KABANATA 28

LOVE YOU TO DEATH

Kinabukasan ay maaga kaming nagising ni Sage. He cooked for our breakfast and we ate in silence. The table was filled spoon and fork's noise only. 

Kasalukuyan siyang naghuhugas ng mga plato ng sinubukan kong magsimula ng usapan.

"Don't call Doctora Saedelyn Montrone na," Pilit ko. "Don't be delusional. I won't be pregnant because I took the shot. It's valid for 6 months kaya kahit 24/7 tayong gumawa ay walang makalusot..." I enlightened him.

Hinugasan niya ang huling pinggan at saka inayos sa rack. Umupo siya sa harap na chair para maging magkatapat kami.

Nakataas ang kanyang kilay at may maliit na ngiti sa kanyang labi habang nakatingin ng pailalim sa akin.

"Alright if that's what you want. I'll work from home the whole week so that I can monitor you  until you're feeling well before I'll gonna go back to the office. The divorce processing was halted but still my Lawyer will talk to you about the asset sharing. All my assets..." Makahulugang sabi niya. "It's your right to know your fair share."

"Sage, ilang beses ba nating pag-aawayan yan? There's no issue with me about your money, you keep it to yourself," matalinhagang turan ko.

"Is it because of..." Lumunok siya at lumapit sa akin. He kneel down at hinawakan ang aking kamay,

"I am wrong... Believe me..." Suyo niya. "It's not what you think. I will do anything and everything to protect you even if I have to sacrifice myself. How can I hate you?..." Lumunok siya at nagpatuloy, "You're the only person I wanted to protect. I'll die for you, Yacinda... If anything bad will happen to you. I don't know how will I go on with life..." He cupped my face at pinunasan niya ang aking luha.

Umiiyak na pala ako, "I am not jealous. Stop toying me, Sage..." 

"One day you will understand why I wanted you to stay away from me from the beginning. I wanted you hate me instead than to see you in danger because of me. Don't worry, everything will be okay soon. I've been working on it for years already. What matters the most is that you are safe..." He paused, "It's just that, things are getting complicated nowadays kaya I want you to stay here or in San Gabriel... Just endure a little bit more," lintaya niya.

There's definitely something wrong. He doesn't want to enlighten me. He wants to keep me in the dark.

His words are evidence that he has set his plans even before. 

He loves me? 

Paniniwalaan ko ba siya?

Mapagkakatiwalaan ba siya?

What is he trying to say...

Protect from what? From whom? Bakit umabot ng taon.

"Okay, I will extend my vacation again, just one month. I can't go on anymore without work after one month."

He smiled at me and he gave me a peck on my lips pero mas lumalim iyon.

I moan when he carry me and walk going to the powder room. Napalunok ako noong binaba niya ako sa sink.

Inayos niya ang aking buhok.

"Hmnnn? Why wife? Anything to say?" Hinaplos niya ang aking labi.

Pinilig ko ang aking ulo. 

Pumikit ako pagkatapos because I got excited.

I crossed my legs because I can feel how wet I am.

He gave me light kiss on the lips at saka ngumiti at tinaasan ako ng kilay. 

Ang walanghiya! He is teasing me pa habang ako ay nahihirapan na!

Hinubad niya ang kanyang polo na suot ko. He got excited when my upper body is exposed to him.

"They got bigger, Yacinda. Fuck!" He stated.

Napalunok ako.

"Are you sure we aren't..." Tumingin siya aking bandang puson, "Even if we did it so many times? Come together so many times? Is there any probability that the medicine won't work?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong.

Lumunok ako sa totoo lang ay hindi ko rin alam. I am not a Doctor to professionally assess my condition.

"I don't know too, I am never pregnant before..." I confessed.

Ngumiti siya.

He dress me up again and I got so disappointed.

"Let's get you take a bath..." he said and carry me towards the room we occupied.

He put me in the bathtub at sumunod siya. Siya ang nanghilod sa aking likod. Iniangat niya at saka ay itinapat sa shower room.

"I miss you so much but I got emergency to do here that morning. I wrote you the note because I was afraid to that I will not be able to do it..." he cleared the issue about his sudden flight.

