"Kumusta si Johnny?"
No reaction.
"Remy?"
None.
"Jim?"
Still.
"Jack?"
Still, none.
"Si Smirnoff, Glenfiddich, Edinburgh, Jacquin, Leroux, Jose, Pepe? Hmmmn, who else?"
"Shut up Edward!"
"Ayun sumagot din! Ano bang ginagawa mo sa sarili mo? Balak mo bang ubusin ang mga alak sa pabrika?"
"I said shut up."
"Adam, walang mangyayari sa 'yo kung puro alak ang aatupagin mo. It's been what, a month, two? Buti, hindi pa nabubutas ang bituka mo sa kalalaklak mo."
"Leave me alone!"
"You know I won't do that, so don't push me away like what you did to her."
"Don't. Even. Try."
"Okay, okay! But get a grip man! This is not you! You're tougher than this!"
"I'm fine! I'm just drinking, what's wrong with drinking?!"
"Nothing, as long as you don't drown yourself into it."
"I'm not drowning myself!"
"I'm not stupid, Adam, so don't convince me otherwise."
"I didn't ask for your sermon, so bug off. What are you doing here anyway?"
"The government of Dubai called and asked for a meeting with all bidders."
"You can go there yourself. Just make sure you give them whatever they want."
"Baka mamumulubi ang kompanya kapag pinagbigyan natin ang lahat ng gugustuhin nila."
"I don't care! You know what I wanted for that project. I don't care if it's below cost, or no profit at all, just make sure Manzano won't get that project. And I'm giving you authority to reduce all our costs in all tenders where Manzano is also a bidder. I want that son of a bitch to be bankrupt by the end of this month!"
"Are you sure? Even if it costs you a fortune?"
"I don't care if it costs me all my fortunes!"
"Okay, your wish is my command. And Samantha?"
"What about her?"
"You're not gonna settle things with her?"
"Why would I do that?"
"Hanggang ngayon hindi ka pa rin naniniwala?"
"What is there to believe? She lied to me, Edward, lied! You know how I hate people who lie. And you very well know what I do to those who do it to me. Pasalamat siya at hindi ko siya ipinakulong."
"Pagkatapos ng lahat ng sinabi ko sa 'yo at ang inireport ng legal at ng HR, hindi ka pa rin naniniwala?"
"Hindi na mababago desisyon ko."
"Kahit sabihin kong buntis siya?"
"What's wrong with you man?!"
"Take me home."
"No, we won't leave this hospital until you listen to me! But before I kill you...." he ran towards to the main entrance para sundan si Samantha.
"Where are you going?" sigaw nito sa kanya.
"Susundan ko si Samantha. At oras na may mangyari sa kanya, forgive me but kakalimutan kong magkaibigan tayo."
Wala nang nasabi pa si Adam. Siya naman ay tuloy-tuloy palabas para puntahan ang babae.
Naabutan niya itong nakaupo sa isang bench sa ilalim nang puno. Inaalo ito ng mga nakapaligid dito.
Agad-agad siyang lumapit sa babae at niyakap nang makaupo sa tabi nito.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. I'm here."
"Colin...si Gerard...alam na niya ang tungkol kay Manzano....." paputul-putol nitong salita habang umiiyak.
"I'm sorry, Sam, I'm sorry."
"Ito ang dahilan kaya hindi ko masabi agad sa kanya ang totoo. Naduwag ako, Colin. And this is the result nang pagiging duwag ko. Anong gagawin ko, Colin?"
"Wala. Wala ka munang gagawin, Sam. At his current state of mind, hindi niya pakikinggan kahit anong paliwanag mo. Actually, kahit anong tungkol sa mommy niya at sa pamilya nito, sarado ang utak ni Adam. But I'll help you, don't worry. Hush now. Everything will be okay. "
"Sa sobrang galit niya kanina, hindi na ako nakapagsalita. Bakit ganun Colin? Bakit hindi niya ako bigyan nang pagkakataon?"
"Di ba sabi ko sa 'yo, sarado ang utak niya pagdating sa nanay niya at pamilya nito? Para sa kanya, walang gagawing mabuti ang mga ito sa kanya. How did he learn about it?"
"Hindi ko alam. Kahapon masama na ang loob niya sa akin kasi halos isang linggo ko na siyang tinitikis. At kaninang umaga, tumawag pa siya sa akin confirming yung usapan namin. Hindi kaya...hindi kaya?"
"Hindi kaya ano?"
"Baka nakita niya ako kanina. Kaya siguro siya naaksidente kanina dahil sa galit sa akin. Colin, ano ba itong pinasok ko?"
"Wag mo nang alalahanin yung aksidente. Okay na siya. Why don't you wait inside? I will call the driver at ipahahatid kita sa kanya. I'll drop Adam home then pupuntahan kita sa bahay. Are you still staying there?"
"Wag na Colin. Tatawagan ko na lang si Qin para magpasundo. Sige na, puntahan mo na siya."
"Okay, I will leave you but we'll talk later. Pupuntahan kita kahit saan pa yan. Ihahatid ko lang si Adam sa bahay. You get it?"
"Hindi na kaila...."
"No more arguments Sam. I need to understand more your story kung gusto mo pang magkasundo kayo ni Adam. Gusto mo pa bang magkaayos kayo o hahayaan mo na lang siya sa kung ano ang iniisip niya tungkol sa 'yo?"
