The Scheming Manipulator

CHAPTER 3

IVORY

Napapikit ako at hinilot ko ang pagitan ng ilong at mata ko.

"You're still awake?"

Mabilis akong nagmulat ng mga mata at nilingon ang nagsalitang iyon. Ivo was standing few meters away from me, looking at me with a frown on his face.

"It's past four in the morning."

Buhat sa sinabi niyang iyon, napasulyap ako sa orasan na nakasabit sa itaas ng dingding ng kuwarto ko. The last time I glanced at the wall clock earlier, it was only ten in the evening. Hindi ko namalayan na madaling-araw na pala.

Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kanya at bahagyang ngumiti. "Actually, wala pa akong tulog since last night." Hindi ko na nga mabilang kung ilang kape na ang nainom ko para lang manatiling gising sa mga nakalipas na oras.

"Bakit?" kunot-noong tanong niya. Lumapit na rin siya sa working table ko at binuklat-buklat ang mga librong nakakalat doon. "Sideline again?"

Tumango ako. "Research paper. I need to finish this tomorrow-no. Until today na lang pala dahil umaga na," pagtatama ko nang maalala kung anong oras na. "I need to finish this research paper today, so that I can submit it to my client tomorrow morning."

Ilang segundo rin siyang nakatingin sa akin bago nagsalita. "For Serene Aldama," he stated as if he was so sure that woman is my client.

I just smiled in response, confirming his statement. Well, hindi na rin naman nakakapagtaka kung ang babaeng iyon agad ang maisip ni Ivo. Suki ko na si Serene sa mga research paper and documentation.

"How long have you been working on her research paper?"

"The last time we talked two days ago, she gave me five days to finish the research paper. But, I insisted to deliver it after three days. So, two days straight na akong nandito sa working table ko at nakaharap sa laptop at mga libro."

"What's with the rush to finish it?"

"Titriplehin niya ang ibabayad sa akin," nakangiting sagot ko.

Just right after I refused Serene's absurd offer, the b***h had the guts to cut off the deadline from nine days to five days and she would double the p*****t.

"Make it triple and I will deliver your papers after three days," I said out of rage and annoyance.

"Sure. You know that money is never an issue to me, Ivory," she said mockingly.

Kaya heto, talagang kina-career ko ngayon ang pagtapos sa research paper ng spoiled brat na 'yon. I even filed sick leave to my supervisor just to work on her damn papers. At malaking tulong na rin iyon sa amin kung magiging triple ang ibabayad ng babae. Aabot din iyon nang mahigit isang daang libo.

"Marami ka pa bang kailangang i-research? Tutulungan na kita," pagprisinta ni Ivo.

"Hindi ba nakakaabala sa 'yo?"

He shrugged in response, taking my answer as a yes to his question. He grabbed some books, papers and pen before lying down on my bed. And we started to work together silently.

"Are you ready on your upcoming heart transplant?" I asked my twin out-of-nowhere.

The moment he heard that there was already a potential heart donor for him, he was silent, but his eyes couldn't lie. It was shining with hope and excitement. I didn't need to ask him if he was happy on the news. It was clearly written all over his face.

"I'm ready, but our pockets aren't."

Natigil ang pagtipa ko sa laptop at nabaling ang tingin sa kanya. His eyes were focused on reading and writing on his paper he was holding. Alam ni Ivo na kulang pa talaga ang pera namin. At alam niyang hinihintay rin naming makaipon ng sapat na pera para sa surgery niya.

Mahina akong tumikhim para tanggalin ang bara sa lalamunan ko. "I already posted on my social media for some donations. Nakausap ko na rin ang iba kong kakilala na puwedeng magpahiram ng pera. Lumapit na rin ako sa ilang foundations na maaaring makatulong sa atin-"

"Ivory," he cut me off before lifting his gaze and met mine. "I can wait."

But, how long can your heart last and function?

"Kung hindi pa natin kaya ngayon, sa ibang pagkakataon na lang."

What if this is your chance? Your only chance? Sabi ni Doc Arevalo, perfect match ang pusong iyon sa 'yo.

"I won't die. And I can't die," he said, assuring me. Bahagyang tumaas ang isang sulok ng labi niya. "Baka kapag dinalaw ko si Iya, bungangaan lang ako at sisihin sa hindi ko pagtupad sa pangako ko. Baka mas lalong hindi matahimik ang kaluluwa ko kasi maya't-maya niya akong tinatawag at sinusumbatan."

Hindi ko napigilang mapangiti sa sinabi niya. Right. Baka imbes na matakot ang babaeng iyon sa pagpapakita ng kaluluwa ni Ivo, baka ang kaibigan pa namin ang manakot sa kakambal ko. At mukhang iyon talaga ang mangyayari kapag nawala siya. Baliw at makulit pa naman ang babaeng iyon.

