Chapter 005

"Kaizer?" Katok ni Zahara sa pintuan ng silid nito.

It took a few moments before her son opened the door.

"Yes Mama?"

"Can I come in? I wanted to talk to you about something." Pakiusap niya.

Tumango ito at marahang ibinuka ang pintuan, "Okay, come in Mama."

Pagpasok ay doon niya lang napagtanto kung bakit natagalan ito sa pagbukas ng pintuan. He was busy rummaging his closet. Mukhang naghahanap ito ng mga damit na dadalhin para sa kanyang pag-alis papuntang Harvard.

Zahara can't help herself but to smile.

"Is there something wrong Mama?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Kaizer.

She sat on the edge of the bed while watching her son look around his closet. 

"I just wanted to give you a heads up about something," natigil sa pagkilos si Kaizer. He pulled a chair and sat across from his Mother. 

"Yes?"

"I'm getting married. But first before you say anything negative or before you oppose, can you listen to Mama first?"

Bubuka na sana ang bibig nito nang pigilan siya ni Zahara. He nod and quietly sat there to listen to the whole situation. Sa pagkakaalam niya kasi ay walang nobyo si Zahara. She didn't even have any past lovers except his biological Dad kaya hindi niya maiwasang mag-alala.

"It's just a deal. Business marriage to be exact. It will only last for a year. Just to help your Daddylo's friend get back on their feet."

"One year?"

"Yes anak."

"Purely business?"

"Yes."

"When will you get married?"

Ramdam ni Zahara ang pag-aalangan ng anak niya. He's worried for her, iyon ang sigurado. Sa ilang taon na silang dalawa lang ang madalas na magkatuwang ay kilalang kilala na niya ito.

"We will still discuss that soon. The family I'm marrying into is in the Philippines. Uuwi muna ako roon at makikipag-usap sa kanila tungkol sa kasal."

"Philippines?" his eyes twinkle, "That's where my Papa is? Right?"

She was shocked pero hindi niya ito pinahalata. "Y-Yes, why?"

"Can I go with you?"

"But you have your summer program remember? Siguro mas mainam na sumunod ka nalang pagkatapos."

"Can I meet Papa if I get the chance?"

Naiyukom ni Zahara ang kanyang kamao. Back then when Kai started to get curious about his Dad ay nangako si Zahara na ipapakilala ito kung sakaling umuwi sila ng Pilipinas at magkaroon ng pagkakataon. Inamin niya sa anak na ayaw niyang makita pa ang tatay nito. But if destiny gives them a chance to meet, then she will gladly surrender.

"Oo naman. Kaya galingan mo sa Harvard okay?"

"I'll make you proud, Mama."

Lumipas ang gabi na iyon ng mas mabagal kaysa sa nakasanayan. Masyadong maraming bagay ang naglalaro sa isip ni Zahara. 

And when the day of her flight back to the Philippines arrived ay kamuntikan pa siyang umatras. The only person with her was her Father's butler. He swore that he will serve her as he serves his original master. 

Ayaw naman sana ni Zaharang tanggapin ang tulong nito pero alam niyang kakailanganin niya rin ito ngayon.

Lalo na ang isa na rin siyang estranghero sa bansang pinagmulan niya.

When she arrives everything was already prepared for her. The house she's staying in, the cars she will using during her stay. Lahat ay inihanda na ni Hector bago pa man siya dumating. He wanted things to go as smooth as possible. Para hindi na rin mahirapan ang anak niya.

Hindi pa agad napagdesisyunan ni Zahara na mag-arrange ng meeting kasama ang mapapangasawa niya. She wanted to settle in first and get comfortable before making her first move.

"How is it there, Mama?"

She's now on a video call with her son. Hindi pa rin tapos ang klase nito. Sa susunod na linggo naman ay lilipad na rin siya papuntang Harvard.

"Hot, polluted and irritating. You'll surely hate it here Kai. How about there? Kamusta kayo?"

"Daddylo is noisy as usual. We went to the vineyard yesterday. Bukas ay manonood kami ng karera—"

"Hay nako talaga. Basta huwag kang magpupuyat. Inuman mo ang mga vitamins mo. And please remind your Daddylo about his maintenance."

"Yes Mama I'll take note of that po."

Zahara spent her first few days roaming around the city. Nag-iipon din siya ng lakas ng loob na dumalaw sa ampunan na pinanggalingan niya. And when she had enough courage to visit ay sinamahan siya ni Sevi at pinagmaneho papunta roon.

"Stop. Dito na lang tayo."

She instructed him to park one block away. Ayaw niyang lumapit at baka may makakita sa kaniyang madre.

"Sevi, can you arrange something for me?"

"What is it my lady?"

"Can you donate to that orphanage? But keep my name anonymous?"

"I can do that. But why? Don't you want them to know?"

"It's too complicated—"

Natigil siya nang mapansin ang isang kotse na huminto sa harapan ng ampunan. Lumabas mula rito ang isang lalaking nakasuot ng damit pang opisina. Malayo ang pwesto nila mula roon pero kilalang kilala niya ang lalaking lumabas sa kotse.

The kids from the orphanage ran towards him. Pati ang mga madre ay masaya siyang sinalubong at binati.

Kilalang kilala niya kung sino iyon. 

Sa tindig pa lamang nito, kahit sa malayo at makikilala na niya kaagad. She felt her like her head was about to explode. Pakiramdam niya ay nag-iinit ang mukha niya sa sobrang galit at inis.

She slammed her fist on the dashboard. Hindi niya napigilang magtaas ng boses.

"What the hell is he doing here? Bakit nandyan si Arkhon!?"