Chapter 18

Chapter 18




I decided not to tell Blake about the red envelope I saw yesterday. I kept it inside my bag and tried to shrug it off. It must have been just a sick joke. I don't believe it is from Valerie. Hindi ako pinatulog sa gabing iyon kakaiisip kung totoo nga ba ang nakasulat kaya kinabukasan ay tinawagan ko kaagad ang mga pulis.


"Nalipat na po si Ms. Sarriet sa center, Ma'am. Huwag po kayong mag-alala, hindi na po kayo guguluhin ng babaeng 'yon."


But I didn't believe his words. I wanted to a solid assurance that my family and I will be safe forever from her poison so I decided to visit her myself. hiningi ko ang address ng mental institution kung saan siya dinala at hindi naman ako binigo ng pulis.


"Aalis ka?" tanong sa akin ni Blake habang pinagmamasdan akong nag-aayos ng mga gamit ko sa bag.


"Yes. I'm meeting Valentina." I quickly lied.


"Oh? Where to?"


"You know, just girl's shopping." I shrugged. "Nothing important."


Blake stared at me from the reflection of the vanity mirror and then slowly nodded.


"Sige. Ihahatid na kita."


"It's okay. Salvador will drive me. Just stay here and babysit Barin. He'll be bored when I'm gone." I went to him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheeks. "I'll be back before you know it."


Dali-dali na akong bumaba bago pa man siya mag-protesta. I wore a pair of black slacks today and a white chiffon blouse paired with big sunglasses. I don't want anyone to spot me going to the mental institution where Valerie is being held.


"Salvador, huwag mo nang banggitin kay Blake kung saan tayo nagpunta," wika ko habang papalabas. "Hintayin mo lang ako dito sa labas. Hindi naman ako magtatagal sa loob."


"Yes, Ma'am! No problem. Dun lang po ako sa kanto, ice cream lang, ang init kasi, eh." He said happily.


I nodded and went inside with a grim look on my face. I thought that was the last time I'm ever going to see her again. I don't want to feed myself with a daily dose of bad memories but I have to talk to her or at least confirmed that she is behind bars and could do nothing to hurt us.


I asked the desk girl about Valerie and after confirming my identity, she led me right to the visiting room. I sat on one of the white block plastic chairs and nervously waited for her. I wonder if any of her kids visit Valerie here?


The door opened and I instantly perked up. Halos mapanganga ako nang makita ang hitsura niya. She lost the glow and seductive aura she once have. Her body shrunk. She's almost skin and bones and she's so pale. The trembling fear in her eyes is palpable when she lifted her face and saw me.


Hindi ko alam ang gagawin. Nanatili akong nakaupo at nakamasid sa kaniya habang lumalapit siya sa akin. nanlisik ang mga mata niya at huminto sa paglalakad ilang pulgada ang layo mula sa kinauupuan ko.


"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" malamig niyang tugon sa akin.


Without hesitation, I pulled the red envelope from my bag and put it on the table. Valerie didn't even glance at it.


"What's this all about, Valerie?"


"Wala akong alam sa sinasabi mo."


Pissed, I stood and grabbed the letter again, forcing it to her.


"You clearly sent that goddamn letter to scare us! What are you up to, huh?"


She glanced tiredly at the crumped red envelope and sighed.


"Hindi ako yan, Anna."


"What are you talking about?"


"Hindi ako ang nagpadala niyan."


"Don't play games with me, Valerie. I don't have time for this. Kung hindi ikaw, sino?"


She lifted her eyes at me and I was shocked to see how empty it was. It's so hollowed out and lacks vibrant. It's so dead.


"You've imprisoned the wrong person, Anna."


Cold fear started clawing at the back of my throat when she slowly opened the envelope and stared at the letter. She smiled, then handed it back to me.


"She's back."


"What are you... what are you talking about?"


"Hindi ka niya titigilan."


"What the heck?"


She didn't answer. Instead, she gazed at nothing, as if longing for something... or someone.


"I'm tired, Anna. Kumusta ang mga anak ko? May balita ka ba sa kanila?"


"I don't know where they are. Haven't you heard from your kids, too?"


"For them, I am long dead. I only had one job... and I failed."


Hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi niya. It's foolish of me to expect her to say comprehensive things when she's locked up in a mental institution. But still, what she said bothered me to the core.


"Valerie, Valerie! What are you talking about? Sinong 'siya'?"


Tears brimmed her eyes as I shook her tiny, frail shoulders. I am frustrated and afraid right now.


"I can't protect my kids when I'm locked up here. Why did you do this to me, Anna?"


Kumalat ang hapdi sa dibdib ko nang marinig ang desperadang pagsusumamo sa boses niya.


"All I wanted was to protect them..."


"Protect them from what? Who?"


She just started sobbing and broke down in front of me. nabitawan ko ang mga balikat niya habang palakas nang palakas ang hagulhol niya. Her loud cries alerted the nurse who quickly entered the room and pulled me away from her.


