Chapter 27

I Can't

The moment we stepped out of the room may mga iilan kaming mga nakasalubong hallway. Some are looking for the bathroom and some are just simply strolling. The ladies are all elegantly dressed and same as with the gentlemen. Ni isa sa mga nakasalubong namin ay wala pa 'kong kilala.

As we walk further ay parami na nang parami ang mga tao na nakikita namin. They were all doing their own businesses with a glass of either champagne or whisky in their hands or whatever. The waiters serve different kinds of beverages here.

Mas lalong lumabas ang pagka elegante nitong mansyon dahil sa mga bisita na elegante rin kung manamit. They all know how to act prim and proper. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay nasa movie ako ng 'Crazy Rich Asians'. Kamaganak ba ito lahat ni Yael? O nagaparami lang sa bilang ng mga bisita ang mga kani-kanilang mga kaibigan? I

"Escarcego ba ang lahat nang nakikita ko?" I asked Yael with a smile plastered on my face. Kanina pa ako nakangiti dahil sa mga taong nakakasalubong namin. I don't know them but once they see us they will automatically flash their smiles.

"No, not really. It's just that some of our family's invited friends brought their families with them." Yael answered, holding Mikel in one arm and walking like nobody's business.

My face scrunched a little. That explains why there are some girls na kulang na lang mapunit ang bibig kaka ngiti sa asawa ko. Malakas ang loob kasi hindi naman pala kamaganak! But can't they see that Yael already has his family?

--

All our attention are fixed to Lola Anastasia who's currently speaking in front. She's wearing a teal green pleated dress.

"Good evening everyone! I just want to thank you all for coming... Although, my children and grandchilden are incomplete tonight I'm still thankful and blessed. This year have been great to me because I had been blessed with another apo... Our Mikel who looks exactly like my grandson, Yael. There they are with his gorgeous wife."

They all looked at us and we just smiled at them politely. Nang muling magsalita si Lola Anastasia sa harapan.

"Primo, darling, thank you for loving me still despite all of the wrinkles and everything..."

Lola Anastasia reminds me of Yngrid Escarcego— Salcedo. They have the same posture, beauty, and demeanor. Nalungkot ako bigla nang maisip ko siya.

It must be painful for Lola Anastasia to make her unica hija leave. Espesyal sa kanya ang araw na ito ngunit hindi kumpleto ang kanyang mga anak. Lalo na't nag-iisang babae lang si mama Yngrid sa magkakapatid at bunso pa ito.

"Please make yourselves comfortable and enjoy the party."

Nang matapos magsalita si Lola Anastasia ay lahat kami ay nagpalakpakan. The music began playing again and the people around started minding their own businesses again.

"There's my uncle... si tito Morris, you remember him, right?" Yael said while eyeing his uncle's direction. Napatingin ako doon at nakita ko ang tito niya na una kong nakilala sa labas ng presinto kasama ang isang babaeng nakasuot ng isang burgany off shoulder dress. Her hair was tied into a diagonal updo, katulad ko ay nakahawak rin ito sa braso ng kanyang asawa.

"I assume that the beautiful woman beside him is her wife?" She has a resemblance with Cori. Pareho sila ng mga mata.

"Hmm...si tita Tanya." Yael nodded. I noticed a girl about twelve years of age wearing a mauve dress went to them. When Yael's aunt noticed her she slightly leaned forward to her and said something without removing that smile on her face. The twelve year old girl replied something to her...mother, I presume?

Maya-maya pa ay biglang dumating si Cori, he's wearing a suit and tie, too kaya natakpan ang tattoo nito sa braso. He hurriedly walked towards the three at nang mapansin siya noong dose anyos na babae ay nagningning ang kanyang mga mata at ito na mismo ang patakbong sumalubong kay Cori.

I was stunned with the next scene that I saw. They hugged each other and I think I saw Cori's face lightened up for the first time!

