Chapter 3

#MTDC03: PROBLEM UNSOLVED

I had no idea how I got home safe and unscathed when I drove home while tearing up. Furious was an understatement to what I feel right at this moment. I think I'm about to explode. My pregnancy, Wesley, and... Red. I just couldn’t believe how things were all messed up. Sobrang biglaan… Hindi ko na alam kung anong dapat gawin.

Just the mere thought of Red, I think, I’m about to lose my sanity. All this time, he’s been trying to prove himself to my father that he’s worthy of me. He’s just waiting for the perfect time for us. And yet, here I am, that ruined all his plans.

“R-Red…” His name is a sore in my heart. I’m continuously breaking. My conscience is overpowering my whole system.

Sinabunutan ko ulit ang sarili nang maalala ko na naman ang pagmumukha ni Wesley. That asshole’s image inside my head is making me puke. Hindi ako makapaniwala na may isang bagay nang nag-uugnay sa akin at sa taong ‘yun. Hinawakan ko ang tiyan ko. This thing inside me was just a few weeks old, but it’s already starting to ruin my life. Ano pa kaya kapag lumaki pa ‘to?

My parents… I’m dead if they’ll find out about this. Lalo na si Papa, siguradong hindi niya ako mapapatawad kapag nalaman niyang nabuntis ako ng ganun-ganun na lang. 

Mariin kong ipinikit ang mga mata habang walang tigil pa rin sa pagbuhos ang mga luha ko. Hindi ko na alam kung ilang oras na akong umiiyak. My tears were like a broken faucet, it won’t stop from flowing.

“I-I need to get rid of this,” I uttered with my groggy voice . Halos hindi ko na makilala ang sarili kong boses. “I d-don’t want you. I don’t want you…” I said again and again, while I’m starting to hit my tummy real hard. 

Siguro ay namamanhid na nga ang katawan ko dahil wala na akong maramdamang sakit habang patuloy na sinusuntok ang tiyan ko. “Get away from me. Ayoko sa ‘yo!” 

Nang makaramdam na ako ng pagod, dahan-dahan akong bumaluktot sa kama. I hugged my knees, still sobbing. Nanatili ako sa ganoong posisyon hanggang sa may naisip ako. Agad akong bumangon at dali-daling binuksan ang drawer sa side table ko. Kinuha ko ang sleeping pills na naroon at tinitigan iyon. 

Can this help me solve my problem? Hindi ko alam…

Kumawala ulit ang luha sa mata ko habang binubuhos ko ang lahat ng laman ng bote sa palad ko. Halos mapuno na ang kamay ko sa dami no’n. Alam ko kung anong kahihinatnan ko kapag ininom ko lahat nang ‘to. But do I have any other chance aside from risking my life? 

I wiped my tears with my other hand, then slowly, I took the pills in my mouth. After swallowing all of it, I lay myself in bed, ready to close my eyes. Right before I lost consciousness, I heard the subtle voice of my mother. A smile escaped from my lips. 

Forgive me, Ma. But I need to do this. I hope when I wake up, everything will be fine again.

***

The smell of the alcohol lingered on my nose. The faint beep of a machine was all I could hear. My body’s feeling really tired that it took me a while before I successfully opened my eyes. The blinding lights on the ceiling welcomed my sight.

“Symphony! Oh, god! You’re awake!” Narinig ko si Mama. “Can you hear me, anak? Hmm? Mama’s here.”

I slowly tilted my head to the side, and there I saw my mother looking extremely worried. Behind her was my father, standing firm while intently looking at me. He looked unbothered. Ibinalik ko ang tingin kay Mama. “M-Ma…” My throat felt so dry.

“Yes, anak. Nandito si Mama. May masakit ba sa ‘yo? Huh? Tell me.” Lumingon siya kay Papa. “Greg, call the doctors. Our daughter needs to be checked.”

My father scoffed, he didn’t even move an inch. “If you want to end your life and that child inside you, you could’ve tried harder.”

“Gregorio!”

Bigla akong hindi makahinga. Hindi dahil sa pabalang na paraan ng pananalita ni Papa, kung ‘di dahil sa sa mismong sinabi niya. Did I fail to abort the baby?

“For once, Greg! Show some sympathy! Muntik nang mawala ang anak natin! Stop being too harsh!” saway ni Mama sa kaniya. Nanatili akong tahimik, kinakabahan sa susunod na mangyayari. 

“Ginusto ‘yan ng anak mo, Maristella,” may diin na saad ni Papa. Napahugot ako ng hininga nang muli siyang tumingin sa ‘kin. “‘Yan siguro ang paraan niya para mapagtakpan ang kasalanan niya.”

