All That I Am

Chapter 17 (1 of 2)

"So, what did he give you today? Not orgasm, obviously."

"F*ck you, b*tch."

Humalakhak si Arthur mula sa screen ng kanyang laptop, at masama niya 'tong tinapunan ng tingin. Tiim bagang niyang pinindot ang mouse sa isang window para buksan ang email.

"Sorry, dear. I know it's not about sex, but I can't help it. I think he's overdoing it, too. Pero siguro maging positive na lang tayo. Chinismis sa 'kin ni Alodia 'yung custom jewelry pieces na pinagawa niya para sa 'yo. Everybody who matters in our dear old province already knows he's spending millions on jewelry on you, my sweet."

"And when people start saying I took him back because of his money, he'll probably get pissed off, too."

Tumawa ulit si Arthur. "Very likely, dear."

Tiim labi siyang tumitig sa labas ng bintana para pagpahingahin sandali ang mga mata. Nakabukas ang bintana ng opisina at tanaw ang makulimlim na langit sa itaas. Mag-a-ala una y media pa lang ng hapon, pero madilim na sa labas dahil sa paparating na bagyo.

"And he's hired Sheena, too," patuloy ni Arthur. "You know Sheena Dominguez? Personal shopper? He's hiring her to buy you designer shoes and bags. Although sa Manila naka-base si Sheena, siyempre chinika ni Sheena sa 'kin dahil alam niya na kilala kita. And Declan had made it clear the bags and shoes are for you."

Declan already gave her a limited-edition Chanel bag a week ago. Thank God it was not a Birkin. He had correctly assumed she was not fond of Birkins and preferred the classic. Nasa pangalawang week na sila ng 'courting' period nito. This week, he had given her a custom-made diamond necklace that probably cost as much as Anaya's future college tuition fees–even adjusted for inflation.

"At siyempre hindi mo pinagkalat dito sa 'tin," pakli niya.

"Aw, dear. 'Wag kang delusional. Of course, naikalat ko na ang mabuting balita."

"This is not funny, Arthur."

Bumuntong hininga ang kaibigan. "I know, pinapatawa lang kita. Mag-usap ulit kayo tungkol dito, my sweet."

Tumiim labi siya.

Was she making a big deal out of this? Nagiging matigas lang ba ang ulo niya? Naintindihan niya ang punto ni Declan, pero alam niyang may punto rin siya. And it just didn't sit well with her.

May kumatok sa kanyang pinto at pagkaraan ay bumukas din agad bago pa siya makasagot.

"Momma!" Tumatakbong pumasok ang anak sa opisina kasama si Nanay Elma.

Agad sumilay ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi at napatayo siya para salubungin ang paslit. "Baby!"

Yumuko siya at sinalubong ang yakap ng humahagikhik na bata.

"Momma!" Anaya squealed as she pressed loud kisses across her baby's cheeks.

Her daughter's sweet powdery scent seeped into her, and she sighed. Nasabi na ba niyang gustong-gusto niya ang amoy ng anak?

"Smells so good, baby!"

Bumungisngis ang anak at sininghot-singhot din ang kanyang leeg. "Smells good, too, Momma!"

Tumawa siya at pinisil ito.

"Munch-munch!" tawag ni Arthur mula sa laptop.

"Uncle Arthur!"

"You look so pretty, Munch-munch!"

Malawak na ngumisi ang anak. Nakasuot ito ng purple dress ng araw na 'yon. "Thank you, Uncle Arthur! Look, Uncle Arthur, look! Got bears and bunnies!"