SALVATORE #1: Loving the Prostitute

CHAPTER 64

Nakaupo ako at kaharap ang ina ni Luca. We decided to meet in a coffee shop near Luca's condo.

Bumalik na kami sa dati niyang condo kung saan kami nagsama noon. Pagkatapos ng family dinner three days ago.

Himala at hindi ko nakita ang mga pinsan niya. Nagtitigan kami ng ina ni Luca at nagsukatan ng tingin.

"So," basag niya sa katahimikang namayani sa amin. "Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit tumanggi si Luca sa kasal. And I bet you knew it too, right?"

I nodded. Alam ko. Dahil sa akin. Kahit sabihin kong bakit at paano, alam kong ako ang dahilan.

"I won't meddle with the both of you this time. Ang pagkatao mo ay sa'yo lang at wala rin akong karapatang mangialam. I know I told you that if you came back, I'll let the whole world recognize you. Hindi ko iyon gagawin at mas lalo ng may apo ako sa'yo." She rolled her eyes. "Kahit ayaw kong tanggapin na lola na ako. I felt too old."

You're old. Sabihin ko sana pero baka magbago ang isip.  "You're in your fifties."

"Excuse me!" she said offended. Ngumisi lang ako. I'm a bitch, at isa din siya. "It's just my age."

"Yeah, sure."

I was walking around the grocery buying stocks. I insisted to went alone. Ayaw pa nga sana akong payagan ni Luca pero nagpumilit ako. I told him to look for Lucas while I'm buying things and foods we needed.

Card niya ang gagamitin ko dahil iyon ang gusto niya. Gusto raw niyang siya ang gagastos sa aming lahat dahil siya ang ama. Hindi na ako nakipagtalo pa sa kanya tungkol doon.

I keep looking for the foods I have to buy when a familiar woman showed up. She was staring right straight at me while walking to my direction. Napatigil ako at tumitig din sa kanya. I can see her rage but she didn't totally showed.

Tumigil siya sa harapan ko. "You are really back," sarkastiko siyang tumawa. Don't tell me she's going to make a scene here. "What's with you for Luca to fight for? Alam mo, lahat na lang inaagaw mo sa'kin. My grandmother, her love that supposedly for me, her money. Lahat na. Even Luca."

Mahina niya iyong sinabi na para lang talaga sa akin. I looked at behind her and saw her friend I met before, looking at us. Binalik ko ang tingin kay Rylee na punong-puno ng galit ang mga mata.

As usual, I didn't talk. Magsasawa rin siya. And I don't have words to say to her. What is she talking about? Inagaw ko? Fuck her.

"Oh yeah. I almost forgot. Pipi ka nga pala, 'no. Ba't ko nga ba makakalimutan iyon?" Tumawa siya ng mapakla. I can see that she really loves Luca.

Matagal na rin sila noon pa. I stared at her emotionless. Didn't show any expressions at all. Just blankly staring at her.

"Pero alam mo, ikaw ang kinamumuhian kong tao sa lahat. Lahat ng dapat sa akin ay na sa'yo. The mansion? That should be mine. The money? That should be mine too. Even Luca. Wala kang pagmamay-ari. But look at you now, you have everything that should be mine. At nagpabuntis ka pa talaga kay Luca, 'no."

Still no response. Ayaw ko ng away. Noon pa lang, si Rylee na ang ayaw kong pinapatulan. She talks nonsense and shit.

"It's not my fault," sa wakas ay nagsalita ako.

"Then what are you implying? That it's my fault?" she laughed sarcastically.

"Maybe."

She raised her hand to slap me but stopped mid way. Gigil niyang binaba ang kamay niya at galit akong tinignan. "Gusto kitang saktan pero alam kong hinding-hindi na ako kakampian ni Luca. He only sees you. Sa oras na malaman niyang sinaktan kita, it will be the end of me."