Book2: A Night Darker

Chapter 16

The b***h is Back

       HINDI mapakali si Nickolas habang nagmamaneho papunta sa pinakamalapit na cafe sa kaniyang kompanya. Simula kasi ng tumapak siya sa Manila, ang tanging nasa isip niya na lang ay kung papaanong makakabalik agad sa Batangas.

He'd been yearning to see the twins and Shiinel. The mere thought of them even had his fingers twitching to make a swerve. Zeus, how he misses them!

Kung hindi nga lamang importante ang dapat niyang asikasuhin, nunkang iiwan niya ang kaniyang mag-ina kasama ang Clarence na yun.

Isa pa pala yun sa dapat niyang alalahanin pagbalik niya ng Batangas. He has to confront Clarence. He has to know everything. He has the right. He was just waiting for the right moment, and somehow convince Sophia, tss. how he hate that name.

He was almost there, but this sudden call just has to ruin everything. Humanda talaga ito sa kaniya, kapag nagkita na sila. That man better have something of sense to say, dahil kung wala, he better wish, he never called him.

Kunot ang noo ng pumasok sa loob ng cafe. He didn't waste his time greeting back the lady near the door, as he swiftly scanned the place to look for that mongrel. Nakita niya itong prenteng nagkakape sa isang tabi.

Hindi na siya nagsayang ng oras. Mabilis siyang lumapit sa pwesto nito at pabalang na itinapon ang susi ng kaniyang kotse sa lamesa.

It snapped his attention to him.

"Speak. " and better hurry. He thought as he glared at him.

Nginisihan lang siya nito na mas lalo niya pang ikinainis. This man's testing his patience, and his running out of it.

"Why? No hellos? " Muli itong tumawa. "How rude of you dear cousin. "

"Are you gonna speak, or you wanna get hit? Choose. " Nauubusan na talaga siya ng pasensya. Kating-kati na siyang balikan si Shiinel at ang mga anak nila, but this stupid mongrel had his plans all delayed.

"Still the hot headed. I see." Tumango-tango ito. "Pero hindi bat ako dapat ang nagagalit sayo? I was the one who called you here, pero inuna mo pa talaga yung ibang appointments mo, bago ako? Na-touch naman ako don Nick. Pakyu ka talaga. "

It was his turn to smirk.

Well, bago siya pumunta ng Batangas, he had his schedule cleared for the whole week. He cancelled his supposed meetings gaano man ka-importante ang mga yun, just so he could be with Shii. But then, fvcking Lucio just had to ruin the picture, calling him and saying that they need to talk about a serious matter, as he put it. When he set foot in Manila, he just had to make business as much as he could. His a businessman, he can't afford to waste time.

Lucio and him had been getting along just fine. Compared to their past relation, mas manipis na ang harang sa pagitan nila ngayon.

"What's really going on Lucio? " Hindi na siya magpapaliguy-ligoy pa. He's face now serious. Kailangan niya na itong tapusin.

As if sensing that he already mean business, ibinaba nito ang ininom na kape at iginiya ang ngayo'y seryoso nitong mga mata sa kaniya.

"Well, have a seat. "

Walang imik si Nickolas habang nakatitig sa kanina niya pang lumamig na kape. Kanina pa nakaalis si Lucio, but his word's keep ringing in his ears.

He clenched his jaw.

Hindi pa nareresolba ang problema nila ni Shiinel, heto't may bago na namang parating.

"She's back. " Lucio grimly said, the moment he took his seat.

Nangunot ang noo niya sa tono ng pagsasalita nito. "Who's back? "

Binuklat niya ang folder na nasa ibabaw ng lamesa para maghanap ng maiinom.

"Lia's back. "

The folder easily crampled in his hold. "Damn it. "

His fist clenched with suppressed anger after reliving their previous conversation. He wouldn't have acted this way, kung hindi niya nalaman lahat ng kawalang hiyaan ni Lia noon.

Lucio told him. Isa na rin siguro yun sa mga rason kung bakit unti-unting bumabalik ang tiwala niya dito.

Lia was obssessed. She's crazy--no she was sick. Hindi niya alam na hahantong sa ganoon ang pagiging spoiled nito.

