Chapter 05

While I was looking out the car window back home, I was just silent. It started when we got off the plane. I have no intention of moving. I have no words and no strength to speak now. And one more thing: the words he said to me yesterday were too painful to get out of my mind right away. Those words were worse than the three daggers that could be thrust into me.

Ngayon tuloy ay napapaisip ako.

Am I truly worse off than Rose?

It was like I was bombarded again and again every second I remembered Mateo's words to me. There is some truth in what he said, but I am confused if it is true that I am called a paid woman because my family received money from Don Madeo after the wedding. Am I really that low, even though I didn't use it? Is that the label?

Ngunit sa pagkakaalam ko ay regalo lamang iyon ng kanilang pamilya, sa pagkakaalam ko rin ay ginagawa nila iyon dahil sa tradisyon na kanilang nakasanayan at sinusunod. Na kung ang ikakasal mula sa kanilang angkan ay isang lalaki, magbibigay sila ng kalahati ng kanilang kayamanan o makikipagkasosyo sa pamilya ng babae. But to go back to Mateo's words, parang ang hirap ng paniwalaan na tradisyon lamang iyon.

Napasandal ako sa may bintana ng sasakyan kung saan ako nakapuwesto. Ang tingin ko ay nasa labas pa rin habang mahinang bumuntong hininga.

"Copy, Sir."

Naagaw ng driver ang paningin ko ng basagin niya ang katahimikang lumulukob sa buong sasakyan. Umayos ako ng upo at sinilip siya sa may review mirror.

"Bakit ka lumiko?" Takang tanong ko dahil malapit na kami sa subdivision nang magdirediretso naman siya sa pagmamaneho.

"Convoy daw tayo Ma'am sa sasakyan ni Sir, Mateo." Tipid niyang sagot, nabitin naman ako sa ikli no'n.

"Where are we going then?" Usisa ko habang seryosong nagtatanong.

"Sa mansion daw ho." Sagot niya't natigilan ako.

Napaayos ako ng upo at napatingin sa harapan kung saan tanaw ang sasakyan ni Mateo na halos ang bilis ng pagpapatakbo. Maging kami ay pabilis na rin nang pabilis upang masabayan si Mateo. Pagtataka naman ang namumutawi sa akin ngunit ikinalma ko ang aking sarili.

Nagmamadali ata siya?

Mayamaya pa ay mayro'n na namang kausap ang driver kong si Roger na sa pagkakadinig ko ay si Morgan, na kalaunan ay nakasunod na rin ang sasakyan sa amin.

Sandali ang lumipas at mula sa labas ng subdivision ng mga Vejar ay ipinarada ni Roger ang sasakyan hindi kalayuan sa may gate. Tanaw kong lumabas si Mateo sa kaniyang sasakyan at patakbong tinungo ang sasakyan na sinasakyan ko. Hindi pa man nakakalapit ng tuluyan ay sinenyasan niya si Roger na bumaba. Sandali silang nag-usap at maya'y pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.

"Bakit?" Tanong ko na naman bago lumabas.

"Sa sasakyan daw ho kayo ni Sir, Mateo." Aniya sabay alalay sa akin palapit sa amo niya.

Mateo immediately held my hand at halos makaladkad ako sa bilis ng pagtakbo niya. Napapangiwi na lang ako. Mabilis niya akong pinapasok sa sasakyan niya at maya'y nagsenyas kay Morgan na sumunod sa kaniya.

When we entered the village, we were immediately greeted by Vejar's staff. At the gate of Don Madeo, his bodyguards did not exceed twenty, followed by the assistants, who I counted around fifteen, and waited for us to enter.

When we got down, Mateo came closer to Morgan, and the two talked seriously. I just looked away when Rose got out of the car and they both supported her head.

Nag-inhale at exhale ko, ayaw ko munang isipin ang mga kalandian nila. Nandito kami kay Don Madeo, delikado kaming lahat kung mag-umpisang mag-init ang ulo ko't maisumbong ko sila ng wala sa oras.

Ngayon pa lang kahit wala naman akong ginawang kababalaghan ay alam kong madadawit ako, maging si Morgan. Sa ugali ng Don, hindi na ako magtataka.

