Chapter 25

"So... fake news it is?" tanong ni Dr. Madrigal, tinititigan ang pinasa kong papel sa kaniya.

Mariin kong itango ang aking ulo at bahagyang ngumiti sa kaniya. "I have background and I think it'll be easier for me to write it. And the topic is relevant as well."

"Hmm. The Role of Broadcasting Agencies and Fakes News Management..." she read the proposed title out loud. "We'll have to be more specific, dear. But nevertheless, I like it. We'll just have to work on it."

My eyes lit up in excitement. Para akong batang binigyan ng candy na natutuwang tumango sa sinabi ng aking research mentor. She handed me back the paper and adjusted the eyeglasses on the bridge of her nose. Nasa loob kami ngayon ng research laboratory. Dr. Madrigal invited me for lunch and so I was forced to reject my husband's offer to eat lunch together at the cafeteria again.

Alas:

I'll wait till you finish with your professor, then.

Kumunot ang noo ko habang binabasa ang sinend niyang text sa akin. Pasimple akong nagtipa ng reply habang sumisimsim sa kape niya si Dr. Madrigal.

Belle:

Tapos na akong kumain. Magugutom ka lang.

Wala pang ilang segundo ay nagreply na din ito kaagad. The phone vibrated in my hands, making me jump a little. Ibinagsak ko ang tingin nang mapagtantong binabasa pa rin ni Dr. Madrigal ang ipinasa kong proposal sa kaniya.

Alas:

It's okay. I'll wait for you.

Napailing nalang ako at itinago ang cellphone. Dr. Madrigal cleared her throat, making me flush in embarrassment. Itinuon ko ang atensiyon sa kaniya.

"I want to ask you a question,"

I blinked and stared at her. Bigla akong kinabahan. Maybe she changed her mind and decided to reject my proposal all of a sudden?

"Ano po yun...?" nag-aalangan kong tanong sa kaniya.

Seryoso akong tinitigan ni Dr. Madrigal. "Well... Professor Ferrer of the Engineering Department. Kaanu-ano mo siya?"

Nagulat ako sa tanong niya. My phone vibrated again, must be Alas because I did not manage to reply to his last text message but I ignored it. Nakatuon na ngayon ang buo kong atensiyon sa propesor sa aking harap.

"Uh..."

"A close relative? Cousin?"

Umiling ako.

"Well... older brother?"

I chuckled nervously.

"No?" tuluyan nang ibinaba ni Dr. Madrigal ang kaniyang suot na eyeglasses at tinitigan ako. "What, then?"

"He's my husband." I simply said.

"Husband!" she cried, obviously shocked with my little revelation. Ilang segundo din niya akong tinitigan, hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. "He's your husband?"

My cheeks burned as I nodded my head shyly at her.

"Isabelle Avanzado Ferrer." I said, lifting my ID a bit. "We're married for months, now."

"Oh..." hindi pa rin nililisan ng gulat ang kaniyang matandang mukha. Tumikhim si Dr. Madrigal. "Well, that's quite a surprise. Everyone in the faculty is talking about him."

It was my turn to knit my eyebrows in confusion. "Talking about him?"

"He's a handsome young man. Smart and sharp, indeed. I'm sure you know that your husband is a head-turner. Most of the young female professors in the faculty..." when she sensed my sour mood, she laughed lightly. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Tipid akong ngumiti, bahagya nang nagngingitngit nang malamang pati ang iba palang mga propesor, hindi lang mga babaeng estyudante, ay pinagpapantasyahan si Alas.

"Well, they're talking a lot about your husband. And they see you often with him so they started making... speculations. I didn't know that you two are married. You're too young to be a married woman, Belle."

"We already have a son," I said proudly, remembering Zeus' cute face smiling at me.

"T-That's good." Natawa ulit ang matanda. "Those female companion of mine will surely stop once they learn that Mr. Ferrer is already a husband and a father."

Somehow, that made my chest lighter. Tumango ako sa kaniya at ngumiti ulit.

Ipinagsalikop ni Dr. Madrigal ang kaniyang mga kamay sa kaniyang desk at pinagmasdan ako. "I'll just inform you once I finish evaluating your proposal. But rest assured that it is acceptable. We just need to tweak it."

I gathered my books and shoved it inside of my bag, then pulled myself up. Tumayo ako, nagpasalamat, at nagpaalam kay Dr. Madrigal. I dug my phone out of my pocket as I headed out of the research laboratory. When I opened the door, I jumped in surprise when two intense eyes bore right into me.

