Unwavering Love

Prologue

"Nathen, wala ka ng ibang pagpipilian pa!" bawat salita ay isinisigaw na sa akin ng aking tiyuhin para lamang matauhan ako.

Nanatili akong tahimik habang nakatingin sa aking pinggan na punong-puno pa rin ng laman at hindi ko pa nagagalaw. I didn't know how many times my uncle tried to talk things out with me, but I refused to listen and follow his advice.

"You have to give them the land! Tutal ay rito ka na naman na nakatira sa amin," dagdag niyang sabi. "Ang sabi mo rin ay ayaw mo nang tumira doon, kaya bakit ayaw mo pang ibenta kung wala na palang pakinabang?"

Si Tita ay tahimik lang din habang palipat-lipat ang tingin sa amin ni Tito.

"Look, Nat..." Huminahon ang boses ni Tito. "Pag-isipan mo ito nang mabuti. Ayon na lang ang hinahabol sa'yo ng mga Palermo dahil wala na ang mga magulang mo. Tutal ay hindi pa rin naman naipapasa nang tuluyan sa'yo ang titulo ng bahay at lupa niyo."

"I will find a job, Tito. I can't sell the house," I said, very eager to find ways on how to pay my parent's debt to the Palermos before they died.

Both my parents died in a car crash almost a year ago. Hindi ko naman masasabing baon sa utang ang mga magulang ko dahil ang mga Palermo lang naman ang pinagkakautangan nila. Iyon nga lang, parang katumbas ng isang daan na pinagkakautangan ang utang nila sa Palermo.

It was the money they borrowed from the Palermos and their company. And we had just received and order from the court that we needed to settle because of my parent's outstanding against our estate which had not been paid.

However, I remained firm with my decision not to give our house and lot away. Naisip ko na baka puwedeng makipag-usap na lang ako sa mga Palermo na kaysa kuhanin nila sa akin ang lupa ay uunti-untiin ko na lang bayaran sa kanila ang kailangan.

I had no idea how long would that take me, especially if I would only receive a minimum wage, but I was willing to work hard for it. Ang gusto ko sana ay ituloy ang businesss na nasimulan ng aking mga magulang, kaya nga lang ay wala akong puhunan upang maituloy iyon. I could loan from banks, but I doubted if I'd be granted. Iniisip ko pa lang na maaaring gamitin ng mga Palermo ang kanilang kapangyarihan upang hindi ako maaprubahan ay alam kong wala nang mararating ang aking plano.

"Hay nako, Nathen." sigaw ulit ni Tito at padarang na binaba ang kayang kubyertos. "Hindi ganoon kadali kumita ng pera! It will take you years to earn ten million. At sa tingin mo papayag basta-basta ang mga Palermo sa gusto mong mangyari? Kung ako sa'yo ay hayaan mo nang kuhanin nila ang lupa."

"Tito, hindi ko nga po puwedeng ibigay sa kanila, 'yon!" Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagtaas ng boses habang namumuo ang luha sa aking mga mata.

Agad namang tumayo si Tita upang daluhan ako. Hinimas-himas niya ang aking braso upang mapigilan ang paglandas ng luha.

"Iyon na lang ang naiwan sa akin nina Mommy at Daddy... I will hold on to it as long as I can," sabi ko at garalgal na ang aking boses.

I couldn't live in our own houss because the memories of me and my parents brought an incredible amount of pain to my heart which clouded the happiness I felt from times I was with them. Kahit saan ako lumingon ay naaalala ko sila. I couldn't take it like I was being haunted. Kaya naman lumipat ako sa kapatid ni daddy.

But despite the fact that I couldn't go back to our house, it didn't mean that I wanted to sell or use it to pay for the debts my parents owed to their creditor. Alam kong makakabalik din ako roon kapag ayos na ako.

