Chapter 63

Miguel Falcon

Being an unwanted child is something that I was used to, so when my mom suddenly treated me like a real son; I was overwhelmed. Whether her actions are just because of guiltlessness in what happened, I don't care. Everything she was doing touched my heart. It feels so nice to the point that I keep smiling every day. It's just a mother's love yet I feel contented already. But just like they say, nothing could last. If a person can easily change, a situation can also fall to pieces and altered.

"A-Are you, okay Mom?" I asked her after she stopped vomiting. "Are you sick?"

"I.. I want to tell you something, Miguel."

My forehead furrowed.

"What is it mom?" Pero hindi kaagad siya nakasagot. Inabot niya lamang ang kamay ko at inihaplos sa tiyan niya. At first, I was utterly perplexed. Does her tummy hurt? That's why she wants me to caress it? But as I continue touching her stomach, I feel a small, unexpected movement.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

"M-Mommy.. What did you eat?" I whispered in disbelief. "Did you eat a living species that's why it's kicking within your belly?"

"W-What? No, son.." My mom chuckled as she shook her head. "It's actually your sister.."

"S-Sister..?"

"Yes. I'm pregnant, Miguel. I and your Uncle Vinz are having a child. You will have a sibling.." I was left speechless. Nakatingin lang ako kay mom habang nakaawang ang bibig.

"W-wow.." When a realization hit me, I broke my expression into a happy one. Bumaba muli ang tingin ko sa tiyan niya, mas hinaplos ko ito. Nang hindi pa ako makunteto ay idinikit ko ang tainga ko sa stomach niya.

"Can she talk mom?" I blinked my eyes and my mom smiled. "Oh my, God..You're so adorable, Miguel. But no she can't talk yet but you can talk to her."

"Oh.." Hinarap ko ang tummy ni mom at matamis na ngumiti. "Hello, baby sister.. I'm your brother: Kuya Miguel. I hope you're doing fine there. I can't wait to meet you soon! I love you.."

"Aww.. You're so cute, son." My mom suddenly burst into tears. Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. "Are you sad, mom?"

"N-no.. I just realized how lucky I am to have a child like you," Nag-init ang magkabilang tainga ko kaya tinakpan ko ito. Natawa naman si mom. Pinugpog niya ako ng halik at mas lalo lang akong namula.

"Mom!" I whined, feeling more embarrassed. Ngunit hindi niya na ako tinigilan.

Nagdaan ang mga araw at napansin kong mas naging malapit sa akin si mom. Sabi niya, mukhang ako raw ang pinaglilihian niya. Palagi niya akong pinanggigilan at kahit naiilang talaga ako, aminado rin akong gustong-gusto ko ang atensyong binibigay niya-Na sana ay sinulit ko pala dahil..

"Tell me, my dear wife.. Are you fucking pregnant?"

"M-Mike.." For the first time in my life, I saw my mom quiver with fear and nervousness while looking at my dad.

"You won't really listen to me hm?" My father chuckled darkly and I couldn't help but step in. "Dad.."

"And I guess you also know it yeah?" He glared at me. Even though I was also afraid, I didn't break eye contact with my father.

"I can't believe this.." He laughed. Nagkatinginan kami ni mom at mas lalong nagdilim ang mga mata ni dad.

"Go to your room, Miguel." he gritted his teeth and I used all of my courage to shake my head. "No.."

"Don't let me repeat myself again!" He yelled out.

"Son, I can handle this. Please go.." Si mom na ang kumausap sa akin. Nagmamakaawa ang mga mata niya at kahit gustuhin ko, hindi na ako makahindi.

Unti-unti ay lumayo ako sa kanilang dalawa. Tumalikod ako at nagpunta nga sa kwarto. Pero dahil nasa hallway lang sila, nilagyan ko ng siwang ang pinto at nagbantay sa magiging usapan nila.

Even if I don't have enough strength, I will protect my mom once dad tried to lay his hand on her. I won't let him hurt my mom and sister.

"Abort your child, Elizabeth."

"No!"

"No..? Wife, you don't have a choice. You will abort that bastard or.."

"Or what?!"

"You will lose all of your connection with my son-"

"He's also my son, Mike! You can't do that!"

"Oh please.. You know that I'm capable of doing that, Eliza. All you just need right now is to choose whose child you want to keep. If it's Miguel, you will stay here. But if it's not him, I will never bother you anymore. You can divorce me tutal at masisira ka naman na sa publiko for having an affair while we are married." Dad is so calm yet there's a dangerous glint in his eyes while negotiating with mom.

