Pinagsoltada

83

ERNESTO led Joan to the door. Before her hand could reach its handle, he cupped her face, making her turn to face him once more.

Nagtatakang napatitig si Joan sa kaniya bago unti-unting pinalambot ng pang-unawa ang mga mata nito. She slightly cocked her head to the side and smiled softly at him. He smiled at her too. Softly. Sadly. His eyes trailed on every spot of her face, memorizing his favorite view. It would be easier if he could keep a picture of her, but it would put Joan's safety at risk. Paano kung makita ang picture nito ng mga taong hindi dapat makakita? He already made that mistake once in 2004, he wouldn't do it again. So, he would rather keep a picture of her face in his mind.

In his heart.

It didn't matter how long he had to keep a picture of her. He would keep it, like a lost stranger, who uses a picture to find his way to where the image in the picture is.

Bahagyang tumingkayad si Joan para magaan na ilapat ang mga labi nito sa kaniyang mga labi. Then, she stepped back, gave him one last look, and immediately opened the office door.

Ernesto remained where he stood, just tilting his head to the side to watch her leave and close the door after her.

He obviously chose his son over her, and always being the last choice should break her heart. But no. In this case, it made her love him more. He knew, his heart knew the moment that a slap did not land on his face, but her gentle kiss on his lips.

But for now, he had to accept it already—she left him. He knew it the moment his office door had closed, that she chose his son's happiness over hers, and it hurt because she didn't have to.

It hurts too that her decision only made him love her more!

***

MORE events were set. Lalo na at palapit na nang palapit ang araw ng eleksiyon.

Kung saan-saan dinala si Joan ni Vidal para lamang ikampanya ang ama nitong si Viktor at ang partylist na kinabibilangan nito. Bawat sulok ng Mandaon yata ay narating na nila.

Sa sobrang abala ni Joan ay nakuha pa niyang magulat nang gumising at mapagtango na araw na ng eleksiyon.

Medyo mabagal ang kaniyang kilos dahil inaantok pa siya. Napuyat kasi siya sa pag-a-assist sa mga supporter ni Viktor sa pangongolekta ng mga election paraphernalia. Bawal na kasi mamigay ng mga flyer at iba pang merch sa mismong araw ng eleksiyon kaya kailangang kolektahin ito ng mga Arguelle para makasigurado na walang mamimigay ng mga ito.

As a result to her slow movements this morning, Joan haven't had breakfast. It was only five in the morning, but she was already inside the car with Vidal. Kasali sa convoy ng mga sasakyan ang kanilang kotse kung saan nakabuntot ang sasakyan ng mag-asawang Estefania at Viktor, at nakapalibot sa kanila ang mas maliliit na sasakyan para sa mga bodyguard ng alkalde na tumatakbo para sa panibagong termino.

Dahil hindi pa nakapag-aalmusal at kulang sa tulog, medyo wala sa huwisyo si Joan. Tila papel siya na nagpapatangay kay Vidal saan man siya nito hilain. Maging sa pila para sa botohan ay katabi niya ito. Alas-singko pa rin kasi ng umaga nang makarating sila sa voting station niya pero napakahaba na ng pila rito. Hindi rin umuusad ang pila dahil alas-sais pa magpapapasok ng mga tao sa silid ng paaralan kung saan sila boboto.

Joan was silent, staring at the view over the balcony across the wall where they stood. She could see the tops of the green trees and some black electricity wires that lined the dark, lifeless sky that slowly diffused with the colors of a pale, orange sunlight.

She felt Vidal rub her arm. Nasasandalan kasi niya ang braso nito na nakahalang sa likuran niya para maabot ang kaliwa niyang braso.

"Vidal, hindi rito ang voting station mo, 'di ba?"