​​Atlas buried his face into the hollows of LJ's neck. He could smell her baby cologne mixed with her baby shampoo. He was sobbing, and so was his daughter.

He could feel it—the movements from LJ's shoulders.

"Daddy," LJ whispered. "Daddy, you're here po."

"I'm sorry I'm late," he murmured, and his voice cracked. "I love you."

Mas naramdaman ni Atlas ang higpit ng yakap ni LJ sa kaniya. Mas pumalibot pa ang braso nito sa leeg niya ngunit kaagad niyang hinawakan ang likod ng ulo nito para isubsob sa braso niya.

Umiiyak si LJ na nakahilig ang ulo sa balikat niya. He was hugging his daughter tightly and he didn't want to let go.

"Daddy," narinig niyang bulong nito. "Daddy, sorry. LJ is crying."

Atlas chuckled and sniffed. He felt the warm liquids rolling down the side of his face. "It's okay," he sobbed. "This is actually the first time I saw and heard you cry. I'll miss you, bub. I love you so much . . . so, so much."

Wala siyang narinig mula sa anak. Hinahaplos niya ang likuran nito habang nakatitig kay Laurel na nakatingin sa kanila ng anak niya. What he did was risky, lalo pa't maraming taong nakatingin sa kanila, pero kailangan niyang mayakap ang anak. He would lose it if he didn't. Whatever the risk, the result, or issue, he wouldn't care anymore. It was his daughter.

"Be a good girl to Mom, okay?" bulong niya. Tumango naman ito. "Do you want me to sing?" he whispered. His daughter nodded.

Alam ni Atlas na hindi maganda ang boses niya, pero gusto niyang kantahan ang anak na humihikbi at katatapos lamang umiyak. He started singing "Leaving on a Jet Plane" with different lyrics.

So kiss me and smile for me

Tell me that you'll wait for me

Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause you're leavin' on a jet plane

Don't know when you'll be back again

Atlas could hear people talking, cameras flashing, and cars were horning so bad. Nakikita ng peripheral niya ang mga taong nakatingin at ang mga airport guard na papalapit sa kanila.

He saw Laurel looking at him. Seryoso ang mukha nito at walang kahit na anong reaksyon habang nakatingin sa kanilang mag-ama.

"Atlas!" It was Job who covered LJ's face with a jacket. "Pre, ano ba 'tong ginawa mo?" bulong nito. "Sobrang daming tao and everyone's taking a picture."

"I don't care," sagot niya at hinigpitan lalo ang yakap kay LJ.

Tumango si Job. "I know, naiintindihan ko. Pero 'yung privacy nina Laurel at LJ, Atlas. Maraming nakatingin sa kanila, lalo sa anak mo. You have to let go for now. Aayusin natin lahat after, okay?" sabi nito. "Tumawag na kami ng marshals na mag-a-assist sa kanila. You have to let go for now."

Ipinalibot ni Atlas ang tingin sa paligid dahil parang hindi niya iyon nakikita habang yakap ang anak, but all made sense after Job told him that.

Naglakad siya papalapit kay Laurel. Nakakunot ang noo nito at panay ang tingin sa paligid ngunit mata lang ang gumagalaw. Pilit nitong itinatago ang mukha. "I'm sorry," aniya habang nakatitig kay Laurel. Ibinigay rin niya rito ang anak nila. "I'm sorry. I'll see you both soon."

Laurel didn't say anything, she was just staring at him. May ilang airport guards ang lumapit sa kanilang lahat dahil nagkakagulo na. Hinalikan niya si LJ sa noo at tumalikod.

"Daddy!" sigaw ni LJ at narinig niya itong humahagulhol, pero hindi na siya lumingon. Hindi na niya magawang lumingon dahil kapag nangyari iyon, hindi na niya pakakawalan ang anak.

