Chapter 25

"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does change the future."

---Unknown

"Shelley, anong magandang pasalubong?"

"Ewan ko sayo! Para kanino na naman ba yung mga pasalubong aber?" OA talaga ni Shelley. Lahat ng kaibigan ko sa Pinas may pasalubong na, kulang na lang talaga kay Mr. Perez.

"What? I told you already Shelley. Gusto ko ngang bigyan ng pasalubong si Mr. Perez after running away." It was shameful. Tinakbuhan ko si Mr. Perez, but we already talked about it last month. He really wants to continue our deal but I don't want to do it anymore.

I gave him money because of what happened but he gave it back to me. He doesn't need money but me as the model of his product.

Kaya nga uuwi ako ng Pinas dahil naaksidente si Mr. Perez.

"Yes. Your past business-partner, I see." Nakakalungkot ngang isipin, he's old baka hindi kayanin ng katawan niya ang nangyari.

"So, what now?" Talagang waste of time itong si Shelley pagdating sa bagay na'to. She walks like a turtle, at kung pipili ng damit ang tagal tagal. Buti na lang ku-kunti lang ang bumibili dito kung marami ewan ko na lang sa artistang to.

"Andrea, listen to me. Hindi mo naman kailangang bumili ng mamahaling pasalubong para kay Mr. Perez rather, you should go home and do the photoshoot right away. That way Mr. Perez will be happy and that thing is your gift to him, that's simple."

Plano ko sanang umuwi ng Pinas sa susunod na linggo, since next month pa naman yung photoshoot but Shelley is right. Kung uuwi ako bukas na bukas rin mas mapapadali ang pakay ko sa Pinas at makakabalik rin ako dito as soon as possible.

"You seems so intelligent today Shelley, keep it up." Ngumiti ako dahil nagdabog bigla itong kasama ko.

Actually, halos two hours na kaming nag lilibot libot dito sa mall at wala pa siyang balak na umuwi.

Poor Bliss.

Kawawa si Bliss kapag nagshooping silang dalawa.

"Let's eat first before going home." Aba! Aba! Iba talaga kapag artista dito sa US.

"Okay then." Hinila niya ako palabas ng mall at binato sakin ang susi ng kotse ko. She's the one who drove my car awhile ago because she got nervous when I drive.

"Drive slowly, please. I'm hungry." What? In two hours in the mall, we already eat three times and she eats so different. Yung parang gutom na gutom palagi, ewan ko nga sa babaeng to!

Sinuot naman niya ang sunglasses at sumbrero na suot suot niya kanina dahil masyadong matao sa FR baka makilala pa siya at magkagulo gulo pa.

"Got it." Since, masunurin akong kaibigan talagang ginawa ko ang utos ni Shelley. Nag iba na naman kasi yung mood niya, kapag gutom siya parang nanghihina na ewan.

Hindi rin naman nagtagal at nakarating kami sa paborito niyang Filipino's Restaurant. She wants to eat Filipino foods right now at talagang nag cra-crave pa siya.

Umupo kami malapit sa bintana dahil ito ang favorite spot namin ni Shelley. Tinawag naman ni Shelley ng mabilis ang waiter at kaagad itong bumalik dala dala ang mga orders namin.

I like their service. Ang bilis bilis eh.

Palagi kaming pumupunta dito kapag namimiss namin ang mga pagkaing pinoy. Minsan nga, nagluluto na lang si Tita Ariel dahil sa kagustuhang kumain ng Adobo, Caldereta at iba pa.

"Waiter! 2 more of this one, this one, this one, this one, this one and 2 more glasses of water. Thank you!" She's really hungry. I just shrug my shoulders.

"Ma'am, your orders and your bill." Dala dala ng dalawang waiters ang mga orders ni Shelley dahil sa dami nito.

"Thank You." Aniya nito. Umalis namam kaagad ang waiter at tiningnan ko ang bill naming dalawa. Nawindang ako dahil sa laki ng babayaran namin. $120 lang naman.

I stop eating because I'm not that hungry like this girl in front of me. Hinintay ko siyang matapos bago kumuha ng pera at inilagay ko katabi ng bill namin.

"Let's go, Shelley." Nang makalabas na kami sa resto, bumalik na naman ang pagkabaliw ni Shelley.

Talagang nakakasama ang matinding gutom, minsan nga nakakabaliw.

Nakarating kami sa bahay habang itong si Shelley putak ng putak. Hindi ko nga alam kung ano na naman ang pinuputok ng butsi nito.

"Kainis! I really hate Bliss. Kanina ko pa siya kinokontak pero out of coverage!" Lahat ng binili namin eh bigla na lang binato sa sofa, hindi man lang nilagay ng maayos.

