Chapter 16

It rained all day, forcing us to stay inside the house. Blake has ordered food for us and even if I wanted to cook, the lone pale yellow fridge sitting in the corner of the kitchen is anything but a decoration. It's empty. He said he recently bought this house and it was his first time spending more than a day here so there's practically nothing inside.

Because of boredom, I decided to take a tour inside the house while Blake is talking to someone on his phone in the living room. I admired the hand-worked pillows thrown at the vintage-looking scarlet sofa and appurtenances in the house. I suppose the previous owner of this house finds beauty in old fashion, or he was simply raised in a humble life that it reflected in his property.

May nadatnan akong mga bulaklak sa baba na iilang malalakas na hampas nalang ata ng hangin ay mamamatay na. I stared at the wilted flowers in silence, wondering if it looks pretty when it is in full bloom and the sun is out.

My eyes darted to the average-sized yard in front of the house. More plants lined the brick wall and a rusty swing sat alone in the middle of the rain pools. It made a groaning sound each time the wind hits it. I could already imagine children, a little girl with creamy skin and jet black hair, running around the yard and jumping into the repainted swing with her European doll in hand. Or a son. An arrogant-looking little boy, just like his father, who sprints around the garden chasing bugs and butterflies and other insects. He'd take after his ruthless grin and even as a child, he would charm a lot of people thanks to the godly looks he inherited from his father.

Napailing ako, pero may multo na ngiti ang humalik sa mga labi ko. The torrential rain poured heavily as if today is its last chance to shower the world. However chaotic, my mind felt at ease at the sound of the rain and the cold, comforting embrace of the breeze. Idinilat ko lamang ang mga mata ko nang marinig ang baritonong boses ni Blake.

"Coffee?"

I was delighted to see him carrying two cups of thick, clay mugs with black coffee. It was strong and sugarless, just how I like it. I gratefully accepted the mug and sipped from the coffee. Itinuro ko ang swing na nakita sa labas.

"Kinakalawang na at mukhang luma," tumawa ako nang mahinhin. "Kasali ba 'to nung bilhin mo ang bahay? Hindi mo pa pala tinatapon."

Sinundan ni Blake ang daliri ko sa itinurong swing at tumango. He sipped from his coffee and placed it gently on the wooden railings before answering.

"Balak ko sanang ayusin."

My heart thumped in my chest. Is he having the same fantasy that I had just a few moments ago? Iniisip rin kaya niyang magkaroon ng anak at dito papalakihin?

I didn't speak, but I know we were both thinking about the same thing. Our decision may be rush, but I feel no ounce of regret. For me, that was the best impulsive decision I've ever made.

We stayed in the house for a few days, waiting for the storm to pass. I cleaned the house and appreciated the fact that Blake didn't call out on it. He knows I've been served by trained housekeepers and maids half of my life, but I still know my way in the kitchen and in doing chores. My mother always told me that I wouldn't have them forever, and that I should be able to do things on my own when the time came. And she was right. She always had been.

"Dad, gusto ko lang sabihin sa iyo na kinasal na ako,"

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad, bitbit ang may kalakihang vase na may lamang bulaklak. I harvested whatever flowers were left in the yard and place them all here instead of waiting for the storm to destroy these pretty things. Blake is leaning against the kitchen countertop, his back against me. I saw his shoulder blades shaking. His deep chuckle echoed inside the house.

"Oo, noong Lunes lang. Mmm.... Babalik din kami d'yan kapag humupa na ang bagyo." Another chortle from his throat. "Opo, Dad. Kakausapin ko si Anna. Mm-hmm. Sige ho, mag-iingat kayo. Bigay niyo din paminsan-minsan kay Kuya ang anak niya, baka sinosolo niyo lang ang apo niyo d'yan. Oho. Sige."

When the call ended, Blake must've felt my presence because he turned around. He gave me a ruthless grin.

"I just told Dad that we got married."

"Really?" I beamed and placed the vase down. I got drenched a little, plucking all the flowers outside when I got impatient and couldn't wait for the rain to tone down a little. "Anong sinabi niya?"

"Magpakasal daw ulit tayo sa simbahan. Nagtatampo kasi hindi man lang siya sinabihan."

I chuckled. "Syempre, sino ba namang hindi magugulat at magtatampo kung malalaman nilang biglang kinasal na pala ang anak nila pagkatapos mawala ng ilang araw?"

Blake circled around the kitchen counter and pull me to his arms, pressing a kiss on my cheeks.

