Chapter Five

Chapter Five

"JUSMIYO Marimar! Hanggang kailan ka ba magmumukmok, Jann? Ilang araw ka ng tahimik at malungkot. Para kang sinasapian. Wait, don't tell me,” he paused and glared at her. “Nakipagkita ka sa ex mong bakla 'no?" pang aakusa pa ni April.

Hindi mapigilang mapatirik ng mata si Jann, "Maka-bakla ka naman, teh? Babae ka, ha?"

Pumalakpak si April, "Ganiyan ang kilala kong Jann! Hindi yung daig pa ang namatayan. Lumaklak ka nga ng enervon nang maboost yang energy mo, teh! Saka bakla ako, teh. Pero never akong nagpanggap na Junjun! Saka 'di ko nga kayang makipagdate sa isang tahong!"

"Ang daldal mo, Nag-iisip ako!" hindi maiwasang mapabusangot niyang sabi sa kaibigan.

"Wow, ha! Limang araw kang nag-iisip kaya 'di ka makausap nang maayos? Ano makikipagbalikan ka sa bakla mong ex?"

"April naman! H'wag mo na ngang isali rito si Stephen. This is not about him, okay?"

"Eh, so tao ang iniisip mo?" pang-uusisa pa nito.

She rolled her eyes in annoyance, "God! Manahimik ka na nga lang."

"Magsasabi ka o magsasabi ka?"

Napataas ng dalawang kamay si Jann. Na ibig sabihi'y suko na siya. She grunted and glared at April.

"Remember nung wedding sa resort?"

"Alin ba dun?" nagtatakang ani ni April saka umupo sa swivel chair kaharap siya.

“Remember the kids I befriended right? 'Yung napagkamalan akong kidnapper. I saw them in the supermarket and I got invited to their house. I was—”

Napagisi si April. "Kinuha mo naman talaga, ah!"

"Magkukwento ako o hindi?"

"Go! Kwento ka, teh! Shut up na me!" umaaktong nagsasara ito ng zipper.

"So I was in their house. I was being friendly with the maids while I was there. I was in the kitchen with them kaso nagpaalam na iihi. I was bored and decided to take a look with what Manang Lucia was cooking. Then Sansrif came and he was mad, he was shouting and accusing me of trespassing.”

"So your point is? Ano? Nagkakagusto ka na sa tatay?" he said while raising his brows.

"Hindi, ah!"

"Weh? Alam mo, Jann. Wala namang masamang umamin. Pero tandaan: marami pang lalaki sa mundo. Don't settle for a married man. Remember! Kasalanan ang umapid sa may pamilya na." he said and reached for her hand.

"Hindi nga ganoon ang nangyari! He could've been nicer you know. Hindi na kailangan pang sigawan ako,” madrama niyang sabi. Masakit para sa kanya ang nangyari. Never in her life na sinigawan siya at minura-mura

pa.

“So ano naman issue mo? Tapos na, you should've move on. Hindi mo na naman siguro pa sila makikita pa.”

Kahit kating-kati na siyang sabihing nagkapasa siya sa higpit na pagkakahawak ni Sansrif sa kanya. Nanatili siyang tahimik, alam niyang magwawala si April 'pag nakita ang malaking pasa niya sa braso. Ilang araw na siyang nagsusuot ng longs sleeve sa takot na makita ang pasa niya.

“'Yun nga nag-away kami!”

Umismid si April, "Matagal ba kayong magkilala para umasta ka nang ganito? Unless, may gusto ka sa kaniya. Naku, qouta na 'ko sa katangahan moments mo, teh! Alam mo, Jann. There's nothing wrong with falling in love. But being in love with a married man is a sin lalong lalo na kung ipipilit mo ang sarili mo sa kaniya."

She grunted, "Biyudo siya, okay? Pero hindi yun ang punto ko."

