Chapter 29

Three Brave Women 

I tilted my head up, letting the cold drops of water from the shower fall on my face down to my body. 

I shivered as the water began reaching every corner of my body but still, it wasn’t enough to wash away the warmth of Ciel’s body and his intoxicating scent lingering on mine. 

He wasn’t here by presence but I can still feel him everywhere. In every corner of this place and in every corner of my body. 

Mas lalo akong napapikit nang rumihestro na naman ang mukha niya sa utak ko. His face was the first incredible thing that I saw this morning when I woke up, his arms perfectly fit with every curve of my waist. He was holding me so tight, feeling the movement of his chest against mine as he breathed. 

I’ve never slept that good in my whole life. It was perfect, it was something spectacular, a moment that you will never trade for nothing… and I hated it. I hate how it feels perfect and spectacular to be caged in the arms of the man who hurt me. 

I shouldn’t be enjoying being under his presence or touch because everything that involves him was just too much. And I don’t want to be drowned with a guy who makes me feel too much because when it all gets messed up… it would hurt too much. 

That is why Ciel Alfieri is a big no. He was like the Cornelia Street that I’ve sworn to never walk again. Like a Pandora’s box that I would never dare open. 

That’s why I carefully slipped out from his embrace, picked my things and rushed my way back to my place like a damn scared puppy, leaving him while he was sleeping peacefully. 

I clenched my jaw, trying to swallow the curse I wanted to hiss under my breath. 

Binilisan ko na lamang ang pagligo ko. It was my day off today and I’ve decided to come home and visit my Mom then I’d go to the charity to visit the kids. 

I glanced at my car’s digital clock, it was just nine o’clock and on my way to my parents’ house. A Tatiana Manaois’ song is banging in my car and sometimes I would sing to it but then I’d realize that I sound like an alpaca who hurt itself, so, I’d just stop. I don’t want to ruin my own mood. 

But I can’t really deny the fact how talented Tatiana is. I really adore how she can write songs about love, God, self-love, and girl power using different kinds of genre. And it’s kind of pissing me off because despite how talented and amazing her songs are, she’s still underrated. 

People always say “Stan talent” and go sleep on those artists who are talented. Some of your friends would share posts on facebook about supporting a friend who creates art and then ignore the arts that were created by their friends and support what’s in and what’s popular. 

I seriously cannot stand how hypocrite people are sometimes. Why can’t everyone just get what they deserve? Bakit kailangang may mas angat? Bakit kailangang may mas sikat? Can’t all artists just be treated fair and square? Pare-parehas lang naman silang nag e-effort at nagsa-sakripisyo. Maybe if we were all treated fair and square then there would be no jealousy or envy. Because in my opinion, inequality is what attracts those two dangerous emotions. 

I don’t want the world,

I don’t care about the fame or the power

I’m just a little girl,

Who wants to wake up to a kiss and flowers...

Natigilan ako nang biglang mag play ang Old Fashioned Love na kanta ni Tatiana. It was as if the woman heard my thoughts and now she’s talking to me. 

“Yeah, I know that you don’t care about the fame or the power. I was just trying to give emphasis on the things that you deserve! Be grateful, Tatiana!” I said, glaring at the radio. Gusto ko pang tawanan ang sarili ko. Mukha na yata akong baliw. 

“Mom,” I leaned down from behind of my Mom who is currently sitting on the table with a cup of tea and french toast in front of her. I gave her cheek a kiss. 

“Oh, hello, honey! I didn’t know that you’d stop by. Come join me.” She said, smiling sweetly at me. 

I just smiled happily, still hugging her tight from behind. Ah, I’ve missed my favorite woman. 

“Wow. Ang sarap naman ng yakap na ‘yan.” She let out a still-poised laugh. 

I don’t know how my mother do it. It’s been years and I’ve grown old but still, parang isang taon lang ang itinanda niya. 

“Miss you.” I said.

“I’ve missed you too, honey.” She said, gently caressing my arms that were wrapped around her shoulders. 

I pull away, grabbing a chair to sit beside her. 

