The Second Bride on the List

Chapter 13

Things are definitely better between them.

Kiefer has not been bringing anyone for the past week. He has been charming, nice, and thoughtful. And somehow, he has been supportive of her volleyball career.  Like how he would send text messages if she needs a lift home after her game, or how he'd watch and cheer for her.

Except that he always has something to say about what she's wearing.

They have dropped the race for the Finals, but are battling for third place next week.  They supposedly have practice today, on a Friday afternoon, but Ara couldn't make it, nursing a cold.  They all decided it would be best to wait until Sunday, until Ara is feeling better.

She was home early, and just as she stepped inside the foyer, Kiefer seems to be in a hurry going out.  "Parang ang aga mo pang lalabas a," she mentioned, looking at her wristwatch.  Normally, Kiefer would be hanging out late, like around 8PM, and would be home Cinderella time.

"Dun lang ako sa likod bahay, kina Grandpa," he replied, worry sketched on his forehead, "hindi daw maganda ang pakiramdam niya."

Alyssa bit her lower lip, "Sige… sige."  She was about to take a step when she changed her mind, "Wait.  Paantay ako please? Sabay ako."

She hurriedly ran up to her room and changed into something clean and comfortable.  Kiefer was leaning on the main door, with a stoic look on his face.  She glanced up at him and smiled, "He'll be okay, Kief.  Okay?"

He nodded, and they started going towards their Grandpa's house.

For the past 4 months that Alyssa has been with them, Grandpa has been a happy/scary fixture in their lives.  He'd be a big loud teddy bear, or a dark booming thundercloud, but all the same, he has interestingly wormed his way into her heart.

She stole quick glances at Kiefer, sensing that he is worried.  Without thinking, she reached for his hand, and squeezed it.

Kiefer was surprised to feel her hand on his, squeezing warmth into his body.  How he hates the episodes when his Grandpa would suddenly get sick.  Yes, he is aware that Grandpa's body is deteriorating, but every time he gets sick, it just gets him all nervous and on the edge.

He sighed deeply and returned the squeeze. "Smile, Kief," Alyssa softly said, "Grandpa wouldn't want to see you sad."

It was a long walk to his bedroom, and Kiefer is dreading to see his Grandpa all weak-

And furious to the core.

He let out a sigh of relief. "Grandpa, we're here for a visit," he smiled. A real smile this time.

"I'm not imbecile, and I will eat if I'm hungry!" Grandpa declared. Kiefer looked at her grandmother who is getting frustrated. His grandmother returned the look, rolling her eyes, "He hasn't eaten lunch."

"Come on, Grandpa!" Kiefer cajoled him, "How can you run after me if I do something crazy with a stick and cane?" He sat on the edge of the bed, while Alyssa moved forward to kiss the old man's forehead. "I'm not interested in running after you. But," he looked at Alyssa mischievously, "Give me a grandchild and I'll be faster than lightning!"

Kiefer and Alyssa exchanged glances. Then Kiefer wink. Alyssa groaned.

"Babe is delayed," Kiefer announced. Alyssa cringed, "Don't... speak so soon... Baka maudlot..."

"Oh, but you are, Babe," his eyes twinkled devilishly. Then he smiled at his Grandpa, "I'll let you feel the baby if you promise to eat your food."

"For chrissakes, I'm not the child here!" his grandfather exclaimed. Kiefer stood behind Alyssa, and dropped his chin on her shoulder.  He splayed his fingers on her tummy, moving over it, like massaging the unborn baby inside her. His grandmother moved forward with a bowl of chicken soup, and Alyssa helped her settle it down on the bed tray.

Both Alyssa and Kiefer sat on the edge of the bed, and Alyssa took the spoon to feed Grandpa, while Kiefer's hand is still on her tummy.  His grandpa looked at them disbelievingly, but opened his mouth for the food being spooned to him.  Slowly, his hand reached for her tummy, and he removed it just as immediately.  "It's flat," he complained. 

Kiefer chuckled and took his grandfather's hand in his, and massaged his hand like when he was younger, "Of course, it's still flat! Give it some time before it balloons."

Alyssa continued to spoon Grandpa with food, until it was all gone.  Grandma wiped his mouth with a wet towel, made him take his medicines, and before leaving them to talk, invited Kiefer and Alyssa for dinner.

