Round Two
Kairos 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 ako nagpaalam. I am shaking my head as I put my phone down. Iniisip kong tama namang wala talaga ako dapat sa sitwasyong ito kundi dahil kay Cachi. It's her fault. She should've told me. Kung sinabi niya nang mas maaga, wala ako dito ngayon.
Napatayo ako nang makita kong bumaba na siya mula sa apartment building niya. Sinabayan ko iyon ng paglabas ng coffee shop at pagtawid ng daan para makalapit sa kanya. She saw me. Nakita kong hawak niya ang kamay noong anak nila ni Ody.
"Mommy that's the stranger yesterday!" The boy said. I didn't smile at him. I looked directly to his mom.
"We should talk."
"I have no time to talk, Kairos. You can do whatever. Wala namang pupuntahan ang usapan natin. Dahil alam kong habang nakatayo ka ngayon, iniisip mo ang mga pros and cons diyan sa buhay mo. Get in, Rem." The kid got to the car. Cathy fixed his seat bealt. I was just watching her. Umikot siya para sumakay na rin sa kotse niya pero bago pa siya nakasakay ay nauna na ako sa loob.
"Get out of my car." She said.
"I won't. We're going to talk." She just rolled her eyes tapos pinasibad na niya ang kotse. I was looking around. I haven't been to Seattle, ngayon lang. Dapat nga ipasyal niya ako.
"Tour me, Catherine."
"I have other things – more important things to attend to. But I will be glad to drop you off the airport." Walang abog na sabi niya.
"Pinapaalis mo na talaga ako."
"Yes. It's not like I own Seattle or anything, I just don't like you around me. We can never be like before, Kairos. You know that."
Pumasok kami sa isang school. She parked the car and went out. Binuksan niya iyong passenger door at saka inalalayan iyong anak niya. Bumaba na rin ako. I watched her. Ibinigay niya iyong lunch box doon sa bata tapos ay isinuot niya iyong bag sa likod nito. She pinched his nose and smile.
"Be good, Rem okay? Don't let the bad kids get to you.""I won't, Mommy, they're all my friends. Can I get my classmates drawing for Rom again? Can I put it in Rom's wall later?"
"Mommy will put it in Rom's wall."
"Can't I come? Is he on memo thewapy again?"
The boy looks like he's about to cry. I smirked.
"Catherine, ang tagal. Hindi ba male-late iyang bata? Ang daming arte. Manang-mana sa ama." I snorted. Naalala ko noong bata si Ody,palagi siyang pinaiiyak ni Apollo at Achilles.
"Please, Mommy, I wanna see Rom..." The boy even pouted his lips. Catherin sighed.
"I am gonna pick you up later." She kissed the boy cheeks. "Eat your lunch and listen to Mrs. Sawyer."
"I will, Mommy! I love you!" The boy run away. Tumayo si Catherine at tiningnan ako. Sumakay ako sa kotse niya. Wala naman siyang magagawa.
"Ang arte ng anak mo. Si Ody ba nagturo na gaganoon siya? He's a pussy. Baka magmana iyong anak mo. Mukhang lalambutin pa naman." Hindi niya ako pinapansin. Napansin kong mabilis siyang magpatakbo ng sasakyan tapos bigla na lang siyang nagpreno – dahilan para mauntog ako sa dashboard niya. "Aray! Fuck!" I looked at her. Hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita. Umakto siya na parang walang nangyari.Ang sumunod na pinuntahan namin ay ang ospital. Hindi ko alam kung anong ginagawa namin roon pero may balak talaga akong sundan siya buong araw hangga't hindi niya ako kinakausap nang maayos.
We went inside the elevator. Pinindot niya iyong 4 sa button at hindi naman nagtagal ay narrating na naming ang floor na iyon. I still followed her hanggang sa makapasok kami sa pinakadulong kwarto – iyong pintuan sa may kanan.
Inside, I saw a little kid – kamukha niya iyong bata kanina. I realized that Cachi had twin boys.
The boy was being attended to by the doctors. Nakatayo lang si Cachi habang nakatingin doon sa mga kung ano-anong nakakabit na aparato sa anak niya. May bonnet iyong bata. Payat na payat siya tapos ay napakaputla.
"How is he?" She asked the doctor.
"Rom is doing okay, Miss Cinco. We are ready to operate on him tomorrow. He's immune system is normal and he doesn't have a fever and all. Let's just pray for the best."
