Arabella's Game

Chapter 20: She Tells The Untold

Florida, US

“Tito, a letter,” sabay abot ni Yñigo ng sulat.

Curtis read the letter. Napakunot ang kanang mga noo, they have to fly to Philippines in a week. It was a letter from his father.

“I am leaving next week kiddo. My Dad’s letter,”

“Okay, as long as you’re attending my family day tomorrow, Tito,” biglang ma sumingaw na lungkot sa mukha ni Yñigo. “I miss, Mom,”

“After my appointment in Manila I’ll send you to your Mom,” pangako nito sa bata.

The next day he left to Manila. It was an unknown business with his Dad.

 Manila, Philippines

“You can’t do this to me,” wika ni Arabella sa ama.

“You made us do this,” sagot ng ama nito sa malakas na tinig. “Curtis Saavedra has all the rights to know,” tulad ng dati nagbabangayan nanaman ang mag-ama.

“Don’t ever tell him,” sagot nito.

“What I must not know Dalja?” it was a voice from behind. “It’s been a week,”

Curtis was with his parents. Nakikita na ni Arabella ang tensyon na magaganap. It was never in her dreams for this to happen.

Kinamayan ng ama ni Arabella ang mag-asawang Saavedra. “Salamat sa pagpaunlak. Let’s talk things over in the living room. Come,”

Sa sala ng malaking bahay nandoon na ang ina ni Arabella. Nalatag na nito ang meriendang makakain.

“Mr. Saavedra, tell me what’s on your mind after reading these documents,” inabot ni Mr. Monteverdi ang piraso ng mga dokumento kay Curtis. Napatameme si Curtis sa nabasa.

“I should claim my rights, Sir,” pigil nito sa damdamin.

“Yes you should,”

“Kukunin ko ang bata,” he said with finality.

“You can’t do this!” napasigaw si Arabella. Nabigla ang lahat sa reaksyon niya.

Maging ang mga magulang ni Curtis ay alam na ang katotohanan. Napag-usapan na ng mga magulang nila ang mga dapat nilang malaman and they agreed na dapat magkaharap na sina Arabella at Curtis para masabi na nito ka Curtis ang kanyang responsibilidad na dapat panindigan.

“Ako ang magpapalaki sa kanya, parte yun ng pagiging ama ko ng bata,” mahinahon na sagot ni Curtis.

“It will never happen,” mariing sagot ni Arabella.

“In any court, kahit ano man ang sabhin mo. Anak ko pa rin si’ya. He’s 8 and I can have him with me. You’re busy at ako naman yung parating nandyan so it won’t be a problem for me at all,”

“You can’t have Yñigo!” naghihimagsik na sagot nito.

“I have all the rights,”

 “I don’t care! He’s my son,”

“And he’s my son, too,”

“Walang namagitan sa atin during those times kaya imposible na ikaw!”

“Matched ang DNA namin ng bata,” napatayo si Curtis sa pigil nitong emosyon, “kaya paanong nang yari ‘yon, Dalja?”

“I just – “ napatulala siya. Now she can remember what she did. The lies she keeps on hiding. Ang rason kug bakit nagtatago si’ya sa mga magulang niya at kay Curtis.

Flashback: Palawan, Philippines 8 years ago...

Habang nagmamaneho sa kahabaan ng daan, her phone keeps on ringing. “Crap!” bulalas nito sabay sagot sa telepono. “Anong kelangan mo Curtis? I’m driving,”

     “Where are my gametes, young lady?” galit na tugon ng nasa kabilang linya. Curtis Sander Saavedra is an Air Force pilot and Arabella’s high school friend and her partner in crime for two years in London. Mula sa racing, drifting, rafting, mountain climbing, parasailing at kung anu-ano pang adrenaline rush adventures.

     “I gave it to Natalie. She needs a baby so badly. Well she’s five months pregnant right now. O hayan, I gave you the confidentialities. Mawawalan talaga ako nito ng lisensya nito, Curtis,”

     “Yeah right, lady! Pati ba naman ako pagti-tripan mo? Come on Aja, why her?” that’s how he calls his racing buddy.

     “She’s pretty; you’re a potential, perfect combination. Saka she’s your ex girlfriend. Don’t worry, di niya alam na ikaw, Saka ex mo naman yun di ba?”

     “Stop talking bullshit Arabella! Take it back!”

     “What? You’re crazy! On her second trimester?  I don’t practice abortion Mr. Saavedra!”

     “Where are you?” pangungusisa nito.

     “Somewhere in Jamaica,” she lied. “I found a guy here Curtis,” pagbago niya sa usapan.

     “What? Dapat kong kilatisin yan Aja,” biglang bayolenteng reaction nito.

     “No problem at all, I’m going to have a baby, Curtie. Congra –,”ngunit di pa nito natatapos sabihin.

     “Bloody hell! Arabella, I’ll fly there right now, papatayin kong lalaking yan,”

     “Chill, buddy. I’m happy having this baby. Bye!” binaba nya ang telepono at tinapon sa labas. “Damn it Curtis! I’m not done with my plans yet,”