EPITHYMÌA (Book 2): Love and Desires

23

Namuo ang katahimikan sa paligid namin. Daryl looking frustrated while Tita is staring at his son with concern. Habang hindi ko naman alam kung ano ang magiging reaksyon.

"What will happen now son? Im sure we can do something about it. Your dad—"

"This is my problem mom. Dad should stay out of this." Daryl cut off.

"Pero anak ang lahat ng pinaghirapan mo. Paano na?" Tita asked with distress.

Daryl showed a small smile and caress her mom's arm.

"Its nothing Mom. I already have what i need." And he face me and caress my cheek.

"I have a family. And that's all i ever need."

Hinaplos ko ang kamay ni Daryl na nasa aking pisngi at napatingin kay Tita. She gave me a bothered look but immediately put a small smile.

Hindi na nasundan ang pag uusap namin. We waited for our dinner with Dale and Tito. No one initiated the issue as we remained quiet with only Dale entertaining the dining.

"Mommy i saw a lot of fishes earlier. There were sharks and dolphins." Manghang kwento ni Dale sa amin.

Namasyal daw kasi sila sa Ocean Park at naglaro sila ni Marcus sa Park.

"Really big boy? Did you swim with them?" Tanong ni Daryl na pinapakisabayan ang anak.

"Can i do that Daddy? Maybe next time and i wish you and mommy can come with me. It was so fun!"

"Ofcourse big boy. Daddy will have a lot of time to play with you from now on."

"Really daddy?? You will not work na po?" Inosenteng tanong ni Dale kaya naman lahat kami ay napatingin kay Daryl na nanatiling nakangiti sa anak.

"If that's what you want son. We can play all day with mommy." At tumingin sa akin si Daryl na nakangiti. Gustuhin ko mang ibalik ng ngiting yun pero hindi ko magawa.

How can this man still smile while his empire is slowly crushing down!?

"Son..." napabaling ang tingin namin kay Tito.

"I know you dont need my help but please let me." Kalmadong sabi ni Tito.

"Its fine dad. I know you are already busy with Marx Industries and besides the company has nothing to do with it. Its my project and money."

"Yun na nga anak eh. Pinaghirapan mo yun lahat. You can just let this go down. Youve worked hard for the past five years to build this on your own." Dagdag pa ni Tita.

"And that is what i regreted mom. Imbis na hanapin ko ang mag ina ko ay napabayaan ko sakanila. That building was created with my ego and anger. Now look what happened. Hindi ko nakita at nasubaybayang lumaki ang anak ko."

"B-but—"

"Let's already stop this conversation. My decision is final. I want to do this naunahan lang talaga ako ni Mr. Jourdan. And besides i know dad wants me back in the company anyway and i hope Scarlett will do to." At muling humarap sa akin si Daryl.

At doon na kami muling natahimik.

Bumukas ang pinto sa kwarto namin at bumungad sa akin si Daryl. Kagagaling lang niya sa kwarto ni Dale at sya ang nagpatulog dito.

"Tulog na ba si Dale?" I asked.

"Yeah. Nakatulog agad kahit walang story book. Maybe he is tired for a long day." Ngiting sabi nito at pumunta sa closet. Sinundan ko lamang siya ng tingin sa reflection na nasa vanity mirror. Habang nagsusuklay ng buhok ay hinintay ko lumabas ulit si Daryl.

"Daryl." Panimula ko. Agad naman siyang napatingin sa akin.

"Are you really sure about giving up the empire?"

He sighed as a sign of surrender.

"Sweetie please—"

"Tama si Tita. You worked hard for it."

And again he sighed. Lumapit siya sa akin at marahan akong hinila patayo at hinarap sakanya. He caress both my cheeks and kiss my forehead.

"Ive actually been deciding to just stop the Empire when i laid eyes you in the farm. I never thought at that moment that i will see you again. I was at my worst, a brokenheart and an empty mind. I became evil when you left. Parang gusto ko na lang na tapakan ang lahat. No one will ever love me like you did and the Empire is where i put all the anger and pain i felt."

"It was evil. To be honest, i used didnt only used Arisse to forget you but also i used his father's company to gain power. Pakiramdam ko kapag sa akin na lahat baka maging sapat na yun para maging masaya ulit ako but no, i just become more ruthless."

"Mas naging determinado akong tumigil na lamang nung nakilala ko na sila Dale. I dont want our son to see me as an evil person. I want to be the best father to him and i will give up everything i have just to be with you both. I cant loose you again Scarlett. I already did before."

Unti unting tumulo ang mga luhang kanina ko pa gustong pigilan.

"Hayaan mong ako naman ang magsakripisyo para sa aton ngayon."

He lightly kiss my lips and hugged my tightly after.

"Then what do you want me to do?" I asked.

Napatingin siya sakin.

"Just stay beside me. That's all i ever need."

Pinagmamasdan ko habang mahimbing na natutulog si Daryl. Dahan dahan kong hinaplos ang kanyang pisngi at mahinang hinalikan ang kanyang noo. Saka ako marahang bumangon at sinuot ang aking night dress.

Sandali pa akong napalingon kay Daryl para tingnan siya. He sleep so soundly. I can surely do my plan now.

Lumakad ako papunta sa kabilang side table at doon ko nahanap ang kanyang cellphone. I slowly grab it and opened with his password. Its was actually my birthday kaya hindi na ako nahirapan. Pagkatapos kong kunin ang kailangan ko i immediately went to our balcony.

Its was a breezy night that i needed to wear my robe to warm my skin. Payapa ang paligid at napakaliwanag ng buwan at mga bumituin sa langit.

I opened my phone and called the person i took in Daryl's phone. It was in the second ring the the caller answered it.

"Hello.."

Huminga muna ako ng malalim and replied..

"Arisse..."

*****

Sorry for the delay! Busy lang for the upcoming oath taking. And for those who saw my post in my wall you all know na kung ano yun. Haha

xoxo