April raised his brow, "Don't lie to me, Jann. We're practically soul sisters. And ten years na tayong magkaibigan. Kilalang-kilala kita mula ulo hanggang kalyo mo sa paa. 'Pag nagiging ganito ka, it's either you're broken hearted or you're falling in love."

“Mali! None of the above. Ang pinuputok ng neurons ko ay kung bakit gano'n ang trato niya sa 'kin. I thought we're civil. He could've act nicely naman, eh. Tao kaya ako ano, hindi hayop na puweding sigawan agad. Hindi man lang nagtanong.”

"Hindi ko alam kung nasa'n na punta ang katalinuhan mo, Sis! Siyempre magagalit o maiinis yun, ilang beses ka lang niyang nakita. Ta's madadatnan ka niya sa bahay niya, sinong hindi mabi-beast mode dun, teh?"

Umismid siya ,"He could react nicely naman, ah."

"I don't if you're just being tanga-tanga. O, umaandar yang love meter mo. Bahala ka sa buhay mo, uy! Napapagod na 'kong mag-explain. Parating ako na lang ang nagpapaliwanag. Nakakasawa na, charot!"

“Tseh! Wala ka naman lovelife. Maka-hugot 'tong baklang 'to,” paismid-ismid pang sabi niya.

Napatirik ng mata si April at napaismid, "Atleast, hindi tanga."

Hindi alam ni Jann kung bakit hindi maalis sa isip niya ang naging engkwentro nila ni Sanrif. She doesn't need to worry about him because he is a total stranger. Maybe Jann know something about him and his family, pero kaunting impormasyon lang yun. God! Can I just stop thinking about him?

Imbis na isipin niya ang heartbreak niya, mas naiisip niya pa ang estrangherong ilang beses niya lang nakita. She could not forget his cold eyes, his stoic expression. Na kahit siguro kilitiin mo, hindi tatawa. She felt like she need to help him. Ano naman ang itutulong ko sa kanya? Ano? Katangahan advice, ganern?

Sa buong buhay niya sa tatlong bagay lang umiikot ang mundo niya. Una, pamilya. Pangalawa, ang trabaho niya. Pangatlo, lalaki. Ilang lalaki na ang minahal niya at sinaktan siya, pero sige, go lang siya ng go. Kahit ilang beses pang maging tanga at sumadsad sa sahig. Naniniwala siya na kahit ilang beses man siyang magkamali o masaktan sa pag-ibig. Magmamahal pa rin siya, because love keeps her breathing. It keeps her striving to live.

"Jann, may naghahanap sa 'yo."

"Sino?"

Nagtatakang tanong ni Jann. Kung may dadalaw man sa kaniya mga kapatid niya kadalasan, pero dumideretso naman ito sa opisina niya.

"It's for you to find out. Pagbalik mo, mag-uusap tayo nang masinsinan."

Napataas naman ng kilay siya sa sinabi ni April, "Ano na namang mali ang ginawa ko?"

"Mamaya na tayo mag-usap. Lumabas ka, mahiya ka naman sa bisita mo."

Wala na siyang nagawa pa. Padabog siyang umalis sa opisina nila. Paglabas niya sa opisina, sumalubong sa kaniya ang nakangiti niyang empleyado. She raised her brows.

“Stop smiling Tin. You look like crazy!” pabiro pang sabi niya.

"Ay, si Ma'am kunyari walang alam. Ikaw, Ma'am hindi ka nagsasabi, may bago ka na pala. Akala ko kayo pa ni Sir Stephen."

"H'wag mong ipaalala sa 'kin ang baklang 'yun. Tumataas ang alta presyon ko 'pag naalala ko ang kabaklaan niya."

"Bitter much, Ma'am?" humahagikgik pang sabi ni Tin.

"I'm not bitter. I'm much better without him. As in letter e not i, God! Nasaan ba 'yung bwisita?"

"Ay, naku, Ma'am. Hindi siya bwisita. Biyaya siya ng poong may kapal!"

"Ewan ko, sa 'yo, Tin. Isusumbong kita kay George, ang keri mo!"

