The Wife Behind the Contract

THE WIFE BEHIND THE CONTRACT CHAPTER 1 Mabigat ang ulan ng gabing iyon. Sa labas ng malawak na Delfin Mansion, patuloy na humahampas ang mga patak ng ulan sa mga salamin ng bintana. Ang mga puno sa hardin ay marahang yumuyuko sa bawat malakas na bugso ng hangin, habang ang mga ilaw sa paligid ng mansiyon ay tila maliliit na bituin sa gitna ng madilim na gabi. Ngunit higit na mabigat kaysa sa ulan ang katahimikan sa loob ng study. Nasa likod ng malaking mesa si Don Delfin. Pitumpu't dalawang taong gulang na siya. Sa loob ng mahigit apat na dekada, naging bahagi ng kaniyang buhay ang negosyo. Mula sa maliit na kumpanyang itinayo niya kasama ang kaniyang dating business partner, unti-unting lumawak ang kanilang operasyon hanggang magkaroon sila ng mga sangay sa iba't ibang bahagi ng bansa at maging sa ibang bansa. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng iyon, hindi ang kumpanya ang pinakamahalaga sa kaniya. Si Divina. Ang kaniyang nag-iisang anak. Ang tanging taong naiwan sa kaniya matapos mawala ang kaniyang asawa at iba pang malalapit na kaanak. At sa gabing iyon, alam niyang kailangan niyang gumawa ng desisyong maaaring magbago sa buong buhay ng kaniyang anak. May kumatok sa pinto. "Come in." Bumukas ang pinto. Pumasok si Arth. Agad nitong napansin ang seryosong mukha ng matanda. "Sir Don." Tumango si Don Delfin. "Sit down, Arth." Umupo ang binata sa tapat ng kaniyang mesa. "You said it was urgent. Is something wrong with the company?" Umiling si Don Delfin. "No." Nakatitig pa rin si Arth sa kaniya. "Then is it about your health?" Bahagyang napangiti ang matanda. "You always go straight to the point." "I've known you long enough to know that you don't call me here this late just to talk about ordinary business matters." Huminga nang malalim si Don Delfin. "You're right, Arth." Tumahimik si Arth. "Then tell me what's going on." Sandaling tiningnan ng matanda ang isang lumang larawan na nasa kaniyang mesa. Larawan iyon ng isang lalaking nakangiti. Ang ama ni Arth. "Do you remember your father?" Bahagyang nagbago ang ekspresyon ni Arth. "Of course I do." "Sometimes I still think about the years when he and I were building the company." "My father always said those were the hardest years of your life." "They were." Napangiti si Don Delfin. "But they were also some of the best." Tahimik na nakinig si Arth. "Your father wasn't just my business partner," pagpapatuloy ng matanda. "He was someone I trusted with my life." "Yes, I know." "When he died, I promised myself I would make sure you would never be left alone." Bahagyang yumuko si Arth. "You kept that promise, Sir Don." "I helped you finish school." "And you did more than that." "I only did what I believed your father would have done." "You paid for my tuition when my mother couldn't afford it. You made sure I finished my degree. Then you gave me a position in this company when I graduated." "And you earned everything after that." "I wouldn't have had the chance without you." Napatingin si Don Delfin sa kaniya. "That's why I need to ask you something today." Agad naging seryoso si Arth. "What is it?" Huminga nang malalim ang matanda. "Divina." Wala nang paligoy-ligoy na banggit nito. Napatigil naman si Arth. "What about her?" "She's twenty-five." "Yeah, I know." "She's my only child, Arth." "I know that, too." "And you know what her condition has done to her." Hindi agad sumagot si Arth. "I know she's having a difficult time." "She's more than having a difficult time." Don Delfin leaned forward. "She's afraid of the world." Tahimik lang si Arth. "She doesn't want to go outside. She doesn't want to meet people. She doesn't want anyone looking at her when she walks. She's always been sensitive. She's ashamed." Napabuntong-hininga si Don Delfin. "She thinks her condition makes her less of a woman." Hindi agad sumagot si Arth. Alam niyang hindi iyon malayo sa katotohanan. Sa tuwing may bisita sa kanilang bahay, kadalasang nananatili si Divina sa kaniyang silid. Kapag may family gathering, umaalis siya bago pa man dumami ang mga tao. At