I gasped.

I can't believe this..

"P-Please, Mike.. Don't do this to me," My mom begged while holding her tummy.

I slowly bit my lower lip. My heart is racing. The way she was acting right now, I know that she will choose her.

"You do this to yourself, wife." Dad pointed out and my mother sobbed. She become more expressive and emotional. She kept shaking her head and I silently prayed.

Please, don't leave me mom. Even if it's impossible, choose me..

I love you.

"C-Can I at least.." she gulped. "Bid my goodbye to him?"

Napaatras ako.

N-no..

Pero makalipas lamang ng segundo ay nasa harapan ko na si mom. Lumuluha ang mga mata niya at nagtubig ang mga mata ko. Sinubukan niya akong hawakan pero umiwas ako. Ang daming sinasabi ng mga mata ko sa kanya pero hindi naman bumubuka ang bibig ko.

"I-I will also come back, son.. I promise,"

"M-Mom.. please." I cried out. But she just hugged me. Although I want to hug her back, I just can't..

My heart hurts.

I still feel shunned.

My mom didn't choose me and that day, she left me.

"W-Why.." My voice trembled. My tears won't stop from dropping. In my room, I was alone and unaided again. Silence only became my accompany. And if I feel that this situation is already worse-I think I'm wrong.

"Are you fucking crying again?!" Mahigpit na hinawakan ni dad ang balikat ko. "No man should waste their tears over little things, Miguel. Keep that in your mind!" Tinulak niya ako sa sahig at tinadyakan. Napadaing naman ako.

"Don't be stupid, child. If your mom truly cares for you, she won't leave!" He seemed very angry today and I winced. "D-Dad.. It hurt-"

"Take it! Stop being weak!" As he didn't stop his assault, my breathing became harsh and erratic. I covered myself with my arm, but it also didn't help me. Because the next time I knew, my blood was on the cold floor and I was left unconscious.. again.

When my misery and pain would stop?

Please someone help me..

Everything hurts already.

Did I even deserve this?

"Happy 13th birthday, Miguel.." Napatingin ako sa cake na hinanda ni manang sa harapan ko. "It's been almost 6 years.."

Natigilan siya.

"Will she even come back manang?" I whispered and she tried to smile. "She will, Miguel. Trust her."

"Hm.." Hindi ako nag-react sa sinabi niya. Instead walang gana kong hinipan 'yung candle sa cake at hinawakan sa kamay si manang. "Thank you for this.. But don't do this anymore, manang. It's only made me more hopeless."

"Miguel.." Hindi ko na siya pinansin pa. Umakyat ako ng hagdan. Bubuksan ko na sana ang kwarto ko nang may marinig akong daing sa kabilang kwarto. Nahinto ako. Pero nagpatuloy lang ang mga ungol nilang dalawa.

They are having sex again.

Fuck this life..

Did he even remember that it's my birthday today? Shaking my head, I decided to continue my phase in the basement. When I see the electric power there, I reach the wire out and cut it. In just a snap, naging madilim ang paligid. Nawalan ng kuryente ang buong mansion at narinig ko ang galit na pagsigaw ni dad. He hates darkness. And sensing how much I made him enraged right now, I sneered. I feel somehow satisfied.

"What are you fucking doing here, Miguel?" Itinigil ni dad ang pagtingin sa mga papeles na nasa desk niya at nag-angat ng tingin sa akin. I'm now here in the company.

"I don't want to study anymore, dad."

"What?!"

"Yes." I nod my head. "I just want to start working like you."

"And why is that?" He crossed his arms.

"School bore me out and I'm interested in our company so.." Naningkit ang mga mata niya sa akin. Ramdam ko ang pag-aalinlangan niya pero kalaunan ay dahan-dahan na lamang natawa.

"You are really a Falcon, Miguel." He seems amused but I just keep my serious, decisive facade. Suddenly, his slutty secretary come over us and disrespectfully interrupt our conversation.

We both looked at her.

"Sir, the investment of-"

"Don't you know how to knock..?" I raised an eyebrow at her. "You know that we are talking seriously here yet you dare to approach us just like this."

"Excuse me?!" She looked irked and aggravated but I only scowled at her. "Don't raise your voice at me, woman. You're just a secretary here. Know your place."

"Mike..?" She attempted to look at him but dad only shrugged her off. "Apologize to my son, Tasha."

