Chapter 6: Argument

Ava's POV

"Do you want to play anak?" ngiting tanong ko kay Altar. Pero imbis na ma-excite, ngumiti lang siya sa'kin nang pilit bago umiling at sabay yuko. Natigilan naman ako dahil sa hindi naman siya ganito. He looked.. sad.

"Mom, you're tired. I saw you working po kanina sa room niyo," he said softly while his eyes were in his toys.

"You saw me working?" Kaya ba parang may bumukas at sumira ulit ng pinto? Am I really that busy that I didn't notice that my son was there?

"Opo. I was about to ask you po if you're done eating your lunch but I saw a tray on your table po kaya hindi na po 'ko nag-continue pumasok po," he responded and then looked up at me. He smiled again but it didn't reach his cheeks.

"Bakit parang sad ang baby ko?" Lumuhod ako sa harapan niya and I guided his chin so that he could look at me more.

"P-Po? Hindi naman po ako sad eh," he cutely said with blown cheeks. I smiled sweetly because he was showing me that he was already matured.

"Anak, you know that Mom doesn't want you to lie, right? So tell me, don't be scared.. why are you sad, baby?" mahinahon kong tanong ulit sa kaniya na siyang ikinahinga niya nang malalim before he pouted his lips. I giggled because my son was really cute and he got his appearance from his.. father.

"M-Mom... si Dad po kasi, bakit hindi niya po 'ko.. pinapansin? I-I am a good boy naman po. I'm kind rin po and always ko pong fina-follow si Ate Maela." Parang may kung anong tumusok sa puso ko dahil sa sinabi ng anak ko at kitang-kita ko kung gaano mas nalungkot ang nga mata niya. His little head gradually bowed and then played with his toys again.

"Don't worry anak, okay? Maybe Dad was just tired because you know, he works to provide for us. Pero huwag ka mag-alala anak, okay? I will talk to your Dad," I softly muttered and then held his chin again. I stiffened when I noticed that his eyes were starting to teary so I just showed him a smile to assure that everything will be okay.

"R-Really, Mom?" I smiled even more and then nodded. I caressed his left cheek and then leaned a bit to kiss his forehead.

"Of course naman anak. So always be good lang, ah? And always study so kapag big ka na, you'll make us the proudest."

"I am studying well, Mom. But I am still bata pa po, aren't you proud of me?" Natawa na lang ako dahil oo nga naman. Bakit ko nga ba nakaligtaan? See? He is really smart.

"Yes! Yes. I am so proud of you dahil palagi ka may stars sa hands mo kapag umuuwi ka from school. Very good ka palagi sa class kaya I am happy and proud," bawi ko kaagad na siyang ikinaliwanag ng mga mata niya. He stood up and then attacked me with his tight hug that made me chuckle.

Suddenly, Maela appeared carrying a tray of food. She smiled at me so I did the same thing. Good thing she's here that could watch my son around. She didn't finish school but she was so smart through her heart that she was able to teach out child with such a good manner.

"Ma'am, kumain na po kayo?" she respectfully asked. I nodded.

"Oo, nagpahatid na ako kay Aling Rica sa kwarto. Para kay Altar ba 'yan?" I fired back. She nodded.

"Okay sige, pakainin mo na muna si Altar at babalik lang ako sa kwarto." Tumingin ako sa anak ko. "Anak, eat ka muna, ah? Para strong always ang heart and mind.. and muscles," matamis kong sabi na siyang agad niyang ikinatango.

I went back to my room where only I that occupied. Iba ang room ni Al at iba rin ang sa anak ko at kahit limang taon na kaming kasal, never pa rin niya akong tinabihan sa pagtulog at never niya na rin akong nagalaw. Our parents were always asking about how our relationship was but we aways have the same response and that it was always 'ok'... just like what he wanted and what we practiced.

Ang hindi ko lang talaga matanggap ay ang hindi niya pagpansin sa anak niya. Altar has nothing to do with his anger towards me because it was him who punished me that time. Well, it aas not a made love and it was not a sex either... he treated it as my punishment for drugging the drinks where in fact, it was not me in the first place! Ilang beses na 'kong nagpaliwanag pero hindi siya nakikinig kaya hindi ko na lang rin in-open up pa.

"Ito namang kapatid ko, sinabi ko na ngang gusto kong bumalik sa trabaho pero ayaw niya dahil may pamilya na 'ko. But here he is, asking for my help to help our family company," I whispered to myself and then shook my head.

Supposedly, ako ang magiging CEO pero dahil sa ipinakasal ako kay Al dahil sa pabagsak na rin ang kompaniya nila, the position went to my younger brother. The collaboration of our business and family saved their company and I don't know kung ano ang natanggap ng kompaniya namin... na para bang wala dahil sa palaging humihingi ng tulong ang kapatid ko.

"Hindi naman mababa ang sales at mataas naman ang in demands sa mga products pero bakit parang ang dami niyang ginagawa sa kompaniya?" tanong ko sa sarili ko at nagsulat na lang. This is actually easy lalo na't I graduated in the Silliman University taking business. Nag-masters pa 'ko to take fashion designing because I don't want to leave that dream with me.

And now, my brother suffered because he didn't even take business in his college. He was an education student.

Napailing na lang ako at tinapos na agad ang mga papeles dahil bukas na bukas, darating ang kapatid ko na 'yon para kunin ang mga business plans na ginawa ko para sa kaniya. Kung hindi ko lang talaga mahal ang kapatid na 'yon, siguro ay hindi ko na tinulungan. Siya ang pinakabunso sa amin kaya lahat ay tinutulungan siya at hindi matiis.