"Pasensiya na, Ma'am, kailangan niyo na pong umalis. Hindi po kakalma si Miss Sarriet hangga't narito kayo."


Stunned, I walked stiffly outside the visiting room. punong-puno ng mga tanong ang isipan ko. Who is she referring to? It was all her fault that she's locked up and can no longer contact her children. She's the one who endorsed them to danger and a life full of lies.


Pansin ata ni Salvador ang pagkabalisa ko dahil ilang beses niya akong tinanong kung ayos lang ba ako. I forced a smile and assured him that I am fine as we drove home. I couldn't talk about it to Blake so I kept it all inside and tried to solve the puzzle by my own. All of her stuff in the house were already gone. There is no trace of her but the fact that she stayed her and corrupted this house still bothered me.


"Anna?"


Half-drunk, I lifted my gaze to my husband. It's half past-midnight and I am nursing a tall glass of wine in the kitchen. Nakahilig ako sa marble countertop at nakahawak sa baso. Nilapitan naman ako ng asawa na mukhang nag-aalala para sa akin.


"Ayos ka lang ba?"


"I'm fine." I said, staring at the deep, red liquid as I swirled the glass slowly.


"Is something bothering you, baby?"


"Hmm, nothing in particular..." I said and gazed at him. His eyes are darker at the mercy of the soft moonlight streaming through the window. It reminded me so much of the first time I met him. Baliktad na ang sitwasyon namin ngayon. This time, I'm the one with dark secrets and a glass of wine while he's the naïve.


"We're getting married again next week..." Blake said softly, kissing me before settling down the chair next.


"Yeah." I chuckled. "Sobrang bilis ng pangyayari, 'no?"


"Kaya nga. Swerte ko, dalawang beses papakasalan ang babaeng pangarap ko. Tamang pamukha lang sa may mga gusto sa iyo na ako ang nanalo." Blake joked and we both laughed.


"Yeah, we're married. So you really should stop getting jealous with Engineer Murillo."


"Sinong magseselos sa barakong yun?" mabilis niyang pag-deny. "Hindi ah!"


I raised a brow at him.


"Hindi ako nagseselos sa lalaking yun. Pahingi nga ako nyan."


I slid him the bottle and he drank straight from it, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Bumagsak ang tingin niya sa singsing na suot ko at kumislap ang mga mata.


"Why? Do you like engineers?"


"Huh?"


"Ayaw mo sa businessman?"


I laughed. "What's with the question?"


"Sabihin mo lang, mage-enroll ako kaagad ako bukas. Tapatan ko pa ang lalaking yun, eh."


I continued laughing. "You're crazy."


"Yes, I am..." he gazed at me longingly and I couldn't help myself but to kiss him again. Blake's hand rested at the back of my head as he let me taste the wine from his mouth. In an instant, I was sitting atop the kitchen countertop. He parted my legs and settled himself in the middle, playing with the straps of my thin nightgown.


"Baka magising sila..." I whispered breathlessly when he started kissing my neck and rubbing me down there. Pinigilan ko ang ungol at napapikit na lamang.


Blake didn't answer. Instead, he continued teasing me using his expert tongue and fingers. All I could do was pull his hair and stop myself from moaning too loud. I gasped and let myself fall into the sensation. Before I knew it, my nightdress had fallen into the kitchen floor.


We spent the night passionately. The next thing I knew, Valerie's nonsensical laments are out of my mind and Blake is everything I could think of.


I woke up sore but delighted, sleeping next to him. He had his arms wrapped around me like a big baby and was snoring softly. Gusto ko mang tumayo pero ayaw ko namang disturbuhin ang asawa. I lay awake for the next few minutes I felt Blake stirring from his sleep.


"Good morning..." I said happily to him.


"Morning..." he murmured.


"I'm going downstairs for a glass of water. babalik din ako kaagad." ani ko at dahan-dahang inalis ang braso niya sa akin. hindi na siya nagprotesta pa at hinayaan akong bumaba.


When I reached the kitchen, I was horrified when I saw one of the housekeepers picking up the nightgown and lace panty I left last night.


"Hindi ba 'to nalabhan ni Linda?" she wondered out loud. Before she could touch my undergarment, I sprinted off and snatch it from her. Gulat siyang napatingin sa akin. "M-Ma'am! Ikaw po pala. G-Good morning po!"


"Morning... uh, I'll wash these myself." napapraning ko pang inikot ang mga mata para sa anumang ebidensiya ng kababalaghan na nangyari dito kagabi. Thankfully, it was only my nightgown and undergarment. I hid it behind my back and smiled awkwardly at my housekeeper. I hope she doesn't realize what really happened...


"Sigurado ka, Ma'am? Kaka-deliver lang po ng lavender water kanina. Papalaba nalang po natin kay Linda,"


"Uhm, ayos lang! Sige, akyat muna ako."


Dali-dali akong umakyat at tuluyan nang nakalimutan ang tubig na sana'y pakay ko sa kusina. I was almost out of my breath when I reached our room. Blake is talking to someone on his phone and glanced at me with a confused look on his face when he saw me with a horrified look. Kaagad niyang ibinaba ang phone at nilapitan ako.