"That's Cori's sister. Mirella. We call her Mira." Pakilala ni Yael sa isa pa niyang pinsan habang patuloy pa rin kami sa paglalakad papunta sa gawi nila. There were too much people on our way that we needed to keep smiling at kaya kami natatagalan.

Nang papalapit na kami ay napansin kami ng tito't-tita ni Yael.

"Yael..." They both acknowledged my husband. Her aunt's flashing her sweet smile, of course.

"Tito Morris, tita Tanya. This is my wife, Beatrix and our son, Mikel."

I smiled, sweetly. "Good evening po..."

Yael's aunt smiled at him with delightfulness. "You have a great taste in women, Yael, and your son? Looks exactly just like you!" she exclaimed as she holds Mikel's tiny hand. Hindi umilag ang anak ko, he's just looking at the lady who held his hand.

Siguro'y nagagandahan!

Yael chuckled at nagbaba nang tingin saglit kay Mikel bago muling ibinalik ang atensyon kay tita Tanya.

"Everyone is saying that..." natatawang sagot ni Yael saka ako tiningnan. "At least he got your lips." He winked, trying to cheer me up. Hindi ko mapigilang h'wag mapanguso.

I heard tita Tanya's soft laugh as she shift her gaze at me. "Oh, darling, I understand you... Maging ako ay ganyan din ang nararamdaman sa tuwing sinasabi ng karamihan na kamukhang-kamukha ni Morris si Corrigan! Mata lang kasi ang nakuha niya sa akin and the rest..." nagkibit balikat siya at tiningnan na lamang si Cori na ngayon ay madilim na naman ang pagmumukha.

Tita Tanya's right, though. Kamukha ni Cori ang kanyang ama.

"Good thing my Mira looks a lot like me." Nakangiti niyang sabi at sinipat si Mira na kasalukuyang akbay-akbay ni Cori.

"Ikaw ang kamukha ko, ma." Mariing saad ni Cori habang naka-igting ang kanyang bagang.

Tito Morris sneered beside tita Tanya. I thought he would say something about Cori's protest ngunit ibinaling na lamang niya ang tingin kay Yael.

"Hindi ba talaga dadalo si Yngrid at Viktor, Yael?"

Bahagya akong natigilan nang muling ipaalala ni tito Morris si mama Yngrid. I immediately shifted my gaze at Yael. His adam's apple bobbed up and down.

"Hindi po talaga, tito." Tipid at napipilitan niyang sagot sa tanong. Of course they did not notice that, ako lang ang nakapansin dahil kilala ko ang asawa ko.

Ilang beses na kumurap si tito Morris at ngumuso. "Well, sa'yo ko na lamang kakamustahin ang kompanya nila. How was it?—Sandali, dapat ko pa ba iyong kamustahin? We all know how good Viktor is in handling the business. He mastered the art of it so damn well. Napaka-swerte ng kapatid kong si Yngrid."

You'll know a person base on the words that's coming out from his mouth and I can clearly tell that tito Morris so much more of a business minded person.

He didn't even try to keep the conversation going about how Cori's objection regarding to the past topic. Instead, he opened a new topic about business. Mukhang para sa kanya iyon ang mahalaga at hindi ang opinyon ng anak niya.

Yael let out a throaty laugh. "It's an honour for my father to be complimented by someone who's substantial in the world of business."

"Give me a break..." I heard Cori murmured as he roll his eyes upward, feeling sick of all these.

Hindi siya pinansin ni tito Morris. "How about you, Yael? Wala kang balak sumunod sa yapak ng ama mo? Sayang ang lahat nang naipundar niya."

"Wala talaga akong hilig sa business, tito. Pagiging piloto talaga ang gusto ko noon pa man, napag-usapan na rin naman namin iyon ng papa ko."

"Well, at least you're in a good path... Isa ka nang piloto ngayon at may naiaambag sa pamilya mo hindi katulad ng iba diyan na problema lang ang kayang iambag."

My husband's ears turned red. Napaawang ang kanyang bibig not knowing what to respond. I know he's not flattered, naiipit siya at hindi alam kung paano papatayin ang apoy na sinimulang sindian ni tito Morris.

