The Gold-digging Mastermind

Kabanata 32

The new space was giving fresh vibe.

I loved how our new home turned out to be. I was so involved in everything, it really resonated with what I wanted. It was making me excited to wake up everyday into our new home.

Agad naman akong bumangon nang maaga, tulog pa si Daxiel sa aking tabi. I was trying to be consistent to wake up early to make him breakfast before going to work. I love doing it for Daxiel.

This set-up as a stay-at-home future wife doing the things for my future husband only works because Daxiel can provide enough. Not just enough, but a lot to give me a comfortable life.

Madalas na nagrereklamo ang ibang lalaki na hindi sila magawang ipagluto ng asawang pagod din sa trabaho o sa pag-aalaga ng mga supling. Household chores should be divided equally for such demanding partners.

Hindi iyong mas lamang ang trabaho ng babae sa gawaing bahay.

I’m doing things for Daxiel out of the goodness in my heart, it makes me happy and fulfilled. At malaking rason na mahal ko siya.

“You woke up early again? Baby, it’s fine. You should still be sleeping instead of cooking here in the kitchen.” Pumulupot ang kanyang braso sa aking baywang.

“You don’t appreciate my effort?” I asked, annoyed.

Uminit bigla ang ulo ko at napasimangot.

Hinalikan naman niya ang aking balikat. “I appreciate all your efforts, Millaray. What I’m saying is… I love you, baby. Please, don’t be mad at me,” malamyos ang kanyang tinig.

He was already surrendering before a fight ensues between us. Daxiel would always prevent a war from happening. Sinusuyo na niya agad ako bago pa man kami mag-away na dalawa.

We’re both old enough to handle our relationship in a mature way.

Hindi nagtatagal ang away naming dalawa, pinag-uusapan namin iyon bago pa man umusbong.

Lately, I’ve been annoyed for reasons I didn’t even know. Umiksi yata ang pisi ng pasensya ko nitong mga nakaraang araw. Minsan napagbubuntunan ng inis ko si Daxiel.

Humarap ako sa kanya. “I’m sorry for my mood swings, Daxiel. Mabilis lang ang pagkairita ko sa mga bagay-bagay ngayon.” Ngumuso naman ako.

“It’s okay, baby.”

Hinaplos niya ang aking pisngi, binigyan niya ako nang masuyong halik sa labi. It was our good morning kiss to each other. Mas masarap iyon sa almusal na luto ko.

“Siguro hindi masarap ang luto ko kaya pinapatulog mo na lang ako,” I pouted after our mind-blowing kiss.

Humalakhak naman siya pero sumeryoso din agad nang makitang hindi nagbibiro ang aking ekspresyon.

Hinalikan niya ang tungki ng aking ilong.

“Masarap ang mga luto mo, Millaray. They became favorites of mine instantly.” Huminga siya nang malalim.

“I was just worried you were not getting enough sleep, but I understand your intention and appreciate your efforts. Do what makes you happy. If it makes you happy cooking for my breakfast, do it. I’m the luckiest from the bunch.” He gave me his most handsome smile.

Napangiti na rin ako.

Yumakap ako sa kanya.

Nangunot naman ang aking noo sa amoy ng fabric ng suot niya.

I didn’t like it much.

Nagpalit ba ng fabric conditioner si Maricel? Sobra pa naman akong nababanguhan sa dati naming gamit na conditioner. My senses were getting sensitive. Lalo na ang ilong at panlasa ko sa pagkain.

Something was definitely changing inside my body and I had a hunch of what was happening.

Bigla naman akong nakaramdam ng kaba.

Hindi ko pa iyon nasasabi kay Daxiel. Kailangan ko munang siguruhin na tama ang nasa isip ko.

Sabay kaming naligong dalawa pagkatapos ng agahan.

Hindi lang basta ligo iyon, may kasamang kainan, iyong kanya naman ang ginawa kong lollipop sa ilalim ng dutsa. There would always be extra curricular, not just taking a bath.

Hinatid ko siya hanggang sa front door.

Palagi namang bigay-todo ang halik kong iginawad sa kanya bago siya tumungo sa trabaho para naman mayroon siyang gana habang nagbabasa ng sangkaterbang reports.

“Ingat sa magiging asawa ko…” I kissed his cheeks as well.

Kitang – kita ko ang pamumula sa kanyang tainga. Napailing naman ako.

Hay, patay na patay talaga sa akin ang isang Daxiel Gustav Jr.

“Millaray…” He wet his lip. “Panagutan mo ako. You always just make me feel kilig.”

I laughed and hugged him.

Inamoy-amoy ko siya, hindi ko talaga gusto ang amoy ng mga damit namin. Ngumuso ako.

“Seryoso naman ako pagdating sa’yo, Daxiel. I love you, babycakes ko. Ingat ka sa work. Don’t miss me too much.” I told him. “Gusto mo bang bumisita ako? Sabay tayong mag-lunch.”