"Nat, mahihirapan ka lang," pilit ni tito. "Kahit subukan mong pigilan ang gustong mangyari ng mga Palermo ay wala ring magagawa kapag ang korte na mismo ang nagdesisyon. Sa huli ay ikaw pa rin ang talo."

"Larry, tama na," pagsuway sa kanya ni Tita. "Nat already had enough today. Umaga pa lang ay binabaril mo na siya ng mga sermon mo, hanggang ngayon gabi ba naman?"

"Edith, she will not learn if you will keep on—"

"Larry, please," mariin ang boses ni Tita kaya tumigil na rin si Tito. "Maawa ka naman sa pamangkin mo. Wala pang isang taon simula nang namatay ang kapatid mo at ang asawa niya. Nat's

not yet fully moved on. Hayaan mo muna siya."

Napabuntong hininga naman si Tito. "I'm letting you do what you want, Nat. But I hope you will take action about it. Sana ay isipin mong mabuti ang mga sinasabi ko."

Trying to stop myself from talking back, I just bit my lower lip hard.

"Nathen..." mahinahong pagtawag sa akin ni Tita kaya naman nilingon ko siya. "Kumain ka na at pagkatapos ay magpahinga ka. Don't stress yourself too much."

A smile slowly formed on my lips. I really appreciate her concern. Kahit na hindi ko siya kadugo ay mas naiintindihan niya ako kaysa kay tito.

Ever since I started living with them, tita always spoiled me in every way that she can while tito kept on disciplining me as much as he can.

They didn't have a child because tita is not capable in bearing a child. Naiintindihan ko kung bakit ganoon ang trato niya sa akin. I know that she's treating me like her own child.

Pagkatapos kumain ay umakyat na ako sa aking kuwarto gaya ng kagustuhan ni tita. I didn't know why I was keeping or hiding myself inside their house. Hindi pa ako lumalabas ng kanilang pamamahay magmula nang tumira ako rito.

I just didn't have the guts to show myself to anyone, even to my closest friends. Most of the were already in Norte, so I really didn't bother pushing myself. Ako na lang ata ang natira dito sa Cagayan Valley. Ang dami nang nagbago pero nandito pa rin ako.

I should be with them in Norte, joining the wider field to work as a degree holder. I graduated Mass Communication ngunit hindi ko nagawang umalis lalo na nang namatay ang aking mga magulang.

I felt like my dreams didn't matter anymore because they are not here for me to be able to share my success with them. Aanhin ko ang pangarap ko kung wala naman na ang mga dahilan kung bakit ako nangangarap. Wala nang natira sa akin. I knew I shouldn't think that way and ruin my future, but I still couldn't collect myself.

"Nathen! Jusko, Nathen, gumising ka na!"

Nagising ako sa pagyugyog sa akin ni Tita Edith.

Kinusot ko naman ang aking mga mata bago ito tuluyang dinilat at bumungad sa akin ang natatarantang itsura ni Tita Edith.

"Bakit, Tita?" inosente kong tanong at nakuha ko pang humikab dahil pakiramdam ko'y kahit matagal akong natulog ay kulang pa rin.

"Nasa baba ang abogado ng mga Palermo! Gusto ka raw nilang makausap!" natarantang sabi ni Tita at nanlaki naman ang aking mga mata.

Halos mahulog ako sa kama ko sa sobrang pagmamadaling makatayo upang makababa agad. Hindi ko man lang naisip na ayusin ang aking sarili para lamang humarap sa mga naghahanap sa akin.

I knew I couldn't be jailed just because of my parent's debts, but I was still feeling nervous and terrified. Hindi ko maisip kung bakit bumisita ang abogado ng mga Palermo sa amin.

Pagkababa ko sa tanggapan ay bumungad sa akin ang dismayadong si Tito Larry. Alam kong pangangaralan niya ako pagkatapos nito. I could almost hear him screaming at me.

I averted my eyes to the man who was wearing a corporate suit with a briefcase beside him — just like a normal get up of a lawyer. He was also wearing eye glasses, but it didn't hide his actractiveness. And when his eyes found mine, he smiled and stood up to greet me.

