Second Chance

THEODORE 17

Graciel? Why does she need Graciel?

I checked my phone’s email at hinanap ko yung wedding invitation na sinend sakin ni Graciel years ago.

Ayun. Got her email address. Then my phone rang.

“Theo? Are you on your way???”

It was Sab.

She called me to check if I can cover her up for a few hours. Di daw siya makakuwi agad as she needs to have her overtime. She told me nakiusap lang siya sa neighbor niya to look after Becca but she needs to get going as well. Kaya ayun, to the rescue ako.

“What time will you be home?”
“Around 11pm I think. I’m really sorry. Si mama kasi.”
“No worries. On the way na ko.”

I drove as fast as I can to get to their unit.
When I got there, sinalubong agad ako ni Becca.

“DADDY!!! YOU’RE HERE!”

Kinarga ko siya at niyakap. Yes, I needed this fluffy baby to relieve my stresses!
Nagpasalamat naman ako kay Kara, who was their neighbor. Sabi niya kasi she still has her exams tomorrow kaya kailangan na niyang umuwi. She was a colllege student.

“Daddy, ate Kara was so nice. She made me pancakes!”
“Talaga? Eh were you nice to her??”
“Yes!!”

We settled in the couch for a while and let her watch cartoons. It’s just 8pm. I still need to wait for 3 hours.

“Becca, are you excited for school?”
“Yes, daddy! I have my notebooks and books ready in my bag na!”
“Good girl! Behave ka sa school ha and you listen well to your teacher.”
“Yes, syempre naman I’m a good girl!”

I kissed her in her cheek at sinandal ko nga muna yung ulo ko sa sofa.

I remembered our encounter earlier. Tss, akalain mo yun? Nagkareunion ang magkakaribal kay Athena noon. Kapag pinagtripan ka talaga ng tadhana eh.
I saw Kian hugging Soyi then. At si Clyde, he was so obvious that he missed her. Sa mukha pa lang niya, makikita mo na parang ulilang ulila siya kay Athena.
I was so annoyed to be honest. Nakalimot na ba silang dalawa? Umalis si Athena ng walang paalam. It was a heck of 7 years of not knowing where she is or if she was still even alive. Wala. Tapos babalik siya ng ganun ganun lang and everything is just okay for them??? Seriously. Pinapatawa nila ko.

What’s worse is, she’s acting so oblivious of everything! Yeah I get it we work together pero I don’t see any signs of shame or remorse! She even asked me for a favor! Ha! San ba talaga siya humuhugot ng kahihiyan???

“Buti pa kay Chels nagawa niyang magsorry eh.”
“What’s that daddy?”

Ay napalakas ata sabi ko.

Hay Theo. Stop thinking about that woman. She doesn’t deserve any space in your mind right now.

“Are you okay, daddy?”
“Yes, baby. Don’t worry.”

I’ll jusy distract myself. Tutal I’m here with Becca, might as well spend it wisely with her.

“Ah, do you want me to teach you how to write your name??”
“Sige daddy! I’ll get a pencil and paper!”

She went to get her pink backpack at nilabas nga niya yung pad paper niya and pencil.

“Hmm, it’s gonna be tricky because you don’t know your alphabet yet.”
“Alphabet? Ahh! Mommy gave me a coloring book of the alphabet! I know it daddy!”
“Sige nga, let’s see!”

I started writing down her name.

Rebecca Tiara Corteza

“There. Can you write it down too???”
“Okay!!”

Nagsimula na nga siya magsulat. I saw how she tried to copy my strokes.

Eh ang pangit pa naman din ang sulat ko. I looked at her letter r, muka tuloy t. I laughed at her cuteness.

“Haha wait, baby. I’ll try to write it again okay??”

Siguro sa sobrang libang namin kakatawa at kakasulat ng pangalan niya and the rest of the alphabet, plus she made me draw random things, almost 2 hours has passed already. I can sense too that Becca’s sleepy already.

