Kabanata 3

“Yes, Atty.?”

She closed her laptop and enveloped her hands. Justice Barbara looks a bit nervous for the very first time.

“Take a seat first, I don’t want to talk while raising my head.”

I quickly grab a seat at her remark. I nearly forgot the weird habits of the Justice in front of me.

“What is it, Atty.? You seemed a bit nervous.”

Instead of answering my remark, she looked me in the eyes.

“Take care, Esquivel. Do not let your guard down,” she seriously said.

Walang halo kahit kaunting biro ang tono at ekspresyon ng mukha ni Justice Mangayao. Well, she’s not really the type, but she’s really serious now. She almost sounds like someone is after my life and at any moment a bullet will be planted in my brain.

“What’s the problem, Atty.?”

“Haven’t you watched the news? Lawyers were killed almost every day. Especially lawyers who represent the urban poor.”

I’ve been hearing about those kinds of news too, but I’m too busy preparing for the new trial of Mang Casimiro in case our appeal will be granted so I didn’t pay much attention. Siguro nga, I’m becoming too confident and careless.

“I will, Atty.,” I said with conviction. I know I have to shut my mouth but there are moments that I really can’t.

“Atty., if you don’t mind. May I ask if you have received any death threats these past few days?” nag-aalangang tanong ko dito.

“Yes.”

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa sinabi nito. She answered me as if it was nothing and just proceed to do what she’s doing. She opened her laptop again and read something, probably the pro bono case of the farmers that the late Mang Casimiro belongs to.

“Atty., you should---,” she cut me off, again.

“I eat death threats for breakfast, Esquivel. Bullets are sometimes my snacks. Save your concern for yourself, I can handle myself.”

Well, she’s not totally lying. I can remember how many times she was rushed to ER because someone tried to kill her. I can also remember the number of times my mother nags at me after taking charge of Justice Mangayao’s operation.

“You can go now, Atty. Ada. I’m demanding my right for a peaceful working space.”

Napabalik ako sa reyalidad nang bigla itong magsalita. Nakatutok na naman ang mata nito sa laptop na para bang hindi nanganganib ang buhay niya. I bid her goodbye and made my exit.

Justice Mangayao isn’t Justice Mangayao if she’s not rude. I went to my car and realized that today is my parent’s anniversary. I hurriedly drove home because I have something to do later in the evening.

Coming back home is very nostalgic. Haven’t been here for a while because I really got busy. I think Ada Esquivel won’t exist without the word “busy” next to her name. Lol.

Pagdating ko sa bahay ay inabutan ko si Daddy habang chill na nagbabasa ng dyaryo samantalang si Mommy ay mukhang abalang-abala sa gaganaping party mamaya. I can’t imagine her reaction kapag sinabi ko na hindi ako makaka-attend ng party nila.

“Hijo!”

I turned around and saw the beaming Kleo Natividad approaching us.

“What are you doing here?” nagtatakang tanong ko dito. Ang buong akala ko ay nasa university ito.

“Duh, I’m obviously visiting my lovely Tita and handsome Tito,” he said while giving a peck on my parent’s cheeks. I rolled my eyes, he’s doing it again. The “polite and kind Kleo” act.

“You mean, nag-cut ka na naman?”

Umupo ito sa tabi ko at kinurot ang ilong ko.

“Excuse me, Atty. Ada Esquivel. You’re making grave accusations, should you present your pieces of evidence first?”

I rolled my eyes at him, he’s starting to get on my nerves.

“It’s Friday and you have a class today,” I said and show put my cellphone an inch from his face. I showed him the copy of his class schedule na na-picturan isang beses na napunta ako sa kwarto niya.

“So you’re tracking my schedule, huh? How sweet of you, Adelaida,” he said teasingly. He knows that I hate it when someone is calling me using my real name.

“Just to make sure you’re not skipping your class, Anacleto Natividad.”

