"EXPLAIN, Helena. Ano'ng ibig sabihin ni Serena na iniwan mo ang anak mo sa labas ng bahay nina Troy? At sa ano? Sa gitna ng nagyeyelong panahon?!"

Iyon ang naabutan ko habang naglalakad pabalik sa hapagkainan. Nakatungo si Helena habang sinesermunan siya ni Dad.

"D-Dad, p-please. I've b-been through a l-lot. Hindi ko kayang madamay ang anak ko sa pinagdadaanan kong pagdurusa noon." Pagdadahilan ni Helena na nagpapikit sa aming ama. Halatang torn ito sa kung paano kakausapin ang dating patay na anak.

"Bakit ba kasi hindi mo ikwento sa'min ang nangyari sa'yo, anak? Nang maintindihan ka namin." Wika ni Mom nang hawakan nito ang kamay ni Helena na nasa ibabaw ng lamesa.

"H-Hindi pa ako handa, I'm sorry."

"Hindi handa? O sadyang may tinatago ka lang?" pagsingit ko sa kanila habang naglalakad patungo sa upuang sinigurado kong malayo sa babaeng 'to. They all looked at me as if they want me to shut up but I only rolled my eyes and ignored them.

"Wala akong tinatago, Serena. Sana 'di mo masamain o isipan ng masama ang rason ko," inosenteng tugon ni Helena sa'kin that made me scoffed mentally.

"I didn't imply that you are hiding something... bad. Just to correct you," wika ko while I'm fixing myself and looking at the dishes in front.

Medyo natigilan ako dahil halos hindi ito ang karaniwang hinahanda rito.

"But you are insinuating,"

Seriously? Gusto ba nitong patulan ko s'ya?

"Serena," it's a warning tone from Travis. Napapikit nalang ako at napailing iling. Travis saw her too in the Port, he might have an idea already but I just don't get why he's not saying anything about it.

O baka naman nauna nang kausapin ni Helena si Travis to what? Made some stories?

"Don't make me look like I'm a villain here, ask this man who took care of your precious... grandson." Inis kong anang sa kanila at kumuha na ng pagkain and divert the attention to Troy na ngayo'y nasa gilid ko at nakatayo.

Nabaling nga ang atensyon ng mga magulang ko... well, ng lahat nang makita muli si Troy. Dali dali namang tumayo si Helena at animo'y bata na yumakap bigla sa binata. Travis making a face to stop me from doing it. Pero pinanlakihan ko lang s'ya ng mata dahil 'di niya ako mapipigilan sa pagtataray.

"T-troy, good thing that you are here. I promise y-you that it's not really my intention to leave my son in your care that w-way. I was j-just torn into something, please believe me?"

'Di ko napigilang mapabuntunghininga ng malakas dahil sa naririnig kong drama na animo'y kinuha sa teleserye. That paawa effect is so... ugh! Disgusting. Mas malala pa itong kapatid ko na magpaawa. Her act was more disgusting than Troy's ex na ayoko nalang alalahanin at mas nakakadagdag lang ng init ng ulo ko.

"I know, I understand." Troy soothed the woman and pat her head to make herself stop crying. Jusko, mas matanda pa ang babaeng 'to sa'kin, makaasta 'kala mo kinulang sa buwan! Kabuwisit!

At ano? Troy understood that? Ano'ng naintindihan n'ya?!

"Seat with me, please?" my teeth gnawed from hearing that sick-sweet tone. Gusto kong masuka sa pandidiri.

'Di ko man makita ang itsura ni Troy, I'm pretty much sure that he's torn into something. 'Di kasi ito makasagot pero ramdam ko ang paninitig n'ya sa gawi ko.

Nakita ko naman ang pag-iling iling ni Travis sa harapan at pinanlakihan ko uli s'ya ng mata.

"Uhh, Senyor? Donya? May bisita ho kayo." Nabaling ang tingin namin kay Manang may kasama itong lalaki na kilala ko.

Nanlalaki ang mga mata kong tiningnan at nahiwagaan kung bakit ito naririto. "Enrico?" I couldn't stop myself from asking. "What are you doing here?"

"Mr. Villalobo, welcome! I'm sorry if this is sudden," it was my father who spoke next and I didn't know na ito pala ang nagpapunta sa binata. "Come here, saluhan mo kami."