Napahikab na nga siya.

“Daddy? When is mommy coming?”, tanong nito.
“Uhh…I think malapit na. Should we go to bed??”

Tumungo naman ito. Antok na nga siya.
I carried her to bed and let her fall asleep. Umupo muna ako sa tabi nya to make sure she falls asleep soundly. Hay pati ako inaantok na eh.

…..

……..

……….

……..

…..

Huh? Bat maliwanag na? Ang alam ko pinatay ko ilaw ah?

I tried opening my eyes more. Wait. Sobrang liwanag na??? I looked at Becca who was still sleeping. Is it morning already??

I went out of the room and I saw Sabrina cooking in the kitchen.

“Sab??? Kelan ka pa dumating? Bat di mo ko ginising???”
“Oh gising ka na pala. Here I cooked breakfast. Kain na.”

I can smell that she toasted bread and may fried eggs din. But I looked at my watch, it’s already 7:00 in the morning!

“Shit. May meeting pa ko!”
“Huy ano ka ba kumain ka muna. I already contacted Trish to push back an hour sa sched mo. It looks like si Clyde lang naman kameeting mo. I guess that would be fine.”
“You shouldn’t do that. Bakit ba kasi di mo ko ginising kagabi?”

We both sat in the dining at binigyan niya nga ako ng kape.

“Eh ang sarap kaya ng tulog nyo ni Becca. I didn’t have the heart to disturb you both.”
“Still. You should have woken me up. Hindi maganda na dito ako natutulog sa inyo.”

She looked hurt sa sinabi ko. Inagaw niya naman yung plate ko nung susubo na ko.

“Hey!”
“And why not? Kinakahiya mo ba ko?! I mean, si Becca??”

Kinuha ko naman ulit yung plate ko. Hay nako pwede bang magmature mode na lang ulit tong si Sab???

“I didn’t say that. Ang akin lang, it’s not good if the press finds out about this. I told you, I wanted to keep Becca as lowkey as possible. It’s not good for her if she gets involved in my harsh world. Okay??”
“Tss. Fine.”
“Anyway, I really have to go. Thanks for the breakfast.”

Tumayo na nga ako at nagdali-dali na kong lumabas ng condo nila. It’s really unprofessional of Sab to push back my meeting! I never do that! Nor lolo!
When I got back to my unit, naalala kong hinihingi nga pala ni Soyi yung contact ni Graciel. I tried to look for my phone in my pockets pero wala akong nakapa.
What??? Wag mo sabihing!! Ay nako naiwan ko nga. Ugh!!

I went down to the lobby para makitawag. I knew Sab’s landline in the unit so nagdial na ko agad. While I was dialling, I saw a taxi na tumigil sa harap nng condo. Then I saw Sab coming out from it.

“SAB!”

Lumingon naman siya sakin at tumakbo siya paloob.

But just then, Soyi came in too. May bitbit siyang grocery bags.

“Theo ano ka ba you left your phone. Buti na lang di pa nakakaalis si Kara siya muna pinagbantay ko kay Becca. Since saglit lang naman ako. Here.”

But I was too distracted by the fact that Soyi was looking at us. No. She was looking at Sab.

“Hoy. Ano bang tinitignan mo---”

Too late. Sab saw Soyi as well.
And then lumagapak sa sahig ang cellphone ko.

“Shoot!!! Sab!!!”

Pinulot ko naman agad yung phone ko. But Sabrina wasn’t listening.

“A-Athena…? Bakit…bakit andito ka?”, di napigilang itanong ni Sab.

I looked at Soyi. She was as stunned as well. Ano naman kayang tumatakbo sa isipan niya at gulat na gulat siya?

“Uhm, hi Sabrina. I live here.”

Napatingin sakin si Sab.
Anong tinitingin tingin niya sakin??

