Chapter 32

DEAD

"Love, can you not crowd me here. I'm trying to cook for us." Inis kong sinabi kay Peter. He was holding my waist while I was busy chopping vegetables and meat.

Nasa bahay nila kami at nagluluto dahil nagrequest si Tita.

"You might slip. I'm not taking any chances." He said then held me tighter. Parang tanga.

"Paano pa ako madudulas dito? You already asked Tita to change the tiles!"i said exasperatedly.

Nakakalokang malaman na lahat ng mga kitchen floors nila ay pinapalitan ni Peter nang rougher tiles. Dahil sa aksidente ko. Ultimo yong mga bahay nila sa ibat ibang bansa. Dahil baka raw kapag napadpad kami doon ay maisipan ko ulit paglaruan ang kitchen nila.

Ang sama niyang boyfriend.

"Love..I don't want you breaking your bones just because of our stupid kitchen. And why don't you let me cook? So you can rest and will be ready for me tonight." Bulong niya na ikinalayo ko ng ulo.

Napasimangot ako para pagtakpan ang ngiti ko. Napakahilig talaga. Hindi niya ako tinatantanan gabi-gabi sa tuwing uuwi siya ng Pilipinas. Sabik na sabik at umuulit ulit.

Well.. hindi ko naman siya masisisi.. he confessed that when I was younger, he never got physical to any girl. Then when I became his girlfriend I was the only girl he had. Nakakaawa lang dahil natipid siya sa sex nung naghiwalay kami. It has been seventeen months now since we started dating again.

"Magtigil ka malandi at umalis ka sa tabi ko bago kita mahampas ng chopping board!"

Napipilitang umalis siya at pinanood na lang ako.

Nakapout pa at nakapangalumbaba. Ang laki laking mama tapos kung makaarte sa harapan ko tinalo pa ang two years old na bata.

"Love..why don't you want me to come with you to Sam's birthday party?" Inis nyang angal. Hay nako naman..

"Are you meeting up with some men there?"Napalingon na ako sa kanya.

"Wala nga. At iprioritize mo yang career mo." Masungit kong sinabi. He's now a cruise ship captain and I was so happy and proud for him.

"But I can ask someone to relieve me. I want to be with you." Mainit niyang sabi.

"Unang layag mo yan as a captain tapos tatanggi ka? This is your dream." Hindi ako makapaniwala sa pinagsasabi niya.

"Love.. please.." nakikiusap na sagot niya. At tumayo ulit para mayakap ako. Napahinga na lang ako ng malalim at pinaabot ang cellphone ko para matawagan niya si Sam.. ewan ko ba kung sino ang mas matured sa aming dalawa. Siya ba na seven years ang tanda sa akin or ako?

Samantha's twenty first birthday party would be held in their family's private island. All well known families, businessmen and politicians were invited in a two days celebration.

Pagkalapag ng chopper ay excited akong bumaba with Peter's help. Iginala ko ang paningin sa buong isla. Their big mansion was standing in the middle of the white sand. With cabins for guest on the right side. Stone pathwalks were connecting the cabins and the pool with lounger and a bar. Coconut trees and bushes were everywhere. Making it pleasant and shady. At the back was a rainforest. Lots of different kinds of birds and creatures that were almost endangered. There was stone pathway too that leads you to the waterfalls and my favourite spot, the rock pool.

At the beach, were also lots of loungers with tables and umbrellas scattered. White sand and clear water. This island was like a paradise.

I walked hand in hand with Peter who was carrying our luggage.

Maraming bisita. May mga chopper din na paparating para magdeposito ng mga bisita at dagli ding umaalis. Marahil ay para kumuha ulit ng iba pa. May mga yate din akong nakita.

Sobrang pinaghandaan ni Tito ang birthday ni Sam. At dahil na rin sa ito na ang una't huling termino niya. Parang farewell na rin.

Sinalubong kami ng mga tao at itinuro ang mga assigned rooms namin. Peter insisted on sharing with my room kaya walang nagawa ang helper nila.

"Love, I'll just greet Sam!" I exclaimed then hugged him from behind.

"Sure.. but be quick. I know you're excited to swim.."he said then turned around to kiss me on my lips. I let his lips go then nodded.

Lumabas na ako at tinanong ang helper nila na nakasalubong ko.

Bigla akong kinabahan na ewan. I saw Kurt busy talking to his men who were nodding all the time. He was like giving orders. I shrugged my shoulders and walked straight to the library.

Napatigil ako ng marinig ang mahinahong pag uusap nina Tito at Sam.

