A/N: Wow! I just realized that in my attempt to wean myself from the show, as part of my preparation for life after the final episode of BCWMH, I was able to come up with this update within the week! This is a record for me… at least for this story. Hope this lightens your mood. Kapit-bisig! 🙂
Chapter FOUR
The First Time
Previously in Chapter THREE
“So this is really more than physical attraction to you.”
“Brod, at our age? I’m sure you’ll agree with me that when we like someone, it’s more than physical attraction. As I have said, I have seen her in and out of court a number of times. I think we live in the same subdivision because I first saw her there.”
“You’re not certain but you did not find out if you live in the same subdivision? I thought you like her a lot? So anung nagyari kay Richard Lim? I thought you have moved on with life? Hindi ka na ba marunong dumiskarte?”
“W-what? Brod, I get sleepless nights thinking about…things and… Now, I am really confused. There is something you are not telling me here. I do not even know why we are having this kind of conversation… it’s…crazy. Because even if I want to pursue her, I can’t! She is married, isn’t she?”
Angelo pursed his lips and swallowed. Then, while looking at Richard, he nodded and said “Yes, she is legally married.”
**********
Continuation…
Richard was expecting the answer but was still disappointed when he heard Angelo’s confirmation. “So she is really married. That’s clear now, but I got more confused. You wanted me to meet her, so I am not so puzzled why you did not get upset when I admitted earlier that I like her.
But you said you wanted me to meet someone special and you sounded like you wanted to make sure I’ll settle down later like you. If she’s legally married, then why? You’re practically even encouraging me to pursue her.”
“Look, I was hoping I wouldn’t need to go into details. But since nandito na tayo, here is a little information.
Maya got involved with a guy when she was in law school. She was in her senior year then. Not long after her graduation, she got pregnant. That is another story. But to get to the bottom of it, they separated even before she gave birth.”
“What kind of a man would do that to the mother of his child? Why did he get her pregnant in the first place?”
“As I said, that is another story. Sinayang niya si Maya. Napaka walang kwentang tao nung lalaking yun. I really don’t understand how and why Maya got involved with him in the first place. He was the one I was referring to earlier, na anak rin ng judge pero napakayabang, akala mo kung sino eh hindi pa nga pumapasa ng bar. Magaling lang pala umasta pero walang paninindigan.”
“So why is Maya still a dela Rosa if she’s married?” Richard wanted to know.
“Oh, when Maya filed her petition to take the bar examinations that year, she wasn’t married yet, so she uses her name as appearing in the roll of attorneys. She had the feeling that the marriage will not last daw so she didn’t bother filing another petition to correct her name when she got married.”
“Then why did she marry him if she felt that the marriage will fail?”
“I guess nadala sa pressure. It was the bar review and she was probably thinking of the legitimacy of her child. Kaya she immediately accepted when marriage was offered.
They’re legally married but they were never a married couple. Nakita ko yun. They stayed sa house after the wedding kasi nga mas pabor kay Maya kasi buntis siya. Naiistorbo si Maya sa review kasi inaaway sha lagi. He would come home late from parties. Tapos one weekend, he went home to his mother sa Parañaque then he never came back. He practically abandoned Maya.
“She must be really one hell of a woman to have endured everything. She looks so stable.” Richard said, feeling sorry for Maya.
“She is! Imagine the emotional turmoil she was experiencing while reviewing hanggang bar examinations. At yung tarantadong lalaking yun, ni hindi talaga nagpakita when Maya gave birth!”
“What?! Sabi mo anak rin ng judge, kilala naman siguro ni Judge dela Rosa yung parents. Hindi niyo man lang hinanap?”
“The father is a judge somewhere in a far flung region but his family is based in Parañaque. Stag, maniwala ka, yung nanay, walang ka breeding breeding. Sunod-sunuran pa sa anak. She tolerates him! Tinago pa nya yung gago nyang anak para hindi ma serve ang summons sa kanya when Maya filed a petition for annulment of marriage.”
Richard was glad to hear about the petition for annulment. He wanted to satisfy his curiosity so he asked immediately. “S-so what happened to the annulment case?”
“It’s already in the bag. Anytime lalabas na ang desisyon kasi malapit na matapos yung 90 day period to decide. May grounds naman kaya grantable. I just feel so relieved na maluwang na ngayon ang korte when it comes to annulment. Hindi tulad nung unang panahon marami ang nadedeny.”
