Be My Wife

Chapter 2

JAMES

"Yes, Rico?" I picked up the phone the moment Rico's name was flashed on the screen.

"Good evening, Sir. Galing na po kami kanina sa orphanage and maganda po talaga ang pwesto ng lugar kaya lang po may problema." Napakunot-noo ako.

"Wag mong sabihin na nagmatigas ang mga tao doon?" I asked him and he sighed.

"Opo, pero hindi naman po ang madre and nagmatigas. May isang babae po na umiyak kanina at nagmakaawa na sana sabihin ko ang pangalan niyo at gusto niya raw po kayong makausap." May pag-aalangan pa sa boses niya.

"What?" 

"Opo pero hindi po namin sinabi an---"

"Wait!" I suddenly maneuvered the wheels to the left side dahil may mga taong nagwawalis almost in the middle of the street. s**t! I hissed.

"Okay lang po ba kayo, Sir Ford?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. What about the girl? Who is she?" I inquired.

"Hindi po namin alam kung sino siya pero parang napaka-importante po ng orphanage sa kanya."

"Baka naman dun siya nakatira? An orphan maybe?" 

"Parang hindi po eh. Sa narinig ko kanina parang araw-araw lang po siyang dumadalaw doon at nagvo-volunteer. Nagmakaawa po kanina."

"Fine. Ako na ang bahala. Pupunta tayo doon tomorrow." I ended the call and drove to my college friend's house to attend to his daughter's 1st birthday. 

"Hello Mr. James Tyler Ford!" Bati sakin ni Travis. We're friends since college days and we were teammates in Ateneo Basketball Team 6 years ago. 

"Hello bud!" Mabuti na lang at malapit lang dito sa kanila ag location ng orphanage so I decided to attend the party dahil pupuntahan ko naman talaga ang lugar bukas.

Travis and his wife introduced their child to me and I smiled when I held her. She is so cute and no wonder sobrang ganda. Sa gwapo ba naman ng lokong to and his wife ay hindi na maipagkakaila that she will grow to be a fine, beautiful lady.

"Hello baby girl!" I greeted her and she immediately opened her arms na para bang magpapakarga sakin.

"Oh no, honey. Tito James is allergic to kids." Biro sakin ni Travis. Noon pa man ay alam na niya ang likot ng bituka ko. We are as close as brothers and he knew me too well, pero tama ba na sabihin yun infront of his wife and the baby? Ulul!

"Shut up, Trav and hand me your Princess." I smiled when the little girl chuckled and baby talked when I smiled at her. She is really cute.

"Wow. I can't believe that you are actually holding a baby. Parang kailan lang noong allergic ka sa babies. You can't even stand the thought of planning your future with your future wife and kids." He mocked me and I can't stop myself from punching him.

"Easy there bro at baka mahulog ang anak ko. I'm sure as hell na manghihiram ka ng mukha sa kambing." Para namang nahimasmasan ako at agad na inayos ang pagkarga ko sa bata.

"How are you, James?" His wife, Cassandra asked me.

"I am fine."

"Busy with his businesses, sweetheart." Travis interrupted and I shook my head.

"Ganun talaga bro."

"Ang sabihin mo mahina ka sa chicks!" 

"I am just very busy."

"At sa sobrang busy mo ay wala ka nang time for your lovelife? That's sad." Cass said. 

"Parang hindi party ang pinunta ko dito ah. Are you two trying to make me jealous?" I joked.

"Why? Affected much?" 

"Cass, believe me, I don't wanna have a family right now. I am contented.... and happy."

"Bro, believe me. Ganyan din ang sinabi ko before. You were there but when I met Cassandra, you know how crazy I am just to have her."

"Talaga lang sweetheart ha."

"Yes sweetheart." Travis kissed her on the lips and she responded. Langya parang sinasadya talaga ah. 

"Get a room. May bata dito!" I said and they parted, laughing.

"Come here baby girl. Mommy will bring you to your lolo." Cassandra took Savannah away and I felt a bit of jealousy. Ang ganda lang nilang tingnan. I never saw Travis fell head over heals in love before, ngayon lang. But heck. I won't tie myself to someone. I love my freedom and I love running my businesses.

