Wakas

"Masiyado mo bang minahal ang States at ngayon mo lang naisip bumalik?"

I smirked when I heard Raphael's voice behind me. I was actually looking for him right now. I just got off the plane and I was told that he'd be the one to pick me up.

Binato ko sa kaniya ang dala kong duffel bag na maagap niya namang sinalo. I muted my phone when it starts ringing. I'm sure that's my mother waiting for an update.

"Hanggang kaylan ka rito?"

"I don't know. Maybe a week or so? I'm not staying for long, Raph."

"How do you manage the company when you're thousand of miles away? It's hard to inspect sites via video?"

"If you trust your team, nothing is impossible."

Ngumiwi siya sa sinabi ko. "Trust is hard in this line of work. What if you trusted the wrong people? Babagsak ang kumpanya. Bakit kasi hindi ka na lang mag stay dito?"

"Life here is boring."

We got home after an hour of ride. Naabutan ko si Papa na nasa labas at nag lilinis ng sasakyan. Kumunot ang noo ko sa nakita. He's old enough to do that. Bakit hindi niya na lang ipagawa sa iba?

"You still wash your car, Pa? Why not let Manong Roy to do that?"

"Mind your own business, boy."

Tinawanan ko lang siya tsaka nilagpasan. I spent my first two days sleeping. On my third day, don ko pa lang naisip pumasok na sa trabaho. I'll have to visit my on going construction sites first bago ako didiretso sa office. Sa ngayon, wala pang nakakaalam ng paguwi ko aside sa pamilya.

I may be out of the country most of the time but my staff always reports to me every day. Bumibisita ako sa site once or twice a month ng biglaan para malaman ang stado ng proyekto at ng trabaho nila.

I grew up in the country until college. After that, I pursued my masters in the state. Umuuwi na lang ako dito sa bansa occasionally. Mas hands on ako sa mga projects ko sa US kaysa rito.

A lot of foreign investors commissioned me to construct their towers. Nagkaroon na ako ng completed project sa Europe at Dubai. Mas lalo pang nakilala ang Zobel Industries sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa dahil sa mga foreign clients na nahawakan ko.

I expand our family business to an international company. Marami rin nag offer ng investment pero isa 'yan sa ayaw ng pamilya ko. Walang ibang mag mamayari ng Zobel kundi kami lang. After all, we have the capacity to sustain it by ourselves with our own without needing other's money. Pinagyaman ng pamilya ko ang kumpanya sa bansa at sa buong Asia. Ako naman ang nagdala nito sa Western countries.

"Kuya, pupunta akong Batangas. Gusto mong sumama?"

"You'll race?"

Tumango siya.

Nag kibit ako ng balikat at tumango na lang din. Wala naman akong schedule ngayon kaya magpapalipas na lang din ako ng araw. Magka sunod kaming bumiyahe pa South sakay ang magkaiba naming sports car.

I remember racing too back when I was college. Pero, mas na enjoy ko ang motor race at moto cross. Ayun naman ang ayaw ni Raph kasi takot siyang mabalian ng buto.

Pag dating, pinapasok agad kami sa VIP seat. Nag hanap ako ng sarili kong pwesto samantalang si Raph naman ay nasa race track na para mag handa.

"Uh, sir magandang hapon."

I was reading Giselle's text when someone spoke. It's the event's security. I looked around to check but nobody's also looking at us. Did I do something wrong?

"May nagma-mayari raw po kasi ng upuan na 'yan. Kung gusto niyo po, sa mas malapit tayo umupo."

"Kaylan pa nagkaroon ng reservation ticket for VIP seats?"

"Wala pa rin pong reservation. Mayroon lang po talagang palaging umuupo diyan."

"I don't mind changing seat if this was a reserved spot for someone. Like what you said, it's not. I assume na inaangkin lang ito? That's against the event's policy."

"Lumipat—"

"Sir, pasensya na po bago lang kasi." may isang bagong dating. I assume he's the organizer of this event. "He's the founder of this event. Hayaan mo na 'yan."

Umalis na sila pagtapos. The race started. Nasa tamang distansya at layo lang si Raph. There's no need to hurry yet, basta nasa tamang calculation at momentum, mauunahan niya ang kahit na sinong nasa unahan.

