MADALING araw pa lang ay gising na si Ernesto. It was three in the morning, turning to four. He already wore a pair of blue jeans, tucked in his blue button-down shirt with short sleeves, and put on a gold wristwatch. His silver necklace remained hidden beneath his shirt with two of its top buttons left undone.
As he buckled his belt, he glanced on Allyssa's direction. Mahimbing pa rin na natutulog ang kaniyang asawa. She wore a sheer night dress with a length that reached just above her slightly bent knees. Nakatagilid ito ng pagkakahiga sa kama, nakaharap sa direksiyon ng saradong French doors na patungo sa balkonahe ng silid.
'I can't believe she's that emotional . . . when pregnant.' He sighed, overweighed with worry. 'I understand her, ngunit sana, hindi iyon makaapekto masyado sa anak namin.'
Ibinalik ni Ernesto ang atensiyon sa kaniyang pagsisinturon.
'I'm just trying my best here. I'm not even fooling around. Bakit ako pa ang nakararanas ng ganitong buhay? Everyone acts like they hate me, always grilling me.'
He stole another glance at his wife.
'And the only person who doesn't hate me . . . is now starting to act like one too, even if she doesn't mean it.'
He looked away.
'And since she doesn't really mean it, I can't do anything about it. I have to tolerate, to endure. And enduring is torture. Why endure when there's a solution to end every problem?'
Napailing siya nang maisip ang solusyon sa kaniyang problema.
'No. I can't . . . My father will go ballistic for sure. Lalo na kapag binawi ng mga magulang ni Allyssa ang pagiging exclusive trader ng mga kabayo rito.'
Lalo siyang nalungkot.
'No, I can't . . . She's pregnant.'
He closed his eyes.
'I can't . . . She's doesn't deserve it. She doesn't deserve to be hurt.'
Nang makapaggayak, tinungo niya agad ang dining room. Iniwan muna niyang nakapatong ang itim na cowboy hat sa mesa para magtimpla ng sariling kape sa kusina.
Bago siya nakaupo sa kabisera ng dining table, nauna na niyang inilapag sa mesa ang umuusok na isang mug ng kape. He preferred his coffee black—no cream at all—but richly sugared. The kick of caffeine and sweets could instantly jolt him awake.
Habang nagkakape, pinag-iisipan pa ni Ernesto kung ano ang kakainin. Nakagawian na niya tuwing umaga ang magkape muna habang nag-iisip kung ano ang aalmusalin. 'Tapos magkakape uli siya kasabay ng kinakain na almusal.
At this hour, the maids were still in their quarters. Alas-singko ang naka-schedule na simula ng trabaho ng mga ito katulad ng paglilinis at paghahanda ng almusal para sa mga Dela Fuente na nag-aalmusal na pagpatak ng alas-sais ng umaga.
But since it was only him who was up during this hour, Ernesto did not bother to wake anyone to assist him. He could have a quick breakfast anyway. Bumabawi na lang siya ng kain pagkabalik galing sa pagpapatrolya. Kakain siya uli nang saktong alas-sais, kasabay ng kaniyang pamilya.
Nagulat siya nang pumasok sa dining room ang kapatid na si Feliciano. Meanwhile, Feliciano froze mid-step. Nanlaki ang mga mata nito nang makita siya.
Ernesto gave his brother a bored look. By scanning Feliciano from head to toe, he easily assessed that he was going somewhere. Gayak na gayak ito.
"Saan ka na naman pupunta? Sa tagadagat na 'yon na naman?" His tone was flat. His moves were refined as he took another sip of coffee.
"Oo. Ayaw mo ba n'on, Kuya? Kapag nakumbinsi ko ang tagadagat na 'yon na ibenta ang lupa nila, makakapag-expand tayo ng negosyo natin. Magkakaroon na tayo ng fishery!" Nahaluan ng yabang ang natural na angas sa boses nito.
BINABASA MO ANG
Pinagsoltada
General FictionErnesto Dela Fuente did everything to please the people around him, particularly his father. He even tied himself into a marriage that was purely for their business' convenience. Eventually, he was already fathering a child. He became this responsib...
