THE ILLEGITIMATE DAUGHTER

CHAPTER 1:Who is your father?

September 2016

Adina raised her daughter, Aivi as a single mother. Aivi was already in her last year in senior high school. Thus, she asked her about her career choice.

Adina’s question was, “So what degree will you pursue in college, sweetie? I have already saved enough money for your college fund. Then I also asked the tenant in my studio unit in Balsemea that their lease would not be renewed anymore by January since you will be using it already once you study in any of your chosen universities or colleges in Missi.”

Aivi answered, “I want to be a lawyer. I also want to be a psychologist. So I am still thinking things over, Ma.”

Adina said, “You can then have psychology as your pre-law degree,” and then asked, “So in which university do you want to study?”

Aivi stated, “If I qualify at UF – Vienburg then I will study there and just stay in one of its on-campus dormitories. So you may still tell your tenants that the renewal of their lease is so-so. But then I also kind of like the idea of the three-term academic year at Saint La Salle University – Dessaun or at Saint Benilde University – Balsemea. I also like the fast-track two-year law degree at SBU.”

Adina told her daughter, “Well, you need to enumerate three program choices as well as three university/college choices in your NCAT. You can have those three universities already,” and then asked further, “So what are the two other degree programs you prefer as a pre-law degree? I do suggest that they are degrees that will somehow land you a job immediately. That way, if you didn’t qualify to any law school, then you have a fallback career. In psychology, you can be a licensed psychometric. You can also pursue a master's degree in clinical psychology and be some sort of psychotherapist. You can also have a career in teaching, marketing, public relations, government & law enforcement, and HR.”

Aivi asked, curious, “What is HR, Ma?”

Adina answered, “Human Resource. Every workplace organization has this department or office, which is in-charge of recruitment & hiring of employees, employees’ development programs and more. Psychologists are usually for the application of their knowledge and skills in measurement & assessment, principles of rewards system & motivational factors among others.”

Aivi said, “Then I will have to think of the two other degree programs.”

January 2017

By December they already knew that Aivi had already qualified to the psychology, economics, and communications program of Saint La Salle University (SLSU) and Saint Benilde University (SBU) as well as to the communications program of UF – Vienburg based from the results of her NCAT. But she had finally chosen to study in Saint Benilde University since they have a residence in Balsemea, her godparents lived there, and her best friend would also study fashion design & merchandising in SBU. Thus, Adina didn’t renew the lease of her tenant anymore having it vacant for her planned renovation by January already.

That same month, Adina took a Friday off from her work as a university nurse. So she could accompany her daughter to confirm her admission to the psychology program of SBU as well as to meet with her friends in Balsemea which included Aivi’s baptismal godparents – Dr. Manuel Ho and Noreen Santos RN.

Dr. Manuel Ho was a childhood gay friend, a classmate from kindergarten to senior high school, who was already an ER doctor in Balsemea Medical Center (BMC) when she fell pregnant with IV from a drunken one-night stand with a married man whom she had an unrequited love. She was also an OR nurse at BMC by that time. Manuel had arranged for her exit plan so that others would not know about her pregnancy. When she resigned, he arranged an employment for her in his mother’s obstetrics and lying in clinic in the outskirt of Balsemea City. Manuel’s mother was also the one who recommended her for the university nurse job at SLSU in Beaunne City, Sorocon since Manuel’s sister, Melanie, was the university physician at that time. She was even lucky enough to be accommodated by Melanie as a housemate in her housing unit in the Faculty & Staff Village. Melanie already worked as an obstetrician/gynecologist and fetal surgeon in Sorocon General Hospital and was married to a general and pediatric surgeon in Beaunne City Doctors’ Hospital BCDH. Adina even got to work as part-time OR nurse for both of them during weekends. Melanie was also an affiliate in BCDH. Thus, she was able to save a lot for Aivi’s future. Manuel was already a cardio-thoracic surgeon at BMC. Whereas, Noreen Santos was her classmate when she was taking her nursing degree, and already a chief nursing executive in Balsemea Medical Center. Noreen already had her own family with a chief-of-police husband and their two sons.

Whom Adina did not expect to meet that day when she and Aivi were at the university building of SBU was her mother’s former employer, Atty. Fatima Legarda-Vernal, who was also a professor emeritus in economics and law at SBU, the wife of retired supreme course Justice Dominico Vernal III

Her mother’s employer and also her godmother was even the one who approached her at the waiting area at the lobby while Aivi was still in queue for her turn to be accommodated at the University Registrars’ Office.

The professor emeritus was even the one who approached her and said, “Adina, is that you?”

Adina responded, surprised, “Yes, Mamu,” that she even addressed her mother’s former employer as Mamu just like before.”

The Vernal Matriarch even asked a series of questions “Where have you been? Where do you live now? Why are you here?”

