Love Me Tomorrow

CHAPTER 33

I think my mind can't process everything. Kaya nung maglakad na siya palapit sa akin at hawakan ang mga kamay ko ay hindi na ako umilag pa. Nanghihina ang buong katawan ko sa mga narinig mula kay Tage.

"I didn't know that Ardelle's family were part of the Del Prado's organization. Hiningi niya ang tulong ni Martino at tinulungan naman siya nito dahil isa ang mga Arjente sa pinagkakatiwalaan ni Martino. Arjentes were like the right hand of Martino in legal or illegal business. The night I've asked you for divorce was also the same night where the organization got my family. They threatened to kill them if I didn't divorce you. Divorcing you was also my way of protecting you. Ayokong madamay kapa sa kabaliwan ni Ardelle kaya ganun ko kagustong makipaghiwalay sayo." he explained. I'm just listening to him.

"Kami lang na pamilya ang hindi kabilang sa organisasyon kaya hindi nagdalawang isip si Martino na pagbantaan ang buhay namin para sa kahilingan ni Ardelle. Hindi ba sinabi ko sayong layuan mo sila, 'yun ang pinupunto ko. Wala silang pakialam kung kadugo ka nila, mas pinapahalagahan nila ang organisasyon at ang kapangyarihang kayang ibigay sakanila noon." pagpapatuloy niya.

"Arjentes offered their wealth in return of Ardelle's wishes. Nanghimasok na din si Martino patungkol sa pagpapakasal ko kay Ardelle nung tuluyan ng mapawalang bisa ang kasal natin. He wants us to join the organization but I stand firm. I don't want to be part of his damn organization. Muli nilang ginamit ang mga magulang ko pati si Talia para masunod ang kagustuhan nila. It was Marcus who told me to join the organization to protect my family and to outsmart Martino. Ganun nga ang ginawa ko. I had a deal with Martino. If I closed the deals with some businessmen, I'll be able to get what I want."

"But damn that old monster! I had to face the most dangerous people in that business. It was never easy but I closed it. Marcus helped me in closing the deals without the knowledge of his father. I save my parents and avenge them to the Arjentes. The organization punished the Arjentes."

"Ardelle was pregnant!" I hissed when I remembered it.

"Not my child." awang ang mga labing tumitig ako sakanya.

"The moment I freed my family  from the organization, I looked for you but dammit! There were no traces from you. Kinailangan ko pang hingin ang tulong ni Marcus para mahanap ka pero maging siya ay wala ring nakuhang kahit na ano na pwedeng magturo kung nasaan ka. It was like a labyrinth finding you. Biglang may makukuha kaming lead pero nalibot na namin ang buong lugar pero wala ka."

"You were so good at hide and seek." lumamlam ang mga mata niya.

"I ain't hiding." I reasoned out.

"Yes because someone's hiding you. Damn, Gabian!"

"Those were what happened eight years ago." he said and gently wipes the dry tears on my face. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong maramdaman sa mga narinig ko. He told me everything but I'm still processing it. My mind was haywire. Damn.

Tumingin ako sa mga mata niya at masusuyo 'yung nakatingin sa akin, naghihintay ng sasabihin ko.

"I don't know what to say." I honestly said. Tumango siya, naiintindihan ako.

"I'll tug you to bed." I nodded.

Muli niya akong pinainom ng tubig bago inalalayan papuntang kwarto namin ni North. I let him kissed his son and watch him sleeping. Nakaupo lang ako sa sofa, pinagmamasdan siyang masuyong hinahaplos ang mukha ni North. I'm still processing everything. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong sabihin at maramdaman para sakanya. It was his family's life that were at stake eight years ago. He was also protecting me from the Arjentes and the organization by divorcing me. Hindi ko alam kung maniniwala ba ako sa sinabi niya but he doesn't look like he was lying when he was telling me those things.