Despite her stubborness and craziness, we love her. And Ivo cares for her so much. Kahit madalas na asar at inis si Iya sa kakambal ko, she cares for him, too. Kaya nga palagi ring pinagseselosan ng boyfriend ni Iya itong si Ivo. Kung hindi lang talaga kapatid at kaibigan ang turingan nila sa isa't-isa, alam kong magiging perfect for each other sila. Ivo knows how to handle her. Maikli ang pasensiya ng kakambal ko, pero pagdating sa amin ni Iya, napakapasensyoso niyang tao.

"How about I sell my body?" I couldn't help, but tease him. This is also my way of letting him know about Serene's offer. At least.

Unti-unting nabura ang tipid na ngiti sa mga labi niya. Habang hindi pa siya nagsasalita, nagpatuloy ako. "Mukhang iyon ang pinakamadaling paraan. At mukhang malaki rin ang kikitain ko roon lalo na at virgin pa ako kaya baka mas malaki ang presyo sa pagbebenta-"

Hindi ko na rin natapos ang sasabihin ko nang makita kung gaano na katalim ang ibinabatong tingin sa akin ni Ivo. And that death glare was enough to shut me up.

"Hinding-hindi mo iyan gagawin, Ivory Leila," mariing pahayag niya.

Napanguso ako. "May sinabi ba akong gagawin ko? Nagsa-suggest lang ako-"

"Tanginang suggestion 'yan!" malutong na mura niya dahilan para mapangiwi ako. "Don't you dare do it or even think about it, Ivory. Kahit na anong mangyari sa akin, hindi mo iyan gagawin. Nagkakaintindihan ba tayo?"

What if there's no other choice, but to do it? Iyon ang gusto kong itanong, pero walang mga salitang lumabas sa bibig ko. At kahit naman na sabihin ko iyon kay Ivo, hindi pa rin siya papayag.

"Walang katumbas na presyo ang katawan mo. Maliit o malaking halaga man iyan. Pahalagahan mo ang bawat parte ng katawan mo. Don't sell yourself just for me. Hindi ko gugustuhin iyon. Malinaw ba?"

Ilang segundo rin akong nakipagtitigan sa kanya bago dahan-dahang tumango.

"Say it."

"Say what?"

"Say you won't do it. Promise me that you won't sell your body for money just to fvcking save me. Promise me, Ivory."

