“SHE BETTER BE?” nagtatakang ngiti ni Luz. Hindi nakaligtas sa pandinig ng ginang ang itinuran ni Renante.

“Well,” angat saglit ni Renante ng tingin sa ina nito, “she better be not pregnant. Because we’re always careful.” Then he turned to her. “Right, Boo?”

Stacey blinked.

“O-Of course.” Nahihiya siyang tingnan si Luz dahil pakiramdam niya, na-expose na rito na nagse-sex sila ni Renante. Pero kailangan niyang harapin ang ginang. “I am sorry, Tita. Pero… wala talaga. I am just…” she lowered her eyes, her head still straight. “I’m just not feeling well last night.”

Pagkatapos mag-lunch, nagpaalam na rin ang ginang na uuwi na. Sinamahan nila ito sa eastwing exit ng mall hanggang sa huminto sa tapat nito ang isang putting sasakyan. Stacey remained standing near the glass doors. Si Renante naman, hinatid ang ina sa backseat ng sasakyan. Before he even closed the door, Luz gently kissed his cheek and smiled at her direction.

Magalang na tumango si Stacey at nginitian din ito.

Pagkasara ni Renante sa pinto ng kotse, sumibad na ito. Mabilis na binalikan siya ng binata. This time, his aviator shades hung at the neckline of his button-down shirt.

“Kaya pala hindi mo ako kinulit na samahan ka,” hilig nito ng ulo at namewang habang mainit siyang tinititigan. He was not smiling but he didn’t look upset neither. “May ka-meet up ka pala.”

“Not really,” she coolly defensed. “Nagkataon lang na nagkita kami.”

“Really?” Renante didn’t sound convinced. He took her shopping bags. “Let me.”

“No,” bawi agad ni Stacey. “Dala ko naman ang kotse ko.”

“At least, let me carry these.” He successfully got the shopping bags from her. “Hanggang sa maihatid kita sa kotse mo.”

Hindi na siya nagprotesta pa.

“I know you’re not used to having someone do stuff for you, Miss Independent,” may himig-pagbibiro na sabi ni Renante habang sabay nilang tinatahak ang gilid ng mall papunta sa basement parking.

“Oh, please,” mahina niyang tawa. There was a tinge of whining and sarcasm in her voice. What did he call her? Miss Independent? Ne-Yo lang ang peg? “That was before.”

As Stacey said that, how her life used to be seemed to flash before her eyes. How she used to be living alone starting as young as high school. How she built businesses on her own. By herself. How she used to deal with her stalker and her fears alone while being someone that Sondra— and the rest of her friends— depended on.

Now what happened to me? Love has turned me into this needy woman. Desperate to be proposed to. Desperate for validation from Renante’s family… Desperate for stability…

The realization made her glance at Renante.

I used to be stable, standing on my own two feet. And now, having someone to lean on has turned me too…

Renante felt her stare and caught her gaze.

…dependent.

Narating nila ang kanyang pulang Corvette. Pagkalagay ng shopping bags sa backseat, isinara ni Renante ang pinto. Nakapwesto na si Stacey sa likuran ng bukas na pinto ng driver’s seat nang tabihan ng binata. She turned to completely face him.

“May… May kailangan ka ba sa mall? I can leave the shopping bags here in my car. ‘Tapos, samahan kitang bumalik—”

“No need,” matiim nitong masid sa kanya. Her heart thumped when Renante reached for her arm. “I already got what I need at the mall.”

Her cheeks burned. Stacey winced away. Was Renante pertaining to her? Baka naman may binili o ini-canvass na ito na balak bilhin bago siya hinanap?

“Ano naman ang dinaanan mo sa mall?” mabagal na balik niya ng tingin sa mga mata ng lalaki.

Hindi natinag si Renante sa kinatatayuan, sa pagkakatitig sa kanya. He even inched closer, holding her arm with one hand and placing his other hand atop the open door of her car… cornering her.

“Ikaw,” he answered lowly and inched closer to claim her lips.