"Anong gusto mong kainin ngayong araw?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "As if naman makakapagluto ka." I pointed at the near trash can full of takeout boxes from different restaurants in town. "Puro nalang takeout ang kinakain natin!"

He chuckled and placed a strand of hair behind my ears. "I'm sorry. Imposibleng makalabas ako ng bahay at magpunta sa palengke para makapagluto dito. Masyadong malakas ang ulan at umaapaw ang sapa sa daraanan ko. Maputik pa."

"Hmm."

"Pero ano ngang gusto mong kainin?"

"Sinigang." I said, and my mouth watered at the thought of that homemade food. Napanguso ako sa naisip. Kakaunti lang ang mga restaurants sa bayan at madalas ay puro fried chicken at kung anu-anong fast foods ang tinda nila. I can rarely find a native Filipino restaurant here. And since we're trapped in this house, I don't think I have much of a choice.

"Sige." Ani Blake at binitawan na ako.

Hindi ko naman sineryoso ang sinabi niyang maghahanap siya ng paraan para makakain ako ng sinigang. Nagpaalam nalang ako na doon lang ako sa maliit na portico at iidilip o di kaya'y magbabasa ng kung ano. Nagtungo nga ako roon at pinagmasdan ang patuloy na bagsak ng ulan.

The soft afternoon light touched the wooden floor. There, a lone white rocking chair with herribone-woven seat and back is inviting me to sit so I did. I instantly felt comfortable rocking gently on that chair while watching the rain pour. Unmatched vintage-painted chairs circled a hardwood coffee table and some worn books lay untouched. I picked up one of them and started reading silently. Naririnig ko si Blake sa loob na may kausap pa rin pero huminto din iyon pagkatapos ng ilang sandali.

It's strange, for I feel so nostalgic for memories I don't even have for this house.

The rain sung a lullaby for me and the words in the book seems lost in a daze. Before I knew it, I was drifting off in sleep with the book laying on my lap and the chair still rocking gently. My entire body relaxed as I succumbed into darkness.

However, my inner peace did not last long when I heard footsteps creaking the wooden floor. I could feel a shadow hovering over me. I opened my eyes and saw that it was almost evening. Nananakit ang likod ng leeg ko. Kinusot ko ang mga mata at nag-inat bago tumayo. The unusual silence welcomed me as I scanned the surroundings and realized I was alone in the house.

I looked for Blake in the kitchen and the bedroom but he was nowhere to be found. Nagpunta rin ako sa balcon upang silipin ang dagat sa baba pero bigo akong makita siya. Iniwan ba niya akong mag-isa dito?

Frowning, I reached for my phone and was about to dial his number when I heard the engine outside. Binitawan ko ang cellphone at dali-daling lumabas. Nakita ko si Blake na at ang maputik niyang sasakyan sa labas ng gate. A young, unfamiliar man opened the gate for him as he drove inside. I stared at them in confusion.

Mayamaya pa ay lumabas na si Blake mula sa sasakyan bitbit ang mga pinamili sa palengke. My eyes widened as I met him on the doorway.

"San ka galing?" I said, raising my voice a little so he could hear me through the rain.

"Sa palengke." He grinned at me. He's drenched! Mukhang nahirapan pa ata siya sa pamamalengke at sa lagay ng sasakyan niyang maputik at may gasgas, alam kong hindi kaaya-aya ang naging biyahe niya pabalik.

"Iniwan mo ako dito?!" I almost accused him, but my eyes darted to the young man. He looks friendly. Nasa kinse pa ata ang edad.

"Nope. I asked Joseph to watch the gate while I was out." Blake wiped some wet strands of hair from his face.

"Hello po, Ma'am," magalang na wika ng bata.

I smiled at him and then turned to my husband. "Kaninong anak 'to? Hindi ba tayo pagagalitan ng mga magulang niya na basta mo nalang kinaladkad dito para bantayan ako?"

Blake laughed. Inilapag na niya sa wicker table ang basang mga plastic. Even at a glance, I could tell that the vegetables he bought were fresh. Nahirapan lang talaga siya sa biyahe. At siguro ay kakaunti lang ang nagtitinda ngayon kasi bumabagyo.

"Anak siya ng dating kasambahay dito. Kapitbahay lang natin sila. Pinakiusapan ko na bantayan ka muna habang namamalengke ako."

I nodded and turned again to Joseph. "Dito ka na maghapunan, ah?"

"Opo, Ma'am!" masigla naman niyang sagot. He reminds me of Baste when he was young. A smile touched my lips at the memory. He must be happy right now, starting his own family with Jess.