"Nako nakakahiya ho Senyor, hintayin ko na lamang kayo pagkatapos." Nahihiya pang wika ni Enrico na kinatawa naman ni Dad.

"Ano ka ba, okay lang naman. Tara na, I insist."

Mukhang 'di naman ito nakatanggi sa paunlak ni Dad at mariin nang lumapit. Bakas sa mukha ni Travis ang pagtataka at nakita ko pa ang pasimple nitong pag-iling bilang tugon yata sa kung anumang sinenyas ni Troy rito.

"Sige ho, basta ho 'di ako nakakagulo sa family dinner ninyo." Wika pa ni Enrico tapos ay tumingin sa'kin. Agad ko s'yang sinenyasan na sa tabi ko umupo at pinaningkitan ko ng mata bilang isang babala.

Tila naintindihan naman nito ang rason kung bakit dahil 'di pa rin naalis sa tabi ko si Troy.

"Let's seat, Troy. Please?" pangungulit ni Helena kay Troy at wala na itong nagawa nang hilain s'ya nito.

"Magkakilala ba kayo ng anak ko, Hijo?" tanong ni Mom nang magsimula na nga ang hapunan. Tila pinalampas nila muna ang sitwasyon patungkol kay Gabriel dahil na rin siguro mayroon pa kaming isang bisita.

"U-Uhh, opo, Tita. Magkaklase ho kaming dalawa sa ilang subjects sa pinapasukan naming University." Magalang na tugon nito.

"Oh right, in PUP? Parehas 'ata kayo ng trip nitong si Serena kaya doon ka rin pumasok imbes na sa iba pa nating prestihiyosong unibersidad."

"Hindi ko ho alam ang trip ng anak ng n'yo... aww!" pagtugon muli ni Enrico pero agad ko siyang sinipa sa ilalim ng mesa dahil baka maging taklesa pa ang bibig nito at ano pa ang sabihin.

"Oh, okay ka lang ba? Anong nangyari?" may pag-aalalalang wika ni Mom rito nang mapansin ang pagdaing ni Enrico.

Pasimple lang lumingon muna sa'kin ang binata habang inosente naman ang pagkakatingin ko sa hinihiwang karne.

"W-wala po, napulikat lang bigla p-pero okay na po ako."

"Ahh, okay sige." Parang 'di kumbinsidong tugon na lamang ni Mom.

Parehas kaming painom na ni Enrico nang biglang may tinanong si Dad na 'di ko alam kung nakakatuwa. "Pero 'di mo naman siguro pinopormahan itong anak ko ano?"

Halos sabay naming naibuga ang iniinom na wine dahil sa tanong ni Dad at napaubo ubo pa ako ng kaunti dahil sa gulat.

"Anong klaseng tanong 'yan, Dad?!" 'di ko mapaniwalang tanong rito nang makabawi sa pagkagulat. I am actually trying my very best to ignore a fiery and electrifying glare from a man in front of me. Para kasi itong papatay sa paninitig sa 'min ni Enrico.

"I w-was just asking, mukhang bagay naman kayong dalawa and Enrico's family is a family friend to us. Their agency supplies us with the best their bodyguards that's why I'm not against if both of you would be a thing," paliwanag nito na animo'y okay lang rito na ibugaw ako habang pasimpleng tumingin kay Troy.

Like hello? Sa kutong lupa na 'to na maharot at hinaharot ang kaibigan ko?

"N-nako, S-senyor. Hindi po—" agad kong pinigilan si Enrico by holding his leg and gripped it hard while I'm smiling with Dad.

"Dad, masyado nang gabi para maging si Cupid ka pero let's see..." then I looked at Enrico and gave him a knowing look behind my innocent smile at him tapos ay binalik ko ang tingin kay Dad. "... let's not rush things, we are friends for now."

"For now?" parang biglang nagkaroon ng anghel sa dinner table nang biglang sumingit si Troy at bakas sa tono nito ang lalim at banta sa paraan nito ng pangungumpirma.

Imbes na magpa-intimidate sa pinapakita nitong pag-alma sa sinabi ko ay nginitian ko ito bago muling hinawakan ang kubyertos. "Yes, Mr. Monteverde. Friends muna, and I'm single anyway, I guess I'm open to entertaining anyone, right?"