He was angry. Fvck, he was livid when he learned that Lia was behind his life's destruction. Galit na galit siya. He wanted to kill her! He wanted to make her feel how terrified his son must have felt. He wanted to make her pay. He was losing himself during those times, pero nagpigil siya. god knows, how hard that was for him, pero ginawa niya. Beause deep inside him, umaasa siyang babalik yung babaeng mahal niya, and he doesn't want that special day, with him in jail. At hindi nga siya nabigo. He found her.

Isa pa, hindi niya pwedeng isisi dito ang lahat. May kasalanan din siya sa mga nangyari. He has the biggest share in fact.

She plotted Rui's accident. The mere thought of it, has his muscles twitching for revenge. But he chose the rest. Instead of man-ing up, he chose the easiest way out and push Shiinel away. Instead of treasuring what's left of him, he chose to ignore it. And look where it got him, to just a lot more pain.

He sued Lia, despite their families' beg. He was so determined to put her in her place, but then, they filed for reconsideration. Saying, that Lia was under temporary insanity during those times and that she couldn't be held guilty.

They fvcking won that one.

Lahat ng yun, lahat ng mga nangyari ay itinago nila sa media. Kasama na pati ang pag-alis ni Lia patungo sa ibang bansa. Their families are part of the elite circle, and her's doesn't want their name tainted with scandal. They told the press, she's out for some intense training, when the truth was, she was rehabilitated.

She was discovered to be under some type of drug addiction.

He was just starting to rebuild what she destroyed, pero ngayon niya pa talaga piniling bumalik.

His mind was shouting only one word the moment Lucio spilled the bean, and every fiber of his being agrees. Payback.

He was taken out of his reverie when he heard a screech. Nilingon niya iyon, and saw a woman taking Lucio's vacated seat.

"Hi. I'm Tricia. "She greeted and laid her hand, supposedly for a handshake. "You're Nickolas, right. "

Tiningnan niya lang ang kamay nitong nakalahad, then went to playing with his cold coffee. He doesn't really care kung isipin nitong bastos. Hindi niya ikahihirap yun.

She awkwardly withdraws her hand when she got the hint.

"Amm... "

Hindi niya ito pinansin. He was busy thinking about something important, and she just have to pick the perfect time to interrupt him. Fvcking perfect.

He just continued playing with his coffee instead of lashing out out on her. In his peripheral, he saw her fiddling with her hands while taking frequent glances on him and the coffee his holding. Is this woman insane?

Assessing her, hindi naman ito mukhang pulubi. She looks good, just not good enough for his taste. But all in all, she looks pretty presentable. So what's wrong with this woman?

He would have just continued to ignore her, but she just have to ask that out of the world question.

"Aah, m-masarap ba yung kape mo? "

She asked nervously.

Nangunot ang noo niya. He glared at her as if saying 'Are you fvcking nuts?'

He smirk in satisfaction when he saw her cowered.

Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa dito at sa kapeng hawak niya. She was still looking at his coffee for fvck sake! After a few more second, he couldn't take it. Inilapag niya ang kape niya sa harap nito.

"You can have it if you want. "

"T-teka, hindi y--

Hindi niya pinakinggan ang sumunod pa nitong sinabi. Mabilis siyang tumayo and walked out of the cafe. He has better things to do, than dealing with a lunatic.

With that thought, he rode his car, then hit the road.

        It had been three days simula ng makauwi sila Sophia mula sa Batangas.  It had also been three days simula ng makita niya ang singsing sa loob ng kwarto ni Clarence.  She had been dreading to ask him about it,  pero natatakot siya sa magiging sagot nito. Natatakot siyang tama ang lahat ng hinala niya,  at ayaw niyang dumating sa punto  na magagalit siya dito. She had grown to love and cherish the man she now call her husband.  Kaya ang isiping magagalit siya rito dahil sa isang kasinungalingan ay hindi niya kaya.  He's way too precious for her. Natatakot siya.  Natatakot siyang tuluyang mabalewala lahat ng magagandang alala na sabay nilang binuo ng asawa.

Pero papaano ka magiging tunay na masaya, kung ni hindi mo na nga kilala kung sino ka? Sigaw ng isang bahagi ng utak niya. Umiling siya. Ayaw mong masaktan,  pero hindi ka pa ba napapagod na maguluhan? Muli nitong usig sa kaniya.

Nababaliw na nga ata siya. Kung ganitong pati ang sarili niya'y pinapagalitan niya na. She has to stop this. She has to stop this madness,  and Clarence is the key.

