L I B E R T Y   K I N G S 

"Drink this, Liberty." 

I looked at my mom's long thin fingers wrapped around the hot cup of milk. I sighed and took the milk and smelled it. Hmm, it smelled like home and comfort. I took a sip and my tummy instantly warmed up. A small smile made its way to my lip.

"Thanks, Mom." I said and looked at the magnificent view in front of me. 

The Taal volcano and its lake made me feel relaxed after a week of stress inside the hospital. The color of blue and green in one place can really make a person feel at peace. My father was still so mad about the ruckus that I made at my engagement night. He didn't know about my pregnancy. It seems like my Mom didn't tell London Kings a thing.

"He's still mad?" 

My eyes are now directly looking at my Mom. Now two pairs of blue eyes are looking at each other. The thin wrinkles on my Mom's face are now quite more visible than yesterday. Emily Right took a sip of her coffee and glance at the lake and smile bitterly.

"I know that I'm not a perfect mother. I am well aware of my shortcomings to you, Liberty." 

Her eyes soften when she looked at me then at my tummy. I don't have any baby bump as of the moment, sa tingin ko ay sa susunod na buwan pa ako magkakaroon. Honestly, I'm excited to see my baby bump. Ipinatong niya ang kaniyang kamay sa 'king kamay na nakahawak sa mainit na tasa ng gatas. 

"I have been blinded by my pain that I forgot to take care of you. I acted immaturely like I'm single when we part ways. Feeling ko kasi noong nalaman kong may iba pala siya at matagal na, parang nawala sa 'kin lahat. I felt betrayed and played by the person I love the most blindly. It took me years to finally realized that I have you. When I heard about the engagement, I was happy at first." 

"I thought the man you chose got approved by your father, that's why he's giving you your inheritance. Nagmadali pa akong umuwi para makita ang masaya mong mukha. Finally, makikita na ni London ang anak niya at magiging masaya ka pa sa piling ng lalaking mahal mo. But damn, I'm so wrong. When I walked inside that conference room, seeing you all serious I got the idea instantly. We may not have the perfect mother-daughter relationship but you are still my child. I know when you are sad, happy, or when you are hiding something. I may neglect you from time to time but I know my daughter and I know what to do. I need to protect you and my apo."

A tear escaped my Mom's eyes but she didn't bother wiping it instead, she rubbed her thumb to my palm and smiled warmly. 

"I don't know that you are in pain, Mom." I murmur. Nakahihiyang hindi ko man lang napansing nasasaktan pala ang Ina ko.

When my Mom and Dad separated, I only saw her cry once and she even has that angry eyes. I thought she was just angry about the betrayal. Akala ko nasaktan lang ang ego niya dahil sa ginawa ni Dad. Akala ko marriage for convenience lang ang nangyari sa dalawa. I never thought my Mom actually love my Dad dearly. How stupid of me. Sino bang magiging-okay kung nalaman mong niloko ka ng asawa mo? Sino bang hindi masasaktan? 

"I don't want anyone to see my pain. I covered my pain with a facade that I only love his money, na hangat nagbibigay siya ng pera sayo ay okay na ako. I don't want to look pitiful. My face and my name is the only thing that I could save that time. I couldn't save my heart from that downfall."

I reached my Mom's beautiful face and wiped her tears. I stared at her as she closed her eyes and feel my hands caressed her face. Now I know Emily Right's pain. My Mom's pain. One question in my head keeps on popping out and I think this is the right time to ask this. 

"Mom." I looked at her heavily-leaded blue eyes seriously and said, "If you love Dad then why is he treating us like this? Why is he treating me like I'm not his child?"

I was surprised when my Mom laughed humorlessly and smirked while looking at the view in front of us. She glanced at me again and sipped on her coffee. The wind blew and my skin shivered. I held my cardigan tightly and sipped at my warm milk. 