He kissed her slow and thorough. Gentle and yet, he managed to make her lips part for his breath to coolly enter.

Stacey felt her body slightly tremble. With her mind blown, she shuddered as their lips parted.

Umatras naman ang binata.

“I’ll follow your car. See you at home.”

At home…

Ang sarap pakinggan…

Stacey managed a smile. Hindi pa siya nakaka-recover sa pagkawindang sa paghalik ni Renante sa kanya.

“See you,” aniya bago pumasok sa loob ng kotse.
.
.
RONALDO ENTERED THE BEDROOM. Natigilan ang ginoo nang madatnan si Luz, nakaupo sa harap ng puting dresser table. He saw her reflection on the vanity mirror— her gentle smile and serene eyes admiring a silver-chained necklace in her hands that slithered through her delicate fingers. Luz was closely inspecting its tiny diamond-studded heart pendant.

Hindi pa nakapagbibihis ang ginang at nakalapag pa sa sahig sa paanan ng upuan nito ang mga shopping bag na may logo at pangalan ng iba’t ibang jewelry shops.

Ronaldo stepped in, the sound of his leather shoes muffled by the soft beige carpet. Naulinigan lang ni Luz ang presensya nito nang marinig ang pag-click pasara ng pinto. At kahit napansin ito ni Luz, hindi naman ito nilingon ng ginang.

“How’s your visit?” patungkol ng ginang sa pagpunta ni Ronaldo sa kompanya nila. “I bet, things are doing well. Maaga kang nakauwi, eh.”

Niluwagan ng ginoo ang suot nitong necktie. His gray suit fitted his slightly big bodybuild.

“Of course. What else do we expect from Ronnie? He’s always one step ahead in everything.”

“Yes, one step ahead except when it comes to having his own family.”

“Ah, stop that,” he groaned, standing behind her seat to bend down and plant a kiss at the top of her head— more on the left side; his lips against her soft hair.

Pagkatapos, pasimpleng sinilip ng ginoo ang hawak ni Luz na kwintas. He watched her place it over her neck, imagining how she’d look like while wearing it.

“Sa tingin ko,” harap ni Luz ng mukha sa kaliwa at kanan habang inaakma roon ang anggulo ng kwintas, “mauunahan na siya ni Renante.”

“Well…” Ronaldo shrugged, unbuttoning his cuffs. “So, what?” Then he remembered something, “I mean… I told you last night—”

“That Renante has no plan to marry his girlfriend?” Luz returned her eyes on the mirror. Her icy gaze reflected on it. “And you believed that?”

Umirap si Luz. Natagalan kasi si Ronaldo sa pagsagot. At saka lang naalala ng ginang medyo may kondisyon na ang lalaki sa pandinig.

“I said, you believed that? You believed what he said? That he has no plans to marry his girlfriend?”

“Of course,” naguguluhang titig ni Ronaldo sa repleksyon ni Luz sa salamin. “Come on, he’s our son. At pwede ba? Hayaan na natin sila,” his hands massaged Luz’ shoulders. “Malalaki na sila.”

Ibinaba ng ginang ang kwintas, pero nakahawak pa rin ito roon.

“After that failed arranged marriage with Sondra Hawthorne, I noticed something has changed in him. In Renante. Hindi na kami close katulad ng dati. He’s… He’s trying so hard to impress you.” Nagpakatatag ang ginang. “He’s probably trying to make it up to you. For the inconvenience that arranged marriage gave you.”

Ronaldo just groaned. “What inconvenience? It’s just the money that I am after. Bayad na ng mga Hawthorne ang panalo ko sa pustahan. Ang anak natin ang mas naagrabyado at kasalanan din niya iyon dahil siya itong nakaisip ng idea na daanin sa kasal-kasal na iyan ang pustahan namin ni Samuel.”

Luz remained calm, but urgency was in her gentle voice. “Still. Look, our son wanted to show you, that he can run his own company. And now he wanted to show you he’s much better than his , and how can he do that aside from having his own company? By getting ahead when it comes to settling down and being stable, right?”