Nasa vanity mirror na kami at sinisuklay niya ang aking buhok. Katatapos niya akong pinaliguan. I was disappointed because his tongue and fingers do me and not his but I didn't do him kaya bahala siya.

"What will you do now that you stopped our divorce papers?" Tumingala ako, "I thought that's what you want..."

Tumawa siya at saka ay dumungaw sa akin kaya nagkasalubong ang aming tingin.

"It's you who want it, kailan ko sinabi na ipapa walang bisa ko ang kasal natin? Never in my life even if you sue me for forcing you. I will make sure that I will win." He seems persistent and truthful about his words.

I know he can do whatever he set on his mind.

"What if our wedding will be public?" hamon ko.

I am curious.

Nakatingin ako sa kanya through the mirror. Doon niya rin sinalubong ang aking tingin habang nakasandal ang kanyang panga sa kanyang balikat ko.

"You should did what you where thinking sa office. Sana noon pa, I'm actually waiting for you to post me on your sns account. Sooner or later malalaman din ng media yan. Mama and Queziah already caught me red handed. I never thought I can receive a punch from my nephew. He got the guts because he thinks that I am playing you."

Tumayo ako at namewang.

"You did! Pitong taon, Sage! Alam nina kuya Queziah at Mama na..." Tinuro ko siya at saka ko tinuro ang sarili ko, "that... Kasal tayo?..."

Tumango siya, "Yup! Queziah saw the divorce papers first at binigay niya kay Mama. Now you are calling her Mama, iyan ang hinihintay niya sa'yo noon pa man. Bilang kapatid ko but no way! Kaya ilang beses kaming nag-usap na i-give up ang adoption mo."

Laglag ang aking panga sa sinabi niya. Adoption? The Donya has plans to adopt ms before? Kaya ba ganoon ang galit ni Sage sa akin?

What a great plan Kaixus Sage. You don't want me to be your sister because you want to get me pregnant all along?!

"Kailan pa alam ni kuya Queziah?"

"The night before the others came back here," mahinahong sagot niya.

Ibig sabihin ay noong pinatawag siya ng kanyang Mama sa library?

"Don't worry about it. Mama already lectured me. Bakit daw divorce papers agad natin ang nakita niya and she will disowned me if pirmahan ko iyon instead of winning you back. I told her it's okay as long as all my shares will be transferred to you. Malay ko ba baka mamaya ay may nakalusot. Kung hindi lang dahil sa kagaguhan ko ay malalaki na siguro ang anak natin. You stay at home taking care of us while I'll drop off and fetch our kids. I don't want you to exhaust yourself working when you can just sit on my swivel chair and watch what other people do the work if you want to work. You'll work — like a Queen."

Napalunok ako. Is this man nuts?! Kunin ko lahat ng shares mo eh!

"I buy some reit of KS and Delta Conglomerate also from Delmore and Kazurav. Trinidad's and Sevilla's," I told him.

Tumaas ang kanyang kilay, "Really? How do you about investments?" His interest arises.

Naka-upo ako sa upuan niya sa kanyang study table at siya naman ay sa bed at nakatingin sa akin.

"Samantha... I asked her. I consulted to a Stock Broker and Lawyer too..."

He seems impressed with what I said.

"What me to teach you and I'll let you manage KS when I already see that you can manage a bigger company or I'll transfer my shares of MThrone to you?"

"Why not, MThrone Pharmaceuticals?" 

"Yes! Me, Allan Montrone, Ian Montezor, and Silver's. Well we are the three major shareholders. Silver already transferred his shares to Samantha Sevilla and Ian to his fiancée too..." 

Lumunok ako tinitignan siya pailalim. You have so much explanation to do, Kaixus Sage!

"Samantha and Angela are my friends." I cleared my throat.

Parang hindi siya nagulat sa sinabi ko.

"I know. Are you the one who is craving for durian?" 

Tumaas ang kanyang kilay.

"Nnnnnnnnnn... Who told you?" Ika ko sa pautal-utal na boses.

