Wild Nights 3: Tainted Obsession

Chapter 6: Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Fabian

C H A P T E R 6 :

MR. AND MRS. HUGO FABIAN

TULALA. Wala sa sarili. Ganoon ang siste ni Heather.

Wearing her white cocktail dress, the car where she was in was driving through Champs Elysées, one of the famous roads in Paris, most luxurious. Iyon ang tipo ng daan na kapag nadaanan ay parang napunta ka sa isang fairytale. The road was big. Sa magkabilang gilid ay matataas na puno. Behind those trees were buildings that could also be seen in a fairytale.

Only, she was not in a fairytale . . . Hugo Fabian was not her prince charming. Masyadong maganda pati ang Paris, France para sa isang forced wedding.

Heather had so much knowledge about the place, even though it was the first time she went there. Nag-search siya, kasi hindi matanggap noon ang pag-alis ni Elle. At sa likod ng isip, pinangarap niya rin na doon makapagtrabaho, na doon siya titira. Na balang-araw ay doon siya ikakasal. Sa likod ng isip ay gagawin din niya ang mga nakamit ni Elle sa lugar na iyon. Iniidilo niya ito.

Pero kaya nga sa likod ng isip lamang siya nangarap ay dahil pasikreto lang. Sa puso ay may hinanakit siya hindi lang sa tiyahin kundi maging sa lugar na iyon. Paris was the one that took Elle away from her. Now, she despised the place, everything about it, even the famous Hôtel de Ville, city hall of Paris. Doon siya papunta. Doon sila ikakasal.

Natural, dahil sa mayaman si Hugo ay agad na na-schedule ang civil wedding, at ngayon iyon gaganapin. Malamang ay walang aberya na mangyayari. Hiling lang niya na sana ay mabunggo iyong sinasakyan niya. Pero nagkataong malupit ang pagkakataon. Mas naging malupit pa dahil ang ilang minutong biyahe niya ay parang tumagal lang ng segundo. Wala pa man ay tanaw na niya si Hugo na nakatayo sa isa sa mga entrada ng city hall. Nauna ito roon. Isa sa mga maids nito ang nagbigay-alam sa kanya pagkagising kanina.

Yup, she stayed in Hugo's house. Kung bakit ay dahil tanggap na niya ang kapalaran naghihintay sa kanya. They ate together --- lunch and dinner. Hindi sila nag-usap. Pagkatapos ay nagkulong na si Heather sa kanyang silid. At doon muli ay nag-iiiyak. Ganoon lang ang ginawa niya. Ninais din ni Heather na magsumbong sa mga kaibigan, i-chat ang mga ito. But ever since that day when her phone's battery got drained, she never charged it again. Iniiwasan niya kasi ang mga magulang. She couldn't stand them.

She will talk to them. Kung kailan ay hindi niya alam.

Pagkahintong-hinto ng kinalulunanang sasakyan, sumalubong si Hugo, pinagbuksan siya ng pinto. He was dashing in his suit. His mere presence was intimidating. He looked like a God. Ang bigyan ito ng ganoong papuri sa isip ay hindi pinagsisihan ni Heather. The man deserved it. Sadly, Hugo's physical features were not enough for her.

Sa paglahad nito ng kamay sa kanya, saglit na pinag-isipan ni Heather kung pauunlakan niya ang lalaki. Sa huli, kahit tutol na tutol ang loob ay ipinatong niya ang kamay sa palad nito. She wasn't holding his hand. She didn't need to; nakahawak si Hugo sa kamay niya. His palm was cold. Kasinlamig ng ekspresyon sa mukha at mga mata ng nito. Nang makalabas siya mula sa sasakyan ay maagap pero maingat na kinuha nito ang coat niya na nakasampay sa kabilang braso niya. It was just a blink of an eye when Hugo kissed her on the cheek as he draped her coat over her shoulders.

His gentle gestures started to happen just recently --- yesterday, as soon as she said she would marry him. At walang pakialam doon si Heather. Natural ay kailangan nitong umarte. Pero hindi pa rin niya gusto iyong nakikita niyang ekspresyon sa mukha nito. She was having a hard time to accept what was happening, yet this man had never shown her even just a little sympathy.

Kung sino man sa kanilang dalawa ang lugi, si Heather iyon; Hugo had all the advantages. Only a stupid person could not get how much Hugo liked her. He got his chance to marry a woman he liked. Kung saang parte siya ginusto nito ay batid niyang sa pisikal na usapin. Once they got married, he can have her, at walang magagawa si Heather kahit ayaw niya dahil mag-asawa na sila.

Hugo knew all about it. Ano ba naman iyong kahit papaano ay umarte itong nakikisimpatya sa kanya? Pampalubag loob ba. She waited for that since yesterday. Naghihintay pa rin siya ngayon hanggang sa makapasok sila loob ng gusali.

Nga lang, nang makapasok sila sa isang hall at salubungin siya ni Elle kasama ang isang matandang lalaki, na agad ay niyakap siya, ni hindi man lang ipinakilala ni Hugo ang matanda. Wikang Pranses man ang pagsasalita ng ginoo, kahit hindi siya nakaiintindi, dahil sa pangalang binanggit nito: Frederick Fabian ay naunawaan niyang ito ang lolo ni Hugo.