With a finality in her decision,  she grabbed her new phone and punched the digits she'd been calling these past few days.

It made a few ring before someone picked the phone.  A smile crept it way on her lips upon hearing his voice.

"Hello, mom?" Excitement is evident on his voice. Kahit hindi niya ito nakikita, she knew that he already has his full grin that she'd grown to love, plastered against his lips.  The mere thought made her smile spread wider,  if its even possible.

"How are you sweetie? Are you doing fine there? Mom misses you sweetie, so much. " and she mean it.  He's constantly in her mind at kating-kati na siyang makita ulit ito, pero hindi pa pwede. He'd already gone through a lot, para idamay niya pa ito sa kasalukuyang gulo ng buhay niya.

Hindi maipagkakaila ang pangungulila at ang pagmamahal na nararamdaman niya para rito kahit na nga ilang sandali pa lamang silang nagkasama.  She love that child,  at sa kabila ng kaguluhang nangyayari sa buhay niya ngayon,  ito lamang ang isang bagay na sigurado siya.

"I'm fine mom,  and I miss you too.  When are you gonna fetch me here? " she could detect a tint of sadness beneath his words and she feel so guilty.

"Soon sweetie,  soon. " She tried to cheer him up, just then,  an idea suddenly  popped in her mind. Bakit nga ba ngayon niya lamang naisip ang lahat ng iyon? She grabbed her clutch,  together with her other necessities as she made her way towards their door.  "Umm,  actually sweetie,  I'll be on my way. "

She heard a loud cheer which assured her that she made the right decision. She put her phone back inside her clutch after she made her goodbyes.

A certain thought was playing inside her head as she maneuvered her car towards the road. Kung kokomprontahin niya si Clarence,  she'll make sure he wouldn't lie,  if ever, not this time.

3 days later,  everything was set, everything except her nerves. They are in total fiasco which made her every extremities tremble with mixed emotions,  anticipation and frustration to be exact.  She wanted to back out and just forget everything,  but this is it. There's no turning back. If she wanted to really go on with her life,  then her only choice is to take this step forward.

"Mommy,  whose house is this? It's quiet small." Nilingon siya si Rui sa kaniyang tabi. A big question mark was almost painted on his face.

Yes,  sinundo niya na ito.  Ang gusto niya sana ay kunin kung kailan maayos na ang lahat,  kung kilala niya na kung sino nga ba ang totoong siya. Pero naisip niya, siguro si Rui ang susi para maging maayos ang lahat. Dahil sa lahat ng mga taong parte ng nakaraan niya ngunit hindi niya maalala, si Rui lamang ang nasisiguro niyang tunay na kaniya. 

Her mother instinct wouldn't lie. Kaya kung hindi niya man maalala kung sino ang mga taong totoong parte ng buhay niya, Rui would.  He would be her guide. How ironic.

"This is where I live sweetie." Pilit man ay ngumiti siya rito.

Hindi nakaligtas sa kanya ang pagkunot ng noo nito. He seem to be more confused and puzzled. Something doesn't really add up then. Kung hindi ito ang lugar na nakagisnan ni Rui,  then where?

"You changed our home? Where's everybody then? Where's tita Lilang? " Sinubukan niyang wag ipahalata sa anak ang pagkalitong biglang dumaan sa kaniya.  Hindi niya kilala kung sino ang Lilang na tinutukoy nito, at kung sino ba ang mga kabilang sa 'everybody ' na tinutukoy nito.

"She's not here sweetie. " sagot niya.  "but we'll call her soon." agad niyang pahabol ng mapansin ang paglungkot ng mga mata nito. 

That Lilang must be important to him.  She thought.  Pero kung importante ito sa kaniya anak niya,  then how come na hanggang ngayon ay hindi niya pa ito nakikilala?

There are so many questions  swirling inside her head, and the fact na wala siyang maisagot sa kahit isa sa mga iyon makes her more and more frustrated.

"How about dad?" that totally caught her off guard. "Is my daddy here? Why didn't he come with you when you fetch me then? "

What would she say? She's not even sure who his father is. Should she say the truth or would just lie and say yes? But the look on his eyes. That twinkle of hope and excitement,  hindi niya kayang nakawin iyon sa anak.