"HAHAHAHA!!! I knew it!" Tumawa siya ng malakas. 

Ngayon ko lang siya nakita na parang maaliwalas ang mukha at sobrang parang mas lalong lumabas ang kanyang kagwapuhan.

"I knew it, sabi ko na, from now on you have to take care of yourself. No late sleep and stay here. I'll fix the things as much as possible and I'll announce our marriage to the family. Sinabi na rin Mama kay Papa ang tungkol sa akin. Sinabi ko na that there's no divorce." He explained.

"You still owe me explanation for everything, Sage. I'll wait for it until you are ready to share." I said, genuinely.

I will give him a second chance at kung sakali man na buntis ako mas lalo kong ayusin ang lahat. Ayoko na lumaki ang aking anak na kagaya ko na walang tatay.

"What did you really do in Cebu? Kasama mo si kuya Calibre?"

"I can't tell you now. I just finished something important and you will benefit from it. I just accidentally meet Wyeth. I don't even know that she is there. Also, she's got a boyfriend already, even before Sabrina and I got issues and the accident happened." 

Napatayo ako sa aking upuan. He and Sabrina broke up? Bakit walang sinasabi sa akin si Sabrina?

"You broke up with Sabrina, kailan pa?" tanong ko.

"During the preliminary competition of Rally Cross I just ended her delusions. We were never an item. She assumed things." 

Nalilito ako. Kahit kailan ay hindi sinabi ni Sabrina sa akin na hindi silang dalawa.

"Bakit walang sinasabi si Sabrina sa akin noon na hindi kayo. Ang sabi niya lang ay hindi mo na sinasagot ang mga tawag niya. She claimed you..." Simangot ko.

"Her sister caught her sleeping with someone else so I ended up everything with her. I admit I keep her to test myself but I just can't cheat. Is that why you went to La Cita without anyone with you dahil sa pinagsasabi niya? Tapos pinauwi mo pa si Felix? You're really looking for trouble. Mabuti at nandoon si Jaramillo at tinawagan ni Driego. By the way, you really didn't see Wyeth that time? There's no suspicious happening around before you saw Sabrina lying on the floor?"

So you are finally believing me? We are finally talking about this normally.  

"Nakabukas ang gate at walang tao. Ang sabi niya lang sa akin ay lumayo ako sa kanya. She might know who did it to her at ayaw niya akong idamay."

He greeted his teeth and his jawline becomes prominent.

"Did they do it purposely? Back to square one again..." Bulong niya pero rinig ko.

"Sadya?!" Sigaw ko, "Stop making me manghuhula! What's the real situation?!" 

"I open the case two years ago. They threatened me but they try until they crawl. I'll stroke them at once."

Sumakit ang ulo ko. I know it's not an ordinary case especially na si Sage ang nag pabukas ng kaso.

"Why'd you do that?" Bulalas ko, "It's already closed."

"It's closed but they can't stop their hands on harassing me even if I gave them the money they want. They became crocodiles to want my shares. Aong tingin nila sa akin? Pinagbigyan ko sila because of you..." Makahulugang sabi niya.

Mas lalo akong nalilito sa pinagsasabi ni Sage. Why there's money involved at bakit anong kinalaman ko sa pera?

"Money? Who asked you money? How much did you gave them? Bakit anong kinalaman ko diyan, why did they extort money from you by using me?"

Lumapit ako sa bed at tumabi sa kanya. Tumayo naman siya at pumunta sa harap ko saka ay umupo at hinawakan ang aking kamay.

"Just no value... What important is that you are safe. No need to drag you into their web of folly."

Impossible Sage. Isang milyon. Dalawa, tatlo o magkano ang kinuha nila sa'yo?

"Does your Mama and Papa knows about it?..."

"Sort of. They just asked why I suddenly transfer the amount to someone else's..."

Hinawakan ko ang kanyang mukha.

You have to tell me Sage. Alam kong hindi biro ang hiningi nila at parang iyan ang kinauubusan ng oras mo imbis na sa akin! Inuuna mo sila. Balak mo pang sarilinin ang problema. 

"How much, Sage? Bakit anong kinalaman ko?..."