"Good morning, Miss Torrano," he formally greeted me and offered his hand. "I'm Atty. Rojas, one of the Palermo's lawyers. I'm the one who filed the order to the court. I'm sure natanggap ninyo na rin 'yon, right?"

Nakipagkamay naman ako sa kanya habang tumango-tango. Kahit kabadong-kabado ako, his presence made me a bit comfortable. He wasn't intimidating.

"Ummm... Upo po tayo," sabi ko na lang at nilahad sa kanya ang sofa.

"Oh, thank you!" He smiled and sat again.

Umupo na rin ako kanyang tapat habang tinitingnan siyang biglang sumeryoso.

"So, I'm here to discuss the order to you," he started talking about his main agenda without beating around the bush. "The total of your debt to the Palermos is ten million pesos. And since your parents died, your estate is charged with liability. My client filed an order to the court to anchor your parent's debts to your family's estate, which is still under your parent's name, since the transfer of deed toyour name is still in process," he gave me a quick brief with regards to the order. "In short, in order to settle the debt, your estate will become one of the Palermos properties."

(For clarity: Law of Succession 101 - The heirs are not compelled to pay the debts of the dececent. However, the transfer of the inheritance to the heirs will not be perfected until the debts had been satisfied against the estate. Hindi namamana ang utang. Kung namatay ang parents niya sa properties nila icha-chrage yo'n. Yan yo'ng magiging bayad nila sa utang nila.)

My shoulders fell right after he refreshed my memory about it. Alam ko naman 'yon. Naiintindihan ko 'yon nung una pa lang. But I thought I could still make some amendments.

"But my client is willing to give you two more options, Ms. Torrano."

Mabilis akong nag-angat muli ng tingin kay Atty. Rojas na binabasa ang mga papel na kanyang hawak-hawak. It was like his words gave me a chance to live. It was like I was revived.

"Your first option is to pay the debt monetarily in three month." As soon as he was done stating the first option, I immediately crossed it out inside my head.

There was no way that I could earn ten million in three months. Not unless I won the lottery, but the chances were too low. Baka mas posible pang tamaan ako ng kidlat kaysa manalo sa Lotto.

"And for the other option, you will need to visit the The Seacoast Hotel and Resort today or tomorrow. Just go to the President's office. I'm sure that they will be offering great help to you," he siad with a smile pero hindi ko man makuhang ngumiti.

Kumunot ang aking noo. "Bakit hindi mo na lang sabihin sa akin? Bakit kailangan ko pang pumunta roon?"

"I'm just doing what my client instructed me, Ms. Torrano," he said. "You can discuss all further matters with the President. But of course, if you are okay with the court's order or the first option I provided you, we will welcome it."

"Thank you Atty. Rojas. My niece will be going to The Seacoast maybe later or tomorrow," biglang pagsingit ni Tito kaya naman napaangat ng tingin sa kanya si Atty. Rojas.

"Well, the President will surely be waiting for you," sabi naman niya at niligpit na ang kanyang gamit bago tumayo. "In my own opinion, last option will be the best option. You made the right choice."

"Thank you, Atty," pati si Tita Edith ay nakipagkamay na sa batang abogado bilang pasasalamat.

"I'm sorry for disturbing early in the morning. I better go now," paghingi pa nito ng paumanhin bago nagpaalam.

Nang makaalis na ang abogado ay lutang pa rin ang aking isipan. Para sa akin ay wala akong gustong piliin sa tatlong pagpipilian lalo na kung wala namang kasiguraduhan ang pangatlong opsyon. However, I knew I had no other choice. That was my last hope. Hindi rin naman papayag si tito na hindi pupunta lalo na kung ito lang talaga ang tanging paraan.

"Maganda rin pala magkaroon ng koneksyon noon sa mga Palermo, Nathen," sabi ni tito na mukhang masaya habang tinitingnan akong nag-aayos para sa pagpunta sa The Gorge.