"Dude!" Travis punched me and I groan in pain. 

"Siraulo ka talaga!"

"How are you?" He asked me and handed me the drinks that he took when the waiter passed earlier.

"I already answered that question."

"I am serious. How's your heart?" Just by hearing the word heart, I felt a sudden sting in my heart. 

"It's still working. Better than before." I smiled not wanting him to think about something I don't want to hear.

"Let go dude! Ang tagal na nun." 

"Believe me I already let her go." I drank the wine and I felt relieved. 

"Open your heart and let it love someone else... again." He ushered me to the sofa and I sat in front of him.

"Why are you so curious about my love life now? I am here for your daughter's birthday and not for you to interview me." I laughed.

"Well, sabihin na lang natin na naaawa ako sa mga babaeng nabibiktima mo." He laughed and I shook my head.

"Nothing serious dude. They all know I am not up for romance."

"Yeah whatever. Let's go. My sweetheart is now waiting for me." He stood up and I look at him. "What?"

"Why do I have this kind of feeling that you are laughing at me?" I asked smiling. This guy really is a pain in the ass.

"And I am so glad that you already know." He laughed.

"Good afternoon, Sister Lucia. This is Mr. James Tyler Ford. Siya po ang boss namin at siyang bibili ng loteng to." Rico introduced me to the nun when we arrived at the center. 

"Good afternoon, Sir Ford." The nun extended her hand to me and I took it but instead of shaking it ay nagmano ako.

"Good afternoon. This place is relaxing." I said seriously.

"Salamat."

She guided us to the garden in the back of the center and we sat at the old wooden chairs. Inilibot ko ang pangingin ko sa paligid and was surpised to see that the place is properly maintained. Kahit hindi bago ang mga gamit at pati na rin ang dingding at bungbong ay well maintained naman ang landscape na maraming halaman ang nakatanim. Malinis din ito at napakarelaxing.

"So ikaw Sir Ford and bibili ng lugar na ito." It was merely a statement from her and I nodded.

"Yes."

"I see."

"Pumunta ako dito para makausap po kayo at para sa mga kondisyon ko."

Sinabi ko na sa kanya lahat ng gusto kong mangyari simula sa dalawang linggong palugit at sa pagpapatayo ko ng resthouse sa lugar. She looks so sad and I can't blame her. Siya ang namamahala sa orphanage at natural lamang sa kanya ang masaktan but I need the place. Hindi ko man aminin pero this place is something. Pagpasok ko pa lang kanina ay I felt something very peaceful in my heart. 

"Hindi na po ba pwedeng humingi ng extension? Hindi kasi dapat biglain ang mga bata." 

Sasagot na sana ako ng may marinig akong isang boses sa likod ko. "Sister Lucia?" 

"Oh Iha, andyan ka na pala." nakangiting sagot ni Sister sa kung sinuman ang nagsalita. Hindi ako lumingon dahil hindi ako interesado sa kung sinuman siya. I am here for another business. 

"Opo, kumusta po?" Nakita kong lumapit siya sa madre at nagmano. 

She's beautiful. Sino kaya ang babaeng to? Parang hindi pure Filipina ah. Parang half-American. Anyway, ano ba ang ginagawa niya rito at bakit hindi siya pinapaalis ni Sister samantalang mag pinag-uusapan pa kami?

"Magandang hapon." Bati niya kay Rico at Orlando. Are they close? 

"How about me? Hindi mo ba ako babatiin?" I asked her and I saw her froze. Gotcha! I secretly smiled at her reaction. Girls really panick when they're infront of me. They are all the same. I secretly laughed.

"Sorry about that. Hi!" Her voice is kinda shaky but I like it anyway. At ang ganda pa ng ngiti niya with those perfect teeth. 

"So ikaw ba ang tinutukoy ng dalawang ito na umiyak kahapon?" I wasn't able to control my curiosity.

She smiled sarcastically.

