Midas' Touch [COMPLETED]

Chapter 29

"What are you going to cook?" Salubong na tanong ni Midas nang makarating na si Kalonice. Binuntutan niya ito papuntang kusina.

"Adobo, crispy pata, lechong kawali---"

"Lechong---Lechong what!? You will feed us with a freaking PAN!?"

Matalim na tumingin si Kalonice kay Midas. "Eh, kung ihampas ko sa iyo ang pan na sinasabi mo?" Umirap siya at inilagay sa lababo ang mga pinamili. Syempre hindi.

"Puro karne 'yon at mamantika. Kaya bukas ay iba naman. Seafood, gusto mo?"

"I will eat anything that you will cook. What's for dessert?" Tinulungan ni Midas si Kalonice sa paglalabas ng mga pinamili nito mula sa plastic.

"Hmmm, mais con yelo. Tamang-tama at mainit. Magugustuhan 'yon ng mga bata." Ngumiti si Kalonice at naghanap ng magagamit na apron.

Pumasok si Gwynedd sa kusina nang nakangiti. "Welcome back home, hija. What's the dish for today aside from adobo?"

Napalingon sa kaniya si Kalonice at ngumiti din. "Crispy pata at lechong kawali po, Tita. Okay lang po ba 'yon? Mamantika po kasi silang lahat lalo na' yung adobo."

"Yeah, sure. It's okay lang naman as long as hindi everyday," tumawa siya. "They really love your Adobo and Beef Steak. Would you mind if you will teach me how to cook them too?"

"O-Oo naman po, Tita. Ituturo ko po sa inyo kung paano lutuin ang Adobo tutal iyon naman po ang lulutuin ko ngayon. Next time na lang po ang Bistek ulit."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Midas at siya'y kinalabit. Tumingin agad siya dito. "What about me? You said you will teach me too, FIRST? Bakit mauuna pa si Mom?"

"Mother's first, always," dahilan ni Kalonice at tumawa. "Sa susunod na lang ulit, okay? Si Tita muna. Sige na, lumabas ka muna at makipaglaro sa mga kapatid mo. Let us alone." Itinulak-tulak siya ni Kalonice palabas.

Umismid na lamang siya at bumalik sa mga kapatid na mga nag-iiyakan. Tanghaling tapat ay mga nanonood sila ng horror movie. It will be better kung gabi sila manonood. Tiyak na hindi sila makakatulog.

~

"Larzen, when are you and Kally going to get married?"

Isusubo na sana ni Midas ang karneng nasa tinidor nang siya'y matigilan dahil sa itinanong ni Larcen.

"Kally is perfect, don't you think so? She can cook, she's an architect, she's caring, she's sweet, and she loves us, kids. She's like Mom. I want her to be my in-law already! You should get married soon so we can have delicious meals like this always!" Demand nito.

Nagtinginan ang dalawa. Tanging ngiti na lamang ang naibigay ni Kalonice kay Midas at nagpatuloy sa pagkain habang nahihiya. Hindi niya naman kasi inaasahan ang tanong na iyon.

"Pagkain lang ata gusto mo kay Ate, eh!" Ali.

"Like hell you could eat her dishes again once we get married. You will never see her again because I will build our own home and live without you," bagot na lintaya ni Midas at itinuloy ang pagkain.

"Mom, he's so selfish! You can't do that! Kally will stay with us forever!" Protesta ng lima at nanghingi ng tulong sa kanilang ina.

"We should not talk about marriage yet. Wala pa naman silang label. Saka na kapag meron na, hmm?" And Midas felt so attacked by it.

"So what if we're not putting a label about us yet? We're still figuring out ourselves. She's not yet ready for a commitment. I won't rush her."

"No label but you're already sleeping with her, doing 'it' with her, living with her and all. Wala pa kayong LABEL sa lagay niyong 'yan?" gagad ni Larry na natatawa dahil sa pinaggagagawa ni Midas sa buhay niya.