“Ano ba ang ipinag-aalala mo? Sinabi ni Renante na wala siyang balak magpakasal, naba-bother ka. Kapag naiisip mo namang uungusan niya ang kuya niya pagdating sa paglagay sa tahimik, may nasasabi ka pa rin.”

“I just don’t feel good about this, Ronaldo,” maingat na balik ni Luz ng kwintas sa loob ng kahon nito kung nasaan ang kasama nito sa set na pares ng hikaw at isang singsing.

“Because Stacey is Artemia’s daughter?”

Natigilan ang ginang. Buong pasensya namang hinintay ni Ronaldo makasagot ang asawa.

Luz’ voice softened, in between a whisper and a murmur. “Do you think, Renante already knows what’s with me and that wretched Artemia?”

Ronaldo remained loud, unbothered as he took off his grey suit. “You mean, how she wrongfully accused you of being involved with Manuel’s death?”

Nag-angat ng tingin si Luz sa salamin. Sa repleksyon doon, nagtama ang mga mata nila ni Ronaldo.

“Is Renante avenging for that in behalf of me?” she almost whispered, a question that was both for Ronaldo and for herself.
.
.
STACEY HAD BEEN IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR FOR MINUTES. Hindi pa siya nagpapalit ng damit. Nagkalat sa kama ang mga ipinamili niyang damit, nasa sahig naman ang mga shopping bag.

Nakapwesto sa pader sa bandang kaliwa ng kama ang isang body mirror, kaya roon siya nakapwesto habang nagsusukat ng mga damit. Itinatapat lang niya ang mga ito sa kanyang katawan nang mapansin si Renante na pinto, ilang hakbang ang layo mula sa body-mirror.

He still wore the same pants and shirt. His aviator shades was nowhere to be seen.

“Yes?” she asked, and did not even bother to stop what she was doing.

Ramdam ni Stacey ang mainit na paghagod ng tingin nito sa kanyang kabuuan bago sumagot.

“I haven’t asked you what you think about last night?”

Kinabahan siya, pero hindi iyon ipinahalata. Ipinagpatulot niya ang pagsusukat para magmukhang busy kahit medyo wala na roon ang focus.

“About last night?”

Patagilid na sumandal sa hamba ng bukas na pinto si Renante.

“Well, I just wonder what you think of my parents.” He looked away, recalling what happened at the dinner. “Si Ronnie at Paige, may idea na ako kung ano ang impression mo sa kanila.” Renante returned his eyes on her. “What about my parents?”

Bakit naman naisipan itong itanong ng lalaki?

“Can we talk about that later? Pag nagmemerienda na tayo? O mamayang dinner na lang?”

She tossed away the mix of tube top and white blazer in one hanger she was holding. Nanatili siyang nakahawak sa nakahanger na high-waist jeans habang pinapasadahan ng tingin ang nakalatag na mga damit sa kama. Ini-hanger niya muna ang mga bagong pamili para madalian sa pagmi-mix and match sa harap ng salamin.

“I want to talk about it now. Para mamaya, we will just unwind and relax… not talk about serious or worrisome things.”

So, this is a serious, worrisome matter for him… What I think about his parents…

Hindi tumigil si Stacey sa pagkilos. Dinampot niya ang isang dark red button-down satin blouse. It has long puffed sleeves made of light sheer material, a deep v-neckline and a fit that could pass for a corset-style.

What about him claiming he has no plans to marry me? That’s not serious and worrisome? Kaya hindi man lang niya ininform sa akin?

Muling umahon ang galit at sakit sa kanyang dibdib. Pero hindi, hindi siya dapat magpadalos-dalos. There must be some kind of misunderstanding. Alam niya ang kanyang narinig pero ayaw niyang maniwala sa kung ano ang pagkakaintindi niya roon.

But she wasn’t ready yet to confirm it.

Isipin pa lang niya na seryoso si Renante na hindi siya nito pakakasalan, parang maiiyak na naman siya.