"Ay, si Ma'am killjoy!" pagrereklamo pa nito.

"Heh!"

Iniwan niya ang empleyado. Hindi niya maipaliwanag pero palakas nang palakas ang tibok ng puso niya. Habang papalapit siya lalaki nakatitig sa mga litratong nakadisplay sa dingding. She couldn't help but stare at his broad back and his firm butt. Aminado siya, kakaiba man pakinggan ay mahilig siya sa lalaking malalapad ang likod at matambok ang pwet. God gracious! Patawarin niyo 'ko! Ave Maria Purizima!

She cleared her throat, "Excuse me, Sir?"

But seconds later, her mouth gaped in surprise. Her lips quivered, parang nagkabuhol-buhol ata ang utak niya saglit. Agad naman siyang tumalima sa pagkakatulala lalo na't nakita niyang bahagyang umangat ang sulok ng labi ng lalaki.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

Sansrif, ang lalaking estranghero. Hindi siya makapaniwala  na makita ang lalaki ngayon. Lalo pa't hindi maganda ang pagkikita nila noong nakaraang araw.

"I came here to apologize."

She couldn't help but sarcastically smile, "Sorry? For what for dragging me out of your house like I was a criminal?”

"I know, and I'm sorry for that. Masyado lang akong busy sa trabaho. Ngayon lang ako nagka-oras na puntahan ka."

"You're so busy, that you can't even take care of your children."

Pakiramdam niya hindi dahil gusto nitong humingi ng tawad kaya siya pinuntahan. Maari naman na kalimutan na lang siya ng lalaki, dahil maliwanag pa sa sikat ng araw. Hindi sila magkaibigan o kung ano paman.

"What's the catch? I'm sure napipilitan ka lang mag-sorry. Wala sa tabas ng mukha mo ang humingi ng pasensya."

Sansrif smirked making her heart leaped in surprise, “I need your help.”

Her brows furrowed in confusion, "Why would I help you? I don't really even know you. Sa tingin mo papayag ako lalo pa sa ginawa mo? You treated me badly, you could've let me leave your house by not dragging me. May paa ako!” nagpupuyos sa galit niyang turan.

Naalala niya ang araw na iyon, umuwi siyang iyak nang iyak dahil sa kahihiyan at takot.

Sansrif smiled, but she could see sadness in his eyes. Parang lumambot agad ang puso ng dalaga sa lalaki. She could feel a lumped on her throat.

“This is not about me. I know, we started at the wrong foot. And I'm sorry. Ayaw ko lang talagang may ibang tao sa bahay. Lalong-lalo na sa kusina. My wife loves to cook, it was her safe haven. That's the only place where I can feel her presence, si Manang lang ang pinapayagan kung magluto. Dahil sa kanya natutong magluto ang asawa ko.”

Suddenly, she felt guilty. Hindi naman siya nagtress pass. Pero parang ganoon na rin, lalo pa't hindi ang binata ang nagpapapasok sa kaniya kundi ang bata at ang kasambahay.

"I'm sorry," ani niya sa mababang boses. Pakiramdam niya ang sama niya at ang insensitive! But that doesn't mean ay walang maling ginawa ang binata.

“You don't have to say sorry. I know I was rude, I shouted at you without even asking you. I even dragged you out of my house. I was not thinking right, I was under so many stress plus it triggered when I saw you. It reminded me of my deceased wife, I know what I did was cruel. But I really want to ask you a favor for the twins.”

Kinabahan naman siya bigla, “May nangyari sa kanila?”

Sansrif smiled a faint one, “No they are actually fine. They are not talking to me, Ching saw what I did to you. She was angry and cried whenever I try to talk to them. Chan on the other hand became naughtier. He would do pranks with the maids and the guards. Last night I tried to talk to them since their birthday is comin—”

“So you want me to talk to them?”

Sansrif sighed, “Sa 'yo lang sila nakikinig. I was already planning for their birthday. I asked them what they want and they said they want you. I may not be a good father but as long as I can give it to them, Ibinibigay ko. I want my kids to be happy, if their happiness is you. That's totally fine with me.”