"Morris Escarcego..." Mabigat bawat bigkas ni tita Tanya sa pangalan ng asawa upang patigilin ito. The man let out a deep sigh before shutting his mouth.

Cori derided as he clench his jaw. Ibinaling niya ang tingin kay Yael at ako ang kinabahan para sa asawa ko. Aawayin niya ba si Yael?

"Good to know that your father understands and supports you, Yael. You're really lucky to have such a considerate father like tito Viktor... madalang lang ang mga ganyang klaseng ama." Nanunuya niyang sabi at tumawa pa nang pagak.

"Corrigan!" matalim ang mga titig na ipinukol ng kanyang ina sa kanya.

"What, mother?"

Yael cleared his throat. "Excuse us, hahanapin lang namin sina El... tito Morris, tita Tanya." We smiled at the two, and his tito and tita did the same.

"Bye Mira... Cori..." paalam ni Yael at tinapik sa balikat si Cori. Cori's jaw clenched and he just simply nodded.

Nakahinga ako nang maluwang nang makalayo kami. Kinabahan ako doon. Ang akala ko ay aawayin na ni Cori ang asawa ko. Hindi ko kasi alam kung ano ang tumatakbo sa utak ng isang iyon.

"Dada, walk..." sabi bigla ni Mikel at nagpupumilit na bumaba.

"Later, baby kapag nakababa na tayo. There's a lot of people in here we don't want you to be lost." Ani Yael. Hindi na sumagot si Mikel at tumingin na lamang sa paligid.

"Dada... chicks!" he said pointing at every gorgeous girl he sees. Sasamahan niya pa iyon nang masayang palakpak. Kinakabahan na talaga ako kay Mikel. Gosh, hindi yata niya mamana ang pagiging faithful at loyal ni Yael.

"Dami mong chicks, anak, ah... ako isa lang." banat niya at nakakaloko akong tiningnan. I just rolled my eyes at him pero nando'n pa rin iyong mga ngiti ko na hindi ko kayang pigilan.

The buzzing voices of the people around us disappeared when the elevator doors closed. Ako na ang pumindot ng floor.

Saglit kaming tumahimik na dalawa at dinig ko ang pagbuntong hininga niya kaya nagtatanong ko siyang tiningnan.

"Is there any problem?" hindi ko na napigilang maitanong.

"Pagpasensyahan mo na ulit sina Cori. Hindi talaga sila pwedeng magsama ni tito Morris dahil magtatalo lang sila sa bandang huli."

"Ano ka ba, Yael? Okay lang 'yon, sa isang clan talaga hindi naman nawawala ang mga ganyang issue."

Bahagya siyang tumawa at ibinaba ang kanyang braso para ipaikot sa aking bewang. "Except for your family... Ponce de Leons are close to being perfect, huh?"

Ako naman ngayon ang natawa. "Anong close to being perfect? Magulo rin kami, ah! Nakalimutan mo na ba iyong mga panahong ayaw kong umuwi? Ikaw lang ang namilit sa'kin no'n para umuwi ako sa'min."

He wet his lips and chuckled deliciously.

"Right, I remember. Ikaw talaga yata ang black sheep ng mga Ponce de Leon."

I scrunched my nose and glared at him. "Excuse me? Mabait naman ako kahit papaano. Si Eli! Iyon ang tunay na black sheep kung alam mo lang. Isama mo pa si Brielle. Nakikita ko na ang future niya."

"Alam na alam mo kasi kaugali mo si Brielle. Masakit kayo sa ulo."

Pinalo ko siya sa braso at tinawanan niya lang ako saka ako kinintalan ng halik sa taas ng aking ulo.

Sakto namang bumukas ang elevator at bumungad sa amin ang mga round tables na may mga wine glasses, plates, and silverwares. Kitang-kita ko rin ang liwanag ng kulay silver na buwan at nagre-reflect ito sa dagat.

Kakaunti lang ang mga narito, hindi katulad sa taas, crowded.

