CHAPTER 49

PINAKATITIGAN NI BLAZE ang asawa habang abala ito sa harap ng laptop at cell phone. Pinagpapalit-palit ni Happy ang dalawa habang nakikipag-usap sa iba't ibang miyembro ng organisasyon tungkol sa pagpapabagsak ng Triad.

Looking at his wife... it calmed him.

When he was away from her, it was hellish. Dumagdag pa ang sitwasyon niya kay Cassie.

When he saw her in the cemetery, imagine his shock. It was like the very core of his foundation was shook. But what kept him at bay was Happy. His mind was filled with thoughts about Happy that a thought of being with Cassie didn't even come to his mind.

His first word to her was their "child." If their child was okay.

Cassie—the fake Cassie—was nice to him. Just like the Cassie he knew. The way she smiled, the way she talked. It was Cassie-like. He never even doubted that it was a fake.

But when she reached her hand to touch and caress his face at the cemetery, he took a step back. Not because he was mad at her for only showing up after eleven years, but because he was married. Because of Happy, he took a step back.

Si Happy ang nasa isip niya habang kaharap si Cassie. Kung ano ang mararamdaman nito na pagkatapos niya itong pagsalitaan ng masama at bigyan ng pagdududa na baka si Cassie pa rin ang mahal niya ay magpapahawak siya sa babaeng alam niyang pinagseselosan nito.

Hindi man sabihin sa kanya ng asawa niya, alam niyang nagseselos ito kay Cassie. At kapag hinayaan niyang magpahawak kay Cassie, para na rin niyang pinatunayan kay Happy ang hinala nito at pagdududa.

His mind was screaming, "She won't take me back if I do something more stupid than saying those hurtful words."

Though he spoke to Cassie... asking about their baby. Kasi kung buhay ito, ibig sabihin ay buhay rin ang anak nila.

Cassie convinced him that their child was okay and that he was unharmed. And of course as a father, he wanted to see his son. Pero ipapakita lang daw nito ang anak niya kapag sumama siya rito.

And he was conflicted.

Binigyan siya ng dalawang linggo ni Cassie na mag-decide.

Kung sasama siya kay Cassie para sa anak nila, tuluyan nang mawawala sa kanya ang asawa niya. Sigurado siya roon. Walang sapat na paliwanag na makakapagpabago sa isip ni Happy, lalo na't si Cassie ang sinamahan niya. Kilala niya ang asawa niya, oo malambot ito pagdating sa kanya pero may mga bagay na masyadong matigas ang paninindigan nito.

Pero kapag si Happy naman ang pipiliin niya, baka mawala nang tuluyan ang anak niya sa kanya. Hindi rin sila nagkasama ng maraming taon! Gusto niyang makabawi.

Pero tumawag lang si Knight para sabihing napahamak si Happy habang wala siya sa tabi nito, nakalimutan niya lahat.

But Blaze was already too late. To be kidnapped like that, that was embarrassing. And to be with Cassie again in a house. Just two of them.

He was so afraid. Hindi takot kay Cassie—takot siyang makagawa ng kasalanan kay Happy. Kasalanang alam niyang wala nang balikan.

That was what kept him away from Cassie in that house. Every time Cassie would try to do something, to seduce him, he would think of his wife.

Oo, marupok siya pagdating sa bagay na 'yon. Sex was good. But that would mean cheating on his wife. At naniniwala siyang choice ang magloko. At ayaw niyang magloko sa asawa niya.

That would definitely end their marriage.

And now, Blaze thought that he made the right choice. It was a fake Cassie. There was no child. Pero hindi niya talaga inakala 'yon. She was very Cassie-like. Pati ang mga gusto nito, si Cassie talaga.

How the Triad pull this off, he didn't know anymore. The Triad really wanted to throw the second Arkhon off for them to do this.

Blaze came out from his reverie when the door to Happy's room opened, then Deth entered. Jealousy instantly filled him when he saw his wife smiled at the man.

That smile is mine!

"My lady, they just arrived in the airport. We're now going there to pick them up."

Nakangiting tumango si Happy, saka bumaba ang tingin sa T-shirt na suot ni Deth. "Aww... you're making me happy, D. You're wearing the shirt I bought and customized for you."

Deth grunted. "King said you're pregnant and you shouldn't feel bad at all." He sighed again. "But fuck, my lady, why do you have to print #TeamVirgins in front of the shirt with my name on the back?"

Happy grinned. "No worries, I made the same shirt for Kane."

