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CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

A POT of soup was gently simmering.

It was full of flavor and the right amount of ingredients, with the right heat to boil everything into perfection. A very important and special ingredient was added in---boom! A mouthwatering masterpiece.

With one intervention, the flames became maximum, the pot of perfect soup was in chaos. The one in jeopardy was making a mess, that most doesn't appreciate.

The sudden rising of heat makes the pot of soup almost like burning in red. With the sudden added unexpected heat, everything was not in order.

Ang sabi nila, nagkukunsumo ng malaking oras ang pag nilaga ng baka. Ang tamang oras nang pagpapakulo nito sa tamang laki ng apoy ay nagpapasarap at bigay ng perpektong lambot ng karne. Ang sabaw na nanunuot ng lasa. Nang dahil sa isang pana-uhin na iniba ang intensidad ng mga apoy, lahat ng kasipagan, tiyaga at ibinuhos na panahon ay nasayang lang sa wala.

The pot of soup has almost toppled over.

After the tragic murder attempt to Denryl, Laurentius searched for the one whose the culprit to all of these. Hindi na siya nakakalayo pa sa paghahanap, dahil nalaman niyang ang mismong ama ang may gawa sa lahat nang ito lingid sa kaalaman ng ina.

Their father and son relationship has been chipped. Tinted. Cracking. Upsidedown. Nadudungisan. Nawawasak. And it's not going well.

For days, walang nangyayari kundi ang away ng mag-ama, and Denryl, he was a crying mess. With the hormones that is making him emotional as fuck, lahat ng bagay ay mabigat na sa kaniya. He's experiencing a majoy emotional stress. Kung magpapatuloy pa ito, baka ma-apektuhan ang bata sa sinapupunan niya.

They're not far to their relationship yet, so maybe a stupid decision will not make a big toll on them . . .

"Just stay here sa penthouse. I don't want you to be ambushed by that old hag again. I want you to be safe. And our baby," wika ni Laurentius doon habang naghahandang umalis upang magtrabaho. Nasa loob sila sa pinagsasalohang silid sa penthouse ni Laurentius.

Dahil sa nangyari, si Denryl ay pansamantala munang pinatigil ni Laurentius sa pag pasok sa kaniyang trabaho bilang sekretarya ng Millers' Trade Company. Hindi sang-ayon sa una si Denryl, ngunit para naman ito sa kabutihan niya. They might not know, maybe there's a lot of evil plan under that man's sleeves. If he could find a lot of evidences, he's willing to let his father rot in jail. Sabihin mang wala siyang utang na loob sa lalaking nagbigay buhay sa kaniya.

"Law, I need to discuss something with you," tawag niya ng atensyon ni Laurentius.

Natigil si Laurentius sa pag-ayos ng kaniyang two-piece suit sa harap ng wardrobe nito. Laurentius' brows are always in one line nowadays, and Denryl didn't like it one bit. Laurentius looks bummed and stressed out, too.

"Can it wait this evening after I came back from work? It it important?" anito.

Now, Denryl is hesitating to say it to him. Ang aga pa para sa mga bagay na ito. They should just discuss this on the evening later.

"Yeah, it was," he said. "Pero may trabaho ka pa. Mamayang gabi ko na lang sasabihin sa iyo. I've been thinking about it for days now."

Agad siyang nilapitan ni Laurentius at hinawakan ang mga kamay niya. Sumalubong sa kaniya ang nanlalambot na tingin ng kasintahan. Ang mga asul na mata nito ay nakatingin sa mga kulay tsokolate niyang mga mata. They're like reading each other through their eyes. Looking into Laurentius' pair of eyes, it bring comfort to Denryl. They're like a pool of water that you're the only person allowed to delve in. Someone special on his eyes.

"I can have time for you, let's talk," malumanay na saad ni Laurentius sa kaniya habang nakatitig sa kaniyang mga mata.

Denryl gulped once. And then twice.

Tumango lang siya at iginiya ang isa't-isa sa malapit na couch ng silid. It is a very risky and important thing he wants to discuss with him. After they toke a seat, naghihintay siyang tinitigan ni Laurentius.

There's a flicker of flame on Laurentius' ocean eyes.