I got lucky though, his parents are as crazy as mine. Agad itong napasimangot, I remember how persistent he was in changing his name. Talagang hindi ito pumayag hangga’t hindi nababago ang pangalan niya sa birth certificate. Now, it’s my turn to laugh at him.

“You look so cute. Just like the old days.”

Napatingin ako kay Mommy at agad na tumigil sa pagtawa. I can’t remember the last time I laughed like this.

“Talaga, Tita?”

“Oo naman. Dapat siguro ay magkaroon na kayo ng Little Ada at Little Kleo,” she said and burst into laughter. Nakisabay pa si Daddy.

We both choked at my Mom’s not-so-good joke.

“Mom!”

“Why, Ada? Your mother is right. You’re 31 years old, sa kasunod na birthday mo ay wala ka na sa kalendaryo. You should start thinking about having your own family.”

“Dad, that’s not my priority right now,” I said almost protesting.

“It’s your fault Adamson,” napatingin kaming lahat kay Mommy.

“Why is it my fault now?” nagtatakang tanong naman ni Daddy.

“If you just let our Ada have boyfriend or even boyfriends during her high school days, she’s probably not getting old by herself now.”

I burst into laughter again because of my mother’s drama. She never really changed.

“Why are you laughing at me, Ada? I’m serious,” she said while pouting like a three-year-old kid. Cute.

Now it’s my Dad and Kleo’s turn to laugh.

My mother got the sense of humor, bakit kaya hindi siya nag-comedian instead of being a doctor? Good change of career, huh?

“Bahala nga kayo d’yan! Magpapa-salon na lang ako, you should come with me Ada. Para sa party mamaya.”

Nagkatinginan kami ni Kleo, he probably got a hunch na hindi kami makaka-attend mamaya. Magsasalita na sana ako pero inunahan niya ako.

“Tita, I should come too. You know, Law School made me a bit haggard. I want to have a facial and a haircut para fresh naman ako mamaya.”

I silently shouted “what” at him but he just shrugged his shoulder.

“Aba syempre, Hijo. Sumama na kayong dalawa. Sumunod na kayo ha, bilisan niyo,” sabi ni Mommy at nauna nang lumabas.

“Sige na sumunod na kayo sa dragon, mamaya mabugahan pa kayo ng apoy no’n,” natatawang sabi ni Daddy saka ipinagpatuloy ang pagbabasa.

We bid goodbye to Daddy and walk towards the door. Habang naglalakad ay mahina kong kinurot si Kleo.

“Subukan mong mag-eskandalo, sasapakin kita,” may pagbabanta kong sabi dito. He has a habit of exaggerating things para magmukhang ako ang may kasalanan at siya ang kawawa.

He just laughed at me while raising his hands.

“Akala ko sasabihin mong hindi tayo makaka-attend? We have to go to Mang Casimiro’s funeral.”

Bago kami makalabas ng gate ay huminto ito at hinawakan ang magkabilang braso ko.

“Listen to me, Ms. Lawyer. A funeral here in the Philippines takes days, but an anniversary celebration only happens one day. Aside from that, it’s your parent’s special day, you can make it more special by your mere presence…”

Huminto ito saglit at tinanggal ang isang kamay sa braso ko at nilagay sa bulsa. Pagkatapos ay umakyat ang kanang kamay nito sa balikat ko. He looked me in the eyes.

“… if I had the chance to make the same for my parents, I definitely would. But I didn’t have much luck as you do, Ada,” he said and gently pat my shoulder. He left me dumbfounded, I must say.

Kleo actually makes sense. Maybe I’m too focused on helping other people that I’m starting to ignore and take my own family for granted. I slightly shake my head before heading towards the car.

Buong byahe ay tahimik lang si Kleo, which is quite unusual. Madalas kasi kapag magkasama kami siya ‘yung napakakulit at napakaingay, maybe he remembered his biological father. Medyo nakonsensya tuloy ako sa pinagsasabi ko kanina.

Hinayaan ko na lang ito at humilig na lang sa bintana, I have to take some nap. Inaantok pa talaga ako.