"Beatrix! Yael!" Kaagad naming napansin sina Sienna at Karlie dahil sa pagtawag nila sa amin.

They're both standing on the edge, looking at the stars and moon. Ngayon ay naglalakad sila papalapit sa amin at may hawak na tigi-isang wine glass.

I smiled at them. Sienna looks dazzling on her soft ivory sweetheart neckline jumpsuit! Bagay ang kulay itim na heels na ipinares niya sa kanyang damit. Si Karlie naman ay mas lalong lumabas ang pagiging elegante at fierce dahil sa kanyang wine red wrap mini dress. These two are such a beaut! Ang ganda talaga ng lahi ni Yael kahit saang side tingnan.

"Ooh, you three look great! You look like a hollywood couple na uma-attend ng met gala!" Nakangusong salubong sa amin ni Sienna.

I don't know what to say. Happy birthday?

"Ngayon lang namin kayo nakita. I know you've been called out by Lola pero iyong mga chakang Angelina Jolie wanna be kasi ay harang-harang!" Karlie ranted.

Sienna rolled her eyeballs. "Alam niyo kanina pa niya pinipintasan ang mga guests. Kaya nga bumaba na lang kami rito nang h'wag na siyang magkasala pero hindi pa rin tumitigil."

"What can I do? I have eyes that love to judge, Sien. Isa pa, totoo naman ang mga sinasabi ko."

Napairap si Sienna.

"Ewan ko sa'yo. Si Mikel na lang ang kakausapin ko. Hi, Mikey! You look so handsome, baby! Kamukhang-kamukha si daddy!" Natutuwang sabi ni Sienna at kinurot ang pisngi ni Mikel. My Mikel smiled shyly and rested his head on his daddy's shoulder.

Karlie laughed in delight. "Dang! He knows how to act shy whenever he gets compliments!"

"That's how he manipulates people, Karlie. H'wag kang papalinlang." Natatawa kong sabi. Karlie's eyes widened.

"Really? This handsome boy is something!"

"He's going to grow up dangerous..." Yael commented.

"Ilang babae kaya ang mapapaiyak mo, baby boy?" Ani Sienna at pinanggigilan ang pisngi ni Mikel.

"What are you guys doing here? Ako ang nangangawit sa inyo! Bakit hindi tayo umupo?"

Naputol ang usapan namin sa biglaang pagsulpot ni El. He's in all white suit and tie. Lalo ring nadepina ang shape ng kanyang panga dahil sa hairstyle niya ngayon.

"Wow! Back to work ka na, kapitan? Parang magmamaneho ka lang ng cruise ship mo, ah!" Puna ni Karlie at nanunuyang humalakhak. Yael mentioned that Selestino is a cruise ship captain.

"Ikaw, lugi na ba ang kompanya mo, ma'am? Nagtitipid tayo sa tela ah!" He fired back.

Karlie's face scrunched in annoyance.

"Tss. Mahal pa sa'yo 'to, Selestino!"

"Uupo na ba tayo o magsasabong muna kayo?" Ani Yael sa mga pinsan.

Humagikgik si Sienna. "Parang nasa face to face lang tayo, ah. Si Karlie naka pula, si El naka puti. May mga monoblocks din tayo na pwede niyong ibalibag. Ako na din si tiyang Amy!"

Pare-pareho kaming natawa sa sinabi ni Sien habang ang anak naman namin ay tinitingnan lang kami at hindi maintindihan ang pinag-uusapan namin.

"Baliw!" Iling-iling na sabi ni El at may bakas pa ring mga ngiti sa labi. Sa wakas ay tumigil rin ang dalawa sa pag-aaway dahil sa biglaang pagsingit ni Sienna. Nagtungo na lang kami isang round table at isa-isang nagsiupuan.

Katabi ko si Yael syempre at kandong-kandong niya si Mikel.

"Why aren't you two drinking?" tanong ni Karlie sa aming dalawa ni Yael before taking a sip of her wine.

