Reigning Battle Beyond Greed

Chapter 25

Lumabas  ako ng Ford. I can drive my own car now. At ang mga bodyguards ko, nasa paligid lang. Watching from afar. Nakabuntot pero hindi halata.

Sinalubong ako ng isang guard. He greeted me as I tossed the key to him.

"Paki-park sa garahe." Utos ko bago nagmamadaling tinungo ang French door.

"Magandang gabi ho, Ma'am Jem."

Tinanguan ko ang mayordoma na sumalubong sa pagpasok ako. She took my things bago iniabot sa isang maid.

"Ipaghahanda ba kita ng pagkain?" Tanong niya nang makitang paakyat na ako sa hagdan.

Umiling ako. "I dine out with my groupmates, Manang. Salamat na lang po."

Napabuntong-hininga ako nang makarating ako sa ikalawang palapag. It's been a tiring week for me and my groupmates. We're doing a case study in a pyscholgical ward. Kung hindi lang malakas ang loob at mental power ko, baka isa na ako sa mga baliw doon.

I stretched my arms habang papunta sa silid ni Jj. Inalis ko din ang eyeglass na suot at isinukbit sa neckline ng panloob kong damit. Nakasalubong ko ang nanny ni Jj na mukhang patungo na sa sarili nitong silid.

"Si Jj? Tulog na?"

"Yes, Ma'am. Pinatulog po ni Sir." Sagot niya na tila nahihiyang tumingin sa akin.

"Sir?"

Sino? The old Narvaez? I can see him bond with my son but I never saw him put Jj into bed.

"Ah, si Sir Altair po."

"He's with my son." It was a statement not a question.

"Maghapon po silang magkasama, Ma'am. Nakipaglaro po sa Daddy niya kaya maagang nakatulog."

"Okay."

"Sige, Ma'am. Goodnight po."

Tumango ako bago nagtungo sa silid ni Jj. I slowly opened it. Napakunot-noo ako nang mabungaran siya sa kama, nakahiga sa ibabaw ng dibdib ni Altair.

He's turning 5, three months from now.

I am glad unti-unti na siyang nakarecover mula sa sakit. He doesn't look anemic anymore. He's back from being okay and normal. It was indeed a miracle just like how Mama Clair claims it to be.

Pero hindi ako natutuwa na nasa mansion din si Altair. Dito  nasiya naglalagi simula noong maiuwi namin si Jj from the hospital. At mas lalong naiinis ako ngayong nakikita kong unti-unting napapalapit si Jj sa ama. Kapag nga nagkukuwentuhan kami kung anong ginawa niya nang buong araw, bukambibig niya ang kanyang Daddy.

"Daddy's good in cooking. He cooked pasta for me yesterday."

"Daddy taught me about it."

"Daddy Altair looks amazing in his suit. I ant a suit too. Just like the one he's wearing today."

Tss. I rolled my eyes upon remembering how Jj's eyes twinkled in admiration as he speak about his Dad's good qualities.

I wonder where does he get the luxury of time to bond with Jj. Isn't he busy? Isn't he working? Isn't he sure that Jj's not his own? Isn't he doubtful?

Nang lapitan ko sila ay halos sumasabay ang paghinga nito sa ama. Altair's hand is at Jj's back as if tapping him gently before they fall asleep together.

It was such a perfect photo of a father-son bonding but knowing Altair, he must have done it out of pity and conscience. He's heartless.

I wasn't moved a bit. Pwede siyang bumawi kay Jj. He can act like a perfect father. Pero hinding hindi na niya maibabalik ang dati.