Chapter 4: His Plan

Chapter 4

His Plan

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Victorino Tinsmith Sabio

I CUSSED when I woke up because of a knock. Inis kong binaon ang kabilang tainga sa unan at tinakpan naman ng aking kamay ang kabila. This is what I hate, disturbing my sleep every morning.

“Damn it! What is it? Stop knocking on my door. Just spill it out,” may pagtitimping wika ko na nakapikit pa rin ang mata.

“Young master, nandito ang ina niyo. Naghihintay siya sa sala. Hinihintay kayo,” narinig kong tugon sa labas.

Nang marinig ko iyon ay agad akong bumangon. Lumagutok ang mga buto ko nang mahigpit kong kinuyom ang aking kamay. Napangisi ako nang wala sa oras. Alam ko naman kung ano ang pinunta niya sa bahay ko.

“Tell her, I’m coming.”

“Yes, young master.”

Nagsuot ako ng pang-itaas na damit dahil iyon ang kulang sa sarili ko. Lumabas na lang ako ng k’warto at bumaba na. Kahit nasa hagdan pa lang ako ay kitang-kita ko na ang aking ina na prenteng nakaupo sa kulay pulang sofa. Ang mga mata nito ay kinikilatis ang nasa loob ng bahay ko na akala mo ay baguhang nakapunta sa bahay ko.

You didn’t change, Mom… siya pa rin ang pinipili mo. You’re wasting your time here. Tsk!

Tuluyan na akong nakababa at nakalapit sa kanya, pabagsak kong hiniga ang katawan sa mahabang sofa na katapat niya, kristal na lamesita lang ang pagitan naming dalawa. Nanlaki ang mga mata ng aking ina sa ginawa ko. Napangisi ako sa reaksyon niya. Itinukod ko ang aking kanang siko sa sofa at nilagay ang kamay sa aking mukha para diyan kumuha ng lakas. I gave her a mocking smile that made her face bitter.

“Are you insulting me? Ganyan ka ba kumausap sa iyong bisita, Victorino? Sit properly. Harapin mo ako ng maayos,” pinalalakihan niya ako ng mata.

I scoffed. Sumalubong ang kilay niya lalo sa reaksyon ko. Nanginginig ang labi niya sa sobrang pagtitimpi.

Nice, reaction… mom. I’m enjoying it.

“You--”

“What do you want?” seryoso kong tanong sabay bangon. I leaned my back, lifted my right foot, and put it on my left knee. Sinalubong ko ang titig ng aking ina na umaapoy sa galit nang dahil sa akin.

“Ano ba sa palagay mo ang pinunta ko rito? Do you think that I will ask you if you’re okay here?” sarkastikong tanong niya.

I see. I know that, of course.

I crossed my arms and laughed like no tomorrow. What I am to her? I’m her child but she didn’t ask me if I’m okay. She’s just concerned with her favorite child.

“Stop laughing, you dumbass!” sigaw niya, kasabay no’n ay isang malakas na sampal ang dumapo sa pisngi ko. “For insulting your mother!” she already stood up in front of me, quivering in rage.

This wasn’t my first time. She always slapped me when my twin cried because of me. I admit that my face felt numb after she slapped me. But the curve of my lips didn’t fade.

Paano ba naman kasi nakakatawa tingnan ang tigreng mukha ng aking ina. Halos umusok na ang ilong at tainga niya dahil sa galit.

I clutched my fist under my sleeve. I tried to calm down in front of her. Tumigil ako sa pagtawa dahil mukhang dragon na ang hitsura ng aking ina, hindi na tigre. Halos bubugahan na ako ng apoy.

I dropped my foot on the cold marble floor, leaning forward, and made her step backward and seated uncomfortably on the crimson sofa.

“Do you think I will step down and give my throne to your favorite child, mother? What do you think am I? I am not stupid like my twin.”

“Ah, magmatigas ka? Kakalabanin mo ang iyong ina at kapatid? You’re a selfish, jerk! Magkatulad nga kayo ng iyong ama ng ugali. Mga sakim sa posisyon.” Inis siyang tumayo sa kanyang kinauupuan, naningkit ang mata na nakatitig sa akin.

“Being selfish isn’t bad if your desire is pristine like water on the stream.”

“You---brat! I never expected that you would become my enemy.” Her eyebrow rose as she walked forward, extending her both arms on my shirt, grabbing it tightly wanting me to stand up. She almost throttled me but I remained firm. My breath became heavy as metal and slow as a turtle.

“You’re not my foe, mother. You made yourself in. Yes, I am selfish like my father because he was right. Kaya pala sa akin pinasa ni ama ang posisyon bilang Mayor ng Siyudad dahil hindi nababagay sa inyo ang posisyong kinauupuan niya noon at may masama kayong binabalak.”

Isa namang sampal ang dumapo sa aking pisngi. Her hands and lips were shaking after slapping me. I chuckled, massaging my clenching jaw slowly.