“Would you like some tea or coffee?”

Tiningnan ko siya at tiningnan niya rin ako saka tinawanan. 

“Of course, it’s coffee…” Iling-iling niyang sabi, as if it was ridiculous of her to ask what drink I prefer when we both know what the answer is. Natawa rin ako. 

“Alma? Can you bring coffee for Mona? Make her some french toast too! Thank you!” Matapos niyang utusan si Yaya Alma ay muli niyang itinuon ang pansin sa akin. 

She held one of my hands and looked at me, slightly pouting. “I miss you everyday, sweetheart. Can’t you just stay here with us?” 

“Your offer sounds tempting, Mom… I don’t think I could still last a month living in that building. Ciel Alfieri is my neighbor, can you imagine that?” 

She gasped. Her jaw almost dropped, looking at me with wide eyes. 

She cleared her throat to collect herself, squeezing my hand before letting go of it. “Actually, I think it would be better if you’d just stay there. I mean, we rarely go home. We won’t see each other as often as we want. There’s no use.” She casually said, taking a sip of her tea. 

I’m positive that I even saw a smile that she tried to hide behind the cup of her tea! 

I eyed her, giving her my straight face. She really likes Ciel. She always refer Ciel as her guy and she always calls him ‘love’. 

She looked at me, placing the cup back on the small plate. “Do you want me to prescribe you some birth control pills? You know, in case you both like it raw.” She shrugged. 

“Mom! What the hell?” I hissed in disbelief, feeling my cheeks turning red. Good Lord, she’s going to kill me. 

She grinned. “Well, you mentioned that Ciel Alfieri is your neighbor so…” 

I wide my eyes at her. “Yes, Mom, I mentioned that we’re neighbors! I didn’t say that I’m sleeping with him!” 

Ako naman ngayon ang pinanlakihan niya ng mga mata. “Then what the hell are you still doing, Mona? Sleep with him already!” 

“Oh God…” I groaned, putting a palm on my forehead. 

“Honey, you’re not getting any younger. You’re thirty— that looks twenty, but that’s not the point here. You’re thirty and still a virgin! I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being a virgin at thirty but what the fuck? You have a neighbor who is a total snack and you’re sitting here, complaining about it? Alam mo sa edad kong ‘yan, nakarami na kami ng Daddy mo.” She said like she couldn’t believe me. 

Shet. Ako pa talaga? The audacity of my mother to look at me in disbelief when I should be the one giving her that!

I groaned. “Someone kill me now.” 

She looked at me, giggling softly. “Anyway, how’s my guy? Did he got taller? Got broader?” Sunod-sunod niyang tanong. 

I clenched my jaw. “He’s a pilot now… and yes. He got taller and broader.” I said, trying to conceal my emotions. 

My Mom gasped like a teenager. “Wow. That’s hot. I mean, a guy who can save lives is hot, too but can we take a moment and adore how fascinatingly hot were the guys who can fly an aircraft? He can make you fly too, Mona. Give my guy a chance.” 

I shot her a ridiculous look. My Mom. She just never changed. 

“Sure, he’s hot. But I’m still not sleeping with him.” I said, breaking her bubbles. 

“I can’t believe you could resist someone as hot as him. I envy you. You and your Dad have the same self control.” 

“And I can’t believe that you’re pushing your very own daughter to sleep with that traitor.” I narrowed my eyes at her.

And we’re not even sure if he wants to sleep with me. He probably have younger flight attendants all over him. 

“Oh come on… He did that for you. He’s really nice and mature. Ah, my son-in-law,” She sigh, dreamily. 

“He didn’t do that for me. He did that for himself.” That’s what I wanted to say but I swallowed my words instead. 

“Ito na ang kape mo, Mona.” Nakangiting sabi ni Yaya Alma. 

“Actually, Yaya paki bigay na lang ‘yan kay Mommy nang kabahan naman siya sa mga pinagsasasabi niya.” Nakairap kong sabi. 

Mommy just chuckled and I just shook my head. In the end, we spend our breakfast talking about how they’ve been doing and how I’ve been doing but my Mom is kind of stubborn because she would always bring out about Ciel. 