Oh God, kayo na ho sanang bahala sa kung ano ang mangyayari. Please guide us oh Lord.  Alam kong may dahilan lahat ng to,  and we're putting our life into your hand.

She sent a silent prayer before she drag her answer out of her mouth, hoping that God will guide her.

"A-aah... " She trailed.  "Yes.  Of course he is here. " Ngumiti siya rito. Sana lang ay hindi niya pagsisihan ang isinagot sa anak.

"YES! " He fist pumped on the air. "I'm gonna see daddy! Where is he mom?! Where is he?!" She could feel his excitement radiating off him.

"He'll be here soon sweetie. Don't you wanna surprise him? "

"I do!  I do! " Tumatalon talon pa ito at halata sa mukha na nagustuhan nito ang kanyang ideya.  Ideya na hindi niya alam kung saang planeta niya ba nakuha. How could she be so sure?

Nang tingnan niya si Rui,  nakita niyang nagtatalon parin ito sa buong lugar habang nakataas ang dalawang kamay at sumisigaw ng 'I will see daddy' at 'we will surprise daddy. '

Talagang bata pa nga ito.  He still doesn't understand na ilang taon itong nawala,  and him meeting his father, whoever he is,  could possibly cause the latter a heart attack. He's just too happy and excited with the picture of a surprise in mind. She just hope this plan of her would work.  She hope so. 

Napapagod na kasi siyang maguluhan.  Napapagod na siyang manghula at magtanong. She's too tired of being afraid to get hurt.  She's tired,  too tired of being kept away from the truth. She's tired being someone unknown.

She'd been in a deep thought, that when she finally resurfaced, she realized that Rui was no longer jumping in joy.  No,  he's now standing awkwardly straight while facing the door with a complete confusion etched on his innocent face.

What happened? Did something happen while she's deep in trance?

He was still staring at something behind her back. She traced his line of sight and came eye to eye with no other than Clarence himself.

She gulped.

Her body instantly trembled.

This is it.

She just need words from Rui.

Words that would confirm who truly belongs to her 'real life'.

As if on cue,  Rui's mouth opened and uttered words which brought tears on her eyes and betrayal in her heart.

"Mommy,  who is he? "

All those time ay nakatitig lamang siya kay Clarence, kaya kitang-kita niya ang gulat na bumalatay sa mukha nito ng marinig nito ang pagtawag ni Rui sa kaniya ng mommy.

Maybe he just realized na tapos na lahat ng kasinungalingan nito, and the betrayal on her eyes is the proof.

Sinubukan nitong lumapit sa kaniya, pero sa tuwing hahakbang ito palapit ay umaatras siya. No,  she will not let him near.

"B-bae I-i can... P-please, just please... I can explain. " She just look at him.  She watch as he came apart.  She wanted to run to him and held him in her arms. She love him that much and she just wanted to assure him that everything okay,  but it's not.  She's not okay. She could barely think and could barely process the thought,  that Clarence,  the man she trusted with her life,  the man he thought that was her husband and the father of her children, lied to her. He made her life all a lie.  A big joke she can't even laugh at. "Bae please, don't cry. Please just let m-me e-explain... I beg y-you.. " He finally cracked. His tears flowing freely on his cheeks,  matching her own. But still, she could not bring herself to care.

She feel so betrayed.  "You lied to me. " She managed to utter with a voice so firm.  Marami siyang gustong sabihin,  pero ayaw magproseso ng utak niya. She feels terribly hurt. "You betrayed me. "

He was appalled. Bumukas sara ang bibig nito sa pagtatangkang depensahan ang sarili,  but all he did is to ramble words.

"Bae, believe me I didn't mean to. It's not my intention to hurt you,  or the twins! Not anyone please!  I didn't mean--I don't... I just--fvck. " He pulled his hair out of frustration.  She almost gave in,  but decided to held her ground.  Hindi lang simpleng bagay ang ipinagkait nito sa kaniya,  it was her everything. "I didn't mean to hurt you! "

"and you expect me to believe that? " her voice cracked.

"I swear! Bae please... Believe me, I never wanted to hurt you!"