“How dare you say that to me? You are a heartless child! Arrogant jerk! Tandaan mo ito, simula ngayon hindi na kita kinikilalang anak. Magkalaban na tayo! At sisiguraduhin kong manalo siya sa darating nahalalan. Malapit ka nang bumagsak sa p’westo mo, Victorino!”

I stopped laughing after she spoke. I tightened the grip of my fist.

“Pumunta ka lang dito para sabihin sa akin iyan? Bakit nagmamakaawa naman ba ang magaling kong kakambal? Umiyak-iyak sa harap mo? At naniwala ka naman sa mga luha niya? You’re like a fool, mother! Hindi mo alam kung gaano ka-demonyo ‘yang paborito niyong anak,” pagtitimping wika ko.

She raised her right hand as a sign that she will slap me again but I caught her hand. “Don’t ever dare! You’re not my mother anymore, you already said that. You don’t have a right to do it. Get out of my house. Now!” tumaas ang boses ko sa sobrang galit.

Nandilim na ang paningin ko sa sobrang pagtitimpi. I can’t control my anger anymore. I need to let it out before it’s too late. Matagal ko nang tinanggap na hindi ko siya ina.

“You’ll regret this, Victorino!” wika nito bago ako tinalikuran.

Ngitngit ang ngipin kong sinuntok ang sofa ng paulit-ulit. Doon ko binuhos lahat ng galit ko. Tumigil ako nang may naramdam kong humawak sa aking braso.

“Are you done fighting with the sofa?” ani ng malambing na tinig na ikakalma ng buong sistema ko.

“I’m sorry. I need liquor to lessen my anger. Can you join me?” I asked. Nakita ko siyang smiling. “Of course, you can’t,” kontrang sagot ko sa sariling tanong.

“Let it go, hijo. Nakakasama iyan sa puso mo. Pinuntahan ka naman ba niya para sabihin na huwag ka nang tumakbo sa darating na halalan?”

I nodded because that was the truth. She just came here because she wants me to step down and let my twin rule the whole city. She’s a biased mother. Naging gano’n na ang aking ina simula noong ako ang pumalit sa p’westo ng aking ama bilang mayor ng siyudad ng Samarra. Hindi niya gusto ang pag-upo ko sa p’westo na iniwan ng aking ama. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagkamuhi niya sa akin.

“Paano kung mapahamak ka naman, hijo? Importante ba ang posisyon mo kaysa buhay mo? Hindi basta-basta na kalaban ang iyong kapatid, isama mo pa ang iyong ina. Wala na ang ama mo, wala nang tutulong sa ‘yo. Sana hindi mo masamain ang sinabi ko.”

Napabuga ako ng hangin sa kawalan sabay pikit ng aking mata. Kinuyom ko ang aking kamay. “Mas mapahamak ang buong siyudad kung hayaan ko ang aking kapatid na manalo.”

I just heard her deep sigh. Hindi na siya nagsalita pero naramdaman kong umupo ito sa kabilang sofa.

“Basta pamilya ang kalaban mo, alam mo na sa sarili mong talo ka. Tandaan mo ito, mahirap kalabanin ang sariling pamilya dahil parang kinakalaban mo na rin ang iyong sarili.”

Napadilat ako sa sinabi niya. Tama siya. It’s difficult but I need to endure and surpass the difficulties for good.

* * *

“ANONG hinahanap mo, hijo?”

I didn’t mind her question. I am tired. I just dropped my body on the bed, closed my eyes, and calmed my whole system even though I was frustrated. Dumagdag pa sa problema ko ang panyong nawala ko. Ngayon ko lang nalaman. This is bad.

Sumagi sa isip ko noong nagbakasyon ako sa Nevada Resort. Did I drop my handkerchief there? Oh, sh*t! I guess, I dropped it there.

The man who hunted me, he’s good. Kahit mag-disguise pa ako ay nakilala niya pa rin ako. Magaling ang nag-utos sa kanya na ipapatay ako at alam ko kung sino ang nag-utos no’n. Pero bakit damay ang babaeng iyon na patayin niya? Oh, no. Did they know about her? If they know, she’s in danger.

That girl, I can’t forget about her. Her brown cat eyes kept haunting me in my dreams. She grew up as beautiful as a goddess. I will protect her no matter what… hindi ko na hahayaang idamay nila ang babaeng iyon.

I smirked, this time I will make a move.

“Hijo, are you listening to me?”

Napadilat ako at agad na bumangon. Napakamot ako ng aking ulo na nakatitig sa taong pumasok sa k’warto ko. Napatitig ako sa kanyang mukha.

I see. Same features.

Naiwas ako nang tingin. Alam kong magalit ito kung sabihin ko ang totoo. Pero bahala na, may karapatan siyang malaman ito.

“I lost my handkerchief, that time I also met the person you treasure the most. I guess, she got the handkerchief I lost.”