"You didn't answer my text." Bungad kaagad sa akin ni Alas na nakahalukipkip at nakasandal ngayon sa kulay puting pader.

I glanced back and saw Dr. Madrigal staring at us already. Tumikhim ako at nagpaalam ulit sa kaniya bago ko isinarado ang pinto at tinitigan si Alas pabalik.

"I was talking to my professor," I said simply, eyeing his brown sweater and black pants that I didn't get to noticed earlier because I slept most of the time when we were on our way to Davao.

"Let's eat something." Ani Alas. He gently held my elbows and lead me through the lonely and empty corridors. Bago pa man may makakita sa amin ay dahan-dahan ko nang tinanggal ang kamay niya at pinandilatan siya ng mga mata.

"Tss." He hissed and walked behind me instead, as if shielding me from something.

Nagtungo kami sa cafeteria sa kabila ng ambon. Habang naglalakad kami ay bigla nalang niyang nilagay ang malaki niyang kamay sa ibabaw ng ulo ko. He's taller than me. Hanggang balikat lang ata niya ako kaya kailangan ko pa siyang tingalain.

"What are you doing?"

"You'll catch a cold." He said in a deep voice.

Ngumuso ako at umiwas nalang sa kuryusong tingin ng mga estyudante at iilang professors sa amin. Pareho kasi kaming walang dalang payong at isa pa, kahit na ilagay niya ang kamay niya sa ibabaw ng ulo ko ay paniguradong mababasa rin naman ako.

We speed up our pace until we reached the cafeteria. Panay pa rin ang tingin ng mga estyudante sa amin, bagay na hindi ko na pinagtuunan ng pansin. I ordered my usual kaldereta at nilagang itlog. Inilagay lahat ni Alas ang in-order naming pagkain sa iisang tray at siya na mismo ang nagdala nito patungo sa aming lamesa.

"Good afternoon, Sir!" a young woman, two tables from us giggled with her friends. Isang tango lang ang isinagot ni Alas pero para nang mahihimatay ang babae. I rolled my eyes and sat down with him.

"Are you jealous?" he teased.

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. "What are you talking about?" I mumbled. Siya naman ang inirapan ko. Sasagot pa sana si Alas pero itinaas ko na ang palad ko at kaagad na sinagot ang tumutunog na cellphone.

"Mommy?"

"W-Where are you right now, dear?" may bakas ng takot ang kaniyang boses, dahilan upang mapaupo ako ng tuwid.

"I'm in UM. Bakit po?" nag-aalala kong tanong sa kaniya.

"Oh..." she cleared her throat. "Just making sure you're alright, sweetheart. Sige na, I'll call you again later. I love you!"

"Mom—"

Bago pa ako makasagot ay pinatay na niya ang tawag. Kunot-noo ko ulit na pinagmasdan ang screen ng cellphone at itinipa ang kaniyang numero. I dialed her number but she didn't bother picking it up.

"That's weird..." I muttered to myself.

"What is?"

"My mom's being weird." I sighed. "Napapraning tuloy ako."

"Want me to send my men to check on her?"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa seryosong mukha ni Alas na inililipat ang mga pagkain mula sa tray patungo sa lamesa namin.

"I supposed it can help with my peace of mind." I agreed.

"Okay. Just give me a sec." he pulled out his iPhone from his back pocket and dialed a number. Bahagya pang magkasalubong ang makakapal niyang kilay dahil sa concentration. He placed the phone against his ears.

He talked to someone on the phone. Hindi ako mapakali sa kinauupuan ko hanggang sa matapos niya ang tawaag. I stared at him expectantly after hearing bits and pieces of his conversation to his men.

"They're going to check on your mother. Don't worry, Belle."

I smiled tightly at him. "Napapraning lang talaga siguro ako."

Napanatag lang ako ng araw na iyon nang sabihing maayos naman si mommy. I invited her to dinner that night, and she willingly came. Doon ko lang napagtantong talagang napapraning lang ako at kung anu-ano na ang pumapasok sa isipan ko.

"Ayos ka lang, Belle?" puna sa akin ni Ayesha. Nakatitig ako sa desktop sa harapan pero dahil sa matinding panghahapdi ng tiyan ay halos hindi ko na magalaw ang mouse na hawak. "Namumutla ka."

I nodded tightly. Bigla nalang sumama ang pakiramdam ko kanina pagkatapos naming mag-miryenda sa labas. Weird, though, because I have never felt ill after eating my favorite snacks during our lunch break.