Yeah, oo nga ano? He didn't even offer me to be his girlfriend. We did sexual things and he's so sweet to me but we never got a chance to label our relationship—or kung matatawag mo nga bang relationship ang panggagago n'ya sa'kin?

I saw how he gripped his hand while holding his fork.

"Right, Helena?" binaling ko ang atensyon kay Helena na halata sa mukha rin ang pagkadisgusto sa inaasta ni Troy sa hapag. "You're in support naman whoever I want to be with right?"

Helena held her whole courage to smile and leaned on to Troy before replying, "Sure, little sis. I'm in support if magiging kayo ni Enrico."

Naramdaman ko naman ang paghigpit ng pagkakahawak ni Enrico sa kamay kong nasa hita nito. He's signaling me to stop.

Bago pa may sabihin si Troy ay mabilis kong binaling ang atensyon kay Dad at nagtanong, "So, Dad. Bakit narito si Enrico?"

"Oh, right." Anang ni Dad tapos ay mabilis na pinunasan ang bibig gamit ang napkin na hawak nito bago ako sinagot. "He will be your sister's bodyguard starting tonight until further notice."

"What?!" sabay naming reaksyon ni Helena na bahagyang kinagulat ni Dad pero nagpatuloy ito sa sinasabi.

"Since ayaw mo kasi anak na magsabi ay napilitan akong humingi ng tulong sa ama ni Enrico na maglagay ng bodyguard na babantay sa'yo dahil sa mga sinasabi mong panganib na nakaamba bago ka nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na lumabas sa publiko."

"B-but Dad, h-hindi na k-kailangan. I'm safe na po." Napaangat ang isa kong kilay sa paraan ng pagtanggi ni Helena.

"Helena, anak. I know you are safe but you can't expect me to do nothing to protect you."

"I know D-dad, but I d-don't think na magandang ideya ang—"

"Bakit naman... Ate? It seems like you are afraid to be monitored?" I asked while grinning subtly.

"What? No! Of course, not! I just find it hilarious lang. I am okay and no one will touch me."

"Why? Because you can protect yourself?" I asked still grinning... trying to dig her own grave.

"Yes, that's why hindi na kailangan." Bigla itong bumaling kay Travis na animo'y gustong humingi ng kakampi. "Bunso, I know you might have the same thoughts with Dad but please, there's no need for a bodyguard."

Seryoso namang napatingin ang kapatid kong lalaki sa ate niya at tumugon, "This is just to make sure that you really are safe. I'm not against it."

"Great! Me too! I'm not against it, Helena. This is for your own good too. Huwag mong sabihing you want Dad and Mom to worry them because of the things that you don't want to explain... yet?"

Tila naipit na ang kapatid ko ngayon. This is a good opportunity for me. Enrico can share with me her movements and for sure... that's my Dad's plan as well. Might as well, take advantage of it.

Helena sighed then said, "Fine, but I want Troy to protect me too."

Ako naman ang napakunot noo sa sinasabi ng babaeng 'to. Ba't naman nadamay ang lalaking 'yan?

"Helena... ate." Ugh, ba't nasusuka ako kapag sinasabi ko 'yan? "Troy's a busy man. He's a businessman and he won't have any time to be with you all the time."

"I agree with your sister, Helena. Troy's got a big deal with their company and he needs to work on that."

"No! If 'di kayo papayag 'eh 'di rin ako papayag."

The cleverness of this woman. Bakit ba parehas kaming Fontanilla?

"Then let's ask, Troy." Singit ni Mom.

Napatingin naman kaming lahat ngayon kay Troy and I were kind of startled when I saw him just looking at me at parang 'di pa nito ako nilulubayan ng tingin.

"Would this... man will be with Helena most of the time?" tanong ni Troy nang hindi pa rin pinuputol ang paninitig sa gawi ko. Napainom tuloy ako ng tubig bigla.

"Uhh, since Helena has an architectural project with PUP and Enrico's studying there too, I guess not always but enough to make Enrico keep an eye on her," Dad responded.

What? So, makikita ko pa ang babaeng 'yan sa school?!

"And Serena still pursuing her studies there with this... dude?" sunod na tanong nito na s'yang nagpatahimik saglit kina Mom and Dad.

"Just until the end of Sem, as far as I know," Dad replied and his tone became different all of a sudden.

"Alright, I don't mind keeping an eye on your daughter, Senyor." The dinner table became so awkward because of Troy's vague reply.

