A Forbidden Night with a Stranger

Chapter 5

AFTER finishing all his office works and managing the heavy workload that came with his position, Alas went home, looking forward to having dinner with his father. It was the first time they would be together properly and share a meal since he came back to the Philippines after spending many years abroad. Masyado siyang naging abala sa pag-aayos ng kumpanya at pagpapalawak ng kanilang negosyo kaya halos wala siyang oras para dalawin at samahan ang ama niya sa kanilang bahay. Ngayong medyo humupa na ang dami ng gawain, inilaan niya ang gabing ito para lamang kay Eduardo, upang makabawi at mapalitan ang mga panahong hindi sila magkasama.

"Good evening, Dad," he greeted his father warmly, who was already seated in front of the table, waiting patiently for his arrival. The dining area was well-lit, elegant, and filled with a warm atmosphere that only family could bring.

"Good evening too, son. Please have a seat. Let's eat," ani nito, habang nakangiti nang malapad at puno ng pagmamalaki sa kanyang anak. Kitang-kita sa mukha ni Eduardo ang saya at kasiyahan na makita muli ang kanyang tagapagmana, na ngayon ay isa nang ganap na lalaki at matagumpay na pinuno.

The dinner table was beautifully set with silverware and fine plates, and he noticed immediately that he was the only one being waited for. Everything looked delicious and familiar. "Wow. You really know me, Dad. All of these are my favorites," nakangiting saad niya habang tumatayo at lumalapit sa mesa. Hindi na siya nagpahuli at nagmamadaling kumuha ng plato, saka naglagay kaagad ng mga paborito niyang pagkain na mula pa noong bata siya ay ito na ang hinahanap-hanap niya.

"Yeah, I know it's all your favorites. That's why I ordered our chef to cook all of these especially for tonight. I remember how much you loved them when you were little, and I figured your taste hasn't changed. Okay, let's eat. Enjoy the food, and we can talk later after we finish," sagot ni Eduardo habang pinagmamasdan ang anak na tila tuwang-tuwa sa inihanda niya.

"That's better, Dad. This really feels like home," Alas replied, taking a satisfying bite.

Biglang tumahimik ang paligid, ngunit hindi ito ang uri ng katahimikan na nakakailang. Ito ay katahimikang puno ng ginhawa at pagmamahalan. Ngunit upang mas mapagaan ang pakiramdam at masimulan ang mas malalim na usapan, nagsalita si Alas. Naalala niya ang tungkol sa pagbisita ni Tito Jomari noong nakaraang araw, at ang tungkol sa paghingi nito ng tulong para sa anak nitong si Yna. Nais na niyang linawin ang mga bagay-bagay at ayusin na ang mga detalye.

"Dad, kailan ba magsisimula ng trabaho si Yna sa company bilang secretary ko?" he asked directly, looking at his father with curious eyes. Deep inside, he was excited and eager to meet her again. It's been such a long while since they've met—dalawampung taon na ang nakalipas mula noong huli silang nagkita—at nais na niyang makita kung ano na ang itsura at ugali ng kanyang matalik na kaibigan noong kabataan.

Huminto sa pagkain si Eduardo at tinitigan ang anak niya nang seryoso, medyo nagulat sa pagiging diretsa nito. "I'm sorry, son. I haven't told Jomari yet that you agreed already. Gusto ko sanang siguraduhin muna ang lahat bago ko ito ibalita sa kanya. I will tell him tomorrow so that he can talk to her daughter as well and prepare her for the work. Sigurado akong matutuwa siya kapag nalaman niyang pumayag ka at ikaw mismo ang mag-aalaga sa kanyang anak."

"It's a good idea. At least everything will be official and clear before she steps in," Alas nodded thoughtfully. Then, curiosity got the better of him. "Is it really true that she changed now? I remember her as a sweet, bubbly, and kind little girl. She was full of life," curious na tanong niya, nagbabakasakaling mali lamang ang mga narinig niya mula kay Tito Jomari.

"As I heard from Jomari, she really does changed a lot. She became stubborn, lost her motivation, and became distant from everyone, especially after she had her heartbroken. She isn't the same girl we knew before," paliwanag ni Eduardo habang humihinga nang malalim. "Pero kung makikita ka niya muli, at kung makakasama ka niya sa araw-araw, I am sure she will go back to her old soul. Kilala ko kayo, at alam kong may espesyal na ugnayan kayong dalawa na hindi kayang burahin ng panahon."

"I hope so. I want to help Uncle Jomari because he has been very good to us. Sana makakaya ko siyang maimpluwensiyahan ng good vibes at maibalik siya sa tamang landas," sagot ni Alas nang may pagtitiwala sa sarili niyang kakayahan. Naniniwala siyang kaya niyang baguhin ang pananaw ng dalaga at ipakita rito ang ganda ng buhay at pagkakaroon ng layunin.