"Okay na ako kung mapapatawad niya ako, Colin. Hindi ko na iwi-wish na mahalin pa niya akong muli."
"You're giving up your love for him that easily?!"
"Dahil alam kong isinugal niya sa akin ang takot niya na magmahal pero pagsisinungaling ang isinukli ko. Sa tingin mo hindi siya madadala nang tuluyan sa nangyari?"
She was right. His friend was burned once but that one time already crushed his soul to ashes. Kaya takot na takot itong magtiwala, magbigay nang pagpapahalaga because behind his ruthlessness and his tough image was a boy who was missing that big part of his life. The love of a mother. He's traumatized big time and at the stage where he's starting to trust and love again, may koneksyon pala sa nakaraan nito ang binigyan nito nang pagmamahal.
For the first time in his life, he asked the fate. Why it is playing on people's lives? For what? What is there to gain?
"Colin?" pukaw nito sa kanya.
"Basta. Hindi ka puwedeng basta-basta na lang gumi-give up. Hindi ikaw yan Sam."
"Hindi na mababago ang desisyon niya, Colin. What's the use of holding on?"
"I never thought ganyan kababaw ang pagmamahal mo sa kaibigan ko," husga niya dito. "I thought you're different from the others. Wala ka palang pinagkaiba."
"Colin, alam mong hindi totoo yan!"
"Then prove me wrong, Sam. Prove Adam wrong. At kung talagang mahal mo ang kaibigan ko, you won't give up on him now or at anytime. Hindi mo ginustong magkamag-anak kayo ni Manzano at lalong hindi mo ginustong si Adam ang ibigin mo. Sinabi ko na yon sa 'yo kanina, di ba? Wala kang intensyong lokohin si Adam. Fate played on you, plain and simple and I don't think fate wanted you two to end up like this. It's unfortunate for you both you have a relative like Manzano and Adam has a mother like tita Diana. But you don't have to allow them rule your life or how you will run your lives. If you do that, then what? You'll be two miserable souls. I know deep in my heart ikaw lang ang para sa kaibigan ko. I'm almost like brother Sam, so I know what happened in his life after that day she left him. He was afraid to fall, but he did and he trusted you to catch him. It may not be a perfect fall at the beginning but still, you're there to save him. And you'll save him hundred percent. As he trusted you with his life, I will trust you as his friend, as his brother, to take care of him. I know, his grandparents know, ikaw lang ang aalalay sa kanya para makabangon muli at mabuhay. You're the princess who'll kiss the prince so he can live again."
Napangiti ang kausap niya.
"What's the smile for?"
"Tita Nancy told me the same."
"See? Even her could see that. So please, don't give up on him. He'll come around. At mahal ka niya. Mahal na mahal. He maybe clouded with doubts on you now, but those clouds will be cleared. I'll make sure of that. We'll just give him some time to face those doubts. And I'll be there to help him remove them habang wala ka pa sa tabi niya."
"Thank you, Colin."
"Tata? Colin? Anong nangyari? Why are you crying? What did that bastard do to you this time?" bungad agad ni Jake sa kanila nang makalapit dito.
"Jake, pare," nakipagkamay siya dito. "Favor please, you take care of her for now. Make sure she'll be okay, always."
"Pare, ano bang sinasabi mo?"
"They had a fight and I guess it will take a longer time for them to make up, though I hope it's sooner."
"That asshole! Where is he?! I told him last time not to make you cry again. I'll teach that bastard a lesson!"
"Qin, no!"
"Ako na ang bahalang magturo sa kanya ng leksyon, brod. And while I do that, ikaw muna sa tabi ni Sam, kayo nang pamilya niya. I'll do the beating of some senses out of Adam."
"Do that, brod at hanggang may agiw pa ang utak niya, wag na wag siyang magpapakita kahit anino niya kay Samantha. Let's go, Tata, uuwi na tayo."
Lumingon ang babae sa kanya. "Salamat Colin. And please wag mo siyang pababayaan. At kung puwede sana, magtawagan tayo para alam ko kung ano ang nangyayari sa kanya."
"Nagiging tanga ka na yata, Tata. Bakit mo pa pag-aaksayahan nang panahon ang lalakeng yun?!"
"I'll do that, don't worry. At pare, sorry to correct you but pagmamahal ang tawag dun. Magiging ganyan ka din sa minamahal mo, wag kang mag-alala."
"Pfft!" sagot na lang nito. "O ano, tara na at baka kapag nagtagal pa tayo dito, baka sugudin ko ang lalakeng yun. Asan na nga pala yun? At bakit tayo nandito sa ospital?"
"He met an accident somewhere. He's okay now, naghihintay sa akin para makauwi na daw siya."
"Buti nga sa kanya," bulalas nito. "Sorry, brod."
"And I'm sure it's my fault kaya siya naaksidente."
"I told you Sam, it's not your fault! Okay lang yun, Jake, but I blame these two idiots at umabot pa sila sa ganito. Saan ang tuloy niyo?"
"Tata?"
"Babalik na lang kami sa Batangas, Colin. At okay lang kahit hindi mo ako puntahan, mas kailangan ka niya."
"Pupuntahan kita, tapos ang usapan. He may be hurt physically, but you are too, emotionally. At sa inyong dalawa, ikaw ang mas dapat alagaan dahil ikaw ang nasaktan sa kakitiran nang utak niya. I am his friend, his brother, but I won't tolerate his attitude."