"Anyway Sister Lucia, babayaran na namin mamaya ang kalahati sa may-ari ng loteng to at patapos na rin ang deed of sale. Magiging akin na rin ito." 

"Sir Ford baka naman po pwedeng humingi ng allowance? Masyadong mabilis po ang dalawang linggo para makahanap kami ng lugar. Hindi po namin kaya ang mabilisang paglilipat at kailangan pa po namin itong sabihin sa mga bata." Pakiusap niya sakin. The heck! Ano ba naman ang pakialam ko? Hindi ko na problema yun. 

"Wala na po akong magagawa Sister Lucia." 

"Pakiusap Sir Ford, para sa mga bata."

"My decision is final." Nanatili lang nakatayo at nakatingin sakin ang babae. I finally stood up and started to walk away when I heard her shout. I stopped and raised my brows in annoyance. 

"Ganyan ka ba ka-selfish ha?" What? Me? Selfish? How dare her to say those words to me. 

"What?" I answered her in my most sarcastic tone. 

"Selfish ka!" As if I care!

"How can you say that ?" I am starting to get mad because of her. Wala pang nakapagsabi sakin na selfish ako. No one ever dared to shout at me. Not even my parents. 

"Ganito ka ba kasama ha!"

"Be careful with your words Miss." Seriously? Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinagsasabi ng babaeng to. And what is it to her anyway? Mawawalan ba siya ng tirahan?

"I won't dahil sumosobra ka na!" Namumula na siya.

Narinig ko na inaawat siya ni Sister Lucia pero hindi pa rin siya nagpapigil. 

"Nay, hahayaan na lang ba natin ang mga mayayaman na tapak-tapakan ang mga walang kalaban-laban?" May ipinaglalaban pala ang babaeng to eh. I smirked.

"Did it ever cross your mind na kahit hindi ko bilhin ito ay may ibang taong bibili ng loteng to?" I am freaking serious right now and I want to kiss those freaking lips so that she will stop from shouting me. Damn. I badly want to punish this woman. 

"But you could've give us enough time!" She shout at me again and I felt like firing fires any minute. 

"Two weeks are enough!" I shouted back. 

"Two weeks are not freaking enough! How can you be so inconsiderate and selfish! Hindi porket mayaman ka e pwede mo nang kunin ang buhay ng mga mahihirap at mga batang walang magulang." s**t s**t s**t! I secretly cursed when I saw her crying. Dammit! Is she this sensitive at iniiyakan ang mga ganitong bagay? This is just an orphanage at hindi ko kasalanan kung mayaman ako.

"The hell I care. Go and pack all their things and let them stay at your place or you can give me one million pesos and I'll be out!" I tried my best not to pity her just because she is crying. I've been fooled by those tears before. There is no way I will let another woman fool me again.

Yumuko siya. "I don't have a house of my own and we don't have money." Umiiyak pa rin siya ngayon and f**k. All I wanna do is to embrace her and make her stop. I really hate seeing girls crying.

"That's not my problem anymore. I am sorry Sister but you only have two weeks to prepare." I said with finality in my voice. 

"Isang buwan Sir Ford please."This is giving me a hard time. Kung nagkataong mga lalaki to ay kanina ko pa sila pinatahimik.

"Please Sir, I am begging you. Kailangan nila ng matitirhan. Wala silang magulang at ayokong maranasan nila ang naranasan ko noon na walang bahay na matitirhan at walang mga taong nagmamahal. Please." Para akong natuka ng ahas when she held my hand. Her hands are cold. "Please." Patuloy pa rin sa pagtulo ang kanyang mga luha and I was stunned when she is about to kneel down. f**k. No way.

Hihilahin ko na sana siya patayo when she released my arms and she collapsed.

"Is she pregnant?" Tanong ko kay Sister Lucia.

"Hindi ko alam, Sir Ford. Wala namang boyfriend ang batang yan at lalong walang asawa." Sagot nito sakin habang ang isang madre naman ay pinupunasan si Ecia ng tuwalyang binabad sa maligamgam na tubig.

Napailing na lang ako.

