Ceaseless Fire

Prologue

"Naiyah, wala ka ng ibang pagpipilian pa!" halos isigaw na sakin 'yon 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 dito ka na naman na nakatira sa amin," dagdag niyang sabi. "Ang sabi mo rin ay ayaw mo nang tumira roon. Kaya bakit ayaw mo pang ibenta kung wala na palang pakinabang?”

Si Tita ay tahimik lang din habang patingin-tingin sa amin ni Tito. Ilang beses niya na akong pinagsasabihan ngunit hindi ko magawang makinig sa kanya.

"Look, Iyah..." Huminahon ang boses ni Tito. “Pag-isipan mo ito nang mabuti. Ayon na nga lang ang hinahabol sa ‘yo ng mga Valiente dahil wala na ang mga magulang mo. Tutal ay hindi pa rin naman naipapasa sa ‘yo ang titulo ng bahay at lupa ninyo.”

"I will find a job, tito. I can't sell the house," I said, very eager to find ways on how to pay my parents' debt to the Valientes 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 Valiente lang naman ang pinagkakautangan nila. Iyon nga lang, parang katumbas ng isang daan na pinagkakautangan ang utang nila sa Valiente.

It was money they borrowed from the Valientes, particularly from the mistress of the family. It wasn't loaned from banks or other companies and organizations. And we had just received an order from the court that we needed to settle because of my parents’ debts 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 Valiente 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 minimum wage, but I was willing to work hard for it. Ang gusto ko sana ay ituloy ang business 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 Valiente ang kanilang kapangyarihan upang hindi ako maaprubahan ay alam kong wala nang mararating ang aking plano.

"Hay nako, Naiyah!" sigaw ulit ni Tito at padarag na binaba ang kaniyang 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 Valiente sa gusto mong mangyari? Kaya kung ako sa ‘yo ay hayaan mo nang kuhanin nila ang lupa."

"Tito, hindi ko nga po puwedeng ibenta ‘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 magaralgal na ang aking boses.

I couldn’t live in our house yet because the memories of me and my parents brought an incredible amount of pain to my heart. 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.

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

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

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

"Franco, please," mariin na 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. Iyah's not yet fully moved on. Hayaan mo muna siya."

Napabuntonghininga naman si Tito. "I'm letting you do what you want, Iyah. 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.

"Naiyah..." 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 of 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 kwarto 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. But most of them were already in Manila, so I didn’t really bother pushing myself. Ako na lang ata ang natira dito sa Bela Isla. Ang dami nang nagbago pero nandito pa rin ako.

I should be with them in Manila, joining the corporate world 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.

"Naiyah! Jusko, Naiyah, gumising ka na!"

Nagising ako sa pagyugyog sa akin ni Tita Edna.

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

"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 Valiente! 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 parents’ debts, but I was still feeling nervous and terrified. Hindi ko maisip kung bakit bumisita ang abogado ng mga Valiente sa amin.

Pagkababa ko sa tanggapan ay bumungad sa akin ang dismayadong si Tito Franco. Alam kong papangaralan 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 eyeglasses, but it didn't hide his attractiveness. And when his eyes found mine, he smiled and stood up to greet me.

"Good morning, Ms. Castellano," he formally greeted me and offered his hand. "I'm Atty. Navarro, one of Valiente'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 tumatango-tango. Kahit na kabadong-kabado ako, his presence made me a bit comfortable. He wasn’t intimidating.

"Uhm... 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 sa kaniyang tapat habang tinitignan siyang biglang sumeryoso.

"So, I’m here to discuss the order with you," he started talking about his main agenda without beating around the bush. "The total of your debt to the Valientes 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 parents’ debts to your family’s estate, which is still under your parents’ name, since the transfer of deed to your 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 Valientes properties.”

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

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

Mabilis akong nag-angat muli ng tingin kay Atty. Navarro 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 months.” 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 Valley Hotel and Resorts today or tomorrow. Just go to the President's office. I’m sure that they will be offering a great help to you," he said with a smile pero hindi ko man lang makuhang ngumiti.

Napakunot 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. Castellano," 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. Navarro. My niece will be going to The Valley maybe later or tomorrow," biglang pagsingit ni Tito kaya naman napaangat ng tingin sa kanya si Atty. Navarro.

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

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

"I better go now. I'm sorry for disturbing early in the morning," paghingi pa nito ng paumanhin at 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 kasigiraduhan ang pangatlong opsyon.

However, I knew I had no other choice. That was my last hope. Hindi rin naman papayag si tito na hindi ako pupunta lalo na kung ito na lang talaga ang tanging paraan.

"Maganda rin pala na nagkaroon ka ng koneksyon noon sa mga Valiente, Naiyah," sabi ni tito na mukhang masaya habang tinitingnan akong nag-aayos para sa pagpunta ko sa The Valley mamaya.

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

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

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

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

"Hindi kasi puwede, eh... Uhm, 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 confusedly 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!"

If I remember correctly, Tita Cora was the President of The Valley. But then, I just thought that it was currently handled by her husband. They have other branches of The Valley kaya baka sa ibang The Valley nakadestino ngayon si Tita Cora.

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

"I'm Naiyah Castellano. I was asked to go to the President's office by Atty. Navarro.”

"Oh! You're Naiyah Castellano," gulat namang pagsambit ng babae saka inilahad sa akin ang pintuan. "You may come in now but you still have to wait for Mr. Valiente. He told me to let a girl named Naiyah Castellano 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 my 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 may masira ako at madagdagan pa ang utang ko sa kanila.

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

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

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

"You fell asleep," 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. Navarro 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 were 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 Castellano," malamig niyang pagtawag sa akin.

Napalunok ako at parang gusto ko nang tumakbo pauwi.

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