Airport guards assisted them to his car. Sa likod na siya pinasakay ni Job dahil ito na ang magmamaneho lalo na't wala siya sa wisyo. Pagkapasok ni Atlas, kaagad niyang nakita si Amira na nakatingin sa kaniya, pero umiwas siya. He was not ready to deal with his wife. He just let go of his daughter and his heart clenched.

Job started driving, tumingin siya sa lugar kung nasaan ang mag-ina niya kanina, pero wala na ang mga ito.

"Atlas." It was Job. "I'm sorry, but you need to face the consequences of what you did. It's possible na magsisimula nang tumawag ang lahat ng endorsements mo, lahat ng shows mo, manager, executives, everyone," dagdag nito. "People are already uploading, Atlas."

Tumingin si Atlas sa bintana. "Wala akong pakialam sa kanilang lahat."

Atlas shut his eyes and inhaled as much as he could. He felt his tears pooling, and his throat was in pain.

Nakakuyom ang dalawang kamay ni Atlas. Ramdam niya ang bilis ng patakbo ng sasakyan ni Job. Idinilat niya ang mga mata at tumuon iyon kay Amira na nasa harapan at diretsong nakatingin sa daanan.

Nakaalis na sila sa airport premises. Traffic sa daan, maingay, ngunit parang may nakabara na sa tainga ni Atlas. Wala na siyang ibang marinig hanggang sa sunod-sunod na ang pagtunog ng phone niya, pero hindi niya sinasagot.

Naririnig din niyang nagri-ring ang phone ni Amira, pero nanatili itong nakatingin sa daanan. Malamang na may ilang pictures ng kumalat at doon lang niya naisip ang consequences ng ginawa niya. He was not sure about what was happening to Laurel and LJ until he realized, possible na may number si Job.

"Job, you know her number?" tanong niya. "Can I talk to her?"

Nagtama ang mata nila ni Job sa rearview mirror at kaagad nitong ibinigay ang phone. Napatingin siya sa asawa niyang walang reaksyon o kahit na ano. Atlas would deal with Amira later, he just wanted to make sure that Laurel and LJ were safe.

Nakakailang rings na, walang sumasagot. Panay na ang tawag niya, nakailang subok, pero wala. He was getting frustrated, sumasabay pa ang ring ng sariling phone. He tried one more time and she picked up.

"Hey."

Napapikit si Atlas nang marinig ang boses ni Laurel. Kaagad siyang sumandal sa headrest ng sasakyan.

"Ikaw, bakla ka, hindi mo sinabi na in-upgrade mo kami to business." Akala nito ay si Job ang kausap.

Atlas heard Laurel's voice, and it felt lifeless.

"It's me," aniya. "How are you? How's LJ? Nasa loob na ba kayo ng eroplano? Are you guys safe?"

Walang sumagot sa kabilang linya, pero naririnig niya ang paghinga ni Laurel. It was quiet, he could even hear someone walking, someone even asked Laurel if she wanted water, but no words from her.

"Is . . . LJ okay?" Pumikit si Atlas at kinagat ang ibabang labi. "C-Can I talk to her?"

"She's sleeping," Laurel responded. "Do you want me to wake her up?"

The way Laurel talked was new to Atlas. It was almost like a whisper, a voice he had never heard before.

"No, it's okay," Atlas murmured. "Ingat kayo. Please, kiss LJ for me, Laurel. Thank you."

"Okay," anito sabay patay ng tawag.

Kaagad niyang ibinalik ang phone ni Job dahil panay na rin ang tunog niyon. Marami ng tumatawag, lalo na ang manager niya. Napapaisip si Atlas bigla sa damage ng ginawa niya. Sa lahat ng consequences, he was ready to face it. He would face it and he would protect Laurel and LJ no matter what. If it would cost him his career, so be it.

He just wanted his girls to be safe.

The whole drive was quiet. Sinabi ni Job na nasa likod nila si Patrick at naka-convoy sa kanila. Their phones were ringing nonstop. Walang sumasagot kahit na sino sa kanila.