"I know you, son, you can do it. You have the charm, the patience, and the wisdom to handle her. Nandito lang kami if ever na mag-failed ka o kung may mga problema kang makaharap. Pero sa galing mong 'yan, duda ako na hindi mo mabibihag pati ang puso niya at mapasunod siya sa iyong kagustuhan," biro ni Eduardo na may kasamang ngiti, na nagbigay ng katiyakan at suporta sa kanyang anak.

Napapangiti siya dahil sa sinabi ng ama niya. Gustong-gusto niya na talagang makita si Yna, at hindi na siya makapaghihintay sa pagdating ng araw na iyon. Hindi na niya sigurado kung natatandaan pa siya ng babae, o kung matutuwa ba ito kapag nagkita sila. Kung magagalit ba ito o magiging walang pakialam. Pero isa lang ang nasa isip niya ngayon: gusto niyang tulungan si Jomari, at higit sa lahat, gusto niyang makita muli ang babaeng nag-iwan ng bakas sa kanyang puso mula pa noong sila ay mga musmos pa lamang.

"Oh, are you full already? Why did you stop eating? Bakit parang wala ka nang ganang kumain?" napansin ni Eduardo na hindi na siya dumagdag pa ng mga pagkain sa plato niya at tila malalim ang iniisip.

"Yes, Dad. I'm full. I don't eat too much especially at night. I want to have a firm and masculine body as I had now, kaya kailangan kong bantayan ang aking kinakain," Alas said as he followed some chuckles. Tama naman ang sinabi niya, at walang halong kayabangan ito. Alam niyang mahalaga ang kalusugan at anyo para sa isang pinuno, at sanay na siyang maging disiplinado sa sarili.

Natatawa rin si Eduardo sa sinabi ng anak niya. "You are really like me, son. You're so diligent to have good looks and maintain your physique. I remembered you in my younger years. I was just like you—very conscious and disciplined. I'm so sexy and manly that can attract a lot of women noon, at ang pinakamasuwerteng naakit ko ay ang mommy mo," pagmamalaki pa nito habang inaalala ang kabataan.

"Yes, of course, Dad. I'm your son, so I inherited those traits from you—the looks, the discipline, and the charm," he smirked confidently and drank some water to wash down his meal.

"Really? But why until now have I never heard some news that you have a girlfriend or someone you dated? You are handsome, rich, and kind, yet you seem to be alone," biglang tanong ni Eduardo na medyo nag-aalala.

Muntik nang masamid si Alas mula sa narinig na sinabi ng daddy niya dahil sa hindi inaasahang pagbabago ng paksa.

Alas clears his throat first, trying to compose himself at huwag magpakita ng anumang hiya. Dinahado siya sa sinabi ng kaniyang ama. "Well, I guess having a girlfriend as of the moment is not my top priority, Dad. I'm busy managing our growing business and expanding our branches all over the country. I need to focus on the company first. Maybe it should be planned after sometime, kapag maayos na ang lahat at hindi na gaanong abala," paliwanag niya nang mahinahon.

Napangiti si Eduardo at tinanggap ang dahilan ng anak. Tama naman ang anak niya. Pero hindi na ito nagbibinata pa lang. He is already a grown man, and he needs to build his future family as well. Gusto na niyang makakita ng kaniyang apo bago siya tumanda lalo pa.

"Okay. I understand your point. But remember, you're already twenty-eight years old, that's why you should need to find a girlfriend or maybe a fiancée soon. Life isn't just about work. But if you weren't in a relationship after two years, I will make some way in order for you to have a wife. I might arrange something just to see you settle down," banta nito na may halong biro ngunit seryoso ang ibig sabihin.

Napapangiti si Alas sa sinabi ng kaniyang ama. Alam niyang nag-aalala lamang ito at gusto lamang ang ikabubuti niya. "I will put that in mind, Dad. Don't worry, I won't let you down," sagot niya bilang pangako.

Concerned lang naman si Eduardo sa kaniyang anak, ayaw niya itong paglipasan ng panahon. Sa mahabang panahon, he never seen him before having a fling or someone being dated. Sometimes he thought Alas might be uninterested in women, but it has no hint that he is.

Only he remembers that Alas had a crush on his childhood friend, Yna, pero napakatagal na 'yon—dalawampung taon na ang nakalipas. Nang magmigrate sila sa US ay wala na siyang balita sa kababata niya, at they never met and seen each other again until now.

Napakabilis ng dalampung taon dahil ngayon ay nasa tamang edad na sila. They are totally adults that can possibly handle their own responsibility, but it's opposite to what Yna does, she's still acting like a child, lost and confused. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit kailangan niya itong tulungan at gabayan.

Biglang umalingawngaw ang tunog ng kanyang cellphone. May isang text message siyang natanggap mula sa kanyang sekretarya tungkol sa isang biglaang pagbabago sa iskedyul. "Dad, I think I shouldn't stay any longer. I have an important matter to do. I'm really sorry for now. It's really urgent and needs my attention immediately," paalam niya habang mabilis na tumatayo.