Napatingin ako sa phone ko nang tumunog 'yon. Huminga ako nang malalim bago kinuha at tinignan ang caller.

It was my brother.

I immediately answered it and then leveled it on my ear. "Hindi ko pa tapos, Alton. Maybe later," bungad ko kaagad sa kaniya. I heard him chuckled in the other line.

"Ate naman. It feels like I was just calling you because of the papers. But anyways, don't rush it. I'll be there at night," he muttered. I furrowed my brows because what he told me was that he would go here at noon. So what's with the sudden change?

"Akala ko ba after lunch ka pupunta rito? Bakit naging gabi na?" taka kong tanong.

"There's a banquet tomorrow night for celebrating another milestone of the De Asis group, Ate. Our parents told me to tell you because they were all busy as well with their other businesses." Napapikit na lang ako dahil actually, wala akong balak umalis bukas kasi nga gusto ko lang mag-stay para sa anak ko.

"How about my son?"

"Of course you have to bring my nephew, Ate. Dalhin mo na lang nanny niya sa banquet at doon na tayo mag-usap. Pupunta rin iba nating mga kapatid kaya dapat nando'n ka," sabi niya na siyang ikinahinga ko na lang nang malalim.

"How about the papers then?" I lackadaisically asked again.

"Of course I'll get that too. I'll just put them in my car and then will present them next week. I still have to study that and you have to help me with that as well," he retorted. Nai-imagine ko tuloy mukha nito na nakangisi eh.

"Fine. Fine. I'll end the call no——"

"And one more thing, Ate. I will send the dress that I requested. Pina-customize ko talaga 'yan sa sikat na fashion designer na favorite mo rito sa Dumaguete." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya at hindi ko alam pero bigla akong na-excite.

"Wow. That is so thoughtful of you, huh?" I smirked.

"Siyempre naman. Hindi puwedeng wala akong binibigay sa'yo tapos panay request ko ng tulong," he snapped back so I just giggled.

"Sige na. Kailangan ko pang maligo. I still have to watch my son."

"Okay, bye!" I already ended the call before he did. I smirked because this is our habit where who was the first to end the call.. wins.

Napailing na lang ako at lumabas ng kwarto but agad akong natigilan dahil sa paparating si Al. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako kinabahan bigla at parati na lang ganito kapag nakikita ko siya.

Maybe I was still expecting that he will look at me differently this time. That maybe, he will talk to me differently, far from being so cold and distant.

Lalagpasan ko na sana siya dahil sa alam kong ayaw niya 'kong nakikita pero nabigla na lang ako nang marahas niyang hinawakan ang braso ko na siyang ikinatigil ko't ikinapikit dahil sa sandaling sakit.

"A-Aray," I growled like a puppy. I stared at his cold eyes, glaring at me as if I did something bad.

"Someone from my cousins saw you in that bar that night. What are you doing that time, huh? Did you fucking follow me there?" he coldly muttered until his hold tightened more. His jaw was clenching and I couldn't help but feel fear while my heart started to crumple.

"I-I went there to meet, Eva. B-Bakit naman kita.. susundan? Hindi ko naman alam na... na pupunta ka do'—— c-can you please let go of me? Nasasaktan ako!" Pagpupumiglas ko habang nakatingin lang sa mga mata niya. Even though his eyes were starting to scare me, I remained calm and didn't let the fear devour me.

I love him, yes, but I don't want to be hurt.

"Why would you meet your friend inside the bar, Ava? Hindi 'yan gawain ng matinong.. babae! What? Are you boy hunting now? Just like how you expose yourself with men in college?" matigas at sobrang diin niyang sabi na siyang agad kong ikinatigil. He noticed that's why his grip loosened and I took the opportunity to escape from his hand.

"I-It has nothing to do with the past, Al. If you are still mad because of this situation then feel free to divorce me! Y-You already have the power because you are so wealthy now and your family already gave you the company," sabi ko. Para na 'kong matutumba dahil sa biglaang panghihina pero nilabanan ko.

Pero mukhang mas lalo lang siyang nagalit.

"Do you think that was easy, huh? And glad you still know that I am still fucking mad because of what you did, you desperate woman! If you just declined this fucking marriage, probably, everything went goddamn well!" he roared right in front of my face and he was about to grab me again but I stepped back to avoid his monstrous hand. I could really sense that, that hand could possibly hurt me more if I will let that touch me once again.

"A-Al, I don't have power. I was just a daughter and couldn't even decide for myself because this is what my parents want! This is what your parents want! K-Kung hindi tayo kinasal, sigurado ka ba na ganiyan pa rin katayog ang kompaniya ninyo? I-If this is not because of our arranged marriage, do you still think that you can save it? No!" Suddenly, tears fell from eyes while my heart was beating so crazily as it was really hurting so bad.

He fell in silence and I know that he knew that I had a point. Everything I just uttered was a knife that stabbed him multiple times. The utterances I just said were like thieves that stole his freedom to dream on his own. But what can we possibly do? We are controlled by my own parents just to save something more important... and until now, I don't know how important their company was that I have to sacrifice my dream for it.

"N-Ngayon, kung galit ka dahil sa ginawa ko... magalit ka lang. Magalit ka lang sa'kin. Pero sana naisip mo na ako rin ang naging dahilan kung bakit niyo nasalba ang kompaniyang siyang bumubuhay sa inyo.. ngayon."