Ilang sandali pa ay naramdaman ko ang marahang pagyugyog sa katawan ko. Pagkamulat ko ay mukha ni Kleo ang bumungad sa’kin. Agad kong nilagay ang kamay ko sa mukha niya para itulak palayo.

“Hahalikan mo ba ko?” diretso kong tanong dito. Agad na nanlaki ang mata nito at napa-krus.

“Patawarin ka ng Diyos, Ada. Napakadumi ng isip mo. Yuck,” he said while fake vomiting.

Napatawa ako dahil sa reaksyon niya. I’m glad that my Kleo is back. Nakakapanibago kapag tahimik siya at hindi nang-aasar.

“Kids, let’s go!” I shake my head when my Mom called us. Kahit kailan talaga bata pa rin ang tingin sa’min.

Pagpasok namin sa salon ay agad na napatingin ang staff sa’min--- kay Kleo to be specific. Who won’t be captivated by a 6’1 guy, wearing a plain white polo leaving three buttons open? He matched it with faded jeans and a pair of white converse sneakers. He’s wearing his tinted eyeglasses making him look like a freakin’ celebrity.

“You’re getting the attention of everyone, Anacleto.”

He bowed his head a little since I’m just 5’4 and whispered something.

“’Coz I’m hella drop-dead gorgeous, Adelaida,” he said then chuckled.

The eyes of the staff sparkled, even more, when Kleo flashed his smile. He’s literally exposing his two-deep dimples. I’m actually envious of those dimples. I remembered when I was a child, I tried poking my cheeks using a pencil because I thought that’s how Kleo got his.

“Dra. Esquivel,” cheerfully said a gorgeous lady.

I think she’s the manager here.

“Hello, Miss Agatha,” my mother said while giving her a peck on her cheeks.

Napatingin naman ito sa amin ni Kleo. I maintain my neutral face as she scanned me, dumako ang tingin nito kay Kleo at lumawak ang ngiti.

“Are they your children?”

“Ah no, only this gorgeous lady here,” mother said while gently grabbing my shoulder.

“How ‘bout this young man here?”

“Well, he’s---“

“Atty. Esquivel?”

Sabay-sabay kaming napalingon sa babaeng tumawag sakin. I’m trying to remember her face but nothing comes up. Sinenyasan ko sina Mommy na mauna na muna. Lumapit ako sa babae at abot-tenga ang ngiti nito sa akin.

“Ikaw nga, Atty.,” sabi nito nang makalapit ako.

“Yes, it’s me. Pwede ko bang malaman kung paano mo ako nakilala?”

“Siguro po hindi mo po ako kilala pero ang Tatay ko po baka naaalala niyo pa.”

“Who’s your father?”

“Santiago Ilagan po.”

Santiago Ilagan.

Santiago Ilagan.

Santiago Ilagan.

Napakunot ang noo ko habang inaalala kung sino si Santiago Ilagan. I don’t forget my clients but I can’t really recall his name.

“I’m sorry but I can’t remember your father, maybe you’re mistaken?”

Agad itong umiling na parang bata.

“You know him very well, Atty.,” she said in full conviction.

-

“Ada, the party is about to start. You should come out now.”

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and I’m not really used to what I am seeing. Ako ba talaga ‘to? I am really fascinated by what make-up and a make-up artist can do to someone’s face. Like, I can call this Ada of the alter universe.

I heard loud knocks on my door that made me come back to reality.

“Ada, sweetie. Come out now, we’re about to start.”

I hurriedly put my Glock 19, a 9 mm pistol in a thigh holster. Since, I signed on the rolls of attorney, Justice Mangayao asked me to always bring a gun with me. She even enrolled me in a self-defense class and in shooting class. That woman is really sweet, ayaw lang talaga niyang magpahalata. I can consider her as my second mother.

My mother and father gaped in awe when they saw me.

“You’re so gorgeous, anak.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I shyly smiled at him.

“I knew it sweetie. That bloody red gown will perfectly hug your curves and will emphasize your beauty.”

