93: the painting

SAM'S POV

"What are you planning to do now?"

When I heard him asked that from my left, I gazed at his way before I gave him a small smile. He's driving us back to his home now at simula pa kagabi, halos di na'ko makatulog ng maayos sa kakaisip kung ano ang dapat kong gawin.

Should I give into that man's deal or should I just end this mess on my own? Without dragging anyone into this. Into my mess. Without dragging Cameron into this, lalong-lalo na ang magiging baby namin.

"....You don't want to despise the man you're so fond of, do you?"

"Fond means... Someone you've trusted so much, Ms. Javier. Someone you've cared so much.."

When that echoed in my head again, I can't help but heaved out a deep breath before I answered him.

"I'm thinking..."

He gave me an expectant glance when I trailed that off.

"You're thinking of what?? Anong iniisip mong gawin?"

I remained silent for awhile, gathering some strength to tell him kung ano ang iniisip kong gawin ngayon.

Blowing out another breath, I answered him dahil baka mapano pa kami sa daan dahil sa kakalingon nito sa'kin.

"I'm gonna talk to him..."

Pagkasambit ko dun, he suddenly pulled the car to the side of the highway saka ito humarap sa'kin habang kunot ang noo nito.

"Are you sure about this, Samantha?" Came his question and by the sound of it, mukhang alam na nito kung sino ang tinutukoy ko.

"Baka naman pinipilit mo lang ang sarili mo? You know you don't have to force yourself, Samantha. Pwede mo namang kausapin sya kapag handa kana.. kapag---" he suddenly stopped talking when I took his left hand resting on his thigh.

"Kapag kaya ko na?" Icut off and then smiled at him with assurance habang napapailing.

"I've already thought about this last  night, Cameron. Gusto kong makasiguro kung siya nga ba talaga yong taong narinig ko noon. I just want to confirm that...."

"Then after that, anong gagawin mo kapag sya nga talaga 'yon? Itutuloy mo parin ba ang binabalak mong gawin? Iiwan mo---"

"No, I won't."mariing putol ko na sa iba pa sana nyang sasabihin as I tightened my hold at his hand. "I would never do that kung yan ang inaalala mo. Just trust me with this, Cameron. Gusto ko lang makasiguro. Gusto ko lang siguraduhin na tamang kamuhian ko nga sya.. na tamang kalimutan ko na sya bilang tunay kong ama.." desididong saad ko rito while looking straight into his eyes----into his unconvinced and indecisived eyes.

For a while, he didn't talk. He just stayed silent on his seat habang tiim ang mga panga nitong nakatingin lang sa'kin. He was obviously giving it a deep thought.

Pero kahit na ano paman ang isasagot nito, I would still go talk to John Enriquez anyway. Whether he'd allow it or not. Kailangan ko lang harapin ito kahit hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari sa pag-uusap naming 'yon dahil gusto ko ring masagot ang mga bagay na bumabagabag sa'kin ngayon.

After awhile of his silence, I finally heard him let out a prolonged sigh before I heard him talk.

"When are you going to talk to him?"

That made me smiled at him again when he asked that. Parang hirap itong sabihin ang tanong na'yon but I know what that question means.

Pumapayag ito.

"Tomorrow. I'm going to talk to him.. "

"You can go, Samantha but not without me. Hindi pwedeng mag-isa kalang pumunta sa lugar na'yon. I have trust on you but not with your father. Do you get that? You should take me with you tomorrow."

When he firmly reminded me that, ngumiti lang ako ng marahan sa kanya sabay tango at pisil sa kamay nito.

Of course. I already expected that answer from him kaya wala na'kong ibang dapat isagot rito.

Tumango-tango naman ito sa'kin saka bumuntong-hininga, obviously he was still against with my plan. A worried look was visible in his eyes now afterall.

"Kahit anumang mangyari sa magiging usapan nyo bukas, I want you to always keep in your mind na nandito lang ako lagi. At kung sya nga ang taong hinahanap mo, please put in your mind that you still have us with you. Your mother, me and our baby. We love you and -----"

He wasn't able to complete his sentence nang biglaan ko ng hinila ang mukha nito palapit sa'kin before I gave him a kiss. A kiss which only lasted for a few seconds.

