HER GUILTY PLEASURE

EP.03

"STEFANO, have you heard the news?" tanong sa kanya ng nakakatandang kapatid na si Sebastian, pagkabungad pa lang nito sa kaniyang opisina. Since her grandfather got sick, he took over his position at siya na ang acting CEO ng kanilang kumpanya.

"Never heard. Never give a damn. Not interested whatever it is." malamig niyang sagot.

"Really? Even if it's her?" tila nang-aasar na sagot nito.

Stefano gained a courage to look at his brother and asked, "Who are you talking about?" salubong ang kilay na tanong niya.

"You knew who she was, I'm sure of that. You don't need to act stupid, little brother." may pang-uuyam na sagot nito.

"Stop playing games with me, kung wala kang importanteng sasabihn, please leave me alone at marami pa akong trabaho." taboy niya sa kapatid.

"Harrieth is in the Philippines now, she was staying in her condo, near BGC." anito habang nakatitig sa magiging reaksyon niya. At hindi ito nabigo dahil para siyang naging estatwa ng ilang segundo pagkarinig sa pangalan ng dating kasintahan.

Ngunit agad rin siyang nakabawi at nagpatuloy sa ginagawa. "Is she?"

"Yup, and she might be coming here in Cagayan to visit our abuelo." anito. "I am warning you, Stefano, huwag mo siyang hahayaan na makalapit kay Abuelo. Or else, I don't know what I am capable of doing kapag nakita ko kahit na ang anino niya." babala nito.

"She has the right to visit him, as a matter of fact, it was abuelo's longest wish... Ang muli siyang makita, hindi ba?"

"I don't care! She doesn't deserve to set her foot in our life, ever again! After what she has done? No way! In the first place, she is the reason why abuelo is sick right now! Kung hindi siya umalis during his birthday celebration, hindi magdadamdam ang matanda at magkakasakit. It's her fault kung bakit nasa ganyang estado ang matanda."

"Are you done talking? I still have papers to sign; you’re taking so much of my time venting your anger to a woman who is not in my life anymore. How about helping yourself out of my room?"

His brother stared at him as if he is reading what is on his mind. Isinenyas niya rito kung saang gawi ang pintuan niya. "Okay. I will leave. But Ii am watching your every move, Stefano. Don't you ever dare help that woman. Or else--"

Stefano tapped his table with so much anger and said, "Or else what?! I'm not that kid that you can simply squeeze in your hands once hindi sumunod sa mga gusto mo. If you have an issue with Harrieth, better deal it with yourself and never drag me in it." namumulang wika niya sa kapatid dala ng matinding galit. "This is the last time na tatangkain mong pasunurin ako sa gusto mo. Don't play God, Sebastian. You're far from it. Now, leave my office at once!"

Marahil ay nasindak niya ang kapatid kaya wala itong kibo na nilisan ang opisina niya. Nang wala na ito sa opisina ay unti-unti siyang napaupo sa kanyang swivel chair. His legs are shaking and his heart is still racing. The news about Harrieth made him uneasy. It's been five years. Five years of guilt and regrets.

"What have you done, Stefano? Are you out of your mind?!" singhal sa kanya ni Don Modesto. Nanginginig sa galit ang matanda habang kausap siya nito. Hours after she left, his abuelo stormed to his condo using his private chopper setting aside his health issues para lang alamin ano ang nangyari. Nais nitong malaman kung bakit nagdesisyon ng biglaan ang dalaga na umalis.

Ang huling natatandaan lang niya ay kausap niya ang kaibigang si Greta dahil may problema ito. Uminom lang sila ng kaunti para kumalma nang bahagya ang kaibigan at ang huli niyang natatandaan ay nakatulog na siya. Nagising na lang siya sa malakas na hampas sa kanya ng abuelo.

"I don't know what happen, abuelo. I was just sleeping here." depensa niya sa sarili.

"For goodness’ sake, Stefano! I saw a naked woman a while ago in your damn room! Don't tell me na hindi mo rin alam paano siyang nakahubad sa tabi mo?"

"She's my friend, abuelo."

"A friend? Are you taking me as a fool? Is that how your friend supposed to do? Strip her clothes and sleep with you?" gigil na gigil na sigaw sa kanya ng matanda.

Hindi niya rin alam ano ang mangyari kaya hindi niya alam ano ang isasagot sa kanyang lolo. Isa pa hindi niya rin alam kung totoong nakita siya ng nobya na may kasamang ibang babae sa condo niya. He was clueless of what is really happening. His mind is a full mess, right now. Greta left the place when his abuelo arrive. Kaya wala rin siyang mapagtanungan kung ano ang nangyari.

"Greta Alano is my kumpadre's daughter, and you know that." seryosong wika uli ng matanda. "He won't let you off, easily."

"Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari, abuelo. I told you, I passed out. You can ask Greta, maybe she knows something that I didn't know."

"How can you live so recklessly? Is this how I taught you while growing up? I told you to cherish and protect Harrieth. How can you disappoint me like this?" mapait na wika ng matanda.

"I am sorry, abuelo. I know I am in no position to ask this. Please help me on this one. Please talk to Harrieth, please tell her -"

"You should have thought a gazillion times before doing such a nasty thing! You destroyed two woman's life in a day, Stefano. You should have at least be responsible for what you did."

"But, abuelo! Paano ako magiging responsable sa bagay na wala akong kinalaman?" mapait niyang turan.

"Go fix yourself, you have to ask for Greta's hand from her father."

"No! I won't do that! Si Harrieth ang mahal ko at siya lang ang babaeng pakakasalan ko! What happened to Greta and I,was clearly a mistake!" matigas niyang tugon.

"You son of a-!" galit na sigaw ng matanda. Nagtangka itong hampasin siya ng tungkod nito ngunit bigla ring natigilan. Tinututop nitoo ang dibdib at wari'y nahihirapang huminga.

"A-abuelo?" gulat niyang sambit sa matanda. Mabilis niya iton nasalo bago pa ito tuluyang lumagapak sa sahig. "Abuelo! I will bring you the hospital, please hold on!" aniya. Mabilis niyang pinangko ang matanda at kaagad na dinala sa pinakamalapit na hospital.

His grandfather suffered from mild stroke. Both of his brother put the blame to Harrieth and no matter how hard he explains that it wasn't her fault. Sebastian and Skye remained the same. They choose to close their ears and they just choose what to listen.