WAY BACK INTO LOVE

V: WHO IS HE?

V.

Matamang nakatitig lamang sa kisame ang binata habang naglalakbay ang kanyang isipan sa dalaga na nasa kabilang kwarto. Halos sumabog ang kanyang dibdib ng makitang masayang nakikipag-usap sa telepono si Aryana sa lalaking nagngangalang Jake. At sa daloy ng usapan ng mga ito ay ang lalaki ang kasintahan nitong naiwan sa Amerika. He wants to yell at her to stop talking to the guy but clearly, he didn’t have the guts to tell her that so instead he chose to unplug the phone.

He missed her laugh but he’s also jealous. He hates himself for getting her upset but he couldn’t stop himself. He wants her to laugh with him and no one else. Pero paano nga ba nya iyon gagawin kung sa bawat hakbang nya ay galit ang dalaga?

“I guess it’s time for me to act or I’ll lose everything.” Anya sa sarili.

He gets up and open his laptop to go over the details of Aryana’s project for the Malate branch. He’s impressed that he couldn’t find any loophole, not that he is looking for one. She is really the daughter of Don Crisanto Fuentes. He planned to placed her at the cleaning crew but decided against it at the last second. And he’s happy that he never did. She was the only one who gave the best idea for the project. He can’t think of any way to help out the branch so he plans to sell it. He was about to suggest it to the board but Aryana did come through. And he is so proud of her.

Matuling lumipas ang mga araw, at unti-unting pinapatunayan ni Aryana ang kapasidad nya sap ag-handle sa mga negosyong naiwanan ng ama. Si Jeffri pa rin ang acting CEO dahil ayaw pang tanggapin ng dalaga ang responsibilidad ng presidente and at the same time ay ang pagiging CEO ng kumpanya. Aniya ay mas maiging mapaghandaan nya ang lahat bago akuin ang responsibildad. Kayang-kaya naman ng binata ang pagiging Chief Executive Officer ng kumpanya. Ngunit alam nyang darating ang araw na kaya na nyang hawakan ang dating posisyon ng ama.

Magkasama nga sila sa iisang bubong ngunit ni hindi man lang sila magkasalubong kahit minsan dahil umiiwas palagi ang dalaga. Malimit din na doon kina Brylle ito nakikitulog. At hinuha nya ay upang malaya nitong makausap ang nobyong naiwan sa Amerika. Nagpupuyos sa matinding selos ang binata ngunit wala naman syang magawa. Gustong-gusto nan yang makasal sila ng dalaga para may rason syang pagbawalan itong makipag-usap kahit kanino.

Makalipas ang ilang lingo ay muling nagpatawag ng meeting ang abogado ng ama. Mayroon pa raw itong iniwan para sa dalaga. Napagkasunduan nila na doon na lamang sa dating opisina ng ama sa loob ng mansyon ganapin ang nasabing pagpupulong.

“Hija, it’s good to see you’re doing well.” Panimulang bati ng abogado. “Your dad for sure is so proud of you, as he always was.” Nakangiting dagdag pa nito.

“Thank you po, attorney.” Pilit na ngiti ang bati nya rito. “Maupo po kayo.” She offered.

“No need hija, I know you’re eager to know what your father left for you.” Sumulyap ito sa binatang nakasandal lamang sa may hamba ng pinto habang maingat na inilalabas ang laman ng dalang bag. “Come and join us Mr. Trisnu.”

Tumango naman ang binata at marahang isinara ang pinto bago naupo sa sofang naroon.

Ipinatong ng abogado ang tape recorder sa lamesa bago nginitian muli ang dalaga. “Do you want to turn it on? Or do you want me to do it for you hija?”

“Please do, attorney.” Nanlalambot na umupo sya sa swivel chair ng ama. Wala syang pinalitan o tinanggal sa loob ng opisina ng ama at sa loob ng mansyon. This is where she grew up and all the memories of her childhood are here, she would never change anything unless necessary.

Pinagmasdan muna ng dalawang lalaki ang dalaga bago pinindot ng abogado ang recorder.

“To my beloved daughter, Aryana, you have proven your integrity and skills as a person and as my daughter. Please forgive me for arranging your marriage to Jeffri beforehand without consulting you or him. I did it with you in my mind. I know for sure you will oppose it from day one until you can get out of it, that’s who you are, that’s why you’re one of the best businesswomen across the US. You should have known that I took a record of everything you’ve done since you left home. Again, forgive me, but you are my ony daughter, the blood of my blood, the flesh of my flesh, I won’t regret everything I’ve done. But the only regrets I had was not spending time with you. I’ve missed you every day and I made sure I was there for all your important dates and achievements, though just on the sideline looking over. Know my love that I’m so proud of you.

By the way, I have all the info of your company since the day you’ve started the D’ Chrysanthemum’s. I love that you made your mom’s dream come true. And I’m glad you took after her and not me.” Mahihimigan ang ngiti at lungkot sa boses ng Don.

Pinatay na ng abogado ng recorder at iniabot ang isang sobre na naglalaman ng mga papeles ng kanyang kumpanya. Napaluha sya ng abutin ito, hindi nya tuloy mawari kung magagalit sa ama o matutuwa dito.

Tumayo na sya at akmang lalabas na ng opisina ng magsalitang muli ang abogado. “Please have a sit, hija. He’s not done speaking to you yet.”

Tumango na lamang ang dalaga at muling naupo. Hindi nya mapigilan ang maluha dahil sa magkahalong tuwa at galit na nararamdaman. Muling pinindot ng abogado ang play button ng recorder.

“Oh, please don’t be mad sweetheart. You’re my only daughter and I’ll do everything I can to make you happy. But I’m so stubborn to not see your potential, your talent. I should have been with you, nourished you with everything I know in every way possible. I’m sorry for letting my sadness affect you, for not listening, for all the pains I caused you because of my selfishness. I should have trusted you more. Forgive me, Aryana love.

You are always be my beloved daughter, my angel, my strength and my salvation. You’re the gift from heaven and I should have cherished you more. You will always be my baby, no matter how old you get. Know that I love you forever. Goodbye, my angel.”

Kahit anong pagpipigil nya ay namalisbis pa rin ang kanyang mga luha. She has forgiven her dad but she can’t forgive herself for thinking that he didn’t love her. She can’t change the past but she can decide for the future, for her happiness and for her parents’.