After I removed my lips from his, I grinned at him.

"And I love you too. At hinding-hindi ko makalimutan ang mga sinabi mong 'yon.. " nakangising saad ko rito which made him finally smiled at me. Probably reassured with me smiling now.

"Yeah. You better remember all that dahil tyak magugustuhan mo ng husto ang magiging parusa ko sa'yo once you'd forget that.."

Pagkasambit nya dito, my cheeks instantly heated up as his punishment last night came back to me, reminded me with how erotic it was.

Oh shit. Napapalunok nalang ako ng laway ng di oras dahil sa ala-alang 'yon.

And seeing my reaction now, agad namang tumawa ito ng mahina before he gave me a quick peck on my lips. Gone was the worried look he had in his eyes awhile ago with his eyes dancing in amusement.

"I can see you've still clearly remember that, Samantha. Let's go home now bago pa magbago ang isip ko at hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili ko.." natatawang saad nito with a shook of his head before he gave me a short kiss on my lips again bago nya'ko binitawan.

All I could I do was just remained silent habang pigil na pigil ang hininga with my cheeks felt so hot.

Oh my God. Bakit ba kasi kailangan nya pang ungkatin ang nangyari kagabi.. ayan tuloy, ang laswa na ng mga iniisip ko ngayon and this is his fault!

Again, I heard him chuckled out, causing me to groan while glaring at him. He just shook his head before he started the engine and then not long, we were back on the highway pauwi sa bahay nito.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ride back to his home was filled by an eardeafening silence. A complete opposite of my mind. Hindi naman sa libog na libog parin yong utak ko dahil sa mga sinabi nito, my mind was just in riot dahil sa bagay na kailangan kong gawin ngayon.

"I've already called your mother na nakauwi kana and maybe later this afternoon, pupunta sya rito para kumustahin ka."

I just nodded at him when he informed me that. Kakapasok palang namin ngayon sa bahay nito and being here just made my mind more in tumult.

Now that I'm here, kailangan ko ng gawin ang dapat kong gawin ngayon. Kailangan ko ng----

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted nang maramdaman ko ng inakbayan nya'ko while smiling down at me.

"What do you plan to do now? Gusto mo bang kumain ? I'll ask manang Rita to make you a meal dahil----"

"I'm not hungry. Mamaya nalang siguro." I declined before he could even complete his sentence. "Ba't di mo nalang kaya ipakita sa'kin yong blueprint na kasama ng file na'yon, Cameron? I want to see it."

A confused look instantly appeared on his face when I suggested that. Of course, he was confused with why I was bringing that matter now in a sudden

"Blueprint? Don't get me wrong, Samantha pero ano namang gagawin mo sa bagay na'yon? Hindi na naman 'yon kailangan sa kasong 'to so why--"

"Gusto ko lang makita kung anong klaseng blueprint 'yon. Gusto kong malaman kung bakit kasama 'yon sa file na'yon. I'm just curious so where is it now?" I purposely asked with a casual tone to make it sound like I wasn't really that interested with it but just curious.

He studied me for awhile. Halatang pilit na binabasa kung anong iniisip ko ngayon but I made sure that he can't and he should not dahil kailangan kong magtagumpay sa gagawin ko.

"Alright. Since you've insisted, I'll let you see it for now."he finally gave in.

"Nasa study room ko 'yon ngayon but be warned that you can't take it with you. It should stay in my hand dahil pag-aari parin 'yon ni papa so it is just right to stay in my care. Nagkakaintindihan ba tayo, Ms. Javier?"

When he used that businesslike tone, agad na'kong tumango kahit na medyo gusto ko ng batukan 'to ngayon for using that darn tone with me.

"Of course. You can have it all you want. Kung gusto mo pa nga, pakasalan mo narin ang blueprint na'yon at magsama kayo habang-buhay. I gave no damn about it. Pakiingatan mo 'yon ng mabuti okay?" Sarkastikong tugon ko na sa kanya saka nagsimula ng umakyat ng hagdan habang kibit ang mga balikat nito, leaving him surprised with my answer at the foot of the stairs.