“Stace?” usig nito.

Mula sa pagkakaharap sa kama, pumihit siya paharap sa salamin, sa direksyon kung nasaan ang nag-aabang na si Renante.

“What I think about them?” sulyap niya bago itinapat sa kanyang katawan ang jeans at blouse. “I think they’re pretty nice. Especially Tita Luz… I mean, your mom.”

Napatitig ito saglit sa kanya.

“You feel comfortable with mom?”

“Yup,” she nodded, while a smile slowly crept on her face. Nagandahan kasi siya sa combination ng damit na nakikita sa salamin.

“You know, you don’t have to be close to her… if you’re doing it just for my sake,” maingat nitong wika.

“Bakit? Ayaw mo ba ako maging close sa nanay mo? Sa pamilya mo?” matapang niyang balik ng tingin sa nobyo.

Renante was serious as well. “You don’t also have to report to her everything that happens in our relationship. If you suspect you’re pregnant… it’s me who’s supposed to know it first. Right?”

Sobrang nakasasama ng loob. Ayaw nitong mapalapit siya kay Tita Luz. At mukhang hindi rin gusto ni Renante ang ideyang buntis siya.

Sapat na ba ang mga ito para paniwalaan niyang seryoso ito sa mga sinabi kagabi? Na talagang walang patutunguhan itong rrlasyon nila?

Bakit?

Bigla na bang nagbago ang isip nito sa kanya?

Bakit… Bakit hindi nita nahalata noon pa?

Kailan pa nga ba nagsimulang magbago ang isip nito?

Kailan pa?

“I am not suspecting anything,” taas-noo niya, nilalabanan ang emosyon kaya nabahiran ng pagtataray ang kanyang tono. “Ever since we became official, we agreed to stay protected while having sex. And the last time we fucked, nag-withdrawal ka. So, look at your face. Bakit hindi ka maka-move on sa—” Naningkit ang kanyang mga mata. “Don’t tell me, na-convince ka sa akala ni Tita Luz na buntis ako. What is she? A human PT?” Stacey rolled her eyes and resumed checking out her new clothes.

Renante’s jaws tensed. “Nag-iinit lang ang ulo ko, Stace. Because you know what it means if you’re really pregnant.”

“You’re thinking that I cheated?” she turned back to him.

Napatitig lang sa kanya si Renante nang matiim. Nagsisimula nang magdilim ang anyo nito.

“What the hell, Renante!” she snapped, flinging down the clothes she was holding. “How dare you!”

“Just tell me what happened last night,” he gritted. She charged toward him and he came toward her as well, meeting her halfway  “Ano ang nangyari sa banyo? Bakit bigla ka na lang nagpunta sa Sondra’s nang hindi nagpapaalam sa akin? Ano ba ang nangyayari sa’yo?”

“Ako ang dapat magtanong! Ano ba ang nangyayari sa’yo? You’re accusing me of cheating?”

Hindi siya makapaniwala talaga! How despicable! Her chest was burning with so much disappointment and anger.

“I didn’t say you cheated, Stacey,” kontroldo ni Renante ang boses.

“Come on, that’s what you are insinuating!” she flared. “Why accuse me of cheating? Because I used to lie in your face so expertly? Because I have the tendency to lie? Everyone lies, Renante! You even lie!”

“I know it’s impossible that you’re pregnant! It’s just a bait, Stace! I just mentioned that pregnancy thing, so you’ll deny it and set the record straight! Kasi, naglilihim ka sa akin! You know that I am worried about last night! I kept thinking why you are suddenly not in the mood after dinner, why you left the house without telling me! When you left last night, it scared me. Because it reminded me of our past! When you ghosted me! When you left without a word, without a caution!” Humihingal ito sa bigat ng dinadala at sa haba ng emosyonal nitong litanya. “Just tell me what’s going on, Stace!”

“No. You tell me what’s going on, Renante,” mahigpit niyang ganti at inilapit ang mukha rito  “Do you really love me? May patutunguhan ba itong relasyon natin?”