--

“Aray! Pashnea ka talaga, Tina!” Papalapit pa lamang ako sa dinig na dinig ko na ang boses ni Jonas na mukhang nakikipagtalo na naman. 

“Sinasadya ko ba? Sinasadya ko ba?” It was Tina’s response. Ayaw rin nitong magpatalo. 

“Puro ka ganyan! Parati mo na lang akong natatamaan! E kung sadyain ko kayang tsinelasin ‘yang pagmumukha mo?!” 

“Mukha ko na naman ang nakita mo! Inggit na inggit ka talaga sa ganda ko ‘no? Hmp! Alam mo Jonas, kapag inggit, pikit at h’wag nang dumilat ulit!” 

“Ano ba naman ‘tong mga ‘to! Magti-tiktok pa ba tayo o mag-aaway na lang kayo?!” It was Mila who was currently standing in front of a monoblock chair. Nagkakamot pa ito ng ulo dahil sa inis sa dalawa. 

Napansin kong may cellphone na nakapatong doon. Mukhang iyon yata ang ginagamit nila sa tinatawag nilang Tiktok. 

“Hay ewan! Nakakawalang gana! Itong si Tina kasi sumasali-sali pa e ang tigas-tigas naman ng katawan! Matigas ka pa sa ice for sale diyan sa may tindahan!” 

“Ay ayan na! Ayan na! I’m a sandwich! Sassy, classy, buchi! Yah!” Mila danced and sing confidently in front of the camera and she was in the middle of the two who are still currently fighting. 

“Kuya Pogi oh! Inaaway ako nitong bekimon na ‘to!” Bwisit na bwisit si Tina habang nagsasamaan sila nang tingin ngunit itong si Mila na nasa gitna nila ay todo sayaw pa rin habang panay ang kanta sa lyrics. 

Napangiti ako. She looks cute and she’s really good at dancing. 

Jonas seems to be distracted at Mila’s moves and grooves and I gasped when he pulled her hair. 

“Aray! Pashnea ka!” Mila frowned. Now Tina and Mila are both glaring at Jonas. 

Jonas crossed his arms on his chest. “Gurl, ano ba kasing buchi ang pinagsasabi mo diyan? Chowking ka gurl?” 

“Oo nga, tsaka anong sandwich, Mila? Salvage ‘yon!” Tina said. 

“Savage! Shunga!” Jonas hissed. 

And before they could even kill each other, I decided to step in and get their attention. 

“What did we tell you guys about fighting?” I asked them. Pare-pareho silang napatingin sa akin.

The three of them gasp in delight. 

“Ate girl!” Jonas squealed happily as the three of them ran to approach me. 

“Namiss ka namin, Dok Ganda!!” Mila and Tina squealed. 

I smiled at them, stretching my arms wide open as I squatted so I could hug the three of them at the same time. 

They hugged me back, forgetting about the argument the were having just a few seconds ago. 

“I’ve missed you guys, too!” I told them. “I’ve been watching you guys a little while ago. I love your moves and grooves!” I said, giving them a compliment. 

“Tina, ano daw? Groove? Ano ‘yun? Nakakain ‘yun?” Bulong ni Mila kay Tina. Akala yata hindi ko narinig. 

“Ano ba kayo! Magkunwari na lang kayo na naiintindihan niyo! Mamaya isipin nila ate girl mga bobo tayo!” Jonas hissed. 

“Oo nga, oo nga.” The both agreed. 

“Ah, yes Dok Ganda. I like grooves, too! Very delicious!” Mila said. 

Natawa ako at gigil silang niyakap. “Kayo talaga, ang cute-cute niyo…” I said. 

Kumalas ako sa yakap at pinagmasdan silang tatlo. 

“At hindi basehan ng talino ang pagiging magaling sa pagsasalita ng english, okay? You guys are smart on your own ways.” I said, touching their cheeks one by one. 

“Hoy kayong tatlo, nagawa na ni Kuya Pogi ‘yung— Dok Gandaaaa!!” 