"W-what? No!" She furiously shook her head and I can't help but grab her arm, as harshly as possible. "You're just my father's fuck buddy, woman. How dare you become stubborn like this? Should I let you know where you truly belong?"

"You're just a kid!"

"A kid that is Falcon. I'm higher than you. You're an employee here and my father owns the company. Soon I'll be also your boss, so I'm not just a fucking kid.." Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. Napatayo naman si dad. Nilapitan niya kami. But instead of protecting his secretary, he actually acknowledged my presence and patted my shoulder as if I'm being a good boy. "Don't touch that low being, son. She's not worth it."

Simula nung araw na 'yon. Palagi na akong kinakampihan ni dad. Mas kinuha ko naman ang loob niya. Pinag-aralan ko ang nangyayare sa kompanya. Binago ko na rin ang wardrobe ko. Tuxedo na ang laman ng mga ito. Sa araw-araw na training sa akin ni dad sa company, nasanay na ang mga empleyado sa presence naming mag-ama.

Tuwang-tuwa si dad kapag pinupuri siya ng mga businessman na nakakatrabaho namin and as years passed by, I became my father's pride. In the company, he built me to be his asset and I just let him. Yes and he's benefiting from me, but I believe that I have more advantage than him. If he think that he was using me, he's wrong because quite frankly I'm the one that was using him.

"Why are you even helping me, kid." As the rivals of the Falcon company gaped at the envelope I gave him in disbelief, I tsked. "Why? Are you complaining?"

"No.. I'm just surprised. These confidential papers will definitely make your company fall-"

"He's company." I snapped him. "It's not mine."

"You must hate your father so much to betray him like this.." He smirked, but I only rolled my eyes at him. Hate is such a wrong word, I believe that it's despised. I loathe that cruel man a lot.

Nang umuwi ako ng mansion. Hindi na ako nagulat pa nang makita kong nagwawala si dad. Ang mga mamahalin niyang alak ay nagkalat sa sahig. Basag-basag ang mga ito kaya alam kong matindi ang galit niya sa pagkakataong ito.

"W-What happened dad?" Pumasok na ako. Pero hindi niya ako pinansin. Panay lamang ang pagtangis ng bagang niya at mas ipinakita ko ang pag-aalala ko.

"It's nothing son, go upstairs. I can handle myself." He dismissed and I nodded. "Alright.." Tumalikod na ako sa kanya. Pero bago pa ako maka-akyat sa hagdan, hindi na matanggal ang ngisi sa labi ko.

I can't wait to watch your downfall dad.

You deserve all the less in the world.

You ruined my life, and now it's time for me to ruin yours.

Alam kong nagpapadala ako sa lahat ng galit ko sa kanya ngayon pero wala na akong pakealam. Kung 'di niya ako tinuturing na anak niya, bakit ko pa siya kikilalaning ama ko?

"Who are you?" I asked the strage, unfamiliar woman in front of me. But before she can answer me, dumating si dad sa tabi ko. "Leave us, young man."

Tinignan ko silang dalawa. Pero sa isiping isa lang ang babaeng ito sa fuck buddy ni dad ay napailing ako. Gaya ng gusto niya ay iniwanan ko sila roon.

Nagtungo ako sa company.

Buong araw akong nagtrabaho roon. Nung una ay hinihintay ko pa si dad, pero nagdaan ang mga oras at nakakasigurado akong hindi na siya papasok pa. Gabi na. Madilim na ang paligid. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang magtaka. Sino ang babaeng 'yon? Gaano ba siya kaimportante para iwan ni dad ang trabaho niya ngayon?

"Do you know this woman, manang?" Nasa kitchen ako at nang maabutan ko rito si manang ay nagtanong na ako sa kanya.

"Hindi ko siya kilala ijo, pero napansin kong napapadalas ang pagpunta niya rito."

"Do you think.. my father is in a relationship with that woman?"

"Hindi ako sigurado. Pero sa tingin ko ay desente ang babaeng 'yan. Nararamdaman kong malaki ang respeto ng ama mo sa kanya." Nagsalubong lalo ang magkabilang kilay ko sa narinig.

Pinagmasdan ko ang larawan nung babae at nag-search pa ng impormasyon sa kanya. Masyadong pribado ang buhay niya kaya kaunti lang ang nahita ko. Bukod sa single ang status niya, isa siyang doctor. But what really confused me about her profession is that she's a psychologist doctor.

"What do you need to that woman, dad.."

L A D Y M | MOONWORTH