"Punta ka muna sa infirmary, Belle..." singit naman ni Vienna na pinagmamasdan din ako. "You look terrible."

I heaved a sigh and then nodded my head. Muntik pa akong matumba pagkatayo ko. nanghihina akong pumunta sa maliit na infirmary ng aming office building. The nurse gave me some tablets to help regulate the pounding of my head and twisting of my stomach.

The dose made me drowsy and as soon as my head hit the freshly-washed pillows, I immediately fell asleep.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras akong nakatulog. Nagising nalang ako na nanghihina ang katawan. I adjusted my vision to my blurry surroundings and my eyes widened when I realized that I am not in the infirmary's room anymore!

Mabilis akong tumayo at nahilo ulit. Nang tagpuin ng tingin ko ang pamilyar na bintana ay natigilan ako. Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa kumot at bed sheet.

"Are you feeling alright, now?"

Isang baritonong boses ang nagpaigtad sa akin. I jumped on the bed, my heart racing. Lumabas si Alas na naka-itim na roba lamang habang pinapatuyo niya ang kaniyang buhok. I blinked, confused.

"What happened...?"

"I tried waking you up earlier, but you wouldn't budge. Kaya iniuwi nalang kita." Wika niya, mariing nakatitig sa akin. "What happened to you?"

Ngumuso ako nang maalala ang matinding pananakit ng tiyan kanina at umiling. "May nakain lang siguro akong masama."

My eyes widened a bit when I glanced at the clock and saw that it's already half past ten in the evening. Tulog na tulog ba talaga ako?

"Do you want to eat dinner?"

I rubbed my temples and nodded weakly at him. Lumapit si Alas sa akin, dahilan ng biglang pagsuntok ng kaniyang panglalaking amoy sa aking ilong. I scrunched my nose and immediately scooted away from him. Somehow, it made me feel ill again.

"What's wrong?" nagtataka nitong tanong sa akin.

"Wala." Suplada kong sagot sa kaniya. "Hindi ka na naman ulit kumain, ano?"

"I was waiting for you to wake up." Seryoso niyang sagot sa akin.

"Idiot."

Alas chuckled and pulled me into a hug, biting my neck softly in the process. "Let's eat dinner, now." he murmured and kissed me on the throat. "Ipainit nalang natin. Kanina pa nakakain si Zeus at si Ella."

"Hmm. Okay."

Alas snaked his arms around my waist as we headed out of the room. Naupo kaagad habang inaasikaso niya ang hapunan namin, suot pa rin ang kaniyang roba.

"Sana kumain ka nalang kanina," puna ko sa kaniya.

"It's okay. You know I don't want to eat without you." sagot niya habang inilalagay ang Tupperware sa loob ng microwave oven. Nilingon niya ako at seryosong tinitigan. "Napapadalas na ang pagiging pagod mo, ah?"

I shrugged. "Must've been because of the stress."

Alas pursed his lips and gracefully circled the table. Naupo siya sa tapat ko at walang kahirap-hirap na inusog ang aking upuan. I am now setting between his parted legs as he stared intensely at me.

"Quit your job."

"What!?" I shrieked.

He licked his lower lips and looked away for a second, before he turned his fiery gaze at me.

"Quit your job, Belle and just focus on your studies. I will finance your master's education."

"Alas..." I squinted my eyes.

"Palagi ka nalang pagod pagdating sa trabaho. Minsan, may production pa kayong nangingibang bayan. On Saturdays, you spend the entire day at the university. Late pa tayong umuuwi dalawa dahil nasa Davao pa iyon. You only get to rest during Sunday's. Ginugugol mo pa sa thesis mo."

"I'm fine," I caressed his rough jaw and smiled tightly at him. Malambing kong inihilig ang aking ulo sa kaniyang matigas na dibdib. I heard him inhaled sharply that made me smile in satisfaction, quite pleased that I still have this effect on him.

"Belle..." he warned.

"I'm fine, really. Alam ko naman ang ginagawa ko atsaka alam kong kaya ko. So what if I only get to rest during Sundays? Mahabang panahon din naman iyon upang bawiin ang tulog na kinulang ako."

He sighed heavily. "Stop working so hard, Belle..." naramdaman ko ang marahan nitong paghaplos sa aking buhok. I giggled softly.

"Trust me, I can do this. It's just one and a half year, Alas."