"What's wrong Shelley? If you want to see Bliss just go to Dubai, you're too noisy." Ang sakit sa tenga eh, kanina pa putak ng putak. Siguro namimiss na niya si Bliss, two weeks na kasi itong nasa Dubai. Dun kasi gaganapin ang next project ni Bliss.

"Okay. Kung hindi siya maghahanap ng way, sasama na lang ako sayo bukas. Bahala na siya kung susunod ba siya o hindi!" Shelley is crazy!

"You act different this fast few days Shelley. Are you pregnant ha?" Hindi siya makasagot sa tanong ko. Parang hindi ma sink in sa utak niya ang mga sinabi ko.

Maybe she's pregnant. The way she acts and the way she eats.

"Wha-t? I do-don't know!" Come on Shelley.

Nasa 21st Century na tayo. Uso na ngayon ang mabuntis muna bago ang ikasal.

"I will buy pregnancy test outside to make it sure if you are and if you are not pregnant. Wait me here Shelley." Inalalayan ko muna siyang umupo dahil bigla na lang ito inantok. Tama nga ang hinala ko at mapapatunayan ko ito kapag nakita na namin ang result.

Mabilis kong pinaharurot ang kotse ko, malapit lang naman ang mga stores sa bahay ni Shelley at bumili kaagad ako ng dalawang PT pagkapasok ko para siguradong sigurado.

I hope Shelley will be happy if we find out that she's really pregnant.

Bumalik rin ako kaagad para malaman namin ang katotohanan.

"Shelley? I'm here." Wala akong naririnig na ingay sa sofa. Nasaan na kaya yung babaeng yon?

Pumunta ako ng kusina, dining room, terrace pero wala siya. Kaya bumalik ako sa sofa.

"Andreaaaa! Please help meeee!" Dali dali akong umayat ng hagdan ng marinig ko ang sigaw ni Shelley. Tama, nasa kwarto siguro siya.

"Oh my God!" Kumuha ako ng malinis na towel at binigay ko sa kanya.

She's vomiting!

"Thank you Andrea." Inalalayan ko siyang tumayo dahil parang nanghihina pa siya.

Vomiting. Third symptoms.

Naala ko ang pregnancy test kaya kinuha ko ito at ibinigay ko sa kanya.

"Try this one Shelley to confirm." I want to go with her inside but she refuses.

"Oops. Stay here." Aniya nito, bago tuluyang isara ang pinto.

Hindi ako mapakali habang nag aantay sa labas ng comfort room ni Shelley. Kakatok na sana ako kasi masyadong matagal na siya sa loob pero sa wakas bumukas na rin.

That expression. I knew it.

Dahan dahan niyang pinakita ang pregnancy test na ginamit niya at may dalawang guhit ito.

"Congratulations Shelley. You are pregnant!" I hug Shelley but I hear her sobbing.

"Andrea! I'm not yet ready for this. Alam mo namang hindi pa'ko kasal!" Kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap dahil sa tono ng pananalita ni Shelley.

"Shelley, don't say that! That baby is a blessing and you should be thankful." Mas makakabuti kung pumunta kami sa Ob-gyne ngayon din.

"Paano na ang career ko? Andrea, what I'm gonna do now?"

"The best thing you can do is tell this matter to Bliss. Kayong dalawa ang gumawa niyan kaya dalawa rin kayong bubuhay diyan sa batang nasapupunan mo!" Arghhh. Nakaka-stress!

"Okay. I will try to call him but if he didn't use his damn phone I'm going home with you." Jusko. Ano bang nangyayari kay Shelley?

"Do you know what you are saying, ha? Please Shelley, I'm begging you. Ju-just stay here! Uuwi na naman si Bliss eh." She's out of her mind kaya kung anu ano na lang ang lumalabas sa bibig.

She tried to call Bliss but his phone is always out of coverage. Ni isang message walang natanggap si Shelley galing kay Bliss kaya alalang alala na siya dito.

"Can't you see Andrea, I cannot even contact Bliss! Pati mga katrabaho niya ayaw mag reply sa mga emails ko. Kaya please lang, payagan mo na akong sumama sayo." Naaawa na ako kay Shelley. Bakit hindi tumatawag si Bliss sa kanya where in fact may break naman sila.

"Shelley, how about Tita Ariel?" Gusto kong hintayin niya si Bliss at Tita Ariel pero ayaw naman niyang mag isa dito sa bahay.

"I will tell mom about this, later. Mom will understand me." Ngumiti ako ng matipid at gumanti rin naman ito.

Niyaya ko siyang pumunta ng clinic para ma-check kung ilang weeks na siyang buntis kaya nag ayos ito saka kami lumabas ng bahay.