"It has to be that way Dad. There's no turning back now."desididong sabi ni Sam na nagpailing kay Tito.

"I can't. Not you.."

"But I'm the only solution to this. I want to help you Dad. And besides, you have all the securities we needed." sabi ni Samantha.

"N-no Princess. I can't.."lumuluhang sabi ni Tito. Napaupo sa couch.

"I will do it. I can do it. For you Dad, and for mom."matigas na sabi ni Sam.

Lumakad siya sa likuran ni Tito at iniyakap ang kanyang mga braso sa leeg ni Tito.

"I'm sorry if I'm not the best Daddy. I'm sorry if I have to put you through-"

"No dad. For me you will always be the best. Above from everybody. I love you Daddy."masuyong ipinatong ni Samantha ang baba sa balikat ni Tito.

"And I love you too my Princess."nanginginig na usal ni Tito.

"After this, we will go back to Scotland and live there quietly. Just promise me Daddy.."Sam smiled sadly. Her eyes were saying something.

"Of course Princess." Tito said then hugged her again.

Mas lalo akong kinabahan sa pinag uusapan nila. What was happening?

When I was about to knock ay nagkagulatan kami ni Sam na biglang hinila ang pinto at may masaya nang ngiti. Agad niya akong niyakap ng mahigpit na mas ikinakaba ko at ginantihan rin siya ng mas mahigpit na yakap at humalik. Parang ayaw ko siyang bitawan pero kumalas na siya at gumilid para mabati ko na rin si Tito na nakatayo sa likuran niya. I did the same to Tito at lumabas na para salubungin pa ang mga bisita.

I went out to the garden when I saw Peter talking to Kurt in the garden. Kurt stopped talking and looked at me with his dark penetrating eyes then tapped Peter's shoulders before nodding at me at umalis na.

"Something's wrong?"i asked nervously. Kanina ko pa ito nararamdaman. Parang may iba pang mangyayari maliban sa birthday party ni Sam.

Ngumiti lang si Peter at humawak na sa baywang ko para igiya ako papasok. Nang makaakyat kami sa second floor ay nakita ko si Bettina na nakahawak sa braso ni Kurt at may sinasabi. She was smiling broadly. Then Sam came in from the balcony with Keith, and other guests. Siguro mga twenty ang kasama niya..

Mabilis na umiwas si Sam ng tingin sa kanila at muntik nang matapilok kaya hinawakan siya agad ni Keith sa baywang para itayo ng maayos. Nagkatitigan sila ni Samantha. They were like talking with their eyes..

I heard someone growled so I directed my eyes to Kurt's direction where the sound came from. He pulled his arm away from Bettina and walked heavily towards my cousin who was still looking at Keith with teary eyes.

"Kurt! What the hell!"sigaw ni Bettina nang hablutin ni Kurt si Sam at hilain paakyat sa third floor. Sam tried to struggle. Pero siguro itinigil na rin ng wala siyang magawa.

Napasunod nalang kami ng tingin sa dalawa. Si Bettina naman ay padabog na umalis at pabagsak na isinara ang pinto ng kwarto niya.

Bago magtanghalian ay parang walang nangyari na pumasok sa kwarto namin si Sam at nagkwento tungkol sa program ng party niya bukas.

Then after few minutes ay may kumatok at napagbuksan ni Peter si Kurt na agad tumingin ng madilim kay Sam.

Si Sam naman ay bahagyang tumalikod sa pinto at bumulong bulong sa akin na akala mong may sekretong sinasabi. Pero ang mga ikinukwento lang naman nya ay ang mga bisita niya kaninang umaga.

Nag iigtingan ang mga panga na umiling si Kurt at umalis kasama si Peter.

Lunch came and everyone was happy. Sa hapon naman ay naglibot lang kami at nagswim by the end of the day.

Kurt was nowhere when we had a swim. Then Bettina went back inside when she felt sick.

The next day was also a good day. Nag swimming kami at jetski. Played volleyball and did sun bathing. Bettina was just lying on the lounger still sick with something.

Si Kurt naman ay umaaligid lang dahil siya ang head ng security sa buong isla. Keith and Sam were together until I decided to have Sam for myself to get ready.

Nagpamassage kami, nagpamani and pedi at nagpahot oil ng buhok. Talagang pinaghandaan nina Tito ang party.

Peter was with my parents when I came down the stairs with Samantha. She was radiant and blushing from this morning sun exposure. We were both wearing white maxi dress and red two piece bikinis.

Lumapit lang ako para bumati kina Mommy at humalik kay Peter at umalis na.

Nakikipagkita kasi si Bettina kay Samantha kaya inaya na rin ako. May sasabihin daw.

