CHAPTER 48

HAPPY WAS SHOCKED at what Blaze told her. Cassie was alive and she showed herself to him after he walked out on her. Sa sementeryo ito nagpakita kay Blaze. But he promised her he didn't do anything with Cassie.

Pumasok sila sa ospital at sa loob ng caféteria nag-usap. May pagdududang tumingin siya kay Blaze.

"You didn't hug her? Kiss her? Make love with her? Hindi mo ba siya na-miss?"

Blaze looked at her like she said something wrong. "Why would I do that to her? She's not my wife. I only get to do that with my wife. Yes, I was an asshole because I left and I was so angry but I'm not a cheater, Happy."

Nakagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi. "W-wala talagang nangyaring ganoon?" But he loved her. "It's okay. Just tell me the truth. Hindi ako magagalit."

Blaze looked so frustrated as he stared at her. "Happy, I didn't entertain her. I didn't, I swear." His voice was begging. "Oo galit ako pero hindi ko 'yon magagawa sa iyo. I would never cheat on you. Never. Please believe me. Ikinulong ko ang sarili ko sa barn ni Lysander. Hindi ako lumabas. Nandoon ako. The barn has CCTVs, ask Yrozz to hack it. Knight and Shun were there as well. Please believe me."

Napatitig siya sa asawa. "Bakit wala kang ginawa? Mahal mo siya, 'di ba? Mas mahal mo siya kaysa sa akin."

Marahas itong umiling. "No, no, no... that's not true. Kung mas mahal ko siya, eh, di dapat wala ako ngayon dito, nagmamakaawa sa iyo. Dapat kasama ko siya. Pero nandito ako, Happy. I told you, every time I say I love you to you, I mean it. And when I married you, my heart was already yours. Sa iyong-sa iyo na ako. I was just so mad at the reason why I lost Cassie and my unborn child. I was so mad. And I know I was wrong to lash out on you and I also know that I can never take it back. I can only regret and beg you to take me back."

Napailing siya. "But it's Cassie... your beloved."

Blaze let out a frustrated sighed. "I was kidnapped. Knight told me about what happened to you. I was so worried I drove as fast as I could to the airport. That was more than a week ago. Pero bago ako makarating sa airport, may sumagasa sa sasakyan ako. I was unconscious. When I woke up, I was in a house. With Cassie."

Her heart kept on tightening every time Blaze's mentioned her name.

"And that house, it has CCTVs... I think." Ibinigay nito ang address ng bahay. "It was just me and Cassie there. She tried to kiss me, she even stripped in front of me... but I didn't... I would never. Because every time I look at her, I don't see her anymore. I see you. I can see my wife who's hurting because her husband is an asshole for leaving and saying those words to her. I can see my wife whom I love and cherish, and I can see my wife leaving me if I do something stupid. And I don't want you to leave me, baby... I don't want you to let go of me."

Titig na titig siya kay Blaze habang nagkukuwento ito. He seemed to be telling the truth.

Nagbaba si Happy ng tingin. "I still can't believe that you didn't do anything with her. I mean, I know how much she means to you."

"Hindi ba sapat ang rasong mas mahal kita kaya hindi ko ginawa 'yon? Kasi natatakot akong mawala ka sa akin?"

Napatitig uli siya sa asawa. "So noong nag-walk out ka at nakita mo si Cassie, hindi na kayo nagkita uli maliban noong napunta ka sa bahay na 'yon?"

Tumango si Blaze. "I was busy regretting what I did to you. I was ashamed," he admitted. "I was so ashamed to face you after what I said and did."

Napailing-iling siya, saka napasabunot sa sariling buhok. "Bakit ba nangyayari sa atin 'to? Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko, Blaze. Hindi ko alam kung paniniwalaan ba kita o hindi. O kung tatanggapin kita o hindi. Naguguluhan ako."

Dahan-dahang inabot ni Blaze ang kamay niya, saka bahagyang iniusad ang wedding ring niya para makita nang buo ang tattoo ring nila. "When I was kidnapped, Cassie took off my wedding ring while I was unconscious. Para daw ma-realize ko na hindi ka para sa akin. But this..." Itinabi nito ang daliring may tattoo ng pangalan niya sa daliri niya. "She can't take this off. And I'm glad that she couldn't. Because this is a brand for me, that I am yours and no one else. I know, you don't believe that I love you and I understand it. I get it. I was a jerk to you, your own husband. But know this, I'm yours, Happiness Aravena Quinn-Vitale.