“I would love that, baby. Let’s have lunch together.”

“Ang perfect ‘no kapag may mini me tayong puro takbo…” saad ko pa.

His eyes stared at me for a long time. Mayroon siyang maliit na ngiti sa labi.

“Baby, how about I stay here with you?” seryoso niyang tanong.

Natawa naman ako at pinagtulakan siya patungo sa kotse. Muli kong pinaulanan ang kanyang mukha ng munting mga halik. Baka hindi na siya makaalis sa sobrang daldal ko.

I waved him goodbye and blew kisses on his way.

Nanatili ako sa harap ng mansyon hanggang tuluyang makaalis ang sasakyan ni Daxiel.

When he was already out of my sight, I went back to our room. Tumungo ako sa banyo at kinuha ang box na may lamang pregnancy test kit. Dahan – dahan ko iyong binuksan, dalawa agad ang kinuha ko.

Sinunod ko ang instruction at naghintay ako ng ilang minuto sa resulta.

I closed my eyes and heaved deep breaths.

Two lines.

Both test kits indicated two lines.

I’m pregnant with Daxiel’s child.

Hindi ko napigilan ang pagluha ko. It was a dream coming to life for me. Pangarap kong maging isang ina. Ngayon pa lang pinapangako ko nang pag-iigihan ko iyon.

I didn’t have a good influence growing up, but I knew the things I should avoid.

Kaya pala bahagyang emosyonal ako at pabago – bago ang mood nitong mga nakaraang linggo. Sensitibo rin ako sa amoy at panlasa. May mga pagkaing paborito ko naman dati pero hindi ko man lang makain.

Inilagay ko naman sa ziploc bag ang pregnancy test kits. I was trying to think of how I’m going to tell my boyfriend the good news. Pareho naming inaasam na magkaroon ng anak.

We’re both ready for the responsibility of having a child.

Wala akong balak na patagalin ang pagtatago sa aking pagbubuntis.

Gustav the Third was wagging his tail when I went out of the bathroom. Pumantay naman ako sa kanya at ngumiti. Pakiramdam ko alam niya ang pagbabagong naganap sa akin.

Our furbaby seemed to be more careful around me.

“I’m pregnant, baby.” I smiled at him.

He was sniffing my belly. Hinaplos ko naman siya at hinalikan. I prepared his meal already. Balak kong maglakad – lakad sa malawak naming bakuran kasama ang una kong anak na na-furnap pa ni Daxiel.

When I walked toward the stairs with Gustav the Third, I saw a familiar figure emerging from the stairs.

Tumaas ang aking kilay habang pinagmamasdan si Daniella. She’s so thick-faced and audacious. Kahit hindi naman siya imbitado at walang okasyon, madalas pa rin siyang sumulpot sa pamamahay ko.

I didn’t know how she passed the security. Akala ko pa naman mataas ang seguridad sa residence na ito.

As I stared at her, she looked like shit.

“What are you doing here? You showed up late to the house blessing.” I made my presence known to her. “Daxiel isn’t here if you need to talk to him. Leave. You’re not welcome into my home.”

“Home? You seduced my son!” She screamed at me.

“Yeah?” Bahagya akong humawak sa aking dibdib. “Was it a surprise to you? Hindi nga nasurpresa si Daxiel na nilandi ko siya. Katunayan ay gustong – gusto niya.”

I smiled sweetly.

A nerve might pop.

“You’re not deserving of this mansion!”

Lumabas lang sa tainga ko ang iba pa niyang turan. Hindi ko na iyon pinakinggan pa. Wala nang coherence ang pinagsasabi niya sa akin. She was mad and all over the place. Mukhang wala na siya sa katinuan.

Wala naman siyang dalang kakaiba.

Natakot ako ng bahagya kung sakaling may dala siyang patalim o kaya naman ay baril. I don’t think she would resort to that.

“Daniella, please leave.” I stopped her. Kalmado ang aking boses. “Leave before I call security. I don’t care about your thoughts. I’m done with all your bullshits.”

Namataan ko namang paakyat si Maricel, mukhang narinig niya ang komosyon sa itaas. Nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag, mabilis ang hakbang kong sinalubong siya kasama ang alaga ko.

Nanlaki naman ang aking mga mata nang maramdaman ko ang kamay sa aking likod. Nabitiwan ko ang hawak kong leash ni Gustav the Third, nadulas ako paibaba ng hagdan.

Sinubukan akong saluhin ni Maricel pero dere-deretso ang pagkahulog ko.

She might not have a weapon, but the stairs are dangerous as well.

Gosh! All the teleseryes I’ve watched would be greatly disappointed in me that I didn’t think of that.

“Ma’am Olga!” Agad akong dinaluhan ni Maricel.

Sumakit ang aking puwet na siyang dumausdos sa bawat baitang. Dumating din si Jemaima sa gilid ko, inalalayan nila ako patayo.