Umiling si Yael. "Mikel will just try to snatch the glass out of our hands kaya h'wag na lang..."

"Having a kid must be handful." Nakangising sabi ni El bago sumimsip sa baso niyang hawak na may whiskey.

Bahagyang natawa si Yael at nagbaba nang tingin kay Mikel na ngayon ay kasalukuyang inaabot ang table napkin.

"Yeah, it's quite handful pero masaya. Lalo na kapag tinawag ka na niya sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon." I saw twinkle in his eyes while talking.

Ngumiti si El at binalingan ako nang tingin. "It must be hard taking care of your two babies."

Tumango-tango ako at humalakhak. "Sinabi mo pa! Masakit na nga sa ulo si Mikel dadagdag pa 'yung isa." Parinig ko.

Napaawang ang bibig ni Yael at may pagkamangha sa kanyang mukha. "No, baligtad yata... you see, this woman is pure headache with two legs."

Napuno nang tawanan ang table namin at wala akong ibang nagawa kung hindi irapan na lamang si Yael.

Naibaling ang atensyon namin kay Karlie nang bigla itong suminghap. She's looking at a certain direction with slacked jaw and owl like eyes.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Para siyang nakakita ng multo.

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing, El?"

Aniya nang hindi nakatingin kay El, tinapik-tapik niya pa ito sa braso. Kunot noong bumaling nang tingin si El sa dako kung saan nakatingin si Karlie. Maging kami ay napatingin din doon.

"Si Sorelle iyan, 'di ba?" Ani Sien.

I saw a woman standing near the long table while talking to someone over the phone. The woman is wearing an oblivion black one-shoulder midi dress. She paired her outfit with a killer heels but what I liked the most is her lips. They're bloody red.

Her hair is tied into an updo low bun.

Dahil sa party na 'to wala nang natira sa self-esteem ko!

"Is that your wife, El?" 'Di ko napigilang tanong. Nabanggit kasi ni lola Anastasia na unang ikinasal si El ngunit simula kahapon ay hindi ko pa nakikita ang asawa niya. But now that I've seen her, I can say that Selestino has a great taste in women, too.

Ikiniling ni El ang kanyang ulo sa aking direksyon.

"Ex-wife." Aniya saka inubos ang natitirang whiskey sa kanyang baso.

Gulat akong napatingin kay Yael. Tinanguan niya lang ako.

"I'm sorry..." halos pabulong ko nang sabi lalo na nang dumako ang tingin sa amin nung 'Sorelle' . Napaawang ang kanyang bibig at naibaba niya ang phone na hawak niya sa kanyang gilid.

Karlie raised a hand. "Sorelle!" tawag nito at kinawayan pa.

Sa hitsura niya ay parang nagtatalo ang kanyang isip kung lalapit ba siya o ngingitian na lamang niya kami at aalis ngunit sa bandang huli ay lumapit na lamang ito nang may suot ang kaswal na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.

Isa-isang tumayo sina Karlie at Sienna upang salubungan ito ng beso.

"Yael..." she smiled at my husband before looking at me.

"My wife, Beatrix, and our son, Mikel." Pakilala niya sa amin.

Nginitian ko siya. "Please to meet you, Sorelle." I stood up and gave her a cheek to cheek kiss.

"Please to meet you, too, Beatrix." Nakangiti niyang sabi at tiningnan si Mikel.

"Hi, Mikel." She greeted our son.

"Buddy, she said hi."

"Hello..." nahihiyang bati ng anak ko na naging dahilan upang matawa kami ng may pagkamangha. Ganoon talaga siguro kapag bata ano? Kahit anong sabihin niya ay matutuwa ang mga tao.

Pero kapag tumanda na kulang na lagyan mo na ng duct tape sa bibig. Lalo na kapag natuto nang magmura. Ganoon si mama kay Colton noong mga bata kami.

Dumako ang tingin ko kay El na tahimik lamang na nakatingin lang nang diretso. Kanina pa ito walang imik at mukhang napapansin din ito nina Sienna at Karlie base sa pagtitinginan nila.