She answered, “I moved to Beaunne City, Mamu. I am here to accompany my daughter for admission to a psychology program. She will a college student already next academic year, and she will be staying in my former studio unit. My tenant had it vacated already upon my early request. We didn’t renew their annual lease for this year anymore.”

The professor even asked, “So where is she now?”

She said, “She is still in queue at the university registrar’s office to confirm her admission.”

Her mother’s former employer insisted, “We should have lunch together. We will wait on you outside. I will be in my vehicle. I will take no for an answer.”

She hesitantly agreed, “Okay, Mamu.”

So, when she and Aivi had come out of the administration building, the secretary of the Vernal Matriarch had approached them to lead them to the luxury SUV.

Fatima Legarda-Vernal was surprised upon seeing Adina’s daughter, who seemed to look like her when the teenager was her age. Their heart-shaped face, honey brown eyes, straight brows, fair skin complexion in a warm ivory neutral undertone, and their golden brown wavy locks were similar. Nonetheless, the young lady had Adina’s button nose, big ingot-shaped ears, and heart-shaped lips.

Nonetheless, she just asked the young lady, “So what is your name, hija. And how old are you?”

Adina’s daughter answered, “My name is Aivi Dominique Gomez, ma’am. I am 17 years old,” and then asked, “May I know who you are ma’am. How did you know Mama?

Adina was about to make the introductions but her mother's former employer motioned to just let them talk.

Madam Fatima Vernal answered, “I am Atty. Fatima Legarda-Vernal. I am your mother’s confirmation godmother and your grandmother’s friend and former employer. My husband’s family owned the Vernal Equity Firm. He is a former Supreme Court Justice. Then my son is the current Mayor of Balsemea City. My husband and I are both professor emeritus in economics and law at SBU. I heard that you will be taking psychology next academic year,” but wondering why Adina’s daughter was using Gomez as her surname, but she didn’t pry. The last time she and Adina met was during the death anniversary of Imelda, Adina’s mother who was her most trusted executive and personal secretary, and also a fourth-degree cousin.

Aivi then shared, “I also want to be a lawyer, madam. I also qualified for the economic and communications program of SBU and SLSU as well as the communications program of UF – Vienburg, but I prefer psychology as my first degree. Mama said that I should choose a degree with lots of possible career opportunities should I not be lucky enough to qualify in any law school.”

Madam Fatima commented, “Your mother is right,” and then asked, “Anyway, who is your father? Your mother did not even invite me when she got married. She didn’t even inform me that she had even moved to Sorocon. After her mother’s death, I didn’t see her anymore when I attended the shareholders' meeting of Balsemea Medical Center. Your mother used to work there.”

Aivi answered, “I don’t know my father, Madam. Mama said that he has his own family and didn’t know about my existence as his daughter. Mama raised me alone.”

Madam Fatima perfunctorily apologized, “Pardon me. I didn’t know,” and then changed the topic, “Anyway, we should stay in touch. And I will visit you once you are already a college student in SBU, hija. So do well in your studies. I can even loan you my law books and reviewers just so you could have an advance reading. That way you will most likely pass a law aptitude examination of any law school here in Missi. But the quickest way for you to earn a law degree is through the fast-track two-year law degree program of SBU. I took that at SBU after finishing my baccalaureate degree in economics and management as well as an MBA at University of Oxford in UK. I was already a lawyer by the time I married my husband.”

Aivi was amazed, “Wow! You must be so intelligent, madam. You even studied at a prestigious school abroad”

After that weekend, Adina had already received the results of her annual comprehensive medical checkup, and she felt devastated over the results. She was diagnosed of Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. It was not curable anymore. So she just preferred pain medication. She asked Melanie not to tell anyone of her health condition, even Manuel or Noreen. She also didn’t tell her daughter about her health condition and just focused on arranging for her daughter’s future when she was already gone.

Adina filed for resignation so she would be able to spend more time with her daughter. She told her immediate supervisor the real reason. Aivi didn’t even question her decision because she told her that she planned to move back with her to Balsemea City upon her graduation and just do part-time work at the obstetrics and lying in clinic or her godfather’s mother. Thus, she was making all the preparations for their eventual move.

Adina also decided whom to assign as her daughter’s legal guardian in the event that she passed away before her daughter turned eighteen, which was the legal age as well as the age of emancipation in the country. She also requested a p*****t from her several life insurances since she had an option to receive a payout in the event of a terminal illness. She also opened up several and/or bank accounts for her and her daughter. She also traded her old car and purchased in cash a brand-new hatchback car, Mitsubishi Mirage, for her daughter as a graduation gift.

May 29, 2017. Monday. It was Aivi’s senior high school graduation. After the ceremony, they already permanently moved to her newly renovated studio unit in Kaia Residence which was a residential compound outside but near the city proper with several low cost mid-rise condominium buildings. They had already transferred their belongings there gradually. Aivi had temporarily stayed with Shayne and her family when they had to vacate the housing unit in the faculty and staff village of SLSU – Beaunne City while Adina stayed in Balsemea and just fetch her daughter every time, she had no classes.