Tumikhim muna si Denryl bago nagsimulang magsalita. "Law, you've been a great partner and boyfriend. Sure, our relationship as friends started smooth at first when we were college freshemen, like, it feels right for us to be friends. And then, we parted for some stupid reason. We became foes and hated each other's guts. Your words hurts me all the time, but I still carried on. I never wanted for us to be enemies, but your immature self didn't say so back then.

"And now, we've come into this. We share a bed every night, I cook for our dinner, share heated kisses, passionate nights and even created a miracle with our love for each other. I wouldn't have it in any other way. There could be a universe that we are nothing but strangers, and maybe that's the loneliest universe I could confide myself in.

"So, hear me out. Your father wants me dead by being with you. He wants you to marry your childhood sweetheart. Akala ko walang na-aagrabyado o nasasaktan sa relasyon natin, pero meron pala. Isa na ako roon, Law. But still, we're trying to fight for us. It only brought us unnecessary stress and burden. If the rest of my life with you will be like this, can I give our child a peaceful and beautiful life it deserves? Could we guarantee a better future for our child?" Denryl finished with a tear slowly cascading down his cheeks. Kumikinang din ang mga mata ni Laurentius habang nakikinig doon sa kaniya dahil sa nagbabadyang mga luha nito.

Laurentius was lost for words for a second there. He couldn't think how much burden Denryl has to conclude such decisions. Sinalo na ni Laurentius lahat ng responsibilidad upang matigil ang ama nito. Still, it gets to Denryl.

"Denz . . ." Laurentius reached out for him. "I am doing everything and anything I can so that my father will not further burden us. I just need a plan and proper evidence to send my father to jail by his murder attempt to you. He's gonna pay for causing the death of our other baby, I assure you. Maybe it's rational to think about what you're implying about now. We can talk through about it. I promised to never let you go and to marry each other. You're the only one I want to tie the knot with."

Teary eyed, he caresses Laurentius' cheeks. There's a small smile on his lips.

"I am shitty for saying those things; for giving up for us, but this is our only option left," ani Denryl. Agad na puma-ibabaw ang malaking palad ni Laurentius sa kamay niyang nasa pisngi nito. "Naging ulila ako buong buhay ko, kaya siguro itong magiging anak natin ang magiging katuwang ko sa buhay. I've longed for a partner to last for a lifetime, but maybe the heavens sent this child to be my companion. There's a reason kung bakit ako nakakadala ng sanggol sa lalaking kong katawan, 'di ba? Maybe this is it.

"Being a single parent is hard. Maraming itatanong ang anak natin kung bakit ako lang ang nasa tabi nito. I have enough money to raise our child alone. I could move to a remote town or something. Away from here.

"Alam kong napaka-selfish na ilalayo ko ang magiging anak natin sa iyo, ngunit wala na tayong pagpipilian. Either we stay here, a huge possibility that I could miscarry it with our current problem, and then your father may have his grasps on me and kills us. Or, I could give up on us and stay away from you and your father. Raise our child alone and live peacefully. Hindi ko tataguin ang anak natin, I'm implying an opinion about staying out of this mess by giving up for us. I just love you so much, enough to let you go, Law."

Tumulo na ang mga luha ni Laurentius. He couldn't hold it in. He's about to let go of his partner and their child. This is the toughest decision he has to made.

"You have a point, Denz," maluha-luhang saad doon ni Laurentius. Kinuha nito ang kamay ni Denryl at hinalik-halikan ng malumanay. "But please, l-let me support through financial. I don't want you to raise our child with the absence of its other father and without his financial support. At least that, I can guarantee you both sleeps at night with full stomachs."

Umiyak na nang tuloyan ang dalawa sa saad ni Laurentius. Nadudurog ang mga puso nila sa dumadaang sandali. Sumisikip ang mga dibdib dahil bibitiwan nila ang isa't-isa. They finally succumbed to his father's intentions.

That doesn't make them weak.

"I love you, Denryl. I fucking love you, Denryl Hyacinth Alcanzare," puno ng kalungkotan na saad doon ni Laurentius sa kaniya. "My heart will always shouts your name whenever you are. You already hold the penthouse of my heart. Ikaw lamang ang mamahalin ko ng ganito."

