C hapter Twenty-six
“KITTEN, behave, okay?” pakiusap ni Inna sa anak habang nakaupo ito sa pinakasulok na mesa ng restaurant. “Huwag kang maingay, `tapos huwag magkakalat. Huwag ding mag-play kasi magagalit ang boss ni Mommy. Let’s be thankful that she let you stay here while I work.”
Serenity nodded with a small “meow” sound.
Napangiti si Inna. “Thank you so much, kitten. Be nice, okay?”
“Meow,” Serenity replied.
Inayos ni Inna ang buhok ng anak. Hinaplos niya ang pisngi nito. “Sorry dahil isinama kita rito. Busy kasi si `Nay La mo, eh.”
“Ice cleam? ”
Inna smiled. “Later. `Pag tapos na ang work ni Mommy.”
“Kay.” Serenity’s kay was okay.
Excited na siyang makapagsalita ito nang buo at mahaba. Pero kahit naman bulol ito at bilang lang ang salitang lumalabas sa bibig, naiintindihan siya ng anak. Pero may nakuha ring ugali si Serenity sa ama nito. May katigasan ang ulo ng anak niya. Kapag gusto nito, gusto nito. Babanggain lahat, gagawin lahat, mangyari lang ang gusto. Serenity was persistent… like her father.
“Ammy? Angry ,” sabi ni Serenity. Mahaba ang nguso nito habang tinatapik-tapik ang tiyan.
“My kitten is hungry?” Hinalikan niya ang anak sa pisngi. “Sige, dito ka lang. Kukuha si Mommy ng makakain mo.”
“Meow.”
Natawa si Inna sa sagot nito. Naiiling siyang pumasok sa kusina para magpaluto. Ibabawas naman iyon sa sahod niya.
Laking pasasalamat talaga ni Inna na pinayagan siya ng manager na isama ang anak niya. Wala kasi siyang mapag-iiwanan kay Serenity na mapagkakatiwalaan niya.
Nang makalabas si Inna sa kusina, may dala na siyang pagkain para sa anak. Sinubuan niya ito hanggang sa maubos iyon. Pagkatapos, nag-umpisa na siyang magtrabaho.
“Good morning. Table for?” magiliw niyang tanong. Pero agad siyang natigilan nang makitang si Monti. “Monti…”
Monti smiled at her. “Table for one.”
Tumango si Inna saka itinuro ang kamay sa mesa. “This way, Sir.”
Nang makaupo si Monti, agad nitong binasa ang menu habang naghihintay naman siya sa order nito. Nang hindi napigilan ni Inna ang kuryosidad, nagtanong siya. “Still alone?”
Nag-angat ng tingin ang lalaki saka ngumiti. “Nah. My wife is just busy with her case in California. That’s why I’m alone these past few days. Hindi ako pinasama, eh. Istorbo daw ako sa kanya.”
Napatango-tango si Inna. “I’m happy for you.”
Pinakatitigan siya ni Monti. “Thank you.” Tumikhim ito saka huminga nang malalim. “Can we talk? Later?”
“Sa break ko,” sagot niya.
“Great.” Bumalik ang tingin ni Monti sa menu saka um-order.
Mabilis niyang isinulat ang order ng lalaki. Ibinigay niya iyon sa cashier. Ibang customer naman ang inasikaso niya.
Habang nagtatrabaho, panay ang tingin ni Inna sa anak niya. Natutuwa siya at nakinig ito na huwag magulo sa restaurant. Talagang nanatili lang itong nakaupo kahit yamot na yamot na ang mukha. And as for Monti, he actually patiently waited for her break. Parang gusto talaga siya nitong makausap. Kaya naman ng break na niya, nilapitan niya ang anak.
“Kitten, may kakausapin lang sandali si Mommy. Then I’m all yours.”
“Meow.”
Inna kissed Serenity’s forehead before walking towards Monti’s table.
“Hi,” sabi niya.
Agad na itinuro ni Monti ang kamay sa kaharap nitong upuan. “Have a seat.”
