Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 31

Narrator's Pov

After Eva found the will to move on and accpet what happened to Francheska her life became more colorful. Mayroon na syang dalawampung branch ng restaurant nya. Ang Cibo e Amore ang isa sa pinakakilalang restaurant ngayon sa buong bansa. It's one of the hottest talk of the town dahil masasarap na pagkaing inooffer nila. Pati na rin ang napakagandang attitude ng mga staff towards their customers.

"Good morning! Today's episode will feature one of the most successul restaurants today. Cibo e Amore, ang isa sa mga pinakapaboritong kainan marami nating kababayan. And to give us a brief tour on Cibo e Amore's very first branch, kasama ko ngayon ang napakagandang babaeng nasa likod ng tagumpay ng this year's National Entreprenuer of the Year, Ms. Eva Vergara!"

"Hi! Hello everyone. Thank you for having us on your show, Tessa."

"Cibo e Amore is very famous for it's delicious food and welcoming ambiance. Pero syempre ang pinakaunang gustong malaman ng lahat ay paano ba nagsimula ang Cibo e Amore?"

"Cibo e Amore started during what i thought was the darkest period of my life. When i was still afraid. I decided to put up a business for my daughter's future now i work hard to make this business grow to honor her memory."

Nagsisimula ng makilala si Eva maging sa pinakamalalaking organisasyon ng mga entreprenuer at ng mga respetadong samahang nangangasiwa sa anumang negosyong patungkol sa pagkain. Patuloy din ang paglakas ng kanyang negosyo.

"Nakita nyo naman, napakaganda talaga ng Cibo e Amore. Kapag nasa loob ka it really feels like home. And the staff are so nice! You must be really proud."

"I am more than proud. Our staff are the best. They love what they do. They care for the business. I could never ask for anyone else but them."

Kasabay ng pag-asenso ni Eva ay ang pagtaas din ng respeto sa kanya ng mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya. Despite everything she achieved, Eva stayed simple, down to earth and humble. Nananatiling nakatapak ang mga paa nya sa lupa. Kaya mas lalo syang minamahal ng mga tauhan nya.

"Bago magtapos ang ating program, meron ka bang gustong iwanv mensahe para sa mga kababaihan na kagaya mo na maaaring nanonood sa atin ngayon?"

"Huwag kayong matatakot. Get out of your comfort zone. Everyone is meant for something bigger than ourselves. Wr just have to be brave enough. Never limit ourselves on what we can do. Rather always push ourselves beyond our limitation. Learn new things. Develop our skills and always stand up for ourselves."

Bukod sa mga tv guestings ay nafeature na rin sa mga lifestyle magazines at talkshow si Eva. Maging sa pagiging inspirational speaker sa mga mahahalagang pagtitipon para sa mga kababaihan nakukuha na rin sya.

"Ms. Vergara maraming salamat po at pinaunlakan nyo ang paanyaya namin. Sigurado pong maraming mga kababaihan ang magkakaroon ng panibagong pag-asa dahil sa inyo."

"It is my honor to be invited as your guest speaker. Maraming salamat po."

"See next week Ms. Vergara."

-----

Norman's Pov

Eva helped me find a house near her subdivision. Sobra akong nagpapasalamat dahil hindi nya ko pinabayaan. Tinulungan nya ako sa bawat prosesa maging sa pagbili ng mga gamit sa bahay. She's really dedicated when she sets her eyes on a goal. Napakabusisi nya rin kahit sa pinakamaliit na detalye. A true keeper.

"Coming!" Sino kayang kumakatok? Isn't a little late for a visitor?

Hindi ko inaasahan ang taong mapagbubuksan ko ng pinto. She's last person i ever wanted to see.

"Hi Norman." Bati nya ng may alanganing ngiti.

"Selena." I don't have even the slightest idea on how to react in front of her.

"Hindi mo man lang ba ko papasukin sa loob ng bago mong bahay?" She asked teasingly.

"Uhm.. Yeah, come in." I opened the door wider.

Nauna syang maglakad papunta sa living room. Tahimik ko syang pinagmasdan. Anong ginagawa nya rito? At bakit hindi nya kasama ang anak namin?

"Why are you here?" Deretsahang tanong ko sa kanya.

"Why, visiting you of course." Parang walang nangyari kung umasta sya.

"Cut the bullshit, Selena. Bakit ka nga nandito?" Iritadong tanong ko. Pero bago pa man nya maituloy ang nais sana nyang sabihin, biglang bumukas ang pinto.

"Norman, i brought you din- oh." Eva's obviously shock ng makita nya si Selena.

"Eva, hey. Come in." Nilapitan ko agad sya at kinuha ang paper bag na dala nya. "Gutom ka na ba? Gusto mo na bang kumain?" Nag-aalangang tanong ko sa kanya.

"Uhm...-"

"Hi! Selena. Norman's wife. And you are?" Selena cut her off.

"Correction. Ex wife. We've been divorced for a year and a half. Which really begs the question why are you really here?" Nag-uumpisa na akong mainis.

"I think should go." Eva excused herself.

"Yeah, you should." Mataray na pagsang-ayon ni Selena.

"No. Kung may dapat umalis dito ikaw 'yon Selena. You have no business here. And as far as i'm concern we don't have anything to talk about. So you can go, now." Sinadya kong lagyan ng diin ang bawat salitang binitawan ko. Hinawakan ko ang braso ni Eva at marahan syang hinila patungo sa dining area.

"My husband and i have a lot to talk about our family, specially our son. So if you have some self respect you will leave now." Pagmamatigas ni Selena.

"Sel-" Marahang hinila ni Eva ang braso ko dahilan para hindi ko maituloy ang sasabihin ko.

"You're that woman. The one who cheated on her husband and slept with best friend of all people. Sa pagkakaalam ko ikaw ang nagfile ng divorce para magawa mong pakasalan ang best friend nya. As for your son, he's giving his monthly support for him. The kid already have his college funds ready and waiting for him to attend to college. Sa pagkakadinig ko ikaw ang pinapaalis ni Norman. So maybe, you are the one who should have some self respect." Eva stared her down. Napangisi ako. At nakita 'yon ni Selena.

"Who the hell do you think you are huh?" Tila hindi ikinatuwa ni Selena ang tapang na pinakita sa kanya Eva.

"Who i am is not important. It's who you are that matters. You're a cheater. You left him broken, divorced him and took away his son from him. Now, you have the audacity to come here and act as if nothing happened? Umalis ka na. Hindi ka nya gustong makausap. Umalis ka ms bago pa ako magpatawag ng guard at ipakaladkad ka palabas." Mas lalo syang nilapitan ni Eva.

"Are you really gonna let this woman disrespect me on your own home? Don't you love me anymore?" Parang gusto kong masuka sa mga pinagsasabi nya.

"I don't love you anymore Selena. And i'll be damn if i ever even think about going back to you. Umalis ka na. O ako mismo ang tatawag ng guard para kaladkarin ka paalis dito."

When she finally leave tila nakahinga ako ng maayos. Bakit ba nya ginagawa ito? Tahimik na ang buhay ko. Bakit kailangan nya pang guluhin?

"Are you okay?" Eva asked me.

"Who are you? You were like a lion ready to pounce earlier." Natatawang biro ko sa kanya.

"I don't like her attitude. Ang kapal ng mukha nyang pumunta dito." Nakataas ang kilay na sagot nya.

"Tara na, kumain na tayo."

At magkasabay na nga kaming kumain. Marami kaming napagkwentuhan. Inimbitahan nya rin akong maging escort nya sa women's empowerment conference kung saan isa sya sa mga kinuhang guest speaker. We had a very wonderful night.