Humahagulhol si Denryl sa narinig. Ang kanilang mga noo ay nakasandal sa isa't-isa habang binubuhos ang mga emosyong nararamdaman nila. Ang mga kamay ay hawak ng isa't-isa. Mga pusong sawi.

"Mahal din kita, Laurentius," malamyos na saad niya sa kasintahan. Nag-uunahang tumutulo ang mga luha niya. "Ipapangako ko sa iyo na hindi na magmamahal ang puso kong ito. You will be the last man that I will ever love. Ayoko nang magmahal kung hindi man ito ikaw. Ibubuhos ko ang natitirang pagmamahal sa magiging anak natin. Kayong dalawa ang pinakamahalagang bagay sa buong mundo para sa akin. I love you."

And they shared a kiss. As kiss that is the last they'll share. Binuhos nila ang lahat sa halikang iyon. Ramdam ng isa't-isa ang intensidad at pananabik sa pinagsalohan na halik. It was a bittersweet kiss to suffice it.

Totoo nga talaga ang katagang, minsan, ikaw na ang kailangang bumitaw sa taong mahal mo. Kung kakapit ka, lalo lang kayong masasaktan.

🏝️🏝️🏝️

AFTER BIDDING his farewell to his friends and work, he left with almost two months pregnant belly. Grabe ang iyak ng matalik na kaibigan ni Denryl na si Kelly. Ayaw nitong umalis ang kaibigan at magpakalayo-layo, but this is for their safety. Dahil godmother si Kelly ng bata, she promised to visit them someday.

He had a luggage full of clothes. Kasya lahat ng damit niya sa iisang bagahe, kaya hindi siya nahihirapang hilahin ito.

Bago pa siya makasakay sa isang taxi, his phone in his pocket rings. Nagtataka, kinuha niya ito sa bulsa at tinignan kung sino ang tumatawag. The caller ID was from his old colleague who he kept in touch with for the past month. Pati si Laurentius ay kilala ang lalaki.

"H-hello, anong a-atin?" he answered in stuttering mess.

"I heard your case is getting worse with Laurentius' father. Are you crying?"

"N-no, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" hindi paniguradong tanong nito sa kabilang linya ng tawag. "Is anything all right? Do you need my company? Is Laurentius with you right now to comfort you?"

"It's j-just---aalis ako. I'm gonna l-leave the city upang nakalayo-layo. Nakakasama sa dinadala ko kapag manatili ako rito."

The guy knows he's a man who can carry an off-spring inside him. Only a few knows that.

"Tatakas kayo ni Laurentius? Where?"

"N-no . . ."

"What does that mean?"

"A-ako lang mag-isa. Tatakas ako at papalakihin ang anak namin w-without h-him."

". . ." The other line went silent for a moment.

"S-sige, ibababa ko na ang tawag n-natin. Pupunta pa ako ng bus terminal papuntang kahit anong probinsiya ang meron. Salamat." Ibababa na sana niya ang tawag nila nang magsalita ang lalaki sa kabilang linya.

"Den, wait! I will help you," agad nitong ani.

"Help? P-paano?"

"I'm going back to our province now. Let's go together. Doon kayo magtago at tumira ng magiging anak mo. Mahirap na kung wala kang kakilala sa kahit anong probinsiyang puntahan mo," the guy proposed to him.

As usual, he wants to decline dahil hindi niya gustong maging pabigat ng kahit kanino.

"P-Preston, hindi ko alam kung magandang ideya ang sumama sa 'yo. Ayokong maging pabigat sa pamilya mo."

"You're not a burden, Den. Just please, we don't have much time. You'll be safer in my company."

Kahit labag sa loob, pumayag siya. Agad na tinanong ni Preston kung nasaan siya. Sinabi niya agad ang pangalan ng subdivision ng matalik na kaibigan and not long after, pumarada sa harap niya ang mamahaling kotse ni Preston.

"Hey, get inside the car," bungad na saad ni Preston sa kaniya. Inagaw ng lalaki ang bagahe sa kamay niya at nilagay ito sa compartment ng sasakyan.