"Let's go on a vacation this summer." Wika niya.

"Saan?"

"I don't know. Paris? Switzerland? Anywhere that could keep your mind off things." He gently said.

I chuckled. "I can't afford—"

"I am financing!" mariin at may bahid nang galit nitong wika. Mas lalo akong natawa.

"Fine."

I let him go when the microwave oven sounded. Tulog na tulog na sina Ella at Zeus kaya halos pabulong kaming dalawa magsalita habang kumakain ng late dinner.

There's no specific maxim that I vowed to follow as I lived my life. But once I set my mind on a goal, I am determined to finish it, especially if it concerns my academic growth. Women should not only be graced by beauty, but also be recognized for their brains.

That's why I'm doing this. I don't need to prove anything to anybody, but rather to myself. Gusto kong patunayan ito sa sarili ko. No matter how tempting it is to grab Alas' offer, pride-free, I should do it on my own way.

A few days later, I received an odd call from my mother's attorney, asking me of her whereabouts.

"Do you know where your mother is right now, Isabelle?" ani Atty. Manning. Kumunot ang noo ko habang nakatitig sa hindi pa nasusuot na blusa na nakalatag sa kama.

"In our apartment, I guess?"

He sighed on the other line. "Wala siya rito. Ang sabi ng kapitbahay ay ilang araw na daw wala ang mommy mo."

"What?" my brows knitted deeper. Kakakausap ko lang sa kaniya kanina, eh! Nangangamusta siya sa akin at sa kay Zeus. "That's impossible, Atty. Manning."

"If you know her whereabouts, kindly tell her to see me immediately."

"It sounds urgent." I bit my lower lips. "Is it something that you can tell me?"

"Well..." he hesitated for a while, then I heard him sigh before he continued. "Ex-governor Armendanez is actually in the process of getting himself out of the jail."

"What?"

"You know how he is as a governor, Belle. He can just pay people as he please. His lawyer has contacted me several days ago, saying that the governor wants to file an annulment with your mother. I think we shall be talking about this as soon as possible."

"Oh... alright."

Pagkababa ko ng tawag mula sa kaniyang attorney ay kaagad kong idinial ang numero ni mommy. Nakakadalawang ring pa lang ito ay sinagot niya na kaagad.

"Hija!"

"Nasaan ka po, mommy?" diretsahan kong tanong sa kaniya.

Her cheery voice faltered. "Ha?"

"Nasaan ka po ngayon?"

"I-I'm... Bakit mo naman naitanong yan?" she let out a nervous chuckle.

"Are you hiding from someone, mom?"

"No! Of course not!" maagap niyang tugon sa akin. Then I heard her sigh. "I'm actually on Pangasinan right now, hija. I'm sorry for not telling you. I've been just stressed out lately and a friend of mine from America invited me to her province. I didn't say no."

"Mommy naman, birthday na ni Zeus ngayong linggo eh," may himig pagtatampo pa ng aking boses.

My mother laughed lightly. "Don't worry, hija. I'll make it this Sunday."

Bahagya akong ngumuso. Pumasok si Alas at tinitigan ako. I'm wearing nothing but mom jeans and a lacey bra. Hindi ko pa naisusuot ang blusa na inihanda ko kanina. My cheeks reddened when he intensely stared at me while locking the door. Mabilis kong hinablot ang damit at isinuot iyon habang nauutal na nakikipag-usap kay mommy.

I heard him chuckle as he entered the bathroom. Napairap tuloy ako sa ere. Pilyo talaga!

"I promise I'll make it up to you and my grandson this Sunday."

"Alright. Mag-iingat ka po, mommy."

"Ikaw din, hija. I love you!"

"Love you, mom..."

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa tungkol sa biglaan niyang pag-alis. My mother carries the entire world in her shoulders. Sobrang dami ang naging sakripisyo niya para sa akin. Nasangit siya sa masalimuot na mundo ni Governor Armendanez para lamang protektahan ako. Maybe a short vacation would help her breathe for a while.

"Ella! Pakilabas na ako nito!" sigaw ko sa kaniya habang itinatabi ang hiniwang boneless lechon sa aking tabi. Pinagtuunan ko naman ng pansin ang ngayo'y bumubukal nang spaghetti sauce.

"Yes po, Ma'am..."

Maingay ang buong bahay mula kaninang umaga. Alas actually hired a team to cook for my son's birthday but I couldn't keep my hands off the kitchen. Gusto kong tumulong sa kanila kaya nagpumilit na ako kahit pa sinabihan na ko ni Alas na huwag na.