Mabilis niya akong hinila sa may likod ng mansion na may kadiliman at mapuno. Nakakapagtakang dito niya gustong makipag usap sa dilim.

Nang makarating kami ay naghintay kami at tahimik na nag usap. Nang may marinig kaming boses sa may kakahuyan. Hinila ako agad ni Sam. Lumingon lingon kami. Walang mga tao dito. Asan ang mga guards?

Napatigil kami nang marinig namin ang iyak ni Bettina. I held Sam's hand when Kurt's voice followed. She was trembling. She squeezed my hand tightly. Like she was asking me to give her strength.. we walked slowly towards their voices..

Bettina was kneeling infront of Kurt while he was holding her shoulders to make her stand up.

"I know you didn't like her. Her father just wanted you to look after her para masigurong ligtas siya. At alam ko rin na kinailangan mo siyang paibigin para hindi ka mahirapan sa pagbabantay sa kanya Kurt! Alam ko lahat yon dahil sa mga oras na magkasama tayo naramdaman kong ako ang mahal mo!"humihikbing sabi ni Bettina.

Samantha staggered back with what Bettina said. I felt my heart breaks for Sam. I grabbed Sam's arm to steady her. From the moonlight, i saw her tears flowing. She was crying quietly. When a sob escaped she covered her mouth.

"And I've been dying to tell you this, hon..I'm pregnant with our child. Just resign from your job. Marami ka nang pera para atupagin pa ang spoiled brat na babaeng yun!"matigas na sabi ng babae at tumayo.

My body was trembling in so much hate for this woman and this man. He was acting like he's jealous whenever Samantha was with someone pero two timer pala! When I was about to go to them ay pinigilan ako ni Sam at umiling. I just gritted my teeth in anger.

Bettina pulled Kurt's nape and tiptoed for a kiss.

Mabilis na hinila na ako ni Sam paalis. We ended up in between the cabins and the mansion.

"Maybe that's what she wanted to say. That she's pregnant with my bodyguard's child."pabulong na humihikbing sabi ni Sam.

"Hindi ko maintindihan ang nangyayari. Sino ba talaga ang girlfriend sa inyo?"hindi na ako makatiis na tanong sa kanya.

"Well, according to Bettina, Kurt just made me fall for him for the sake of his job.. and I did fell so everything became easy for him." I could hear the pain and bitterness in her voice.

"Ibinigay ko lahat sa kanya.. puso at katawan ko. Lahat lahat.. para sana mahalin din niya ako.. akala ko.. akala ko natutunan na rin niya akong mahalin. Dahil sa wakas, he wouldn't sleep without me beside him..tapos.. tapos.. we would make love first thing in the morning.."buong sakit na kwento ni Sam.

"I offered myself to him. And he took it. Lalaki siya eh. Ang tanga ko lang kasi akala ko mamahalin din niya ako. Pero habang ginagamit niya pala ako ay ginagamit din niya si Bettina..Tapos ngayon...malalaman ko pang buntis na siya...Ang sakit couz. Bakit hindi siya nakontento sa akin?.."umiiyak na parang batang pinunasan niya ang mga luha gamit ang puti niyang dress.

"Ang tanga tanga ko dahil hinayaan ko siyang gamitin ako hanggang sa maubos ako.."

Niyakap ko na siya at umiyak siya ng umiyak sa balikat ko. Nang maging hikbi na lang ang naririnig ko ay iniangat niya ang ulo at ngumiti ng malungkot.

"This won't be hard to do.. I'll just let him go and keep this as a secret." Sam said.

"Anong sinasabi mo?"

"So you're keeping more secrets from me aside from your sidedicks Samantha?" Napalundag ako sa gulat sa lakas ng boses ni Kurt. Nanlilisik ang mga mata at madilim ang mukha na nakatingin kay Sam

Lumakad siya palapit sa amin nang mabilis at hinila palayo sa akin si Sam.

"Kurt! What are you doing? You're hurting her!"galit kong sabi at hinawakan si Sam sa braso.Kitang kita ko ang mahigpit na hawak niya at ang pagngiwi ni Sam sa sakit.

But he just pulled her towards the shore. Napatigil sila nang humarang si Bettina sa harapan nila at itinuro ang tyan kay Sam.

Mabilis akong tumakbo para sana makalapit sa kanila pero nadapa ako sa nakausling ugat. Hinila ni Bettina ang buhok ni Sam na mabilis napigilan ni Kurt at niyakap ang nagwawalang babae. Sam was just standing watching them. In pain and sorrow.