"Sa labas ka lang ba naghintay kay Blake?" pang-uusisa ko sa kaniya nang maalala ang mga yapak ng paa kanina na gumising sa akin.

"Oho, nakikita ko naman kayo mula sa labas tsaka inaabangan ko din si Sir para may magbukas ng gate pagkarating niya."

I frowned to myself. Kung nasa labas lang si Joseph, saan galing ang mga tunog na iyon? Was it just my imagination?

Napailing nalang ako. I dismissed it as some kind of a dream and surveyed the ingredients Blake bought for me. Tuwang-tuwa ako at mukhang kompleto naman. Pinaligo ko muna siya at pinapasok si Joseph para makakain ng biscuit at magkape sa loob habang nagluluto ako. While Blake was in the shower, Joseph amused me with some old stories of this ancestral house from its previous owners. Hanggang ngayon ay walang humpay pa rin ang ulan.

I first cut the vegetables and allowed the water to boil before putting the onions and tomato. I cooked the pork belly for half an hour until it got tender then added the other vegetables. The little vintage kitchen is buzzing with so much life as I worked in there and Joseph had his afternoon snacks at the counter, reminiscing stories and telling me little secrets of the house. Natuwa pa ako nang makitang iniwan ng dating may-ari ang mga gamit niya sa kusina.

Looking back, I wonder if I grew in this small, lovely house, would my life be any different? If my father remained committed to my mother until the end, maybe I'll grow up with an awesome childhood. I didn't like how my relationship with my father ended after everything that's happened. But it's all in the past right now. Wala na akong ibang magawa kundi tanggapin ang lahat ng nangyari.

Naputol lang ang pag-iisip ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni Blake na kinakausap si Joseph. Lumapit siya sa akin at niyakap ako mula sa likuran, sabay patong ng baba niya sa balikat ko.

"Hmm. Swerte ko naman..." he whispered huskily into my ears.

I chuckled and tried to shrug him off. "Ano ba! Nandyan si Joseph nanunuod, o!"

"Ayos lang, Ma'am! Ganyan din po si Nanay at Tatay sa bahay. Sanay na ako!" humalakhak ang bata.

Napailing nalang ako nang magtawanan silang dalawa. Blake pressed a kiss on my cheeks before letting go. Patuloy ang kwentuhan naming tatlo hanggang sa matapos na ako. Dito ko na pinakain si Joseph at binigyan din ng nilutong sinigang ang mga magulang niya. Blake gave him some money. Inihatid pa niya ang bata sa kanila bago siya bumalik dito sa bahay.

Nauna akong nagpahinga sa kwarto habang si Blake naman ay nasa sala, kaharap ang laptop niya at patuloy ang pagtatrabaho. Gusto ko sanang magreklamo pero hinayaan ko nalang siya at binabagabag din ang isip ko ngayon. While I was taking a shower, all I could think is Valerie and the fact that even when she's locked up in jail right now, her thirst for revenge gives me the chills.

I know what it was like to devote your whole life to revenge. I've been there, and luckily, I got out of that hellhole before it consumed my soul. When you are angry at someone, you blur everything and all you could think is revenge. You want everyone who hurt you or put you at a disadvantage to suffer miserably in your hands.

I've no doubts that it is what Valerie is thinking right now...

Pinatay ko ang shower at pinagmasdan ang tumutulong tubig mula sa buhok ko. Sighing, I got out and wrapped a towel around my body before choosing which night gowns to wear. Nang matapos ako sa pagbibihis ay nahiga ako at tumitig sa kisame pero binabagabag pa rin ako. Naisipan kong puntahan si Blake sa labas. I tip-toed to the door and open it a little para silipin siya. Nang makita ko siyang mukhang stressed out at may pinapagalitan sa cellphone sa kalmadong boses ay umatras din ako at bumalik sa kwarto. I don't want to bother him...

Grabbing my phone, I quickly dialed the police station that held Valerie. Giniginaw akong nagpunta sa terrace nang sagutin nila ang tawag, nagtataka kung bakit ako napatawag ngayong oras ng gabi.

"Uhm... I just want to check on Valerie. Is she... doing okay?"

"Oo, Ma'am. Tapos na po ang psychological examination niya at naka-schedule na rin po ang paglipat niya sa rehabilitation center next week."

"Ganun ba?" labas sa ilong kong sagot. "Anong ginagawa niya ngayon? Natutulog na ba siya?"

The officer chuckled humorlessly. "Pahirap nga po kanina, Ma'am, eh, kasi ayaw kumain at nagwawala. Pero ayos na po siya ngayon. Yun talaga ang recommendation ng chief namin kasi wala kaming medical allies dito na pwedeng umasikaso kung ganito pala talaga ang kondisyon ng pag-iisip niya."

