Nakaparada na sa labas ng bahay ang sasakyan ko kaya mabilis kong naisakay ang anak ko sa sasakyan. My secretary's already here so he was the one who took care of my son while I check the document needed for the meeting later. 

I already reviewed this one last night but wanted things to be perfect for this project, so I had to review it again. 

I sighed and rubbed my forehead when I felt it throbbed. Naalala kong wala nga pala akong maayos na tulog kagabi dahil hindi tumigil kakaiyak si Fort. I was awake all night kaya umaga na ng makatulog ako. And when I woke up I was already late for my meeting. 

Napatigil ako nang madaanan namin ang isang pamilyar na gate. "Stop the car for awhile." 

I looked at my son who was also looking back at me. I sighed. I'm already late, let them cancel the meeting. 

I took him out from his babysit at inilabas ng sasakyan. We walked towards the huge gate and stood there for a while. I was looking blankly at the doorbell. 

Kailan ba ako huling nakapasok sa lugar na 'to? My memories inside were sweet and bitter. It was full of warm moments and painful cries. I didn't have the courage to put myself inside once again. Tila bumabalik sa akin ang lahat ng ala-ala dalawang taon na ang nakalipas. 

Ding dong!

Napakunot ang noo ko nang marinig ang pagtunog ng doorbell. I heard a giggle beside me. Nilingon ko ang anak ko at nakitang may hawak-hawak itong sanga ng kahoy. He looked up to me and gave me a sweet smile. "Ding dong, daaa!" 

Before I could even react, the gate opened and I was greeted by an old maid probably in her fifties. She looked at me with her wide eyes and gaping mouth. "Sir Francis! Naku pasok ho kayo." 

She moved to the side to give us a space to walk in. I don't know if I have enough guts to strut my way inside. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit ako nandito ngayon. I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't waste my time on this place. It brought so many painful memories and uncontrollable anger. 

Before I could even turn my back from this place my son run as fast as he can inside. Kaagad na nag-init ang ulo ko nang lumingon ito sa akin at tumawa. "Mason Fort, you brat!"

I immediately run after him, completely forgetting the fact that he was a master at hiding at the strangest places. I stopped running when I got inside the commodious entrance hall. My labored breathing almost echoed inside the spacious room. Napahawak ang mga kamay ko sa magkabilang bewang at huminga ng malalim habang tinatanaw ang higanteng larawan sa aking harapan. 

Napakuyom ang mga kamay ko. 

"Papa! It's papa, daa!" 

I watched my husband's young face and clenched my jaw. Watching him smile from afar made my heart tighten as it reminded me of that day. The silence brought back memories I tried to forget. 

"I need your help, Juariz." My eyes darkened as I looked at the man sitting in front of me. My hands are itching to kill him right this instance. How dare he step into my territory as he hid my husband? 

"Why would I fucking help you, Vekselberg, when I can easily kill you right this instance." 

He grinned at me evilly as he lazily crossed his legs in front of me. "Killing me would kill your husband as well, Juariz. You're smarter than this so stop talking rubbish and just do what I say."

Napatiim ang bagang ko nang marinig ang sinabi niya. I hate the fact that his life is as equally important as my husband's. If only I was more powerful then things would have been easier. Killing him would have been as easy as killing a fly. 

"What do you want?" 

A triumphant smile formed on his face. "Nothing much, Juariz. I just need you to lend a hand. To be precise, I need your machinery to make sure this operation becomes successful. We are not just dealing with some syndicate. This is a big organization with different kinds of criminal networks. Terrorists, human traffickers, drug lords, scammers, and all sorts of trash are in their group. We can't be too at ease with this." 

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Aren't you the same? You were part of them not too long ago." 

"They were just a pastime but they suddenly became a pain in the ass so I have to make sure they humble themselves." A menacing look flashed in his eyes as he looked me dead in the eye.

"How can I make sure my husband won't die from this. Apat na buwan pa lang noong nanganak siya." 

"If we don't end this now, this will forever torment your husband. This will eventually kill him, Juariz. So I need you to lend your killer drones and some of your micro inventions. Let's try if it's worth the hype and maybe I might invest in your company. What do you think?" 

"I'd rather have you kill yourself in front of me. What else do you want?" Ang tuluyan kong pagsuko. 