"I-I didn't know that you'd be here, Siles." Ani Sorelle.

"I didn't know that you'd be here, too." Matabang niyang sagot dito na may pagka-sarcastic.

Pakiramdam ko ay biglang bumigat ang atmosphere dahil pare-pareho kaming hindi nagsasalita.

"Lola Anastasia invited me, hindi ako makatanggi. Anyway, sandali lang naman ako."

Nagkbit balikat lang si El at hindi na nagsalita pa.

"Dada, walk na! Plith!" pakiusap ni Mikel.

"No, Mikey... baka kung mapano ka pa. Subukan mong bitawan si Mikel." Pinangunahan ko na si Yael dahil kunsintidor ang isang 'to. Nako talaga!

"But we promised him..."

"Dada... plith?"

"Oh, walk daw siya. Mommy naman ayaw pumayag." Natatawang sabi ni Sienna.

"Malikot kasi siya, Sien. Kinakabahan ako, baka kung mapano, e."

"Babantayan ko. I'll follow him around." Sabi ni Yael.

"Ako na. Ako na ang magbabantay sa kanya." Presinta ni El bigla kaya lahat kami ay tumingin sa kanya.

Tinaasan siya nang kilay ni Yael.

"Just enjoy at ako na ang bahala sa kanya. Best friend kami nito, 'di ba, Mikey? Tara hanap tayong chicks sa taas."

"Chicks?" Mikel replied showing his tiny teeth.

"Yes, chicks! Maraming chicks! Come on! I'll go get you some biscuits and milk, too." El said with enthusiasm before standing up.

"My-my, milk!"

Humalakhak si Karlie. "Ayon, milk before chick pala itong si Mikel."

Sa bandang huli ay ibinigay na ni Yael si Mikel kay El. Why does this sound like a freaking tongue twister?

"Bye-bye, my-my!" kumakaway niyang sabi at hinalikan ako sa labi.

"Bye-bye, dada!" he did the same to Yael.

"Enjoy, love birds. Mikey's on me tonight."

Binalingan nang tingin ni El si Sorelle. "You can occupy my seat..." malamig nitong turan at umalis na hawak-hawak ang kamay ni Mikel. Kinailangan pa nitong yumuko para maabot ang kamay ni Mikel.

"Maupo ka na, Sorelle. Hayaan mo ang bitter na 'yon." Ani Karlie.

Sorelle smiled apolegtically. "Hindi na, Karlie aalis na rin naman ako niyan. Sige, I'll go ahead. It was nice to see you all tonight."

--

I was standing beside Yael and we're both looking at the moon that's reflecting at the sea. Yes, I can still find beauty in the view even though it's already dark but nothing can compare the beauty of Punta Fuego during day time dahil kitang-kita mo talaga ang ganda ng dagat at kung paano bumagay ang mga halaman sa view.

I like swimming and roaming around the beach during daytime pero pagpatak ng gabi ay natatakot ako dahil hindi ko nakikita kung ano ang nasa ilalim ng tubig. I'm not aware if it's already deep and there's a tendency that I might drown and die.

Pero noong birthday ni Eli at nag Bataan kami I still joined them in swimming kahit gabi na kasi alam kong nando'n si Yael. I know that he won't let me drown.

I can't imagine my life without this guy. He's worth risk taking for. He's my riptide, trying to get away from him will just lead me from drowning to him even more.

"Hindi pa kaya nalulunod 'yung iniisip mo?"

Naibalik ako nang biglang magsalita si Yael. Ikiniling ko ang ulo ko sa kanya at nagtama ang mga mata namin dahil kaagad na siyang nakatingin sa akin.

I gave him a teasing smile. "Hmm... Hindi ka pa naman nalulunod sa palagay ko."

Kumunot ang kanyang noo ngunit hindi nagtagal ay nagpakawala siya ng isang paos na tawa.