"You did not know the perks of having no label. No label means you did not have the rights to get jealous, wala kang karapatang ipagdamot si Kalonice, wala kang karapatan na pagbawalan siya, and wala ka ding karapatang bakuran siya kasi nga," ngumisi si Larry."WALA KAYONG LABEL."

"Oh, really? You and Mom do not have a label before and yet you impregnated her. Mas malala ka, Dad." Ngiti ni Midas, at talo na naman ang ama niya sa kaniya.

Umiling na lamang si Gwynedd na nangingiti sa kanilang dalawa.

"But you know what, I think this is better. I don't know the reason why you both are not labelling your relationship yet, but whatever it is, it is so mature and it will make you both grow together. Know each other more. Know both's good and bad sides. Accept it, deal with it, and love it and so the person. I am so glad to see you happy and falling in love again, Larzen. With the right person this time,"

Midas stared at his smiling mother. Halata na masaya ito at gustong-gusto ang babaeng kasama nila ngayon. When he looked at Kalonice, she's as red as a tomato habang naiilang na kumain.

Napangiti na lang din siya.

"Yeah. With the right person this time," ulit niya habang nakatitig kay Kalonice. Nakuha nito ang atensyon niya at siya'y tiningnan. Ngumiti ito ngunit agad ding umiwas ng tingin dahil sa pagkailang.


The next day, Kalonice and Midas are in Larry's office, talking about the projects they will be working out together.

"We can start working after Uncle Hassan's . Maybe a week after his wedding, we could start working the projects out." Inirolyo ni Midas ang blueprint at itinago sa lalagyan nitong leather case.

"That will be a good news. The earlier, the better. The clients are really looking forward to it. Continous is set to be built in California. The mansion will be on Canada, and the headquarters will be in South Korea," Larry.

"Canada is pretty near. The sequence will be: California to Canada to South Korea. The nearer, the better." Midas. Tumango lamang si Kalonice.

Larry focused on her after noticing her silence, "Is there something wrong, hija? You're silent."

Tumingin si Kalonice kay Midas bago sa kaniya. "M-May sasabihin po kasi ako... Huwag po sana kayong magalit..."

Larry gasped. "Don't tell me you're pregnant?" bulong niya.

"DAD!" Naihampas ni Midas ang hawak na leather case sa ama dahil sa sinabi nito. Agad namang tumawa si Larry.

Kalonice's face flushed red.

"H-Hindi po. Ano po kasi... I'm thinking about moving out po..." She rub her hands together. Hearing it, Larry stopped from laughing at nagseryoso.

"May hindi ka ba gusto, hija? May problema ba? Tell me and we'll fix the problem right away."

"W-Wala naman po. Wala po, Tito. Ano po kasi... Gusto ko lang po bumukod kasama ang mga kapatid ko. Hindi naman po sa ayaw kong kasama kayo, pero pakiramdam ko po kasi dumepende na ako sa inyo. Ayaw ko naman po n'un. At katulad nga po ng alam natin, wala pa po kaming label ni Midas pero sa inyo na agad ako nakatira. Ayaw ko lang po na may masabi ang ibang tao sa pamilya niyo..." Napayuko siya. Her geart beats irregularly na para bang nasobrahan siya sa caffeine. Idagdag pa na mas nagpapakaba sa kaniya ang katahimikan ng mag-ama.

"Have you and Midas talked about this already?"

"Opo..." Walang pag-aalinlangan niyang sagot.


Ngumiti si Larry. "Of course, you can, Kalonice. I understand your reason, and will respect your decision. You are actually right. Maybe, we're rushing things too fast. You should enjoy your freedom. We are sorry if we forced you to live with us. We are inconsiderate about you, wanting to do things by yourself for you and for your siblings. It seemed like we took that right from you and made you unable. We are sorry, hija. Thank you for letting us know. Thank you for letting us hear your voice."