I heard a woman's voice behind me. I heard her claiming this seat. So it was for her, huh. I looked behind to mock her but then I was dumb founded  after meeting her gaze.

Her eyes were sharp like a dagger. It's obvious that she's pissed by the way she speak. Even so, maganda pa rin. I feel like I'm just the Goddess' underling who dared to step foot in her territory.

Kung magkakasala ako at siya ang magpaparusa, why not? Kahit ilang kasalanan pa.

I smiled while watching her walk away. She's the first person to ignore my name. I introduced myself properly pero parang nandiri pa siyang marinig akong magsalita.

Aalis naman ako agad, bakit umalis ka na?

Nang laki ang mata ko ng bigla niyang batukan yung kasama niyang payat na lalaki. Sa sobrang lakas, halos masubsob ang mukha ng kasama niya.

Hindi ko 'man lang nakuha ang pangalan niya.

Shit.

Ang ganda niya.

After that encounter, sunod ko siyang nakita sa isang mall. Kasama niya ulit yung lalaki. Marami itong dalang paper bag ng designer clothes. She's just wearing a house short, a large t shirt and slipper. Napaka simple kumpara sa mga babaeng kilala ko.

Gusto ko siyang lapitan pero sumakay sila ng elevator kaya hindi ko na nahabol.

"Raph, may kilala ka bang babae na nagpupunta sa race? Nanunuod?"

"Madaming babae ang nagpupunta don, Kuya." he answered.

"No, I mean there's this woman, how can I describe her? She's tall, long wavy hair tapos palaging may kasamang assistant."

"That's too generic, Anton. Bakit hindi ka magpaka specific?"

"Parang siga."

He burst in laughter. Ako naman ang sumimangot sa lakas ng tawa niya. Nandito kami ngayon sa loob ng opisina ko at katatapos ko lang sa huling meeting para ngayong araw.

May family dinner kami mamaya kaya nandito si Raph para kuhanin ako. Kapag kasi hindi, uuwi lang ako sa bahay at matutulog.

"Parang kilala ko na. Nakakatakot tumingin, parang dragon kung magalit, at kung tignan ka ay para kang isang alipin na lumuluhod sa kaniya."

Tumango ako. That. That's the exact description for her.

"Why are you interested with her? Mailap 'yon, Kuya."

"Just give me the name, damn it."

He laughed mischievously. Pakiramdam ko ay sinasadya niya ito para asarin ako. Bakit ayaw ibigay? Baka gandang ganda rin siya sa babaeng yon kaya pinagdadamot niya? I gritted my teeth. Sana naman hindi.

"Popormahan mo, kuya?"

"Do you—"

"Fine. She's Adi. Come to think of it... you're Ali."

"Just Adi? Give me the full name asshole!"

"Arden Cojuangco."

I found out she's a fucking gangster. Can you believe that? A gangster. She spent most of her time somewhere in Alabang. There's lair for gangsters there. Based here on the information, parang bahay niya na 'yon.

She's also engaging in a 1v1 fight. Madalas, kahit sinong mapag tripan niyang kalabanin ay hahamunin niya. Mayroon din siyang sariling gang members pero kung tama itong intindi ko, hindi nagagamit ang mga taong 'to dahil hindi naman siya sumasali sa gang war.

The Gangster Queen, huh?

She's the heiress of Cojuangco empire. She's known as the black sheep of the family. Walang interes sa negosyo. May records din ng arrest at kung ano ano pang may kinalaman sa gulo.

I can't believe this! As beautiful as her, isang gangster? Marami akong kilalang babae na mahilig sa sports ma pa boxing 'man yan o ibang martial arts but being a gangster is a different level of bravery.

"Ali, anak, kaylan ka babalik ng States?" my mother asked. She called me via Facetime. Dalawang linggo na akong nandito iba sa sinabi kong isang linggo lang kaya nagtatanong siya.

"Why don't you come home? Papa missed you a lot. Isama mo na lang ang doktor mo riyan."

Tumawa siya ng mahinhin sa narinig. "I would love to but you know Dr. Dale has no interest to our country. Don't you think I didn't offer her that?"

