Confrontation
Kairos Gregor Rouvin Vejar's
Catherine let me in but she let Ody in too. I was watching Ody and the kid. It seems that they have known each other for a very long time. The kid was playful with Ody. He calls him Mr. Ody. They were laughing. Ody seemed to know his way around Cachi's home.
I saw Catherine approaching. She told me to stay in the veranda and now she's walking towards me. She looked tired. Para bang kulang na kulang siya sa tulog. And I wondered why. She finally faced me.
"What's this?" I asked her.
"Kairos this---"
"What is Ody doing here huh?"
Napaawang ang mga labi niya.
"Why do you care so much? What is it with you if Ody is here? He's a—"
"What is he doing here?" I was hissing by that time. She emitted a long breath."He's just here visiting the kids." Sabi niya. Lalong nag-init ang ulo ko. I looked away from her and the I exasperatedly sighed. And then I faced her again.
"You never tell me anything! He fathered your child and yet you didn't tell me! When are you going to tell me things?!" I exclaimed. Isinara niya ang glass door dahil napansin niyang nakatingin iyong blonde sa amin.
"Ano bang issue mo?!" She hissed back. Ipinakita niya iyong marriage certificate naming dalawa. "Kung ito ang issue mo, you better fucking get back to the Philippines and have this destroyed. Iyon lang naman ang ipinunta mo dito, diba? Why are you making a big fuss about Ody? In the first place, you should've come. Hindi mo dapat ako pinahanap. I am okay here. I am happy. I have my own life and I don't need you."
"Do you think it's that easy?" I hissed back. "We got married and yet I didn't know about it! Paano hindi kita hahanapin. You definitely know something about this!"
"I do. I know that I am the legal wife. And it bleeds my heart to know that pero dumistansya na nga ako. Hinayaan ko na lang kayo ni Mariake because it's what you want!""How do you know what I want?! You never talked to me! You always decide by yourself! How the hell did we get married?!" Ulit ko. Alam kog nagpipigil ng galit si Catherine. Alam kong naiinis na siya pero hindi ako aalis rito hangga't hindi niya sinasabi sa akin kung anong totoo. I deserve to know the truth.
Natigilan kami nang kumatok iyong amerikana."Hey, Miss Catherine. I need to go. I have night classes." She smiled at us. Cachi pulled out some dollar bills.
"Thank you, Sofie. I will call you again if I need your services. Maybe this time next week. I'll let you know."
"Sure thing, Miss Catherine. I'll go now. Bye!"
"Bye." Muli niya sinarado ang pinto. She faced me.
"Tell me!" I demanded.
"It was a mistake. Mayor Ronald Austria organized a kasalang bayan and invited you back then. You asked me to come with you and you were very playful that day, biniro mo pa si Mayor na ikasal tayo. Of course, tumanggi ako but you were persistent, sabi mo biruan lang naman iyon, we signed the papers. I told you that it's not funny but you were so happy. In the end, Mayor Austria's secretary filed it. I didn't know it was filed. Nalaman ko lang a year after noong may inaayos akong papeles..."
Kunot na kunot ang noo ko.
"Why don't I remember it?"
"I don't know Kairos. Nawalan ka nang malay noon. You were rushed to the hospital. I was worried tapos sabi ng doctor, you were so drunk and when you woke up, wala kang recollection doon sa nangyari. Ayon sa test results sa'yo, two days kang under the influence of alcohol. Straight, Kairos..."
Now I remember. It was that time when I had an argument with my father. I was so disappointed with myself that I drink a lot for two days.
"I didn't know you were drunk. You were so normal then, Kairos – except for you being so playful. Nakakatawa nga. Before I found out that I am married to you, Lisha and I watched this movie – about two young adults who got married while very drunk. Same situation, but they both didn't know. I know but I kept my silence. I kept my distance because I know that you never thought of me as good enough for you or your company's reputation.""Still you could've told me! Kung sinabi mo sa akin wala sana tayo dito ngayon!" I was shaking my head. "This is a big mess, Cathy! I just hope walang makaalam nito kundi napakalaking kasiraan nito sa pamilya ko lalo na sa kompanyang inaalagaan ko! I am so fucking disappointed. Ano bang pumasok sa isipan mo at hindi mo sinabi? Ang daling sabihin na kasal tayo – mas madali iyon kaya iyong ganito Do you realize how much damage it will do dahil lang sa tingin mo ay iyon ang tama!" Napapailing ako habang nakikipag-usap sa kanya.
"Leave..."
Natigilan ako at napatingin sa kanya.
"What?"
"I don't care what you want to do with our marriage. Destroy it, whatever you want to do, just leave me alone."
"Hindi pa tayo tapos mag-usap." Sabi ko pa.
"Ayokong makausap ka. There are so many things in my life right now that is bigger than this, Kairos. You have money, you have power, you can do whatever you want just don't – don't come near me again... Leave!" Sumigaw na siya. I looked at her and my heart clenched. I didn't want to leave but it's what she wants. I took a deep breath and turned away. Bago ako umalis ay nakita kong karga ni Ody iyong anak nila ni Catherine.