Grandpa was a bundle of energy for some time, but now, slowly getting sluggish and sleepy.  Alyssa and Kiefer both helped him settle back to bed, and never left his side.  Alyssa on one side, and Kiefer on the other.

Both were on the floor, but holding on to Grandpa's hands.

Both engrossed in their own thoughts.

When Kiefer heard his Grandpa snoring lightly, he slowly stood up, and stretched his legs.  He could see Alyssa's head on the side of the bed.  Slowly, he moved towards her to see her sleeping, too.  He smiled, and sat beside her on the floor.

Alyssa sat up to attention when she felt someone beside her, and was mildly surprised to see it was only Kiefer.  She smiled at him, and was about to stand up when he stopped her.  "Thank you," he whispered, looking at her, smiling. 

She smiled back at him.

"Bakit…,' he blurted out, softly, so as not to wake his Grandpa, "ang bait mo sa amin? You do all these sacrifices… tapos, wala. I don't see you benefiting from this…"

She sighed, and smiled, "Di ko rin alam." She was tweedling her thumbs, and whispered back,"when all this started, feeling ko I was used.  Betrayed even by Sarah. Pero naisip ko rin, siguro sundan ko lang ang agos.  Baka in that way, maibalik sa dati, maibalik si Sarah."  She looked at him, and smiled sadly, "A part of me, gustong sumigaw, umalis. Lumaban.  But a part of me wants to stay. Parang sinasabi na we all don't deserve this. So makidamay na lang ako.  Tutal, lahat naman tayo nag-aantay kay Sarah."

He smiled, and reached for her hand, to squeeze it.  "Salamat," he whispered.  "Sometimes, takot ako na baka you're just after something.  Kung pera lang, kaya naman naming bayaran.  Pero somehow, I felt you are different."

She dropped her gaze and looked at their intertwined fingers, "Dapat ba ako ma-offend sa sinabi mo?"

"Hindi," he smiled.  "I'm just being honest.  And I want to be honest with you from now on.  I don't want any walls between us."  He squeezed her hands, "I really want us to be really good friends."

She bit her lower lip, and looked at him, "Like really good friends? Kahit matapos na 'tong drama?"

"Yes," he whispered, "like really good friends. Tipong we'll stick to each other, and kahit may masabi tayong masakit, babalik at babalik tayo dito."

She looked at him, suddenly feeling light. Unafraid.

When all this pretension was just surviving and a means to look for Sarah, now she has found a light at the end of this great tunnel.

She found someone who'll help her through this.

She smiled, and nodded. "Is that a yes?" he asked, searching for her eyes.

"It's a promise."
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"Mozzy," her mother called her attention. Mozzy looked up from her laptop, trying to catch up work while waiting for mother to come out of the room, and now stood up to kiss her mother. "How is Papa?" she asked, worry on her face.

"He's asleep. Kiefer and his wife are here," her mother said, and Mozzy was fast to correct her, "Ma, we all know she isn't really -"

Her mother smiled a sad one, "I know. And somehow, I want to let the girl go. Live her life. And not be tied to us."

Mozzy was pensive, "She's too nice, too good, to be involved."

Her mother sat down on the couch, of which she followed suit, "I'm more afraid of how your father is getting attached to her."

"Shall we...," she doesn't want to continue. Her mother took her hands, "Let's... Let's just wait for a while. Let's..."

"What happens if the old Sarah comes back?" Mozzy asked, her eyes looking for answers. Her mother sighed. "I... I don't want to look for her anymore," she averted her eyes, and Mozzy understood what she means.  The farce of the wedding is getting more complicated, with all the emotions involved.

Her mother's head snapped, her eyes with steel determination, "We need to make her want to stay with us.  We'll give her financial stability.  We'll offer her a proposal."

"Wha- what proposal?" Mozzy was hesitant, afraid where this is going.

"We'll give her 10 million, as her dowry.  If she refuses, all the more that we need to keep her.  If she accepts, she deserves it," her mother said tight lipped.  "We need to put that in writing-"

"Ma, wait," Mozzy, reeling with another complicated twist in their life, called her mom's attention, "Should we think about it first?"