Whose daughter? Si Helena o ako? Aba linawin mo naman, Monteverde! Para makaisip ako ng paraan paano iiwas sa'yo!

"Are we not pestering your work?" tanong ni Mom at bakas sa tono nito ang pagtataka.

"Nope, I'm sure my sister can definitely handle our new partnership with Joaquin, it's her plan after all. She doesn't need me." Troy replied habang malalim pa rin ang paninitig nito sa gawi ko.

"I see, okay. Sure. For as long as it won't disturb your personal time then I don't see anything wrong since matagal na rin naman kayong magkakilala nitong si Helena." Tugon nito na may simpleng paglingon rin sa'kin.

"Great! See? It's a good idea, we can also see my son anytime as well. I can bond with him kapag tapos na ako sa mga ginagawa sa project!" tuwang wika ni Helena pero halatang pilit nalang. May gigil sa bawat dampi ng tingin sa'kin na animo'y gusto n'ya akong lapain.

K, girl. Mainis ka talaga.

"MAY PASOK KA, Serena?" tanong sa'kin ni Dad nang makita akong pababa ng hagdanan. Dad and Mom are in the dining... taking their breakfast. Pagkatapos kong maiayos ang buhok ko'y sinagot ko ang tanong nila.

"May isusubmit lang po ako sa isang subjects kasi today's the deadline."

"Ayaw mo ba talagang lumipat sa ibang University? We have Ateneo, La Salle, and others. Mas safe doon." Wika ni Dad but I just looked at them and smiled.

"I'm good in PUP, Dad. I can still hide my identity there so no one's bothering me from the media."

Ilang segundo lang ang katahimikan nang biglang may isingit si Dad sa usapan. "About... Helena."

Mabilis kong ibinaba ang kubyertos at pinunasan ang bibig. I felt both of them stiffened. I looked at them and said, "I have to be honest with you both that I didn't like what you have done and keeping Helena's existence from me. It made me doubt myself that if I really belong here since I'm your... daughter from another woman."

"Oh, baby. P-please, don't think that way..." wika ni Mom, and her tears started to show again.

I made a smile out of it at inabot ko ang kamay ni Mom sa lamesa. "Nagtampo lang ako, Mom. Don't worry about me. I have my insecurities even before but you never failed to show and treat me as your own. Ayoko lang sigurong magmukhang tanga. I think that's what I learned from pretending to be someone else with Troy."

Napatulala ako sa pagkain sa mga huling salitang nasambit ko. I felt Dad's hands on my other hand and subtly gripped it. "It's not your fault and I'm sorry if I have to keep Troy's plan away from you. I only knew that the moment that your true self is being acquainted with Troy this past few days. Alam mo namang madaling makatunog itong Papa mo."

"D-dad!" I knew that tone on his last sentence and the way he playfully squinted his eyes on me.

"I'm not saying anything, Serena," Dad said while playfully winked at Mom. Mom rolled her eyes while a smile on her lips escaped.

"We won't meddle on your... love affairs—"

"— Dad! W-walang g-gano'n..."

"I just want you to be careful and guard yourself against pain. We don't want to see you being hurt again after the secret about Helena made you... mad at us."

"Dad, I said walang gano'n."

"Love, we've been there too. Kaya huwag kami ng Dad mo, okay?" Nakisali naman ngayon si Mom.

Really? Pagtulungan daw ba ako?

"We know you're mad at Troy," biglang wika ni Dad. "Alam kong 'di tama ang ginawa n'yang paggamit sa'yo. Pero we also knew Troy kahit paano. When we figured out that he's doing this to know the truth about your sister's death, alam naming 'di ka n'ya ginagamit to hurt you. It's not that I'm defending him at 'di ko sinasabing tama ang ginawa n'ya. Again, as a father, hurting my son and daughters is one of the things that we don't want to happen. Just hear him out. Okay?"

Natahimik naman ako sa sinabi ni Dad.

"And considering that he's doing that to Gabriel— in which, 'di talaga namin inasahan na magkakaanak s'ya ay kahit paano ay naintindihan ko s'ya bilang isang Ama."

Napatigil ako saglit.

"W-wait, ibig sabihin he knew that Gabriel is Helena's biological mother?"

"We don't know, but considering that he did that to know what happened to Helena, we are under the impression na baka alam na nitong anak ni Helena si Gabriel."

