No More Ignorance (BOOK 2)

Prologue

Geneva, Switzerland

"Wine again? Seriously? How many days I've seen you drinking?" I sneered as I looked behind me.

"Why? Is this bad? I thought... this is good for the heart?" I said. Nakita ko ang pagpipigil niya ng tawa.

"Why are you smiling? May nakakatawa ba sa sinabi ko? Tama naman ako ah."

He looked at me.

"No, mon chéri."

I smiled sweetly.

"Why are you here, Marco?" I asked him.

I sip on my wine.

"Aren't you happy to see me?" He asked me with a fuss that made me laugh.

"Of course, I'm happy to see you!" I said and smiled at him.

"Geez, Elisa! Are you drunk?"

"Do I look drunk?" I asked.

"Not really. Kumain ka na ba?" I shook my head.

"Not yet."

"Let's eat. Sabay na tayo."

"Saan?"

"At your favorite." I smile widely.

"Susunod na lang ako. Wait for me." I said.

"Okay." He winked at me before he left.

I went back to my desk. This makes me happy. Pakiramdam ko ay nakakalimutan ko lahat ng problema ko. It's been 3 years since I moved here with my son, and we lived a normal life. I met my real father who I thought was already dead. Nagalit ako kay mama pero sa huli, pinatawad ko rin siya. She explained to me and I understood her. It was not easy moving here in Switzerland. But after a couple of months, nasanay na rin kami sa klase ng pamumuhay rito. I studied again and graduated. My son is in grade 2 already. He's 7 years old now. I am currently working at my own company. Mode de féroce. A clothing brand here in Switzerland. Katulad ng pinsan ko, I make my designs too.

Who would have thought that the dumb, selfless woman has succeeded?

At magsisimula pa lang ako.

I will make sure that when they see me again, they will regret what they did to me. I will show them what I am now today. I want to see their epic faces and remorse because I've made it and I succeed. I want to meet their eyes with my animosity. Especially him, who highly exploited my weakness. And to that trickster, Leslie? What a bitch. Kung tutuusin, ayoko ng bumalik pa sa Pilipinas pero kailangan. I need to finish some business matters there. Ayoko na ngang makita pa ang pagmumukha nila. Lalo na ang dati kong asawa. And I need to get ready because I know that we will meet the same path. Hindi sa umiiwas ako, pero ayoko na talagang silang makita pa. Though, makikita ko naman talaga sila dahil balita ko ay kilala sila ngayon bilang power couple. Wow. Umalis lang ako naging corny na ang pinas. Nasusuka ako kapag naririnig ko 'yon. Imagine? Isang malandi at pumapatol sa malandi? Nakakasuka! Katulad ng reaksyon ko ng makita ko sila noon. Ngayon ko nga lang napag-tanto na para akong nakakita ng mga aso na naglalampungan sa may kanto. 'Yon nga lang, sa condo unit ako nakakita. Kapag nga naalala ko 'yon nandidiri ako. Buti na lang pala at 'di ko naibigay ang sarili ko sa lalaking 'yon sa pangalawang pagkakataon. Dahil kung hindi? Baka may AIDS na 'ko ngayon. But God is good. Hindi niya 'ko pinabayaan. Kami ng anak ko. Tama na ang maraming beses na nagpaka-tanga, nagpaka-bobo, nagpaka-martyr ang isang Elisa. And thanks to my dad. Dahil siya ang tumulong sa'kin pati si Marco. I was shocked ng malaman ko na kaibigan pala siya ni Dad. At matagal na pala silang magkaibigan. What a coincidence, right? Akala ko 'di na kami ulit magkikita pero nagtagpo ulit ang mga landas namin at magkaibigan na kami ngayon. Marco was there, noong nagsisimula pa lang ako. Tinuloy niya ang mga dapat kong tapusin. And he did great. Natuto na nga ako ng tuluyan mula sa mapait kong nakaraan.

Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko at huminga ng malalim. I breathe in and out for 10 seconds.

Nai-stress talaga ko kapag naalala ko sila.

Idinilat ko ang mga mata ko at tiningnan ang business proposal na nasa desk ko. Kanina lang 'to dumating at pinadala ni dad sa'kin. I know na inaasar niya ako. He's playful. May ama akong inaasar ako lagi. But he loves me. And guess what? It's from Saavedra Company. I want to laugh again. Talaga ngang 'di ako tinatantanan ng nakaraan.

"Bwisit." I hissed.

Itinago ko muna 'yon sa drawer. Pipirmahan ko na lang kapag bored ako.

I took my pouch and went out of my office.