Pumikit siya at lumunok bago nagsalita,

"500 Million in one transaction or they will put a gun on your head..." He said, "That's your price for the closed case." 

Natuptop ko ang aking bibig sa gulat.

"I didn't kill her..." I whispered.

Yumakap siya sa akin, "I know, I know..."

"Bakit mo sinunod ang gusto nila?" Litong tanong ko, "Si Lola, baka mamaya ay sila ang may kagagawan sa nangyari kay Lola, Sage..." Iyak ko sa kanya.

"I never killed anyone..." Ulit ko at patuloy sa pag-iyak.

"That's why I need you to stay here or in San Gabriel. If you wanted to work ay dito nalang. I will hire someone to look for you..."

"Pero kaibigan ni ate Czarida mo ang Mama ni Sabrina..." saad ko. 

"Yeah, but she doesn't know a thing about the issue. No one knows... Just you and some of my friends and those bastards. I don't want to involve ate, moreover they are not the target..."

Yumakap siya sa akin, "You are their way that makes holding leash on my neck."

"Bakit ako, Sage?..."

"Because they knew their daughter isn't match with you. Things aren't going well between me and Sabrina. I never courted her. She assumed na kami. Yes..." Lumunok siya, "I got affairs with her but that's it. Sabrina is jealous of you that's why she involved her parents and told them that I am the one who got her pregnant but I swear. I never go beyond kissing her. Never did I got interested in her."

"Ako? Bakit anong meron sa akin? Why is Sabrina jealous of me? We didn't even having a good conversation before," litong tanong ko.

"That day she called you in La Cita I told her to stop contacting you if not, her parents know about what she did, behind their back but she insisted to see you. That guy she was with in the scene when she died is the father of her child. We can't just figure out the weapon he used to kill Sabrina. He is the main suspect and might have accomplice. I told everything to Sabrina's Dad that we are not a couple and I am not the father of her child andtold him to stop asking me money pero makulit ang tatay niya at pati ikaw dinamay. I told him that you didn't kill her daughter but that old man gone ballistic and let you tailed. I just confirmed that day you go home from hospital. The accident was supposed to be for you and not for her but I don't know what's the reason why she did it. Sabrina wants to do bad to you," tuloy-tuloy niyang sabi.

Bumilog ang aking mga mata.

"So... You are paying them for years, just for them not to touch me?..."

Mas lalong nagsihulugan ang aking mga luha.

"Is that why you push me away during our wedding day?" akusa ko.

"They got me tailed just before we arrive at the house and while you are signing our wedding contract someone is watching us pointing a snipper on your head. I did that purposely for them to think that I really don't want to involve with you so I told them that I'll stop wiring money to them but they've tailed you parin. For all the years you are staying in Europe I am thankful because I was able to protect you tighter while gathering evidences but you decided to see me... I miss you much, Yacinda. All the years... I miss you so much."

Ang walanghiya nagbiro pa. Kaya ako umuwi para papirmahin siya ng diborsyo at hindi para maging ganito kalapit sa kanya.

"Things gone ballistic again after you got home. So I had to personally tailed you. I am lucky this time and I learned their technique and I am able to act before them nowadays." He confessed.

"There... everything you wanted to hear. I am in Cebu because I am contacting your Dad. We already talked and he is helping me taking down Sabrina's Dad. Even the guys are involved already after Winston gossip about the situation. I couldn't let them harm even the tip your fingernails..." He kissed my right hand.

"Si Itay? Hinanap mo si Itay?" excited kong tanong.

"The Day that Quinn fetch you. He said that why do you resemble Rednell Sy. So we secretly did a paternity test and when it came out. I talked to them about our situation. Hindi ko pa sana sasabihin hanggang hindi kita nadadala sa kanya pero mabuti na rin ito. I am not happy seeing you being sandwich because out of innocence. I already asked forgiveness from your Dad for not able to protect you and your grandmother..."

Yinakap niya ako.

"I will protect you from them, I will even exchange myself and lost everything not just you..." aniya.

Why are you telling me this things now Sage... I curse you to death but how come that you aren't giving value to yourself.