Pinanood lang ni Atlas ang mga sasakyang nakakasabay nila. May pagkakataong tumitingin siya sa orasan. It was past five in the afternoon and they were still stuck in a traffic.

Minsang nagtatama ang tingin nila ni Job sa rearview mirror, minsan niyang tinitingnan si Amira.

Malaki ang atraso niya sa asawa niya. Malaking-malaki.

Nang makarating sa bahay, ngumiti si Amira kina Patrick at Job. Inaya niya ang dalawa na kumain muna sa bahay nila at sinabing magpapa-deliver na lang sa malapit na restaurant, pero tumanggi ang dalawa.

Sa labas ng gate, nanatiling nakatayo sina Amira at Atlas habang nakatingin sa papalayong sasakyan nina Patrick at Job.

"They knew?" Amira gazed at him. "Of course, they knew."

Tumalikod si Amira at sumunod si Atlas. Nakatingin sa kanila ang mga kasambahay na may gulat sa mukha. Mukhang alam na nito ang mga nangyari dahil parang nagsiiwas pa nga pagpasok nila.

Ang akala ni Atlas, didiretso sa hagdan si Amira, sa kwarto nila, pero lumingon ito nang nasa sala na sila at tipid na ngumiti. Walang kahit na anong salita.

"Usap tayo sa garden," mahinahong sabi ni Atlas at seryosong nakatingin kay Amira. "Please?"

Naunang naglakad si Amira papunta sa garden nila. Mayroong hindi kalakihang swimming pool na hindi nila nagagamit dahil sa sobrang busy, garden na may mga bulaklak, at upuang puwedeng tambayan.

Glass walls ang pagitan ng sala at garden at nakikita niya roon si Amira. Hawak nito ang dalawang sapatos habang nakatingin sa langit. Walang reaksyon ang mukha o kahit na ano.

Pumikit si Atlas at huminga nang malalim bago lumabas sa garden. Nagtama ang tingin nila ngunit mahabang katahimikan ang namayani sa kanilang dalawa.

Amira's eyes were staring back at him—gone the glint of happiness.

"I'm sorry for lying." Mababa ang boses ni Atlas. "Nothing can justify my lies, but I am sorry I lied to you."

Amira crossed her arms and breathed. "Who is she? The child, Atlas? Who are they?" she asked in a low, begging voice.

Naramdaman ni Atlas ang paninikip ng dibdib niya habang nakatingin kay Amira. Gustuhin man niyang magsalita, parang may nakasakal sa kaniya at parang may nakabara sa lalamunan niya.

"Ano'ng nangyayari? Can you explain to me? Kasi naguguluhan na ako. Ang daming tumatawag sa akin, sa ating dalawa. Hindi ko masagot 'yung mga tawag nila, kasi wala akong alam. Now, tell me. What the hell's happening, Atlas?"

Ilang beses lumunok si Atlas. Ilang beses niyang sinubukang magsalita ngunit paulit-ulit na nagre-replay sa utak niya ang pag-iyak ni LJ habang papalapit sa kaniya.

Paulit-ulit niyang iniisip ang pag-iyak na iyon dahil iyon din ang unang beses niyang marinig iyon.

Sandaling kinalma ni Atlas ang sarili. Sa pagkakataong kaharap niya si Amira, pagkatapos nang lahat nang nangyari, hindi niya alam kung saan magsisimula.

Huminga siya nang malalim na malalim at tumingala. Madilim na. Malamang na nakaalis na ang eroplano ng mag-ina niya. Ngumiti siya habang nakatingin sa langit. "Do you think they'll pass here? I mean their plane?"

Nanatiling nakatitig si Atlas sa madilim na kalangitan nang maramdaman niya ang patagilid pagbagsak ng luha sa magkabilang mga mata niya.

Atlas didn't bother wiping his tears away. The cold air dampened his tears.