"Okay. Go ahead. I understand. Huwag mo nang intindihin ako. I am that too busy before when I was the CEO. Alam ko ang pakiramdam na kailangang unahin ang negosyo. But now, I can breathe and take a longer sleep. I already gave that heavy responsibility on you," wika ni Eduardo na buong pag-unawa.

Eduardo guided his way to the garage where Alas parked his luxury car. "Be careful on the road, son. Mag-ingat ka palagi."

"Thank you, Dad. Bye. Magpahinga ka na rin po," Alas immediately got inside his car. He revved his car's engine smoothly and drove off from their driveway.

Eduardo waved his hands and waited until he couldn't see his car anymore, bago siya tuluyang pumasok muli sa loob ng bahay. He's happy to have a responsible son. He has nothing to complain about Alas. After his wife died years ago, they lived together in the United States and bonded over a very strong and good relationship.

ALAS attended an emergency meeting together with their new business investors from South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore. Ayaw niya itong ipagpabukas dahil napakaganda nitong oportunidad para mas mapalawak ang saklaw ng kanilang kumpanya at mapalaki ang bilang ng mga investors sa kompanya. Both parties will gain millions of dollars if this partnership will be successful, kaya kailangan niyang siguraduhing maayos ang lahat.

Mabilis namang natapos ang meeting at naging matagumpay ito. It's successful, pumayag ang mga representative ng mga bansa sa mga terms and conditions ng kompanya at nagkasundo sila sa lahat ng aspeto. It's a new achievement for him. So far, ang buong araw niya ay naging maganda at puno ng tagumpay.

His staff was left to take care of these foreign business partners. They provided hotel accommodations for his business partners to stay comfortably tonight. Kailangan na masiguradong satisfied sila sa kanilang serbisyo para mas makuha nila ang puso at tiwala ng mga ito sa mahabang panahon.

Nakaramdam na siya ng matinding pananakit sa buong katawan at pagod sa utak kaya dumiretso na siya ng uwi sa kaniyang condo unit. It was past 10:00 PM when their meeting had ended. Pagkapasok ay agad niyang tinanggal ang kanyang coat at niluwagan ang kanyang neck-tie na tila sumasakal sa kanya dahil sa pagod. He threw it in the laundry tray along with his suit.

Humiga siya sa kaniyang kama at pumikit, subra siyang napagod ngayong araw. Wala siyang naging pahinga mula pa kaninang umaga. Before he used to dream of becoming a CEO without realizing how hard and heavy his responsibilities would be. He now fully understands na mahirap at nakakapagod ang maging pinuno, pero worth it ang lahat kapag nakikita niyang may tagumpay siyang nagagawa para sa kumpanya at sa kanyang ama.

Ngunit bigla siyang napamulat nang maamoy ang pamilyar na amoy—isang matapang at nakabibighaning amoy ng isang erotikong pabango na tila nunuot pa rin sa kutson at unan ng kama niya. His eyes widened as recognition hit him. He even cursed under his breath when he remembers something that happened a month ago—a night he tried so hard to forget.

"Stupid," he scolded himself. He stood up abruptly and pulled off the bed cover and threw it somewhere across the room. Hindi niya kayang matulog doon habang nandoon pa ang amoy na nagpapaalala sa kanya ng gabing iyon. Bumangon siya at nagtungo sa shower room, kailangan niyang linisin ang sarili at alisin ang bawat bakas ng alaala na iyon. Subra siyang nainis sa sarili.

"Bakit ayaw akong tantanan ng bangungot na 'yon?" Alas scolded himself again. Napapamura siya sa ilalim ng malamig na tubig habang hinahayaan itong dumaloy sa kanyang katawan, sinusubukang hugasan ang kakaibang pakiramdam na bumabalik tuwing naaalala niya ang babaeng iyon na nakilala niya sa bar. Isang estrangherang babae na kanyang kasiping, na tumakas din nang hindi man lang nakikita ang kanyang mukha.

After taking a long, calming shower, he laid back in his bed, now fresh and wearing comfortable clothes. Ngunit hindi pa rin siya makatulog. He started thinking about something that might happen when he finally met Yna. He misses her so much, the little girl he used to play with, the girl who was his first friend and first crush.

He smiled while his eyes are nailed to the ceiling, imagining how she looks now. "Is it really true that you've changed, Yna? Did the world turn you into someone you are not?" He creased his eyebrows then pinch his forehead, feeling a mix of worry and excitement. Pinikit niya ang kaniyang mata, he needs to take some rest because it's too late for his sleep and tomorrow is going to be a big day. Bukas na niya malalaman kung paano niya haharapin ang babaeng inaabangan niyang makita, at kung paano niya kakalimutan ang babaeng minsan nang nagpasok ng gulo sa kanyang isipan.