Chapter 27: Tita

"Where is mama?" I asked as soon as I step foot inside the house. It's already seven in the morning. I'm sure she's wide awake now.

"Gising na po, ma'am."

I hurried to the stairs to greet her and deliver the news. Nakasalubong ko ang kapatid na pababa ng hagdan at kagigising lang.

"Prepare yourself. There will be a ruckus."

"What—"

Nilagpasan ko siya para takbuhin ang silid ni mama. The maids panicked and hurriedly open the door for me. I heard them ordering our breakfast be served inside.

"Mama!" ito na yata ang pinaka malakas na naisigaw ko sa bahay na 'to.

Like usual, she didn't hear me. Lumapit ako sa tabi niya. She's already dressed for morning clothes, sitting on her bed. Naka sandal lang siya sa head board ng kama habang nakatulala. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya.

"Ma, nakuha na natin ang justice sa pagkamatay ni papa!"

"The authorities are successful on their investigation. Natagalan lang pero at least sa wakas! Nahanap na po ang totoong may pakana. Mama."

I cried in her arms kahit na wala siyang binabalik na emosyon. I just imagine what her reactions could be and I'm already fine with that.

"Ma, this is painful to accept but... Papa's perpetrators are just close to us. Hindi rin ako makapaniwala pero totoo. Ma, remember the Uytingku? My Papa's business friend? It was them. Gabriel and his son Laude who was promised to me before... sila ang mastermind."

"Please... please come back now. Papa will finally rest in peace. We can finally move on. Come back, ma, please? I want us to be together while they lock them in jail."

The news outlet didn't rest for the whole week because of what happened. The Uytingku's involvement to my father's case was broadcasted to every media, even international. Isang araw matapos nilang madakip, ubos ang investors sa kumpanya nila at tanging natira ay empleyado na lang. The authorities started looking for the involvement of Gabriel's wife and they are considering filing charges for aiding.

The rich socialites in the industry were most shocked to hear the news. Some started denying friendship with them. Nobody dared try to defend the family. All of their friends kept their mouth shut, afraid to be involved in this huge scandal.

Gabriel's and Laude's bloody face while wearing handcuffs were posted on the front pages.

I had a meeting with all my lawyers and they are very much wanting to file several charges against the Uytingku. I agree with all of their opinion. I will see no mercy for them.

I decided to home schooled Ismael for the mean time. He's been bothering by the media and my brother although happy about the justice we got, he's having stress. Pansamantala lang naman habang maingay pa ang issue. Mabuti na rin na nasa bahay lang siya na siguradong safe.

The trial will start next week. Our lawyers assured me that this will be done on the first trial. The defense although will fight back, they assured me nothing could be done already. We also have the judge's opinion on this matter and they will be sentencing them both to life. Hindi pa nagsisimula ang paglilitis pero sigurado na ang kahihitnatnan nila.

Siyempre, hindi mangyayari ang mga 'to kung hindi dahil sa nag pursigi na humawak sa kaso na 'to. I heard they have been promoted.

"Are you attending the trial next week?"

Tumango ako. "Yep. Kahit alam ko na ang resulta, gusto ko pa rin makita ang mga mukha nila kapag hahatulan na sila."

He sighed. Hinaplos niya ang buhok ko. Naka yakap siya sa akin mula sa likod habang tinatanaw namin ang makukulay na ilaw na mula sa mga syudad.

"Masaya ako at natapos na rin sa wakas ang paghihirap mo, Adi."

"Sa totoo lang, hindi na ako umaasa pa na mahuhuli pa ang may sala. It went on for years that I got nothing."

"You have been waiting patiently to get your father's justice. You and your family deserve this."

Kinabukasan, tinapos ko ang lahat ng meeting ko ng maaga para pumunta sa office ni Ali. Today is his last day on his desk and he's just finalizing some things before he pass it down to his brother.

Alas tres ng hapon ng dumating ako sa lobby ng Zobel Tower. Pinasok agad ako ng guard matapos akong mamukhaan. I was only wearing a simple whie spaghetti top with white suit to cover my upper body, and a black slacks, white stilleto and black Hermes bag to match my outfit.

White is justice. Justice is served.

I was on my way to the exclusive elevator when I got stunned by the sudden presence in front. Saglit akong kinabahan. I never expect to see her here. But I remain calm and composed. There are too many eyes around. If I snob her, people will talk.