Nakita ko ang pamumutla sa kanyang mukha. “N-no… she can’t. Victor… do something. Hindi p’wedeng makita niya ang panyong iyon. Mapapahamak siya. Kilala ko siya, hindi siya titigil hangga’t hindi niya matuklasan ang lahat… at alam kong maghihiganti sila,” nanginginig ang labi niya at halatang takot na takot.

Yeah, I know. I’m sorry, Tita…

“Don’t worry… I will fix the mess I’ve created.”

“You should by hook or by crook, hijo. She’s in danger.”

Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na buntong-hininga bago umupo sa sofa na nasa k’warto ko. Hindi pa rin nawawala sa mukha niya ang pag-alala at takot.

This is all my fault…

I dropped my feet on my slippers. I stood up, humakbang ako palapit sa kanya. I kneeled in front of her and held her both hands. Nanlaki ang mata niyang tumingin sa akin at pilit akong pinatayo pero namamatigas ako. I smiled at her.

“I will do my best to lure her, Tita… don’t worry too much. She will be safe, I will keep her safe. I will protect her, I promised,” I said sincerely. I should be sincere because she’s the one who changed me to be a better person.

When my father died, siya ang nagtayo bilang ina ko. Siya lang ang pinapakitaan ko nang totoong ako. I will repay her with kindness.

“Before I say thank you, stand up first… hijo.” Pinisil niya ang aking kamay at binigyan ako ng matamis na ngiti. Tumango ako at tumayo na lang.

“Thank you, hijo... you should rest. Alam kong magulo pa ang utak mo dahil sa pagpunta ng iyong ina rito.”

Yeah… why does my mother have favoritism?

Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao ng patago. Naiinis pa rin ako sa aking ina. She keeps dragging me down. At alam kong hindi siya titigil hangga’t hindi ako mapaalis a p’westo ko. Malapit na ang halalan, siguraduhin kong manalo. Hindi ko hahayaang manalo ang kakambal ko.

“Sige ho, Tita… don’t worry too much, okay? You should rest too. I’m sorry, again.”

“Sige… mag-ingat ka sa mga desisyon mo baka ikapahamak mo pa.” Tumayo siya at ginulo and aking buhok.

I just nodded, my sight accompanied her walking through the door. When she disappeared from my sight, I let out a sigh before grabbing my phone on the bedside table. I will contact the person I trust the most. After a minute of dialing, he picked up my call.

“Yes, young master?”

“Withdraw money in your account. Contact the Black Eagle Organization, and tell them to assassinate me using your name.”

Yes, I know their organization. Sinubaybayan ko sila noon pa. Sinisigurong ligtas sila. At iyong nangyari sa Nevada Resort, hindi ko iyon inaasahan na mangyari. Hindi ko siya namukhaan noong una dahil magulo ang utak ko kung paano makatakas sa tumutugis sa akin.

“B-but… y-young master, why would I do that? I do not dare to assassinate you. It’s a dangerous, young master.”

“Do what I’ve said. Do it right now. No more explanation.”

“Yes, young master.”

“I’ll send the details to you through fax.” After that, I hang up the call.

Before I sat on the sofa, I opened the switch on the television. A blurry face of mine welcomed me on the TV screen. My jaw tightened after hearing the words of the reporter.

“A kind and loving mayor of Samarra City shows his real attitude and his mother proved it that... Victorino Tinsmith Sabio is an ambitious, boastful, and arrogant man. He coerced his mother just because of the upcoming election. Here’s the statement of his mother, Reina Victoria Sabio...”

The face and a written statement of my mother flashed in the news. It was just a highlight of her words.

“I visited my son earlier at her house to check him if he’s okay or not but he cast me out. Telling me that if I am a biased mother, dahil daw hinayaan ko ang kanyang kakambal na kalabanin siya sa darating na halalan. He also told me that if I keep supporting his twin, he doesn't want me as his mother. He will treat me as his enemy. Pinagbantaan niya akong patayin kung matalo siya sa darating na halalan. Ito ba ang gusto niyong Mayor sa ating siyudad? As his mother, I won't give my vote to him, again.”

My breathing became sluggish and heavy as a rock. I almost broke the remote control into pieces because of outrage.

How could she twist the story and make me a villain in the eyes of my people?

I can't suppress my rage anymore. I shouted, throwing the remote control on the TV screen. Cracking sound replied to me but the words of my mother can’t get out of my head.

They stained my image already.

I won’t permit it. I will fight them.

My system was back to normal when I heard my phone ring. Agad ko itong sinagot, without looking at the caller.

Their laughter cheered me when I put the phone near my ear. I flattened my teeth, clutching the phone tightly. I didn't speak.

“Hello, Victorino! Do you like my surprise? I’ve just begun. Just a slice of advice...” she ceased, unleashing a sole titter before resuming her words. “...fasten the clasp of your throne and wreath, your downfall is coming.”

I laughed, “Just begun? You failed. Why did you blur my handsome face? Are you disgusted with your dude features?”

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