"Right," sang-ayon ni Jake sa kanya. "And since I won't have an opportunity to do it, will you give him one solid hook? No, make it two, nah, three. Make it three. Or hell, make it hundreds or thousands hanggang sa matauhan yang kaibigan mo!"
"Qin!"
"I have that in mind, don't worry brod. So, bahala ka na kay Sam?"
"I will, no worry. Tara na Tata at mahaba-habang sermon ang aabutin mo sa akin at sa daddy mo."
Bumaling na ulit siya sa babae. "You take care, okay? This is nothing, all will be alright. I'll make sure matutuloy ang kasal nyo. Don't worry too much. And we'll talk, okay?"
Tumango na lang si Samantha sa kanya.
Pagkatapos pa nang ilang habilin, umalis na ang dalawa. Tinanaw pa nang mga mata niya ang paglayo nang sasakyan ni Jake saka siya nagdesisyong balikan si Adam sa loob. He took his time going inside and to him.
"What took you so long?! "
"I had to see her. How could you do that to her, ha?!"
"She's a liar and a bitch! That's her!" galit pa rin nitong sabi. "Magsama sila ni Manzano!"
"Bakit ba ayaw mong pakinggan ang paliwanag ni Samantha? It's not her fault kamag-anak niya si Manzano!"
"So, in a span of one hour, nabilog na niya ang ulo mo? Napaniwala ka niya sa mga kasinungalingan niya?"
"Matagal nang bilog ang ulo ko, Gerard Adam Alonzo, kaya alam ko kung alin ang totoo at hindi! At alam ko din kung kailan bubuksan ang isip ko para makinig sa paliwanag at hindi! Ikaw ang kailangang bilugin ang ulo at alisin ang agiw diyan sa utak mong may kalawang at nakakandado sa paliwanag!"
"I don't want a sermon, Father. Just let me get home."
"You deserve this, you know!" inis niyang tugon sa kaibigan.
"Get lost, Edward! Magsama kayo nang babaeng yun! I don't need you and I especially don't need her! So both of you, get lost! Get the hell out of my life!"
"You want that, really? Really, Adam?!"
Hindi ito nagsalita, bagkus nakatingin lang sa kabilang direksyon.
"Fine! Manigas ka dito sa hospital! Who wants to stay with you and your miserable life, anyway?" tuya niya sabay talikod at lumabas nang hospital. While walking, he took out his celphone from his pocket and dial Lolo Eddie's number.
"Hi, 'lo. Kumusta po?"
"Okay naman hijo, napatawag ka?"
"Ahm, naaksidente po kasi si Adam..."
"What?! Where is he? Is he okay? Answer..."
"He's fine, 'lo, don't worry. Masamang damo apo ninyo, isusuka pa siya nang Itaas kapag namatay siya."
"You were still joking Edward, it means he's safe. How safe is he?"
"Opo. His arms on sling, may benda sa ulo at nakasemento ang paa. And he's great, so great that he called off his wedding."
"What?! Did something happen to them? Teka akala ko ba nasa probinsiya siya? O nasa probinsiya siya, kayo?"
"No, where here at Medical City. We're about to go home na po."
"Good, good. Sige iuuwi mo na ang kaibigan mo at kami'y uuwi na rin ng lola mo. We'll just finish this meeting with the caterer then we'll go home. Wait, you said he called..does that mean....?"
"I guess you hold off that meeting muna, 'lo. Mukhang madi-delay ang kasal nila."
"Ano bang naisip ni Adam?"
"I'll tell you later, 'lo dahil sigurado akong hindi magsasalita si Adam tungkol sa nangyari."
"Okay, sige na. Ingat kayo sa pag-uwi. Magkita na lang tayo sa bahay."
"Sige po, bye."
Hi finished the call at naglakad pabalik kay Adam.
"What are you still doing here? I told you to get lost."
"And what are you still doing here? Can't go home on your own? You're invalid, right?" his voice full of sarcasm.
"Pfft!"
"You're stuck with me whether you like it or not, so let's go."
Pumuwesto na siya sa likod nito at sinimulang itulak ang wheelchair.
Wala silang imikan hanggang makarating sila sa entrance ng building para hintayin ang kotse niya.
"Tell you what," hindi siya makatiis, "I'll tell you her side of the story. Make sure..."
"I don't want to hear it!"
"You will hear it Adam, you will hear them all! Hindi uubra sa akin yang katigasan nang ulo mo! You easily put judgement on Samantha without hearing her side of the story, you asshole!"
"Wala na akong dapat malaman pa. I saw with my own two eyes how she lied to me Edward! I don't need to hear more of it!"
"Akala ko ba mahal mo si Sam? Why wouldn't you trust her?!"
"I trusted her, I did. I know something was going on and I asked her. Many times, pero hindi niya ginawa."
"Because she has reasons!"
"Fuck those reasons! I don't care anymore, okay?! Let's just go home, I'm tired!"
Pero hindi pa rin siya tumigil habang nasa sasakyan sila.
"I told you Edward it's useless! Can't you understand when I said I'm tired?!"