Dumako ang tingin ko sa may likuran nila Jonas at halos malaglag ang panga ko nang makita ko kung sino ang kasama ni Phoebe at ni Reiven. It was no other than Ciel Alfieri, standing few feet away, wearing a plain grey shirt, cream khaki shorts and white sneakers. 

He was holding an improvised kite while looking at me.

“What are you doing here?” Hindi ko makapaniwalang sabi. 

A sarcastic smirk drew across his lips. “Well, hello to you too.” He said. 

“Kuya Pogi, magkakilala kayo ni Dok Ganda?” Phoebe asked, looking so puzzled. 

Ciel looked down on Phoebe, touching her hair with a soft smirk on his lips. “We’re soulmates,” he replied. 

“Ayieeeeeee! Soulmate!” The kids teased. Ciel’s grin grew wider, looking at me like he won a competition. 

I gave him a stoic stare. Alam na alam talaga ng bwisit na ‘to kung paano ako bwisitin e! 

“What are you doing here? How did you find out about this charity?” I asked, once again. This time, firmly. 

“Why did you leave this morning?” Balik tanong niya sa akin. His smirk, slowly leaving his lips. 

I was taken aback. I stared at him with my mouth parted, not knowing what to respond. 

Ngumuso siya at tumango-tango. “See. Don’t demand for answers if you can’t give one.” Naniningkit ang mga mata niyang sabi. 

I clenched my jaw, feeling both my cheeks turning pinkish in embarrassment. He didn’t take his eyes off me. 

I kind of felt conscious with the kind of stare that he’s giving me. Deep and intense. 

I was wearing a nude two piece outfit. Tight skirt on the bottom, and cropped low back spaghetti strapped top with a knot on behind. I wore a pair of wedge too but the height that it added on me was nothing compared to how tall Ciel was. 

“Oh, Mona. Nandito ka na pala.” Parehas kaming napatingin sa nagsalita. It was Colton. He is now standing beside Ciel. 

Tumango ako at nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa dalawa. 

“Ah,” Colton wet his bottom lip. “Si Ciel nga pala. He’s with me and Jess.” Nakangisi niyang pakilala. Isa pang gago ito, eh. 

“Ciel si Mona. Surgeon ‘yan. Siya ‘yung sinsabi ko sa’yo.” He continued his facade with a wide teasing grin on his face. 

I rolled my eyes at him. “Seriously, Colton?” 

Sapakin ko ‘to, eh. Alam naman siguro niya na kilalang-kilala namin ni Ciel ang isa’t-isa. At magkapit-condo pa kami! 

A grin formed on Ciel’s lips, making that irresistible dimple appear. “Ito ba ‘yung nirereto mo sa’kin? Wala na bang iba? ‘Yung marunong sanang magpaalam bago umalis?” He said, giving me a quick teasing glance. 

Umawang ang bibig ko kasabay nang paniningkit ng mga mata ko. 

Humalakhak si Colton. “Pwede na ‘yan. Turuan mo na lang.” 

A low chuckle rose from Ciel’s throat, slightly shaking his head. “As if she’d listen. Mas madali pang mag solve ng isang daang equation kaysa makipagtalo sa kanya.” 

“Can you two stop talking about me as if I wasn’t just here? This is the reason why I’m closer to Ian compared to both of you! Assholes!” 

Humakbang si Ciel palapit sa akin. “Oh, we’re the assholes here? How about the surgeon who left me alone in my bed this morning without even having the audacity to say thank you?” 

“I… I…” Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko. I couldn’t find the right words or the right alibi, rather. 

Tinaasan niya ako ng dalawang kilay. “I… I… De las Alas?” he mocked. 

Colton laughed. “Gago!”

“Nakaka stress ka,” bwisit kong sabi. 

“Nakaka migraine ka,” ganti niya. 

“You just know how to push all my buttons down!” I hissed. 

“You know how to mess with my fucking head!” Naniningkit ang mga mata niyang sabi. 

“You… You give me tachycardia!” 

His lips parted, brows creasing. “Away lang, wala naman sanang ganyanan.”

