Apollo's Crib: A Sinister Fate

EP.39

"Cyla doesn't show up anymore?" ulit ni Astrid sa sinabi ng kasintahan. Tinawagan niya ito para kumustahin ang trabaho at ang nanay nito.

"Yes! We're all wondering why, we all know how much she likes modelling. She even talked to my mom just to help her got this job. And now that is granted, she just ignored our calls." sagot ni Agatha.

"Maybe she had a change of heart, who knows?" ani Astrid. Sa totoo lang ay ayos lang sa kanya na hindi na pumasok pa si Cyla. Malaking tulong na wala ang dalaga dahil hindi nito nabu-bwisit ang kanyang iniirog.

"Maybe, aaah! let's forget about her, I have a good news for you!"

"What is it?" usisa ni Astrid.

"Maybe mom will be returning home soon. Her doctors allowed her to rest at home. You know, there's no place like home."

"Good to hear that, you can take care of her at home."

"Exactly! But..."

"But what?"

"I think she got selective amnesia, that is what I remember,"

"Selective amnesia, what do you mean?"

"She forgot why she got into an accident. Actually she forgot what happened recently. The doctor told us that she got a head trauma."

"Oh my God, what about having meds or therapy?"

"Her doctors just said, that her memories will return by itself. We don't need to force it or whatsoever."

"I see, if that's the case. Then let your heart rest from worrying, she'll be fine."

"I hope so, I've been planning to tell them about us." ani Agatha.

"What?!" gulat na sambit ni Astrid.

"I am tired with hiding, it's suffocating rather than intoxicating. I want to be out in the open,"

"What made you come up with this decision?" tanong ni Astrid.

"I want to love you freely. To marry you. To be with you."

Napangiti naman si Astrid at bahagyang kinilig. "Really?"

"Of course, yes! Hundred percent! There is no turning back now. I'll just for the perfect timing."

"Okay, thank you so much! You made me extremely happy!"

"You, too! You made me who I am today. I owe you." sagot ni Agatha.

Agatha is so much in love without realizing what was her parents is going through. Most specially that Sinica completely lost her mind and all she can think of is getting her revenge.

"Glad that you're here, what's your news for me?" tanong ni Sinica sa driver.

"Cyla is still in her special house, and I'm currently working on figuring out who's threatening you with those gifts."

"Good job!" sagot ng ginang. "I've got some work for you," ani muli nito.

Ibinigay ng ginang ang picture ng kalaguyo ni Apollo.

"I saw this guy the other day, he visited Mr. Cheng and they talk for a while."

"Maybe he was checking on me, I bet they're hoping I'd be dead."

"Too bad, it didn't happen."

"Did you bring me the phone?" usisa ni SInica.

"Yeah, I did." sagot ni Elvis. Inilabas nito ang bagong biling cellphone para sa amo. Dumaan pa ang lalaki sa FAREASTONE para bilhin iyon.

"Good job! I'll ask them to bring me home. We'll gonna talk on this phone, only. I won't be asking my old phone. That was with Apollo, I want them to think that I'm in not good condition. That way, I can freely move on my own."

"What do you mean,madam?" naguguluhang tanong ni Elvis.

Tumitig sa kanya si Sinica at tusong ngumiti. "Apollo is not dumb, he knows that I already know something. I'm afraid he'll do something to get rid of me, to keep his secret hidden. I need to protect myself and all you have to do is follow along. That's all you need to know."

"Okay madam, I think I am getting what you want."

"Good. Now, leave. They might arrive at any time and I don't want them to see you. I'll contact you when I got home." utos nito.

Tumalima naman kaagad si Apollo at sinunod ang nais ng ginang.

Ilang oras pa ay dumating na rin si Apollo at Austin para sunduin siya. Kagaya ng gusto niyang palabas, she remained calm nang makita ang asawa. She won't let him do what he wants. He is stuck with her all his life. What he did is unforgivable, she suffered for years after years at hindi niya hahayaan na basta na lang siya nito itatapon kapag ginusto nito.

Isa pa, she has children to protect. At lahat ay gagawin niya para maging buo silang magpamilya kahit kinasusuklaman niya ang asawa.

Not letting him go is also a form of revenge, habang gagawin niya namang impyerno ang buhay ng kabit nito nang hindi nito alam.

"Are you excited to go home, mom?" nakangiting bati sa kanya ni Austin.

"Of course! I think, I will be more okay staying at our house, rather than this place." nakangiti niyang sagot.

"Exactly! And don't worry, we'll take care of the rest. You can relax while recuperating." masiglang sabat ni Apollo.

Nginitian niya ang asawa bilang sagot. Hindi siya nagpahalata na para na siyang sasabog sa tuwing titingin rito.

"Agatha and Audrey, prepared a welcome party for you. We must hurry home!" ani Austin.

Binuhat nito ang ina at isinakay sa wheelchair na binili pa nila sa shop na WELLCARE sa ground floor ng ospital.

"Please be careful with your mom." ani Apollo. Umalalay rin ito sa kanila hanggang sa maisakay siya nito ng maayos.

They used a separate elevator para makarating sa ground parking. Hindi sila humalo sa visitor's elevator dahil bukod sa punuan ay hindi rin sila pwedeng makita ng mga tao.

Hindi nila pinalabas sa media ang nangyari kay Sinica para hindi sila maging laman ng mga balita at usap-usapan ng madla. They believe that famiky matters should stay at home and not to broadcast it to the world. They value their privacy as well as their honor.

Kapwa sila tahimik habang nasa sasakyan. Si Apollo ang nagda drive at katabi naman ni Austin si Sinica sa backseat.