Nakarinig ako ng chopper at putukan ng mga baril kaya napadapa ulit ako sa buhangin sa takot.

Nang iangat ko ang ulo ko ay nakahandusay na si Sam na walang malay at may mga tama ng baril habang si Kurt naman ay nakadapa kay Bettina at tinatakpan ito.

Nanginginig na tumayo ako at tumakbo palapit kay Sam.

Bakit hindi prinotektahan ni Kurt si Sam? It was his duty! He saved that woman first before my cousin..

Umiiyak na nagwala ako ng may humawak sa tyan ko.

"Love..please calm down."

Napatingala ulit ako sa langit at nakita ko ang pagbalik ng chopper at nag paulan ulit ng putok.

Si Kurt ay tumakbo na papunta kay Samantha na parang wala ng buhay at niyakap ito ng mahigpit habang inaasinta ang chopper.

Gumewang ang chopper sa unang putok ng baril ni Kurt. Pero hindi ito nakontento at inubos ang mga bala ng baril niya. Humugot ulit ito ng isa pang baril at nagpaputok na naman. May bumagsak na lalaki mula sa chopper.

Nagpaputok na rin ng mga baril ang mga tauhan ni Kurt at mabilis na tumakbo palapit sa chopper na bumagsak sa dagat.

Nang tignan ko ulit si Sam ay namumutla na siya. Mabilis akong tumakbo na hinayaan na ni Peter at nilapitan sina Sam.

"This is all your fault! If something happened to Samantha I won't let you go in peace!" Umiiyak na sabi ko.

May mga tama din ng bala si Kurt at tahimik na umiiyak na nakayakap kay Sam na patuloy ang pagdugo. Parang hindi ako narinig.

"Dude, she's losing blood. She needs to see the doctor." Sabi ni Peter at umambang kukunin si Sam sa kandungan ni Kurt.

Marahil ay natauhan kaya tumayo na siya at mabilis na tumakbo sa mansyon habang tumatawag ng doctor. Sumunod kami agad at nakita ko si Tito at Mommy na umiiyak pasalubong kay Sam. Daddy was talking to the doctor.

Nang makarating kami sa mansion ay tahimik na nakaupo si Kurt habang umiiyak at hinawakan ang kamay ni Sam na putlang putla na.

Pinaubaya ni Kurt sa mga doctor at nurse ang pagligtas kay Sam.

Si Bettina ay dala dala ng isa sa mga tauhan niya at walang malay at dinudugo na rin.

My heart dropped when the doctor declared Samantha's time of death.

Mabilis na tumayo si Kurt at inagaw and defibrillator mula sa doctor. Pero dahil siguro sa mga tama ng bala ni Kurt sa katawan at kakulangan sa dugo ay mabilis na napigilan siya at itinali para mabigyan ng first aid gaya ni Bettina.

He tried to reach Sam's hand when they put him to sleep. But his hand fell before even reaching hers.

Umiiyak na yumakap ako kay Peter. It was so heartbreaking to see my cousin lying cold, dead and broken in front of me.

Three day after Sam's burial, Tito went to America to recuperate. He got admitted to the hospital due to his weak heart right after the doctor declared Sam's death.

Sumama sina Mommy and Daddy to help Tito while I stayed and tried to finished my studies in Manila. My school works got impacted by my cousin's death. I struggled. Good thing Peter was with me otherwise I would be nowhere near sane. Or maybe not?

Dahil sa sobrang lungkot ko ay napapabayaan ko na naman si Peter. I felt like I became the same Shanelle when I lost Gia. My world stopped. And I know it was unfair for Peter.

I tried to break up with him again.. just to be fair pero hindi na siya pumayag. He said It would be unfair for me kung aalis siya habang nangangailangan ako nang makakasama.

Then just to make him let go off me, I would often start a fight. But he was so patient and loving..

Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. I felt bitter and angry. Because ako ang nakasama mi Sam bago siya namatay. Naramdaman ko ang sakit ng puso niya bago siya mamatay. Hindi ko pa rin matanggap. Kung hindi siya pinabayaan ni Kurt.. siguro ay buhay pa siya. Kung hindi lang nya nilandi ang dalawang babae.. sana nakafocus lang siya sa trabaho niya..

I heard Kurt had kept coming back to Tito's house. And when he tried to see me in my building, I banned him. I would never want to see even his shadow! He was useless. A piece of shit! A disgusting creature.

News came too that all the people behind my Tita and Sam's death were in jail.

Nakakalungkot lang na kailangan ulit mamatayan bago namin makamit ang hustisya matagal na naming hinahabol.