The Maid's secret

8

Brina sits on the edge of a sofa, her hands trembling as she processes Ricca's revelations .

Ricca stands across the room, her arms crossed, a mix of frustration and desperation on her face.

"So that's it? You just expect me to go along with this... this twisted plan?" Brina's voice is shaking.

Ricca sighs, impatience creeping in.
"Brina, listen. I know this is shocking, but you have to understand-I need your help. You're the only one who can do this."

"You lied to me!" Galit na nilingon si Hiromi na hanggang ngayon ay nakaupong nakayuko at hindi magawang tumingin sa mga mata niya. "You lied to me, ate Hiromi. Kayo ni tita..." This time naiyak ulit siya. "You told me I was coming here for a job, to work as a maid. How could you let me believe that?"

" I had to. If I, Hiromi or your aunt had told you the truth, you would have never come. This is reality, Brina. You're here now, and you can help us both."

"Help us? Help you? What about my life? My family?" Bulong ni Brina at saglit na natigilan bago ulit magsalita. "My mother is counting on me."

"Think about it! If you agree to this, you could change your mother's life. You want to buy her a house, don't you?"

"Yes, but at what cost? Sacrificing myself?"

"Don't you see? You would be giving your family a future. And I... I can't have children. This is our only option."

Inis na tinignan ni Brina si Ricca. "But I didn't sign up to be some... some breeding machine! What if I say no?"

Ricca's eyes narrowed. "You don't want to do that, Brina. You really don't. Because if you walk away, I will make sure your mother suffers the consequences." Puno ng pagbabantang sagot ni Ricca.

Brina's voice shaking with fear. "You can't... you wouldn't..."

" Try me. You have no idea what I'm capable of." Malamig na tugon ni Ricca.

" I thought you were different. I thought you were a good person."

Seryosong tinitigan ni Ricca si Brina, her expression darkening. "You clearly don't know me at all. I've done worse things than you can imagine just to survive."

Brina's tears forming. "So this is who you really are? A monster wearing a mask of kindness?"

"I'm no monster, Brina. I'm just desperate. Just like you."

Brina's voice trembling. "Desperation doesn't justify threats, Ricca. I don't even know who to trust anymore."

Ricca is taking a step closer. "Just think about it, okay? What's one small sacrifice for a chance at a better life? You can help me, and in return, I'll help you."

"A better life? Or a life of regret?"

"The choice is yours. Just remember what's at stake."

Natahimik si Brina, she's gazing at the floor, torn between fear, anger, and a flicker of hope.

The air is thick with tension as Brina processes her choices, and Ricca waits, uncertain of what will happen next.

A dimly lit hospital room.

Brina is sitting on the examination table, visibly distressed. The doctor, Dr. Lim, stands with his arms crossed, looking disapprovingly at her.

"Please, Dr. Lim. I just want to go home... I can't do this anymore. The baby... it's still my baby, too, right?" Brina tearfully said.

Yes, she's 1month pregnant. One month ago, pumayag siya sa at nagsign ng kontrata na maging surrogate mother.

Pero kada haplos nya sa kanyang tiyan, biglang pumapasok sa isip niya na mali lahat ng ito.

" Brina, this isn't just about you. You agreed to this arrangement. You have to understand the implications of your decision."

" I thought... I thought it would be different. I didn't realize how attached I would feel. I can't just hand over my baby like that!"

Dr. Lim sighed. "You need to think about what's best for the child. Legally, once the baby is born, it won't be yours anymore. You need to-"

"But it's part of me! How can I just let g--"

Bago pa man matapos ang sasabihin, tila nahumasmahasan si Brina nong makitang hawak ng doctor ang cellphone neto.

Dr. Lim steps away.

Ricca's voice coming through the phone, and she sounds angry.

"What do you mean she's trying to escape?!"
Sigaw ni Ricca sa kabilang linya.

"She's asking to leave."

"You tell her if she tries anything, I'll make sure her mother suffers the consequences!"- tila nahimasmasan si Brina nong marinig ang sigaw na iyon ni Ricca.

Brina's eyes widen, her hands trembling over her belly. Silent tears stream down her cheeks.

"No... please..." Ang tanging naibulong niya.

"Brina, you'd better behave. You don't want to put your mother in danger. Think about what you're doing; you're not the only one affected here!" Dugtong pa ni Ricca.

The line goes dead as Ricca hangs up, leaving Brina breathless.

"Hindi ko na alam.. hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko...."

She touches her stomach tenderly, as if trying to communicate with the baby inside her.

"Brina, I know this is hard, but you need to understand your situation."

" Please, Dr. Lim... help me. I want my baby. I want to go home." Inangat ni Brina ang mukha, nagmamakaawang nakatitig sa doctor na nasa kanyang harapan.

" I can't help you with that, but I can help you understand what you're going through. You need to face the reality of your choices."

Sunod sunod ang mga luhang nagsipatakan mula sa mga bata ni Brina. "But it doesn't feel like a choice..."- aniya.

The doctor sighs, the tension in the room palpable as Brina continues to cradle her belly, lost in her thoughts.