Napailing si Deth, saka napabaling sa kanya na mukhang naramdaman ang talim ng mga mata niyang nakatingin dito. He sighed before saying good-bye to Happy and leaving the room.

Tatawa-tawa si Happy nlalong kinainis niya. He was very careful not to cheat on her and she was talking to that man like he was not here?!

"Baby?" tawag niya sa asawa.

But Happy didn't look at his direction.

Umalis si Blaze sa pagkakaupo sa mahabang sofa, saka nilapitan ang asawa at umupo sa tabi nito.

She immediately glanced at him. "May kailangan ka?"

Napatitig siya rito. "Hindi ba puwedeng gusto lang kitang makatabi?"

"Sorry..." Napailing ito. "Hormones. I didn't mean to sound irritated."

Ipinakita niya rito ang binabasa niya sa cell phone kanina pa.

Mahinang natawa si Happy. "Mood swings during pregnancy," basa nito sa title ng article na binabasa siya, saka napailing. "Is it really obvious?"

Tumango siya. "Nang umalis tayo ng ospital noong isang araw, kahit paano okay na tayo. Hindi masyadong bati, pero nandoon na. Pero kinagabihan, galit ka uli. Kahapon, hindi mo ako pinapansin. You spend your time talking to Kane on the phone and to your new hippeis." The last part came out so bitter. "'Tapos kaninang umaga ipinagtimpla mo ako ng kape, an hour after that, you're not looking at me again. I'm a doctor so I know. Though this article was a big help for me to understand more."

Happy sighed. "Sorry."

"It's okay. Nasa first and third trimestral talaga ang mood swings."

"I'm tired," pabulong nitong sabi.

"Then rest. Please..."

Umiling si Happy, saka nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. "Pero ang dami ko pang babasahin. I have to read the reports sent to me by the bosses and some generals in ultor's battalion. And I have to speak to Nysza about the war in South America. Daemon was asking some backups. Lahat 'yon dumadaan sa akin."

"Rest," he said.

"But—"

"Mahiga ka lang diyan, babasahin ko ang report sa iyo. Just listen."

Tumango naman agad si Happy, saka nahiga sa kama nang patagilid. "Okay. I'm all ears."

Binasa ni Blaze ang pangatlong file na nasa loob ng Reports folder dahil nabasa na raw nito ang una at pangalawa.

He was in the middle of reading the fourth report when he heard his wife snore. Itinigil niya ang pagbabasa, saka napatitig sa asawa, pagkatapos ay bumaba ang tingin niya sa tiyan nito.

Hinaplos niya 'yon. "Don't worry, baby. Daddy will not make the same mistake again. Your mom and I will fix this so when you come out, you'll have a happy family, okay, buddy?"

"Technically, a fetus can't answer you, Your Highness."

Natawa siyang napabaling sa pinto. "Jackass."

"Dick," King replied while shaking his head and walking towards her. "Your Highness."

Blaze stood up and shook King's hand before tapping each other's shoulders. "Nasaan ka kahapon? Hindi kita nakita."

"I was busy doing some errands with the Team Second Arkhon Old Version. Goodness, those oldies drink liquor like there is no tomorrow," sabi nito, saka sinilip ang asawa niyang natutulog. "You two okay now?"

Blaze sighed. "I don't know... we're getting there."

Tumango-tango si King. "That's good. She made herself busy while you were sulking and regretting. I'm sure you were regretting those words."

He nodded. "Were you mad that I said those things to her? I mean, which side are you on that time?"

King immediately took a step back. "Your Highness..." Itinaas nito ang kamay, "I'm not in the position to judge."

"Then I'm giving you the right to judge," sabi niya.

King blew a loud breath. "I'm not siding anyone. You both have a reason. That's it. I mean, I'm not in your shoes or Lady Happy's. I will never know what you're feeling so no, I am not judging anyone."

Napailing siya, saka naupo sa pang-isahang sofa.

"You're not okay," obserba ni King sa kanya.

Mahina siyang natawa. "I have a very long way to go, King. Hindi lumilingon si Happy kapag tinatawag ko siyang baby. She won't call me Blazey. Oo nga nag-uusap kami at magkasama pero parang may malaking pader pa ring nakaharang sa gitna namin."

Umupo si King sa mahabang sofa at nakinig lang sa kanya.

"I know I hurt her a lot. I know I was stupid. I know how idiot I was... alam kong mahihirapan akong ibalik 'yong dating kami pero hindi ko naisip na ganito pala kahirap 'yon. Seeing her and being with her but not really. Parang nandiyan siya, nakakausap ko siya nang matino, na hindi galit, na walang sumbatan pero may mali pa rin."