“Yeah, I remember the first casualties mga artista. Nagsi-file ng annulment mga na deny naman. Umabot pa ng Supreme Court, denied rin. Tsk tsk, tapos now it’s so easy. I guess kasi, mas nakikita na ng korte ngayon ang practical side of it.” Richard casually shared his thoughts, hoping Angelo will say more about the topic.
“Pero napaka ugly ng proseso, emotionally draining. Nakaka awa si Maya. Lalo na when she testified. Mabuti na lang civil wedding lang sila.”
“By that, I take it you mean that there is no need for church annulment kasi hindi pala sila sa simbahan kinasal?”
“Stag ha, talagang interesado ka sa detalye noh?” Angelo noted how Richard probed further.
“I ahh… I just want to make things clear so I have a better picture. Kasi kanina I couldn’t really understand where our conversation was go–” Richard tried to reason out but was cut off by Angelo.
“I just don’t like to go into too much details. Ayoko lang manggaling sa akin I might pre-empt something. But, yes, there is no need to undergo the church annulment. Yun pa naman ang mahirap makuha. I can’t imagine Maya going through the process again. Mabuti na lang talaga sa huwes lang sila nagpakasal. So once ma-grant ang civil annulment, Maya will be liberated from that marriage and she can finally move on.” Angelo said in a hopeful tone.
“She deserves to be liberated and happy after what she has been through. Importante magkaroon ng closure.” Richard said, still feeling sorry for Maya.
Angelo looked at Richard and said “You both deserve to be happy Stag. Tol, we grew up together and pareho tayong only child ng parents natin. So we’re like brothers. We’re family! Maya is very dear to me and so are you. Kaya I want to see both of you happy.”
“FYI Angelo, I am happy.” Richard said smiling, making sure he is convincing.
“Sana nga you really see the importance of closure at talagang naka pag move on ka na rin from your past because you also deserve to be with someone. It’s been a while Stag. Lagi ka na lang nag-iisa in gatherings like this.”
“Don’t I look happy? I am happy brod. Besides. you don’t have to be with someone in gatherings like this to have fun. Alam mo yan.”
“Hahaha! Kasi kahit mag-isa ka dumadating, aalis ka ng may kasama? Ibang happiness naman yun Stag!
“Sira! I didn’t mean that. Besides, hinahatid ko lang sila. Hahaha!
But seriously, I had fun tonight, with you guys. Okay na ako dun. I’m happy that we’ve kept our friendship through the years. Hindi ko kailangan ng babae. Hahaha!”
“But you could be happier! Ayaw mo na ba na permanent ang kasama mo pag uwi from parties? Yung alam mo that when you come home, may naghihintay sa iyo?”
Richard pursed his lips and decided not to answer. He knows that if he will, the conversation will go kilometric.
“Okay, I will not go into that if you do not want to talk about it. Pasalamat ka wala dito si Ryan. Otherwise, hindi ka titigilan nun.”
Richard still wanted a clearer picture of things, so he asked directly. “So why did you want me and Maya to meet?”
“You know, when I learned that you live in the same area as Maya, I only had friendship in mind. Then I realized, that I can become hopeful for more. Don’t get me wrong, hindi naman ako mamimilit. Okay na okay na ako kahit friendship lang.
You see, she lives alone with her child. She does not go out with friends anymore kasi besides being a single parent, she lives far from her friends. Mabuti na nga lang she frequently attends gatherings like this. Pero yung sabihin mong constant companion or friend, wala eh. So she does not seem to enjoy life outside being a mother. Hindi katulad natin mga lalaki, pamilyado o hindi, we find justification to see each other often.
At least, if you become friends, she’ll find a friend in you, she has someone she can trust na malapit sa kanya. Bonus pa kasi you can check on her once in a while for us. Madali na lang yun kasi ikaw ang malapit sa bahay niya.”
“Now I understand why she values time so much.” Richard said, recalling on how disappointed Maya was when trial was cancelled after coming to court prepared.
“Yes, to her, every moment counts. Time wasted at work is time that she could have spent for her child or for herself.” Angelo explained further.