No matter how much I insist to protect Tyga he will still find a way to escape from me. Tyga already chose a path before he met me again. He chose to finish the path his father forced on him. Not being able to complete his mission after all the things he gave up and went through would make him feel incomplete. All his life, iyon lang ang ginawa niya. What I can do is help him in any way that I can and assist him in any way that he needs me. 

"I need you to distract them, Juariz. We need to divide their men."

Distract them. Divide their attention. Despite hating that motherfucker, I have nothing else to do but trust his words right now. He knows that organization better than me. 

And the day Mason Fort arrived in my life, the more I became eager to aid Vekselberg in his operation to obliterate that organization. Even if I have to put Frank's life on the line. 

I watch them cruelly carry my son in their arms from afar. Every step they made inside Tyga's old house made me feel anger toward them and myself. I feel like shit. I feel evil. I feel inhuman as I watch Frank suffer. 

Just endure it a bit, buddy. Just a bit. Daddy is here. 

"Sir, hindi pa po nakakalabas si Tyga sa mansion. They are currently in a heavy battle." The sound of continuous gunshots and explosions on the other line made my guts turn upside down. My body immediately turned cold. 

Nanginginig ang mga kamay kong idenial ang numero ng gagong Vekselberg na 'yon. I will kill him. Sisiguraduhin kong mamatay siya kapag may nangyaring masama sa asawa ko. "WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM, VEKSELBERG?! PUTANGINA PAPATAYIN KITA KAPAG MAY NANGYARING MASAMA SA ASAWA KO!" 

"He lost his tracker and earpiece, Juariz." The gloominess in his voice almost drove me to madness. 

I can't lose my husband. Not now. Not when.... not when our child...

My breath caught in my throat when I heard a  gunshot inside the house. Unti-unting kumuyom ang kamay ko. I snatch the radio from my side to air my command. 

"End them now. All of them," I commanded. 

"Daaa, tayr na ako!" I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard my child's small voice. 

Napatitig ako sa mukha niya. He looked like me but he got my husband's skin and talkative mouth. Napailing na lang ako. 

"That's because you run like crazy, buddy. Next time you do that I'm going to spank your ass. Are we clear?" I asked sternly. 

"Hm." He hummed happily as he raised his small arms to me. 

Binuhat ko na siya at binigyan ng huling sulyap ang malaking larawan sa aking harapan. It's time to leave all of those bad memories here. I can't take them anywhere anymore. 

The ride to my now lunch meeting has been quiet and uneventful. Nakatitig lang ako sa labas ng sasakyan buong byahe. I watch how people can move so freely and without a care in the world. These are the people my husband chose to sacrifice his life with. The people he vowed to protect even if he never wanted to in the first place. They were the responsibility he chose over his own family. 

"Sir, nandito na po tayo." I snapped out of my thoughts and sighed. 

I waited for them to open the door before I took my sleeping child out of the car. I went inside Roan's resto and immediately made my way to the room I reserved for my meeting today. Humigpit ang yakap ko sa anak ko nang gumalaw ito habang papalapit kami sa pintuan. 

My secretary opened the door for me. My eyes immediately found its way on the woman I was supposed to meet awhile ago. Napakunot ang noo ko nang makita na may dalawa pang panauhin na sigurado akong hindi kasali sa meeting na 'to. 

"Why are you here?" Ang taas kilay kong tanong sa mas nakakatanda sa kanila. He was sitting on the seat that was supposedly mine. 

Tumingala ito sa akin at sinamaan ako ng tingin. "At bakit ako hindi pwedeng pumunta dito aber?" 

I sighed. "That's not what I mean, 'ga. I thought bukas pa kayo uuwi." 

Nabaling ang atensyon ko sa panganay namin na abalang kumakain ng pancake sa plato niya. When he's in front of food he tends to forget the world around him. 

"Kuya," ang pagtawag ko sa atensyon nito. "Did you have fun with your field trip?" 

Lumingon ito sa akin at namimilog ang mga matang napatalon mula sa upuan niya. "Daddy!" 

He ran towards me and hugged my waist. "I missed you, dad! I had a lot of fun in Disneyland with my friends po." 