But after a few seconds na mahimasmasan ito, narinig ko ng tinawag nito ang pangalan ko while his hasty footsteps approaching to my way.

"Samantha! It wasn't like that, okay? Sinasabi ko lang 'to---"

"No. You don't have to explain, Mr. Del Fuero. Naiintindihan ko naman ang sinabi mo so let's go see that blueprint now nang maicongratulate ko naman ito sa nalalapit na kasal nyo. Gawin mo pa'kong ninang sa kasal nyo." I cut him in habang patuloy lang sa pag-akyat, ignoring his call.

Hindi naman talaga ako nagtatampo rito, gusto ko lang talagang asarin ito so that he'd forget any suspicion he had for me.

"No. I don't think so, Samantha. Your sarcasms tells me na nagtatampo ka sa'kin." Anito sa gilid ko ng maabutan na nya'ko.

"Gusto ko lang namang linawin sa'yo na hindi mo pwedeng kunin 'yon---"

His talk was suddenly interrupted when his phone rang inside his pocket, causing him to groan in annoyance. With tight lips, he fished it out from his pocket then cancelled that call without any hesitation  saka ibinulsa uli ito.

"Samantha, don't get me wrong okay? Sinasabi------"

Napapamura na lang ito when again, his phone rang inside his pocket.

"Take that call now. Mukhang importante ang tawag na'yan kaya sagutin mo na. I'll just wait for you upstairs." Saad ko na sa kanya and then without waiting for his reply, nagpatuloy na'ko sa pag-akyat.

The ringing continued and I can feel his gaze on my back but when I reached the last step of the stairs, narinig ko ng sinagot nito ang tawag na'yon.

And when I heard him let out another curse on his phone, napapailing na lamang akong umalis dun.

I think the caller was from his office at mukhang may problema na naman yata ngayon that's why he looked like he was ready to curse the caller.

Nagtungo nalang ako sa silid ko rito sa bahay nya para magbihis sandali. Tingin ko mukhang malaki nga ang problema sa opisina nito dahil medyo natagalan ito sa baba. I have done changing into a new pair of white shirt and a fitted stretchable combat pants and even brushing my teeth pero wala paring Cameron na sumusulpot rito sa loob.

After I'm done tying up my hair in a ponytail, I decided to just go out to check him out. Pero bago ko pa man mabuksan ang pintuan sa silid ko, it had burst out open and then Cameron barged inside.

"I'm sorry, Samantha but I don't think I can let you see that blueprint for now. May konting problema lang sa opisina that needs an immediate action kaya maiiwan na muna kita rito. I'll just show you that later kapag nakabalik na'ko." He greeted in a haste pagkabukas nito ng pinto. He was obviously in a hurry kaya wala na'kong ibang nagawa kundi tumango rito.

"Thank you. I'll go now." Tugon agad nito before he pulled my head to him and claimed my lips for a brief but hot kiss.

"Later. I'll come back later kapag naayos ko na ang problema. Hintayin mo'ko." He continued before he gave me another brief kiss on my lips.

"I'll go now, bye!" Nakangiting paalam agad nito sa'kin once he released my lips saka nagmamadali na itong bumaba ng hagdan.

All I could do was just shook my head habang napapangiting lumabas narin ng silid na'yon para sundan ito ng tanaa.

"Manang Rita, please take care of Samantha for me. Aalis na muna ako." Habilin nito sa matanda na nasa kusina pagkababa nito ng hagdan.

At bago ito tuluyang lumabas ng pintuan, lumingon muna ito sa gawi ko and then smiled at me. I just smiled and waved my hand at him bago ito tuluyang umalis..

When he was out of sight, I waited for a few minutes. And when I think na tuluyan na nga itong nakaalis ng bahay, I've wasted no time and hastily headed to his study.

This is the chance I've been waiting for para magawa ko na ang dapat kong gawin.

Pagkarating ko sa harap ng pintuan ng study room, I checked for any helper na maaaring nandun sa paligid but when I found no one, binuksan ko na agad ang pintuan ng silid na'yon. And I'm lucky that it wasn't lock dahil hindi na'ko nahirapan sa pagpasok rito.