“Thanks, Mom. You’re really the best when it comes to fashion.”

“Of course, I am. So, shall we?”

Tatalikod na sana sila but I decided to call them.

“Mom, Dad.”

Halos sabay silang lumingon, bago pa sila makapagsalita ay agad ko silang niyakap.

“Oh my, my sweet little Ada is back. Right, Hun?”

“Absolutely.”

They chuckled as they hugged me back. I cannot contain my tears anymore. I can’t remember the last time we had an intimate moment like this. We are all busy and drama is not usually part of our lifestyle. But all I can feel now is warmth and happiness. Maybe this is what Kleo’s missing and longing for the most.

“I love you, Mom and Dad. Happy anniversary.”

Kumalas sa pagkakayakap si Mommy at si Daddy. Pinunasan ni Mommy ang luha sa mata ko.

“We love you too, sweetie.”

I looked at Dad, he’s wiping his tears trying not to make it noticeable. But it’s too late, I noticed it already.

“Let’s go?” Dad said. Kumapit kami pareho ni Mommy sa braso nito bago lumabas.

I almost gaped when I saw the garden set-up. It’s my parent’s 30^th anniversary but I never expect it to be this lavish. My parents are not usually this luxurious, I’m curious of who’s the person behind this idea.

Hinila ako nina Mommy papunta sa mini stage. They start thanking the guests and giving a short speech. They passed me the microphone and I just said thank you. Like, what do you expect me to do? Argue here? Just kidding.

Hinanap ng mata ko si Kleo, but I can’t find him anywhere. He’s never been late, himala ata. Bumaba kami ng stage at binati ang mga bisita.

Since I am not really fond of the elite’s social gatherings, I just gave them a quick smile and excused myself. I went to the table na hindi masyadong nasisinagan ng ilaw. I took my glass and pour it with my favorite wine. Mom surely requested this one, it’s her favorite too.

I was observing the crowd when I noticed someone, mukhang hindi ito mapakali. I squinted my eyes and realized that it was none other than Corpuz. Randy Corpuz.

I nearly forgot that our families are friends, well, our parents at least. Maya-maya pa ay kinuha nito ang cellphone at parang may sinagot na tawag. Pabalik-balik ang lakad nito at maya’t-maya ang hawak sa ulo. I can smell trouble from here. I took a sip from my glass and watch him intently.

What are you up to, Corpuz?

Inis nitong ibinaba ang cellphone at saka naglakad papalapit sa pwesto ko. Nagkunwari akong walang pakialam at ibinaling ang tingin sa iba. Akala ko ay hihinto siya sa harapan ko pero lumampas ito, nang sundan ko ng tingin ay papunta pala ito sa parents niya.

“Mom, I have to go.”

“Why Ran? The party just started.”

“Mom, something came up at work.”

“You’re always busy, you don’t spent time with us already,” she said and I bet that she’s pouting. Ganto ba talaga kapag medyo nagkaka-edad na?

“Mom…”

“Helen, just let your son. He’s a lawyer. In fact, the only lawyer who defeated that arrogant daughter of the Esquivel.”

I tighten my grip on the wine glass. How dare them to insult me inside my own territory? Ngayon, alam ko na kung saan nagmana ng kayabangan si Randy.

“Shut up, will you? Baka nakakalimutan mong nandito tayo sa bahay ng mga Esquivel?”

“Mom, Dad’s just spitting facts,” Randy proudly said.

I took deep breaths to prevent myself from causing a scene. I don’t want to ruin my parent’s party.

“Enough,” pagpigil naman ng ina nito. She obviously doesn’t want to mess with my mother. Who else would dare? Lailani Esquivel is the latest evolution of a dragon when she’s angry.

“You’re so KJ, Mom. By the way, I really have to go.”

“Okay, son. See you later.”

He kissed his parents before leaving them.

I’m about to ignore him but he stopped in front of me, answering another phone call.

“Don’t do anything to him yet. I’m on my way.”