"And that annulment you wanted, I will never sign it. If I have to fight you in court, I will. Because I am yours as you are mine. I made a mistake, I'm not perfect, I'm just a man, Happy, I am reckless, I am selfish, I am a jerk, an asshole, name it, that's me. But if there is a mistake that I will never do to you, it's to cheat on you or think of someone while I'm with you. I told you before, I will not make love to you unless I'm thinking of you. Nang pakasalan ko si Happiness Aravena Quinn, ginawa ko 'yon kasi mahal ko siya at ayokong mawala siya sa akin."

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa tattoo ring niya kung saan naroon ang pangalan ni Blaze. For her, it was not just a simple tattoo. It was like a brand to her soul that she was Blaze's.

Umangat ang mga daliri niya, saka humaplos 'yon sa pangalan niya na naka-tattoo rin sa daliri ng asawa. "When you told me you have moved on? Totoo 'yon, 'di ba?" she asked.

He nodded. "Aside from the tattoo on my face, there were tattoos on my body that were also dedicated for Cassie and I cleaned them all. Not because I already moved on but because I don't want you to ever doubt my intentions. I can never say that I'm all yours if there were still tattoos on my body for Cassie. And I put what makes me remember you."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

Blaze tsked. "Ilang beses na akong naghubad sa harap mo hindi mo man lang napansin?"

"Well, I was busy making love to you in those times that's why."

Blaze chuckled again before explaining. "Ipinabura ko lahat ng tattoo ko na may kinalaman kay Cassie pagkatapos ay inilagay ko ang mga salita na nagpapaalala sa akin ng tungkol sa iyo. A word 'tart' from cheese tart and 'iced' from iced americano on my back. Because you love them. There's also three small words below my nape. Hindi mo makikita 'yon hangga't hindi nakatutok ang mata mo. It's self-respect, self-love and self-worth. You believe in those things and I wanna believe in them too. And below those was the word 'Happiness.' You."

Napalabi si Happy. "Palagi akong nasa ilalim mo kapag nakahubad ka kaya hindi ko 'yon nakikita. O kaya naman nasa ibabaw mo ako. And I'm doing naughty things to you to care about your tattoos."

Blaze laughed a little. "Yeah..."

Napatitig siya sa asawa. Pinagsalikop na nito ang kamay nilang dalawa habang nag-uusap sila. "Why are we a mess?" she asked.

"Because we're not perfect. I'm not perfect and there will always be a mess. That's marriage, I guess." He sighed. "Ang kasalanan ko lang, hindi naging maganda ang pagdala ko sa gulo natin. Pinagsalitaan kita ng masakit at umalis ako. Minsan, hinihiling ko na sana si Blake ako. Matapang sa lahat ng bagay. Alam niya palagi ang gagawin niya. I envy him. Gusto kong idahilan na ini-spoil niya ako kaya ganito ako pero sa tingin ko ugali ko na 'to. Ugaling hindi maganda dahil nasaktan na naman kita.

"Makasarili ako, hindi nag-iisip kapag galit, gago ako at higit sa lahat duwag. Kaya kong humarap sa maraming kalaban, kaya kong makipagpatayan, pero nang umalis ako at naalala ko ang sakit na bumalatay sa mukha mo nang dahil sa mga sinabi ko, nawala 'yong tapang ko at naduwag akong harapin ka uli. I know how much you respect yourself. I was afraid—still am—to hear from you that I don't deserve you. That I'm not worth risking for. And you said it. And maybe you're right, but I'll work hard... harder to earn your trust again. Give me another chance?"

Bumuga si Happy ng marahas na hininga. She was about to answer him when she heard her dad's voice.

"Princess! Princess! I heard about Helena being here. What did she do to you?"

Pero ang paglapit sa kanya ng ama niya ay natigil nang makita nito si Blaze. Her father was rooted in place before he slowly went to Blaze's side and he knelt.

Her father knelt!

"I have no excuse. I did it for my daughter. And I'm very sorry about what happened. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Blaze. I'm sorry."

Blaze just stared at her father for a long time before looking away and staying silent.

Tinapik naman ng ama niya ang balikat ni Blaze, saka bumaling ito sa kanya. "Can we talk?"

Blaze's jaw tightened. "If it's about Helena or Cassie, talk here."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ng ama niya. "What about Cassie?"

"She's alive," sagot niya.

Lalong lumalim ang gatla sa noo ng ama. "How? She's dead."