"I used to have a scandal and it was a big issue in the business world. We were newlywed at that time and our companies just merged. Your father was so excited to make the business number one but he failed miserably. One by one our trusted allies turned their back on us, seems like someone is backstabbing us. Then an accident happened, one of our biggest ships sank with many passengers. Everyone was mad and pulled out their investments on us and your father didn't know what to do."

"Seeing the man you love devastated hurts like hell. Parang mas masakit 'yung nararamdaman mo pagnakikita silang nasasaktan. So I made a move, I tried helping him. Someone big in our industry was willing to help us but damn, I fell into that man's trap perfectly. He asked me to spend a night with him. I'm desperate but I love your Dad dearly so I can't do that with another man aside from him. I was quite cunning at a young age so I agree with dark plans on my mind."

Emily Right laughed like there's something funny at what she's thinking. Umiling-iling pa ito habang umiinom ng kape. Pinasadahan niya ng kaniyang kamay ang kaniyang naka ponytail na buhok ng hanginin ito. 

"I was planning on drugging him to sleep and I'll tell him that we did it when he woke up. That was my brilliant plan but that fucking demon is much cunning than I am. I was the little devil but without knowing I was dealing with Satan himself. Nagpakalat siya ng pictures namin napapasok sa hotel na 'yon and that broke your Dad more. Mas lalong nalugi ang company and three weeks after that scandal spread, I discovered that I'm pregnant with you. Malinaw sa 'king alala na walang nangyari but your dad didn't believe me. I asked him to do a DNA test after I gave birth but he didn't want one. London King's may love me but his pride was stronger."

The Emily Right I'm with is not the spoiled rich socialite everyone knows. The woman that I'm seeing right now is vulnerable and in pain. 

"I guess you never heard of it because your Grandmother and Grandfather did everything to cover it up. They erased it like it never happened and we never talked about it ever again."

Another set of tears fell down in my Mom's eyes. I can't bear to see her cry. Tumayo ako sa 'king kinauupuan at niyakap siya. I rubbed my Mom's back and kissed her head. I'm happy that she opened up to me. I felt like we are closer. I felt like I could finally depend on her like a daughter does when they are in trouble. 

"You're not alone, Mom always remembers that I'm here. Dad turned his back at you but I will never do that to you. I'm your daughter and I will love you as a family should. I love you."

I felt my Mom's arms wrapped around my waist and she cried harder. The silent peaceful place was now filled with her sobs but I don't mind. Feeling ko our hearts are now closer and this talk really made our relationship progress a lot. 

"I-I love you too." 

She smiled at inilayo nang kaunti ang kaniyang sarili sa 'kin. Hindi niya tinanggal ang pagkapulupot ng kaniyang mga braso sa 'kin. Tumingin si Mom sa tiyan ko at hinimas ito nang marahan.

"And I love you too."

I felt the sides of my eye warmed up. "Don't make me cry, Mom." 

Natawa na lang kaming pareho dahil sa kadramahan namin. Gumaan ang aking pakiramdaman pagkatapos ng aming usapan. Talagang nakagagaan pala talaga ng pakiramdam kung napag-uusapan ang mga bagay-bagay. At dahil dito ay buo na ang aking isipan sa gustong gawin. I will talk to Olivia and ask for her forgiveness. Kahit hindi niya na ako tanggapin, kahit hindi na ulit bumalik sa rati ang aming relasyoon basta mapatawad niya ako. Para ito sa kapatid niya. Hindi man ako matanggap ni Olivia kahit ang kapatid na lang niya sana.

Oliver and I haven't talked again since I went here. Habang nasa hospital ako noong nakaraang linggo ay wala kaming naging malinaw na pag-uusap. Sa tingin ko ay iniiwasan niyang ma-stress ako dahil madami pa kaming hindi naayos at isa pa si Olivia na galit sa 'ming dalawa. Oliver took care of me while I was in the hospital at kahit sungit-sungitan siya ni Mom ay hindi siya natitinag. 