His face was damn serious, as well as his voice. I heaved a deep sigh. For the peace of my twin brother's mind, I raised my right hand and said it. "Promise."

~~~

Halos tumatakbo na ako at sumasabay sa wheeled stretcher habang hindi inaalis ang tingin ko sa maputla at walang malay na mukha ni Ivo.

After our parents' death, ngayon na lang ulit ako nakaramdaman ng matinding takot. Sobra-sobra pa nga. Losing his consciousness is one thing. But, his heart stops beating before my eyes is another. And it really scared the hell out of me.

Bago pa man ako makaalis sa bahay namin kaninang umaga para ihatid ang research paper ni Serene, naramdaman ko nang may mali kay Ivo. He looked too pale and tired. Tinanong ko siya kung may problema ba dahil hindi ko maiwasang mag-alala sa hitsura niya. He said okay, but his pale face means another; he wasn't okay at all. And before he could go back to his room, he fell on the ground, clutching his chest and gasping for air.

Mabilis ko siyang isinugod sa hospital. While on the way, tuluyan na siyang nawalan ng malay at biglang huminto ang pagtibok ng puso niya. Sa ambulansiya pa lang ay pina-pump na ang dibdib ni Ivo at may nakakabit na ring manual resuscitator sa kanya para sa oxygen. And the moment we arrived at the hospital, Dr. Arevalo rode on the stretcher and didn't stop pressing down hard on his chest, again and again.

Bumitiw lang ako sa bakal na hawakan ng stretcher nang makarating na kami sa tapat ng emergency room at pigilan na ako ng nurse para makapasok. Ang tanging nagawa ko na lang ay sundan ng tanaw ang kakambal ko habang patuloy itong nakikipaglaban para sa buhay niya.

Nang tuluyang magsarado ang pinto at umilaw ang emergency na word sa itaas ng kuwartong iyon, doon ko lang pinakawalan ang kanina pang pinipigilan kong luha. At pakiramdam ko ay kinakapos din ako ng hininga. "Please, Lord. Save my twin brother and don't let him die..." I prayed silently.

Makalipas ang isang oras, nailabas din si Ivo sa emergency room. Naibalik nila ang t***k ng puso niya. Kahit papa'no, nakahinga ako nang maluwag sa magandang balitang iyon.

He was now in ICU for closely monitoring. Mula rito sa labas ng silid ng kakambal ko ay tinatanaw ko siya sa transparent glass habang nakatitig ako sa ecg monitoring machine. Hindi ko inaalis ang tingin ko roon dahil pakiramdam ko ay malingat lang ako, baka muling tumigil ang pagtibok ng puso niya.

"I'll be honest with you, Miss Baldevia. His heart was very weak and on the verge of giving up. Tanging ang strong will na lang ng kakambal mo ang patuloy na bumubuhay at hindi sumusuko kaya kahit papa'no ay hindi pa rin bumibitaw ang puso niya. We were able to save him for now. But, how about if something like this happen again? Anytime soon, he would experience dizziness and hardly breathing. And worse, his heart would stop beating again.

"Ang tanging solusyon na lang para bumalik sa normal ang buhay niya ay ang heart transplant. And like I told you before, may perfect heart donor na para sa kanya. We could proceed to his surgery as soon as possible. Time is ticking for your twin brother, Miss Baldevia. And we couldn't waste anymore time. If you want to save his life, please decide now."

Muling nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ko nang maalala ang mga sinabing iyon kanina ni Dr. Arevalo. Totoo naman din kasi iyon. Ilang beses na bang halos bumigay ang puso ng kakambal ko? Ang matibay na paninindigan niya na ayaw sumuko ang nagpu-push sa kanya para patuloy na mabuhay. Dahil kung matagal na ring sumuko si Ivo, his heart would just already give up and stop beating.

Iyon din ang isa sa dahilan kaya hindi ako sumusuko. My twin brother was really fighting for his life. To prolong his existence in this world. Talagang hindi siya nagpapadaig kay Kamatayan.

May mga pagkakataon na ako na ang gustong sumuko sa sitwasyon namin, pero mismong si Ivo ay hindi ako hahayaan na kainin niyon. Dahil bibigyan niya ako ng dahilan para hindi bumitaw. Na para kumapit pa. I was supposed to be the one giving him hope to live and never give up, but it was the other way around. Siya ang nagbibigay ng pag-asa sa akin. Pagagaanin niya ang pakiramdam ko. He would even comfort me even if I'm the one should supposed to do that for him.

Kahit na gaano kaliit ang chance na ibinibigay sa kanya ng doctor about the successful rate of the heart transplant, he wanted to try because it wasn't zero percent chance. Even if it was just a small chance, he would grasp it and won't let it slip away from his hands. Ganoon ang kakambal ko. He would rather take a risk than do nothing at all. Mas pagsisisihan niya raw kasi kung wala siyang ginawa kung may paraan naman para madugtungan ang buhay niya.

"Are you okay seeing your twin brother struggling for his life?"

I was snapped in my deep thoughts when I heard that voice. Mula sa salamin, naaninaw kong nakatayo na si Serene sa tabi ko at nakatanaw rin sa direksyon ng kakambal ko.

"May magagawa ka naman para mailigtas siya. And you can make a better life for him, but you chose your damn pride and ignore the opportunity."

Hindi ko napigilang kumuyom ang isang kamay ko na nakapatong sa window glass. My lips pressed together, stopping myself from yelling at her. Because at the back of my mind, she was right. May puwede naman akong gawin para mailigtas si Ivo.

"Your goddamn pride and selfishness would kill him, for sure. No. Ikaw mismo ang papatay sa kanya, Ivory."

She wasn't here to make me feel any better. Instead, she was here to make me feel guilty on what happened to Ivo. She was actually making me feel the worst sister and it was very effective.

"My offer is still on the table, Ivory. And it's not too late to take it. Just say yes and you can have the money you needed for the surgery," she continued.

Hindi pa rin ako sumagot at nanatili lang nakatingin sa kakambal ko.

"Your twin brother's life is in your hands. And it's your choice, dear. Either you let him live..." she trailed off as she touched my shoulder. "Or you let him die," she whispered in my right ear. I could feel her smiling even without looking at her direction.

May kung anong bumara sa lalamunan ko at parang bigla ring nanikip ang dibdib ko sa huling sinabi niya. Of course, I couldn't let him die. And I won't let him die if I can do something to save him.

Pumikit muna ako bago direktang tumingin sa mga mata ni Serene. I could clearly see that she was waiting for my answer. A good and nice answer, to be exact. And it didn't take long until the words slipped on my mouth that I didn't imagine that I will say to her after refusing her countless times.

"I'll do it." Then, I swallowed hard, together with my own pride and principles. "Pumapayag na ako, Serene. Tinatanggap ko na ang offer mo," walang emosyon at walang kasinlamig na dagdag ko pang sabi sa kanya.

A triumphant smile broke on her lips. "Good decision, dear. You won't regret this," pahayag niya habang marahang tinatapik-tapik pa ang pisngi ko. "My fiancé and I will have dinner the day after tomorrow. I'll text you the hotel suite where we will stay for the night and I want you ready by then, okay?"

Iyon lang at tumalikod na siya paalis. Hindi na niya hinintay pa ang sagot ko.

I took a deep breath before looking back at my twin's direction. Muling namuo ang luha sa mga mata ko at puno nang pait na ngumiti.

Ivo, I know you will get mad at me or even kill me once you find out that I broke my promise to you. Kaya ngayon pa lang, humihingi na ako ng tawad. I'm really sorry. But, I hope you understand why I need to do this. I'm doing this for you. To save you. I won't just sit back and let you die in front of me. Your life is more important than my own principles. I want you to live and have a normal life with me and Iya. Just be strong and wait for me, okay?