“You live here?? Since when???”, tanong pa niya.
“Since yesterday. Uhm, it’s nice seeing you again. Mauna na ako. Excuse me.”

Soyi hurriedly went in the elevator. Nung nakasakay na siya, tinignan ako ng masama ni Sabrina saka siya nagdabog palabas ng condo.
Ano na namang drama to???

“Hey. Come back here! Look what you did to my phone!”, sigaw ko dito.

She stopped walking out and faced me. At beastmode na nga siya.

“So why didn’t you tell me she’s here?? And in your condo pa ha???”
“Why should I? It’s not like it’s my business.”

She looked frustrated now.

“Alam mo. You’re not a very good liar. That’s your ex-fiance over there, of course it’s your business!!”

Pumara na nga siya ng taxi and she was about to go in.

“You know that’s not true!”
“You know what, fuck what happened to your phone! Good riddance!!!”

I can’t believe she was acting so childish again. Ano na naman bang nagawa ko? Do I have to report to her everything??? Eh ano naman kung andito si Soyi?? Why does she have to react like a girlfriend???
Seriously, girls and their mood swings will be the death of me.
------

Buti na lang Clyde cancelled our morning appointment. Sabi niya, he would be in the project site since there was a problem. I took that opportunity para idaan yung phone ko sa mall.

There was a crack but the technician was able to save the phone itself. Buti na lang bumukas siya. I was relieved since I have many important contacts there. Tsk nakakaasiwa lang na may crack na siya.
I then remembered Soyi’s favor. Yung contact ni Graciel. I went back to the condo to see if she’s there.

….

……

Teka. Bat nga ba ibibigay ko sa kanya yun?? Should I really make an effort para lang tulungan siya???

Kalma, Theo. It’s just a contact. Ni hindi mo nga pinageffortan kunin yan. That’s nothing.

I tried ringing her doorbell. Hmmm ang tagal ah? When I about to ring again, bumukas na yung pinto. I saw Soyi in her casual clothes. I trird focusing on what will I do.

“Can I have your email??”

What???!!! Theo ang galing mo talaga that sounded so wrong!

“Ano?”
“I, I mean..diba hinihingi mo yung contact ni Graciel? I can send it to you—”
“Okay na. I got it already.”

She what?? Nakuha na niya??

“Is there anything else, Mr. Ramisses?”, tanong niya.
“Nothing.”

I looked away first with my pride na baon na baon sa ilalim ng lupa. That was so embarrassing! Ugh!

And what’s with Mr. Ramisses again?? Parang kahapon lang Theo pa tawag niya sakin. Tss.

Pumunta na lang ako sa pagkikitaan namin ni Clyde. Although I’m still so annoyed by how Soyi turned down my offer, I tried to just ease my mind.

But surprise, di ko magawang di mainis talaga! How dare her turn me down after niyang humingi ng tulobg sakin. That girl, di ko na talaga alam nasa utak nun eh. Sasabog na ulo ko sa inis eh.

I met up with Clyde in a café. I can’t meet him up inside the office baka lumala lang yung sakit ng ulo ko. Ugh ever since what happened earlier that day, feeling ko nagkamigraine ako.

“We could have just met up sa Starbucks malapit sa project site. Mas konti din tao dun eh.”, sabi ni Clyde.
“Ayoko sa Starbucks.”
“Huh? Bakit naman?”
“The café itself is overrated. Basta ayoko dun.”

He sipped his cappucino and smiled at me.

“Okay ka lang? Mainit ata ulo mo?”

Masyado ba kong obvious? Bat ba niya kasi nabanggit pa yang Starbucks na yan, mas lalo ko tuloy naalala tong si Athena.

I hesitated na ikwento sa kanya yung nangyari even the encounter of Sab and Soyi and how Sab reacted, but then, ginawa ko din.

“Athena’s living in the same condo as you??”
“And we’re neighbors.”
“What??? Wow, mukang minumulto ka na ng past mo ah.”, napapatawa niyang sabi.

