The Distress of Being Mrs. Roche (Girl Power)

Kabanata 02

Kabanata 02

“I would like to see Mr. Roche and Ms. Lopez team up with a project.”

Bumagsak ang panga ko nang marinig ‘yon mula sa dean namin. Kakatapos lang ng klase ko pero pinatawag kami para atasan ng isang proyekto. 

Our department decided to collaborate with UP Political Science Association and come up with a project for voter’s education. 

And unfortunately, the guy I kept avoiding will be my partner for this since siya ang president ng UPSA. 

“Are you okay with that Ms. Lopez?” Tanong ni Dean. Napatingin saakin ang professor namin sa Legislative Politics. 

Mukhang napansin nila na hindi okay saakin ang collaboration dahil obviously, hindi naman sa ayoko pero hindi kami magka-wavelength ni Roche. Hindi ko ma-imagine na madalas kong makikita pagmumukha niya higit sa tatlong segundo. 

“I have some objections, Dean,” Panimula ko at napatalim ang tingin ko kay Hades nang mapangisi ito. 

Ang yabang talaga. 

Pinukulan ko ito ng masamang tingin bago bumaling kila dean. 

“Since we’re talking about voter’s education, I think it’s better to collaborate with other organization which has expertise in campaigning like the College of Mass Communications. Mas may skills sila to advertise such campaign..po,” Palusot ko.

Because obviously, I don’t want to work with this guy. He’s a nuisance. Lagi niya lang sinisira araw ko. 

“Well, I beg to disagree, Ms. Lopez, I think it’s a great opportunity to work with Student Council since you had a lot of previous successful campaigns and, you have a broader network than any other organization, so it is best to utilize that leverage you have,” Giit ni Hades. 

Nanlisik ang mata ko dahil hindi alintana sa itsura nito ang kumpiyansa sa sinasabi niya. His actions are teling me that I should accept working with him because he’s just going to keep on justifying the perks of working with one another. 

“Mr. Roche has a point, and since both of you seems competitive and competent, I think working together will somehow improve your relationship, after all, both of you are the treasure of this department,” Pagkampi ni Dean. 

Magsasalita pa ako nang mabilis sumagot si Hades.

“Exactly, Dean. That’s my point!” Malawak nitong ngiti. 

Halos hindi mo makita ang mata niya dahil may smiling eyes siya. The reason I hate to work with him is because of his mocking aura. Pakiramdam ko lagi lang kaming mag-aaway dahil parehas kaming may pinaglalaban. 

Para kaming mantika’t tubig na hindi mo pwedeng ipagsama. 

“With all due respect Dean, I don’t think it’s a good idea to——“

“Are you doubting Mr. Roche, Ms. Lopez?” Seryosong tanong ni Dean. 

Mariin naman akong napalunok at umiling. 

“That’s not what I meant but I think it’s best—-“ 

“Someone is being unprofessional,” Parinig ni Hades habang nasa likod ang kamay nito at may nakakainis na ekspresyon. Halatang nang-aasar. 

Kaya agad na akong napalingon dito at tinaasan ng kilay. 

“Excuse me? Are you trying to get under my skin?” This time, I really don’t care if Dean is watching. Kasalanan ‘to ni Roche dahil kahit kailan hindi niya tinatahimik ang bibig niya. 

“I’m just saying, it’s not you who will make the last call so whatever the dean says might as well just do it. Right, Dr. Socoro?” 

At naghanap pa talaga siya ng kakampi. 

Tumango naman ang prof na ngayo’y nakatingin lang saamin at pinagmamasdan kaming mag-away.

Napahinga naman ako ng malalim at napailing. 

Wala talagang preno ang bibig niya. 

Hindi na ako sumagot dahil baka mas lalo lang lumala ang alitan at muling napatingin kay Dean. 

“I beg for reconsideration at my end, Dean,” Ayon na lang nasabi ko. 

Napaisip si dean pero kalaunan ay napabuntong hininga ito at napaayos ng tango.