"I just saw her," sabi niya.

"Yeah. She kidnapped me too and she wanted to have sex with me," Blaze said flatly. "She want 'us' back."

Worry filled her father's eyes as he looked at her then Blaze. "Please tell me you didn't... please..."

Umiling si Blaze habang mahigpit na hawak ang kamay niya. "May asawa ako para do'n. And last time I check, my wife's name is Happy not Cassie."

Her father's tensed shoulders relaxed. "Thank you... for not doing that to my daughter. Sa akin ka lang magalit. Tatanggapin ko lahat. If you wanna kill me, go ahead. Feel free."

Blaze looked at her father. "You wanna make it up to me?"

"Of course!" Her dad exclaimed.

"Stop your daughter from annulling our marriage."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Happy. "Blaze!"

Tumingin ito sa kanya. "You said you have connections. Okay. But I'm pretty sure your father has more connection than yours."

Her lips parted. "Sa lahat ng puwede mong hinging kapalit sa kasalanan ni Dad, 'yon lang?"

"Anong lang? Walang 'lang' sa gusto ko. Ayokong mawala ka. Ayokong iwan mo ako. Ayoko. Hindi ako makakapayag. And if I have to make a deal with the devil." He glanced at her father sharply. "I will. To keep you."

Happy grimaced. "Mababaw pa rin 'yon. You could have asked Dad for anything... he even offered his life."

Namilog ang mga mata ng ama niya. "Princess!"

"What?" tanong niya sa nanghahamon na boses. "You harmed his beloved, didn't you?"

"He didn't," sabi ni Blaze na titig na titig sa kanya. "He kept my beloved safe from any harm so when I find her, I can love her for the rest of my life."

Me.

"That was smooth as fuck," komento ng ama niya.

"Dad..." Tiningnan niya ito nang masama. "You killed his beloved and his unborn child, remember?"

Agad na natahimik ang ama niya, kapagkuwan ay humugot ito ng upuan, saka nakisalo ng mesa sa kanila. "Though about your unborn child, are you sure that she was pregnant?"

Blaze frowned at her father. "What are you trying to say?"

"Well, ahm, we always perform a checkup on Cassie every month... you know, to check if everything is okay with her body," sabi ng ama niya. "Hindi ko naman siya pinabayaan habang kamukha niya ang anak ko. I didn't see my daughter in those three years because I don't want to endanger Happy, and I was keeping tabs on Cassie. And that week, the week she got kidnapped, she just finished her checkup on the Organósi's infirmary. Doon ko siya kinausap tungkol sa pag-alis namin dahil malapit na ang Triad sa kanya. And because of this mess, dahil nangyari sa inyo 'to ng anak ko nang dahil sa akin, ipinahalungkat ko kay Klaus ang resulta ng test ni Cassie ng linggong 'yon. Like I said, we always check her for safety purposes too. Dahil kapag nabuntis siya—lalo na dahil may boyfriend siya—hindi ko itutuloy kung ano man ang nangyayari dahil may batang involved. So, as I was saying, she was not pregnant at that time. Unless there was an error."

Bumakas ang kaguluhan sa mukha ni Blaze. "What do you mean she's not pregnant? She told me. She was."

"I know. Von Per told me too." Her father frowned at Blaze. "She became your fiancée a year before her death, right?"

"Yes."

"Isang taon na pero hindi mo naisip na pakasalan siya?" tanong ng ama niya. "While you married my daughter in what? Weeks after you propose?"

"I was studying," sabi ni Blaze na nakakunot ang noo. "Magpapakasal kami after I graduated from medical school."

"Oh. And that would be years."

"Yes. What are you implying?" iritadong tanong ni Blaze sa ama niya.

"What I'm saying is that in my knowledge, she was not pregnant. Ayaw ka lang niya sigurong pakawalan kasi mahal na mahal ka niya. We can always exhume the body to check or read the autopsy report. But that's just me," sabi nito na itinaas ang dalawang kamay. "I could be wrong or our test was an error. Who knows? Pero isa lang ang sigurado ako, patay na siya."

"I just kicked her face that looks like mine, Dad," sabi niya sa matigas na boses.

"Well... I saw her dead body. So no, that's not Cassie."

Nagkatinginan sila ni Blaze.

"But..." Confusion was on Blaze's face. "She sounded like Cassie. She even told me that we have a son."

Napatigagal siya sa asawa niya. "Then why are you here?"

"Because I love you."