"Well, who cares?! Hangga't hindi mo isinisiksik sa utak mo ang katotohanan, hindi kita tatantanan! That woman loves you, she never wanted to in the beginning, pero ikaw, sa kagustuhan mong ikama siya, nagpumilit kang isiksik yang sarili mo sa kanya. Ayaw niya sa 'yo, alam mo ba yun? Ayaw niyang umibig sa tulad mong walang kaluluwa, walang puso. Pero may nagawa ba siya? Sa tingin mo kung may intensyon siyang lokohin ka sa simula pa lang, magpapakipot pa siya sa 'yo?"
Wala siyang nakuhang reaksyon mula sa kaibigan.
Paglingon niya dito, nakapikit na ang mata nito.
"Nice move, my friend. A really nice one!"
"He's at fault 'lo, 'la. Yun ang sabi ng mga pulis sa ospital."
Kausap niya ang dalawang matanda sa sala pagkatapos niyang maalalayan si Adam sa kuwarto nito. Nurse is available in the house dahil na rin sa mga ito. Umiwas na makipag-usap ang kaibigan niya at hindi na rin naman kinulit ng mga ito ang lalake at hinayaang magpahinga sa kuwarto.
"Ano ba kasi ang nangyari? And where is Samantha?!" tanong ni Lola Rosemarie.
"They had a fight po, lola. A big one. Adam broke up with her."
"Kaya ba tinapos mo na gad ang meeting kanina eh hindi pa nakakahalati sa pakikipag-usap dun sa event coordinator?" tanong naman nito kay Lolo Eddie.
"Yes, dear."
"Then why you didn't tell me immediately? At ang aksidente, bakit kailangang umuwi agad ang apo natin? He should stay there until he's cleard by the doctor."
"He's okay naman daw po. And Adam didn't want to stay in the hospital either. The cuts and the bruises were small and not deep. The casts were put para madali ang paggaling niya and hindi niya piliting gamitin. They decided to put them on him kasi matigas ang ulo ng apo ninyo. He kept argumenting with doctor and nurses daw kaya ayun. In few weeks time, he'll be okay." Lumapit siya sa matandang babae at bumulong, "They somehow exaggerated the dressings of his bruises, lola. They never encountered such a hardheaded person like Adam. But he's okay, don't worry," kindat niya dito.
"And Samantha? Anong nangyari at kailangan pang umayaw ng apo ko sa kasal nila?"
Ikinuwento niya nang pahapyaw sa mga ito nangyari. Hindi dapat sa kanya manggaling ang istorya, pero alam niyang hindi siya tatantanan ng dalawang matanda hangga't hindi nalalaman ng mga ito ang nangyari.
"What do you think hijo? You think Samantha would do such kind of thing like that?" lolo Eddie asked. "Honestly, I don't know much about that girl but from the way I see her, parang wala naman sa personality niya ang gagawa nang masama sa kapwa. And I could see how much she loves your brother."
"I doubt it, 'lo. Did you know Sam never wanted to fall in love with Adam? She tried to get away from it, pero bukod sa makulit ang apo ninyo, love has its own way to mapagtagpo ang dalawa at magkagustuhan. When he followed Samantha last time, she actually said no to him but Adam begged like a baby. Do you remember that time when he begged tita Diana not to leave him?"
Tumango ang dalawang matanda.
"Worse than that. He wouldn't let go of her. Never seen him doing like that to anyone."
"Why does she have to be a relative of Diana's husband?"
"Even if she's still Manzano's relative, the fact is, she is not him. Pero hindi yon makita ni Adam. All he knows is she lied to him at may kinalaman kay tita Diana ang pagsisinungaling niya."
Minutes passed and they were still silent. Walang makapagsalita sa kanilang tatlo.
"What shall we do?" buntung-hiningang tanong ni lola Rosemarie.
"I suggest let him sulk for a while, lola. Alam nyo naman yang si Adam, kapag pinilit nang pinilit lalong magmamatigas."
"Edward's right, dear. Hayaan muna natin si Adam. We'll just make sure he won't lose his head over this one, neither go back to his old ways."
"Should we remove the liquors in the bar, lolo?"
"Tara, let's remove some. Baka mahalata niyang ayaw natin siyang painumin kapag inalis nating lahat ang laman doon."
All them three walked to the bar at sinimulang ligpitin ang mga alak na matataas ang alcohol content.
"I have to go to somewhere after this, 'lo, 'la," paalam niya sa dalawang matanda.
"Di mo dadamayan si Adam mamaya? Sigurado akong ito agad ang pupuntahan niya kapag nagising mamaya."
"I have to speak po muna to Samantha. I didn't get the whole part of her story. Actually, kanina lang din niya sinabi sa akin ang tungkol kay Manzano and yet I immediately believed her because I was sure she was telling the truth. There's no reason for her, no reason at all, para saktan si Adam intentionally."
"We believe you, Edward, hijo. Sige, puntahan mo na siya at ihingi mo na rin kami ng dispensa sa ginawa ng kaibigan mo."
"I will, 'lo."
"I hope hindi po kayo tuluyang magalit sa kaibigan ko, tito Dante."
He was now talking to Sam's father. Kinabukasan na siya nakapunta sa dalaga. Nang makauwi kasi siya sa bahay, naglambing sa kanya ang anak niya pati na si Jenina. Of course, hindi siya nakatanggi. Tinawagan naman niya ang dalaga para kausapin pero hindi siya kinausap nito. Nagkulong lang daw ito sa kuwarto, sabi nang pinsan nitong si Yani.