Pina-upo siya sa passenger seat ng kotse nito. Hinintay niya namang makapasok si Preston sa sariling kotse nito. He watch the guy's moves until he gets inside the driver's seat.

"Let's go?" tanong ng lalaki sa kaniya. Hinarap siya nito sa passenger seat.

Tumango lang siya at ngumiti ng tipid dito. With that, nagsimula nang magmaneho si Preston. Tahimik ang buong biyahe nila at hindi kumikibo ni Denryl sa tabi. Preston heard him sob, so he just let him.

"Matulog ka muna," ani bigla ni Preston kay Denryl.

Denryl's head turn toward the guy sa sinabi nito. Agad na pinahiran ni Denryl ang kaniyang mga luhang tumutulo.

"Ilang oras pa ang biyahe natin. Just rest. I'll wake you up once we arrive."

"Thanks," he mumbled.

Sumandal si Denryl headrest ng kotse ni Preston at pumikit. Sinubokan niyang matulog, ngunit ilang minuto na siyang nakapikit at nakiramdam sa paligid, hindi pa rin siya makatulog. He couldn't succumbed to the abyss of sleep.

Hindi niya namalayan na naka-idlip na pala siya ng ilang oras bago may tumapik sa kaniya upang gisingin. Nagising siya agad sa marahan na tapik ng kung sino.

Pagmulat ng kaniyang mata, ang mukha ni Preston ang bumungad sa kaniya.

"Hey, we're here," seryosong anunsyo nito.

Pagtingin ni Denryl sa paligid, it was already dark. Inayos niya ang sarili bago tinanggal ang seatbelt sa katawan pagkatapos ay lumabas sa kotse ni Preston. Naninibago siya sa kaniyang buong paligid. He toke a moment to sink in on his mind that there's a huge mansion in front of him. Alam niyang may kaya ang pamilya ni Preston dahil Lawyer ito, pero hindi niya inasahan na ganito karangya ang pamumuhay nila. Nanliliit tuloy siya sa sarili dahil magiging palamunin siya sa kanila.

Dumating sa tabi niya si Preston na bitbit na ang bagahe niya. Nahiya naman siya at agad na tumalima.

"Ako na niyan, salamat."

Preston moved his baggage away from him. Nagugulohan niya naman itong tinignan dahil sa ginawa nito.

"No, I insist. You're pregnant, bawal kang mag-carry ng mga mabibigat na bagay," ang sabi nito. Denryl appreciates his thoughtfulness, kaya hinayaan na lang niya ito. "Let's head inside?"

Reluctantly, he nodded and was ushered inside.

Kung maganda ang exterior ng mansion nila, mas lalo naman sa interior o loob nito. Mukhang Victorian ang loob na pinaghalong modern style. The architecture of the mansion shouts precised and expensive. Denryl can't even.

May bumati sa kanilang mga kasambahay na nagkalat sa loob ng mansyon. Nahihiyang ngumiti si Denryl sa kanila bilang bati pabalik. Mugto ang kaniyang mga mata kaya pakiramdam niya ay hindi siya presentable sa harap nila.

"Let's get you settled in with your room," sabi ng lalaking may-ari ng mansyon.

"Kahit sa kuwadro ng mga kasambahay na lang ako, okay na ako," agad na angal niya roon.

"No," hindi pag sang-ayon sa kaniya ni Preston. "Hindi kita hahayaang matulog sa mga kuwadro ng mga kasambahay. You're our special guest as long as you want, so your comfort in our home is our top priority. Besides, your room is beside mine so you can easily knock on my door if you need anything."

Pumayag na lang si Denryl.

After settling in his room, Preston left him after announcing dinner will be ready later. Nagpasalamat siya ulit sa lalaki, and the guy just shrugged like it is a small matter to him.

Ngayong nandito na siya, it is too late to go back at San Dimartino and stay with Laurentius. Sa ka-isipang nalayo siya at ang anak kay Laurentius, pumalandas ulit ang hindi ma-ubos niyang mga luha.

"I'm so sorry, Laurentius. This is the only way to make our child's life better."

xALPHA_SYRIC | SYRICH