Napatigil ako sa pagsisintas ng aking sapatos nang pinaalala sa akin ni tito ang naging koneksyon sa mga Palermo na gusto kong ibaon sa limot. I wanted to oppose his thoughts and tell him that it wasnt't a good thing at all. It could even make the situation worst. But of course, I wouldn't telk that to them. I was hoping for the best.

"Yes, miss?" the girl in the reception of The Seacoast asked me. "Do you have any reservation?"

"Uhm... None," sagot ko. "I was actually looking for the President's office."

"You can address all your concerns to us, Ma'am," she politely said, looking a bit troubled despite of smiling.

"Hindi kasi puwede, eh... I need to meet the President personally. I believe she knows I'm coming," paliwanag ko. "Itatanong ko lang kung nasaan yung office niya."

Medyo napakunot naman ang noo ng receptionist at tila nag-aalangan. "She?" she confusely asked. "His office is on the second floor, left wing. The last door on the wing is his office," she told me and emphasized the pronoun 'his'.

Napangiti naman ako. "Thank you very much!"

I remembered correctly, Tita Norma is the President of The Seacoast. But then, I just thought that it was currently handled by her husband. The have other branches of The Seacoast kaya baka sa ibang The Seacoast nakadestino ngayon si Tita Norma.

"Any appointments, ma'am?" pormal na pagtanong sa akin ng babae sa harapan ng office na kailangan kong tunguin.

"I'm Nathen Torrano. I was asked to go to the President's office by Atty. Rojas."

"Oh! You're Nathen Torrano," gulat namang pagsambit ng babae saka inilahad sa akin ang pintuan. "You may come in now but you still have to wait for Mr. Palermo. He told me to let a girl name Nathen Torrano in immediately as soon as she arrives."

"Uhm... Maraming salamat," sabi ko na lang at bahagyang tumango bilang paggalang.

Napanguso ako, unti-unting binabalot ng kaba. Inayos ko ang aking high-waist pants at pati na rin ang nakatuck-in na plain grey shirt. Binuksan ko ang pintuan ng opisina at saka dahan-dahang pumasok dito.

The office was bigger than bedroom but the interior design's very minimal. Malamig din sa loob ng opisina nang dahil sa aircon na nakabukas kahit wala namang tao sa loob.

Umupo ako sa visitor's couch at pinirmi ang sarili doon. I shouldn't wander around the office while no one's here. Baka mamaya'y masira ako at madagdagan pa ang utang ko sa kanila.

Sa sobrang tagal kong naghihintay ay hindi ko namamalayang nakatulog na pala ako at tanging mahihinang pagtapik sa aking braso ang nagpagising sa akin.

"Miss Torrano... Miss Torrano, wake up," marahang paggising sa akin.

Kung hindi mababaw ang pagtulog ko ay paniguradong hindi ako magigising sa ginagawa niyang paggising. Unti-unti kong idinilat ang aking mga mata at bumungad sa akin ang natatawang si Atty. Rojas.

"You feel sleep," puna niya.

Nahihiya akong ngumiti sa kanya. "Uhm... Pasensya na. Nainip kasi ako sa paghintay."

Inalalayan niya pa ako sa pagbangon nang marinig ko ang malakas na pagtikhim ng isang lalaki. Umalis sa pagkakaharang sa aking harapan si Atty. Rojas at nanlaki ang aking mga mata nang makita ko kung sino ang tamad na nakasandal sa kanyang lamesa habang nakahalukipkip at diretsong nakatingin sa akin.

His cold eyes piercing at me and it was enough to make me shiver. He grew so much taller and his body built became firmer. Nagbago na rin ang ayos ng kanyang buhok at mas naging pormal na ang kanyang pananamit.

"Miss Torrano..." malamig niyang pagtawag sa akin.

Napalunok ako at parang gusto ko nang tumakbo pauwi.

I can't believe it. He's already back.