Kaya kinabukasan, umaga pa lang, pumunta na siya sa lugar ng dalaga.
At hapon na, hindi pa rin lumalabas ng kuwarto nito ang dalaga.
"Ang totoo, anak, hindi ko naman masisisi si Adam kung magalit siya nang ganun sa anak ko. Kung tutuusin, kasalanan ni Samantha bakit sila umabot nang ganito. Sinabi ko na sa kanya na sabihin na agad bago pa man sila makarating sa ganito. Pero andito na, heto na nga ang sinasabi ko. Hindi na ako nagulat nang umuwi siya dito kahapong umiiyak."
"How is she tito?"
"Nasa kuwarto niya, walang tigil sa pag-iyak, sabi ni Yani. Kumusta ang kaibigan mo?"
"Bad and it will be worse in the coming days, I'm sure. Wala po ba tayong gagawin?"
"Sa ngayon, hayaan muna natin sila. Pahupain muna ang bagyo, ika nga. Pasasaan ga't titila din ang ulan."
"Ang lalim nun, tito," natatawang biro niya sa matanda.
"Eh ganun talaga kaming mga Batangenyo, otoy. Matalinhaga ang mga salitang namumutawi sa aming mga bibig subalit ang katumbas naman nito'y walang kasimpula nang dugong nananalaytay sa ating mga ugat."
"Ha, ha, ha, nosebleed tito."
"Ang totoo, natatakot din ako para sa anak ko, Edward. Ngayon lang siya nagmahal at hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya tutulungan sa mga panahong tulad nito. Alam mo naman tayong mga lalake, hindi tayo marunong magpakita ng emosyon lalo na sa ganitong sitwasyon. Kaya tulungan mo ako, ayusin natin ito. Ayusin natin sila. Ayokong nakikita kong umiiyak ang anak ko pero wala akong ibang sinisisi kundi siya. Siya rin ang may kagagawan nito."
"Don't worry tito. Hindi ko rin naman hahayaang mapunta sa wala ang relasyon nila. They're meant to be, I am sure of it."
"Minsan, kahit alam natin sa ating puso at kitang-kita naman ng ating mga mata na nasa harap na natin ang para sa atin, pilit pa rin tayong gumagawa ng paraan para mawala sila sa atin. Tayo na mismo ang gumagawa ng pagpapahirap sa ating sarili."
"Kaya tayo andito sa tabi nila, tito, di po ba? Para siguraduhin nating hindi iyon mangyayari sa kanila?"
"Harinawa nga, hijo, harinawa."
"Sam, c'mon, open this door, please. Nakakangawit magbitbit nitong tray, you know that."
He's been standing outside her room for fifteen minutes now, holding her dinner in a foodtray.
"Sam, you ok'd when I said we'll talk, right? Sam, please..."
"Not now, Colin," dinig niyang sagot nito. Ramdam niya sa sagot nito ang pag-iyak.
"Ok, I won't talk about him, I promise. Just eat your food, please. You didn't eat much ng lunch, you didn't even have your breakfast, sabi nang daddy mo. At lalong hindi ka daw lumabas nang kuwarto mo mula pa kahapon, sabi nang pinsan mo. They're worried Sam, really worried lalo na ang daddy mo. Gusto mo bang pati siya ay mamrob...?"
Click.
The door opened and there she was. Ruffled hair, puffy eyes, red nose and tears falling non-stop.
"Sam...."
Tinalikuran lang siya nito at tinungo ang sofa na nasa gilid nang kama, yumukyok nang upo at nagsimula na namang humagulhol nang iyak.
"Hey, hey, stop that!" saway niya dito habang ibinababa ang tray sa kama. As soon as he let the it down, he took the glass of water and immediately went to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"Ssshhh, calm down. Stop crying, please. Drink this."
"I can't Colin!"
"Kahapon ka pa umiiyak eh. Sige na, inumin mo na ito. Hindi ka ba napapagod? Is there a faucet somewhere in your body that I could turn off para tumigil ka sa pag-iyak?" biro niya.
"Colin naman eh!"
"Colin naman eh!" panggagagaya niya. "C'mon, drink water. Dehydration ang aabutin mo."
Sinunod naman siya ng babae. Nagsisinok pa ito habang iniinom ang iniabot niya.
"Crying over a lost love is fine but not like this! Not non-stop! Hell, it's not even a lost case! Where's your fighting spirit, woman?!"
"You said you're not going to talk about him, so please!"
"Alright, alright, pero naman, wag mong pahirapan sarili mo! Stop crying!"
"Tina-try ko naman eh, kaya lang....kaya lang...."
At humagulhol na naman ito nang iyak.
"Sssshhh, tahan na, tahan na. Sige ka, naririnig ka nang daddy mo sa pag-atungal mo. Gusto mo yata talagang mag-worry siya sa 'yo."
Humina naman ang pag-iyak nito pero patuloy pa rin sa pag-iyak.
They stayed in their position for a long time. Hinayaan niya lang itong umiyak nang umiyak hanggang sa napagod na siguro ito at tumigil din.
"Wow! Record holding! One hour! Saang parte ng katawan ninyong mga babae iniipon ang luha? Siguro kung inipon ko yung mga luha mo, makakaisang balde....Aray!"