I sighed in relief. Watching the dark beach below, I gave myself an assurance that it's going to be alright. Nagpasalamat ako sa officer at binaba na ang tawag.

"Who was that?"

I jumped at Blake's baritone voice behind my back. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko siyang tiningnan bago ako umiling.

"Wala, si attorney. Kinukumusta ko lang." I lied. I can't tell him how bothered I am right now because he'll only worry and would probably take me somewhere far, imposing a false sense of security. I know Valerie. She'd track me all over the world just so she could have her revenge. If there's any human left in her, I'd only feel better if she's being taken care by medical professionals. That way, she couldn't bother our lives again.

I gave him an easy smile at mukhang naniwala naman siya. "Bakit hindi ka pa natutulog?" marahan niyang tanong sa akin. Muntik na akong mapanguso. He uses the same calm voice when he's mad or not and that makes him more dangerous. I could only tell his rage by the way emotions went in and out of his eyes but not through his voice.

"Matutulog na. Tapos ka na ba sa trabaho mo?"

"Oo." iginiya niya ako sa kama at hinalikan ang noo. "Matulog na tayo."

Kinabukasan, maagang tumila ang ulan. I woke up to the sun beams shooting warm rays at my face. Turning to my side, I found Blake sleeping heavily with his arms wrapped protectively around my waist. Napangiti ako at pinagmasdan siyang natutulog. He really looks harmless, but I've seen the way he's punched other guys before and I know he is very ruthless whenever it's necessary. Pinatakan ko ng halik ang pisngi niya saka dahan-dahang inalis ang kamay niyang nakayapos sa akin pero naramdaman niya ata ito at mas lalong hinigpitan ang yakap.

"Where are you going?" he asked sleepily.

"Magluluto ako ng agahan," I chuckled. "Sige na, matulog ka muna."

"Hmm...." Mas lalo niyang isiniksik ang mukha sa dibdib ko. Itinulak ko tuloy siya palayo habang tumatawa.

"It already stopped raining, Blake. I might as well take advantage of it to go to the market and see what we can have for breakfast."

Blake was about to protest when we heard someone calling out from the gates outside. Nagkatinginan tuloy kaming dalawa. With a sigh, he pulled himself up and put on his jeans and grabbed a shirt before heading outside of the room. Ako naman ay hinablot ang roba at isinuot ito bago ko siya sinundan sa labas.

I saw a middle-aged couple talking to Blake outside, laughing and handing him a basket that contained fruits and vegetables. Nahagip ako ng tingin ng babae. She smiled and pointed at me.

"Yan na ba ang asawa mo, hijo? Kay gandang babae!"

I stepped out of the house and walked towards them, smiling. They must be the parents of Joseph.

"Salamat sa sinigang mo kagabi, ha, akala ko kung saan-saan na naman nagpunta si Joseph, nasa inyo lang pala."

Blake apologized for it but the woman waved it away, still laughing. Her husband, on the other hand, is a bit silent but has a friendly smile plastered on his face.

"Kaya pala atat na atat kang bilhin itong bahay sa mga Lopez kasi mag-aasawa na pala!" the woman teased and laughed again. Blake looked like he was a bit embarrassed, pero nakitawa na din siya sa ginang.

"O siya, aalis na kami at dadayo pa kami sa palengke. Baka may gusto kayong ipabili?"

"Ah, ayos na po. Kami na ang bahala dito." Magalang na sagot ni Blake.

They nodded and went off, holding hands with each other. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa pinamigay nilang mga pagkain sa amin at napagtantong hindi na namin kailangang pumunta ng palengke para sa agahan. Siguro mamaya nalang. Ibinigay sa akin ni Blake ang basket at hinarap ang maputik niyang kotse, nagkakamot sa batok.

"Mamaya nalang siguro tayo pumunta ng palengke, lilinisan ko muna 'to." sabay turo niya sa kawawang BMW. "Walang car wash services dito..."

I giggled and gave him a kiss, before heading inside to fix our breakfast. Si Blake naman ay kinuha ang tubong naka-konekta sa puso sa likod ng bahay at nagsimulang linisin ang kotse niya. I went inside the house and placed the basket on the kitchen countertop. I stared at the sun beams shooting rays of light at the hardwood and some of the little herbs and plants in the kitchen were also illuminated by the light. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at kinumbinse ang sarili na magiging ayos lang ang lahat.

It's a new day and the rain has stopped. We should be looking forward for a new beginning.