"I am," her mother looked at her daughter's face. "I'll pay for gold if it's worth it.  She's worth it, and more," her mom whispered.  She returned her sad smile, "And Sarah? What if she returns?"

"We'll have their marriage annulled," she replied.  "Somehow a blessing in disguise, as we found someone more-"

"Ma," Mozzy's voice broke, "what about Kiefer? We have sacrificed him as well in this."

Her mother looked at Mozzy, "Oh no.  That's just what he thinks.  But it's all for him."  That's when they saw Kiefer and Alyssa step down the grandstaircase, seemingly in deep conversation.

"You see, he has found his match," she murmured to her daughter, "it's a matter of time before they realize that."

"Ma," Mozzy is still not comfortable with the idea, "I think this is getting out of hand-"

Kiefer reached for Alyssa and gave her a squeeze on the shoulder, both of them chuckling.

"I think it has started," her mother smiled.
***********************

"Ly, susunduin ka ba ulit ni Kiefer? Dinner naman tayo," Ella whined, "Wala akong kasamang mag-dinner. At walang food sa bahay."

Kiefer has been a regular fixture, either bringing her to the Sands by the Bay, and taking her home.  He seems to have been what he has promised, a supportive friend through and through.

Alyssa shook her head.  "May night out with the boys daw siya, so okay lang. Gagabihin ng uwi din yun," she explained.  They saw Ara jogging towards them, and they both waved at her.

"Girls," Ara addressed them in her boyish demeanor, "Sabay ako sa inyo pauwi ha? Wala si Mang Tomas. Pinakidnap ko sa mga aliens."

"Ay, nag-aaway din pala kayo nun?" Ella teased her, of which earned her a shove from Ara.  "Try mong magboyfriend, Ells, ng maranasan mo," she shot back, of which made Alyssa chuckle.  "Alam mo, Ara, nakakasakit ka na," Ella pretended to sulk, of which Ara just crossed her arms and replied, "Sa tigas mong 'yan, paano?"

"Mainit ulo ni Bossing, Ells. Awat na," Alyssa laughed, pulling Ella away from her.  That's when a little boy approached them with a bouquet of flowers. "O, may peace offering naman pala si Mang Tomas!" Alyssa clapped with glee, while Ara was stunned, but a smile was on her face.

The little boy seems to be unsure, so he looked on his back, looking for someone, then pointed at Alyssa.  The three girls looked over to where he was looking, but with the number of people around, they could not seem to point out who sent the flowers.

When the little boy seemed to find his answer, he shoved the flowers to Alyssa, and said, "Para daw sa 'yo."  Then he ran away before Alyssa could thank him.

Alyssa just stared at the bouquet on her hand, then looked at Ara, "Magkamukha na ba tayo?"

"Ulol! Ang ano yun?" Ara said, a bit confused, and hurt, expecting that it was for her.  She wiped the sands off her bikini bottom and said, "hindi naman niya alam na mainit ulo ko e. So malamang, hindi sa akin 'yan."

"Anak ng tokwa, ang pabebe mo Araboi!" Ella exclaimed, which earned her another shove.  The went on their bickering while Alyssa found a little card tuck between the flowers.  She opened it, and read:

I've known you for so long
You are a friend of mine
But is this all we'd ever be?

Alyssa looked around, afraid of who she will see.

Who was she expecting then?

She shook her head.  It can't be Jovee.  He's in a relationship right now.

"Oh ano, beauty queen? Corona na lang at sash ang kulang, pwede nang rumampa!" Ella seems to have turned her attention on her.  "Huy ka!" Alyssa said, and shoved the flowers to her, "Baka sa 'yo to!"

Both Ara and Ella read the note.  "Ang creepy, Besh," Ella muttered, "pero ang romantic din! Sino kaya sa mga friends mo na boys ang nagpadala niyan?" 

Alyssa shrugged, "Wala naman akong maisip na mga kaibigan kong ganun." She stopped but shook off the thought, "Hindi pwede si Jovee.  May girlfriend na 'yun."

"Weh? Kelan pa?" Ella asked, surprised.  "Parang kelan lang e bubuntot-buntot yun sa 'yo a," Ara added.  Alyssa just laughed it off, "Ganun talaga. Naka-move on na ang tao. New life, new love."