I hope her baby is a boy. But if her baby is a girl, of course I will love it. God gave that child to Shelley, she must take good care and love her child no matter what.

"Look Ms. Shelley, you are four weeks pregnant and you should take good care of yourself from now on." Aniya nito.

"Thank you." Hinatak ako kaagad ni Shelley pagkatapos niyang marinig ang sinabi ng Ob-gyne.

"Shelley stop!" Ang bilis bilis kasing maglakad baka mapano yung baby.

"Andrea, I want to go home." Nakita ko sa kanyang mata ang lungkot at pagka-desperada. Hindi naman pwe-pwedeng iwanan ko na lang siya ng basta basta baka hindi niya alagaan ang sarili niya.

"Okay. We will go home, just take a nap while on the road." She nodded and wear her seatbelt.

I can't believe that Shelley is pregnant.

Bliss should know about this so I tried to call him again and agian while Shelley is still asleep.

It's ringing. Come on Bliss, I have a good news for you.

Damn! He is not picking his phone.

"Don't worry baby, Mommy and Tita will take good care of you." Binulong ko iyon sa hangin habang tinitingnan ang langit.

*Andrew Wilton's POV*

1 year ago...

"Good evening! Sir, may bisita po kayo." It was Sally, my maid.

"Yes, let them in." I knew who's my visitors. They are Mlaire's parents.

I really don't know why Sir Marth called me yesterday. He just told me that they will come to see me this night.

I'm nervous.

"Sir, andito na po sila." Dali dali kong inayos ang coat ko bago tahakin ang sala.

I don't know but I'm damn shaking.

Habang palapit nang palapit mas lumalakas ang kabog ng puso ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko because this is the first time that I will going to meet Mlaire's parents.

"Good evening Sir, Ma'am!" I greet them. Mlaire's mother is so gorgeous, I can't even believe that she's already 49 years old.

"Andrew Wilton, right?" Sir Marth ask me and I nodded.

"Andrew, you can call me Tita Mary anytime and you can call Tito Marth to my husband." Oh! It was unexpected. I thought she will slap me or punch me.

"Yes, Tita." I'm really nervous right now. Tita Mary smiled at me and her white set of teeth twinkles.

"Andrew, I and Mary knew about you and my daughter Mlaire. From the beginning, we knew everything!" Yes. I know it's my fault. It's all my fault!

"I'm sorry Tito. I know it was wrong but I can't help it! I'd fall in love with your daughter and it's true." I loved Mlaire but her heart was covered by anger.

Yes, I can still remembered that night, that painful night.

"Calm down Iho. We came here to ask some favors to you, so you listen first to us." Tita tried to calm me down.

I lend my ears to Tita Mary.

"Mlaire kept to us that she will going to US alone. At first, we don't know why but the moment I saw her on the news crying I got it, that you're real identity was being revealed. You know, I love my daughter but we kept to her about giving up her company just to save mine." It's really hurt seeing them with sadness in their eyes. I can see it all with Tito Marth's eyes.

"Tito, I'm really really sorry. I can give the Villachin Company back to Mlaire, I will talk to dad." Tito Marth shaked his head.

"No. She's doing good right now Iho. She's actually an Elementary Teacher in the US and Mlaire doesn't want anymore to be in the business world." This is all dad's fault and Erwan doesn't know even a small thing.

Mlaire is a Teacher? Sounds good. I haven't hear any news about her, since the last time we've talked.

That was what I'm hoping for her. I'm happy that she's doing great now.

"Really? I see. I'm happy Tito, Tita that Mlaire is fine." I know she already vanished me in her life.

I want to ask if she have a boyfriend but I'm afraid to be hurt again so, I keep quiet.

"We're all happy when she finally forgiven us. It took one year, one year Iho before she talk to us again! That is why we came here to see you, Iho please take good care of my daughter. I can feel it that she love you too but she was afraid to be left behind again. Chase her Iho, I know you can do it." I see Tita Mary crying. I can sense that she really love and care for her daughter.

"Yes Tita. I will go there, I hope I'm not too late." I missed Mlaire, I hope this time she will going to forgive me.

"I'm counting on you Andrew. Please, make her happy again because I know that you're the only man that can give the hapiness that and she deserves it." Hearing those words from Tito Marth, I suddenly feel the excitement.

Parang nabigyan ako ng lakas ng loob para kausapin siya hanggang sa mapatawad na niya ako.

Wait for me Mlaire. I'm coming where ever you are.

Tita give the address to me.

"Thank you, Tita and Tito. I hope, this time Mlaire will forgive me." Finally! This is it.