My mother is old, nearly fifties. She's the first kindest woman I met despite her strict and fiery attitude. She's been labeled as the Zobel tigress but behind that, she has a warmest heart.

When I saw her the third time, I knew I'd be staying for good. I called my office in States to notify them of decision. I was aware of the implications but really, distance doesn't really hinder my management.

"I really want to beat you inside the ring, Ali."

I chuckled, shook my head and pinched her cheek. "I told you, sayang lang ang oras natin doon dahil hindi rin naman ako lalaban."

I know my capabilities as a fighter. I trust my skills and I know I can put up a fight but hell no because I will never lay a finger on her.

But then, seeing her sorrow eyes cracks my heart. Hindi 'man niya aminin pero alam kong naaapektuhan siya sa mga sinasabi ng ibang tao.

I talked to somebody. I had a meeting with numerous media outlet and offered them a good deal just to stop them from airing any negative remarks against Arden. As much as I can, I'll stop whoever hurts her.

What I never expect was the most painful thing she'd received came from my own mother.

I was mad. I could not explain my feelings. She ended the call without hearing my side. I was confused because we were okay earlier, even the past days. Wala naman kaming naging problema. Bakit bigla niya akong iiwan?

Did I do something bad? Pwede niya naman sabihin dahil gagawin ko ang lahat para makabawi. Whatever pleases her, I'd kneel just to give her. Why leaving was her always first option? I don't understand.

I drove to the Gangster Lair, mad and hurt. I was confused and scared I might not able to see her again. Gusto ko lang naman na bigyan niya ako ng pagkakataon makipagusap? Gusto ko lang naman na bigyan niya ng chance itong relasyon namin.

I did not see her. She had no plan to see me. Her parents denied me as well. My men stalked their house for weeks until I found where she was staying.

I was in front of her condo's door. Gustong gusto ko nang kumatok at makita siya pero nag alinlangan ako. Paano kung mas lalo niya akong kamuhian? Maybe, she needs time or space. I should give her that. I'm sure after these she will allow me to speak to her again.

"Son—"

"Don't you ever talk to me, mama."

I looked at her angrily. I was disappointed and my patience was in ultimate level. I loved my mother so much to the point that I agreed to a fixed marriage even though I never wanted it. Naging masunurin ako sa lahat ng gusto nila dahil mataas ang respeto ko sa kanila pero matapos ng ginawa niyang ito, hindi ko na alam kung kakayanin ko pa ba silang makita.

"Why do you refuse to hear me? Anak, hihilahin ka lang pababa ng babaeng 'yon. You are an achiever, perfect and successful. She will only drag your name to bottom. I seen your hardwork to be at this top and I'm afraid that if you stay with her, you'd lose everything you've built."

"Tingin mo ba talaga may pakialam ako? I can love her and all her imperfections without losing what I already have. Heck! I don't even care if I lose everything, but not her!"

"You're being irrational because she fooled you. She knew you love her kaya gagamitin ka niya."

Iyong natitirang pasensya, ubos na. Respeto na lang ang mayroon ako para hindi ko pa siya masabihan ng mas masama.

"Wala kayong pakialam kahit na sino ang piliin kong mahalin. I chose her because I love her. I will always choose her over anything, mama. If you try to hurt Arden again, I promise you'd lose me too. I'd choose to lose you than her. Remember that."

Iyong pagasa na makausap siya ay mas lalong naging malabo ng mawala ang papa niya. I watched her from a distant. She's hurting and tired but I know how strong she is and I believe na malalagpasan niya lahat ng 'to.. I wished though... that she looks for me to comfort her, to be with her overcome all these.

I waited, and waited, until she's recovered. From days to months to a year when she's finally standing strong by herself. Is it time to see her?

"Dead end pa rin, kuya. Wala naman yatang silbi ang mga pulis na humahawak sa kaso nila." my brother reported me after I sent her to get details about the investigation.

"Tutulungan ko sila—"

"Mas lalo ka lang kamumuhian ni Arden. Did you even know that she denied any help from her father's business partners? She is settling their problems with herself, alone."

"Hindi naman niya malalaman,"

"You may not see this kuya, but Arden is trying hard to be responsible for her family. This is hard for her but I know she'd prefer to do it alone. Mas maigi na rin na matuto siya ng sa gayon ay mas makayanan niya na isalba ang pamilya niya."