He smiled at me.
"Bye, Kairos! Ingat ka!"
Hindi ko siya pinansin. I hate him and I hate the kid.
Nilingon kong muli si Catherine. She was wiping her cheeks. Umiyak siguro siya but it's her fault. Kung sinabi naman niya sa akin ito noon sana swalang problema ngayon. Magagawan ng paraan.
I went back to my hotel and sat on the bed staring at the marriage certificate that she gave back to me. I took my phone and called Mr. Benitez again. After three rings he answered me.
"Sir, what is it that I can do for you. Is it about your first marriage?" Magalang namang tanong niya.
"Yes..."
"Do you want it gone?"
Of course, I want it gone. By that, magiging normal ang lahat at hindi ko kailangang isipin kung anong damage nito sa akin at sa kompanya kasama na rin ang pamilya ko. Iakae will still be my wife, my daughters will still have a whole family. It's as if nothing happened.
"Sir... just say the word..." I heard him.
"I... I..." I sighed again. "I'm going to call you again, Mr. Benitez." I ended the call. Napapikit ako habang nakatingin sa kawalan.
I can't. I can't... I just can't.
Round TwoKairos Gregor Rouvin Vejar's"I might not come home tomorrow, Iake."I was massaging my temples while talking to my wife on the phone. I am inside the coffee shop just in front of Catherine Fe's building. I was drinking black coffee without sugar or creamer. I hate sweets."Oh, that's sad. Nagluto pa naman ako ng favorite mong patatim." I just smiled."That's too bad. But you can still cook it for me when I get back next week." I continued sipping my coffee while talking to my wife while waiting for my other wife. That's how fucked up I am right now. "Where are the kids?" I asked."Danielle is asleep. Ada is watching tv, do you wanna talk to her?""Of course." I smiled. Maya-maya ay kausap ko na ang bunso ko sa phone."Daddy, I missed you when are you gonna come back?""Daddy misses you more, Princess. I love you. When I get back we're going to Disneyland." Sabi ko sa kanya. Nagthank you siya sa akin at saka nag-goodnight na. Ibinalik niya ang phone kay Mariake at saka na ak
Baby DaddyKairos Gregor Rouvin Vejar'sI found myself walking away from the hospital. I don't know where to go. I couldn't get Cachi's image out of my head. I couldn't seem to forget the amount of pain she has in her eyes. I really did screw up our friendship. I should've listened to Amalthea. She knows things and she told me not to say anything to Cachi if I am still gonna marry Mariake the day after. But I couldn't keep it to myself anymore...I just...I really can't.I sighed.I kept on walking until I found myself in front of the school where Cachi's son was. Naisip kong puntahan iyong bata. I dunno why, maybe because I am feeling guilty. I really wanna punch the father of the kids for letting them experience this. Ody, he's a bad father. Hindi niya dapat pinababayaan ang mga bata. The other one was too weak. He should've known better. Sa tingin ko, hindi rin alam nila Uncle Hermes ang tungkol sa mga bata.He's just an asshole. Mas matindi pa siya kay Yael. At least Yael had the
The Legend of the AlienCatherine Fe Cinco'sFebruary 17, 2003Nakangiti ako habang nakatingin sa cake na dala ko. Excited akong ibigay ito kay Kairos. Birthday niya kasi noong February 4 pero hindi ko siya napuntahan kasi nasa duty ako noon saka umuwi ako noong Qatar noong Feb 5 at Feb 10 na ako bumalik. Masyado naman siyang busy noong Feb 11 – hanggang kahapon kaya ngayon lang niya ako napagbigyan.Kairos Vejar is a very busy man. Sa batang edad niya kasi president na siya ng sarili niyang kompanya. Dalawang taon na kaming makaibigan pero kahit ganoon hindi ko pa rin siya gets. Para kasing wirdo siya. Lahat sa kanya dapat by schedule pati nga itong pakikipagkita niya sa akin by schedule din.I smiled when I saw him entering our favorite coffee shop. Wala siyang dalang kahit ano. Iyong mga nauna naming meet ups kasi kundi niya sakama iyong secretary niya, may body guard siya o kaya man si Dione – iyong bunso niyang kapatid na naging kaibigan ko na rin.I waved at him. Hindi siya masy