King sighed. "Maybe you both need time?"

"Time to heal or time to forget me entirely?" he asked in a low voice.

King sighed again. "Your Highness, I know this for a fact. Young Miss, she loves you. Maybe that's why she got hurt. Sometimes, even how much we say sorry, we cannot fix the damage that has been done. I'd been there. Different situation. When my mom got kidnapped with me, I keep saying sorry to mom and dad for everything that I did up to that point. They said it's okay but there's a wall between us. Know what I did?"

"What?"

"I stopped saying sorry and started proving them that I've changed and that I will not do it again."

"That's what I'm doing."

"I know... but, Your Highness, it takes time. It took me months for my father to see that I've changed. And years to see me and believe that I will not do it again. I'm sorry to say this but there are things and situations in life... and also some mistakes that sorry cannot fix."

Blaze's shoulders fell. "My love isn't enough either."

"My dad once told me that love isn't enough in marriage." King looked at him. "He said that it should be accompanied by trust, respect, loyalty, fidelity, presence and dedication. He always tells me that marriage is not something that someone should take lightly. You and Young Miss, you're just starting to build a family and this... this is a test to your marriage. If you two are strong enough to not let go of each other."

"Bakit ang dami mong alam sa ganito?" May pagdududa siyang tumingin dito. "Wala ka pa namang asawa."

King chuckled. "Well, Dad sort of cheated on Mom before."

"Oh." Magkakaibigan nga ang ama nila. "What happened?"

"Dad regretted it. I mean, it was not really a full-on cheating. They're just starting to see each other. Dad and his high school ex-girlfriend. But it's still cheating. When Mom found out, they were never the same. For months. Yes, they're talking casually, they slept in the same bed, but something is different. But slowly, Mom started smiling at Dad again until they were back to the way they were. Thankfully, my dad never cheated again. And when I asked Mom why she still returned to Dad after what happened, she would just smile and say, 'Because I held tighter.' Get me now?"

Blaze nodded. "Your parents didn't let go of each other. So, if my Happy let go of me, this is over?"

"Give her a reason to hold on tighter, I guess?" King shrugged. "Talk to my dad. He knows a lot more than me. He experienced it. And if it's about fake Cassie, talk to Master Dominick, he has experiences about fake ones. And if you want to talk more deeply, talk to Master Von Per, he gives good advice."

Tumango si Blaze habang nakatingin sa asawa niya.

I will give you a reason to hold on tighter. Hindi ko hahayaang bitawan mo ako.

HAPPY WOKE UP GROGGY. Pero umalis pa rin siya ng kama dahil nasusuka siya. Muntikan na siyang mabuwal sa pagkakatayo. 'Buti na lang ay nandoon agad si Blaze nakaalalay sa kanya.

Inalalayan siya nito patungong banyo at itinali ang buhok niya gamit ang kamay habang sumusuka siya sa lababo. Panay ang hagod nito sa likod niya at halik sa gilid ng noo niya habang nagduduwal siya.

Pagkatapos ay inalalayan siya nito pabalik sa kama at pinahiga. He left the room and came back with a warm water for her.

"Here. Drink."

Uminom naman siya, saka nahiga uli.

"Feeling better?"

Tumango siya. "Yeah. Thank you."

"Baby?"

Happy closed her eyes to rest again.

"Happy?"

Ibinukas niya uli ang mga mata, saka tumingin sa asawa. "Hmm?"

Blaze looked sad. "Ayaw mo na ba talagang tawagin kitang baby?"

Tipid siyang ngumiti. "Pasensiya na, ewan ko ba kung bakit hindi ko gustong naririnig 'yon mula sa iyo. Sorry. Maybe it's hormones again."

Tumango ito, saka umupo sa gilid ng kama. "Happy... are we okay?"

Napatitig siya kay Blaze. "What do you mean?"

"You're cold to me."

Humaplos ang palad niya sa tiyan. "I'm sorry."

Blaze took a deep breath before forcing a smile. "May gusto ka bang kainin?"

"Wala ka namang alam sa pagluluto."

"I can try?"

"Huwag na, Blaze. I don't feel like eating anyway. Masasayang lang ang effort mo."

"But, baby—I mean, Happy, I'm sure you want something."

Umiling siya, saka ipinikit ang mga mata. "Gusto ko lang matulog."