Little children chased each other in the frontyard of the house. Dahil maraming bisita ay ikinulong muna namin ang tuta. Zeus, despite meeting the children of his father's workers for the first time, immediately bonded with them. Pati ang mag-asawang Monterio ay inimbitahan din ni Alas sa kaarawan ng kaniyang anak.

While I was busy in the kitchen, I caught glimpse of Zeus with a little girl, heading towards the piano. Nagtaas ako ng kilay sa nakita, napailing, at napangiti. Mayamaya pa ay naririnig ko na silang tumutugtog ng simpleng mga kanta, bagay na nagpa-aliw sa mga bisita namin.

"Hey..." Alas entered the kitchen. He had not changed from his corporate attire from the meeting earlier. Dumiretso lang siya dito kasama si Julius pagkatapos ng kanilang importanteng meeting. "You're still cooking?"

"We're almost done," distracted kong wika at pinatay na ang stove. Alas helped me to transfer the sauce of the spaghetti to the noodles. Siya na din ang nagpresenta na mag-mix nito.

"You should get changed, already. Ako na ang tutulong sa kanila dito," wika niya sa akin. Poprotesta pa sana ako pero tinitigan niya ako na tila ba nagsasabing hindi na dapat ako umalma.

I pouted and dragged myself out of the kitchen. Hindi pa man ako nakakapasok sa kwarto ay may iilan nang kumausap sa akin. Most of them are Alas' workers. Mallory watched the kids in fascination play the piano and even helped to correct their mistakes.

Sinuyod ko ng tingin ang paligid, upang makita kung nandito na ba si mommy. Kaninang umaga pa dapat siya nakarating sa Davao at magtatanghali na. For sure she had catched the bus bound to Govenor Generso? Dapat ay nandito na siya ngayon...

A dull pain hit my chest when I realized that I have no close relatives to celebrate the special occasions with my son, except for my mother. Ang nag-iisa kong pinsan ay nakatira sa Cebu at hindi kami gaanong close. I don't even know about the family of my real father, if I have other siblings or relatives that I should get to know with. Wala akong maipakilalang Tito o Tita kay Zeus. As for Alas, his father is dead and his mother is in a coma. Puro mga kakilala at katrabaho lang niya talaga ang narito. Some of my friends and some of my workmates from the station attended as well. I tried to invite Dr. Madrigal but she politely refused, saying that parties aren't really her thing.

"Belle!"

Napangiti ako nang malawak nang makita sina Ayesha, Vienna, at Joseph na sabay na pumasok sa aming bahay. I hugged them all and thanked them for being here.

"Hindi makakapunta si Sir Patrick eh, sayang..." wika ni Joseph. "Pero susunod naman si Ma'am Patricia."

"Ayos lang!"

"Nasaan na ba si Zeus? Ibibigay ko lang tong regalo sa kaniya!" excited nitong wika at iniwan na kami.

Stella and her grandmother managed to attend my son's birthday party as well. Kanina pa sila narito at nasa bakuran, nakikipagkuwentuhan sa mga katrabaho ni Alas.

"Your son is indeed a prodigy! Him and Zoe!" people praised. I smiled widely at their praises for my boy and talked to them for a while before I finally get to the bedroom.

Huminga ako nang maluwag at napansin ang tumutunog na cellphone sa kama. Nilapitan ko iyon at hindi na naabutan pa. I frowned.

34 missed calls from an unknown number.

Hindi ko pa man naititipa ang password ng aking phone ay tumunog ulit ito. It must be something urgent because of the non-stop attempt to contact me. Or it must be my mother!

I pressed the answer button and placed the phone against my ears.

"Hello?"

"Isabelle Avanzado Ferrer?" tinig ng isang babaeng hindi pamilyar sa akin.

"Yes, speaking. Who's this?"

"I'm SPO2 Rachel Corpuz from Governor Generoso Police Station, Ma'am." Pagpapakilala niya sa akin na kaagad nagpakaba sa aking dibdib.

"B-Bakit?" nanuyo kaagad ang lalamunan ko.

"Ikaw ba ang anak ni Margaret Avanzado?"

My lips trembled for the unknown fear that suddenly crept up to me.

"Yes..."

"Kailangan niyo pong pumunta dito sa apartment ng mommy niyo sa lalong madaling panahon. Natagpuan po siyang patay kaninang umaga sa loob ng apartment..."