"Why'd you do that, Sage..." iyak ko.

He kneel down again...

"Why wouldn't I, Yacinda?... tell what's lacking with you..." 

Iyak ako ng iyak. Hindi ko mapigilan.

"Anong meron sa akin? Akala ko ba kahit kailan hindi ko makukuha yang puso mo? Bakit mo ginawa yun, hindi mo naman obligasyon na protektahan ako..." 

"I made a promise to someone..." He smiles,

"Before you are even born. I already vowed to protect you even if I will lost my life. How could I ever forget about you? And..." Lumunok siya, "I have love you to death. Only... You..." bulong niya na punong puno ng pagmamahal.

My ears catches those words. Nagulat ako kaya ay napangiti. 

Lumiliwanag na lahat. Nabubuksan ang mga pahina ng sagot sa mga tanong ko.

"But you always push me away..." tanong ko.

"I tried everything to forget you but your name just run deeply through my veins and rooted deeply to my heart that even death can't erase..."

Tumayo siya at saka ako binuhat. Linapag niya ako sa bed at saka niya nahiga pero isinandal ang ulo sa headboard. Ginaya ko siya.

"I already talked to your Dad. We'll have our formal wedding after I settle the things out. That's why don't be a bullheaded again and do things on your own..." he advised me.

I pouted, "Okay, okay I got it."

Lumingon ako sa kanya and change the topic.

"Does my Dad know about me? Why he isn't contacting me yet? and Rednell I haven't meet him yet. Not anyone of them," may kalungkutang ani ko.

"You already met one of them. Your aunt, Ferida — the Engineer. You even had her business card with you."

"Really? She is my aunt?"

Kaya baka sinasabi niya na pamilyar ako sa kanya. 

"Yup! She is Architect Farris' sister. Let's visit them next week sa Cebu," turan ng asawa ko.

Tumango ako.

Ang saya saya ko! Sobrang saya ko!

That day ay we spent each other at home. Pagdating ng 2 PM ay tinuruan nga niya ako about sa business. Binigyan din niya ako ng mga advises at mga tips tungkol sa negosyo. Nakikita naman niya na okay daw ang shop at kaya kong mag handle ng tao.

Naka-upo kami sa sala. I'm still curious kung ano ang gagawin niya sa pera na binigay niya sa tatay ni Sabrina. Kung ako ang masusunod I will sue them. I will really take legal action dahil milyon milyon iyon. Medyo nahiya pa ako sa nalaman ko na ginawa niya para sa akin. Samantalang ako parang pagyakap lang ata ang nagawa ko sa kanya.

"Bawiin mo ang pera sa kanila. It's not a piso, Sage. They threatened you for Billion and they will do it until you don't threaten them back... hindi pwede ang ganyan. If you are considerate enough and I will not just sit and watch lalo na at ako ang kanilang dinadahilan.  Pwes. Hindi ako takot sa tatay ni Sabrina. I don't care if they are close friend with your cousin. If they want my head they should try to fight me face to face. I will take legal action, Sage..." I said with finality.

He seems really really impressed.

"Your Father already take a legal action."

Talaga?! Ano kaya ang kaya ang reaksyon ni Itay noong nalaman niya ang tungkol sa akin?

Medyo napalunok ako,

"Ano ang sinabi ni Itay noong sinabi ang tungkol sa akin at sa nangyayari?"

"He already called your cousin and take legal action against Sabrina's father. We did legal action together while the case is re-opened. 

"Sino sa tingin mo ang gumawa sa kanya niyon? Iyong bang lalaki? O baka may iba?"

"According to the man. He never did anything wrong. He just confront Sabrina that day at saka ay nagpahatid kay Wyeth dahil hindi niya kabisado ang La Cita."

"Kaya ba ako ang dinidiin ni Wyeth na pumatay sa ate niya? Dahil sinabi ng lalaki that he isn't the killer? What if hindi ang lalaki pero someone else? Like Wyeth? Her sister..." saad ko.

"That's impossible for Wyeth to do that." Aniya, "She can't even kill an ant. She never complains even if Sabrina gets her things and even if she will be scolded because of her sister but she's under investigated too. Devon involved her."