Before Happy fell back to sleep again, she felt her husband left the bed and the room. And when she woke up, there saw a cheese tart and iced americano on the bedside table with a note.

I love you.

Pinakatitigan niya ang tatlong salitang 'yon, saka hinaplos ang tiyan at tinitigan ang cheese tart. "Baby... your dad is trying," bulong niya.

Kumuha siya ng isa at sumimsim ng kaunting iced americano. Alam niyang hindi maganda ang kape sa buntis pero binili pa rin ni Blaze kahit alam din naman nito 'yon.

Nang maubos niya ang cheese tart, lumabas siya nang naka-pajama pa at itinali lang ang magulong buhok.

"Nasaan si Blaze?" malumanay ang boses na tanong niya kay King nang makita ito sa sala.

Itinuro nito ang pinto. "He went out hours ago with Kane, Deth, Lyf, Master Vent, Master Dominick and Master Von Per to take down some Triad's HQs."

Napatango-tango si Happy, saka tahimik na naupo sa pang-isahang sofa. Nakatitig lang siya sa kawalan hanggang sa marinig niya ang boses ni Ruthgar.

"Second Arkhon?"

Napakurap-kurap siya bago tumingin dito. "Yes, Sir Ruthgar?"

Inilapag nito ang laptop na hawak sa ibabaw ng center table, sa harap niya. "A gift. Your father made me do this actually so it's his gift."

Tumingin siya sa monitor ng laptop. Two .mp4 files. Videos.

"What are these?" she asked.

"CCTV footages."

She frowned. "Where?"

"Lysander's barn and that house Von's son was talking about."

Natigilan si Happy at napatitig sa .mp4 files na nasa harap niya.

"Love is blind they say, but for me, for what I do, seeing is believing. And I think you need to see it to believe it."

Si Sir Ruthgar na ang nag-play ng CCTV footages para sa kanya dahil hindi siya gumalaw. At hinayaan siya nitong tahimik na manood.

It was Blaze. And he was drinking. Alone.

This must be Lysander's barn.

The video was just Blaze drinking. Then the video moved so fast, same footage, Blaze drinking. And then it went back to normal when Blaze stood up.

Nakita niyang tumayo sa pagkakaupo si Blaze at may kinuha sa isang bag.

Her dress.

And then he went back to the sofa while hugging her dress and putting it over his nose like he was smelling it and then he would hug it again while drinking. Even in his sleep, he was hugging her dress.

And when a friend of his came to the barn and tried to pry way her dress from his hold, he woke up and he went nuts.

Nagwala ito at nagsisisigaw. "No! She's my wife! She's my wife! Let go of her! She's my wife!"

Happy's heart ached seeing Blaze like that. Until the video moved fast again and stopped when Knight and Shun entered the barn.

Blaze was sleeping again. While hugging her dress.

Knight and Shun tried to take his wedding ring but then Blaze woke up and he attacked the two.

He kept on saying, "My wife will take me back. My wife will take me back. Don't take my ring away. Don't take my wife away."

Happy felt like something rip her heart when she saw Blaze crying while holding his wedding ring close to his heart.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to say those things. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I love you so much. I'm sorry."

Isinara niya ang laptop nang manubig ang mga mata niya. Hindi niya tinapos na panoorin. Blaze did tell her that he was a mess in Lysander's barn but she didn't realize that he was this messed up.

Sir Ruthgar played the second video without asking if she wanted to see it.

It was in a different house this time. Blaze and Cassie were in it.

It was in the living room while Blaze and Cassie were talking. Blaze was calm. He looked calm until Cassie started undressing in front of him. Mabilis na tumayo si Blaze at pumasok sa isang kuwarto, saka ini-lock 'yon. Hinawakan nito ang daliri kung saan naka-tattoo ang pangalan niya.

His lips was moving but she couldn't hear what he was saying because it didn't have an audio like the last video.

Moments later, fake Cassie entered the room and Blaze locked himself on the bathroom. And when fake Cassie opened the bathroom, he actually seized the fake Cassie's hand to get away from her.

The video moved fast again and stopped when Blaze was trying to ransack the house. He kept on kicking the doors and windows but miserably failing.

And then the fake Cassie hugged Blaze from behind.

Hindi pa tapos ang video pero isinara na ni Happy ang laptop.

"You have to see the whole video, it's just starting. It's more than five hours—"

"I don't need to. I know he didn't," sabi niya, saka hinaplos ang tiyan. "I already have a reason to fix our marriage. I was just gathering all my strength and bravery before I start fixing it because there's no turning back If I did."