“So what do you want me to do?” she asked, nalilito na siya sa pinupunto ng lalaki.

“I want you to take care of them. I can pay you a huge money,” he offered which made her angry.

“I am not after your money. I can't take care of your kids 'cause I have my own job. But I can make time for them.”

Tila nabunutan ng tinik ang lalaki at ngumiti, “Thank you! I really appreciate it.”

She tilted her head sideways, “I am not doing this for you. I am doing this for the kids.”

“Can I take you for dinner?"

Napataas ang kilay niya sa sinabi ng binata.

"Well, the kids had been looking for you. I want to surprise them."

"Fine, for the kids." She uttered

"What time are you available later?"

Tumingin siya sa wrist watch niya, "I'll be available at five thirty. Early dinner, since I have tons of files to edit."

"I'll fetch you here, later. I need to go, I have meeting with a client."

She didn't answer, she just nodded at what he said. He left seconds later. She saw how he gracefully leave their studio. She can't deny he really looked good, especially he's wearing a tuxedo. Halatang yayamanin ito. Sa suot palang nitong rolex na naghuhumiyaw ng karangyaan. Mismo ang sasakyan nitong sports car.

“Jann Michelle!”

“Ay kabayo!” sigaw niya sa gulat ang sumigaw ang kaibigan niya.

April was standing meters from her with his arms crossed. He was looking at her intently. He started to walk towards her slowly, it made her heart thumped in fear. Alam niyang uulanin siya nito ng tanong.

“Care to explain everything?” he said while smirking.

She groaned, “Stop acting like a villain in a movie!”

Hinampas siya nito sa braso, she wanted to whimper in pain. Hindi pa nawala ang pasa niya sa braso pero mukhang madadagdagan pa.

“Magsasalita ka o pasasabugin ko ang bungo mo.”

“God, April! Quit it, para kang tanga.”

Tumawa ito na para bang mangkukulam na ikinaikot ng mata niya sa inis.

“Sa 'yo pa talaga nang galing ang salitang tanga. Kumusta ka naman na isa sa nominado sa Gawad Ulirang Tanga ngayong taon.”

“Heh! Manahimik ka!”

“In a serious note, what is he doing here!” biglang sumeryoso ang mukha ng kaibigan niya.

“He asked fo a favor if I could  take for his kids,” she said.

He wiggled his brows, “Are you sure?”

“Yep!” she nodded, “nothing less, nothing more.”

“Malaki ka na, Jann. Basta alam mo na ang tama at mali, huwag na huwag paiiralin agad ang puso, okay?”

Pabiro niyang hinampas ang kaibigan, “Sira! Hindi ako nilalande nun ano. Mahal pa nga niya ang asawa niyang namayapa na. Baka bumangon sa hukay kapag nilandi ko asawa niya.”

“Baliw!”

They both laughed.

*****

“I AM REALLY SORRY!” she said as soon as she reached out their table.

“Mommy Jann!” the two screamed when they saw her.

She saw how Sansrif reaction changed when he heard what the kids called her.

Pagak siyang tumawa, “Ate Jann na lang, kids!”

“No, it's fine. I should be the one asking if it is okay with you with what the kids calls you,” Sansrif said, he stood up and pulled a chair for her.

“Thank you,” she said as she sat down.

“I'm sorry I was late, I had to do something.” She explained and glance at the two kids who's beaming at her.

“I think we should it first,” Sansrif said.

He signaled the waiter to come. Ang atensyon naman niya ay na sa dawalang bata.

“How are you two?” she asked and caress Ching's face.

Napakagandang bata, she was only wearing a simple pink dress and paired with pink head band. Chan on the other hand was wearing a white polo paired up with black pants.

“Good, Mommy!” sabay na sigaw ng dalawa.

She chuckled, “Naku, mukhang ang saya niyo ngayon, ah. Did something happened?”