Binasa niya ang kanyang pang-ibabang labi saka bahagyang umiling. "Marunong ka nang gumanyan, huh?"

Ngumuso ako. "Bakit? Ako lang naman ang bumabanat sa'yo noon. Ang sungit mo kaya dati sa'kin!"

Bahagya siyang tumawa at inalis ang pagkakasandal ng mga siko niya sa steel bar. Isinuksok niya ang kanyang mga kamay sa kanyang slacks.

"That was me playing hard to get and it actually payed of, doesn't it? Tingnan mo naman. Baliw na baliw ka sa'kin ngayon..."

I exhaled through my nose. "Yeah, you're right..." I admitted.

If I was just being the typical me I would reply 'yabang' with a frown at him pero hindi, e. I just have so much in my mind at the moment.

Naramdaman ko ang pagtitig niya sa akin dahil siguro sa naging sagot ko. Maybe he's expecting that I will reply at him sarcastically but I did Other wise. can feel the weight of his stares and as I look back at him I saw his smile disappeared and his eyes are beginning to be taken over by his fear. His jaw tensed.

"You're scaring me..." Pag-amin niya.

I smiled apathetically at him. "You're scaring me, too." I whispered.

Kumunot ang noo niya at napaawang ang kanyang bibig ngunit walang salitang lumabas.

"You see El and Sorelle? I don't want us to be like that... Dati sinasabi ko sa sarili ko na I shouldn't let myself get attached with you because what we have now will only last for a year. Pero ngayon natatakot na ako. I don't want us to last for just a year or two or fifty, Yael. I want us to last for infinite years."

Sabi ko sabay iwas nang tingin. Mariin kong kinagat ang aking pang-ibabang labi. There I just said all of it.

I felt the heat of his body behind me. Ramdam ko na sobrang lapit na niya sa akin. The next thing I felt is his broad chest on the upper part of my back. Ang mga kamay niya ay nasa magkabilang sides ko na at mahigpit ang hawak ng mga iyon sa steel bar.

"We are never going to separate, Beatrix. I won't let that happen." He promised.

Nag-angat ako nang tingin sa kanya. I saw his chin which is starting to grow some stubble. Diretso lang ang tingin niya sa buwan.

"How can you be so sure? We don't know what the future holds, baka ngayon—"

Bigla siyang nagbaba nang tingin sa akin kaya bigla akong natigilan. "Have a little faith, will you? I'm telling you, Trix. I will never let that happen, okay? Ikaw lang ang gusto ko and I'm not planning to be with any other woman unless she's Beatrix."

I bit my lip before giving him a relived smile. "I don't want to be with any other guy, too. I just want you." Napapaos kong sabi.

Napangisi siya. "Can I smack that to Brody's face?"

Natawa ako nang bahagya sa sinabi niya. "You're crazy." Sabi ko bago ko muling inayos ang ulo ko at tumingin na lamang ako sa buwan.

I felt his chin on the top of my head.

He sighed. "God, our two days here in Punta Fuego's a little bit tiring, huh? I just wanna go home and cuddle with you and our baby."

Mas lalo akong napangiti. I want that, too!

Ilang minuto kaming nanatiling ganoon, it was peaceful pero nang magring ang phone ni Yael ay tila ba nawala kami sa sarili naming mundo.

I can't see him but I can feel him fishing his phone in his pocket.

"It's Vien..." he announced.

I frowned. He can't see me anyway! I can even make face and roll my eyes! Or even mouth a 'bitch' with a scowl on my face.

"Hello, Vien?" he cleared his throat. Isang kamay na lang niya ang nakahawak sa steel bar dahil ang isa ay gamit niyang panghawak sa phone niya.

"We're still here in Punta Fuego... what? No, it's alright. I understand. Pero kailangan muna naming pag-usapan ni Beatrix ang tungkol dito."

Nagbaba siya nang tingin sa akin nang banggitin niya ang pangalan ko. I knew because I looked up the moment he mentioned my name.