Kinurot kasi siya nito sa may bewang.
"I'm dying Colin and all you did was make it a laughing matter!" Hiccup!
"Dying? Who's dying?"
"You know what I mean!" Hiccup!
"Ikaw, dying? No you're not. You're more likely killing yourself over nothing! So why complain dying?"
"Nothing?!" Hiccup! "You think this is..." Hiccup!
"See? Yan ang napapala mo sa pag-iyak-iyak mo nang walang dahilan. Baka mamaya nyan mapasama ka na sa Guiness World Of Records sa kasisinok mo!"
"Eh kasi naman..."
"And she's back being argumentative. Kahit pala sawi na yang puso mo, hindi ka pa rin patatalo sa pakikipagdiskusyon."
"Ewan ko sa yo!"
"Hey, eto naman, hindi na mabiro!" hila niya dito nang akma itong tatayo. "Come here."
"What shall I do, Colin? Ang hirap pala nang ganito. Parang ayoko na."
"Ikaw ngang babae ka, tumingin ka sa akin." Iniharap niya ito sa kanya. "Dapat na ba akong magduda sa pagmamahal mo sa kaibigan ko?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"The correct question for such a nonsense conclusion."
"Mahirap kalaban ang nakaraan, Colin."
"Para ano pa ang ngayon at bukas kung hindi kakalimutan ang nakaraan?"
"Why don't you tell that to Gerard? How is he, by the way?"
"O akala ko ba don't mention him?"
"Sige na. Kumusta siya?"
"Why? So you can feel more guilty?"
"Just..."
"He's okay."
"I see."
"Not."
"I should've told him...."
"Actually, I don't know. I haven't seen him since yesterday I dropped him home from the hospital. Katulad mo, umalis ako sa mansion kahapon hindi pa siya lumalabas ng kuwarto."
"What about his grandparents? Do they know?"
"Yeah?"
"Galit ba sila sa akin?"
"No, of course not! Why would they?"
"Dahil nagsinungaling ako sa apo nila at kamag-anak ako ni Manzano."
"Will you cut it?! No one damn cares if you're Manzano's relative!"
"Except him."
At bumalik na naman ito sa pag-iyak.
"C'mon Sam! It's not an issue, not at all! Adam get hurt the most because you kept it from him for a long time. He said he gave you many chances to admit it but you didn't. Pero andito na ito, nangyari na. The least you can do is say sorry and will not do it again. He has trust issue, yun 'yon!"
"What about my spying on him? Alam na ba niya? Did you tell him?"
"Should I be the one to tell him that? Hindi ba dapat ikaw mismo ang magsabi sa kanya ng gustong ipagawa sa 'yo ni Manzano?"
"I don't have the courage anymore. Kapag naalala ko yung galit sa mga mata niya, nawawalan ako ng pag-asa. Hindi ko na makita yung pagmamahal niy sa akin. Paano pa ako makakapasok sa puso niya kung harap-harapang ikinakandado niya sa akin ang papasok papunta doon?"
"Keep knocking. Kapag nakasara ang pinto, hindi ibig sabihin hindi na iyon ulit puwedeng buksan. At kung hindi man puwede sa pinto, may bintana, may kisame. Maraming paraan para makapasok sa loob."
"What do you mean?"
"Ewan ko din. I was with your daddy the whole day, nahawa na yata ako sa pagiging makata at matalinhaga niyang pagsasalita. May lahi ba kayo ni Balagtas?"
"Um! Puro ka naman kalokohan!"
"I was just trying to lift your burden a little. But seriously Sam, Adam may have closed his door on you, but I'm sure it's not locked or sealed or bolted. You can still go inside his heart and own it."
"Sana nga Colin. Sana nga, tama ka."
"Where have you've been?! I've been calling you hundred times already! Why are you not answering your damn phone?!"
"What are you doing here?! Don't tell me hindi ka pa umuuwi sa bahay ninyo?"
Naabutan niya itong subsob ang mukha sa pagbabasa ng mga papeles tungkol sa mga proyekto nila. At king hindi siya nagkakamali, ang suot nito ay siyang suot pa rin nito kahapon.
"You didn't go home," he confirmed his guess. "And you stinks!"
Nilingon niya ang mesang nasa gilid nito. Wala na sa kalahati ang laman ng bote ng Remy Martin. At alas onse pa lang ng umaga. Kahapong kasama niya ito, Jack Daniels ang sinimulan nitong inumin noong umaga. Nang maubos ang laman ng bote, natulog sa sofa ng wala pa sa kalahating oras. Nang magising, Johnny Walker naman ang nilantakan ng inom.
It's been a week since that accident, and he started to get worried about Adam. He tried to explain and tell him about Sam's side, but they would only end up shouting at each other, him walking out of frustration, his friend continuing his rendezvous with liquors.
The next day after the accident, nagpahatid ito sa opisina at nagtrabaho. Pinaalis din nito ang cast sa paa ng madulas niyang nasabi na hindi naman malala ang nangyari dito at parusa lang ng kaibigan nilang doktor dito ang paglalagay ng semento sa paa. Later that day, dinala sa kanya ng manager ng HR department ang gamit ni Samantha. When he asked why, sinabi nitong may na-receive silang email instruction from Adam about permanently prohibiting Samantha from entering any building owned by him and working in any of his company as well.