Umupo si Inna saka tumingin sa lalaki. “Why do you want to talk to me?”
Monti stared at her for a long second before answering. “I want to apologize… for what I did when we were still married. `Yong pananakit ko sa `yo. I was hurting at that time, jealous as well. But it wasn’t right to hurt you physically. I’m so sorry for that. I know it’ll be hard for you to forgive, but I’ll wait.”
Napatitig si Inna kay Monti. Napangiti siya nang maramdamang wala na ang kirot sa dibdib niya sa ginawa nitong pananakit sa kanya noon.
“I’m sorry as well. I did cheat on you. That wasn’t right. I’m really sorry for what I did, Monti. I want to say I was too young to understand you as a husband. But I was just being selfish, I guess. Laging sarili lang ang iniisip ko noon. Hindi ko iniisip na may nasasaktan ako at ikaw `yon. Lagi kong iniisip noon na kawawa ako kasi nakakulong ako sa `yo, na wala akong magandang buhay. Pero mali ako. I was lucky to have you. Yes, you were strict, but you did give me everything. Sa pinagdaanan ko nitong mga huling taon, doon ko lang na-realize na maganda ang buhay ko noon. Na masagana at walang hirap.
“These past few years, I experienced the hardship in life and it’s not a joke. Natuto akong maglinis ng bahay, ng banyo, maglaba, maglinis ng kalye at marami pang iba na hindi ko gawain noon. It was an eye-opener for me. It’s the world saying that my hardships when I was with you are nothing compared to other people’s hardships. Kaya wala akong karapatang mag-inarte, mag-demand o sabihing kawawa ako kasi mas may higit pang kawawa sa akin. So… yeah, thank you for everything. I do hope that your wife now gives you the love that you deserve.”
Monti nodded with a smile on his lips. “Oh, my wife loves me. I’m sure of that. And I love her, too.”
“I’m happy for you, then.”
Monti offered his hand at her. “Your hand, please?”
Nagtataka man, tinanggap ni Inna ang kamay nito. Nagulat siya nang mahigpit nitong hinawakan at pinisil iyon habang titig na titig sa kanya.
“As your ex-husband, I’m not happy seeing you like this, Inna. If you need help, anything at all, tell me and don’t hesitate to call me, okay?”
Mahina siyang natawa. “I rather not. Ayokong magalit sa akin ang asawa mo.”
Natawa na rin si Monti. “Nah, my wife is not the jealous type. She understands me better than I understand myself. Ako `yong seloso sa aming dalawa. Saka, sasabihin ko naman sa kanya kapag hiningi mo ang tulong ko.”
Inna nodded. “Thank you, Monti.”
Monti squeezed her hand one last time before letting it go and giving her a calling card.
“Call me when you need something, okay? I’ll tell my wife that I gave you my number for safety purposes. I mean, she’s not a jealous type, but she will gut me open, skin me alive, behead me and leave me in the dust once I keep something from her.”
Natatawang tumango si Inna. “Takot ka pala sa asawa mo ngayon.”
“She’s one hell of a woman.” Monti’s eyes were filled with love and admiration as he talked about his wife. “And I’m scared that she’ll wake up someday and realize I’m not worth her love. So, I’m taking really good care of her. Ayokong iwan niya ako.”
Gumuhit ang masayang ngiti sa mga labi ni Inna. “Our divorce was a blessing in disguise.”
“Agree—”
“Ammy? Ammy?” Boses iyon ng anak niya na naglalakad palapit sa kanila ni Monti. Tumigil ito sa gilid ng mesa. “Pee, Ammy. ”
“Y-your kid?” Bakas ang gulat sa mukha at boses ni Monti.
Tumango si Inna. Binuhat niya ang anak at nagpaalam kay Monti. “Sige, aasikasuhin ko muna itong kuting ko,” nangingiting paalam niya saka nagmamadaling pumasok sa banyo.