"But you just did! "she retaliated.  "You lied to me and made a fool out of me and you expect me to believe you when you said that you freaking don't wanna hurt me?! Well,  that's bull--" She almost cuss,  but despite her heated tongue,  mabuti na lamang ay naalala niyang kasama nila si Rui na ngayon ay alam niyang naguguluhan na sa nangyayari. "Clarence...or is that even your name? Hindi ko na alam kung ano ba ang paniniwalaan ko.  Tell me,  meron man lang bang kahit isang totoo sa lahat ng ginawa mo at sinabi mo?  O lahat ng yun gawa gawa mo lang para pagmukhain akong tanga?! Kung oo, ano masaya ka na?! Because look at me! LOOK AT ME! " Hindi niya na napigilan pa,  she broke down.  She let all her emotion and pain flow it's way on her cheeks. She cried her heart out. Ibinuhos niya lahat ng hinanakit niya sa iyak na iyon,  lahat lahat.  But it wasn't enough.  "I've been the most stupid person for believing you when you said that you love me! "

Ng muli niyang ibaling ang atensyon dito,  he saw him looking so broken and...betrayed? What? Anong karapatan nito?  Ini-expect ba nito na kapag tiningnan siya nito sa ganoong paraan at patatawarin niya ito ng ganun-ganon na lang?  NO!

She's fuming. Overwhelming pain,  could do that to a person.

"Sophia--

"Don't. " putol niya sa kung ano man ang sasabihin nito.  She cannot afford to hear another lie.  She had enough to last her a lifetime,  a big thanks to Clarence. "Don't call me that! Because that is not me! "

"Sophia, just please hear me out. Please... "

Kung noon siguro niya nakita ang mukha nitong ganoon ay baka sinugod niya na ang kung sino mang gumawa nito kay Clarence.  But now,  all she could care is her own pain,  the pain that was slowly eating her.

"No. You had all the chance, but you chose not to. Now it's all over. " Ani niya ng may pait. She just stood there and watch him as he crumbled piece by piece. Can you blame her? She just lived the longest lie. "Wag ka na munang lalapit sa akin Mr. Whoever you are, I am too angry now at ayoko ng makapagbitaw pa ng kung anong salita sayo,  kasi hindi kagaya mo..." she trailed.  "Ayokong nakakasakit ng ibang tao. "

She heard a car outside, and the thought of facing another person with her current state isn't something she could manage. She had enough.  Hindi niya na kakayanin kung may iba pang makakakita kung gaano siya ka-pathetic ngayon.

Akma pa lamang siyang tatalikod para iwan ito, pero mas mabilis si Clarence dahil hindi pa man ay agad niya ng naramdaman ang kamay nito para pigilan siya. She instantly glared at him.  "Please? " Nagmamakaawa ang mukha nito pero nagmatigas siya.

"No. That should be my line Clarence. PLEASE." She saw the twinkle of hope that lit his eyes when he covered his hand that was on her arm with her own. "Please let me go... " she spat as she took his hand off her.

"Sophia... " His voice was so soft, so little and pathetic that it managed to brought another batch of tears to sprout on her eyes.

"Clarence, you made your choice,  and you chose to fool me and play with my life.  You chose to hurt me the moment you said I was yours. Now suffer the consequences."

Ang sakit, ang sakit sakit lang saktan ng taong mahalaga sayo. She just love him too much,  and her pain is its finest proof. 

You know what they say,  that out of all those pains,  it's betrayal that best sting.

Nakarinig sila ng mga yabag.

"CARRANTES,  WHERE ARE YOU? WE HAVE TO TALK, I NEE---

"Nickolas... " she breathed his name. She felt relieved for some unknown. Pakiramdam niya bigla siyang nagkaroon ng kakampi sa katauhan nito.  Ilang araw na nga ba simula ng huli niya itong makita? god she misses him!

How could life be so ironic? Ang taong akala niya noon ay sisira sa pamilya niya,  turns to be now her needed salvation.

She drank in his appalled state. Bakas ang gulat sa mukha nito habang nagpapalipat-lipat ang tingin nito sa kanya at kay Clarence.  Or was it their stained faces? Hindi niya alam. But his stance was enough for her to know na ano mang oras ay handa itong makipagbuno sa kung sino.

"Just what the fvck is happening in here!  Carrantes fvck you,  but did you just harass my wife?! Don't you fvc--OH MY GOD. "

Just then, his gaze zoned out on something which made his eyes impossibly wider. His face paled, na tila ba nakakita ito ng multo.

"DADDY!!!!"

oh my god.

--------

Gee❤️