"H-Hindi naman po iyan ang gusto kong iparating. I'm grateful po, Tito, sa lahat ng nagawa niyo para sa akin. Maraming salamat po sa lahat. Napaka-maunawain niyo po,"

Larry chuckled from her compliment. "Walang anuman. You are always welcome. Ikaw pa. Malakas ka na sa amin dahil binabaliw mo ang anak namin. Keep up the good work." Nakipag-bro fist siya kay Kalonice na tinanggap naman nito habang natatawa. Bagot lang na tumingin sa kaniya si Midas bago umirap.

"I already talked to Ninong Octavs. I reserved a house for you in Manhattan..." Midas tap his fingers on his father's table.

"Aww, he's sad. Kawawa ka naman, anak. Gusto mo hug kita? Comfort ka ni Daddy---" Hinampas niya muli ang ama na tinawanan lamang siya. Natawa na lang din si Kalonice bago bumaling kay Midas na walang emosyon.

He stand up.

"I'll go." At ito'y umalis na din agad. Napawi ang ngiti sa labi ni Kalonice at pinagmasdan si Midas na umalis.

"He's just unhappy, hija. But I know he understands your reason and your decisions. Hindi naman sa lahat ng oras ay dapat magkasama kayong dalawa. Distance is a negative factor in a relationship. It's one of the hardest test actually. It's just a matter of trust. He will understand. Don't worry."

"Naiintindihan ko po. Salamat po." Ngiti ni Kalonice at nagpaalam na para umalis.

Pumasok siya sa kwarto ni Midas. Nanonood ito ng movie. Ni hindi man lang siya nito tinapunan ng tingin nang siya'y pumasok.

Tinabihan niya si Midas. "Galit ka ba?"

"Why would I? It was your choice after all. Your decision, you rule. I am not mad. I am not angry. I don't care if you leave me. I'm fine by myself anyway." He was cold.

Kalonice should be feeling sorry pero natawa na lang siya dahil sa mga sinabi ni Midas. "You sound as if I'm abandoning you. We will just move away, Midas, but it doesn't mean I'm forgetting you."

Midas clicked his tongue and turned the television off.

"It's the same! Distance means forgetting? You're going away because you don't like me, right? Nasasakal ka na ba sa akin, Kalonice? Am I holding on you way too tight that it suffocates you so you're moving out of our home so you could breathe? Am I making things hard for you?"

Tumigil sa pagtawa si Kalonice at hinarap siya. He shift his gaze away. "I-I am trying, Kalonice. I am trying to bring my old self back. I am trying so hard, but I find it so impossible already. I know that is what Mom wants to see: see my old self again. But that bastard... That bastard is an idiot. He's so fucking fragile. He's easy to trick, he's just so easy to break. I-I don't want to be like that again. But I'm stuck in between. I am trying to be my old self again."

Bumaba ang kaniyang tingin at naikuyom ang kaniyang mga kamao.

Kalonice cupped his cheeks and turn it to her way. She smiled at him. "I like you this way, Midas. Kapag bumalik ka sa dating sarili mo, maninibago ako. Hahanapin ko 'tong ugali mo na' to. Nasanay na ako dito. Mas gusto ko 'to. I want you to stay as who you are right now, or you can blend with your other self. I'm comfortable with the Midas right now. Sure, your old self is nice, good, soft, and kind, the ideal boyfriend of any girl. But this, you, your new you, this is better. I like this one better." Idinikit niya ang noo kay Midas at pumikit. Nanatili ang ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi.

"I have priorities. I still have dreams. I still have aims. I still have plans. For my self, for my siblings, and for us. Kailangan kong dumistansya, kasi ayokong ma-attach ng sobra sa iyo. We need distance because being too attached to each other might lead us to something we might regret. Don't get too attached yet, but do not forget and find someone else, somebody new. Let distance test our faith and trust, which I doubt you will break. I know you will never. And I will never too."

Umiwas ng tingin si Midas at sumandal sa kaniyang kama. Nabitawan siya ni Kalonice. Umayos siya ng upo. "I get it. I understand. You are right. But I can't help but to be..." He looked at her. His eyes flickered sadness. "...sad..." he continued.