I still doubt Wyeth. She is a Doctor yes, but her lavish lifestyle is questionable.

"Does Wyeth get money from her parents? Sa kanya ba napupunta ang pera na kinukuha ng magulang niya sa'yo, Sage?" I asked directly.

"Maybe... We aren't that close..." 

"Not that close?! Bakit nasa kwarto mo siya noong birthday ni Gareth?! Bakit may nakakita daw sa kanya na pumasok sa sasakyan mo at nakangiti na paglabas pagkatapos ng trenta minuto sa loob kasama ka?!" Walang preno na lintaya ko.

"She is having a headache noong birthday ni Gareth at saka natapunan siya ng wine. She doesn't have a room kaya pinagamit ko ang shower room ng kwarto na binigay sa akin ni Gareth pero kung alam ko lang ang plano ng  babae na iyon ay hindi ko na siya pinapasok. I never let her inside my car. Any of my car... I told you I am not close with her even before when we are younger..."

Baka naman pinagpapantasyahan ka Sage pero hindi mo lang alam dahil sa sobrang kabaitan mo? I still doubt Wyeth's alibi. I won't buy it.

I will ask someone to help me. Gusto kong paimbestigahan si Wyeth at ang kanyang pamilya ng hindi alam ni Sage.

I might ask for help kay Wynther dahil baka kasi kapag sa dalawa kong kaibigan ay malalaman ng kanilang mga asawa.

The next day ay agad akong tumawag kay Wynther.

"Ikaw, iniwan mo ako..." Pekeng iyak ang narinig ko mula sa kabilang linya, "Ako lang ang naiwan mag-isa doon. Mabuti nalang at meron si Calibre na nakikipag-usap sa akin. Kawawa ako." Patuloy pa niya at humihingi ng simpatiya sa akin.

"I'm sorry Wynther. I had an emergency. I call you para sana humingi ng tulong. I need a private investigator. It's really important. I just wanted to gather as much information. It's Wyeth Cabral. I wanted to know everything about her and her family. Wynther, they are threatening someone using me, recently ko lang nalaman. I am willing to pay any amount. I really need to know everything as soon as possible but please, tayo lang sana ang makakaalam nito because it involves money... Her dad and his team have been asking ransom from my husband..."

Sumisipol siya kanina pero ngayon ay napahinto. Akala ko ay wala na akong kausap pero pagtingin ko sa screen ng cellphone ko ay nag ra-run ang minutes ng call.

"Oh my goodness! You are married?! Kanino? Bakit hindi ako invited? Kailan pa?" Sunod sunod na parang bomba ang tanong niya.

Pumikit ako na parang nahuli at nasa harap ko siya.

"I'll explain it to you next time. I need the information until next week. I am taking legal action kasi. I wanted to be prepared... My husband is just an ordinary one."

I let her know about my plan.

"I know a tea about Wyeth. I'll help you with it. I will contact a reliable source. Dagdagan niya nalang ang mga nakuha niya before pero balikan kita tungkol sa asawa mo ha... I will shut up my mouth. Promise ko yan. As a sign of friendship."

Napanatag ako dahil sa tinuran ni Wynther.

Kaso ay hindi ko nasabi kung magkano ang asked price ng PI niya.

Hindi naman naabutan ni Sage ang pag-uusap namin si Wynther kanina. He is preparing sa aming meryenda kasi katatapos niya akong turuan about bookkeeping.

He said that I should enter into university dahil puro online school naman ang mga unibersidad ngayon pero ang sabi ko ay saka na kapag maayos na ang lahat.

Tumawag ako kina Paula pagsapit ng Sabado at nagulat ako sa kanyang sinabi.

"May isang babae kanina, nagtatanong tungkol sa iyo kahapon. Kilala mo daw siya pero sinabi ko na nasa business trip ka at hindi ka makakauwi ng ilang buwan. Ang suspicious niya. Hindi pa bumili ng kahit ano pero nag-take out ng snacks..."