“Mommy!” sabay na sabi nung dalawa.

“Me first!” Ching said.

“No, me! I am older than you!” Chan argued.

Halos maluha siya kakatawa sa pagtatalo nung dalawa, “You two, stop. Ganito na lang, let's play a game. Ang manalo, siya ang unang magkukwento sa 'kin. Game?”

“What game, Mommy?” asked Chan.

“Do you know, bato-bato, pick?” she asked. “In English, it is rock, paper, scissor.”

“Our classmates taught us, Mommy. I know that,” pagbibida pa ni Ching. She pinched her cute nose lightly.

“I know that too!” Chan said.

“Okay, now. You play that game and who ever wins will tell me a story first.”

The two glared at each other, nagpapasiklaban kung sino ang unang magkukwento sa kanya.

“Ready?” she paused and glanced at the two who's already clenching their fist. “Bato-bato, pick!” pakanta niya pang sambit.

Ching got scissor and Chan got rock.

“So this time, si Chan muna ang unang magkukwento, okay lang ba Baby Ching?”

Ching bursted in tears, nataranta naman siya agad nang mag-uunahang tumulo ang luha nito.

“Stop crying, Ching. You will your time to tell me your story naman.”

“But I wanna tell you story first!” Ching said between her tears.

“Mommy,” Chan said in a small voice.

Tumingin agad siya sa batang lalaki, he's about to cry. His nose was red and his lips where pouting.

“Can Ching tell you a story first? I can wait naman po.”

“Oh, God! You're both so adorable! Don't worry, you can tell me stories as many as you want. We have a lot of time, I am pretty sure of that.”

Isang tikhim ang nagpahinto sa pagkukulitan nilang tatlo. It was Sansrif, nakalimutan niyang hindi lang pala silang tatlo ang naroon.

“The food will be serve now, you can continue your chitchat later. First you two need to eat, hindi daw kayo masyadong kumakain sabi ni Yaya Marie niyo.”

Tama nga ang sinabi ni Sansrif, the food was serve immediately. Tahimik lang siya kumakain, nakaramdam siya ng hiya. Kung kani-kanina lang ay komportable siya. Ngayon ay napalitan ng pagkaasiwa. Paminsan-minsan ay sinusubuan niya ang dalawa tuwing na papansing pinaglalaruan ang kanilang pagkain. Hanggang sa inuna na niya ang pagpapakain sa dalawa.

“Mommy, I am full.” Ching said.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

Tumango ang batang babae bilang sagot sa tanong niya.

“Mommy I am still hungry po,” singit naman ni Chan na ikinangiti niya.

Kahit hirap siyang abutin  ito ay sinusubuan niya pa rin ito. Nawala ang gutom na naramdaman niya kanina. Patuloy siya sa pagsubo ng pagkain kay Chan kahit nangangalay na siya.

“Chan eat your food. Let your—” he paused for a while and cleared his throat. “Mommy Jann to eat, you're already a big, you should learn how to eat without any help from anyone.”

“Yes po, Daddy.”

Sansrif smiled for a second, “Very good, son.”

However his smile didn't reached his eyes. She could see the sadness in his eyes. Maybe he has a reason why he's a little distant to his kids. Maybe it reminded him for the family he supposed to have. It reminded him the fairytale that ended tragically. He may have two treasures but he lost his heart and soul.

She bit her lower lip as she felt her heart clenched in sadness. By looking at his eyes she could feel a little of his pain. It was hard for him to raise two kids that reminded him of his wife. He's supposed to have a complete happy family but before they could create memories they lost their chance.

She maybe a stranger to their family but she wish happiness for them. They may not have the chance to be complete as a family but they are still a family. She hoped for Sansrif to realize things, to spend more time with his kids and to treasure the twins so much. His wife gave up her life for these two wonderful kids.

In life sometimes we see everything as a problem but we only need to look  beyond. There's always a rainbow after the rain, one day. Sansrif will have his genuine happiness.