"You're so adorabl when sad. You look like a puppy." She giggled and squished his cheeks. Midas frowned.

Kalonice positioned her self beside him. She put his arm around her at yumakap kay Midas. She turned the television on again. "Let's just watch na lang. We will see the house you are saying tomorrow, hmmm? Don't be sad. Manhattan is so near anyway."

"Kilometres away." He corrected na tinawanan na lamang ni Kalonice at mahigpit siyang niyakap.

"I will always be near you, Midas. Always." She looked up at him. He gave her a quick kiss in her lips na siyang nagpangiti sa kaniya. She rest her head on his chest and focuses on the television.

***

"I heard this house was put for sale for so long already, but Ninong is choosy when it comes to people who became interested to buy this. Dad told me earlier that this house holds a lot of memories of them, of Ninong. Something precious and unforgettable, that's why he's having a hard time giving this up. If ever you did not show up, we will never know what could have been..."

Midas opened the gates for her. She stepped inside and looked at her surroundings. The house is surrounded by trees, which is the thing she loves to see, and was made of cobblestones. She loves the Italian-French vibe it emits. It's so simple  but it screams class and classically luxurious. This house is unlike any other mansions. It does not need to be extravagant and be piled of floors, it does not need expensive materials, it does not need to be tall. It just need to be the way it is right now. She's in love with it.

"Let's go inside while we wait for Ninong," ani Midas at binuksan ang pinto ng mansion.

The materials are covered in white cloths. There are no cobwebs and dusts around because there are people who clean this house weekly. And one of them is Barnes.

"Are you the new owner of this house, Miss?" He queried with a smile on his lips.

He caught Kalonice's attention. "He's one of the cleaners here," Midas introduced to the man who is already in his 60's, she supposed. There are wrinkles on his face, but he does not seem stressed. He gives off radiance and his healthiness is obvious.

Kalonice smiled. "Planning to buy, Sir," she answered.

"Finally. I hope Octavius will finally be able to let this house go," a sigh came out of his mouth and looked around the corners of the room. "I've been working here for fourty years already. He's a wonderful man. I will be the happiest if ever he will make up himself to sell this house."

Kalonice and Midas looked at each other. "Fourty years? That's long..."

The man nodded while chuckling. "Yes. I know Larry and Cain too. They were his best friends. They often go here to hang out. This is also the place where they hide Miss Gwynedd before. Indeed, this house holds unforgettable memories. But he needs to let this go already, or he will forever be caged in his past."

His words intrigued the two. Naglakad-lakad sila. Kalonice memorizes every edge of the house, getting familirized by it. The interior is better. Ganito ang mga tipo niyang bahay. It's comfortable and welcoming. Hindi nakakasilaw sa mata dahil hindi mamahalin at magagara ang mga kagamitan. Any thing will fit here. The classic and modern vibe blends perfectly.

"What's the story behind this house, Sir? And why can't Sir Octavius give this up?" tanong ni Kalonice na naiintriga at nais malaman ang buong kwento. She's easy to know what happened. Alam niyang mali ang manghimasok sa buhay ng ibang tao, pero gusto niya talagang malaman kung bakit napakahalaga nito kay Octavius.

"This is where he met his first love. She used to be a maid here before. She was young, and life for her is hard. She needs to workto earn for a living and sustain the needs of her family. She's a beautiful girl with a sweet  charming smile. She's so nice too and kind. They fell in love, but destiny twisted their fates and parted them. Ever since then, we never heard a thing about her. Octavius is married, but I can tell he's not happy with his life because she was not his wife. He sometimes visit this house, sometimes with his friends, stay here and let the day pass and leave, leaving another memory here. It needs too much courage to sell this. This house holds a precious part in my heart. I am glad I served this family. I am glad that I am one of the few people who witnessed how they grow and become the leading successful men in this world. I am glad that I got to know them. And I am glad that Octavius is going to let this go already. This marks that he's moving on, healing." A tear escaped from his eye. He wipe it instantly and chuckled.

