Sa Kama ni Bayaw

20

Claire’s

“Yes, ma. Okay lang po talaga ako, at saka nandiyan naman si Kate para samahan ako.” I sighed as I explained myself to my mother. Lying to her was not my intention, but I really need to do this. Kung sasabihin ko na mag-isa lang akong pupunta ay mas lalo lamang siyang mag-aalala at baka hindi pa ako payagan.

“I just want to make sure, hija. Alam mo naman ayoko ko talaga sa mga retreat na ‘yan. It’s too risky at saka hindi mo kilala iyang mga kasama mo, they’re strangers, I don’t want to be judgemental pero nag-iingat lang ako.” Mahabang paliwanag ng mama ko. Worry and disapproval laced her voice,

I can’t blame her though, the last time I said that I’ll go on a retreat I ended up in the hospital. It was an isolated incident but, she still worries about it.

“It’s fine, ma. Really. Isolated incident lang iyon at I’m sure we’ll take extra precautions this time,” I assured her.

“You can’t blame me, Claire. Ikaw na lang ang meron ako, I just want you safe. I can’t afford to lose another daughter,” malungkot niyang sinabi. Her voice was low. Hearing her talk about this makes my heart break. For a mother, a loss of a child was the hardest to deal with. “Why don’t you ask Niu to accompany you, I’m sure your husband will spare time for that.”

“Ma, Niu’s busy. Hindi ko iyon iistorbuhin dahil lang d’yan,” ani ko, “and besides, I want time to be alone, kung isasama ko si Niu para na rin akong hindi nakapag-retreat. I just want to breath, ma.”

I heard her sigh on the other line, indicating defeat. Sa totoo lang ayoko na sana ipaalam sa kaniya na aalis ko pero sa tuwing naalala ko ang mukha niya noong pinuntahan ako sa hospital dahil sa nangyari noon, ginagapangan ako ng konsesniya kapag hindi ako nagpaalam.

I’ll be staying out of the town for a week. The past few weeks had been stressful for me, the tension was always there and I wanted to take a break from it especially now that it was clear to me what Sebastian’s intentions were.

He wanted me to cheat with him!

He wanted me to cheat on Niu!

Shiver trickled down my spine as I remember how he convinced me to do those things with me, and I’m such a fool to give in!

I know on my mind I don’t want to cheat on Niu, he’s been nothing but a good and understanding husband despite our real standing as a couple.

Bumuntong hininga ako at pinagpatuloy ang paglilinis sa walk-in closet. I rearranged the clothes by color and design. Makalat si Niu sa mga damit, he usually tries different clothes before settling to what he likes for that day, leaving the mess behind. This makes my mind occupied and it’s the least that I can do for him.

Gathering all the dark-colored polos, I set them aside while I arranged the light-colored ones. Kinuha ko na rin ang mga damit niyang gamit na at nilagay sa laundry bin.

I stopped on my feet when I heard a soft clack on the floor. Napatingin ako sa pinanggalingan ng tunog. On the floor was a small elongated object. Kumunot ang noo ko nang lapitan ko ‘yon at napagtanto na isa pala itong lipstick.

Why is my lipstick here?

But realization got me when I saw the logo and brand of the lipstick. It was a Chanel Rouge lipstick, not my brand.

Kinuha ko iyon at sinuri, hindi talaga sa akin ang lipstick na ito. Kahit kailan ay hindi pa ako nagkaroon ng lipstick na Chanel, I always use Revlon. Nagkapagtatakang mayroon ganitong lipstick dito na ganito.

I put all the dirtied clothes in the bin before going to the vanity table. Naupo ako roon para tingnan ang mga gamit ko, baka sa akin ito at nakalimutan ko lang na may binili pala akong ganito. I inspected my lipstick organizer and not a thing was missing. Lahat ay nasa maayos na pagkakalagay ay walang bakante.

My browns frowned as I stared at the lipstick. Maybe I’ll ask Niu later, total ay nasa mga damit n’ya ito.

***

“Anong oras ka aalis bukas?” tanong ni Niu habang nasa hapag-kainan kami. He was home early because it’s Sunday, at sa kasamaang-palad ay nandito din si Sebastian. He was looking at me with questions in his eyes. Kanina ko pa iniiwasan na mapatingin sa kan’ya. Having both Niu and Seb here made me uncomfortable.

Tumukhim ako bago sumagot, kinaswalan ko ang boses. “I’ll leave early in the morning para maaga din akong dadating.” I replied him. Tuloy lang ako sa pagkain, hindi ko nilingon si Sebastian kahit na alam ko sa akin nakatuon ang kan’yang tingin. He must be curious as to where I’m going.

“Okay, I’ll tell Nestor to drive you. Just keep your phone open para makontak kita if ever there’s an emergency.” Patuloy lang ito sa pagkain. “And Claire, please be careful. Ayokong pagalitan ng papa mo, you know how scary he is when mad,” natatawa nitong saad pagkatapos uminum ng tubig.

Mahina akong natawa. I can’t believe that Antonius Altamirano is scared of my father.

“Don’t worry, may signal naman doon sa pupuntahan ko, I’ll call from to time.” Nakangiti kong sagot sa kaniya.

“Good,” He smiled back. Doon ko naalala na may itatanong pala ako sa kan’ya.

“Niu, may nakita akong lipstick sa closet kanina, it’s not mine kaya nagtataka ako kung kanino ‘yon. ” I spoke.

Naiwan sa ere ang kamay ni Niu, hindi niya natuloy ang pagsubo ng pagkain. For a moment I saw shock and panic on his face but immediately faded. Napakunot ang noo ko.

What was that?

Ibinaba niya ang kamay at uminum ng tubig. Inubos ang laman ng baso at parang kulang pa ‘yon. He nervously looked at Sebastian, like he was asking for help. Mas lalo akong naguluhan. Hinintay ko siyang sagutin ang tanong ko.

“I don’t know, Claire. Baka naman sa’yo ‘yon at nakalimutan mo lang dahil sa dami ng lipstick mo,” he said cautiously.

“No, hindi akin ‘yon. It’s not my brand, you know I only use Revlon lipstick. Ayoko sa masyadong mahal, and you know it,” depensa ko. Siguradong-sigurado ako.

“Niu, have you read all the documents I sent you? I need your approval on the project, we’ll start the construction by next month,” Sebastian said out of nowhere. Seryoso itong nakatingin sa kapatid.

“Yes, kuya. I’ll send you the signed copies of the contract this week,” ani Niu. He looked relieved. Ipinagkibit-balikat ko na lang iyon. Baka may nagbigay lang no’n sa akin at hindi ko matandaan.

“Good, I’ll get going. May meeting ako kay Mr. Alonza ngayon, that man is evil.” He stood up and nodded at his brother before glancing at me. Tumalikod na siya at pumanhik.

So, he has another project? I can’t help but admire him. He made his own empire without the help of his father, he struggled from the start but look at how his business was doing now. He had hundreds of branches all around the world. He was technically one of the richest bachelors in the whole of the Philippines. Sigurado ako na madaming babae ang humahabol sa kan’ya lalo pa’t nakapa-guwapo niya. His looks were very superior, the air around him screams wealth and power.

Hindi ko mapigilang lumunok nang maalala ang nangyari noong isang gabi, sa swimming pool, habang nasa ilalaim kaming dalawa at naghahalikan. Kakaibang init ang sumanib sa katawan ko. The mighty Sebastian Altamirano begged to be my lover and I can’t believe that he asked me that with pleading eyes.