"Where's lolo?" Si Morgan nang iabot niya sa isang tauhan ang susi ng kaniyang sasakyan.

"Nasa loob ho, kayo na lamang ang hinihintay, Sir."

Muling nagkatinginan ang magkapatid at binalingan ang tauhan.

"What do you mean by kami na lang ang hinihintay? Andito na ba silang lahat?" Tanong ulit ni Morgan.

Tumango ito. "Nauna hong dumating dito ang mga pinsan niyo, kasama na rin po sa loob ang mga bisitang inimbitahan ng Don." Maikling paliwanag niya.

We were already walking when Mateo signaled to Morgan. The couple went ahead while we were just walking in front, but I was stunned when Mateo came to me and put his hand on my waist. He gave me a warning look.

"Just like we always did, act normal and pretend that we are a happy lovey couple, as what my grandpa always wants." Sarkastiko niyang paalala.

"I know, you don't need to remind me."

Mateo chuckled. "Then that's good. We're not having a problem here, but once you make a scene again with Rose, I'll make sure you regret it. Understand?

I nodded and continued walking with him. I immediately put on my fake smile and brighten my eyes so Don Madeo doesn't suspect me. This is nothing new to me. I could say I'm a great actor for a month in a row. Maybe if I had pursued my dreams as a child, I could have won an Oscar.

"The wait is over for everyone; my favorite grandchildren are now complete," Don Madeo said as he saw us. I smiled broadly and turned my gaze to the visitors.

I was astounded by how many people had gathered at Don Madeo's Mansion. There are so many that I can't even count them on my fingers. I still rolled my eyes at everyone, and from where I was standing, I noticed Matthias, Maximilian, and Massimo winking at me. As I saw them laughing and giving me the peace sign, I shook my head.

Inalalayan ako ni Mateo na humanap ng bakanteng lamesa para sa aming dalawa, hindi naman naging mabagal iyon dahil nagpapasok pa si Don Madeo ng ilang lamesa para sa mga ilang nakatayong bisita.

I wasn't able to properly look at his guests, and now that we were seated and facing everyone, I looked at their faces one by one. I wasn't surprised to see families close to the Vejars like the Monrids, Parisi, Rossi, Bourbon, and my family, the Fabians.

Five families that have never been lost among the guests of Don Madeo. Five families that will not let their connection to the Vejars be lost, and neither will the Vejars.

"I still can't believe how well our companies are doing together and how our projects are expanding nationwide," he says. "But now, I just want to tell everyone to keep up the good work, because this isn't the end. We can be even be better ten or one hundred times if we keep going with what we've started." He said, raising his glass with a glass of champagne. "Anyways, I called you all here today not to talk all day about businesses, but to party and celebrate our success. We can't be here if you, my dear stockholders, back out. " Don Madeo's laughed and shouted cheers for everyone.

Nagtuloy tuloy pa ang ilang anunsyon ng Don bago niya iniwan nang tuluyan ang kaninang puwesto upang tumutok naman sa mga bigating kasosyo sa kanilang negosyo na galing pang iba't ibang bansa.

I followed the Don, and from where he stopped, I saw my mother smile when our eyes met. I felt a pain in the corner of my eye. I also clenched my fist to stop my own tears in front of them all.

Later, dad also gave me a sidelong glance as mommy grinned at me. Dad also did the same and gave me a flying kiss, which caused me to smile somewhat as well.

I'm missing them. If I could just run to them right now, I would.

"I can't handle his jokes anymore, kaunti na lang ay mapupuno na ako kay Lolo." Angal ni Massimo habang panay ang subo ng pagkain sa kaniyang bibig. Para itong paslit sa kaniyang pagkakanguso. "Tingnan niyo nga ang matandang 'yan," he added. "Look at how happy he is. Look at that old man."

I heard Don Madeo's grandchildren sigh at the same time. We all followed Massimo's snorting face. Don Madeo can be seen from where we are sitting, and his incessant laughter, that is always followed by his drinking of alcohol, can also be heard from here.