Pagkasara ko ng pinto, I quickly headed straight to his oak desk at the corner. Dahil wala naman siguro itong ibang paglalagyan ng bagay na'yon kundi sa mesa nito. A laptop on the side, a wide flat screen monitor with its input accessories and a few papers rested on top of it.

For over a month of staying in this house, ngayon lang ako nakapasok sa silid na'to. Sumisilip lang naman ako rito para silipin ito rito noon to check what he was up to. There were lots of shelves in that room, even a few paintings were hanged on the wall pero kahit na ga'no pa kaganda ang silid na'yon, I only want to look at one thing now.

The blueprint.

I must find that now before this day would even end. Hindi ko alam kung anong hitsura ng lintik na blueprint na'yon but I just hope that I'd find one here. Sinabi nya kanina na nandito ito so it must be here.

At dahil kasama yon ng file na'yon, then isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito... It was either in a flash drive or an SD card. Yon lang naman ang pwedeng magkasyang itago sa loob ng isang libro.

With that thought, I quickly searched for it inside his drawers. A few foldered documents greeted me and Some are in envelops at wala na'kong pinalampas na oras at binuksan ko na agad ang lahat ng 'yon with patience.

Nabuksan ko na lahat ng nasa kanan na drawer pero hindi ko parin ito nahahanap. I searched for it on the left drawers and unfortunately, wala parin.

Bweset! San ba nya kasi pwedeng itago ang bagay na'yon?

Blowing out a frustrated breath, I tried to search for it on his table. Hindi pwedeng sumuko ako agad. kailangan kong habaan ang pasensya ko.

My gaze scanned his few things on his table.

A few pen, papers, wide computer monitor, keyboard, laptop and-----

I frowned when something caught my attention. A tiny kkwhite light that kept blinking na nasa gilid ng laptop nito.

An indication that it wasn't off. Mukhang nakalimutan nya ito dito without even shutting it down.

Shaking my head, I was about to resume searching for the blueprint on the table pero napatigil uli ako. Because this time, it wasn't the tiny blinking light that caught my attention kundi ang maliit na bagay na'yon na kasalukuyang nakasaksak parin sa gilid ng laptop. Right beside that blinking light.

What's this?

i studied it closely habang maiging nakamasid riro ng malapitan. It was black at nakasaksak sa isang----SD card slot!

Oh yes! Maaari kayang ito ang hinahanap ko?

Excitement surged through me at the possibility that it was. Tiningnan ko uli ito ng maigi sa mas malapitan and I smirked in triumph when it confirmed my suspicion.

It was indeed an sd card! Nakasaksak parin ito dito that's why a white light kept blinking right now. Dahil hindi parin ito natatanggal.

I guess luck was really on my side this time. With my want to confirm kung ito nga ba talaga ang hinahanap ko, agad na'kong umupo sa swivel chair na nasa tabi ko and then opened the laptop lid. Agad namang umilaw ito pagkabukas ko. Good thing na nakabukas na ito dahil hindi ko na kailangan ng password just to have access on this laptop.

May isang nakabukas ng window sa taskbar kaya naman binuksan ko na ito to know what window is that. And I frowned when a photographic prints, drawings and maps appeared on the screen. The details was printed in white on a blue ground.

What is this? Naguguluhang tanong ko sa sarili while staring at that codes.

Confused with what in God's name is all these, I tried to understand the details.

There was a sea map from Philippines patawid sa dagat papuntang Taiwan. And then a few drawings undersea with specific labels.

Tunnel extension plan..

Undersea station..

Construction shaft, main shaft, inclined and verticle shaft...

Set off base, drainage base-----

Napatigil nalang ako bigla when all those labels finally dawn into me.

These terms.. if you sum it up, walang dudang isa itong plano. A detailed plan of an underwater tunnel from Philippines to Taiwan. A tunnel that would cost a few billions of money to build this tunnel. An expensive one pero sa convenience na maidudulot nito for exporting garments, it's worth a diamond for an investment.

Oh yeah.. Parang hindi ko na kailangang alamin kung ano ang lahat ng 'to. This is no doubt a blueprint.

