Chapter 5: Madame X

They both watched the women and his kid entered the taxi, and drove off the airport. Bigla uli nagring ang cellphone ni Trojack, and as he looked at it, it was amessage from an unknown number.

From: Unknown

Hi, this is Sheena. Can I call?

Before he could even reply sa text na ito, the same number called and he had no choice but to answer it.

“Hey, this is Sheena,” she paused, “well, I was wondering if you are busy?”

“Why?” Malamig na sagot ni Trojack.

“I have two tickets sa cinema for tomorrow, baka gusto mo maging plus one ko.”

He paused and he felt something was off, “Yeah, I guess. Sure. Let me know where and what time we will meet.” And he just ended the call like that.

He already felt something was really wrong as soon as he saw tha woman with her kid. It wasn’t the feeling he expected to feel ng makita niya si Sheena sa shop, it was odd. Napakagulo ng nararamdaman niya.

“I think I need to do more investigation on this.” He whispered.

+++

Madame X was on the sofa, drinking tea while listening sa report ng mga tauhan niya. She was wearing an elegant dress with diamonds on her ears and neck. Ito na ang pambahay niya and it was just a normal day with her diamonds.

“According to our investigation, ang totoong ama ng bata wasn’t on any records and we did not have anyone on the list. We finally concluded that this might be a result from wedlock.”

Madame X took a sip and sighed, “Poor child, she must have felt all alone lalo na magisa na lang siya ngayon na tumatayong magulang sa bata.”

Bigal na lamang niya naalala ang ina ni Rosa na walang tigil na pinagsasaksak ng labing walong beses, and it just hunted her ever since. Wala man lang siyang nagawa to help her and bring her to justice until now.

Trojack suddenly went inside the room with his phone in his pockets and toy on his hand.

“Oh, Jakjak, andito ka na pala!” Laking tuwa ng lola niya ng makita ang pinakapaboritong apo at pinaupo ito sa tabi niya.

Umupo si Trojack sa tabi niya, “La, I think Rosa is already married. I guess we can’t interfere with her life anymore. Hindi ko kailangang maging kabit at makasira pa ng pamilya.”

Madame X motioned na umalis na muna ang tatlong mga tauhan niya para makapgusap sila ng knaiyang apo. She placed her cup of tea sa coffee table na nasa harapan niya and looked at him directly sa mga mata.

“Technically, my team actually found out na wlang asawa si Rosa and clearly, she is very single. You have a chance, apo. Use your charms and bring her in this family,” masayang saad ng lola niya habang hinahaplos ang mukha nito.

His face changed into disappointment, buong akala niya mapapabago pa niya ang desisyo ng lola niya about this but she is persistent. He knows when her grandmother wants something, and it should be given to her as soon as possible. She hates it when things are not going on her way.

“Lola, I really don’t need to marry her. We can find another one and just repay her in other ways that she can’t refuse. If ngayon pa lang she had been refusing sa favors na binibigay mo, what more sa marriage?” He sighed and held her hands, “it is obviously not going to work if we have to push her more.”

“Don’t worry, we do not need to push her. You just need to use your charms, and protect her with all your heart. Alam kong mahirap pero you will always learn on how to love. Hindi ka mahirap mahalin at mas lalong hindi mahirap magbigay ng chance sa iba,” sagot ng lola niya sabay tumayo sa kinauupuan.

“Pero, ayoko po talaga pakasalan ang taong hindi ko mahal at mas lalong hindi ako maninira ng pamilya. I’d rather eat dirt for the rest of my life, lola.”

Tumingin sa kaniya ng mariin ang matanda, “Her mother sacrificed herself para mailigtas ka sa kapamahakan, Trojack. You don’t know how hurt she is after finding out her mother was murdered that brutally. Nothing can ever repay that kind of sacrifice kahit na ilang henerasyon pa nila ang tulungan mo,” she stepped forward and patted his shoulder, “all I ask is one thing, apo.”

“And that would be marrying her and tying myself to her for the rest of my life?”

“Yes, my dear. That’s all I ask. I will give you every penny that I have, every mansions, and even my precious diamonds, just for you to love that girl and her kid.”

Napatingin si Trojack sa isang painting na nasa likuran ng kaniyang lola, and ngumisi, “That’s how lolo got you, right? How he learned to court and love you until he died?”

“Wala eh, kakaiba kasi ang charms nating mga Yddro. All I did was love him back, I learned as well kung paano magmahal at ingatan ang isang tao. How I wish he would still be the person I would end up with when I get reincarnated,” napangiting sambit ng kanyang lola habang napahawak ito sa kaniyang wedding ring.

“Oh, he definitely will. I know he is just waiting for you in hell.” Biro ni Trojack habang natatawa.

“Ikaw talagang bata ka, wala ka na talagang ibang magandang nasabi!”