kapag kinakailangan niyang pumunta sa isang lugar na maraming tao, halos hindi niya maialis ang kaniyang mga mata sa sahig. Hindi niya kinamumuhian ang wheelchair. Ang kinamumuhian niya ay ang awa ng ibang tao. "She's not weak," sabi ni Arth. "I know." "She just needs confidence." "I've tried everything." "What do you want me to do?" Tumingin si Don Delfin nang diretso sa kaniya. "Arth..." Huminga siya nang malalim. "...I want you to marry Divina." Nanatiling nakatitig si Arth sa matanda at makikita ang pagkunot ng noo nito. Ilang segundo siyang hindi nakapagsalita. Parang nabingi siya sa narinig. Then he slowly shook his head. "No, Sir Don." "Listen to me first, Arth." "I already know what you're going to say, and my answer is still no." "Why?" "Because this isn't something you can ask me to do out of gratitude." "Hindi ito tungkol sa gratitude, Arth." "Then what is it?" "Divina needs someone she can trust." "She needs professional help. She needs friends. She needs people who can help her regain her confidence. Marriage isn't a cure, Sir Don." "I know that." "Then why marriage?" "Because I won't be here forever." Napatingin si Arth sa matanda. "Don't say that." "I'm seventy-two, Arth." "That doesn't mean you're dying." "Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not next year. But I'm old enough to know that I have fewer years ahead of me than behind me." Natahimik si Arth. "Once I'm gone, Divina will have money." "She'll have more than enough." "She'll have properties." "Yes, I know." "She'll have the company." "Exactly. But she won't have me." Masakit ang pagkakasabi ng matanda. "Sir..." "That's what I'm worried about, Arth." Tumayo si Arth. "Sir Don, I understand why you're worried. But I cannot marry Divina simply because you're afraid of what will happen to her after you're gone." "I am not asking you to marry her out of pity." "Then what?" "I am asking you to give her a chance to have a family of her own." "She deserves someone who actually loves her." "I agree for that." "Then it shouldn't be me." "Why, Arth?" "Because I love someone else." "Fara?" "Yes, I have Fara." Mas madiin ang pagkakasabi ni Arth sa pangalan nito. "I've been with Fara for years. I love her so much. She knows my plans. I know hers. We're building a life together." "Does she know you're here?" "No, 'di ko ipinaalam sa kaniya." "Does she know I'm asking you to marry Divina?" "Of course not." "Would she agree kung sakaling pakakasalan mo si Divina?" Arth gave him a hard look. "Malabong mangyari 'yon." "Then you already know what the answer is." "I know." "Then why are you still sitting here?" Malalim ang paghugot ni Don Delfin ng hininga. Naunawaan naman niya kung ano ang naramdaman ni Arth. Arth looked away. "Because you're the man who helped me when I had nothing." Muling napabuntong-hininga si Don Delfin. "And I don't want you to think you owe me your life." "Maybe I don't owe you my life." Tumingin si Arth sa kaniya. "But you gave me one." Natahimik ang matanda. "Sir Don you gave me a future when I didn't have one. You made sure I graduated. You gave me a place in this company. You trusted me when no one else did." "I did those things because I wanted to." "And now you're asking me to marry your daughter?" Tumango lang ang matanda. "And you expect me to say yes because you helped me?" "Not really." "Then what exactly do you expect?" "Nothing, Arth." Napakunot-noo si Arth. "Nothing?" "I want you to consider it." "I've considered it already." "And?" Naghihintay ng sagot si Don Delfin. "I can't." "You can't because of Fara?" "Yes, because of Fara. Because I don't love Divina. Because I don't want to marry a woman I can't give a real marriage to. Because I don't want your daughter to wake up every morning knowing that the man beside her wishes he were somewhere else." Napayuko si Don Delfin. "You are too honest, Arth." "I'm sorry but I have to be." "Then let me be honest with you, too." Kinuha ng matanda ang isang folder mula sa drawer. Inilapag niya iyon sa mesa. "I want Divina married before I die." Napatitig si Arth sa folder. "I want her