Patuloy ang pakisasama niya nang maayos kay Mom, at sobrang maalaga naman sa 'kin just like how he always takes care of me. Honestly, his gestures made me love him more. Oliver just kissed my forehead and my tummy when I got discharged and told me to trust him and he will take care of everything. Hindi naman talaga kailangang isang linggo ako sa hospital but my Mom and Oliver were both a worrywart. 

Pumasok ako sa kwarto ko sa rest house na kinuha ni Oliver para sa 'ming dalawa ni Mom. Talagang inilayo niya ako sa siyudad pati ang paghawak ko ng cellphone ay binabantayan ni Mom. Mukhang nagkasusundo ang dalawa kung paano ako aalagaan. At kanina ay palihim kong kinuha ang aking cellphone habang busy si Mom mag-ayos ng sarili galing sa pag-iyak. Gusto kong contact-in si Olivia para makausap siya kaya ko itinakas ang cellphone ko.

Agad kong ni-lock ang pintuan at dali-daling umupo sa kama. Nagulat ako sa nakitang napakaraming missed calls at messages. Mayroong galing sa 'king Ama, kay Felix, Prim, Froy, at sa iba pang kakilala na nagtatanong kung kamusta ako. Agad kong binuksan ang sa 'king Ama at halos lumabas na ang aking pusa sa 'king katawan dahil sa lakas ng pagtigbok nito. 

Look at what you have done! Wala na akong mukhang ipapakita sa mga Valez dahil sa kahihiyang ginawa mo! You are not a Kings. Don't ever show your face to me!

I'm nervous but I'm not surprised at all. The moment I landed my feet outside that hall I know this is going to happen. I know that I'm going to be a disappointment to my Dad but when did I ever make him proud anyway? Kahit naman anong gawin ko ay hindi siya matutuwa. Ngayong magkakaanak na ako I wouldn't bother pleasing him, especially that London Kings is my number one stressor. Mas importante na ngayon ang anak ko. 

Sunod ko namang binuksan ang text ni Felix na nanghihingi ng sorry. Alam daw niyang dahil sa kaniya kaya ako pumayag sa engagement na yon. Well, I'm not blaming him for anything. Ako naman ang may gusto no'n, walang may pumilit sa 'kin and I was so stupid for doing it. Maybe, may iba pa namang paraan para resolbahin ang problems ni Felix. My desperation made me blind from other solutions making me suffer. 

Nawala na ngayo ang kabang aking nararamdaman dahil sa nabasang text ni Froy. 

Hey, are you okay? I heard from Olivia what happened. 

Agad ko siyang tinawagan para makibalita. Hindi ko pwedeng tawagan si Oliver dahil malamang ay magagalit siya dahil sa paggamit ko ng aking phone. Alam kong nakahihiyang tatawagan ko si Froy after what happened but seeing his text makes me at ease. Feeling ko ay kaibigan ko pa rin siya.

"Liberty..." 

Agad na sinagot ni Froy ang aking tawagni hindi na ito umabot sa ikatlong ring. 

"Hey."I burned with humiliation. Alam kong hindi maganda angginawa kong pagtalikod sa kaniya noong nakaraan. Ipinahiya ko siay at ang kaniyang pamilya. "I'm sorry." dugtong ko agad.

" I'm not fine honestly pero tanggap ko."

My heart hurt but I'm happy that Froy is being honest with me. 

"Thank you. D-Do you have any news about Olivia? or What happened after the p-party?"

I heard him sigh, "I don't know if I should tell you. The fact that you don't know a thing means that uncle Oliver doesn't want you to be stress."

"But I want to talk with Olivia. Problema ko rin ito, hindi lang dapat si Oliver ang kumikilos sa 'ming dalawa."

"The whole Valez clan knows about your pregnancy, Liberty. And we know na maselan na ang pagbubuntis mo. Sorry but I don't want you to stress yourself." 