Sana noon ko pa siya hinanap. Natakot ako! Natakot akong masaktan at mapagtabuyan, baka kung hinanap ko siya mas lalong hindi ko siya makikita.

I tried to asked her friends but they don't know where she is. Kaya naisipan kong tumigil na. Parang naghahanap ako ng taong ayaw namang magpakita.

Oo alam kong nasaktan ko siya pero nasaktan rin naman ako! Pero wala na yun, ang importante ngayon ay ang makapunta ako sa US as soon as possible.

"Of course, she will. Good luck Iho!" Tita Mary give an encouraging smile, saying you can do it Andrew.

"Good luck Andrew! We go first, baka maiwan kami ng eroplano." Tito Marth tap my shoulder and I see him smiling at me.

"Take care Tito and Tita." Tita Mary wave her hand while Sally guiding them.

Yes! Yes! Nang makita kong nakaalis na sila, dali dali kong tinawagan si Kurtney- my secretary. Mabilis naman itong sumagot at makalipas ang ilang minuto eh nakapag reserve na siya.

Thanks to Kurtney, my flight will be tomorrow at exactly 7 in the morning.

I don't want to rush everything that's why I will going to travel just like an ordinary person. Yes, I have a private plane but I want to experience this.

So, I packed my things, my passport. My ticket is on Kurtney, she will give it tomorrow.

Okay. I'm done and I'm so excited!

It's already nine in the evening and I'm already sleepy, so I change my clothes, take a quick bath and sleep.

**

"Manang Del, kayo po muna ang bahala dito sa bahay. Hindi rin naman po ako mag tatagal dun at uuwi rin ako kaagad." Si Manang Del ang pinagbilinan ko dahil siya ang pinakamatagal naming kasambahay kaya kinuha ko siya sa mansion.

"Anak, mag iingat ka dun ha. Iuwi muna si Mlaire ba yun para naman makilatis ko." Si Manang Del talaga.

"Opo. Sana nga po eh, sige na Manang Del una na po ako baka maiwan ako." Tumawa ng mahina si Manang Del.

"Excited masyado ah. Ala sais pa lang ng umaga no! Hala, hala alis na." Kinurot ako ni Manang sa may tagiliran habang tumatawa.

Tama nga si Manang. Masyado nga akong excited.

"Bye Manang Del. Kapag may problema tawag lang po kayo sakin." Tumango lang ito habang winawagayway ang kanang kamay.

Hindi ako mapakali. Hindi na ako makapag antay na makita ka Mlaire.

Sana mapatawad mo na ako.

Hindi ko namalayan na andito na pala kami sa airport dahil sa labis na pag iisip ko. Nakita ko naman si Kurtney at ibinigay sakin ang plane ticket.

I says thank you to Kurtney before going back to her work.

All the passengers please.......

I can't hear properly because my heart beats so fast.

Dug. Dug. Dug. Dugudugggg.

I can see that all the passengers are already here. I look at my wrist watch and it's 6:50 already.

I'm still sleepy. I woked up 4 in the morning to prepare. So, while waiting, I close my eyes and I see the darkness.

"No! Please, talk to me Mlaireeeeeee!"

Calm down Andrew. It's a bad dream, buti na lang hindi masyadong malakas ang boses ko.

"Coffee Sir." The stewardess offers so I accepted it.

"Thanks." I drinks my coffee while watching the sky.

Attention. Please wear your seatbelt, we're going to land. Thank you!

Attention. Please wear your seatbelt, we're going to land. Thank you!

We're already landed. I get my things and calls the taxi.

"To the nearest hotel." The driver just nodded.

I will change first my clothes before going to the address that Tita Mary gave to me.

"We're here." I gave the fair and I quickly go inside to check in.

"One bedroom, please." I give the money and waiting for the key.

"Room 108 Sir, Thank you!" I quickly go to my room and throw my luggage and change my clothes.

I get my wallet, my phone and the address before going out. I saw taxi coming in front of me.

"Sir, you know this place?" I ask the driver and he says he knows it. It's near in the church.

Yes. I'm near Mlaire.

"Sir, this is what you are looking for." Exactly! I give him $50 for helping me.

"Thanks!" I was about to go out from the taxi when I saw Mlaire, not just Mlaire but she's with a guy.

Mlaire keeps smiling at the guy and I saw it with my naked eyes.

The guy is tall, I can sense that he's rich but he is not that handsome.

Damn this feeling! Yes. Yes, I'm fuck*ng jealous and the painful part is when the guy kiss Mlaire on the lips.

He's kissing Mlaire! I can't move and I clinched my fist because of anger.

"Let's go back." I don't want her to see me broken, that's why I'm choosing now to leave.

"I'm sorry Mlaire, I'd came too late."