“I’m trying to maximize the opportunity that was being given in our department. And both of you have the talent. If you’re really that student that anyone admires, then you might as well prove it by doing the campaign. And that’s final,”

Wala akong nagawa kung ‘di sumang-ayon na lamang. I already anticipated this. I know everyone will go against my side because this jerk beside me knows how to manipulate people. 

And my fault for not being able to possess that kind of skill. Hindi kasi ako charming katulad niya. 

“Ariadne!” 

Napasinghap ako at mabilis na humarap sa kaniya. This time napipikon na talaga ako sa kaniya!

“Can’t you f*****g shut your mouth for a bit, Hades?! For f*****g once!” 

Bigla itong napatigil dahil sigaw ko. Mabuti na lang talaga at walang tao sa corridor nang bulyawan ko siya. 

“What the hell is your problem? Bakit ba galit na galit ka saakin?!” 

Napatigil ako dahil sa sinabi niya. 

Ever since first year college kami, unang tingin ko pa lang sa kaniya, ay ayoko na sa kaniya. 

His confidence, his appearance, the way he approach people…

I hate his existence. 

I could see naman na he’s trying to get along with me. He’s trying to befriend me. Pero hindi ganoon kadali saakin ‘yon. 

Because he reminds me of someone that I truly despise.

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang lumapit ito saakin at tinitigan ako sa mata na tila sinseridad ang sasabihin niya. 

“Can’t you be nice to me? Wala naman akong ginagawang masama. Hindi ko alam bakit galit na galit ka saakin,” He said exasperatedly. 

Hindi ko rin alam bakit ganito kalaki ang galit ko sa kaniya. 

“Cut the chase,” Matigas kong sabi at napaigting ang panga ko. “Because whatever you do, I’ll always gonna hate you.” 

“Wala akong ginagawang masama, Ariadne,” Mahina niyang sabi. I could see through his eyes how badly he wants to have a good relationship with me. 

But I can’t give it to him. I just can’t. 

Napatikhim ako at tinitigan siya na may malamig na ekspresyon. 

“Stop giving me that look,” Inis kong sabi dahil para itong tuta na nagpapa-cute. 

“Then what about this,” He proposed and breathed out. “Let’s have a civil relationship. I’ll treat you like an acquaintance and in return, just treat me how you treat strangers who you just met.”

At that moment, napaisip ako. 

Somehow, I was convinced that maybe that will be the best case for us. 

Pure business. 

Ilang segundong binalot ng katahimikan ang paligid namin pero kalaunan ay nagsalita ako. 

“Fine, pure business. Now get the hell out of my way,” And after that, I just heard a disbelief smirk. 

______________________________________________

“Atty. Lopez, I would like you to meet Mr. Juarez, owner of Juarez Pharmaceutical.”

Pakilala ni Atty. West, ang Senior Name Partner ng firm na pinagtatrabahuhan ko. 

Napataas ang kilay ko nang abutan ako ng lalaki na hindi ko kilala na kanina'y nang istorbo ng training ko sa mga associates.

“A very pleasant day to meet the iron eagle,” Saad nito na may ngisi sa kaniyang pisngi. Napaismid naman ako dahil kanina pa ako naasar sa mukha niya.

“I’m Atty. Lopez,” Seryoso kong pakilala at nakipagkamay dito. 

Pero nang aalisin ko na ‘to ay hinigpitan pa nito ang pagkapit pagkatapos ay kinindatan ako. 

Biglang nag-init ang mukha ko at nakaramdam ng irita. I don’t know where he’s getting the audacity to do such thing but even if he’s the hottest person in this room, I surely won’t bite his annoying act. 

“You should do some etiquette, Mr. Juarez, you should know when to let go of a lady’s hand,” Taray ko at bahagyang napalaki ang mata nito dahil sa sinabi ko. He was embarrassed because I turned him down. Oh well, I don’t have plans to play hide and seek with him dahil hindi ko siya gusto. 

“People are right. You’re interesting, Atty. Lopez,” He said with his British accent. I just smirked and shook my head. 