Mabilis na kumalat sa 'king kalooban ang pagkairita at galit. Kumunotv ang aking noo at ang aking labi ay naka-isang linya na ngayon.

"Come on, Froy. Just tell me. I assure you that I am healthy and my baby too." 

Mukhang nahimigan ni Friy ang pagkairita ko kaya napabuntong hininga siya. I could imagine him scratching his nape habang ngumingiwi. 

"Fine, h'wag kanang mairita diyan at baka pumangit si baby. Walang pangit sa lahi namin, Liberty." he jokes making me giggle like a little girl.

Gosh, my mood swing is incredible! Please, note the sarcasm. 

"Olivia is nowhere to be found. Uncle Oliver is searching with my parents and other relatives so don't worry. After she went here crying, she told us what really happened and when morning came she left."

Agad akong napasinghap sa narinig at napatakip ng aking bibig. What have I done?

"O-Oh God..." 

"H-Hey, h'wag kang ganiyan, Liberty. Kinakabahan ako sa 'yo, yari ako nito kay Uncle pag may nangyaring masama sayo and I wouldn't forgive myself also. Please, calm down!"

Huminga muna ako nang malalim at hinawakan ang aking tiyan bago muling nagsalta. 

"Please, continue. I'm fine, Froy."

"Uh... your father knows about you being hospitalized but I'm not sure kung alam niya ang reason. He actually made you being hospitalized the cover for what happened." 

Oh, so my father knows but he never went to visit. At mas inuna niya pa talagang pagtakpan ang pangalan niya kaysa sa kalagayan ko. How did I deal with my father's heartlessness for a long time? My  hopes disintegrated but that's okay. I can openly accept to myself that my father is ruthless and I don't need such a man in my life. 

"I see..."

"Goodness-gracious, Liberty! Stop stressing!" Froy said hysterically making my forehead knot.

"I am not!" 

"Damn, now you are mad at me! Hindi 'yan healthy sayo." 

"Can you please calm down, Froy? You're overthinking. Anyway if you have any news about Olivia's whereabouts kindly, tell me. Thank you!" 

Ibinaba ko na agad ang tawag at dahil baka kung ano-ano pa ang sabihin ni Froy. Another worrywart. Oh dear, I'm surrounded by many worrywarts' mas na i-stress ako sa kanila kesa sa talagang problema ko. Umiling-iling ako at ibinagsak ang aking katawan sa kama habang nakapatong sa 'king dibdb ang phone ko. 

wait, I forgot to open Prim's text message to me. Inangat ko sa 'king mukha ang phone at binuksan ang text niya. Sa gulat ko dahil sa nabasa ay nabitawan ko ang aking phone kaya saktong-sakto sa 'king mukha nag bagsak nito.

Naramdaman ko agad ang sakit dahil sa pagtama ng phone sa 'king mukha. Fuck, that hurts like hell! Bakit ko ba naisipang itapat sa mukha ko 'yon? Anyway, it seems like hindi ko na kailangan ang tulang kay Froy. I smile happily as I look at the phone's screen.

I caress my tummy and said, "I hope everything is going to be fine, Baby." 

Liberty, I'm with Olivia somewhere in Batangas. Do you want to come? I recently heard about your engagement party. Do you want to unwind with us? Mukhang may problema rin si Olivia, e. She is so quiet and she keeps on staring at the sea while constantly sighing. Hope you can come. Take care!

~TBC~

I'm back! Sorry at natagalan wala sa plano kong tagalan ang update. Thank you guys for patiently waiting for the update, sana ay magustuhan niyo. Tomorrow if maaga ako matapos sa mga hahabuling requirements ay mag-update ako. 

2 more chapters to go! 

Hi, sa mga nag-reply sa 'kin sa message board. You guys made me happy after a tiring week of examination at sa mga nagbabasa nitong SA#1.

Feel free to share your thoughts and keep safe everyone!

Love lots :>>