He looked at Kalonice who is looking at the picture in front of her. It was a photograph of Octavius, Gwynedd, Cain, Larry, and a woman whose face was blurred. Sa palagay niya ay naghaharutan ang mga ito habang kinukuhanan ng litrato kaya na-blur ang mukha nito. Tanging si Gwynedd lamang ang may matinong kuha at postura habang nakangiti silang pinagmamasdan.

A figure flashed after Barnes' eyes. They widened; he blinked them before shaking his head and stares at Kalonice again.

"You look like their product." A wry smile was formed on his lips. He does not know why, but it seems like he could see them in Kalonice.

Napaayos ng tayo si Kalonice at siya'y natingnan. "Hmmm?"

"You got Octavius eyes. You got shape of her face. If only they ended up together, their child will possibly be you." He pat her head as he cry. Kalonice looked at Midas. Naniningkit ang mga mata nito habang nakatingin sa litratong tinitingnan din ni Kalonice kanina. He was staring at the woman with blurred face. And the more he stare at it, the more he could see Kalonice's face on it.

"I'm going. It's nice to see you, Miss." Paalam ni Barnes at nakangiting umalis. Naiwan silang dalawa na hinahatid siya gamit ang tingin.

Kinuha ni Kalonice ang picture frane at sinuri ito. When she turned it, she saw familiar names written behind it.

Neddy, Larry, Cain, Octavs, and Margaret: these are the names written on it. And that unfamiliar name 'Margaret' is probably the blurred woman's name. It was beautiful.

"I'm sorry if I kept you waiting, guys." Entrada ni Octavius na hinahabol ang hininga. Natigilan sila at napatingin sa isa't isa. Bumaba ang tingin ni Octavius sa picture frame na hawak ni Kalonice.

Naging pilit ang kaniyang ngiti.

"H-Have you look around? I will tour you. Come," ngiti niya habang sila'y nilalapitan. Now that he got closer to them, he had the chance to see the picture of them, the only picture he have with her.

Ibinalik ni Kalonice ang litrato sa pwesto nito at tumango. Sumama siya kay Octavius. Nasa likod naman si Midas na pinagmamasdan silang dalawa habang papaakyat sila.

"We have three bedrooms here, exactly for each of you with your siblings. Also, each have their own bathrooms..." Octavius opened the door of the room he used to occupy before. It was clean. It still have the bed, the empty cabinets, the tabkes, and the book shelf with old books.

"Why didn't you throw the materials away, Ninong? Kalonice and I will buy new furnitures," ungot ni Midas na kinatakot ang marupok nang lamesa.

"Ang ganda nga, eh. Parang ayaw ko tuloy tirahan. I want to preserve this. Ang ganda," Kalonice opposed as she walk around. She head to the shelf and browse a book.

"I want to keep them. But I can't move them to our house. So, I let them stay here. Don't worry, once this is bought, I will call the Waste Disposal Management to take them---"

"HUWAG PO!" Mabilis na sabi ni Kalonice at naibalik ang libro sa lalagyan nito.

"I will keep it po. Siguro ay may mga papalitan lang akong mga magamit, pero I will keep them po. Huwag niyo pong itapon. Ako na pong bahala." She prays that he will let her.

After hearing Barnes' story, knowing that every single thing here holds a certain memory, it will be a waste to throw them. There are beautiful memories that do not need to be forgotten. Sure, it was painful, but reminiscing the good old times is healthy too even though it is bitter. But it used to be sweet. Memories like that will never spoil.

"Are you sure?" Mabilis na tumango si Kalonice. Midas frowned at her.

Octavius smiles and nodded. "If that's what you like, I am glad." Dumako ang tingin niya sa kama. Lumiit ang kaniyang ngiti hanggang sa ito'y nawala. Siya'y tumalikod na.

"L-Let's see the other rooms.." Siya'y napalunok at tuluyan nang lumabas. Kalonice immediately followed and drag Midas out of the room.