After Serenity peed, they went back to the table in the corner. Inaayos ni Inna ang damit ng anak nang may umupo sa kaharap nilang upuan. And it was Monti.
“Hi.” Monti waved his hand to Serenity. “I’m Monti. Your mom’s friend. What’s your name?”
“Meow,” her daughter replied.
“Kitten…” Inna looked at her daughter strictly. “Tito Monti is asking your name.”
“Selenity meow.”
Monti chuckled. “Ah. That’s why your mom calls you kitten. You like cats?”
Serenity nodded. “Cats. Pletty. ”
“Do you want to see a cat video?” Monti was indulging her daughter.
Si Inna naman ay palinga-linga dahil parami na nang parami ang costumers.
“Go on,” sabi ni Monti. “I’ll play with her until you finish working.”
“Thank you.” Hinalikan niya sa pisngi ang anak. “Behave, kitten, okay? Be nice to Tito Monti.”
“Kay.”
Hinalikan ulit ni Inna ang anak saka nagmamadaling bumalik sa pagtatrabaho. Paminsan-minsan ay tinitingnan ni ya ang anak na ngayon ay nakaupo na sa mga hita ni Monti. May pinapanood ang dalawa sa cell phone ng lalaki. And she was sure it had something to do with cats because her baby was smiling happily and clapping her hands.
“THANK you so much, Monti,” pagpapasalamat ni Inna dahil nito sa pakikipaglaro sa anak niya. Inihatid pa sila nito sa apartment na tinutuluyan nilang mag-ina.
“No worries.” Tumingin si Monti sa anak niya. “High-five, kitten?”
Nakangiting nakipag-high five naman ang anak niya. “Come, kay? ”
“I will. Thank you, little kitten.”
Kumunot ang noo ni Inna. “Parang may pinag-usapan kayo, ah. Ano `yon?”
Ngumiti lang si Monti saka pinanggigilan ang pisngi ng anak niya. “It’s her birthday and she’s inviting me.”
“Oh.” Nagulat si Inna. “Talaga?”
“Yes. Dito lang ba sa bahay n’yo?”
Umiling si Inna. “Sa isang resort. Kaya nga todo trabaho ako. Para kahit paano, maibigay ko sa kanya `yon.”
“Saan `yon?”
Ibinigay ni Inna ang pangalan ng resort at address niyon. “Maganda roon saka mura lang kaya doon kami.”
Napatango-tango si Monti at bumaba ang tingin kay Serenity. “Well, advance happy birthday, little kitten.”
Nagpasalamat si Inna. Lumabas na sila sa kotse ni Monti habang buhat niya ang anak. “Salamat ulit, Monti.”
Monti smiled and waved his hands at them. “Bye. See you soon, little kitten.”
“Ba-bye,” sagot naman ng anak niya.
Kahit paano ay masaya si Inna nang araw na iyon. Nakapag-usap na sila ni Monti tungkol sa nakaraan nila. Nagkapatawaran na rin. Gumaan ang dibdib niya kahit paano dahil nagkaroon na sila ng closure.
Nang makapasok sa bahay, agad na naglaro si Serenity habang siya naman ay nahiga sa mahabang sofa. Ramdam ni Inna ang pagod. Pero kailangan niyang magtrabaho para sa anak niya.
Tiningnan niya si Serenity na naglalaro ng dolls. Her face softened.
Soon, baby, you’ll have a good life. Gagawin lahat ni Mommy, hindi mo lang maranasan ang hirap ng buhay.
“ANDRADA! What the hell are you still doing in your bed, man?”
Havoc groaned as he woke up to Monti’s loud voice. Hinawakan niya ang ulo. Napatitig siya sa lalaki. “Ano’ng ginagawa mo rito?”
Tiningnan ni Monti ang bote ng Jack Daniels na nagkalat sa sahig. He sighed. “I’m taking you somewhere. Come on. Get up and take a bath. You reek of alcohol.”
Havoc just groaned. “I don’t want to move.”