"Mom is already out in the hospital, I should hurry finding the culprit so she will not get hurt again." ani Austin.

"Sinica is already out jn the hospital, what should I do? She is so calm that it frightens me." ani naman ni Apollo.

"Now that I am home, I am finally declaring a war. And I promise you dear husband, I will build a powerful army to win this battle. Just wait and see." ani naman ni Sinica habang nakatingin sa nakatalikod na asawa.

Ngumiti pa ang ginang nang makita na nakatitig pala sa kanya si Apollo mula sa rear-view mirror.

Get scared when a woman scorned. It might be fatal.

"So, we've finally meet." ani Sinica habang nakatingin sa litrato ni Anton na isenend ng driver niya. Mag-isa lamang siya sa kwarto at malaya siyang makakagalaw dahil nasa opisina si Apollo. Wala rin ang kanyang mga anak at tanging ang kanyang private nurse lamang ang naroon at si Laura.

"I recieved the photo, is there any information about this guy?" tanong niya, tinawagan niya si Elvis para kausapin ito.

"Yes. He is Anton Yi, born and raised from Yilan County. Both of his parents died in his early age, but he has a sister living in Taipei." anito.

"He has a sister? Who is she?"

"Actually, you've meet her already, madam..."

"What do you mean?" takang tanong niya.

"She is your kid's piano tutor. She is none other than, Crystal Cao."

"They don't share the same last name," puna ni Sinica.

"Yes, they don't. According to my research, Anton uses his birth mother's last name, while Crystal used her father."

"And why is that?"

"Their father couldn't accept his son's sexuality, hence, he drove him away and consider him as good as dead."

"I see."

"Is there anything else you want me to do?"

"Not now, let me think... Crystal is teaching my kids and in and out from my house. Does she knows about her brother's affair?"

"She knows that her brother is gay, but I doubt that she knows about his affair with Mr. Cheng."

"Okay, leave Crystal to me... I think I can handle her,"

"There's still more shocking news, but I'm afraid-"

"Just say it, Elvis!"

"Austin and Crystal are seeing each other fo the long time around. They have a secret relationship behind your back. And Austin goes to her house mostly at night. And they're spending some times alone," turan ni Elvis.

Sinica couldn't believe it! Ang mga walanghiya at balak pa atang tuhugin ang kanyang mag-ama! Hinding-hindi niya iyon mapapayagan!

Crystal arrived at Cheng's at exactly 10am. Iyon ang schedule nila nang araw na iyon kasama ng triplets. Nabalitaan niyang nakauwi na ang nanay ni Austin mula sa ospital kaya nagdala siya ng ilang prutas at mga bulaklak bilang pagbati rito. For the first time, she doesn't want to go empty-handed.

Pinapasok siya kaagad ni Laura at tinuro siya sa music room kung saan sila mag-aaral.

"Can you please help me giving this to Mrs. Cheng?" ani ng dalaga sabay abot sa mga dala-dala sa helper.

"Sure! Please help yourself to find the room. The kids might be preparing for their class, kindly wait for them in a minute or few." ani Laura sabay turo sa kanya ng kwarto. Ngumiti siya rito at nagpasalamat.

Pagkapasok niya sa loob ng music room ay nagulat pa siya ng pumailanlang ang tunog ng piano sa buong room. Napangiti siya nang bahagya, sa isip niya ay malamang na si Austin na naman 'yon at gumagawa na naman ng kalokohan.

"Hey, stop that, you naughty b-" aniya sabay harap sa piano.

Ngunit laking gulat niya nang makita na si Sinica ang nakaupo sa piano bench at ito ang nagpapatugtog ng piano.

"Why would you say that to your student, Miss Cao?" seryosong wika ni Sinica sabay harap sa dalaga.

Sinenyasan nito ang caregiver na tulungan siyang maupo sa wheelchair. Pagkatapos ay muling nagsalita ang ginang para paalisin ang isa, nais nitong mag-usap silang dalawa.

"Tell me about yourself, Miss Cao... I haven't had a chance to have a chat with you before letting you in at my house." simula ng ginang.

Kinabahan naman ang dalaga sa inasal nito. Nakakatakot ang bawat titig ng ginang, parang nang-aarok at nangungutya.

"Ahmm, I am a music teacher by profession, and currently accepting home tutors for kids." panimula ng dalaga na kinakabahan.

"Tell me something more personal, if you don't mind."

Tumikhim muna ang dalaga at bahagyang kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi. "I am single, and I'm living with my brother."

"Single? Are you sure? Because I've heard a lot about you," panimula ni Sinica.

Crystal couldn't speak a word. Sobrang kabado siya, dahil sa tingin niya ay alam na ng ginang ang sekreto nila ni Austin.

"Mrs. Cheng, I..."

"I want to be honest with you, Miss Cao. Leave my son alone. He is too young for you and as a teacher, you shouldn't manipulate your student like that." Ani Sinica. Pinaandar nito ang wheelchair at lumapit nang bahagya sa kanya.

"I can explain everything, Mrs. Cheng."

"I've read your credentials and I can see that you're good at your field. But as an educator, you must know that what you're doing is totally wrong. I can make a complain to your school and I will make sure that you'll gonna lose your liscence if you're not gonna leave my son alone. I am not threatening you, Miss Cao. I will do it over and over again if I have to."

"But, Mrs. Che-"

"Enough! I will never let my son be with you! You are not meant for my son, and I never want him to ended up with you." ani Sinica. "I am expecting your early resignation and completely living off-grid, while I am still being nice." pinal na sabi ng ginang habang matalim na nakatitig sa kanya.