"Atlas, hindi ako interesado!" singhal ni Amira. Tiningan niya ito at nagsalubong ang tingin nila. May luhang namumuo sa mga mata ng asawa. "Atlas, please, give me an explanation because I deserve it. Please, bigyan mo ng linaw 'yung nangyayari kasi naguguluhan na ako! Who is she?"

"She's the mother of my child. The kid you saw, she's my daughter . . . our daughter," kalmadong eksplanasyon ni Atlas. "Hindi ko alam na may anak kami until a week ago, n'ong nagpunta kami nina Patrick sa Baguio. That was the first time I saw her in six years. I . . . I didn't know we had a child."

Bumagsak ang luha ni Amira habang nakatingin sa kaniya. "So you were with them that day? That night?" Mahina itong humagulhol. "And you lied to me? Sino ba siya? Is she your ex?"

Atlas smiled. "No, she's not."

"Please, Atlas, don't lie to me. Nakikiusap ako sa 'yo," Amira begged. "Ang sakit dito," she pointed her chest. "Hindi ko alam ang nangyayari, nagsinungaling ka pa. Were you with them that day?"

"Whole week, actually," pag-amin ni Atlas. "Laurel and I, we never had a relationship. She was . . . my . . . she was my fuck buddy until she left."

Amira crossed her arms, wiped her tears, and chuckled. "Wow, I didn't expect this from you!" she spat. "She was your fuck buddy, and you got her pregnant? Wow, Atlas! How stupid are you to impregnate a fuck buddy and now . . ."

Atlas listened. Amira had all the right to get mad, and he knew that.

"Now, nagpapakita siya? Why?" Amira snapped. "Does she need money? Kailangan ba niyang panagutan mo ang bata? Kailangan ka ba niya?"

"Sa totoo lang, Amira?" Atlas breathed and shook his head. "Pinangarap kong kailanganin ako ni Laurel kahit isang beses, pero hindi nangyari lahat ng 'yun. Para sa ikapapanatag ng loob mo, wala kang dapat alalahanin kay Laurel. Wala siyang kasalanan, it was all me. Sinabihan na niya ako na desisyon ko kung gusto kong sabihin sa 'yo."

Tahimik na nakatingin si Amira sa kaniya at naghihintay pa ng sasabihin niya. Nakita ni Atlas ang sunod-sunod na pagbagsak ng luha ni Amira.

"Oo, kasama ko ang anak ko, anak namin, nang isang buong linggo. I even promised to her that today, we'll bond . . . pero nauna 'yung trabaho natin." Mahinang humagulhol si Atlas habang nakatingin kay Amira. Tumingala siya at nakapameywang na nakatingin sa langit. "Today was supposed to be the last day we'll bond, dahil hindi ko alam kung mauulit pa, pero inuna ko ang trabaho.

"Hindi ko alam . . . kung magkikita pa kami kasi mas pinili ni Laurel na lumayo, alang-alang sa 'ting dalawa dahil kasama kita, kasal tayo, ayaw niyang manggulo. Pera? Hindi humihingi si Laurel ng kapalit sa kahit ano, ako lang ang mapilit." Hindi na niya alam ang sasabihin. "I'm sorry, Amira, for all the lies . . . I'm sorry for lying to you this whole week about seeing my daughter, I'm sorry."

Nakatitig sa kaniya si Amira habang tumutulo ang luha nito. Naiintindihan niya kung magagalit ito sa kaniya, asawa niya ito, may karapatan ito, at nakagawa siya ng malaking kasalanan. Nagsinungaling siya.

"Puwede kang magalit sa akin, Amira, maiintindihan ko lahat ng 'yun. Maiintindihan ko kung ano 'yung magiging consequences ng ginawa ko, maiintindihan ko." Atlas was sobbing while looking at his wife. "I'm sorry, paulit-ulit kong sasabihin 'yan."