“Bumangon ka nga,” iritadong sabi ni Monti. “May pupuntahan tayo. Dali na!”
Napipilitan siyang bumangon. Alam niyang hindi siya titigilan ni Monti kaya mas mabuting makinig na lang dito. Masyadong masakit ang ulo niya para makipagbangayan sa lalaki.
After Havoc took a bath and stepped out from the walk in closet, he saw Monti playing the piano to pass the time. He stilled when he remembered Inna.
Havoc went to the restaurant yesterday. He saw Inna and Monti holding hands. Alam niyang mahal na mahal ni Monti ang pinsan niya, pero nasaktan pa rin siya sa nakita. Just like before, until now, he couldn’t still take it when a man was too close to the woman he loved. Kaya nilunod na lang niya ang sarili sa alak. What happened yesterday just confirmed it that he was still madly in love with Inna.
Who was he kidding when he told her he’d move on? Havoc couldn’t move on. He didn’t want to. Because if there was one thing he can do better than anyone in this world, it was loving his Inna.
Bumuntong-hininga si Havoc saka naglakad papunta sa bar para magsalin ng alak. Pero mabilis siyang pinigilan ni Monti.
“Don’t. You’ll regret it.”
Havoc sighed. “What now?”
“We’re going to a party,” sabi nito. “Doon ka maglasing kung gusto mo. For once, be sober in the morning.”
Hindi niya itinuloy ang pag-inom ng alak. “Whatever. Let’s just go.”
Parang masaya si Monti habang nakasakay sila sa elevator pababa. And to his confusion, he didn’t let him use his car.
“What’s up with you today?” he asked in confusion.
“We’re going to a party.” Iyon lang ang sagot ni Monti.
Havoc just rolled his eyes and leaned on his seat before closing his eyes. Hindi pa sila nagtatagal sa biyahe nang tumigil ang sasakyan. Akala niya, nakarating na sila. Kaya nagulat si Havoc nang makitang nasa labas sila ng isang toy store.
“Anong gagawin natin dito?” nagtatakang tanong niya.
“Basta. Lumabas ka na lang diyan,” sagot nito. Nauna nang lumanas sa kotse si Monti.
Napipilitang lumabas si Havoc at pumasok sa toy store.
“Look for a stuffed toy cat,” utos ni Monti.
Havoc frowned. “The hell?”
“Look for a cat.” Nang hindi siya gumalaw, tiningnan siya nito nang masama. “I’m helping you here. You’ll thank me later for this.”
Havoc let out a deep exasperated sigh before he went around looking for a cat stuffed toy. Nang makahanap, kumuha siya ng dalawang magkaiba ang disenyo saka binayaran sa cashier at ipinabalot.
“What now?” he asked Monti in irritation.
“Now, we go to the party.”
“Let’s just get this over with.” Nauna na siyang lumabas at sumakay sa kotse nito. Tulad ng ginawa kanina, ipinikit ni Havoc ang mga mata habang nasa biyahe sila.
Bakit ba siya sumama kay Monti?
Siguro, kasi gusto niyang maaliw at gusto niya itong tanungin kung ano ang pinag-usapan nito at ni Inna kahapon. He was jealous as fuck!
“We’re here,” sabi ni Monti.
Iminulat ni Havoc ang mga mata. Kumunot ang noo niya nang makitang papasok ang sinasakyan nilang kotse sa isang resort. Hindi na lang siya nagtanong. Sumunod na lang siya kay Monti nang lumabas ito sa kotse pagkatapos iyong iparada. Kinuha naman niya ang ipinabalot na cat stuffed toy sa backseat at tumingin kay Monti.
“What now?”
“Follow me,” nakangiting sagot nito saka naunang maglakad sa kanya.
Havoc followed him for more than thirty minutes.
“Fuck you!” iritado niyang sabi kay Monti nang lumipas ang treinta minuto. Hindi pa rin nila nahahanap ang party na sinasabi nito. “We’re lost, aren’t we?”