“At least now we’re civil. I’m hopeful wala ng awkward moment kasi we had the chance kanina to talk about what happened sa kaso namin.”
Angelo was surprised but pleased with what Richard said. “Ahhh, nalusutan mo pala ako ha. So, that’s the Richard Lim I know, naka diskarte ka na pala kanina eh.”
“Hahaha! I just felt I had to apologize properly and explain. So I didn’t let the chance pass earlier. Kaya lang, I don’t know how to become friends with her. You think we’ll get along? Uhm, you see, that embarrassing court encounter is not the first unpleasant one I had with her, and if she realizes that–”
“Aha! Nandito lang pala kayo, at nag so-solo! Mukhang serious pinag-uusapan at hindi ako kasali? Angelo kanina ka pa tinatawag sa loob. You need to offer a toast. Everybody’s waiting for you.” Ryan blurted out after suddenly appearing from nowhere.
“Is that so? Stag sandali ha.” Angelo stood from his seat and hurriedly ran towards the function hall.
Richard followed but was stopped by Ryan. He is one of the closest friends of Richard and has already figured out since their second court encounter with Maya, that Richard has a crush on her. He was also surprised to learn earlier that Maya is the niece of Angelo.
“ Not so fast Stag. You owe me one. Ano pinag-uusapan nyo ha? Or should I say, SINO pinag-uusapan nyo? Si Maya? Kwento naman jan!” Ryan tried to get information.
“It’s a long story. Not now brod. I’ll tell you next time, pag tayo-tayo na lang. Baka biglang magyaya asawa mo eh. Tara! Let’s go back inside.” Richard knows he needed to think about some things before talking to Ryan so he can be discreet with what he’ll share with him. He wants to be careful with the information Angelo told him. Although the three of them are the closest among the group, Richard and Angelo are the real buddies.
Angelo was almost finished with his speech when Richard and Ryan reached the function hall. “…. So again, thank you and cheers!”
“CHEERS!” the crowd roared back. Angelo saw Richard and motioned him to wait. Richard nodded and followed where Angelo was looking before talking back to the crowd. “Let’s continue to party!”
Richard watched Maya talk to her mother who was with her colleagues. Then he felt his mobile phone vibrating inside his pocket so he excused himself from Ryan. “Brod, sagutin ko lang to sa labas ha. Lakas na naman ng music eh.”
“Sige brod, puntahan ko rin si misis, sumesenyas na naman sumayaw eh.” Ryan tapped Richard’s shoulder.
After a couple of minutes, Richard went to the valet service and requested for his car. “Manong pa intay na lang po sandali pag dumating po yung kotse ko ha. Balik po muna ako sa loob, para magpaalam.”
“Sige po sir, ipapakuha ko na po ang sasakyan nyo.” the old man behind the service table said.
Even before Richard reached the entrance to the function hall, he already saw Angelo heading towards him.
“Stag! Are you leaving? Sabay mo na si Maya pauwi.” Angelo said right away, like he was really in a hurry.
Tiny drops of cold sweat instantly formed at the lining of the forehead of a blushing Richard “You mean, she’s also leaving? As in n-now?”
Angelo noticed and teased his buddy. “Stag, mukhang malakas talaga ang tama mo sa pamangkin ko noh? Para ka talagang nasa high school being paired to your crush during a soiree. Ganyan na ganyan ka nuon eh. Hahaha!”
Already annoyed, Richard warned Angelo. “Brod, I came here to support your candidacy and then you do this to me. To be candid, after all the revelations tonight, she makes me more nervous now. So stop it please.”
Aware how Richard can be huffy-touchy, Angelo heeded his request at once. “Ang pikon mo talaga. Okay I’ll stop. Basta paki hatid mo na lang si Maya. Pinasundo ko lang kasi sa driver kanina kaya walang dalang sariling sasakyan”
Still feeling uneasy, Richard heeded the request. “Uhm…sige, sabay na kami umuwi. Pinakuha ko na nga yung kotse eh.”
Sensing hesitation from Richard’s actuations, Angelo asked “Teka, ayaw mo ba? Who knows, it might be an opportunity to begin friendship.”
“Bakit naman ako aayaw? Of course gusto ko. I just need to make a phone call.” Richard quickly replied and pulled out his mobile phone.