"Sir Ford, okay na po kami dito. Maraming salamat po sa tulong at baka nakakaabala na po kami sa inyo. Pwede na po kayong umalis." Napataas ang kilay ko sa narinig. Seriously, she really wants me out?

"Alis na po tayo Sir? May lakad ka pa po mamaya." Orlando interrupted my thoughts. Isa pa to. Why on earth do they want me out?

"Cancell all my appointments."

Nagulat sila sa sinabi ko. Not that I want to cancel it because I want to take care of her. I just want to make sure na hindi ang pag-iyak niya ang naging dahilan sa pagkahimatay niya.

"Sir?" Rico asked.

"Are you deaf, Rico? I said you cancel all my appointments today. We'll stay." I sat on the old chair near the bed where she is peacefully sleeping.

"Sir Ford, snacks po muna kayo sa kusina." Aya sakin ni Sister Lucia but I politely refused. Hindi ako gutom and I am not sure if the foods are healthy.

"Dito lang po kami sa labas Sir." Paalam sakin ni Rico.

"Okay." 

"Kain na po kayo. Ako na po ang bahala dito." I smiled to the nun before she walked away.

Ewan ko ba but I have this feeling na kakailanganin ko ang babae 'to in the future. I stared at her and sighed. She is really beautiful. She looks like half American. Makinis pero medyo sunog ang balat nito. I frowned. Is this what she was talking aboutearlier? Ayaw niyang magaya sa kanya ang mga bata? Is she experiencing physical abuse from her parents? 

"Mama." I flinched when I heard her talked. She's calling her mother maybe. "Ma, bakit mo ako iniwan?" She keeps on calling saying Mama and all I can do is stare at her. Ayoko naman siyang gisingin at baka kung ano pa ang isipin niya the moment she will see me.

Para akong napako sa kinatatayuan ko when I saw tears gently falling from her eyes. s**t. I cussed. 

"Hey." I gently shook her arms hoping that she will wake up. Seeing women cry is definitely the death of me. I hate it. I hate how they use their tears to fool me.

"Mama!" Para siyang nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig when she saw me. She was literally shocked and her jaw dropped. Hindi naman nakaligtas sa mga mata ko ang pagtulo ng iilang butil ng luha niya.

"Hush now woman." Dinaluhan ko siya and I gently caressed her face. Gustong tumutol ng isip ko but damn. My heart wants me to comfort her.

"What are you doing?" She said in a whisper. Pinikit ko naman ang mga mata ko and sighed.

"I'm just trying to make you feel relax after calling your mother over and over again." Binitawan ko na siya but I still stood in front of her and saw her bowed.

"Sorry. Don't mind me." 

Kanina lang ay ang tapang-tapang ng babaeng to sakin. Bakit ngayon ay parang isang asong natatakot mapalo ng amo? I smirked. Maybe an actress huh!

"Anyway, are you pregnant?" Hindi na ako nagpaligoy-ligoy pa. The moment I know that I was not the one responsible for her ay aalis ako ngayon din.

"What?" I saw her froze and her eyes widened in surprise.

I smirked. "I am right, right?"

"Me? Pregnant?" She asked again. You wanna play games huh? 

"You passed out." It was a statement.

Namutla siya.

"So you are really pregnant. Silence means yes."

Tatawa na sana ako when she spoke. "Hindi ako nakakain ng dinner last night. Wala ring agahan at tanghalian. Yun siguro ang dahilan." She spoke in her calm yet very tiny voice just enough for me to hear.

"What the hell?" I shouted. Who in his right mind would not eat his meals?

"Salamat sa pagbabantay. Aalis na'ko." She struggled out from bed but I immediately pulled her back and stared at her intently.

"Stay."

"No, I' fine. May trabaho pa ako." Iwinaksi niya ang kamay ko and ran to the door calling Sister Lucia's name.

"Hindi pa po ba kayo nagugutom Sir Ford?" Isa pa to. Kanina pa sila tanong ng tanong sakin.

"Shut up, Orlando. If you want to eat then go out in this goddamn car and buy yourself a meal." 