I look down. I wanted to cry and beg for forgiveness, but I don’t have enough strength to do it. 

“Sino ang ama ng dinadala mo, Symphony? ‘Yung gitarista ba?” 

Muli akong nag-angat ng tingin at mabilis na umiling. “H-Hindi–”

“Sino?” 

“Greg, kagigising lang ni Symphony. Hindi ba pwedeng sa susunod na araw na lang natin pag-usapan ang tungkol diyan?”

“Then what, Stella? Hahayaan na lang natin na ganyan ang sitwasyon niya? What about the media? The order parties who’s always keeping an eye on our family? What about the people? Sa tingin mo ba palalampasin lang nila ‘to?”

Nagsimula na namang tumulo ang luha ko. 

Akala ko tapos na ang problema ko. Pero mukhang mas lalo pa palang lumalala…

“Tell me that bastard's name, Symphony. Kung ayaw mong ako na mismo ang gumalaw para mahanap ang walang hiyang bumuntis sa ‘yo.”

I gulped. His voice made me shiver. 

“W-Wesley… Wesley Borromeo…” I almost whispered.

“Borromeo? How is he related to the Borromeo Shipping Line?”

“I t-think he’s the heir… if I'm not mistaken.” A moment of silence enveloped us.

"Are you sure he's a Borromeo?" I just nodded in response. Later on, I heard him sighed.

“Alright. As soon as you’re fully recovered, I’ll set up an immediate meeting with them. I want to talk to that Wesley guy. Be ready, I’ll bring you with me.” Those were his last words before he left the room. My lips formed into a thin line then my hands balled into a fist when I realized what he was up to.

“Don’t mind your father, anak. That’s just his way of helping you with your problem. Don’t worry, hmm?”

I didn’t utter a word.

***

Five days after I woke up, I feel completely fine. Laging sinasabi ng doktor na maswerte ako at agad akong naisugod sa ospital kaya naisalba ang buhay ko at ng batang dinadala ko. I underwent several tests just to make sure the drugs’ already gone from my system. May ilang test rin na isinagawa para masiguro na okay lang ang bata sa loob ko. 

On our way home, katabi ko sa sasakyan si Mama samantalang si Papa naman ang nagda-drive. It’s very unusual of him maneuvering the wheels, so I concluded that he has something to tell us– me in private.

“Later at 6pm, we’ll meet the Borromeos. We will settle this mess. You two should dress well.” ‘Yun lang ang sinabi niya pero sobra na akong kinakabahan. For him, ‘settle’ means something else. Usually, its definition revolves on money and gaining more power. 

Evening came and I was all set. Wala pang alas sais pero nandito na ako sa sala at hinihintay ang mga magulang ko. My father hates wasting time at ayaw niyang pinaghihintay siya kaya maaga akong nag-ayos. 

I looked at my phone screen when it lit up. A notification on my I*******m popped up. When I opened it, I saw Wesley’s name.

WesleyB: Whatever is your father’s plan, make sure to stop him. There’s no way that this shit will be settled according to his will.

I rolled my eyes. I was about to type my reply when I heard my parents’ footsteps on the staircase. Agad akong tumayo at itinago ang cellphone ko. Ngumiti sa ‘kin si Mama habang binigyan lang ako ng saglit na tingin ni Papa. Nang makababa na sila, agad na kaming lumabas at sumakay sa limousine.

I rolled my eyes again. My father really loves showing off his wealth.

“Make sure to behave, Symphony. Or else, we’ll lose our chance.”

Kumunot ang noo ko sa narinig. Chance? Does he mean… chance of luring other people?

Nang huminto ang sasakyan sa tapat ng malaking gate, bigla akong pinagpawisan ng malamig. Hell! Alam ko kung saan ang patutunguhan ng magaganap na usapan. At ayokong mangyari ‘yun.

“Ready?” malambing na tanong ni Mama kaya tipid akong ngumiti.

The maids ushered us to the dining area and there, I saw the Borromeos. Sitting on the center of the table was a man who looked like my father’s age. On his right side was a sophisticated woman who looked so intimidating, and beside her was Wesley who’s looking tensed on his seat. The man in the center shifted his gaze at our direction, then stared at me for a few seconds. Tumayo siya at naglakad palapit sa ‘min.

“Good evening, Governor Del Martin,” bati niya kay Papa.

“It’s a pleasure to finally step foot in your territory, Mr. Borromeo.”

I’m sick of hearing too much formalities, kaya ibinaling ko kay Mama at sa babae ang atensyon ko. Nagbeso sila habang parehong nakangiti sa isa’t isa, pero hindi nakawala sa paningin ko ang sandaling pag-ismid ng babae nung lumingon si Mama sa ‘kin. When I looked at Wesley’s direction, I saw him smirked.