Matapos makita ang mga kwarto ay bumaba na ulit sila. Bumalik sila sa sala, bago tumungo sa mini bar na malapit sa glass door patungong bakuran. They went there and stop by the porch. The pool was empty. Beside it was a hut and a swing. And here's this huge, old tree they planted before. As Octavius stare at it, Kalonice could see through his eyes how he return to the time he and his friends were still here.


"This is where Larry and Gwy made you, Inno. The kitchen." Nakakalokong ngumisi si Octavius sa kaniyang inaanak. Bagot at bagsak ang mga balikat siyang tinapunan ni Midas ng tingin bago inirapan.

Pasimpleng tumabi si Kalonice sa kaniya at mahinang bumulong, "Made in kitchen ka pala? Kaya pala masarap ka," at sinundan niya ito ng mahinang tawa.

Halos atakihin sa puso si Midas dahil sa kaniyang sinabi. Octavius pretend that he heard nothing. Mukhang pati siya ay aatakihin din sa puso. He did not know that she's like 'that'. Mukhang may maikukwento na naman siya kay Larry at Cain nito.


"Did you like the house, hija?"

"Love po. I love the house po, Sir. Sobrang ganda po niya. Sobra. Tiyak na matutuwa po ang mga kapatid ko nito." pagtatama ni Kalonice habang pinagmamasdan ang kabuuan ng bahay. Napangiti si Octavius.

"Then, I must give it to you for free." Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Kalonice.

"P-Po? B-Bakit po?"

Octavius put his hands inside his pockets snd gazes at his house. "People who tried purchasing it only want it to be their rest house. Meaning, they will not actually live here. I want somebody who will stay here and live here, erase its old record and make a new one. I want it this time, to be happy memories. Something that when the owner comes back home, she or he will not feel sadness and nostalgic. Just pure happiness and growing," he said before looking at her.

"And it was you. This house will be a home once again. And I'm glad to see you have it and make it your own. This will serve as my gift to you since you are the very first summa cum laude of our school. I am honored and proud to call you its new owner, Kalonice." He pat her head and smiled wider.

"May this home serve you warmth, safety, and protection. May this home be filled with laughter once again. May this home do its duty to shelter a family once again." His lips trembled at doon na bumalisbis ang mga luhang kanina niya pa pinipigilan. He started it, at sinundan agad iyon ni Kalonice at umiyak na din.

Mahigpit niyang nayakap si Octavius na siyang nagpabigla dito maging kay Midas. Walang lumabas sa kaniyang bibig na isang salita. Mahigpit niya lamang niyakap si Octavius at ipinaparating na magiging maayos rin ang lahat para sa kaniya.


Octavius felt light. Something in him was triggered for him to cry even more. It feel so familiar: the warmth, the feeling, the nostalgia. It felt like Kalonice was her. It felt like Kalonice was Margaret. In a split of time, he felt happiness.

He raised his hands. At first, he was hesitating. But in the end, he still dare and hugged Kalonice back. And for real, once again, it felt like Margaret's.

"Margaret..." It slipped out of his mouth. He cried silently but continously. Kalonice let him hug her and share her warmth with him. It felt wonderful. It was like Larry's vibe, a father's warmth.

Midas could not take his eyes off of them. In hid perspective, they look like a father with his daughter. He do not want to jump into conclusions. He got no valid receipts, but he have acceptable ones.

Octavius met Margaret. They fell in love, it ended tragic, they parted.

Octavius married Delphine, his wife.

Kalonice is orphaned.

She has the same eyes as him.

Barnes said she looked like the product of Octavius and Margaret.

So, here is the question that was formed on his mind: What if Margaret is bearing his child when she left and it was Kalonice?

Also, what happened to Margaret and where is she now? If it was really Kalonice, why did Margaret abandon her instead of keeping her?

He still got questions running inside his mind but he put a stop to them because he did not want to conclude something that's not even valid and have no proper proofs. But it's what's his instincts tell him. He is not sure if he should trust it.



Things will be complicated if it happened that Kalonice will be his daughter.