Tinignan ko naman siya ng masama. Pagtawanan ba naman ako??

“Sorry. Anyway, I didn’t know you were still close with Sabrina.”
“Uhh yeah. It just happened that we are.”

I didn’t want to share any further. The more na ipublicize ko ang case nila ni Becca, mas lalo akong natatakot for Becca’s future.

“Sabagay, your parents were once close.”

Speaking of parents, I remembered the article I saw with Clyde and his parents. Pati yung pamilya ng Eli hotels. I haven’t talked to him about that yet nung last na nagkita kami, I was so distracted by our encounter with Soyi and Kian.

“Ah oo nga pala Clyde. I saw an article that you’re getting married? Is that true??”

He looked defeated now. Mukang tama ako sa hula ko na arranged marriage ang lahat.

“Kala ko di nyo malalaman yun.”
“Clyde, apparently heiress lang naman ng Eli hotels ang papakasalan mo. Of course it will be publicized.”
“But yeah, it’s true. Nagulat din ako eh na ikakasal na ko.”, pagpipilit niya ng tawa.
“So, pumayag ka?”
“I have no choice. My parents believe that the timing of our engagement is perfect for our company rebranding. Plus, their family is too influential para hindian ko.”

I can’t believe of all people na mabibiktima ng arranged marriage, eh si Clyde pa. As I knew him before, he seemed like the person who won’t be put in such a situation. Masyado siyang matalino para ibargain in such marriages. Saka ever since his ex died and when Athena went away, di ko na nabalitaan ulit na meron siyang nagugustuhan.

“Don’t you have someone?”, tanong ko dito.

He looked at me skeptically.

“Someone? You mean after Athena?”
“Tss. Whatever. But yes.”
“Ah. That’s a relief for me though. Wala. Kaya obviously, I don’t have enough reasons not to push through.”
“What about your freedom? That’s enough reason for me.”

Napabuntong hininga naman siya.

“Theo, I’m not like you. I can’t be stubborn. Di kami kagaya ng pamilya nyo na may sapat na yaman para hindi humingi ng suporta sa iba. My parents are worried about the future of our company, my marriage with Eliza is apparently what will make it secured.”

I cannot argue with him anymore. Unfortunately, in business, normal na sa mga heirs ang ipakasal sa mga maiimpluwensyang tao. Love can’t secure a business that will run for decades, money and influence will. I understood him. I just wish I can do something to help.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine with it.”, he assured me.
“Well, balitaan mo na lang ako kung saan. You might want an influential CEO in your wedding.”, pagbibiro ko dito.
“Ahhh of course. Mas ikakatuwa yan ng parents ko.”, pagsakay naman niya.

We then agreed to talk about their company’s rebranding. Fortunately, Clyde was really easy to work with kaya I wasn’t stressed about the outcome of this project. He too, like me, is hands-on and makes sure he won’t miss any detail.

“I will get Trish to contact our Swiss partners. It’s best if we opted to use quality materials for your toys.”
“Ahh yes. Ako na bahala to coordinate that with our manufacturing department.”
“Ah oo nga pala, kelan nga ang public event for the rebranding??”

Tinignan naman ni Clyde yung planner niya.

“On August. Isasabay na din dun yung formal announcement for our engagement.”
“Hmm okay. Don’t worry, all the preparations needed before the event, sisiguraduhin kong maayos agad.”, sabi ko na lang dito.
“Thanks, Theo.”

Nagligpit na nga siya ng gamit niya and we were ready to go.

“Ah wait. Is it okay if I…meet with Athena?”
“Clyde, you should ask her.”
“Ah yes, of course. Sige, Theo. Thanks again.”

I felt uncomfortable. But it wasn’t because he had to ask me. It was because he is meeting up with her. Parang di lang ata maganda na he would still meet up with her since he’s already engaged. Well, kahit na ba di pa formal yung announcement, but still.