Struggles

"We are very sorry, but the detainee was prohibited for any visitors." 

The voice she heard from her earpiece. She let out a silent sigh. They paid someone to visit the Jail to check for Ana, and it was the third attempt at failure.

Today is the funeral. All were crying. Everyone wore white and flowers touch the same color. Blaire's voice is deteriorating her eardrums. She's like a broken speaker. Loud and cracking. While her mother, Auntie Clarine, and Auntie Claudia are all silent.

"Ma'am, mukhang mahihirapan tayong makalapit kay Ana."

"I will find ways. Thanks, Biboy." Inayos niya ang kanyang suot na itim na aviator at tumalikod. Natigilan siya sa babaeng nakaharang sa daan niya.

"Ako ang ina ni Ana. Puwede ba kitang makausap?"

She looked around to check if someone saw them before she invited the woman on her car. She brought her in Jamsbucket. Hindi nagsisinungaling ang babae dahil kamukha ito ni Ana. Bakas na rin ang katandaan nito at panghihina ng katawan. Ang kabilang mata nito ay namuti na at tiyak siyang hindi na nakakakita.

"Nagkakausap po ba kayo ni Ana?"

"Iha, sana mapatawad mo ang aking anak. Naikuwento ka niya sa akin na mabait at maunawain. Sana matulungan mo siyang makawala. Hindi siya masamang tao." Kinuha nito ang panyo na dala at ipinahid sa mata.

Ang bigat ng dibdib niya. Gusto niyang tumulong pero wala siyang makuhang impormasyon. Mabigat ang ebidensiyang dumidiin kay Ana. Hindi naman na siya makakatungtong sa bahay nila sa Town Square. Nakakahabag ang ginang.

"I'm sorry. I cannot help you with regards to your daughter. All I can afford is to help you financially."

"Anong gagawin ko sa pera na iyan kung hindi ko naman kasama ang anak ko? Hindi magagawa ng mabuti kong anak ang pumatay. Pamilya mo ang sumira sa kinabukasan ng aking anak! Napakawalang hiya ninyo!" Tumayo ito upang sugurin siya, ngunit maagap na sumulpot si Paulite upang pigilan ang matanda kasama ang isa pang lalaki.

The man in a three-piece suit held the woman firmly to bring outside. While Paulite tried to calm her. She is shocked and afraid of the few customer and staff who witness the scene.

"J, you shouldn't speak to strangers."

"I know! But she was Ana's mother. S—she needs justice," she mumbled.

Paulite pulled her for an embrace. "J, this issue can't be done here. Leave it with your Lawyer mother."

"She is not my mother."

"Yes. I'm sorry." Humiwalay ito. "Are you alright?"

Tumango siya. Mula sa gilid ay sinilip niya ang mga matang nakatingin sa kanila. "You are right. I shouldn't bring her here. I shouldn't speak to her. I've been careless."

Huminga ito nang malalim. "J, tell me. Where do you stay?"

His voice is very soft. It caressed and calmed her racing heart. Until she remembered those aren't for her. She doesn't own any part of his concern and worries. Malamig siyang humiwalay dito, hangga't maaari ay ayaw makita ang mga nakakadurog ng puso na mga titig nito. "Go back to Blaire. She needed you more than I do."

"J, just tell me where do you stay. Please!"

Now her heart is coated with thick ice. It can't breathe. It was in pain. She looked on the floor or on the ceiling, just to ignore his gaze. To get away from his tenderness and soothing presence.

Kinuha niya ang kanyang handy bag. Lalayasan na ito, ngunit mariin nitong hinuli ang kanyang braso.

"J, I won't disturb you. I'll just make sure that you are safe. Please, baby."

Butterflies swirled in her stomach upon his sight. Why suddenly the air between them became those lullabies. "Nightingale Palace," sagot niya. Minasdan ang unti-unting pagluwag ng hawak nito sa kanyang braso. She then left him there and achingly drove of going to her Auntie Clarine's place. She is torn for tomorrow's red carpet, she is still mourning for her father and felt safer to stay at home than going outside. Receiving an award as a model of the year for the third time is an honor and gratitude but she felt dull about it. Even thinking about the gorgeous dresses won't excite her nerve. She is worried that maybe someone will throw a tomato on her face.

While parking Jyra's car, she answered the call.

"Where are you? We go to the funeral of your dad but you weren't there."

She slouched on her seat and closed her eyes. She is mentally exhausted. "Sky, it's a long story. I'll visit you, stay where you are. Hold on, are you in the office or at you husband's place?"

"Husband's place."

"Got that. Bye!" She swiped the end call and breathe dramatically. Gumawa siya nang mensahe para sa tiyahin niya bago lumakad patungong Twin Tower. On her way, she received a message from Blaire. It's an attached photo. A picture of a piece of paper that has a handwritten saying— Dad didn't say anything about you on his will.

She put back her phone inside her bag and casted a long sigh. Ano pa bang gusto nito? Bakit pilit nitong sinasaktan siya, gayung nasa kanya na lahat?

When she entered the basement, a scene of bumping Paulite there scared the hell out of her body. Malalaki ang bawat hakbang niya papasok. Zedrick had a separate elevator landing, just like Malik and Paulite. And she thanked the people who made the separation idea.

As soon as she arrived, Thaysky accommodate her very well. Lahat ng kinuwento niya kay Jyra ay binahagi niya rin dito. Salamat sa alak na ginawa ni Zedrick. Unti-unti siyang tinamaan, mas lalo tuloy siya naging emosyonal.

"I felt responsible for Ana's mother and my dad's death. I felt completely guilty," sabi niya. Basang-basa ng luha ang kanyang pisngi.

Thaysky pressed her hand gently. Maging ito ay naiyak habang nakikinig sa kanya. Sa gilid kahit nakaharap sa laptop ay alam niyang nakikisimpatya ang asawa nito. Inabutan sila nito ng tissue. "Paulite was in there?"

She took it. "Thanks, Zedrick." While wiping her cheek she nodded her head and looked at his wife. Thaysky, did share some of her stormy days. Hindi siya makapaniwalang magagawa nito iyon para sa pamilya, pero sa huli ay sila pa rin. Love can really conquer anything, but on her situation, the man she loved wasn't for her. Pinagkrus ngunit hindi para sa isat isa.

Ganoon yata talaga ang pag-ibig. "Gusto ko na siyang kalimutan para sa kapatid ko," malungkot niyang wika.

"How 'bout him? He wanted to marry you, right? He won't ask for your hand for nothing, Jess."