“Ahhh, may lakad ka pa pa lang iba? Sino na namang babae yan, at hindi mo matanggihan, Richard.”
Richard didn’t answer but motioned Angelo to wait as he heard the voice from the other line. “Hi, uhm…are you on your way already?…..oh good! I’m sorry Inah. I didn’t know they still need my assistance here so I would have to cancel …are you sure? Okay, next time… ingat sa byahe…bye.”
Just then, Maya was seen walking towards the door where they were standing. “She’s here.” Angelo informed Richard.
Seconds later, Maya was already standing beside them. “Tito, mauna na ako ha. You know naman yung apo mo.”
Angelo put his arms around Maya’s shoulder. “Maya, you make me feel I’m so old. Anyway, hindi na kita pipigilan. Kaya lang, since Joma is not back yet, hindi kita mapapahatid sa kanya.”
“Okay lang Tito, I can manage. Ang dami namang taxi cab, pakuha lang ako kay Manong Guard.”
“No, you will not take the cab. Sabi ko naman sayo, delikado mag cab diba. So ipapahatid na lang kita dito sa brod ko. Richard!
Richard looked up after sending a text message. Angelo winked at him and said “Tol, uwi na rin si Maya, sabay na kaya kayo, kasi wala pa si Joma para maghatid sa kanya eh.” trying to sound as if they haven’t talked about it earlier,
Smiling, Richard quickly answered “Sure!” It was Maya who had a doubtful face. So Richard said playfully “Don’t worry Maya, I am not a dangerous person even if I am very much affiliated with your uncle. I can promise you, makakarating ka sa bahay mo ng maayos.”
“Ay, hindi naman sa ano… nakakahiya naman kasi. The night is still young, I’m sure mahaba pa ang party sa loob or gigimick pa kayo later. Baka may mga lakad pa kayo eh. Tito, I’ll just take the cab. You can always get the details of the taxi para hindi ka mag-alala.”
“Maya, pauwi na yang si Richard at kanina pa hinahanap sa kanila yan. You live in the same area kaya sabay na kayo.” Angelo insisted.
“Really? Eh di, sige na nga.” Maya finally acceded. “So saan ka naka park?” She asked looking at Richard in the eyes.
The car just came and the valet service boy got out of the car. “Tamang-tama, the car is here. Pano brod, uwi na kami.” Richard said giving Angelo a pat on his shoulder.
Angelo nodded and said “Sige, thanks for the support.” Angelo leaned a little and advised Richard. “Kalma lang brod, baka ma obvious ka na nyan, sige ka masira ang diskarte mo. You’re Richard Lim, so relax.”
Richard chuckled and said calmly, “Let’s go Maya?” then discreetly ushered Maya to the ramp and opened the door for her.
“Thank you.” Maya smiled then waved at Angelo before Richard closed the door for her. Then she suddenly remembered something.
Maya’s face looked serious while Richard was driving. He adjusted the temperature of the air conditioning system immediately, thinking Maya was feeling uncomfortable. To make sure, he asked “Maya, are you okay?”
Maya snapped out and said “Yeah…”
After some distance of travelling, Richard had the courage of asking Maya again “Are you usually that quiet?”
Maya frowned at Richard but answered “What do you mean?”
“You’re different pag nasa korte ka eh. You might not be aware, pero aside from ‘yeah’ you have not said anything since we left the sports club. Am I scaring you or are you still upset at me?”
“Naku Richard, I didn’t mean to be rude, may iniisip lang kasi ako.”
“Ahh, okay, you do seem like in a deep thought.”
“I’m actually trying to recall were I saw this car. I know I’ve seen this car not only once.”
“Huh?! Uhm…this kind of car is common that is probably why it is familiar to you.”
“Oo nga, common nga ang car make na ganito even the color, pero hindi naman siguro common yung car plate mo.” Maya wittingly answered.
“Hayan, yan yung Atty. dela Rosa na nakikita ko sa korte. So witty and fast.”
“Huh? Madalas tayo magkita sa court?” Maya’s attention was diverted from the car.
“Actually, hindi tayo nagkikita, pero nakikita kita. Well except our maritime case in Manila.”
“Talaga? Eh bakit hindi mo ako binati if you saw me?”
“First, hindi naman tayo magkakilala pa then, tapos after naman nung incident sa maritime case natin, natakot ako sa iyo kasi you can be very intimidating.”