"Anong nangyari sa iyo?"


I told him about the super awkward moment with the housekeeper downstairs and he just laughed out loud.


"Hayaan mo na sila kung anong iisipin nila, ikaw naman may-ari ng bahay na ito." He teased. "Tsaka, masagana ang sex life mo kaya normal lang yan."


Mahina kong sinampal ang dibdib niya at inirapan siya. I looked around the room and felt something eerie. Kaagad din iyong napansin ni Blake. the playfulness in his voice suddenly faded.


"Hey, is something wrong?"


I remained silent at first and Blake waited patiently for my reply. When I finally gathered all my courage, I looked at him again.


"Ibenta ko nalang kaya 'tong mansion?"


He looked shocked at first, but it slowly faded into a mutual understanding as he stared at me.


"Too many bad memories?"


I nodded slowly as I felt myself being emotional again. I hate it when this happens but I just can't keep putting on a strong façade in front of my husband. I have a vulnerable side, too.


"I'll support any decision you'll make. If you're too uncomfortable to start a new life here, then we will start from the scratch. My house in San Juan is next to nothing with this mansion, but it can be the clean slate we're looking for."


Niyakap ko ang asawa at ipinikit ang mga mata.


"Even though Valerie's locked up somewhere far from here, somehow, I'm still afraid that she would hunt me in this house..." I finally confessed.


"Anna, I will never let something bad happen to you. I'd rather die than fail at protecting you..."


My knees trembled. A decision is slowly materializing inside of my head. I know I should probably give it a rest. Confide to someone. Seek advice. This is the house where my fairytale started. Would it really be good for me to just let it go?


For the next few days, Blake had been nothing but understanding and patient with me. I've already talked to my lawyer about the possible value of the house in case I decide to put it on the market. Wala naman siyang naging komento na ibebenta ko ang mansion. I also invited him to our wedding and he said he and his wife would gladly come.


Nawala na sa isipan ko ang sinabi ni Valerie sa akin dahil naging abala na rin ako sa paghahanda para sa kasal. As planned, we're going to held it in a small church in La Union. Blake's family and some relatives were there. Our circle of friends were present, too.


"Congrats, pare!" Dr. Ciervo casually shook Blake's hands and greeted me when we met at the reception area. I smiled at him.


"Where's your date?" I asked sheepishly.


"Wala akong date, eh." He laughed.


"Si Tina?"


"Kumakain ata, ewan." He shrugged.


I smirked. "So you really didn't bring a date? Takot ka bang magalit ang pinsan ko sa iyo?"


"Mahirap na. Baka masaksak ako ng scalpel."


We all laughed. He congratulated us once again and excused himself.


Our friends and families gave their speech for us newly-wed. Dad was the most emotional of them all. Blake's brothers were just teasing him and was just goofing around. Valentina made a little speech for me that melted my heart as she wished for a long-lasting marriage.


Despite the overwhelming happiness I felt during my wedding day, I couldn't shake off the worry lurking inside my chest. Patingin-tingin ako sa labas. I'm afraid a tall woman would show up in her revenge dress and ruin my special day just like what I did to her. I started imagining the worst-case scenarios and nightmares inside of my head.


"Are you okay?" Blake whispered to me, squeezing my palm to get my attention. I'm no longer listening to his cousin giving his speech in front of everyone.


I smiled faintly at him. "Just fine."


"Sobrang putla mo."


"I'm okay, Blake..."


He looked hesitant but he nodded and held my hand a little tighter.


"I'm sorry. Just one more speech and I'll excuse you from everyone so you can rest."


"No. That would be so rude! This is my wedding." I hissed.


"But..."


"I'm fine, seriously."


Hindi na siya nagsalita pa at ibinaling ang tingin sa kakatapos lang magsalita na pinsan. After the speeches, we had our first dance and first toast before eating. I hopped from table to table, greeting our friends and hoping the nervousness would slip away.


"Can you stay in the mansion tonight?"


Valentina looked up from drinking her martini. "My shift starts at 9 am tomorrow."


"And you're drinking?"


"May driver naman ako," sabay nguso niya kay Dr. Ciervo. "Tsaka, tamang-tama ang offer mo. Na-cancel ang isang room na pina-reserve namin para sana ngayong gabi. Ayoko namang sa iisang kwarto lang kami matulog kaya sasama ako sa inyo ngayon."


I nodded.


"Hindi ba ako makaka-disturbo sa honeymoon niyo mamaya?" she teased.


I glared at my cousin. "Oh, shut up."


"Didiretso lang kami dun pagkatapos." She grinned and hugged me. "Congratulations again."


The party went on and when it finally ended, I've never felt so relieved. I was so stressed and afraid that something bad would happen tonight but it only robbed me of the joy I was supposed to feel with my wedding day.


"I'm an idiot for even worrying..." I told myself as finally walked towards our waiting car and headed home after a long day.


-


#HanmariamRBIIChapter18

Comment