"Hindi dapat 'yan umiinom, pero tingnan niyo, talagang andaming inihandang alak na akala mo para sa mga bisita pero ang totoo kalahati sa kaniya ang nandiyan." Si Massimo ulit, pikon na pikon talaga 'to kay Don Madeo.

"Allow him to have whatever he wants now, but not after this party. Kunin na na'tin lahat ng mga alak niya, tutal ay hindi niya naman 'yon kailangan. Mabuti pang kape na lamang ang isama niya sa handa sa susunod, lamay mang tingnan, mas maigi naman 'yon sa kalusugan nila." Saad ni Maximilian na sinundan nang pagtango nilang lahat.

Naiwan ang tingin ko kay Don Madeo. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi magpigil nang ngiti sa kaniyang asal ngayon, masayang masaya ang Don, ngunit sa kabila ng kaniyang mga halakhak ay ang mga apo niyang gigil na gigil na sa kaniya. Alam kong gusto niya lang namang mabigyan siya ng atensyon, katulad noon, ngunit hindi naman maganda ang kaniyang biro. Lalo na sa nangyari ng pagmamaneobra ni Mateo kanina nang dahil sa pagmamadali.

Mateo drove fast like he owned the road a while ago. Even Morgan on our back was driving so freaking fast. Kung wala lang nga siguro si Rose ay mas mabilis pa ata doon ang magiging patakbo niya.

"I canceled all my meetings for him," Matthias explained, "and I even dropped my real estate project with the Hilton group for him. My date was even canceled... lagi na lang, ganito rin ang nangyari noon."

Pagkasabi niya no'n ay hindi nakatakas sa atensyon ko ang pagtingin ni Matthias kay Rose, He gave her a quick glance before turning away and finishing his glass of wine. My brow furrowed as I remembered the day he started courting Rose and asked her out on a date, but Don Madeo wouldn't let him go and grounded him for courting a woman who was also being courted by three other Vejar.

"I'll just go to my family." Nasunod ang tingin namin nang walang ano ano'y tumayo si Rose. Hinabol pa siya ng mga mata ko dahil sa biglaan niyang pag-alis na alam ko namang naalala din niya ang nakaraan.

Silence and awkwardness surrounded our table. Later on, Maximilian and Massimo broke the silence.

"Should we scare him too?" Bigla na lamang sabi ni Massimo na mabilis na nabatukan ni Maximilian.

Massimo glared at him like he was going to do the same, but when Morgan interrupted, he pouted.

"Try to get back at him; I'll punch you." Banta ni Morgan.

"Tch, you know I'll never do that, and I don't have the guts to do it. Takot ko lang sa inyo, lalo na sa 'yo." Bulong niya ngunit rinig pa rin namin. "Pero gusto ko talaga iparamdam kay lolo kung papaano tayo nag-alala---"

"Es-tu stupide, Massimo?!" (Are you stupid, Massimo?!) Nanlalaki ang mata ni Maximilian habang bumibigkas ng kanilang lenggwahe "If you ever do that, baka naman tuluyang atakihin si Lolo, pensez-vous même, hein?!" (Are you even thinking, huh?!)

"Oo na, oo na." Sukong saad nito ngunit bigla na lamang kinalabit si Mateo.

Mateo, on the other hand, raised his brows. "I won't help you; we're no longer children; just drink and forget what our Lolo did." Sabay bukas nang panibagong alak.

Even though Don Madeo was a royal pain in their asses for not doing what they wanted for his health, they still loved him. Ramdam ko ang pag-aalala sa kanila, na kahit may mga ginagawa silang importante ay kaya pa rin nilang iwanan iyon, makita lamang ang kalagayan ni Don Madeo. After all, family matters the most.

Pagkatapos nang ilang pag-uusap nila ay nagpaalam ang tatlo na lilipat muna ng lamesa, nakita daw nila ang isa sa mga partner nila sa real state project na plinaplano ni Massimo kasama sila Matthias. Ang lagay ngayon ay kami na namang apat ang nasa iisang lamesa, sakto din kasing bumalik si Rose at ang atmosphere ay napaka-awkward. Para kaming nasa burol although nagtatawanan ang buong nakapaligid sa amin.