Nang kumalas ang matanda sa pagkakayakap at saglit na tinitigan ang mukha niya ay maluha-maluha na ito. The old man spoke again, and like the first time, he spoke in French. Sa pagkakataong iyon ay mas mahaba na. It wasn't the one Hugo who translated that to her.

It was Elle, "He said he was delighted to finally meet you. You didn't know how much this means to Hugo."

Marahil, kung mayroon mang magandang nangyari mula nang makarating siya sa Paris, iyon ay ang sinabi at mainit na patanggap sa kanya ng matanda. It was enough to melt her heart. Kung sana lang ay ganoon din ang apo nitong ngayon ay may kinakausap na sa cell phone. That call went on as Hugo's grandfather continued talking to her. Si Elle ang taga-translate. Frederick's hospitality was supposed to make her feel better.

But little by little, Heather got disappointed. Kung ulila na sa magulang at nag-iisang anak si Hugo ay hindi niya alam. Wala pa siyang alam tungkol sa lalaki bukod sa rason kung bakit siya pakakasalan nito. Hindi rin naman siya nagtanong pa kay Elle; hindi na niya ito kinausap pa. Bukod sa hindi pa siya handang makipagbati sa tiyahin ay hindi pa siya handang kilalaning maigi si Hugo.

Paano nga naman siya magiging handa kung hayan si Heather na parang isang baguhang sundalo na isinabak agad sa giyera?

But one thing she was sure of: everybody had friends. Umentrada na't lahat-lahat ang mayor na magkakasal sa kanila pero wala nang dumating pa para maging witness.

Ano nga ba naman ang aasahan niya? She was but a "substantial investment". Kasunod ng isiping iyon ay ang pag-uumpisa ng seremonyas.

As she stood up and positioned beside Hugo, noon inialis ni Heather sa sistema iyong magaang pakiramdam na dulot sa kanya ni Frederick nang maumpisahan ang seremonyas. Inalis ni Heather sa biglaang pagbuhos ng isang isipin: ayaw niyang magkaroon ang kasal na iyon ng kahit katiting na bakas ng magandang alaala. If she had to look away, she would do it.

Napagtagumpayan naman na magawa niya hanggang sa maitawid ang seremonyas.

"I may now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Maybe, from Frederick's perspective, that moment was at least satisfactory to witness. But for Heather, it was horribly epic that she wanted to sarcastically laugh at top of her lungs.

Ganoon ang tumatakbo sa isip niya nang maramdaman ang mga labi ni Hugo sa labi niya. His lips moved. The sensation caused her to unconsciously close her eyes. And for the time being, she felt like she was levitating. Nawala na siya sa isip. At ang unang sumigid doon ay ang mukha ni Jean.

***

PAHIYANG-pahiya si Heather sa sarili. The kiss was not that long but still, she reciprocated. Now Hugo was looking at her. He was caught by surprise. At ang ganoong reaksiyon ng lalaki, hindi man basta makita sa cold exterior nito, ay nanatili sa mga mata ni Hugo hanggang sa makalabas sila ng gusali. Kaya kahit parang nais siyang kausapin ni Elle, agad na pumasok si Heather sa SUV na sinakyan niya kanina.

Sa pagbuntonghininga, sa kung anong kadahilanan ay naninikip na naman ang dibdib niya. Her eyes started to water again. Bago pa man ay sinabi niya sa driver, "Can you take me to Square de la Tour Saint-Jacques?"

Laking pasalamat ni Heather nang tumalima ang driver. Tatlong minuto lamang ay naroroon na siya.

Nang makababa ay saka niya nadama kung gaano kalamig. It was the month of April, the beginning of the spring season in France. The sun was up but the cold temperature made her shiver. Nonetheless, she began walking. Nang mapagod ay umupo siya sa isang bench na nadaanan. She stared at the Saint-Jacques tower that was not too far from where she was seated. Sa kamaang palad ay sarado sa publiko ang naturang tore. Tuwing summer lamang iyon nagbubukas.

Bagaman ay lumapit siya roon at sa tapat ng nakasarang gate ay tumingala siya. She stared at the tower's summit, savoring the peacefulness and the beauty of the place, after a while, her chest got loose, at least. Wala pa sa quarter ng Eiffle Tower ang taas ng toreng nasa harap niya. However, she still wanted to climb it. Kung papalarin na naroroon pa siya sa pagsapit ng Hunyo ay aakyatin niya talaga ang tuktok niyon.

"This was the place where my parents first met."

Napapihit siya. It was Hugo.

Nakatingala rin ito, naglakad palapit sa gate. "There are more beautiful places here in Paris, you know?"

She wanted to get annoyed. Magaling mang-stalk si Hugo, naunawaan niya. Pero bigla ay parang nawalan na rin si Heather ng lakas para mainis pa. Kasal na sila, may karapatan na itong sundan siya, higit sa lahat, tumugon siya sa halik nito. Hindi na mababago mga iyon. "I know." Muli ay tiningala niya ang tore. "I just wanted to see this tower in person. I admire its history. It seems as if it was the equivalent version of Casagwa Ruins in Albay, Bicol, a province in the Philippines."