"Concern lang po."

"Ang sabihin mo gutom ka na naman." Rico said and I almost punched the two. Kung hindi lang ba sila ang dalawa sa pinaka-loyal kong mga employees ay matagal ko na silang tinaggal. They are very noisy that I want to strangle them both to death.

We are here inside my car watching Venecia. I asked Sister Lucia about her background and I felt pity towards her. Kaya pala mestiza siya ay dahil Americano ang daddy niya.

"s**t!" I cursed when I saw a car bumped to a plastic drum full of garbage na kanina pa nila ginagamit sa pagwawalis nila. 

"Sir!" Rico shouted but it's too late. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko. I immediately went out from the car and thank goodness at tumigil ang sasakyan. This guy deserve a punch. The driver went out at kahit medyo malayo pa ako ay kitang-kita ko na ang hapo sa mukha ni Venecia at pati sa kasamahan niya. They are all looking at the drum at sa nagkalat na basura na wawalisin na naman nila.

"Mga stupido! Bakit sa gitna niyo nilagay ang basurahan ha!" I heard the guy and is pointing to the drum. 

"Damn you!" I said and I ran to the guy and grabbed his shirt and punched him straight to the face. Narinig ko ang hiyaw nila Venecia at ang agad na pagdalo ni Rico at Orlando sakin.

"Sir, tama na po!" Awat sakin ni Rico habang hawak ni Orlando ang lalaki dahil pilit itong lumalapit at akmang susuntukin ako.

"At sino ka sa akala mo ha? Stupido!" He pointed a finger at me and I swear I can can kill him right here and right now.

"Damn you bastard! Next time I will see you talking to them like that ay papatayin na kita." Singhal ko. Nakita ko ang pagtatago ni Venice sa likod ng isang matandang lalaki na ngayon at napapausal ng dasal.

"Sino ka sa akala mo?" Singhal niya sakin. Hindi talaga niya ako kilala. Well I will give this man a dose of his own medicine.

"Isa lang naman akong taong pwedeng bumili sa kaluluwa mo." That's when I saw a  rake nearby. Kinuha ko ito at hinampas sa kotse niyang Honda City na halatang bago pa kase for registration pa ito. 

"Sir!"

"Damn you bastard! Anong ginawa mo sa kotse ko." Nakita ko ang pagtatagis ng bagang ng may-ari pero inismiran ko lang siya. Sakto naman ang pagdating ng mga pulis. Oh yeah this is cool. I saw Philip, the chief. He was one of the persons na nabigyan ng company ni dad ng scholarship noon bago ito naging pulis.

"Anong nangyayari dito?" Tanong niya na agad kaming hinawakan. At dahil isang patrol sila ay mabilis kaming naawat.

"Oh God!" I can see the fear in her eyes while staring at the guys bloody face.

"Sir Ford?" I smiled. It's show time bastard. "Ano po ang ginagawa niyo dito? Let him go." Sabi niya sa mga kasamahan niya and I smirked to the bastard.

"I am here to bring my woman. And that bastard," I pointed him. "Binangga niya ang basurahan kaya nagkalat ang mga basura dito and they will sweep it all over again. Ganyan ka ba pinalaki ng mga magulang mo?" Tiningnan ko siya and I saw how his face turned red na parang pikon na pikon.

"Nasa gitna ang basurahan and look at what he did, hinampas niya ang bago kong sasakyan."

"Sir Chief, amoy alak ang isang to." Great! Gusto kong magbunyi. Kanina ko pa napansin ang mabahong amoy ng alak.

At dahil napakayaman ko at ng pamilya ko ay hindi na nila kami inimbitahan. The Chief owes me a lot anyway. Agad nilang dinakip ang lalaki at pinasakay sa patrol car. "Rico, ask him kung magkano ang kailangan niya at bayaran mo."

"Okay Sir." 

Pagkatapos ng insidenteng yun ay parang naistatwa na ang mga street sweepers. Walang umiimik at lahat sila ay nakatitig lang sakin na para bang takot. I smiled at them.