Napakamot sa batok si Monti saka nakangiwing ngumiti. “They’re here. I’m sure of that.”
“Then where are they?”
Itinuro nito ang kanang parte ng resort. “Maybe they’re in there.”
“Please.” Puno ng sarkasmo ang boses ni Havoc. “Lead the way, you motherfucker.”
Tumawa lang si Monti. Nauna na naman itong naglakad. Minutes later, Havoc saw him grinning from ear to ear.
“I found them!” sigaw nito sa kanya na sumusunod lang dito.
“Great!”
Monti looked happy as he walked towards a simple cottage. “Inna! Inna!”
Napatigil si Havoc sa paghakbang. Napako siya sa kinatatayuan nang marinig ang pangalan na tinawag ni Monti.
Inna? My Inna?
Pero sa halip na si Inna ang lumabas sa cottage, isang cute na cute na pamilyar na bata ang nakangiting lumabas doon at tumakbo papunta kay Monti.
That kid! That was Serenity!
“To Onti! To Onti!” matinis na sigaw ng bata. Yumakap ito sa hita ni Monti.
Then Havoc’s eyes settled on Inna who was now stepping out from the cottage. She was smiling at Serenity and Monti.
“Sorry about that,” sabi ni Inna na nakangiti. “Kitten is just excited to see you.”
Monti smiled before glancing at him. “I brought a guest.”
Inna didsn’t look shocked that he was there. She smiled at him instead and welcome him. “Come on. Let’s eat. Kaunting salo-salo lang.”
Havoc was still rooted in place, shocked at what was happening in front of him. Then his eyes settled on the kid who was now animatedly talking to Monti.
Serenity. Her name is Serenity? Is she mine?
Parang may sariling isip ang mga paa ni Havoc na naglakad palapit kina Monti at Serenity. And for some reason, his heart was beating so fast. He was afraid it might burst!
“H-hey,” sabi ni Havoc sa bata. Lumuhod siya para magpantay ang mukha nilang dalawa. “Remember me?”
Agad na nagliwanag ang mukha ni Serenity. “Ice cleam! ”
“Yes.” Mabilis siyang tumango. “Ice cream. I bought you an ice cream.” Kinagat niya ang ibabang labi para pigilan ang emosyong nararamdaman. “Your name is Serenity, right?”
She nodded.
“And your mom’s name… It’s… It’s…” His heart was beating insanely fast. “It’s Inna Pauline, right?”
Serenity smiled and nodded “Nalyn.”
“Yes.” Havoc smiled even when he was shocked and confused as hell! “Yes. Nalyn.”
“It’s her birthday today,” sabi ni Monti.
Sa sinabi nito, agad niyang naalala ang binili niyang stuffed toy. Monti knew! That was why he wanted him to buy a gift.
Havoc looked at Monti. “Thank you.”
Tinapik nito ang balikat niya. “Man up, Andrada.”
His eyes settled on Serenity who was looking at the paper bag he was holding. Mabilis niyang binuksan iyon at ipinakita ang laman dito.
“You like cats?”
“Meow-meow!” masaya nitong sigaw. Mabilis nitong kinuha sa kamay niya ang stuffed toy at mahigpit na niyakap. “Meow-meow.”
Parang may kung anong humaplos sa puso ni Havoc nang makita ang kasiyahan sa mukha ng bata. And he felt guilty because he was irritated when he bought it.
“You like it?”
Serenity grinned happily. “Yes! Meow-meow!”
Maingat niyang binuhat si Serenity. Humarap siya kay Inna na nakatingin lang sa kanilang dalawa. Naglakad siya palapit dito. Then Inna smiled at him. A happy genuine smile.
“She’s mine, right?” tanong ni Havoc nang tumigil siya sa harap ni Inna. Buhat pa rin niya si Serenity. “I mean… you would never name her Serenity if she’s not mine. Please, tell me she’s mine,” he begged.
Inna nodded with a happy smile on her face. “Yes, Havoc. She’s yours.”