"I apologize, Heat, for my behavior."

Nag-init na naman ang mga mata niya. A twinge of guilt hit her, somehow. Nalimutan niyang may disorder ito. Having neurological issues was not his fault.

Nang hindi siya kumibo ay nilingunan siya ng lalaki. "I may appear that I don't care, but sometimes, I do care. I just don't know how to show it. I hope you don't lose your patience on me." His tone was cold. Pero anong init ang bumalot sa puso niya sa hiling ng lalaki..

"Have you ever been into a relationship?" bagkus ay tanong niya

"Yes. Many times. But it always ended up too soon because I'm like this." Umiwas ito ng tingin. He looked up again at the very top of the tower. "A year ago, when my last relationship came over the edge, I decided to go to a shrink. I discovered that I have a disorder, I told her about it. I was willing to change and to go through therapies, but it was too late. She had given up, just like the others."

Sa huling pangungusap, doon nadama ni Heather ang bigat sa boses ni Hugo. Sa kung anong kadahilanan ay naintriga siya. Kung dahil ba sa nalaman niyang marunong din palang masaktan ito, hindi niya alam. "And what did you do after that?"

"I still went to therapies, up to this day."

"At least you haven't given up on yourself."

Napangiti itong nilingunan siya. Ilang sandali lang ay sinabi nito, "When my dad died four years ago, his ex-mistress came to the view and filed an appeal on behalf of my half-brother to claim his inheritance; he was not included in my father's will. Despite that, I still legally gave my half-brother his share. My uncle and his wife just found out about that a few weeks ago and exploited what happened. I've learned they were planning to put me under a guardianship. Since my mom was not eligible to be my guardian because she was bipolar, the only eligible one was my uncle."

Napakurap siya. She didn't expect Hugo's father was gone. "I'm sorry about your father."

He just smiled a little.

"So, you mean to say, you don't want your uncle to have control over you," ani Heather.

"Yes. He already had taken my father's company. I've worked my ass off to build my own. If he becomes my guardian, I don't know what's going to happen next. So, I made a move before he does."

"Now it made sense."

"But don't pressure yourself. I'm just making everything clear, for you to know where I'm coming from."

"No worries." Heather sighed. He might be lying but she gave him the benefit of the doubt. Nais niyang sabihin iyon pero sa huli ay hindi niya itinuloy. Sa halip ay tinugon niya rito, "I married you just a while ago. Either way, it is what it is, right?" Ginaya niya ang eksaktong salita na ginamit ni Hugo nitong huli.

Bumiyahe na sila pauwi. Ipinaalam din nito: mag-a-apply ito bukas para sa guardianship, at marami pa raw siyang panahon para makapili sa dalawang option na ibinigay nito. Hindi raw niya dapat madaliin.

Hugo also said: "Who knows, maybe in time, as you get to know me, before you knew, you have already learned to love me."

Pinanghawakan na lang ni Heather ang ganoong isipin. Nang makarating sila sa bahay ni Hugo, agad na bumukas ang pinto. Sukat isang ginang ang biglang yumakap sa kanya. "It's nice to finally meet you, Heather. I've heard so much about you. I'm Serene. You'll call me mamá, okay?"

Nabigla man ay wala nang nagawa si Heather nang hilahin siya ng babae papasok ng kabahayan. Napalingon siya kay Hugo. Gaya kanina sa ginawa ng lalaki sa lolo nito, ni hindi rin nito pinansin ang ina. Pumanhik lamang ito sa hagdan na parang walang nakita.

Hinila pa siya ni Serene hanggang kusina. Sa stool ay doon siya pinilit na umupo. Sa hitsura ng ginang, hindi halatang ina ito ng asawa niya. Serene looked young. Simple lang manamit: Jeans at simpleng t-shirt. She wasn't even wearing jewelries. Nakapusod ang buhok at walang kahit na anong make-up sa mukha.

At hindi ito kamukha ni Hugo. Tumikhim siya. "You heard so much about me?"

"Hugo mentioned you a lot." Dumeretso si Serene sa center island. Mula sa isang bag ay isa-isang inilabas nito ang mga pagkain nakalagay sa disposable container. "Anyway, I'm sorry if I didn't come to the wedding. I'm a bit busy. I own a bakeshop, and my baker didn't show up."

Tumango-tango na lang siya. Nasaktan din para kay Hugo, at sa isip ay kinita-kita na niyang magkakasundo ito at si Olivia.

Heather might not be ready to know everything about Hugo, but she had to. Ayaw niyang manghusga ng kapwa pero may hindi tama sa nangyayari.

Nang mailabas nito ang lahat ng mga pagkain, naglakad itong sumilip sa entrada ng kusina. Kapagkuwan ay nilapitan siya nito, matamang tintigan siya sa mukha. "Congratulations, you just married a monster."

~~**~~