"Sorry po sa nangyari. Hindi na po mauulit." I took my wallet and took bills na hindi ko alam kung magkano. I don't care about it anyway. Inibigay ko ito sa matandang lalaki and smiled. "Kumain po kayong lahat at paghati-hatian niyo yan. Bayad po yan sa perwisyong naidulot ko."

"Teka, bakit mo kami binibigyan nito iho?" Tanong niya.

"Sabihin na lang po natin na bayad yan sa pagiging masipag niyo."

"Naku maraming salamat." 

Nagpasalamat silang lahat sakin maliban kay Venice. I can't blame her anyway. Sa ipinakita ko ba naman sa kanya sa center ay malamang galit siya.

"And you woman, get in the car." I said at napatingin sila lahat kay Venice.

"Magkakilala kayo?" Tanong ng isang babae sakin and  nodded.

"Pasok." Hindi pa rin siya sumusunod sakin and it's f*****g giving me a hard time. What should I do with this woman?

"Teka iho saan mo dadalhin si Ecia?" Tanong sakin ng matanda.

"Papakainin ko lang po ang girlfriend ko." I smiled sweetly pero hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang mga pamatay-tingin ni Venice. Cute. 

"Girlfriend?" Sabay nilang tanong. f**k! This is one hell of an embarrassing situation.

"Naglayas siya sa bahay ko and I want her back."

Kanina pa ako kinakalmot ng babaeng to. Simula ng buhatin ko siya palayo sa mga kasamahan niya at sapilitang ipasok sa sasakyan ko ay hindi ito tumigil sa kakasigaw at kakakalmot.

"Stop it woman!" 

"Palabasin mo ako dito." She wailed.

"No. Eat first and then we will talk."

"No. Stop the car." Now I am impressed on her language. Magaling siyang mag english.

"They won't listen to you." I smiled despite of all the scratches.

"Then tatalon ako." 

"s**t. Powerlock, Rico!"

"Yes Sir." Then I heard a click somewhere. Hindi na siya makakalabas kahit anong gawin niya. Only that button on the side of the steering wheel can disable it.

"Damn you!"

"I swear honey, hindi mo ako matatakbuhan." I rested my head on the backrest and I never heard her answered. Tanging ang mga hikbi lang ang naririnig ko.

Bigla akong napaayos ng upo when I recognized it was her. s**t.  Bakit ba napakaiyakin nito?

"Hey honey." I pulled her but she pushed me. Damn.

"Don't touch me. This is kidnapping." I smiled. Matalino pala siya.

"Sorry. I just want you to eat and then we'll talk at kung hindi ka pa rin papayag sa sasabihin ko, I will let you go." I said sincerely. I really need this woman to say yes or I will be doomed.

"I hate you!" I sighed. Ofcourse you do.

"Come here." Hinila ko siya at kahit kinakalmot na naman niya ako ay hindi ko na lang inintindi. I tightened my grip and I pulled her closer to my body. Hindi naman nagtagal when I heard her steady breaths againt my chest.

"Sir?"

"Yes Orlando?"

"Ready na po ang chopper niyo. Dideretso na po ba tayo doon or kakain pa po kayo?"

"Deretso na tayo. Doon na lang kami kakain sa Manila. She's asleep afterall."

I hugged her even more. She is so soft at kahit nagwawalis sila kanina ay mabango pa rin siya. She is also very plain and simple pero ewan ko ba at mas gusto kong tumingin sa kanya kesa sa mga babaeng  puno ng kolorete ang mukha. 

When we arrived at the oval kung saan andun na ang chopper ay agad ko siyang inayos. Bubuhatin ko na sana siya when she woke up and stared at me.

"What are you doing?" She asked at dahil sa napakalapit ng muka ko sa mukha niya ay kitang-kita ko ang mapupulang labi niya.

"Sleep" I whispered to her.

"Hmmm."

I saw her close her eyes again and I smiled. She looks so beautiful. Siya na siguro ang sagot sa mga problema ko.

I hope she will say yes. No one says no to Tyler James Ford anyway.