Ang Barako at Ang Prinsesa (ONGOING)

Chapter 18

"Hey, we have to go somewhere. Change into something simple and comfortable...and do not wear makeup." Untag sa kanya ng asawa niya. And to think she was having a peaceful morning before that. Nag-decide kasi siyang maglakad lakad sa beach habang umiinom ng freshly brewed native coffee na nilagyan nya ng konting condensed milk. It reminded her of Vietnamese coffee. One perk of marrying someone like Milo is having a huge selection of coffees in the pantry – local man o international blends.

"Well, who are you to tell me what to wear?" Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay.

"Just do what I say." Tumalikod ito kaagad at bumalik sa bahay. Napasimangot naman siya. Is he bipolar or something? Yesterday he was trying to be funny and today...sobra pa siya sa may PMS grrrrr.

She ended up wearing a checkered long sleeved polo shirt, skinny jeans, at ang trusted niyang Nike sneakers. Tila nainip naman si Milo sa kahihintay sa kanya pagpasok niya sa isang lumang model na Toyota Hilux. Ayos naman sa loob, marami nga lang dents sa labas.

"What's up with this car?" Tanong niya dito.

"Oh this? I don't have a car here so I borrowed Lucio's farm pickup. Still runs really good, aircon's cold. 'Wag na munang paka-arte, ha?" Sabi nito sabay haplos sa mukha niya sabay ngisi ng nakakaloko. Tinabig niya naman ito.

"Stop touching me and let's just go!" Pumormal din ito agad at tumahimik. The rest of the one hour trip was very silent. Tahimik lang naman din si Savannah. She looked at the view outside. The green trees and the wide blue sea were so relaxing. Nakarating sila sa sentro makalipas ang higit isang oras. At ilang minuto pa ay ipinark na nito ang pickup sa Parking Lot ng Provincial Jail.

May kasabay din silang matangkad na lalaki sa Parking Lot na kinamayan nito. Si Lucio. What do they need Lucio for? Sino nga ba talaga ang pupuntahan nila?

Is there anyone we should be visiting here? Is it perhaps – oh god – is it Dad?

Biglang nanlamig si Savannah. She was suddenly anxious. Napansin naman ito ni Milo. Hinawakan siya nito sa braso.

"Hey, hey. Just relax and go with the flow, okay? No drastic display of emotions. We gotta keep it lowkey, babe." Pabulong na sabi nito habang naglalakad sila papunta sa entrance.

Marahas na nilingon niya ito. " Is this the reason why you married me!? Oh wait-" pigil niya rito dahil hinila siya nito ng marahan, "Were you the one who sent my dad to jail? What did he ever do to you?"

Napatiimbagang lang ito at sinagot siya. He had a terrifyingly cold look in his eyes.

"Remember I told you to not ask about anything? I saved your company so just do what I tell you to do. Your father destroyed many families when he chose money over his people. I got it a lot easy than some of my neighbors. Namatay na lang ang iba na hindi nakuha ang hustisyang para naman talaga sa kanila. You do not know just how much it broke me apart. So...until I'm satisfied with his reasons, I am keeping you and I'll keep your company afloat. So please – just do what I say."

Nanginginig na tumango na lang siya. He didn't hurt her or anything but something in his voice just scared her to the bones.

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She looked terrified. Normally, Milo can keep his composure even in really stressful conditions. He didn't know what came over him. Hinamig niya ang sarili niya matapos niyang pagsalitaan si Savannah. It hurt him, too. Maybe she didn't really know anything. What do you expect, napaka-assh*le mo naman talaga!

Nang makita niyang relaxed na ito ay inabot niya rito ang isang bote ng tubig. She drank with so much gusto – marahil dahil sa stress at kaba nito. Patuloy naman ang sundot sa kanya ng konsensya niya habang iginigiya niya ito papasok sa entrance. Maya-maya ay nasa visitor's area na sila. Lucio went there first. Napansin niyang tila stoic lang ang mukha ng kanyang "father-in-law" habang kinakausap ito ni Lucio. Sabi nito ay lagi daw itong ganoon. Tahimik lang at hindi sumasagot sa mga tanong.

Is he protecting someone?

Binuksan ng jail guard ang pinto para sa kanila. And for once in a long while, the prideful and mighty Samson Villagracia lost his composure.

Nanlaki ang mga mata nito. Kitang kita na natakot ito sa nakita. It's just his daughter, why would he be afraid?

Parang wala sa loob na nahigpitan ng asawa niya ang pagkahawak sa kanya. Binulungan nya itong sumunod na lang sa kanya. Tahimik naman itong naupo sa tabi niya nang umupo siya sa harap ng ama nito.

Napalingon siya kay Savannah. Nakayuko lang ito, tila ayaw tingnan si Samson. She looked teary-eyed, too. Ganoon din ang ama nito na nakatingin lang sa anak nito.

"You can hug him, you know," marahang bulong niya dito. Agad naman itong tumalima at yumakap sa leeg ng amang hindi gumanti din ng yakap. Parang naalerto naman ang guwardiyang nakamasid. Kilala na siya nito. Sinenyasan niya itong huwag munang pigilan ang dalawa. 

___________

"I missed you so much, Dad," madamdaming bulong niya sa Daddy niya.

"I missed you too, Hija. Pero bakit ka pa bumalik? I tried very hard to keep you away. Ayokong madamay ka sa gulo." Kumalas ito sa pagkayakap sa kanya at tiningnan ng masama si Milo.

"What do you really need? Bakit pa ba kailangang idamay ang anak ko?"

Pinagsalikop ni Milo ang mga kamay nito. At tumingin din sa Dad niya.

"I need answers. You kept ignoring Lucio when he asks you. Answer my questions and I'll leave you and your family. Make one mistake and I'll destroy everything you have -" Camilo paused and looked at her, and then looked at her father again.

Her father clenched his teeth and answered him, "You can't do that! Sino ka ba para pagsabihan ako ng ganyan? How many times do I have to tell you that I have nothing to do about the corruption and money laundering. I came from a very well-off family, as you know.  Ngayon pati nga lahat ng akin, inagaw din nila. And you, you come stomping here with my daughter and using her as a leverage. Bakit, sino ka ba? Ano ba ang kailangan mo?"

Camilo gave her father a wry smile. Huminga pa ito ng malalim bago nito sinabing,

" I'm your daughter's husband." Itinulak nito papunta sa Daddy niya ang isang makapal na folder. 

"I'd appreciate it if you'd go over these papers. I have many copies of these so destroying it would mean nothing. Answer my questions and if I liked it, maybe ....just maybe, we can help each other. I have many eyes and ears following you. Don't make any mistake."

Napahilamos ang matanda sa mukha nito.

"If you're concerned with your safety, I have trusted people here. I'm afraid this is all the time that we have. Savannah, we have to go. I have to meet some people. Wrap it up."

Naglakad ito palabas.

Naiwan muna sila ng kanyang ama. They just embraced each other.

"I'm sorry, anak."

"It's okay, Dad. I'm safe as of now. "

Tumango lang ito. Nagpaalam na din siya at sumunod kay Camilo. Naiwan naman si Lucio para kausapin ang Daddy niya.

She was relieved and anxious at the same time.

Relieved to find that her father is alright, anxious that she might have stumbled into something that will give her a bunch of headache.