Raph's words echoed to my ears and as much as I hated to hear it, he's correct.. why I decided to go back to States and let her recover. I promise that once she's okay, I will fly back to pursue her again..

My years living alone without her has been a nightmare. Akala ko madali lang na nasa malayo basta ang mahalaga ay alam kong nasa maayos siya pero ang hirap pala... ang sakit pala? Tangina. Gustong gusto ko siyang yakapin pero alam kong malaki pa ang sugat sa dibdib niya. It even hurts to think that she doesn't want to share her burden to me kasi tatanggapin ko naman ng husto basta magkasama kami.

Every night, I went home drunk or high. I got addicted to smoke. It keeps me awake and unaware of my pain. Pag gising, babalik ang sakit pero pag tapos ng trabaho, ganon lang ulit.

My family asked me if I'm killing myself. If that's suicide then I really am ending it, huh? Hindi ko na kaya e. Ilang taon na. Paano kung hindi na niya ako mahal? Ni hindi ko alam kung minahal niya ba ako kasi hindi naman talaga siya naging vocal sa feelings niya.

May pagasa pa ba? Paano kung huli na? Paano kung hindi huli pero ayaw pa rin niya talaga?

"Do you know that I sent a wedding invitation to Giselle?" naka taas ang isang kilay niya.

I hugged her from behind and smack a kiss on her cheek. Hindi 'man niya aminin pero alam kong nagseselos siya. If I were on her shoe, I'd get jealous too. Giselle was my ex fiancee. Although hindi naman sincere sa akin ang fixed marriage na 'yon.

I remember being so cruel to Giselle. After I came back to the country, I made contact with her. Wala akong interes sa kaniya pero paano kung kasama ko siya tapos mag selos pa rin si Adi? Alam ko kung may pagasa pa ako.

So, when she saw us in the restaurant, her eyes confirmed it. Umaalingasaw ang pait sa mukha niya matapos makita si Giselle. It was even more confirmed when she protected me at the bar though that was unplanned dahil maging ako ay nagulat sa pangyayari.

"I never love her, Adi. Ikaw lang talaga ang babaeng minahal ko."

"Napaka sinungaling mo talaga, Anton. Akala mo ba hindi ko alam na ang dami mong naging girlfriend?"

I barked in laughter. She looked like a cute little devil whenever she's angry.

"I admit I had experiences but this kind of love I have for you? It was my first time feeling that. Sayo lang."

Does she really think I'm lying? Those girls she's mentioned were only a fling for me. Them girls knew it as well dahil naging tapat naman ako simula't sapul na hindi ako maaaring hingian ng pagmamahal.

She didn't even know how powerful she is na hindi niya kinaylangan hingiin sa akin dahil kusa kong binigay ng naka luhod pa.

"Asawa mo na ako pero iniisip mo pa rin ang mga 'yon. Tapos mangaaway ka kapag sinagot ko ang mga tanong mo."

Malakas niya akong hinampas sa braso. She also tried to kick me but I used my leg to dodge her feet.

"Dahil birthday mo, ayan regalo ko sayo. Sigurado mamumulubi ka."

Nagulat ako ng may ibato siya sa akin. I caught it just in time and when I looked at it, happiness filled my heart. Lahat ng hirap at sakit na naranasan ko noon, nawala ng piliin niya ako ulit. Ang makasama siya habang buhay ay sobra sobra na. Ang bigyan ako ng ganitong regalo, isang malaking pasasalamat pa.

Two pregnancy test came out positive.. we are having a baby. Magiging papa na ako? Hindi ko namalayan na may luhang tumulo mula sa mata ko. She immediately went to me and wiped my tears.

"Ali.... "

Wala akong ibang pinangarap noon kundi siya lang. Itong regalo na 'to, itong biyaya na 'to galing sa kaniya... masayang masaya ako na magkaroon ng buo at masaganang pamilya kasama niya.

I promise to take care of you and our baby forever.. I will protect both of you hanggang sa huling hininga ko. You are my treasure. My greatest gift and blessing in life. All these achievements are nothing... compare to both of you.

"Arden Cojuangco-Zobel, the gangster queen who conquered my world, always remember that I will forever be yours."