I sighed. This is going to be a long and stressful night!

***

The maids started serving the food. The gentlemen-- except for Wesley-- are currently talking about business shits. Matapos ang main course ay sinimulan nang i-serve ang dessert. My father asked to skip his dessert and proceed to his coffee, instead. That moment, I knew that he’s about to start the main topic.

“Then I think it’s a great idea if we could merge our businesses after we arrange the marriage of my daughter and your son,” diretsahang sabi ni Papa na nagpatagil sa aming lahat.

Sandaling katahimikan ang namayani hanggang sa binasag iyon ni Mr. Borromeo. “I think we’re not on the same page, Gov. The plan was to give full support to your daughter during her pregnancy and to the child until it finished its studies. Am I right?”

Narinig kong tumikhim si Papa. “Sure, I’m not on the same page as you are, Mr. Borromeo. Compared to your son and to my daughter, ang anak ko ang lugi rito. Yes, people in this province knows both of our families, but my family is way different than yours. Kagaya ng pagpapanatili ko ng katiwasayan sa probinsya natin, matagal ko na ring pinangangalagaan ang magandang reputasyon ng pamilya ko. Pero dahil sa kapusukan ng mga anak natin, nangangamba na itong masira. Kaya iminumungkahi ko ang agarang kasalan ng dalawa.”

Mr. Borromeo’s sarcastic laughter suddenly echoed on the corners of this room. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng inis dahil doon.

“Then let’s just abort that child if that’s what concerns you, Gov. Raising an illegitimate child is not easy. So if we could just abort it while it’s still early, then we can solve our problem without any damage.” Nakangisi siyang lumingon sa ‘kin kaya tinapunan ko siya ng masamang tingin.

Naalis lang ang tingin ko sa kaniya nang biglang magsalita si Mama. “Without damage? Then what about our daughter’s health, Mr. Borromeo? You think aborting a child won’t cause a life? My daughter’s life will be at stake here!”

“Well, that’s the consequence of their recklessness, Mrs. Del Martin. I guess, my son forgot how to use contraceptives the moment they did it.” Mrs. Borromeo grinned, making my blood boil up.

“Then it’s clear that your son should be at blame here!” my mother continued.

“With all due respect, Ma’am, pero anak niyo ang kusang pumasok sa kwarto kung nasaan ako. She willingly offered her body to me and I was just a typical guy who has nee--”

“Oh, shut the hell up, you jerk! Sharing a night with you disgusts me!” Hindi ko na mapigilang sumabat. I’m enraged now. Hindi ko na alam kung saan patungo ang usapan na ‘to. Ang gulo gulo na!

“Really? But I remember you moaning while I’m--”

“Enough!” Pareho kaming natigilan nang biglang dumagundong ang boses ni Mr. Borromeo. Pero hindi ko pa rin inaalis ang masamang tingin ko kay Wesley. Gusto ko siyang sabuyan ng mainit na kape para matauhan siya. I want to tighten his loosen screw inside his head!

“I’m sorry, Governor Del Martin, but we can’t give you the marriage that you want for our children. Wesley’s already marrying his  fiancee and he's currently preparing for their wedding. The least we can do to your daughter is to give her financial support. That’s all.”

The heated conversation ended with me being dragged by my father out of the Borromeo’s mansion. Sa paraan pa lang ng pagkakahawak niya sa braso ko ay alam ko nang talagang galit na siya.

“P-Pa, nasasaktan po ako…”

“Greg, let her go! Baka madulas siya, ano ba!” saway ni Mama, pero nagpatuloy lang si Papa hanggang sa tuluyan na kaming makalabas.

“Pa--” My words were cut off when I felt his huge palm landed on my left cheek. Agad namanhid ang pisngi ko dahil sa lakas no’n.

“Oh my god, Gregorio! Why did you do that to your daughter?!”

“You’re a disgrace to our family. Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok diyan sa kokote mo at nagpabuntis ka sa walang hiyang lalaking ‘yun. Pinalaki ka naman namin ng maayos, hindi ba? Binihisan ka namin ng mga mamahaling damit hindi para hubarin ‘yun sa harap ng gagong lalaking ‘yun!”

My tears started streaming down my face. Walang salitang lumalabas sa bibig ko. I know… I know it’s my fault.

“Pagkauwi natin, mag-impake ka. Dalhin mo lahat ng pwede mong dalhin. I will send you to New Zealand at hindi ka pwedeng bumalik dito hanggat hindi ko sinasabi.”

His final statement before he went inside our car made me freeze on my feet. My jaw dropped while my mind was trying to digest his words. A moment later, I fell on the ground, hopeless.