And knowing that it was, there's only one easy way to find out kung ito ba talaga ang hinahanap ko dahil ayokong magsayang la ng oras rito.

Taking out my phone, I quickly dialed a number for a call. It takes a few rings before he picked up my call.

"Del Fuero speaking. Sino 'to?"

"It's me, Cameron. May ilang katanungan lang sana ako sa'yo." I answered in a straightforward.

"Questions like what?"

"Anong nasa loob ng blueprint na'yon, Cameron? I'm just curious to know kung anong meron sa bagay na'yon."

For a moment, nanatili lang itong walang imik sa kabilang linya. I know he was being suspicious on me this time dahil sa pagtatanong kong 'to but I'm desperate now kaya wala na'kong pakialam.

"It's a construction plan of an underwater tunnel, Samantha."

I couldn't stop but whisper a 'yes!' pagkarinig sa sagot nyang 'yon. Dahil sa wakas, nahanap ko narin ito.

"I don't know why you're asking me this pero kung may binabalak ka mang gawin ngayon, stop it. I will be back home before dinner tonight so please wait for me." Pagpapatuloy pa nito. And by the sound of his voice now, parang alam na nito kung anong binabalak ko.

Well, it wasn't like he's here to stop me now.

"I'll wait for you. Alam kong busy ka ngayon so I'll hang up this call now."

He let out a loud sigh first but when he said 'okay' and bid his goodbye as well, I ended that call immediately.

Now that I have this blueprint, I have to move on to my next plan now.

To the jail and talk to John Enriquez. At hindi ko na dapat paabutan pa ng bukas ito dahil may kailangan pa'kong tapusin sa araw narin na ito.

"....Tomorrow. If you choose the right answer, magkita tayo sa mismong daan kung saan namatay ang pamilya mo noon, Ms. Javier.. Siguraduhin mong magiging tama ang sagot mo dahil kung hindi, hindi ako magdadalawang-isip na kunin ang pinakamahalagang bagay sa'yo."

When I remembered his exact words again, tiim ang mga bagang tinanggal ko na ang sd card na'yon mula sa laptop nya and then secured it in my pocket before I got up on my feet.

Kailangan ko ng tapusin ito bago-----

"Ma'am Samantha?"

Nataranta na'ko ng bigla ko nalang marinig ang tawag na'yon ni Manang Rita sa labas. Alarmed with her finding me here, mabilis na'kong lumayo sa mesang 'yon and then ran for the door. Dahil baka pumasok ito rito at baka ano pang iisipin nito.

At kung minamalas nga naman ako oo, hindi nga'ko nagkamali dahil ilang sandali lang, narinig ko ng may akmang pumihit ng pinto.

Oh shit! Ba't ba kasi ang swerte ko ano!

Before the door could even open, mabilis pa sa kabayo akong tumakbo papunta sa tabi ng pintuan na sakto namang bumukas ang pintuan pagkarating ko roon.

"Ma'am Samantha??" Tawag uli nito with her head peeking through here.

I just stayed motionless behind that door while holding my breath, afraid that if I'd breath, she'll find me hiding here.

When she received no answer from me, napapailing na lamang nitong isinara uli ang pintuang 'yon. And the moment the door was shut, I was able to let out sigh of relief saka umayos na ng tayo.

Mula rito, naririnig ko paring tinatawag nito ang pangalan ko sa labas. I have to wait for a few more seconds bago ako umalis sa lugar na'to. Just to make sure na hindi nya'ko makikitang paalis mula sa silid na'to.

With that, nanatili lang muna akong nakatayo sa tabi ng pintuan 'yon. Just a few more seconds.

Glancing down at my wristwatch, I checked the time.

10:21am.

May oras pa'ko. Kahit pumunta pa'ko saglit sa kulungan, makakarating parin ako sa tamang oras sa lugar na'yon.

When I no longer heard manang Rita's voice outside, inayos ko na ang sarili ko and I was about to turn to my right for the door knob but I halted on my steps when my eyes caught something from my left.

Some painting na ngayon ko lang napansing katabi ko lang pala.