But Troy said that he doesn't know. Was it just a coincidence?

"Paano mo pala naging close ang pamangkin mo? And he called you last night as Mom?" tanong ni Mom sa'kin.

"Well..." shit, parang 'di ko alam paano ito lulusutan. Paano ko sasabihin na nakilala ko si Gabriel nang mahuli kami ng bata sa kama ni Troy? "... a-as his secretary before, aksidente lang rin na may hinatid akong dokumento sa kanya at nakita roon accidentally ang bata."

Shit, sana lusot.

"And he's really longing for a mother," agad ko dinugtong. "He thought I'm his mother at first but he requested if he can call me Mommy instead. So, sinong makakatanggi do'n, Dad and Mom? Gab's the cutest!"

"And I agree, he's also adorable and smart."

"But... do you have any idea about Helena having a son?" biglang naitanong ni Dad sa seryoso nitong tono.

Agad akong umiling dahil 'yon ang totoo but Dad's tone was giving me an idea that Helena's not telling them anything yet.

"How about Helena? Did she tell you anything about what happened to her?"

"Alam mo, Dad that I can help you on that," I told him but I knew he would say no.

Umiling ito gaya ng inaasahan, "She'll tell us soon,"

Nabulahaw lang ang umaga namin nang biglang may nagsisisigaw sigaw. It's Gabriel!

Napalingon kami nang makita namin ang batang natakbo papunta sa gawi ng Dining area. He looks horrified and scared while running away from... Helena.

"My son! Please come to Mama. I won't leave you any more!"

"No! I don't want you! You are not my Mama!" tapos ay nagtatakbo takbo itong muli na parang may hinahanap. "M-mom? Mom! Help me, Mom!"

"Gabriel! Don't run fast," rinig naming usal ni Troy na nakasunod lang sa bata.

Nang matanaw ako ni Gabriel ay natigilan ako dahil nagsimula nang umiyak ito papunta sa'kin. Agad ko ito yinakap nang tumakbo ito ng mabilis sa'kin.

"M-mom, please don't leave me? Don't leave me, please?" wika nito at muling nag-iiyak iyak. My chest hurt upon seeing him begging for me not to leave him and I started to caress his back para matigil ito sa pag-iyak.

"No, Gabgab. I won't leave you, okay?" pag-alo ko pa rito.

"What are you doing to my son, Serena? Don't make me look like a bad mother to him! Wala kang karapatang yakapin s'ya at angkinin!" Singhal ni Helena palapit sa'kin tapos ay bigla nitong hinablot si Gabgab.

Nagulat kami sa ginawa nito at doon mas lalong nag-iiyak iyak ang bata.

"Helena!" Singhal ni Dad but Helena didn't listen to him and looked at Gabgab na ngayo'y nasasaktan sa ginagawa ni Helena habang ito'y nagpupumiglas.

Mabilis ko itong nilapitan bago pa nakalapit si Troy. I held Helena's wrist and slightly twisted it then I pushed him para makaalis si Gabgab.

"Don't you dare hurt him like this!" angil ko rito at mabilis na yinakap ang bata na mas lalong lumala ang pagtangis.

"How dare you!" Helena's on rage and when she was about to attack me...

I glared at her and said. "Stand back, Helena Fontanilla! Or you won't like what I'll do next."

Mabilis na nakalapit si Dad at Mom kay Helena at mariin itong hinila palayo sa'kin. Even Travis na kakarating lang at mukhang bagong gising ay mabilis na pumagitna. Troy's at my back and he's subtly pulling me.

Dad and Travis knew what I meant about my warning. And since they felt that I don't like my sister, they must have felt na 'di ko sasantuhin kahit ang kapatid ko na 'to.

"Helena, calm down. Serena won't take away your son." Pag-alo ni Mom rito but Helena's not listening.

"She will! She already started getting what I originally have! Troy's attention, the company, my family, and even my son?! There's no way in hell I'll have her my son!"

"Kausapin mo 'yang babaeng 'yan ngayon, Troy." Bulong ko kay Troy nang hinarap ko ito at nagsimulang umalis at dinala si Gabriel sa kwarto ko.

"Where are you going?! See? She'll take him away from me!"

"Helena!" ang sigaw ni Troy nalang ang narinig ko nang makalayo kami ng bata sa nagwawala nitong ina.