Pinagsoltada

86

2013 . . .

NANG simulan ang hearing para sa annulment nina Ernesto at Allyssa noong 2010, napagkasunduan nila na hindi na makikitira ang babae sa mansiyon ng mga Dela Fuente. Puwede namang manirahan dito si Alwyn, ngunit mas minabuti nila na manatili ang bata sa poder ni Allyssa dahil mas madalas itong hanap-hanapin ng bata. To make it easier to attend the court hearings and set meetings for Ernesto and Alwyn, Allyssa decided to completely move in Mandaon as well. Ernesto caused this inconvenience for Allyssa, so, he helped her with the apartment fees and basic expenses while she was still searching for a stable job in this province. Pagkatapos, ini-transfer si Alwyn sa isang pribadong paaralan dito na magkahati nilang binabayaran ang tuition fee. Kapag nagustohan ni Alwyn ay dinadala ito ni Allyssa sa mansiyon o 'di kaya ay binibisita ito ni Ernesto sa kanilang apartment.

Nagtatanong palagi si Allyssa kay Ernesto kung puwede dalhin si Alwyn sa mansiyon kaya nabigla si Ernesto nang madatnan ang babae sa office room. Her presence was more surprising because it was only around five minutes before six in the morning. Ibig sabihin, mas maaga pa sa alas-sais ito nakarating sa hacienda.

When Allyssa saw him outside the office room, peeking at the door he just opened, she immediately stood up.

"Ernesto," mahina nitong usal. She instinctively rubbed her palms against the thighs of her jeans, straightened the ends of her black babydoll top, then held her own hands.

"I'm sorry to disturb. Akala ko, narito si Mama. Magpapaalam lang sana ako." Isasara na sana niya ang pinto nang magsalita ito.

"Wait."

Nagtatakang nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Ernesto. "Yes?"

"Pupunta ka ba sa mga Arguelle? Ihatid na kita?"

Inihilig niya ang ulo. "What about Alwyn? "

"He's sleeping in the guest room. P'wede ko naman siyang ibilin sa mga maid dito."

Pumasok na siya sa office room at maingat na isinara ang pinto. "Bakit ang aga mong ibiniyahe ang bata rito? He went to school yesterday. You should have let him sleep a lot and just come here when he already got the sleep he needs."

Nagbaba ng tingin si Allyssa. "I know, we have already attended several hearings for our annulment but . . ."

"But?" kunot-noo niya. Ernesto tucked his thumbs at each front pockets of his jeans.

"Nothing. I thought, you'll change your mind. I thought, if Alwyn and I stay longer enough around you, you might withdraw."

"Attorney Pereira advised me not to."

Gumuhit ang tahimik na pagkagimbal sa mga maya nito. "Dahil?"

"He said it's a lousy reason to withdraw my petition request." Bago pa nakapagprotesta si Allyssa ay mahinahon na niya itong inagapan. "Attorney Pereira said, kapag ini-withdraw ko annulment request, baka hindi na ako seryosohin sa susunod kong pagpa-file uli. They might assume that I might change my mind again and not approve my request again."

"B-But . . ." Humalili ang panghihina sa boses nito. "What if you change your mind before all our hearings end?"

Ernesto took in a deep breath, patiently. "Allyssa . . . You know that I always aspire to responsible with everything I do—tama man o mali. I don't back out from the consequences of my actions, especially not because I changed my mind."

"Sabi ni Genaro, tinanggal ka na ni Papa sa pagka-honcho nitong hacienda. You sold the only car that is under your name and you still have a balance to pay for the money you owe Vidal just to keep the hacienda afloat. The annulment might not be a good idea when it comes to finances."