English Professor Elaine Delgado, Shayne’s mother, was Aivi’s confirmation godmother. She and Adina had also agreed that Shayne would live rent free in their studio unit upon their daughters’ collegiate education and would just pay a fixed amount to share on the utility bills. The studio unit had a double size bed which Aivi and Shayne could share while Adina could use the sofa-convertible-bed in the living room.

June 3, 2017. Saturday. Adina felt dizzy in the walk-in closet as she was arranging the new clothes she and her daughter had recently shopped for while Aivi was cleaning up the kitchen.

Aivi heard a dropping of an object and asked her mother what it was. She didn’t hear any response. So she checked on her mother and saw her seated on the floor about to lose consciousness. She immediately called up the emergency hotline while they were inside the ambulance.

As the paramedics arrived, Aivi also called up her Ninong Manuel. Her godfather immediately asked her to give the smartphone to the paramedic. Manuel was aware of Adina’s health condition. So he told the paramedic what needed to be known and to bring her at BMC. Manuel then called up Noreen and Madam Fatima to inform them of Adina’s medical emergency. Those two were also aware of Adina’s health condition. He also informed the Delgados about the situation, since Atty. Samuel Delgado was the executor of Adina’s last will and testament. The Delgados were not aware of Adina’s medical condition. They were shocked but Atty Samuel Delgado had immediately notified the death care company in charge of Adina’s funeral plans, since he was informed by Dr. Manuel Ho that she was on a critical stage already and if her heart or breathing stopped then cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR would not be attempted, since Adina signed a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order.

When they reached the hospital, Aivi questioned her Ninang Noreen, who immediately attended to her upon their arrival.

Aivi asked, teary-eyed, “What is wrong with Mama, Ninang?”

Her godmother told her, “Your mother will tell you once she regains consciousness, Aivi. For now, we just have to wait.”

When Madam Fatima arrived, she was with her husband, Former Chief Justice Dominico Vernal III, her son, Mayor Nick Vernal, and his daughter-in-law, Celeste Tolentino-Vernal. The mayor was a childhood friend of Adina with their mothers being cousins, friends and having employer-employee relationship. Adina also served as Celeste’s private nurse whenever she had delivered a baby. It was the first time that Aivi saw them. The Vernal Patriarch immediately noticed the striking similar features of his wife to Adina’s daughter, and he felt not so good about it.

Adina had already regained consciousness as the Vernals arrived. But the first one she talked to was her daughter in the presence of Madam Fatima, Dr. Manuel, and Nurse Noreen.

She told her daughter, “Please stop crying, sweetie. You must be strong, especially when I am already gone. I didn’t tell you about the diagnosis of my Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. It cannot be cured anyway. So I have just decided to spend the rest of my remaining months with you worrying about me. I just take pain medication. I also needed to prepare everything for you if ever I passed away anytime. You should reach for your dreams even if I am already gone. Mamu, and your godparents have already agreed to be your helpline in the event that I am already gone. Shayne will also be your housemate once you have already started college. So your Ninang Elaine and Ninong Samuel would get to visit the two of you often. I can feel that my end is already near. I might not even last until your 18th birthday. I wish I could still be there until you get married and have your own children, but I don’t think I would be able to experience with you every milestone in your life going forward.”

Aivi responded, “No, Mama. Promise, I won’t be stubborn and self-centered anymore. You are my only family.”

Adina replied calmly, “Family is not just by blood. We are surrounded here now by so many good people. Just don’t forget everything that I taught you. The money that I saved for your future is more than enough for you to survive even after you have finished your degree. Mamu will teach you how to manage all the property and money that I will leave behind. She was also the one who taught me how to manage my finances wisely. You can also seek the advice of your godparents if needed. You will soon be eighteen. I have always raised you to be self-reliant. I wanted to be with you longer, but I would not be able to do that anymore. So just be responsible and spread your wings freely like I always allow you to do so.”

Adina was also able to talk to the Vernals in private.

Nick, who was a very dear friend and always treated her like a sister, casually said, “You just left without saying goodbye eighteen years ago. And now that you have returned, you even plan on leaving without even returning. We could also have been part of your daughter’s life. She could have grown up with my sons and daughter like real cousins.”

She casually replied, “I didn’t inform you because I knew you would just nag at me for being irresponsible. ” and then said seriously, “I just want to start anew at that time away from the people who know me, since I don’t want to be judged and be asked with so many questions like… Who impregnated me? Why I choose to be pregnant out of wedlock? Manuel and his family helped me out without any questions being asked. I stayed and worked at his mother’s private obstetrics and lying-in clinic while I was pregnant. And then, a few months after Aivi’s birth. I moved to Sorocon and got employed upon the recommendation of Manuel’s sister.”

Celeste was then the one who asked, “Are you sure you would just let your daughter live independently? Why not inform her father about her existence?”