Hindi na siya nagtaka sa inaasal ng kaibigan niya. Ginagawa talaga nito ang lahat para parusahan ang sinumang magsisinungaling dito and unfortunately, Samantha is not an exception.
Naiiling na idinayal niya ang numero nito ng makaalis ang taga-HR.
"Yes?"
"Why did you instruct HR......?"
Beep. Line was cut.
He sent a quick message to him afterwards.
"Moron. Stupid. Jerk. Asshole. Sonofabitch."
And he was replied with a smiley.
Knock, knock.
"Sir Colin?"
Adam's driver Ricardo came in.
"Yes Ricky?"
"Inutusan po ako ni sir Gerard na hingin sa inyo ang address ni ma'am Samantha."
"Bakit daw?"
"Tanungin ko daw po kung may mga soft copies siya ng mga tran...."
"Go back to your boss, Ricky."
"Sir?"
"And tell him to go to hell!"
"Sir naman, alam ninyong hindi ko magagawa yan."
"Give me then your celphone."
"Sir?"
"Sige na."
Nang maiabot sa kanya ang telepono, pinindot niya ang video recording at, "Fuck you!!! Why don't you go there yourself, coward?" sigaw niya sa aparato. Kumuha siya ng memo slip at may isinulat sa papel saka ibinalik sa driver ang telepono nito. "You personally go to him and show him this video. And after that, you can go to supplies and present that slip to claim your new celphone. And in case he fires you, consider it a joke. You can work for me habang dinadaanan nang buwan ang utak ng amo mo, okay?"
"Sir?"
"Trust me, Ricky. Sige na. Bumalik ka na sa kanya."
"Sige po."
And they were like that during the next days. He never failed to attempt mentioning Samantha pero hindi pa natatapos ang sentence niya, Adam would either left him while talking or pick up his phone and speak to anyone. Anything his friend would do para lang hindi nito marinig ang sasabihin niya tungkol sa babae.
At ngayon, isang linggo na siyang nagta-try, hindi pa rin siya successful sa attempt niya.
"What do you think I'm doing here, playing around?!"
"But it's bloody Saturday! And you're supposed to rest, for God' sake! Ni hindi pa nga gumagaling yang sugat mo sa noo! Where is your nurse?!"
"I sent her home. Ano tutulungan mo ba ako o sesermunan lang? I want to make sure Manzano won't get the Dubai project. You call the technical team right now while I study this tender. Tell them to come to the office within one hour."
"It's weekend, Adam!"
"One hour, or else wag na silang pumasok sa Lunes."
Wala na siyang nagawa kundi sundin ang utos ni Adam. And while waiting for the staff to arrive, they reviewed the project and all other pending projects na pansamantalang kinalimutan nito habang nanilbihan kay Samantha.
From out of nowhere, "Did you get the soft copies?"
"What copies?"
"Ricardo...."
"Don't, Adam! At kapag hindi ako makapagpigil, ako mismo ang magbibigay ng leak kay Manzano kung hindi mo titigilan ang kagaguhan mo!"
"Whatever. Just do as I say!"
"You know what? No need for me to do that. Baka nga naibigay na ni Sam kay Manzano ang kailangan niya."
"That bitch!"
"Better."
"What?!"
"You still care for her. You're reacting. And by the way, she's doing well. And don't worry, she's not coming back to the company nor to any of your companies so no need to ban her or anything. She's working now in Jake's..."
"I don't give a damn care about her!"
"She's working as Jake's secretary," pagpapatuloy niya. "And the last time I heard, they're even rekindling their romance the second time around. Good pair, they are. Better choice for her even. In fact..."
At nilayasan na siya nito.
"Finally," he mumbled to himself. He then dialed Jenina's number. "Sweetheart, hi. Be ready in fifteen minutes, okay? We'll go ahead with our trip....You're right, that triggered the hell out of him....Nah, he'll be fine. Malaki na siya at saka hindi ko siya sasamahan sa kagaguhan niya. He knows what he should do. See you later, okay? Love you!"
He then sent a quick email to the team that the meeting is cancelled. He then picked up the liquor bottle plus those in his minibar and throw them to the bin. He then changed his mind, picked up the bottles and poured their contents to the sink before throwing them back again to the trash.
"Much much better."
Sumisipol pa siya habang lumalabas sa opisina.
"Happy weekend everyone!" he shouted to no one.
"How is she brod?"
"What do you expect? What about your son of a bitch for a friend?"
"As we expected."
Magkausap sila ni Jake sa opisina nito sa Batangas. He visited Samantha and as he expected, she was facing her problem the way it should be.
Not.
He could clearly see from Jake's office window how sad her eyes are. She was smiling to other people, but her smiles never reached her eyes. And she looked thin. And pale. But still beautiful. Beautiful woman with sad eyes.
"Beautiful, isn't she?" pukaw sa kanya ni Jake. "Pero malungkot ang mga mata niya. We tried everything, Colin, pare, but I think it's only getting worse and worse. Daddy niya, si Yani, ako, ikaw, pero tingin ko she's going there, into depression."
"You think so?"
"Sana mali ako. She's tough, she was able pass through the loss of her mother, it should be the same for that bastard friend of yours."
"He's still my friend, Jake, so watch your mouth," mahinahong babala niya sa bagong kaibigan.