“May dugo ka po!” rinig kong wika ni Maricel.

Sinulyapan ko ang aking likuran. There was indeed blood.

“Buntis ako…” bulalas ko.

Ipinatawag ko sa kanya ang driver, kailangan kong pumunta ng hospital. Hindi maaaring mawala ang aking dinadala. Naiiyak ako sa takot.

Gustav the Third was barking loudly.

Binuhat naman ako ni Manong Abner papasok ng sasakyan, sinamahan ako ni Maricel. Si Jemaima muna ang bahala sa alaga ko, siya na rin ang kumontak kay Daxiel na dadalhin ako sa hospital.

I was planning to cook for lunch and reveal my pregnancy to him.

Sa ibang paraan pa niya malalaman…

Hindi ko man lang na-enjoy ang magandang balita.

“Ma’am Olga, hindi po talaga namin napansin ang pagdating ni Daniella… Naiwan ko po yatang bukas ang gate nang ilabas ko ang basura.” Maricel was crying.

Wala naman akong sinisisi.

It was just unfortunate that I was pushed by Daxiel’s mother.

Nakarating kami sa hospital at agad namang inasikaso. I told them that I’m pregnant with my first child. Inilahad ko rin ang pangyayari. Hinang – hina ang pakiramdam ko…

***

“That was the last straw for me, attorney. Make sure she wouldn’t be able to get near Millaray, I’m going to press charges.”

Unti – unti naman akong nagmulat ng aking mata. Hinanap ko agad ang pinagmulan ng pamilyar na boses. Hindi pamilyar ang kuwartong kinalalagakan ko. Bumalik naman sa akin ang alaala.

“D-daxiel…” mahinang tawag ko.

Lumingon naman sa aking gawi ang lalaking nakatalikod, nawala ang kunot nitong noo nang pagmasdan ako.

“Baby…” Mabilis siyang lumapit sa akin. “How are you feeling? I’m glad you’re awake.”

He kissed my forehead.

Tinawagan niya rin ang doctor upang tingnan ako. Hinawakan niya ang aking kamay habang kausap ko ang doctor. I was scared to hear a bad news.

We were both assured that I’m still very much pregnant. It made me sigh in relief. Hindi ko napigilan ang aking sarili sa pag-iyak. Hinagod naman ni Daxiel ang aking likod, umiyak ako habang nasa bisig niya.

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.” Pinaulanan niya ng halik ang aking ulo. “Don’t worry, I’m pressing charges and filing a protective order against her.”

“D-daxiel…” Lumabi ako. “B-buntis ako.”

Naupo siya sa gilid ng aking kama.

“I didn’t have the chance to tell you that personally. Kanina ko lang nalaman na buntis ako, dapat sasabihin ko sa’yo sa lunch natin ng sabay.” I pouted even more. “I should’ve been the one to tell you that.”

Pinahid niya ang luha sa aking pisngi.

“I’m really sorry, baby. My mother ruined your chance to tell me the good news. She jeopardized your safety and the life growing inside your womb.” His eyes were teary, too. “I was so worried about you.”

“I’m well. Our baby’s holding strong.” Hinawakan ko ang kanyang pisngi. “I love you.”

I gave kisses on both of his eyelids.

Mas lalo siyang yumakap sa akin. Mahigpit ngunit kontrolado, iyong hindi niya ako masasaktan.

Malakas daw ang kapit ng nasa sinapupunan ko ayon sa doctor, kailangan ko lang magdoble ingat.

Napawi ng balitang iyon ang lahat ng pag-aalala ko kanina. Dinugo pa ako.

I was confined on the hospital. Hindi pa rin mapakali si Daxiel sa pangyayari. Dinalaw naman ako nina Maricel na may dalang damit ko at pagkain. They were worried as well.

Buong pag-uusap nami’y humingi siya ng paumanhin. The security was more heightened in the village. Daniella was able to sneak in with a friend of hers who was trying to take a look at the houses in the village.

Maricel was right, she didn’t lock the small gate.

Hindi ako galit kay Maricel.

The village was deemed safe from any threat, our guards were down.

Daxiel was planning to take it to court. He was angry and calm at the same time. His plans were already calculated. Ito ang unang beses kong nakita siyang totoong galit. Mas nakakatakot dahil kalmado siya.

Seryoso si Daxiel na ituloy ang kaso laban sa kanyang ina. Hindi ako tumutol sa balak niyang gawin.

Daniella earned his son’s wrath.

It’s time to cut her obsession. She’s so obsessed with me.

“Kinagat po siya ni Gustav the Third…” kuwento sa amin ni Jemaima. “Tumawag po ako ng security at pulis, nagwala po siya nang makaalis kayo lalo nang kagatin siya ni Gustav the Third.”

She was already in the police custody.

Right now, it wasn’t my priority.

Tanging nasa sinapupunan ko ang aking prioridad.

I’m pregnant. I can’t be stressed about her.

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