I ruffled his hair and pinched his chubby cheeks. "Glad to hear that, bud. Hindi mo ba pinasakit ulo ng papa mo?" 

Umiling ito at lumingon kay Tyga na kinakausap ngayon ang babaeng dapat ay ka-meeting ko kanina. "Right, papa?" 

Natigil ito sa pakikipagusap sa babae at nilingon ang anak namin. "'Syempre naman 'no. Mana ka kaya sakin," aniya saka pinisil ang pisnge nito. "Francis, umupo ka nga muna. Akin na muna si bunso." 

I smiled and gave him our son. Of course, it's a must to give him a kiss after that. I could have devoured him right this instant if only Alam kong nami-miss na niya ito. He kept on asking about him the whole week they were gone. Ito na ang pinakamahabang panahon na nawalay siya sa anak namin simula sa araw na iyon. 

"Have you decided na po ba what kind of giveaways you want for Franco's birthday?" 

Napakamot ako ng ulo. "Ga, you know I'm not good at this things. Bakit hindi nalang lahat ibigay natin sa bisita?"

"Ay wititit! May budget tayong sinusunod Francis ha. Ikaw 'wag kang gastos ng gastos ng pera. Ang mahal-mahal na ng gatas ngayon tapos ikaw kung makawaldas parang tumatae lang ng pera. May utang pa tayo kay Aling Nina at kalabaw na tutubusin." 

I playfully rolled my eyes at him. Here he goes again. "Alam mong kahit bilhin ko pa si Aling Nina hinding-hindi tayo mamumulubi, ga. Why don't you ask Franco instead?" 

Yes, my husband and my child are both alive. Tyga's father died in his stead. Ito ang sumalo sa mga bala na dapat ay para sa kaniya. But he was still in critical condition due to excessive blood loss and infection on his laceration. Franco on the other hand was safe and sound after that alarming sound of a gunshot. The moles I planted inside were able to keep my son unscathed. It left us all traumatized.  

The meeting took us an hour. Doon na kami kumain ng lunch kasama ang event organizer na kinuha ni Tyga. 

"Pwede bang dumaan muna tayo sa mall? May bibilhin lang ako." I curiously looked at my husband beside. 

"Ano 'yon? Let's just ask my assistant to buy it for you. Siguradong pagod ka." I reached for his shoulder-length hair affectionately and tucked some strands behind his ears. 

Sometimes I'd ask myself if this man is real. He's too beautiful to be true. 

Mariin siyang umiling. "Hindi pwede. Kailangan ko ng isang sako ng asin, bawang at maternity bra." 

I smiled and leaned more toward him. I kissed the side of his hair and exhaled. "We can just ask my assistant to buy those things for you, ga. One sack of salt, garlic, and a maternity bra. As for the size, we can just—"

Kaagad kong nailayo ang sarili ko sa kaniya at nanlalaki ang mga matang tinitigan siya. "Are you?" Dahan-dahang bumaba ang mga tingin ko sa tiyan niya. 

Mahina siyang tumawa at mabilis na humalik sa mga labi ko. "Two months na raw. Magiging daddy ka na ulit. Pakihanda na lang ang mga kalabaw mo, Carding. Isang daan na ang anak natin." 

I pulled him towards me and caged him in my arms protectively. 

"I love you, Mason Flynn." I kissed his forehead. 

"I love you, Kenneth." Ramdam ko ang pagngite niya nang halikan ko ang kaniyang ilong. 

"And I love you, Tyga Xerxes Juariz." I claimed his lips like it was the sweetest fruit I couldn't wait to to taste. 

 I couldn't ask for more. Having them here with me is enough. One thing I've learned from those experiences we had before is that I exist in my husband's life to support him. I shouldn't underestimate him because he's stronger than I thought of him. He does not need someone who can save him, he needs someone who can aid him during his trials. Someone who he can share his burdens with. 

It is an honor to be his husband. Alam kong marami akong pagkukulang. I am not a perfect husband to him neither am I a perfect father to our kids. But all I can assure them is I am always here to protect them. I am ready to fill in what they lack. I am here to give them security and comfort. 

His small hands pat my back carefully. "Thank you for setting me free, Mr. Businessman. Mahal na mahal kita at mamahalin pa rin kita ano man ang katauhan ko."