Curious with it, I turned to that way. A large painting of a man and a woman greeted me. A couple to be precised dahil magkahawak naman ang mga kamay nito. I think they were in their late thirties or forties by the time this painting was made.  And just closely looking at this man's face now, mukhang alam ko na kung sino ito.

Ronaldo del Fuero. And this woman could be his wife, Carmela del Fuero. Cameron's mother.

Alam kong kailangan ko ng magmadali rito but just looking at his parents now, di ko mapigilang mapangiti nalang while closely studying their faces. Mukhang mas maraming genetic traits ng papa nya ang nakuha nya kesa sa mama nya. He sure get his father's intimidating presence than his mother's kind smile.

Pero kahit ga'no pa katigas ang mukha ng papa nya, love was still visible in this painting with how firm he was holding his wife's hand. Possessiveness can be detected on that but------

Bigla nalang akong napatigil when my gaze landed down on his right hand. On that ring on his right hand. 

For a while, I studied it closely. But the more I stared into it, the more it became familiar to me. So familiar that made me just stayed frozen on my feet while staring at that ring with wide eyes habang nakatangang nakatitig lang sa singsing na'yon. My blood ran cold as my heart began to hammer loudly in my chest.

That ring.... That same ring..

'Something O and F..I have to remember that...'

When that promise echoed in my head, mas lalo pang sumikip ang dibdib ko dahil dito. Not because I found that ring with that initials kundi dahil sa hindi naman talaga O and F ang mga letrang 'yon. But it was actually D and F.. 

Maaaring nagkamali ako sa pagtanda sa mga letrang 'yon but its form, its design. It was the same as that ring.

And when that man's words last night replayed in my head, I felt like my breathing became more hard to do. All I could do was clutched my chest habang napapaatras na'ko palayo sa painting na'yon. Mula sa singsing na'yon.

So ito ang ibig sabihin ng lalaking 'yon. This was what he was hinting last night.

That D and F...stands for Del Fuero.

At this discovery, my hand instantly covered my mouth, muffling the shocked gasp that had escaped from my mouth. Hurt coursed through me as my eyes instantly burned with tears. My knees began to tremble while I suddenly felt suffocated.

Del Fuero. Ronaldo del Fuero owned that ring. His father owned that ring!

At the thought of that realization, tuluyan na'kong natumba sa sahig nang biglaan ng mawalan ng lakas ang mga paa kong tumayo. Hot tears kept rolling on my cheeks habang nakatitig parin ako sa painting na'yon.

How could this be possible? How could this ring turned out to be Cameron's father's? How??

Pinaglalaruan ba'ko ng tadhana? Pinaglalaruan ba kami ng tadhana?? How could be my man turned out to be that killer's son?

With that painful thought, tuluyan na'kong napahagulgol ng malakas sa malamig  na sahig. Mindless if everyone in the house could hear my cry. Gusto ko lang ilabas ang hinagpis dahil kung hindi, I think my chest would explode in no time with how painful this was to me.

Paano nangyari ang lahat ng 'to? Papaanong naging ganito kasakit ang lahat ng 'to? Paanong-----

"Ma'am Samantha???!" Narinig kong tawag sa'kin ni manang Rita sabay bukas ng pinto sa tabi ko.

I just ignored her at nagpatuloy lang ako sa kakahagulgol. Crying my heart out dahil sa sakit na nararamdaman ko ngayon.

"Ma'am Samantha, anong nangyari sa'yo?? Ba't po kayo umiiyak?" Nag-aalalang bungad sa'kin ng matanda pagkalapit nito sa tabi ko, patting my back for a comfort.

I didn't answered at nagpatuloy lang ako sa paghagulgol. Hot tears staining my cheeks as I just limply sat on the cold floor.

Why does everything have to suddenly turn out this way? I know I should be happy dahil hindi pagmamay-ari ng ama ko ang singsing na'yon pero bakit ganito? Bakit sa lahat ng taong pwedeng magmay-ari nito, why does it have to be Cameron's father? Why????

Nang maisipan ko naman 'yon, mas lalo pang lumakas ang iyak ko. Manang Rita just kept trying to calm me down but when she think I won't stop so soon, wala na itong ibang nagawa kundi yakapin ako ng mahigpit.