"I'm sorry. Hindi ko lang gusto ang nakikita ko kay Tata. Hindi siya yan, Colin, hindi siya dapat ganyan!"
"I know, but let us give them more time to grieve."
"Them? Are you sure you know what you're talking about? Grieve ba kamo? Ganito ba magluksa ang kaibigan mo, ha?"
He caught the newspaper Jake threw to him.
It was the entertainment page. And a big picture of Adam with Vicky was splashed in the main story.
"I'm aware of this, thank you very much. And expect to see more of him wearing a smirk. Not a real smile, Jake, but a fake one. And you'll see different women on his side in other pictures. Just make sure Sam won't see them at all."
"She already have that copy. And all the other pictures of him in the magazines, internet even. Pictures of him with other women so your warning is quite a bit late, I'm afraid."
"What do you mean?"
"I accidentally saw her file of his pictures kahapon. Masama daw ang pakiramdam niya kaya hindi siya nakapasok. I was talking to her on the phone habang hinahanap ko yung dokumento sa computer. I was opening some files nang may nabuksan akong pictures. It was him, lots and lots of him. Most of them were with someone. Then I rummaged inside her desk and found a folder of news clippings from magazines and newspapers about him. Again, pictures were not of him alone, but with someone. I don't know what she's doing but I think Tata is torturing herself, Colin, for reason I don't know! For how many more months we'll allow them to kill themselves slowly, especially Tata? Colin, it's been two months! At para tayong mga tanga dito, tayo ang nahihirapan para sa kanila. Yang kaibigan mo, nagpapakasaya sa kandungan ng ibang babae, ang kaibigan ko dito, pinapatay ang sarili. God, I'm even worried for tito Dante! He has heart problem, brod, and seeing his daughter like that, it's not good for him at all! C'mon, give me a go signal so I can beat the senses out of your friend!"
"He's also killing himself, Jake. All that you see in the media were all fake. I know, coz' I'm at his back all the time. And those women, they're nothing, believe me. And also believe me when I say they didn't reach his bed or in any bed. I made sure of it. Heck, hindi na nga ako nagtatrabaho at sinusundan na lang siya palagi kung saan siya pupunta! Kung wala ako dito, andun ako sa kanya, making sure he won't do anything stupid!"
"Stop! She's coming! Yes, Tata?"
"Just some vouchers to sign from the accounting and contract renewals to read and sign if okay with you. Hi Colin! Kanina ka pa?"
"Hi Sam!" bati niya sa babae sabay halik sa pisngi nito. "How are you?"
"Coping," pilit na ngiti nito sa kanya. "Ahm, you want something? Coffee? Softdrinks? Qin, hindi mo man lang inalok ng inumin ang bisita mo?"
"He's fine, he doesn't need to drink anything."
"I'm fine Sam, fine as a bull. Ikaw, are you fine? You look pale, or is it only make up? And you look not healthy to me. Are you eating?"
"O..oo naman! Ahm, may kailangan pa kayo..."
"She does, a little. At pagkatapos ng opisina, uuwi yan ng bahay at magkukulong sa kuwarto. Bababa lang para kumain ng hapunan, without single word from her during meal, then go straight back to her room at magkukulong. I pick her up in the morning para pumasok sa opisina, again without a single word from her mouth during the trip, and pagdating dito sa opisina, kung hindi ko pa pupuwersahing kumain ng tanghalian, hindi kakain. Nagpupumilit palaging mag-overtime kahit wala namang gagawin. Walang pahinga, hindi umaalis sa upuan niya kung hindi ko pa tatawagin. She rarely smile, she rarely even talk! Yes, she's fine! Right Tata?"
"Is that true Sam?"
"He's exaggerating things, Colin. "
"I'm practically living in your house Tata. Plus, why would I lie to him? Why would I lie how you slowly torturing yourself by keeping pictures of him with other women?"
"Sam?"
"I.....ah.....ah.....I don't think I have to explain things to you. Ahm, excuse me."
"Sam!"
"Tata!"
Sabay pa nilang tinawag ang babae.
Tumigil ito sa paglalakad palabas ng pintuan at nilingon sila.
"Look, I..ah...ahm...appreciate....your....help .... really .... but .... this ......ahm....my...ahm.....life. I'm....aah.....okay...with......"
"Christ! Sam!"
"Kahit sabihin kong buntis siya?"
No reaction.
"I said..."
"I heard what you said! Change of plan. I will go to Dubai myself. When it will be?"
"Wala ka man lang sasabihin? Hindi ka man lang matutuwa at magiging tatay ka na?"
"I'm not the father."
Bigla siyang lumapit dito at kinuwelyuhan ang lalake.
"Ulitin mo ang sinabi mo!" mariin nitong bulong sa kaibigan.
"I don't give a damn if she's pregnant coz' I'm not the father of that baby," walang kakurap-kurap na sagot nito sa kanya.
"Asshole!" Itinulak niya ito paupo sa swivel chair nito.
"We're over! I quit! And from now on, we no longer know each other, you bastard!" sigaw niya dito.
Dali-dali siyang naglakad palabas nang opisina nito pero tumigil siya at bumalik sa mesa nito.
"Did you forget something?"
"This!"
And he punched him hard his knuckles hurt.
"Don't ever go near her, you asshole! At kalimutan mo na rin ang dalawampung taon nating pagkakaibigan!"