Everyone called me a ruthless attorney who doesn’t know how to be gentle to people or clients, but that is me. I’m not working to have friends. I’m working to have connections and win every case. 

Feelings over the business will only make things complicated. And I don’t want to intervene with those emotions because, as I’ve said, I’m done being a victim of love. 

“And my instinct is right, your face can ruined someone’s day,” I rebutted.

Bumaling ako kay Atty. West na ngayo’y nakaawang ang bibig dahil sa sinabi ko. 

“Cut the chase, what’s his business?” Pag-prangka ko kay Atty. West. Alam ko naman hindi ako tatawagin sa opisina niya kung wala akong gagawin. 

“Well as you know, Juarez Pharmaceutical are known for their newly-developed medicine to cure Parkinson’s disease,” Panimula ni Atty. West at ibinigay saakin ang isang folder. To be precise, she wants me to take the case. 

Marahan akong napairap nang mapansin kong nakatitig saakin si Mr. Juarez. He knows how to ruin my mood. 

He reminds me of someone. 

Habang binabasa ko ang case ay napasandal ako sa lamesa. Nasa kalagitnaan pa lang ako ng pagbabasa nang mapangiwi ako at pinilig ang ulo ko. 

“I can’t do this,” Matigas kong sabi at tinapon sa lamesa ang folder. “There is no way that I’ll go back to the Philippines.” 

I have the confidence to win the case however, I cannot assure that the legal battle will be easy. I need to cut some slacks in order to win this. 

Kahit sa tingin ko ay kaya ko at malaki ang mababalik na reputasyon nito saakin, hindi ko pwedeng i-take ang case dahil under ‘yon ng jurisdiction ng Pilipinas. Which means to say, even though I have the means to defend Juarez Pharmaceutical, kinakailangan kong umuwi sa pinas. 

And that is the last thing I want to do. Hindi pa tapos ang laban ko sa annulment case kaya alam ko na makakasama ‘yon sa proceedings ng annulment. Baka mas lalong gumulo pag nahanap ako ni Hades. 

“I flew thousands of miles just to meet you, Atty. Lopez,” Saad ni Mr. Juarez at sinamaan ko ito ng tingin. 

“Did I ask you to?” Pambabara ko at napangisi lang ito. 

Prenteng umupo si Mr. Juarez sa sofa na ngayo’y nakaharap saamin ni Atty. West. 

“Then let’s have a deal,” Saad nito. 

“I’ll buy 40% share of this company under your name.”

Bigla akong napatigil dahil sa sinabi niya. It’s a big amount of money compare to the case we are aiming to win. 

“Win or lose the case, I don’t care. I just want you to take the case,” he said with his eyes gleaming. He’s indeed a charming one. 

“And I’m gonna make you a name partner of this firm, Atty. Lopez. This firm will make sure that your marriage will be nulled. All you have to do is take the case, be Mr. Jaurez’s lawyer,” Dagdag nito. 

For sometime, I felt tempted to accept the case. Coming from my well-respected colleague, Atty. Juarez, alam ko na kaya ni resolbahan ang annulment case ko. 

It’s been years since umuwi ako and every time I’m thinking of going home, I feel anxious. Pakiramdam ko sa pagtapak ko pa lang sa Pilipinas, si Hades na ang sasalubong saakin. 

I just don’t want to see him. 

Pero hindi pwedeng habang buhay lagi akong malilimitahan dahil sa kaniya. I want to look forward. Ayoko na makulong sa nakaraan. Tapos na ang pagkakakulong ko doon at panahon na para sarili ko naman ang piliin ko. 

I’m just afraid of uncertainties. Dahil alam kong hindi magiging madali ang kaso na ‘to. I can’t have this case at my side and my personal life on the other. Sasabog ang mundo ko pag nangyari ‘yon. 

Napahinga ako ng malalim at lahat kaming nandito ngayon sa opisina ni Atty. West ay tahimik. Halatang hinihintay nila ako sa sagot ko. 

The deal isn’t that bad, in fact, it’s way more than I expect. I could really start my life with that shares. I can be my own fully. I can fully be settled here in Florida. 