to have a husband who knows her father and who will protect what belongs to her." "Sir Don..." "And I want that man to be you." Mabigat ang katahimikan. Then Don Delfin slowly opened the folder. "There's another reason." Inilabas niya ang ilang dokumento. Nang makita iyon ni Arth, bahagyang nagbago ang kaniyang ekspresyon. "What is that?" "The succession agreement." Binasa ni Arth ang unang pahina. Nang makita niya ang halaga ng mga shares, tuluyan siyang natahimik. "You can't be serious about this." "I am serious ." "You're transferring controlling ownership of the company to me?" "Yes but after you marry Divina." Napatingin si Arth sa kaniya. "Sir Don, this isn't just one company." "I know." "The Delfin Group has operations outside the Philippines." "Yes, I know." "Branches in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and several other markets." "Yes." "And you're willing to put all of that under my control?" "Of course." "So why?" "Because I trust your ability to manage it, Arth." "Or because you're buying my loyalty?" Matalim ang tingin ni Don Delfin. "I'm not buying you, man." "Then what is this?" "It's my decision about the future of the company." Natahimik si Arth. Napatingin siyang muli sa dokumento. For years, he had worked for the Delfin Group. He knew how large the company was. He knew how difficult it would be for an outsider to gain control of it. He also knew that if Don Delfin truly followed the succession plan, the company would eventually belong to Divina. Yet here it was. In front of him. A chance to control everything he had spent years helping build. But there was a price. Divina. His employer's daughter. His benefactor's only child. And a woman he had never imagined becoming his wife. "S-Sir Don, you're asking me to choose between the woman I love and the future I've spent my whole life building." "I'm asking you to make a decision." "What if I still choose Fara?" "Then I will respect your decision, Arth." "And the company?" "Will remain with Divina." Arth slowly looked at him. "And what if I marry Divina?" Umiba ang kaniyang tono. "The company will be transferred according to the agreement." Arth leaned back. For the first time that night, wala na siyang masabi. Hindi alam ni Arth na sa kabilang bahagi ng mansiyon, may isang babae na may sariling lihim. Si Divina. Nasa kaniyang silid siya at tahimik na nakaupo sa tabi ng bintana. Sa kaniyang kandungan ay isang maliit na diary. Hindi iyon isang ordinaryong diary. Doon niya isinulat ang mga bagay na hindi niya kayang sabihin kahit kanino. Lalo na tungkol kay Arth. Matagal na niyang hinahangaan ang lalaki. Hindi dahil sa pera. Hindi dahil sa pangalan. Kundi dahil sa paraan ng pakikitungo nito sa kaniyang ama. Nakita niya kung paano nito iginagalang si Don Delfin. Kung paano nito pinahahalagahan ang oportunidad na ibinigay sa kaniya. At kahit hindi sila madalas mag-usap, may mga pagkakataong hindi sinasadyang tumitigil ang mundo ni Divina kapag naroon si Arth. Isang simpleng "Good morning" mula rito ay sapat nang maalala niya buong araw. Isang maikling ngiti ay sapat nang magbigay sa kaniya ng dahilan upang ngumiti rin. Ngunit alam niyang walang puwang ang kaniyang damdamin. May Fara si Arth. At nakita na niya kung gaano ito kahalaga sa lalaki. Kaya hindi niya kailanman ipinakita ang kaniyang paghanga. Isang gabi, hindi sinasadyang nabuksan ni Don Delfin ang diary habang naghahanap siya ng isang dokumentong inilagay ni Divina sa drawer. Hindi niya sinadyang basahin. Ngunit nakita niya ang isang pahina na bukas. At isang pangungusap ang agad nakakuha ng kaniyang pansin. “The man I secretly admire is the man closest to my father's heart, but perhaps the farthest from mine.” Hindi na sana niya babasahin pa. Ngunit nakita niya ang sumunod na mga salita. “He loves someone else. And even if he looked at me, I know he would never see me the way I wish he could. Maybe my condition makes it easier for him not to look at me at all.” Napahawak si Don Delfin sa dibdib. Hindi dahil nagalit siya. Kundi dahil sa wakas ay naunawaan niya ang isang bagay na matagal