"Good afternoon, madam!" I smiled and greeted her. I only made two seconds of eye to eye with her. Yumuko na ako pag tapos at tumabi para padaanin siya.

Biglang nag flashback lahat ng mga nasabi niya sa akin noon. Hindi ako mapagtanim na tao pero never ko nakalimutan ang nangyari nung gabing 'yun. That became one my nightmares I endured almost every night. But through the years, I learned to forgive. Anger will cost me nothing but stress and way back, I cannot afford stress. I let go off the painful memories I had from the past and settled only for the good memories.

But, whenever I see her, it just comes back.

"How are you, hija?"

Nagulat ako ng kausapin niya ako. Parang naputol ang dila ko saglit. Sasagot ba ako! Natural. Ayoko maging bastos lalo't maraming tao. Isa pa, mama pa rin siya ni Ali. He's his family. She will be my family soon.

"Okay naman po madam."

"Good. I'm glad you got the justice for Lary. Make sure that family rots in jail."

"Y-yes madam. I will really make sure po."

Tumango siya. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call us. Your tito Carlos and I are very much willing to help."

"Thank you po, madam."

"No, tita for you. I heard you accepted my son's proposal to you?"

Parang nalunok ko yata ang laway ko bigla. Pinagpawisan ako ng malamig. Napatingin ako sa paligid at mukhang wala naman pumapansin sa amin. Parang normal lang naman na makita kaming dalawa. But fuck! Why is she suddenly like this? Nagpapanggap ba siya kasi maraming tao? Shit!

Noon naman never siyang nag panggap sa harap ko. She's always been so vocal about her dislike on me and how she wanted Giselle so much for Ali. What is this?

"Y-yes madam—tita. Ahm, last week lang po."

"When is the wedding then? I believe you're not prolonging this?"

"Hindi pa po kami nakakapag plano ni Ali, tita. Pero sasabihan po namin kayo agad."

"You should. Anyway, there's time for that. Do you want to spend your dinner on our house?"

"S-sure tita. Just tell me when po."

"Oh, later hija. Yayain mo si Ali. It's been a while since he went there. His father missed him already."

Tumango agad ako. "I will po, Tita."

"I will go ahead. See you later."

"Ingat po kayo."

Pag lagpas niya, hinintay ko lang siyang makalabas sa lobby tsaka ako kumaripas papuntang elevator. Shit lang! Ang bilis ng kabog ng puso ko. Ano ba yan. Nakakabawas ng poise ito.

Pero teka, hindi na umuuwi si Ali don? Sabagay, may sarili naman siyang bahay.

Pagdating ko sa tamang palapag, binati agad ako ng secretary. Nakita ko agad si Ali na naglalakad ng mabilis papuntang elevator, tsaka nag tagpo ang mata namin.

"Where are you—"

"Are you okay?" he asked.

My brow shut up. "Of course?"

"I heard my mother talked to you. Did she—" I cut him off.

"Ali, it's fine. Nangamusta lang siya."

"Are you sure? Adi, the last time you two talked, you fucking broke up with me."

Ngayon ko lang napagtanto ang takot sa mga mata niya. Naalala ko ang nangyari noon. Did that really scared him? He knew what his mother did. Now, he's afraid it will happen again. I will leave him again. No, I will never do that anymore.

I hold his hand tight and smiled to assure him everything is fine.

"I will not leave you again, Ali."

"Ganiyan din ang sinabi mo noon."

"No, now is different. Kung noon, napagod ako sa mga nangyayari, ngayon, hinding hindi na. I will hold onto you no matter what."

"Arden..."

"Your mama is inviting us over dinner in your house. I think gusto nilang malaman ang plano natin sa kasal although I made that clear kanina na wala pa tayong plano."

He sighed. "You sure you want to come? We can decline her, Arden."

"She's your mother, Ali. She will be my family too. What happened in the past should not affect our present. I will grow to love her too, because you love her."

"Fine. If my baby say so. But, please you can always change your mind. We are not to please my parents."

Natawa ako, "We won't, sungit. But don't you think this is a start? Sooner or later, I will have to see them."

He caressed my cheek, his warm look comforted me. "We will heal together. We will rebuild what we have lost, Arden. I promise you, it's going to be worth it."