Napasinghap ako at nanlambot ang ekspresyon ko. 

“I’ll think of it,” Saad ko at tumingin ako kay Atty. West. “You know that I can’t just decide something. You know that I’m not the only person who’ll get affected by my decisions.” 

Pagkatapos ng usapan ‘yon ay hindi na ako mapakali. I cancelled some of my meetings with my client just to breath. For years, I kept avoiding my seeing Hades dahil ‘yon ang pinangako ko sa sarili ko. 

Halos hindi ako makabangon sa kama ko dahil sa sobrang depresyon na naranasan ko. Hindi lang naman ‘yon dahil niloko niya ako pero, sa tuwing sumasagi ang magandang alaala namin, mas masakit pa ‘yon kaysa sa pangloloko niya. 

Because how can he cheated on me with having those wonderful memories? 

Is that an act? Is that easy to forget? 

For years, I felt insecure. I blamed myself for not being good enough. For having a bold personality. I feel like maybe, nagsawa na siya sa pagiging independent and over-achieving trait ko. 

But as I spent my time with my family and my own, I learned that it was really him who screwed it over.

I’m just glad that I was able to handle those things for years. I was able to lift myself and fight more. 

And now I’m stepping out of my comfort zone, I’m considering that maybe, it is time to go home and settled things para pag-umuwi ako dito sa Florida.

Almost 7pm nang makauwi ako sa bahay. Agad kong pinark ang kotse ko at dali-daling pumasok sa bahay dahil sa lamig. 

Bumungad saakin si mom na ngayo’y may suot na apron. 

“Hi mom, is he awake?” Tanog ko at ngumiti ito. 

“He’s waiting for you,” Masaya niyang sabi. “Your dad cook for tonight’s dinner.” 

Napangiti naman ako dahil sa sinabi ni mom. He’s pertaining to my stepfather. 

Nang tuluyan akong makapasok sa bahay ay nanlambot ang ekspresyon ko at napangiti ako nang makita ang isang maliit na bata na ngayo’y naglalaro. 

“Maddox, my baby,” Malambing na pagtawag ko dito. 

Pagtingin nito sa gawi ko ay biglang umaliwalas ang mukha nito at dali-daling lumapit saakin para bigyan ako ng yakap. 

Agad ko naman itong kinulong sa bisig ko at kinarga. 

“I miss you mommy!” Masaya nitong sabi at binigyan ako ng halik sa pisngi. “You’re home mommy!”

Malawak akong napangiti dahil sa napakagwapo kong tatlong taong gulang kong anak. 

The reason why I keep going. My main reason to live. 

“Yes baby, mommy’s home na,” Malambing kong sabi at pinugpog ko ito ng halik at tumawa ito. 

Ang bungisngis ng anak ko ang nakakawala ng pagod ko. He’s my angel. 

“Have you eaten na anak? How’s your school today? Did you have fun?” Sunod-sunod kong tanong. 

There is no person in this world that could tame me and make me the softest version of myself other than my child. 

“Yes mommy! I had fun and earlier, I received my favorite candies from tita Zia,” Masaya niyang kwento. He’s pertaining to the candies na galing sa pilipinas. He’s obsessed with the lollipops and so. 

“Did you say thank you to Tita?” I asked and he nodded. 

“Sige na anak, baba ka muna. Madumi pa si mommy dahil galing ako sa labas,” I said. Nakakaintindi naman ng tagalog ang anak ko dahil sa private lesson niya. Sinadya ko talaga ‘yon dahil ayoko na puro lang english ang alam niya.

“Okay mommy! I love you mommy!” Masaya niyang sabi at hinawakan ko naman ang magkabilang pisngi ng anak ko at hinalikan ito sa labi. 

Seeing the face of my son, I immediately had an urge to accept the deal. All I could think is about his future. And I think it’s time for him to see the world I used to live. 

Maybe, going back to the Philippines could give us a fresh start that I wanted from the beginning. 

Sa ngayon ang kinakatakutan ko lang….

Malaman ni Hades na nagbunga ang pinagsamahan namin.