“Is that the effect of one night stand with you guys?” Nakangising sabi ni Colton. 

My eyes narrowed. “We did not,” Before I could even construct my sentence, Mila suddenly interrupted. 

“Ano ‘yung one night stand?” Inosente nitong tanong. 

Colton was taken aback, biting his bottom lip looking as if he was doomed. Because he is. 

“Yan! Bahala kayong magpaliwanag diyan!” Nakairap kong sabi at padabog na naglakad para para lampasan sila. 

Mga bwisit na lalaki! 

I made my way to the kitchen and I found Jess and Mirae there, preparing something. Nagtatawanan pa sila ngunit natigilan sila nang makita ako. 

“Nandito na pala ang karibal ko,” Nakangising sabi ni Jess. She looked beautiful and glowing, I must admit. I don’t know if it’s her maroon tight dress or is it because she’s getting her daily dose of Colton Ponce de Leon. Or is it because she’s two months pregnant now. Maybe it’s all of the above. 

“Oh yeah. Saw your husband outside. He’s so hot!” I teased, fanning myself. 

“I agree… But he’s way hotter when he’s naked. Too bad you won’t be able to see him in his birthday suit. It’s exclusively for my eyes only.” Naniningkit ang mga mata niyang sabi. 

Napangisi ako. “Wait for me to book some of his flights and we’ll see,”

“Ulol!” She hissed. 

Sumama ang timpla nang kanyang mukha at sinamaan ako nang titig. Kung nakakapatay nga lang ang mga tingin niya ay kanina pa ako bumugsak dito. 

I let out a delicious laugh, grabbing some freshly sliced carrot on the table in front of me. “I don’t know if I’m really into your husband or I just love the faces you make everytime I teased you about me being into your husband.” I grinned, taking a bite of the fresh carrot. 

Natawa si Miraceli. “Nakakaloka talaga kayong dalawa.” Aniya. I love her outfit today. It’s a black satin stringed top tucked in her high waisted denim shorts. 

Mirae is the kind of woman who can talk about God and everything that’s nice but she will never hesitate to raise a middle finger at you once you do her dirty. She’s the representation of an unpretentious woman. That’s why I like her. I want to be more like her. 

“Sarap kasing pikunin, eh.” I said, pulling a chair to sit and watch them.

“Alam mo ikaw? May araw ka rin.” Nakairap na sabi ni Jess bago ipinagpatuloy ang paghihiwa ng patatas. 

“Galingan mo, Princess Sarah!” Pambi-bwisit ko sa kanya. 

She looked at me over her shoulders. “Why don’t you just slice those damn onions kaysa nambi-bwisit ka diyan? Mamaya ikaw pa paglihian ko. Kawawa ang anak ko!” 

Natawa ako habang pinapanood siya na nagpatuloy na sa pags-slice ng patatas. 

I may not be saying this out loud but I adore this woman, too. I adore how brave she was to choose to keep breathing despite all the chaos around her demanding her to stop. And it’s incredible how she still managed to work and take care of her patients even when she’s wrecked inside. 

 I cried when she told me and Mirae about her brave story and at the same time I felt relieved because God blessed her an understanding husband who was patient enough to wait for him to open up about her dark past. 

That’s what a person who is struggling from PTSD needs the most. Someone who would understand her and be patient with her. 

Now Jess visits Castro for therapy. Sinasamahan siya ni Colton sa tuwing off niya. She said she’s doing that para maging better na siya completely. Para sa kanila ni Colton at para sa magiging baby nila. 

“I need a nurse! Or a doctor! Or someone who could save Ciel from the damage caused by his stupidity!” Hingal na hingal si Colton nang puntahan niya kami dito sa kusina. 

Napatayo ako mula sa kinauupuan ko. 

“Anong nangyari?” I asked, right away. 

“He fell from a tree and injured his hand.” 

“Damn it!” I cursed pushing Colton on the side so I could rush outside. 

Surgeons must always remain calm during emergency situations… but why the hell does my heart want to jump out of my damn chest?