nang hindi sinasabi ng kaniyang anak. Nakaramdam siya ng sobrang awa kay Divina. Mahalaga kay Divina si Arth. Hindi niya alam kung gaano kalalim. Ngunit sapat na iyon upang maintindihan niyang ang kahilingan niyang ito ay maaaring hindi kasing bigat para sa anak niya gaya ng inaakala niya. O maaaring higit pa. Nang gabing iyon, pinuntahan ni Don Delfin ang silid ng kaniyang anak. Kumatok siya. "Divina?" "Come in po, Papa." Bumukas ang pinto. Nakita niya ang anak na nakaupo sa wheelchair. May libro sa kandungan nito. Ngunit alam niyang hindi talaga iyon binabasa. Lumapit siya. "Are you busy?" Umiling si Divina. "No. You can sit po, Papa." Umupo ang matanda sa tabi niya. Ilang sandali siyang tahimik. Napansin iyon ni Divina. "Papa, you're worrying me." "Bakit mo naitanong?" "Because you look like you're about to tell me something you don't want me to hear." Bahagyang ngumiti si Don Delfin. "You know me too well." "Because you're my father." "That's true." Napangiti siya sa anak. Huminga siya nang malalim. "Divina, I spoke with Arth." Agad bumilis ang t***k ng puso ni Divina. Hindi niya ipinakita iyon. "What did you talk about?" "About you." Napayuko siya at lalong kinabahan. "Why, Papa?" "Because I asked him to marry you." Napatigil si Divina. Matagal siyang hindi nagsalita. Hindi niya alam kung dapat ba siyang matakot o matuwa. May maliit na bahagi ng puso niya na sumigla sa narinig. Ngunit kasabay noon ay ang takot. "Nag-agree ba si Arth?" Hindi agad sumagot si Don Delfin. "Not yet." Napangiti nang bahagya si Divina. "That's understandable." "Bakit naman?" "Because he has Fara." Tinitigan siya ng ama. "You're not angry?" "No." "Not even a little?" "Why would I be, Papa?" "Because he might refuse." "Papa, he has the right to refuse." "Do you want him to marry you?" Matagal bago sumagot si Divina. Nakatitig siya sa kaniyang mga kamay. "I-I don't know." "That's not an answer." Huminga siya nang malalim. Then she looked at him. "If you are asking whether I would be happy to marry Arth..." Napahinto siya. Hindi niya kayang sabihin agad. Makalipas ang ilang segundo, marahan niyang ipinagpatuloy, "I think part of me would be happy." Natahimik si Don Delfin. "But I also know that happiness would probably be mine alone." "Why do you say that, anak?" "Because Arth doesn't love me after all." "You don't know that." "I do." Pilit siyang ngumiti. "I've seen the way he looks at Fara." Hindi nagsalita ang ama. "...I know how important she is to him." "Divina..." "And I don't blame him, Papa." "Then why agree?" Napayuko siya. Dahan-dahan niyang hinawakan ang kamay ng ama. "Because you're asking me." "That's not enough." Hindi kumbinsido ang ama, alam niyang may higit pang dahilan. "It is for me." "Why?" "Because you're the only family I have." Nanginig ang boses niya. "...I know that you worry about what will happen to me when you're gone." "Yes, that's true." "I worry about it, too, Papa." "Then don't agree because you're afraid." "I'm not agreeing because I'm afraid." "Then why?" Matagal siyang nakatitig sa kaniyang ama. "Because if this is what will make you feel that I will be safe after you're gone, then I'll do it." "Even if he doesn't love you?" Tumahimik siya. At iyon ang pinakamasakit na tanong. Makalipas ang ilang segundo, marahan siyang tumango. "Even then." "Even if Ath loves another woman?" "Maybe." "Even if he never gives you the kind of marriage you deserve?" Pumikit si Divina. Nang muli siyang magsalita, mahina ngunit malinaw ang kaniyang boses. "Then I'll learn to live with it." Napayuko si Don Delfin. Hindi niya kayang sabihin sa anak ang tungkol sa diary. Hindi niya kayang sabihin na alam niyang may lihim itong damdamin para kay Arth. At hindi niya kayang sabihin na umaasa siyang maaaring maging masaya ito. Sa halip, hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Divina. "I don't want you to sacrifice yourself for me." "I know, Papa." "Then you can say no." Matagal siyang tumingin sa ama. Then she gave him a small smile. "I know." "But?" "But I don't want to." Napaluha si Don Delfin. "Are you sure?" Matagal bago sumagot