I've been watching on my daughter. She's asleep on the bed. She's wearing her favorite red dress, a knitted bracelet and a ponytail. Likewise, she's the mirror of myself, an image of my innocence. Tanda ko pa kung paano ako inalagaan ng mga magulang ko noon, kung paano nila ako minahal at pinahalagahan. They weren't perfect, at maging ako rin. But my kids don't deserve every pain that I may be caused to them. My kids are very part of me. Everything.

"Tatayo ka lang ba rito?" Hindi ko inalis ang tingin kay Lisa.

"I'm sorry," I answered. "It's my mistake that she was marked by a high fever."

"Fever is normal. At lahat tayo ay dadanas sa ganitong kalagayan. Don't feel sorry, Ash. It's not your fault. It's natural."

"Lin?" Sandali pa at binalingan ko siya.

"Have you been tried dealing with a fraud?"

"In my life, yes. Why?"

"How is it possible that someone could hide something?"

"Perhaps, for security."

"Sure?"

"It depends upon the circumstances."

"How far you go with them?"

"S.G," she smiled a little and tilted her head. "Not to far."

"Do you know them all?"

"Yes, and I know that you did the same."

"Do I need to know something? Far from them?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything."

"Why are you asking me now about the gang? Is there relevant to know?"

"Spruce."

She said nothing. Kumawala siya ng hininga. Hindi na rin ako kumibo at ibinalik na rin ang tingin kay Lisa. Tatlong minuto ang nakalipas nang dumating si Rain kasama ang matalik nitong kaibigan——Ford Nadela. Lumapit si Rain sa akin para ako'y halikan sa pisngi.

"How is she?" he asked.

"She's fine," Lindsay concluded.

"Good to know." Rain nodded. Tumango naman ako.

"Do you want something to drink?"

"No, hon. We're good." Nodding, my eyes went to Ford. No questions, no words.

"I will get some water."

"Ako na ang kukuha," mabilis na tugon ni Ford.

"No, it's fine."

"Yes, Ford," Rain answered. "Please."

Nakaalis na si Ford nang basagin ni Lindsay ang sandaling katahimikan.

"Rain, aalis muna ako. And don't worry, I will be right back."

"Do your things, Lin. Ako na ang bahala kay Lisa. Thank you."

"See you around."

Nakabalik na si Ford sa silid nang makalabas sa pintuan ang pinsang babae ni Rain. Inabot nito sa akin ang isang basong tubig.

"Salamat," tanging sambit ko at tinanggap ito.

"How's the class?" He sat on the couch next to Lisa's bed. He had solemn eyes.

"Not heavy."

"Do I need to worry about it?"

"No."

"Dito na lang muna si Lisa," pagdadagdag niya. "Ako na lang muna ang mag-aalaga sa kaniya."

"No, hon. Let me be."

"Asikasuhin mo ang pagtuturo at ang mga estudyante mo. Ako na muna sa mga bata."

Umiling ako. "Hindi, hon. Hindi mahalaga sa akin ang pagtuturo para unahin sa lahat ng pagkakataon."

"Ayaw ko na magtalo tayo tungkol dito," tugon pa niya at bumuntong-hininga. "As your husband, kailangan din kitang intindihin. I don't want you to feel how unfair I am."

"What are you talking about?"

He stood and leaned on me. "You need to take a rest. A rest."

Yumuko ako ng kaunti. I felt guilty about it. I know my part at hindi ko naman iyon nakakalimutan. My family is my responsibility.

"Hon."

"Ford, ikaw na muna maghatid kay Ashleigh pauwi," mabilis niyang tugon na ikinabaling ko rin sa kanyang kaibigan. Umiiling. Hindi makapaniwala.

"What?"

"Umuwi ka na, hon. Ako na muna ang bahala sa mga bata."

"But, Rain."

"Go."

Inirapan ko siya at umalis na rin. Nakasunod lang sa akin si Ford. Tahimik. Ayaw magsalita.

We reached the parking lot. It seemed that Rain ang his car were alike. He opened the door for me. I gave respect.

Umalis kami agad. Sa halip na kumibo, itinuon ko na lamang ang atensiyon sa aking mga natatanaw.

"If you'll be given a chance to choose: kids or husband?"

"If I am a pathetic, I will pick one of it."

"Wala kang pipiliin kasi lahat sila ay mahalaga."

"Higit pa sa mahalaga."

"Gaano ba kataas ang pagpapahalaga mo sa kanila?"

"Higit sa pagtitiwala kahit kanino man."

"Talaga ba?"

Huminga ako sandali at inayos ang aking pagkakaupo. Sa pagkakataong ito, binalingan ko na siya na noo'y nakatingin din pala sa akin.

"I haven't told you to put a trust in my words."

"Walang kati-katiwala sa'yo, Ash."

"One man on a floating boat, asking for help to save her and betrayed another."

"Her?"

"Her. A woman."

"Ang layo na nang nilakbay mo," natatawang sabi nito.

"Idea?"

"Do you?"

"Too young to be broke."

"Is that what Jordan Guevara, say so?"

"Is it possible?"

"No."

"Haven't you realized how liar are you?"

"Silly."

"Lewd."

"Kampanteng kampante ka, Ashleigh Fortalejo."

"Bakit naman hindi? Totoo naman ang sinasabi ko."

"Damihan mo pa ang alas mo sa akin. Malay naman natin at isang araw, magugulat ka na lang din sa mga posibleng mangyayari. Hindi ba?"

"Is that a threat?"

"Let's see what you can do."

"Dare."

"So, here are we now."

I blinked and turned. Nakarating na pala kami sa bahay. Tahimik na bahay.

"Anyway, thank you for sending me home."

I'm about to leave when he sneered, looking at me.

"Don't make a dare on me, Ash. I'm not into it."

"Just tell her to do her part. She's my student."