"You have a son, Blaze. If totoo mang si Cassie 'yon, ibig sabihin malaki na ngayon ang anak mo—"

"Hey! Hey!" saway sa kanya ng ama niya. "Huwag magpadalos-dalos. Remember, she is on the Triad's side." He looked at her. "Think. Don't say things because you love him and you want him to be happy." Itinuro nito si Blaze. "In a situation like this, when it comes to the Triad, say things using a rational thinking. You can do it. Come on, princess. I trained you be a rational thinker. Do it. Now. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgement and decisions. Come on."

Happy took a deep breath before speaking again. "We should check. Use our connections to make sure that Cassieis really alive. And if she is, then we will figure our if there was a child. And if there is, then..." She looked at Blaze. "You decide what to do. Desisyon mo na 'yon."

Bumuga ng marahas na hininga si Blaze, saka masamang tumingin sa ama niya. "You're saying earlier that Cassie was lying about the baby, and now you'll use your connections to prove if there is a child. Ano ba talaga?!"

Her father smiled. "It's a strategy called open for all possibilities and being ready for the outcome with a plan if consequences arise." Mabilis nitong inilabas ang cell phone, saka may tinawagan. "Ruthgar, my genius friend. Yes, yes, more genius than Von Per." Then her dad covered the mouthpiece of his phone before whispering to them. "Don't tell Von Per." Then he went back to speaking to Ruthgar. "Yes, I need your help. My house. Of course. Leave the brandy to me. I'll make sure to kill you with it. LOL. Hashtag party. Bye."

Napatanga siya sa ama. "I can't believe I heard you say the word LOL and hashtag in one sentence."

"Princess, the oldies are evolving too."

Happy tsked when her father's phone on the table beeped and she saw Henreitta's name.

Her lips thinned, "Dad, nilandi mo ba si Henreitta?"

Napangiwi ang ama niya. "Princess, we're both consenting adults when we did the nasty, when I was so stress because you were mad at me—"

"Daddy!"

"Bye, princess!" Agad na umalis ang ama niya at tumakbo habang pahabol na nagsasalita." Be at our house in one hour!"

Napailing si Happy, saka napatingin uli sa asawa na titig na titig sa kanya. "Ano?"

"Give me a change again?"

She took a deep breath. "Let's fix this mess first and then we will talk, okay? Tapusin na muna natin 'to para wala nang gulo. Siguro makakatulong din to sa atin para makapag-isip nang maayos sa mga bagay-bagay na dapat nating gawin. Kasi baliktarin man natin ang mundo, mag-asawa pa rin tayo. At kasal tayo. Sinasabi ng puso ko na huwag kitang bitawan kasi mahal kita at asawa kita, pero iba naman ang sinasabi ng isip ko. Kailangang malinawan tayo sa lahat-lahat, Blaze, para maayos natin ang relasyon natin nang wala nang pabalik-balik na multo sa nakaraan natin."

Blaze looked deep into her eyes. "We'll fix this mess and we'll fix us next?"

Happy took a deep breath before nodding. "We'll talk. After this."

"You'll see if I'm still worth risking your all for?" Blaze asked.

She sighed. "I'm sorry about that... about you not worth risking for. That was below the belt. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said it. That was not a good thing to say to you. Hindi ko na sasabihin 'yon uli. Pasensiya na kung nasaktan kita dahil do'n. I'm really sorry, Blaze."

Blaze was just staring at her. "Why are you saying sorry to me? What I said to you in the penthouse was much more painful than that." Napailing ito. "God, I was such an idiot."

She sighed again. "I'm sorry. Again. For every painful word I've said. Pareho lang tayong nagkakasakitan. Let's just settle this mess first, okay? Then we will talk again."

Tumango ito. "Okay."

Happy smiled. "By the way..."

"What?"

"I'm pregnant."

Blaze automatically grinned before standing up, scooping her up and hugging her tightly. "Yes! Yes! Yes! Fuck, yeah!" Kapagkuwan ay parang natauhan ito at pinakawalan siya sa pagkakayakap. "Sorry. This mess first before us. Sorry." Then he grinned again. "But you're really pregnant? How many weeks? What did the doctor say? Fuck! How's the ultrasound?"

Umiling siya. "Wala pang ganoon. Nalaman ko lang kanina dahil mataas ang hCG level ko. Bukas babalik ako para do'n."

Blaze nodded and he couldn't keep grinning and caressing her belly. "Our baby is in there."

"Yeah... and the parents are still a mess."