Uncle Klaus neared her with a glass of water. He handed it to her.

Nang tanggapin niya iyon, nagsalita ito.

"Young Miss," sabi ni Uncle Klaus, "I hope you are feeling well?"

Tumango siya, saka ngumiti. "Better than earlier."

"That's good to hear."

Tumango si Happy, saka umalis ng sala at wala sa sariling naglakad. Hanggang nakita niya sina Mommy Beth at Henreitta na nag-uusap sa hardin. Hindi niya alam kung bakit nang magtama ang mga mata nila ni Mommy Beth, basta na lang niya itong sinugod ng mahigpit na yakap habang nanunubig ang mga mata.

Henreitta hugged her too while caressing her back and consoling her.

"I want to fix it but I don't know where to start, Mommy Beth... Please help me."

"Of course, I'm here for you," masuyong sabi sa kanya ni Mommy Beth.

Hinawakan naman ni Henreitta ang kamay niya at pinisil 'yon. "We're here and we will help you get through this."

"Thank you," naiiyak niyang sabi habang hawak ang kamay ng dalawang babaeng marami nang pinagdaanan sa buhay na nakaya ng mga itong labanan at lampasan.

She needed their wisdom. And she was lucky that Mommy Beth and Henreitta were more than willing to give her the wisdom she needed.

Their advice and support meant so much to her because she learned a lot from the two. She spent her whole day with Mommy Beth and Henreitta, just talking and sharing and just being there to support her.

"Thank you," sabi niya sa dalawang malalakas na babae na nakilala niya. "You two are amazing."

Hinalikan siya sa pisngi ni Mommy Beth. "If you need anything, I'm just here. I'm willing to listen and give you some advice."

"Me too," sabi ni Henreitta, saka hinalikan siya sa noo. "Your brother wants to talk to you by the way. But he went back to England to finish something. When he get back, I hope you two can talk?"

Tumango siya, saka ngumiti. "Should I start calling you 'Mom' now? I mean, Dad is always with you and you practically live with us now."

Henreitta blushed. "If that's what you prefer, it would be my pleasure."

Happy smiled. "Okay, Mommy Henreitta, thank you. Both of you. Thank you for enlightening me. I need it."

"Anytime," sabay na sabi ng dalawa niyang ina.

Sadly, they have to part ways. Magluluto si Mommy Beth, si Mommy Henreitta naman ay kukuha ng damit sa bahay nito para dalhin sa bahay nila dahil gusto ng ama niya na doon na ito tumira.

While Happy walked towards the staircase to the second floor.

Akmang paakyat na siya para bumalik sa kuwarto at maglinis ng katawan nang pumasok si Blaze ng bahay kasama ang mga kasamahan nitong umalis.

He had cuts and bruises and his shoulder was bleeding but when he saw her, his face brightened as he smiled.

"We took down three HQs," masayang balita nito habang naglalakad palapit sa kanya. "How's my baby feeling?"

Sa halip na sumagot, hinawakan niya ang kamay ng asawa, saka masuyo itong hinila patungo sa kuwarto niya. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up. You're a mess." Then she looked at Kane. "You clean up as well."

Kane smiled. "Yes, Lady Happy."

Iginiya niya ang asawa patungo sa kuwarto, saka binitawan ang kamay nito para kumuha ng damit sa closet at iniabot 'yon dito.

"Take a bath."

Ilang segundong nakatitig lang sa kanya si Blaze bago ito ngumiti. "Thanks. Though we still have some HQ to raid tonight. Sasama ako uli. Para kahit man lang sa ganitong paraan, mapagaan ko ang loob mo. I know you don't want me here as much as I want to be here so I will just try my best to be useful to you."

Happy went to his front and placed a soft kiss on his check. "Thank you for trying."

Blaze kissed her forehead before kissing her temple. Then he whispered, "I know you don't believe me... but I do love you, Happiness Aravena Quinn."

Tumango siya, saka ngumiti. "I know."

Blaze smiled back before walking towards the bathroom. While she stood there, looking at her husband's back.

Kapagkuwan ay kinuha niya sa drawer ang annulment papers na ipinahanda niya. Ilang segundong tinitigan 'yon bago ibinasura.

I can't just give up and put myself first. I'm pregnant now. I have to try and fix it too.

She didn't want a broken family for her baby. She would give her child a complete and happy family.

That's Mommy's promise, my baby.

CECELIB | C.C.