The GeminisCachi'sMarch 23, 2003"Good morning, Miss Cinco."It's eleven in the morning and I just got out from an eight-hour shift. Nag-text lang si Kairos sa akin na susunduin daw niya ako pagkatapos ng duty ko. Nagreply lang ako ng K. Alam naman na niya kung anong ibig sabihin noon. Ang busy ko naman kasi kanina. Ang daming tao tapos umaga pa lang may namatay na. Grabedad!Agad akong inabutan ni Kairos ng Hot Chocolate galing sa paborito kong bubuyog. Binuksan naman kaagad niya iyong pinto ng kotse para makasakay na ako. Sumunod siya. I smiled at Kuya Marvin."Good morning, Kuya Marvin. Saan po tayo pupunta?""Sa CLPH daw, Miss Cinco."Tumingin ako kay Kairos. Naka-coat and tie siya na kulay gray. Ayos na ayos iyong buhok niya. Ngumisi ako. Ginulo ko iyon."Catherine, did that make you mature?" Kunot noong tanong niya. I made a face. Ang sungit. "Drink your chocolate. Take a nap. It's gonna be a long drive.""Ano bang gagawin natin sa CLPH?" I asked him. May binabasa siyang mga p
What do you want?Kairos Gregor Rouvin Vejar’s“Hey!”I smiled when I saw Rem and Rom together inside the hospital suite. This is the first time I ever saw them together and it warmed my heart. Rem was sitting on Rom’s bed. He was holding a pen and a paper.“Hello, Mr. Kairos.” Rem smiled at me. “I am dwawing Rom and I in Disneyland.” Ipinakita niya sa akin ang drawing niya na nakasakay silang dalawa ng kakambal niya sa train. “Rom, did I tell you alweady that Mr. Kairos hewe is taking us to Disney so you bettew get well soon ‘cause it’s goona be fun!” He excitedly told his brother. Ngumiti naman si Rom. Kahit paano ay may pagbabago na sa hitsura niya. Nagkakakulay na ang pisngi niya. The doctor said that his body is adapting well to his new bone marrow and that made me feel relief.“Weally?” Rom asked. He, then looked at me. “Thank you, Mr.Kaiwos. Wait, Rem, he said that he’s an alien.”“For weal?! Maybe he knows Dad!” Nagtingingan silang magkapatid. Lumuhod pa si Rem sa kama ni Rom
Five wordsKairos Gregor Rouvin Vejar's"What else do you like?"The supposed to be two day visit in Seattle became a whole month. Pauwi-uwi naman ako sa Pilipinas pero tuwing Biyernes ay bumabalik ako at umuuwi ulit kapag Lunes ng gabi. Isang buwan nang ganoon ang sitwasyon ko. I didn't know that time flies so fast. I am enjoying my time with the twins even though we're always inside the four walls of Rom's hospital suite. Si Catherine Fe, hindi niya nakakalimutang ipakita sa akin na hindi niya ako gusto but I guess, she's just letting me dahil nahihiya siya kay Alejandros. Tang ina, bandang huli naging utang na loob ko pa kay Alele na nakakalapit ako sa mga anak ko."C'mon, tell me what else do you like?" Nakangiti ako habang nakatingin kay Rom at Rem. Ako ang sumundo kay Rem kanina sa school, buti nga tinawagan ako ni Alejandros para sabihin na sunduin ko si Rem sa school, naririnig ko sa background na umaalma si Cachi pero wala siyang magagawa dahil may event siya ngayon at kailan
HiddenOCTOBER 17, 2004Catherine Fe Cinco'sMedyo kabado ako. This is my first ever event. Hindi ko alam at hanggang ngayon ay para bang nananaginip pa rin ako dahil nakakuha ako ng first client ko. Isang engagement party at talagang ibinigay ko ang lahat para maging successful itong event na ito. I am at the sides, looking at the couple, how I wish na ay ka-couple rin ako pero... wala talaga, hindi pa siguro time.Naroon na sa moment na iyong mag – fiancé, they were looking at their old photographs nila. The girl was crying. Ako naman napapangiti ako. I hope one day, makaranas ako ng ganito. Wala namang babaeng hindi gugustuhin na makasal diba...One day, I want my own engagement party, my own wedding, kids... maybe three boys, two girls, or twins, or whatever basta healthy sila. Tapos a house, where my kids can play and ride bikes. I want a normal but a happy life, iyong magkakasama kaming lahat. Napangisi ako, tumatanda na talaga ako kaya siguro kung ano-ano nang naiisip ko.Kumaw
All outNovember 07, 2004Catherine Fe'sNagulat ako dahil pag-uwi ko sa unit ko ay naroon na si Kairos. Nakaupo sa couch ko at nanonood ng tv habang nagkakape. Mukhang hindi niya ako napansin.Ginabi ako ng uwi kasi nag-grocery ako, isa pa, kasama ko si Luis. Ipinakilala niya ako kay Mr. Limuel Arandia. Iyong Tatay niya. Nagulat lang din nga ako. Akala ko kakain lang kami sa loob ng mall, iyon pala naroon na si Papa niya saka iyong kapatid niyang college pa lang, si Louie. Dalawa lang silang makapatid tapos parehong lalaki pa.Napasarap iyong kwentuhan namin. Kaya iyong ice cream na binili ko natunaw siya pero pinalitan naman ni Luis pagkatapos, hinatid niya ako dito sa bahay. Nakatingin lang ako kay Kairos. Hanggang sa dahan-dahan siyang lumingon sa akin. Ngumiti naman ako na para bang nagpapa-picture sabay may peace sign pa."Saan ka galing?" He asked me. Tumingin pa siya sa relo niya. Nine pa lang kaya. "Uwi ba ito ng matinong babae?" Kalmado naman ang pagtatanong niya kaya lang m