si Divina. "Yes, Papa." Huminga siya nang malalim. "Maybe this is the closest I'll ever get to the person I've secretly admired." Hindi na niya ipinagpatuloy. Hindi na niya sinabi kung sino. Alam na ng kaniyang ama. At marahil sapat na iyon. Kinabukasan, dumating si Fara sa Delfin Mansion. Hindi pa man siya tuluyang nakapasok, ramdam na agad ng mga kasambahay ang pagkainis nito. "Where's Arth?" "Nasa study room pa po si Sir Arth, Miss." "Still?" Galit na ang mukha ni Fara "Opo, Miss." Napairap si Fara. "How long does it take for two people to discuss business?" Hindi sumagot ang kasambahay. Fara looked around. "I don't understand why Arth has been spending so much time here lately." "Miss..." "I wasn't asking you!" Tumahimik ang kasambahay. Mabilis na naglakad si Fara. Ngunit bago niya marating ang study room, bumukas ang pinto. Lumabas si Arth. Nang makita siya nito, bahagyang nagbago ang mukha. "Fara?" "Finally, nagkita rin tayo, Arth." "Why are you here?" "I've been calling you." "I was busy, Fara." "So?." Tiningnan niya ang pintuan ng study. "Fara, can we talk?" "Yes!." "Not here." Hinawakan ni Arth ang braso ni Fara. "Come with me." Naglakad sila palayo sa study. At habang papalayo sila, lalong tumitindi ang tensiyon sa pagitan nila. "What is going on?" tanong ni Fara. "I'll explain, Fara." "You said that yesterday." "I needed to talk to Sir Don first." "About what?" Tahimik si Arth. "Ano na, Arth?" Huminga muna nang malalim si Arth. "Fara, diretsahin na kita. Sir Don asked me to marry Divina." Napatigil si Fara. "Whatttt?" Nanlaki ang mga mata niya "Please don't make a scene." "You're telling me you're going to marry another woman and you're worried about me making a scene?" "Please lower your voice." "Why? Afraid someone will hear?" "Yes naman." "Ow? Okay. Good." Napangiti si Fara nang malamig. "Because I don't think Sir Don would appreciate hearing how ridiculous this whole arrangement is." "Fara please." "You are going to marry his daughter?" "Y-yes." "The woman who barely leaves her room." "Lower your voice." "The woman who needs a wheelchair!" "Enough, Fara." "Why are you so defensive?" "I'm not defensive." "You are." Fara stepped closer. "Does she know you're doing this for the company?" "She knows about the marriage." "Does she know you don't love her?" "Yes alam naman niya 'yon." "Does she know you love me?" "She knows you exist." Napangisi si Fara. "Wow, how romantic." "Please stop, Fara." "So, you want me to congratulate her?" "Ano ka ba?." "Then what do you want from me?" "Fara, I want you to understand." "Understand what, Arth?" "That this doesn't change what I feel for you." Fara stared at him. "You expect me to believe that?" "Oo naman." "Then bakit mo siya pakakasalan?" "Because of the company, Fara." "And what happens to us? Paano tayo?" "Nothing." "Nothing?" Fara's voice rose. "You are going to live with another woman, introduce her as your wife, attend events with her, and you are telling me nothing will change?" "It is an arrangement..." "She's still going to be your wife." "Fara listen...it's only for five years." Hininaan ni Arth ang kaniyang boses. Napatingin si Fara. "Five years?" "Yes, but please lower your voice." "Where did that come from?" "Well, I made sure there was a separate agreement." "Does Sir Don know?" "Of course not." Bahagyang ngumiti si Fara. "So you already planned your escape." "I planned my future." "With me?" "Of course." "After five years?" "Yes, Fara." Fara looked away. "Well, that's a long time." "I know." "Arth, what if I don't want to wait?" "Then tell me now." Natahimik si Fara. Marami ang pumasok na plano sa isip niya. Arth stepped closer. "Fara, look at me." Hindi siya tumingin kay Arth. "Please..." Unti-unti siyang tumingin sa lalaki. "Fara, I am not choosing Divina." "Then why does it feel like you are?" "Because this is something I need to do." "Need?" "Yes." "For the company?" "For the future we've been planning." Fara's eyes became moist. "You really expect me to wait while you pretend to be her husband?" "I won't pretend with you." "But you'll sleep under the