"Thank you, Dr. Davis." Kinamayan niya iyong doctor tapos ay lumapit siya doon sa bata. Tinabihan niya ito. She was smiling.
"Who's he?" The boy asked in a low voice.
"Mommy's client, Rom. Did you hear the doctor? You are ready for tomorrow, Kiddo. Mommy's gonna be proud whatever happens.""Will I get to see Rem before?" He asked his mother.
"Rem will be here later. He's gonna put another get well soon drawing in your wall, baby."
Habang nakatingin ako kay Cachi ay napansin kong naluluha siya. Pinipilit niya lang ngumiti.
"How about my dad? Will I get to see him before?"
That was when her tears fell. Napatingin siya sa akin. Hindi naman ako tanga. That stare is familiar. Lumabas ako ng silid niya pero hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa. Cachi was telling something to the kid. She was caressing his tummy. Pigil na pigil ang pag-iyak niya. After a while. She kissed him.
I stayed outside the room. Hindi ba pinupuntahan ni Ody ang anak niya? He looks very ill! Habang nakatingin ako doon sa bata kanina para bang nadududurog ako. Hindi ko ma-imagine kung mangyari iyon sa mga anak ko, sigurado akong uubusin ko lahat ng mayroon ako para maging okay lang si Danielle at si Ada.
Hindi naman nagtagal ay lumabas na siya. Hindi rin ako nagsasalita. Matagal siyang nakatayo sa may pinto na para bang kinakalma niya ang sarili niya. And the she faced me.
"Hindi kita matitiis buong araw kaya pwede bang umalis ka na? My son needs me. My full attention – hindi pwedeng nandito ka. Wala naman akong hahabulin sa'yo, Kairos. Sa'yo na ang pera mo, sa'yo na ang marriage certificate mo, sa'yo na lahat. I just don't want anything to do with you anymore. Hindi ko ipagsasabi na naging kasal tayo. Hindi na kita lalapitan o kakausapin."
"Cach... can we just talk, let's just pretend that nothing changed. Like it's just the way it used to be."
Sinampal niya ako.
"We can never come back to that, Kairos Gregor Rouvin Vejar." She sobbed. "Noong gabing iyon noong kasal mo, noong may nangyari sa atin, I gave you a chance." Sabi niya. "I fucking gave you a chance, Kairos. You can't go around telling girls you love them and go marry someone the next morning."
Muli na naman akong nakatanggap ng sampal mula sa kanya.
"What do you want me to do, huh, Catherine?" I asked her. "What do you want me to do?!"
"If this was before, I would like you to grow some balls. But right now, all I want is for you to leave me alone and let me be. Go back to the Philippines. Be with your wife and with your kids. I am okay here."
I grabbed her arms. "Look at me and tell me that it's really what you want."
Catherine Fe looked at me.
"This is what I want. Please, leave me alone."
Dahan-dahan ko siyang binitiwan.
"It's different now, Kairos. May dalawang batang lalaking umaasa sa akin ngayon. Mahal na mahal ko silang dalawa at hindi ko kailangan ng tulad mon a walang tapang at lakas ng loob para ipaglaban at isipin ang isang bagay na hindi makakabuti para sa kanya. You married the woman of your dreams, ngayon, panindigan mo iyon."
Catherine turned her back on me.
I shook my head.
I can't.... I really can't...
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
ExplosionMariake Rojas - Vejar"You're married to her!"Hinampas ko ang balikat niya."You're married to her?! How dare you! How dare you do this to me!"Gigil na gigil na ako kay Kairos. Hiyang - hiya na ako sa mga magulang niya pero hindi ko naman mapigilan ang sarili ko. Kahit hindi ko lubusang maisip kung paano at saan niya pinasakalan si Cachi - siguro sa Vegas, I don't know! Hindi ko na alam! My mind can't think straight. I know that I have to be rational. I don't have to lose my shit but damn it! I am losing it by the second."You married her! Hanggang kalian mo ba ako sasaktan?! Ano pa bang kulang?!""In my defense, I didn't know that we were married. I only found out weeks ago."Lalo akong naguluhan. Anong ibig niyang sabihin? Natigilan ako and then it hit me."You were married to her first..." It was the biggest blow of my life. My tears couldn't stop falling.What does that make my children?Hinampas ko siya sa balikat. Kinalmot ko siya. Walang gustong pumigil sa akin. Iya