Catherine - her secret, her love

Chapter 16

**Oliver**

Two months have passed. I've finished my practicum, and I'm near to graduation. Konti na lang ay makakapag-tapos na din ako sa kursong kinuha ko.

But in those two months, I've set my mind into taking up Psychology. In fact, I spend most of my time in the library now, reading and borrowing books and downloading e-books as I am planning to write a dissertation.

Sa ngayon, I've come up with a case study analysis on Catherine's condition. Sa dalawang buwan na naging abala ako sa internship, Mom and Dad made sure that no one can visit her but them.

Maging ako ay hindi na nila pinayagang makita siya. Biglaan na lang, actually. All of a sudden Basta na lang nilang sinabing hindi ko muna siya pwedeng makita.

I've no idea why, for they didn't even give me any reason at all.

"Hey, so how's your day?" tanong ni Mommy while preparing dinner.

Ngayon na lang ako ulit nakauwi from dorm after a week. And as usual, I would ask for her.

"Can I see her now, Mom?"

Natigilan siya sa tanong ko. Hanggang kailan ba 'ko maghihntay? Until when are they planning to separate us?

"Oliver, kauuwi mo lang. Magpahinga ka muna, anak." The way she said it was like pleading.

Asking me to stay, to rest, and hoping that I'd brush the thought of seeing her again.

"May nangyari po ba?" I asked, worried.

Mom would not look that way if something's not wrong. She looked remorseful and hateful at the same time. 

"Oliver, I want you to be happy." Sabi niya as soon as she sat down beside me. "Gusto kong makita kang successful in the future. I want you to have a stable job and a stable life. Your world should not revolve around Catherine, anak."

"Mom, you promised me na kapag natapos ko na 'tong practicum, you'll let me see her."

"I won't let an insane woman ruin your future, Oliver." I was surprised of her frankness. Based ony my observation, tila may galit si mommy kay Catherine, which means something really isn't right. 

"What do you want me to do, mom?" I asked, trying to get her pity. "Do you want me to live a forced life? Living, but not alive?"

"Catherine isn't your life. Stop it, Oliver." 

Hindi na 'ko nagsalita pa at baka kung ano pa ang masabi ko, na posibleng maging dahilan pa ng galit ni mommy kay Catherine. Lumabas ako upang magpahangin. 

I have to see her, not only because I'm missing her, but for the purpose of my dissertation na din. Kailangan kong pag-aralan ang kundisyon niya so I can help her.

"Oliver," bati ni Dad pagkababa niya sa sasakyan. Napansin niyang malalim ang iniisip ko kaya nilapita niya 'ko. "It's good to see you back,"

"Thanks, Dad." 

"Nakausap mo na ba ang mommy mo?"

I just nodded. Alam ko namang kung ano ang desisyon ni mommy, 'yun din ang desisyon niya. Alam kong hindi na niya rin ako papayagang makita pa si Catherine, but I have to ask no matter what.

"Kumusta po siya, Dad?"

"Kaaalis lang ng Tita Bea mo last week, kasama ng Tito mo para magpagamot sa U.S." Sagot nito. I understood at once what he's trying to say. Wala na pala talagang pamilya si Catherine, at mukhang inayos na rin ang papers niya para ma-void ang adoption. 

"Kailan daw po ang balik nila?"

"I don't know, I advised them to stay there until Richard's fully recovered. And they might as well have a fresh start." He said, and continued, "They consider Catherine as a curse. Kaya ganu'n na rin ang pag-aalala ng mommy mo sa'yo, if you would still pursue her." 

"Do you visit her, Dad?"

Sa pagtango niya ay para bang nalungkot ang kanyang mga mata. "She won't speak to anyone anymore."

"Dad, I need to see her. I want to see her, please." Pakiusap ko. Mas lalo ko siyang gustong makita dahil sa sinabi niya. 

Naalala ko nuong unang beses siya ma-confine, wala rin siyang ibang kinakausap kundi ako lang. And worse, I've read a book that says those with mental problems must interact as much as possible. Kasi malaki ang posibilidad na mas mawala sila sa wisyo. 

Kinuha niya ang kanyang phone at may tinype, pagkatapos ay nag-vibrate naman ang cellphone ko sa bulsa. "I texted you the address."

Binuksan ko ang phone ko at pag-kakita sa address ay hindi na 'ko halos nakapagsalita pa. Dumeretso ako paalis, ngunit huminto din bago ko pa man makalimutan magpasalamat. "Thanks Dad."

He just nodded, half-smiling. "Oliver," pagtawag niya nang mabuksan ko na ang pintuan ng sasakyan. "I think you have the right to know this. She was pregnant. But she lost the baby."

Napayuko ako. I didn't know what to react after hearing such news.

Halos hindi na 'ko makakilos sa kinatatayuan ko, knowing that she had to suffer alone. "Thanks... Dad..." 

Iyon na lamang ang nasabi ko at mas pinili pa rin puntahan si Catherine. She must have been waiting for me, and God how I wished I never left her side.