He looked at her. "We'll fix It. I'll fix it. I'll work harder to fix us."

Hindi siya umimik. Nabaling ang atensiyon niya nang tumunog ang cell phone niya.

It was an email.

She immediately opened it thinking that maybe it was something important. Pero bumulaga sa kanya ang isang larawan.

It was Cassie and Blaze, lips pressed against each other. They were on a bed. Blaze's eyes were closed.

Oddly, hindi siya nagselos sa nakita. Siguro dahil nasa tabi niya si Blaze kahit nakita na nito si Cassie. It made a big impact on her. Him being with her after seeing Cassie.

Happy looked at Blaze as she slowly showed the picture to him. "Tell me... are you sleeping in that picture?"

Itinutok naman ni Blaze ang mga mata sa larawang ipinakita niya. "Yeah. Look, my bruises are still fresh. Kagagaling ko lang sa aksidente no'n. Ibig sabihin ito 'yong panahon na wala akong malay. Because I'm very sure that I never let my lips touch any part of her body when I'm awake."

"Why?"

He looked at her. "Because it's yours."

"Oh."

Blaze went back to examining the photo. "Yes. That's definitely me but I didn't kiss her. That, I'm sure."

Happy sighed. "Ano ba ang gusto niya mula sa akin?"

"Ang iwan ako."

Napatitig siya sa asawa, saka napabuntong-hininga. "Maybe this woman is not Cassie. Maybe she's a fake look-alike. I could picture the real Cassie as a nice woman."

"Well, she was nice to me in that house. She was very Cassie-like."

"Then why didn't you fall for her?" she asked. "I didn't mean to frustrate you. I'm just curious."

He shrugged. "Nahulog na ako sa 'yo." Mahina itong natawa, saka napailing. "Seeing Cassie again, it made me realize a lot of things. Isa na ro'n ang hindi kita kayang ipagpalit sa kanya. The house that we're in, it was bolted from the outside. I can't get out even if I want to. She tried everything, Happy, she even stripped naked in front of me. But nothing. Hinahanap ko ang Happy ko... ang asawa ko. 'Yong asawa kong nagugulat na lang bigla sa panlalandi ko sa kanya. 'Yong asawa kong simpleng ngiti lang masaya na ako. 'Yong asawa kong mahal ko.

"Kaya maling-mali ka sa sinabi mo sa akin kanina. Alam kong buhay si Cassie, pero hindi ko naman siya pinili. I didn't let that house imprison me with Cassie. Laman ng isip ko ang sinabi ni Knight na nasabugan ka. So, I did everything to ransack that fucking house so I could see you. And I'm here now. Nahuli nga lang, pero nandito ako at wala akong ginawa na kasama si Cassie na makakapaggalit sa iyo."

"Yes, I was wrong..." She looked at Blaze. "You did choose me."

"That's what I keep telling you."

"Hindi ko kasi alam na buhay siya at nagkita na kayo. Sorry... I doubted you."

"That's a given. I was a jerk to you."

Mahinang natawa si Happy. "We've been a jerk to each other. Kaya nagkakasakitan tayo, eh. May kasalanan ka, may kasalanan din ako kasi nawala 'yong tiwala ko sa iyo dahil sa mga binitiwan mong salita na nasaktan talaga ako nang sobra. Maybe we should try to understand each other more? On my side. Iba ako mag-isip. 'Yong isip ko, iba ang takbo sa ibang tao. While on your side, you have a very aggressive behavior. God... that was a bad combination."

"We'll make it work. Right? We'll fix this. I'll fix this."

Happy nodded before she received a text from her father.

House. Now.

Ibinulsa niya ang cell phone. "Come on, let's fix this mess so we can fix ours."

Tumango si Blaze, saka sabay silang umalis ng caféteria. Siya ang nagmaneho sa kotse niya patungo sa mansiyon nila. Nang makarating doon, nasa labas pa lang silang, naririnig na nila ang ingay sa loob ng sala.

Nang makapasok sila, they saw them.

Her dad arguing with Daddy Von Per about what happened to Cassie. Uncle Klaus trying break the two apart. A man in front of the computer who was called "Ruthgar" by her father and a man twirling a knife around his finger who was called "Vent" by Uncle Klaus.

Five men. Arguing and sharing opinion all at the same time.

And Happy realized, this was her dad's team. Way back when he was still the second Arkhon.

After all these years, they were still together and supporting one another.

Wow. Just wow.

CECELIB | C.C.