same roof as her." "I know." "You'll sit beside her at dinner." "I know." "You'll hold her hand in front of people." "It's part of the arrangement." "You'll wear a wedding ring." Arth fell silent. Fara laughed bitterly. "And I'm supposed to believe that ring won't mean anything?" "It won't." "How can you be so sure?" "Because my heart is already yours." Fara looked at him. For a moment, the anger in her face softened. "You're serious for that?" "Of course." She wiped the corner of her eye. "I hate this, Arth." "I know." "I hate that woman." "Please don't." "Why should I like her?" "You don't have to like her." "Then don't ask me to accept her." "I'm asking you to trust me." Fara stared at him for a long moment. Then she finally whispered, "Okay...I'll wait." Arth exhaled in relief. "But I want you to promise me something, Arth." "What is that?" "When the five years are over, you leave that woman." "Okay, I will." "You marry me then." "I will, my love." "You don't change your mind?" "I won't." Fara reached for his hand. "And don't let her think that she can become more important than me just because she has your surname." Arth squeezed her hand. "She won't." Napangiti si Arth. "Make sure of it, Arth." "I will, Fara." Hindi nila napansin ang isang taong nakaupo sa kabilang bahagi ng hallway. Si Divina. Hindi niya sinadyang marinig ang kanilang pag-uusap. Napatigil lamang siya roon dahil papunta sana siya sa library. Ngunit narinig niya ang kaniyang pangalan. At pagkatapos ay ang usapan tungkol sa limang taon. Narinig niya kung paano ipinangako ni Arth kay Fara na pagkatapos ng limang taon ay pakakasalan niya ito. Narinig niya kung paano ito pinakalma ni Arth. Kung paano nito hinawakan ang kamay ni Fara. Kung paano nito tiniyak na walang makapapalit sa puwesto nito sa kaniyang puso. Tahimik na ibinaba ni Divina ang kaniyang mga mata. Hindi siya umiyak. Hindi siya nagalit. Hindi niya kayang magalit. Dahil alam naman niya. Alam niyang may mahal na iba si Arth. At alam niyang ang kasal na iyon ay hindi dahil pinili siya nito. Pinili siya nito dahil sa isang kasunduan. Dahan-dahan niyang pinaatras ang wheelchair. Hindi niya gustong malaman nina Arth at Fara na naroon siya. Ayaw niyang maging dahilan ng kanilang away. At higit sa lahat, ayaw niyang makita ni Arth ang sakit sa kaniyang mga mata. Pagdating sa kaniyang silid, isinara niya ang pinto. Kinuha niya ang kaniyang diary. Binuksan niya ang isang pahina. Matagal siyang nakatitig sa mga salitang isinulat niya roon ilang buwan na ang nakalipas. The man I secretly admire is the man closest to my father's heart, but farthest from mine. Hinaplos niya ang pahina. Then she slowly closed the diary. "Five years," bulong niya. Hindi niya alam kung paano niya kakayanin. Ngunit alam niyang kakayanin niya. Para sa kaniyang ama. Para sa kaniyang sarili. At para hindi maging dahilan ng pagkasira ng relasyon nina Arth at Fara. Hindi niya kailanman ipaglalaban ang isang pusong hindi naman sa kaniya. Sa gabing iyon, dalawang kontrata ang naghihintay sa mesa ni Arth. Ang una ay ang kasunduang inihanda ni Sir Don Delfin. Isang kasal na para sa kaniya ay panghabambuhay, kapalit ng pamamahala at pagmamay-ari sa imperyong kaniyang itinayo. Ang ikalawa ay isang lihim na kasunduan na ginawa ni Arth nang hindi nalalaman ni Sir Don. Isang limang taong kasal na pagkatapos ay magtatapos upang malaya siyang pakasalan si Fara. At sa gitna ng dalawang kasunduang iyon ay si Divina. Isang babaeng tahimik na pumayag. Isang babaeng may lihim na damdamin. At isang babaeng hindi humingi ng kahit ano mula sa lalaking magiging asawa niya. Sa gabing iyon, nagsimula ang isang kasal na hindi itinayo ng pagmamahal. Itinayo ito ng utang na loob. Ng kapangyarihan. Ng pera. Ng pangamba sa kinabukasan. At ng isang lihim na kontrata na hindi dapat kailanman malaman ng ama ni Divina. Limang taon ang itinakda ni Arth. Para sa kaniya, iyon ang hangganan. At para kay Divina, iyon ang panahong kailangan niyang pagdaanan upang matupad ang huling kahilingan ng kaniyang ama. At ang pag-asang maabot niya ang lalaking lihim niyang minahal.