"Asus," Ella teased her, "madaling sabihin, mahirap tanggapin."

"Practice na kaya tayo?" Alyssa pulled Ella's hair, trying to horse around.  Ella screamed and massaged her scalp, complaining, "Aray naman, Ly! Gutom na nga ako, sasaktan mo pa ako."

"Hala siya… anong oras pa lang kaya?" Ara mentioned, looking at her wristwatch before removing it and putting it away on her bag.

"Ly, punta naman tayo kina Manang Isang.  Miss ko na tokneneng," Ella said, squinting her eyes over the area where they will be playing.  "Gusto mo, doon tayo derecho mamaya?" Alyssa suggested, loving the idea.  She has missed the old place, and maybe a visit would be a good idea.

"Siyempre, dinner muna tayo dito, then doon natin ituloy kwentuhan," Ella replied, putting her shades on, "Bilisan na natin para makarami."

They put all hard work in training, knowing they could get the third spot, but they can't be that too confident.  They will be facing a young and able-bodied collegiate team, and that is something they have to remember.

The three hours of training seemed to have whizzed by, and their hunger got the better of them. They just decided to eat at the nearest fastfood chain they saw, and devoured their food while happily chatting away.  Ella still has that unusual craving for isaw, and Alyssa was happy bring her to Manang Isang's. She has missed the neighborhood, and she missed Manang Isang.

They could see the light coming from her makeshift cart, after Ella found a parking space on the side of the road. Manang Isang waved at them excitedly and Alyssa almost ran over to give her a hug.

"Wag kang lumapit, ang baho ko!" Manang Isang tried to wave her off but Alyssa won't be deterred. "Galing po ako practice at di ako naligo, so quits na tayo!" she laughed. Manang Isang glared at her while Ella was happily picking out her choice of isaw.

"Napadaan kayo?" Manang Isang asked, while fanning the flames on her so-called grilling pit, "Kumusta ka na? Balita nag-asawa ka na daw?"

"Manang naman," Alyssa chuckled, "Nawala lang, nag-asawa agad? Paano na si Ella? Matakaw lang, naglilihi agad? Ganun?"

"Eh," Manang Isang shrugged, "Inborn ng ganun si Ella, di ako nagtataka. Mapapaisip ako 'pag biglang humina kumain yan."

"May point po kayo," Alyssa whispered in a conspiratorial manner. "Bakit ka nga umalis?" Manang persisted, "At pati si Princess Sarah e wala rin? Sino na lang naiwan sa inyo?"

Alyssa dipped her isaw on the jar of sauce, "Uhm, mahabang storya, Manang." Manang Isang's face fell. Alyssa sighed.

There are people who just happen to cross your path, and they do not necessarily need to hear your story. But Manang Isang is a keeper. She has been Alyssa's confidante; she has been Alyssa's listening ear.

She cleared her throat, a sign that means she's afraid of eavesdroppers around her. Manang Isang looked around and nodded pointedly at Ella. Alyssa shook her head, and moved beside Manang Isang.  "Promise, secret lang 'to ha?" Manang Isang was quick to nod her head.

She took a deep breath and started, "Naalala niyo po ba yung lalake dito na pinuntahan ako dito? Yung sabi ko na fiance ni Sarah?"

"Oo, pogi nga 'yun," she mused, then probed her, "O, tapos?"

Alyssa took a bite of the isaw, and continued, "Ikakasal na sila dapat, kaso biglang nawala si Sarah."

"NAWALA?!?" she almost yelled incredulously.  Alyssa shushed her and said softy, "Wag po tayo masyadong maingay…"

Alyssa went on with the story, of finding Sarah gone on her wedding, of the complication of the situation, of having to fill in her shoes, and walking around in it.  Manang Isang could not help but shake her head in disagreement about the situation.

"So paano na 'yun? Paano ka na?" Manang Isang asked, worry on her face.  Alyssa smiled at her, and squeezed her arm reassuringly, "Mabuti naman po at mababait ang mga Ravena.  Parang pamilya ang turing nila sa akin.  Parang nagbabakasyon nga lang po ako sa kanilang mansion, at palaging may nakahain na pagkain pa!"

"Ikaw talaga, basta pagkain ano?" Manang Isang still can't help but worry about her, "So ano yun? Ganun na lang yun?"