"B-Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa 'kin?" mahinang sabi nito. "Atlas, I am your wife. Ako dapat ang unang makakaalam, pero mas pinili mong malaman ng buong Pilipinas ang tungkol sa anak mo, bago ako. Maiintindihan ko naman, asawa mo ako. Pipilitin kong intindihin . . . but you lied."

Atlas looked at Amira. "I'm sorry . . ." Umiling siya at yumuko. "I was just too afraid."

"Oh, what, Atlas?" singhal nito.

"Anything about my daughter? I can't trust people." Umiling siya.

Mahinang natawa si Amira habang nakatingin sa kaniya. Pinunasan nito ang luha. "Atlas, asawa mo ako, pero hindi mo ako magawang pagkatiwalaan? Atlas, of all people, ako dapat ang pinagkakatiwalaan mo! Sabihin mo nga sa 'kin, may namamagitan ba sa inyo ng nanay ng anak mo?" pagalit na sabi nito. "Don't you dare lie more, Atlas!"

"I am telling you, you don't have to worry about Laurel," seryosong sabi ni Atlas. "Laurel is very casual. Kung inaalala mong magkasama kami noong panahong kasama ko ang anak namin, you are wrong. Umaalis siya sa tuwing kikitain ko ang anak namin dahil alam niyang kasal ako, may asawa ako.

"Nag-usap kami tungkol sa anak namin, Amira, that's the truth. But about her, wala kang aalalahanin dahil walang balak manira ng pamilya ang nanay ng anak ko. She's nice, you don't have to wor—"

Amira smiled at him. "Worry about your whore?"

Napatitig si Atlas sa mukha ng asawa niya. He was shocked to hear Amira say those words, pero naiintindihan niya dahil reaksyon iyon ng galit na asawa. Bigla niyang naalala kung paanong tawagin ni Laurel noon ang sarili dahil sa setup nila.

"What? Hindi ka makapagsalita? Are you protecting your whore?" Amira insisted.

Atlas calmed himself. "Naiintindihan ko na galit ka, Amira. Naiintindihan ko kasi asawa kita, pero sinabihan na kitang wala kang dapat problemahin kay Laurel."

"Walang dapat problemahin? You and your whore had a—"

"I am here because you are my wife, and I love you, but if you continue to call her who—"

"Whore?" Amira retorted and wiped her tears. "So, you are protecting your whore?"

"Yes, she was my whore. But the fact that I love that whore, Amira, so much . . . will never change."

Amira's eyes shut for a second and breathed. "And you're telling me I don't have to worry about her? What a joke, Atlas. You just said you love her, tapos wala akong dapat ipag-alala? Mahal mo ako, pero mahal mo siya? Are you kidding?" Tears fell, and she sobbed without breaking the stare. "Atlas, do you love her?"

Tumingala si Atlas at tumingin sa langit. Madilim na, tulad ng pakiramdam niya ngayon dahil alam niyang nasa himpapawid na ang mag-ina niya, palayo sa kaniya.

"Do you love that whore?"

Atlas' chin vibrated. "So much," he admitted.

Amira shook her head while wiping her tears away. Atlas felt guilty about hurting his wife, but he didn't want to lie again.

Tumalikod si Amira at yumuko, pero kaagad na humarap sa kaniya.

"How did you meet her?"

"Tinder."

Amira smiled warmly. "I guess it runs in the family, Atlas," she uttered. "Check your phone, and you'll know who your whore is," she said before leaving him. "She's not a simple person, after all."

Atlas turned on his phone, and the news was everywhere. Nakatanggap siya ng message galing kay Job, it was an article with Laurel's picture at the airport while looking at him and LJ.

Breaking News: Atlas Legaspi is having an affair with Laurel Alyssa Upchiango-Alcaraz, the daughter of Baesa Governor Alisano Alcaraz and late business mogul Ricardina Upchiangco-Chen.

T H E X W H Y S