He exhales deeply. "I will just call you back regarding to this, is that okay? Right, thank you. Bye." Ibinababa niya ang tawag at muling ipinasok ang phone sa kanyang bulsa.

I was just looking up at him the whole time waiting for what he's going to say but to my dismay instead of spilling the beans he just cupped both of my cheeks and made me face the moon and sea instead.

My brows ceased but then he held me by the shoulders to spun me around and face him.

"Ako ang nangangalay sa'yo..." natatawa niyang sabi.

"What did she say? Ano ang dapat nating pag-usapan?" I asked, ignoring his comment.

Doon sumeryoso ang kanyang mukha. Tumingin siya taas at binasa ang kanyang pang-ibabang labi. He remained silent for a moment before finally drawing his attention back to me.

I narrow my eyes at him.

"She said I have to go back to work by next week."

Para akong nanlumo sa anunsyo niya. Shit! Iniisip ko pa lang na hindi na naman namin siya makakasama ng ilang araw o linggo ay naninikip na ang dibdib ko.

I swallowed the lump on my throat and I still managed to hide my dismay.

"Oh... okay."

"Is it okay? I'm sorry, ang sabi ko isang taon akong hindi magta-trabaho pero—"

"It's okay, Yael. I understand. Trabaho 'yan." I cut him off with a smile to assure him that it's really fine with me.

Muli siyang tumingala sabay hinga nang malalim. "Fuck!" he cursed under his breath.

I take a step forward and then I held his masculine arms. "May skype, Yael. Let's just do what we always do before while you're away. Pero this time ay hindi na lang ako ang ka-skype mo, pati si Mikel na rin." I said trying to cheer him up.

"Iiyak siya kapag hindi niya ako nakita... o baka pagbalik ko ayaw na naman niya sa'kin." may lungkot sa kanyang boses.

I let out a soft and comforting laugh. "Ano ka ba , Yael? Matalino ang anak mo. We will explain things to him and I'm sure he'll understand. At hindi ka aayawan ng anak natin! He adores you so much..."

Hindi siya sumagot. He just gave me a faint smile.

"Pero bakit nga pala si Vien ang nagsasabi sa'yo ng tungkol sa trabaho mo? Explain this to me now, Captain Salcedo."

His face soften. "She's the vice chairman of the airline that I'm currently working for."

My mouth hang open. Damn! She is? She's a vice chairman? Of a freaking airline? Wow! RIP Self esteem. This Viennice Frontiero is a full package, huh?

"How come you've never mentioned this to me?" I asked and a hint of hurt is visible in my voice.

He looked at me softly.

"Baby, I forgot... I'm sorry." His face and voice are really sorry. I can tell.

Pumikit ako nang mariin at humugot ng isang malalim na hininga para i-absorb ang lahat ng ito.

"Are you mad? Ayaw mo pa rin ba kay Vien kahit na nag-usap na kayo?" Concern niyang tanong.

I want to frown. Yael told me that day that Vien was there to apologize but she did not. She just came to our house just to insult me.

"I... I can't force myself to like her."

Saglit siyang natahimik saka nagpakawala nang dismayadong buntong hininga.

"I understand..."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko.

"Bakit ba parang ang dating sa'kin ay gustong-gusto mo kaming magkasundo?"

"Because Vien is not how you think she is and she's my friend..." Mahihanon niyang paliwanag sa'kin.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "Paano..." Kinagat ko ang dila ko. Should I continue this? I exhaled harshly. Bahala na.

"Paano kung sabihin kong h'wag mo na siyang kausapin? What if I tell you to disregard her the way you did with Honey and Rhian?" Bigla kong nasabi. I just want to know his answer pero babawiin ko naman iyon kapag pumayag siya sa gusto ko. I'm not that cruel.

He was quite taken aback. Nakaawang ang kanyang bibig at ako naman ay tiim bagang na naghihintay sa sagot niya.

His lips formed a thin line as his jaw tightens. Umiling siya habang nakatingin sa akin. 

"I can't, Trix. I'm sorry."

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3 chapters before the last chapter