“Ha? Yung maritime case pa rin ba? Hindi ka pa ba nakaka move on from there? Grabe ka naman.”
“No, I’m just saying why I hesitated saying hi to you after the court incident.”
“Pero wala naman yun diba. Among us lawyers, pag nagkita na tayo sa isang case, pag labas ng korte okay naman tayo diba. So, suplado ka lang talaga siguro.”
“Suplado lang talaga siguro? You mean, you find me suplado?”
“Oo, suplado na maangas pa. Nakakainis ka kaya nung maritime case. Ang sungit maka reject ng trial date. Kaya kita nabuking sa kalokohan mo eh.”
“Ahhh, so sino ngayon ang hindi pa nakaka move on from that incident? Hahaha!”
“Ikaw ha, nangiinis ka na. Buti na lang good friend ka ni Tito.”
“I was just teasing back. Uhm…Maya, do you mind stopping over for a while? I just need to buy some fruits, kung hindi, lagot ako sa bahay if wala akong bitbit tonight.” Richard asked Maya after realizing that they have reached that part of Sumulong Highway where there are fruit stands.
“Go ahead. Nakikisabay nga lang ako eh. Would you like me to go down with you?” Maya offered.
“No need. Wait lang.” Richard crossed the road then pulled over. He rolled down his window and talked to the lady vendor. “Manang, the usual po.”
The lady vendor smiled and accepted the money from Richard. “Sige sandali lang.”
“Richard, madalas ka dito noh? Alam na alam na nila ang ‘the usual’ mo eh.” Maya was curious.
“Yes, I come here often, hindi kasi pwede walang fruits sa house. This is one task I cannot fail kung hindi lagot ako.” Richard answered with a grin showing his dimple.
Moments later, the lady vendor came back with two plastic bag full of fruits in her left hand and a small one in her right. “Ito na iho lahat. Ito naman, para sa magandang kasama mo, walang bayad yan ha, galing sa akin yan.” The vendor hands over the small plastic bag to Maya. “Matamis yan iha, mas matamis pa sa mga ngiti mo.”
Maya was surprised with the vendor’s gesture but was deeply touched. “Naku, marami pong salamat sa papuri at sa mga ito.”
Richard was pleased as well. “Salamat po Manang. Nag-iisa yata kayo ngayon. Nasaan po si Tatang?”
The lady vendor smiled at Richard’s concern. “Pinauwi ko na muna kay Arnold. Nirarayuma kasi eh, mas kumikirot ngayong malamig ang panahon.”
“May gamot pa po ba si Tatang? Baka naman hindi niya kasi iniinom ang mga gamot niya.”
The lady vendor tried to assure a worried Richard “Huwag ka mag-alala iho, nainom sha ng gamot. Salamat.”
But Richard is not convinced. “Sige po, maniniwala ako, pero bukas po pasamahan ko kay Mang Lem si Tatang patingin sa doctor. Pwede po ba yun?”
“Sige iho, bahala ka na nga. Hindi ko naman mapipigilan ang kabutihan mo eh. Sige na’t gabi na, lumakad na kayo.”
“Sige po.” Richard maneuvered the car towards Antipolo hills while Maya kept quiet, amazed on what she witnessed. “O, bakit tahimik ka na naman uli?”
“Wala naman. Ahhh, nagulat lang ako dun kay Manang. Nakisabay na nga lang ako sa iyo, may libreng manggang hinog pa ako. May pinagsamahan kayo nung ale?”
“That is a long story. Nakarating na tayo sa bahay mo, hindi pa siguro ako nangangalahati if I will tell you that story.”
“Ah…okay.” Maya did not push the matter. Instead, she asked “So, why is this common looking car with an uncommon plate number so familiar with me?”
“You’re still at it? Is it really that important to know why it’s familiar?”
“Eh, kasi hindi ako makontento if I will not remember it myself. Kaya kita tinatanong, you might know why.”
Richard heaved a sigh as he was forced to say “Okay, I think it’s because this is the same car that almost hit you when you were crossing the street with an old woman. That was the very first time I had an encounter with you.”
Maya suddenly remembered everything. “So, ito yun at ikaw, you were the one driving this car?!” Maya asked with an incredulous face.
AttyMayiVR 