Naagaw lamang ang aming atensyon ng muling tumayo si Don Madeo at pinakiusapan ang lahat na ibigay muna kahit sandali ang atensyon sa kaniya. Halatang may tama na sa kaniyang iniinom ang Don.

His grandchildren were alarmed by the behavior of the Don. From my front, I could see that anytime Morgan signaled, Mateo would act quickly.

"You know, I'm about to die." The old man was drunk but did not even tremble when he spoke. The guests hummed and told the Don that he was still strong and young. The old man laughed again. "But I'm not really joking. I know I only have a little time left in this world, so I'm doing everything I can, especially the plan I have for my beloved grandchildren."

Natigilan ang lahat ng suminghot si Don Madeo.

"Lolo, may mga media, ayaw kong makita kang headline sa diyaryo o sa television bukas!" Sigaw ni Massimo.

The Don raised an eyebrow and pointed to his grandson. "Massimo?" His eyes narrowed. "My grandson is already crippled by me," he laughed when he realized it was Massimo. The Don sighed and took a serious stance.

"For the past few years, I, Vejar, have made a deal with one of my closest families here that I will do anything to enhance our friendship. My grandson Morgan Flavio Vejar is now wed to Rose Saverina, a Monrid." He proudly pointed at Morgan and Rose.

Morgan's face brightens, and I know it's due to Don Madeo's words. Rose, on the other hand, had been preoccupied with her cake the entire time.

Lumingon ang Don sa aming gawi, ngumiti ito sa akin.

"And on the other hand, I have Mateo Alarkin Vejar, who's married to Fayra Amora Fabian." Galak ang tono sa kaniyang boses.

Mateo caught my gaze. His face was emotionless, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was upset by what his grandfather said.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin at payak na napangisi.

"At ang iba ko namang mga apo ay ayon, hinahanapan ko pa rin ng mapapangasawa mula sa mga pamilyang nakikitaan ko na makakabuti ang babae nilang anak para sa aking mga apo." Don Madeo shook his head. "Other people called me names for ruling my grandson's life, but to tell you, I know what I'm doing." Pagmamalaki ng Don na tinanguan ng ilan.

"I just want them to be happy, hindi man nila nakikita ng lubusan ang parteng 'yon. Tiwala ako sa naging pasya ko." Pagkasabi no'n ay humarap muli ito sa amin at tumutok ang tingin kay Mateo, mas lalong lumapad ang pagkakangiti ni Don Madeo, halatang may gustong sabihin ngunit isinarili na lamang.

"When I'm gone, I know they'll thank me for ruling their lives. Hindi ako mabibigo, at hindi mawawasak nang mabilis ang pamilyang gusto kong simulan para sa kanila."

Don Madeo's words played over and over in my head. What if he discovers that his decisions are not always correct? What if tolf him that he was suffocating his grandchildren because of the choice he made for them?

Napapaisip tuloy ako, Don Madeo's words are unbreakable, sa lahat ng naging bukambibig niya wala pa talagang hindi nagkatotoo, but pertaining to my situation right now with his grandson, palpak siya doon.

"Mauna ka nang umuwi, sumabay ka kay Massimo at magpahatid sa bahay." Turan ni Mateo nang makalabas kami ng mansyon.

Huminto ito at naglabas ng sigarilyo't nagsindi at lumingon sa akin.

"Put lolo's words out of your mind. He's not a fortune teller to claim that we'll be grateful to him for ruining our lives, particularly mine. I'm still unhappy that I wed a woman like you, even on the last day of my life."

That struck me hard. Mateo left after saying those words to my face. He was spilling his guts about being married to me.

Ramdam ko ang pagbagsak ng aking luha, sinabayan pa iyon nang mahinang pagtawa ni Rose na nakasunod lang pala sa amin. She's not with Morgan; she's all alone by herself.

"The next time Mateo says those words to you, nasa tabi niya na ako, tatawanan ka't iingitin. You're legal, but only on paper, so don't expect too much, dahil once na hindi na makayanan ni Mateo ang patago naming relasyon, baka magising ka na lang na wala nang bisa ang pagiging mag-asawa niyo."