"Paula. Magpapadagdag ako ng security. I already informed Peter about it. Paula..." Binitin ko ang aking sasabihin kay Paula.

Nagdadalawang isip ako kung sasabihin ko ang nalaman ko.

"Paula... Si Sage..." sumbong ko.

"Bakit? Anong nangyari sa kanya?" tanong niya.

"Si Sage..." ulit ko.

"Anong meron sa asawa mo?..." tanong niya.

"Someone is threatening him. Through out the years. Papatayin daw ako kung hindi siya magbibigay ng pera... Natatakot ako para sa kanya Paula. Paano niya nakaya ang lahat ng iyon sa ilang taon?" kwento ko.

"Oh my goodness! Yacinda, paanong hindi niya sinumbong sa pulis? Alam ba ng Don at Donya ang nangyayari?" 

"Hindi, ayaw niyang ipaalam sa kanila. Tayo lang ang nakakaalam. Kahit sina kuya Calibre ay hindi alam. Ni mga kapatid niya o mga pamangkin niya hindi alam, tanging mga kaibigan at mga pinsan niya lang. They are tracking down Sabrina's father already. Bilyones ang perang nakuha sa asawa ko mula noon pa man."

"Nakakagulat naman iyan. Mabuti at hindi nalugi si sir Kaixus sa ginawa nila sa kanya. Nasaan ka na ngayon? Mag-iingat ka at baka mamaya ay totohanin nila ang banta sa iyong asawa. Ano ba kasi ang puno't dulo?" Paula is curious.

"Hindi ko rin alam. Ang sabi sa akin ni Sage ay simula noong namatay si Sabrina at pinagbintangan na ako ang gumawa sa kanya nun..." Kumpisal ko.

"Eh, hindi mo naman kasalanan iyon. Nabasura na nga iyong kaso eh. Isapa ay kung ganyan ang ginagawa nila. Baka hindi lang iyan ang gawain nila, baka mamaya naman ay may kinalaman sila sa mga maling gawain ng mga naka upo sa kapulisan at mga kasundaluhan? Baka iyang tatay ni Sabrina na iyan ay tiwaling opisyal noon..." 

Paula has an idea. Sabihan ko si Wynther na sabihin na private investigator na tignan ang records ng tatay ni Sabrina. Simula noong nanungkulan bilang sundalo at maging heneral siya. Baka mamaya ay totoo ang hula ni Paula.

"Hindi ko alam Paula pero ang importante ay alam ko na kahit papaano ang sitwasyon ngayon. Pero hindi pa sinasabi sa akin lahat ni Sage ang kanyang balak. Kaya mag-ingat kayo diyan dahil alam nila na diyan ako sa shop nagtratrabaho. Sa ngayon ay ipapabantay ko kayo. Sabihan ko rin sina Veniz at iba mamaya."

"Asahan mo na walang makakaalam ng sinabi mo ngayon. Basta mag-iingat ka palagi diyan," habilin pa ni Paula.

Tinapos ko ang call sa kanya dahil mag la-live selling na daw sila at ako naman ay inaantok na. Sobra talagang nagiging antukin ako ngayon.

Nagdadalawang isip tuloy ako na mag take ng pregnancy test. Pero imposibleng may mabuo dahil pang anim na buwan ang pinili ko na gamot at hindi ang pang one month. Hindi kasi ako dinatnan kung pang isang buwan ang itinurok sa akin na gamot ni Doctora Saedelyn. Hindi naman siya magsisinungaling sa akin dahil ako ang kliyente niya at hindi si Sage.

Para mapanatag ang aking isipan ay mag te take ako ng pregnancy test bukas. I already get help kay Cristine dahil nurse siya. Nagpabilin ako ng pregnancy test na sampu at sinabi ko na i sealed niya at ibigay kay Bentley o kay Fire at sabihing para sa akin para hindi halungkatin ni Sage.

Kinapa ko ang aking puson.

Tingnan natin bukas kung ano ba talaga ang aking nararamdaman. Kung buntis ba ako gaya ng haka haka ni Sage o talagang dala lang ng stress kaya nagiging ganito ako.

I heave a long long sigh before I take a nap.