"Habang matagpuan lang po si Sarah," Alyssa muttered, her voice wavering.  It has been a few months running since Sarah's disappearance, all they have are dead ends.  Mistaken identities.  She sighed, but smiled for the sake of Manang Isang, "May private investigator naman pong ni-hire sina Kiefer.  Pero medyo mabagal ang usad."

"Hay, naku," Manang Isang let out a sigh, "Siguro dahil sa mga utang nun kaya siya naglayas."

"Utang?" Alyssa's senses are now alert.  This is something new to her.

"Naalala mo si Yuan, yung guwapo na nagba-basketball na palaging sablay?  Yung pinsan ata nun, kakilala si Sarah. O magkatrabaho, parang ganun," Manang Isang shared, while flipping the isaw on the grill. "Isang araw, andito, nagtatanong kung napansin ko ba daw si Sarah.  Sabi ko, di naman napapadpad yung batang yun dito. Tapos narining ko ang usapan nila.  Parang may utang si Sarah sa kanya. O tinakbo ang pera.  Basta, nagmumura siya ng mahina.  In English pa."

"So ano daw, Manang?" her curiosity piqued.  But Manang Isang just shrugged her shoulders, "Ayun. Dumugo ilong ko. Nawala ako sa kuwento."

"Manang naman e!" Alyssa whined, shaking her shoulders, "Bakit mo tinigil ang pakikinig-"

"Huy a," she sneered, "Ilong ko ang dumugo, hindi tenga. Siyempre, tuloy ang pakikichismis ko!"

"O, tapos? Ano daw po, Manang?" Alyssa's eyes on her.  She shrugged her shoulders again, "Wala silang binanggit pa, maliban sa naniningil na yung pinsan niya."

"Paano nagkautang si Sarah, e may allowance pa rin 'yan sa kina Tita," Alyssa mused, and Manang Isang nodded.  "At eto pa, malaki daw ang utang. Parang tatlong daang libong piso," Manang Isang whispered to her, and it was Alyssa's turn to almost scream, "Ang laki naman!"

Manang Isang shushed her, then continued, "parang may narinig akong pera na tinakbo, o parang nalugi dahil itinakbo… nag-i-Ingles sila kase e…"

"Sinong pinsan kaya 'yun ni Yuan?" Alyssa thought hard, trying to recall faces familiar to her.  "Sige, tanungin ko si Yuan," Manang Isang promised her, but she shook her head. "Manang, parang obvious tayo… at baka madulas ka," she bit her lower lip.  "Ako bahala, Neng!" she promised, "Promise! Di lalabas ang kwento mo. Pero teka, bakit mo siya gustong makausap?"

"Baka siya ang makakasagot bakit umalis si Sarah," Alyssa was looking far away.  "Pero ang 'di ko maintindihan, kung pera ang problema niya, e di dapat tinuloy niya ang kasal nila ni Kiefer.  Mayaman sina Kiefer.  Kaya nilang bayaran 'yun."

"At kaya naman siguro ni Sarah bayaran 'yun," Manang Isang responded, "Nag-iisang anak, at OFW pa ang mga magulang."

Alyssa was just silent, trying to absorb everything, when her phone rang.  "Hello, Kief," she answered, "Okay… sige, pauwi na ako… sige bukas, pero may game ako ha?... O sige, sige. Bye. Ingat."

"Ells, uwi na tayo, hinahanap na ako," Alyssa called out to Ella, who was busy eating her isaw and talking to a neighbor.  "Ano ba 'yan, di pa nga tayo nangangalahati sa chismis e…," Manang Isang grumbled, and Alyssa hugged her by the side.  "Babalik ako, promise," she said, "'Di ako titigil hangga't di ko nabubuo ang puzzle na 'to."

"Mag-ingat ka ha? Kinakabahan ako para sa 'yo," Manang Isang said, hugging Alyssa extra harder, "Wag kang pagutom, at kung apihin ka nila, sabihin mo sa akin.  Reresbak ako."

Alyssa chuckled, as Ella threw away the disposable cups and utensils, "Maaasahan talaga kita, Manang.  Damihan mo barbeque sticks ha? Kelangan natin 'yan!"
***********************