Ilang sandali pagkatapos magshower ni Lucian ay idineliver ang pizza. They ate in the living room while watching a random show. Pinili nilang huwag pag-usapan ang nangyari kanina. Sa halip ay binanggit ni Georgina ang tungkol sa pagtawag ng ama. Gusto rin naman niyang madalaw ito and it's the perfect opportunity to keep Lucian safe. He will be away for a few days at mawawala sa radar ng mga nakalaban nito kanina. "This weekend?" Tumango si Georgina. "Sana, if you're not busy. Nagtatampo na kasi si Dad. Hindi raw ako bumibisita. You know how he is. Medyo dramatic na nga. Ang hirap talaga kapag tumatanda." "I know what you mean. Tumawag si Lorenzo. Dad's sick but he didn't tell me kung anong klaseng sakit." "Did you call him back?" Tumango si Lucian. "I did, pero madaling araw doon ngayon. I'll try him again later." They continued eating at napaisip si Georgina. Would it be selfish of her if she takes him to Spain? Mas mabuti ba kung samahan niya ito sa Italy para makita ang amang m
Lucian thought the same thing. And it's not a good idea to bring Georgina in Italy right now. Mas mabuti pa kung pumunta ito ng Spain para dalawin ang ama pero kung hindi siya sasama, baka mapahamak ito. When his call ended, hindi siya kaagad pumunta sa silid nila ni Georgina. He needs a drink. Nagsalin siya ng scotch sa baso at imbes na simsimin, ininom niya 'yon ng straight. It burned his throat like hell, but it made him feel alive. Isa lang ang kaibigan na mapagkakatiwalaan niya habang wala siya sa Italy. He can keep an eye on them while he's away. Nang magring ng ilang beses ay sinagot nito ang telepono. "The devil rose from the dead." Malat ang boses at sa halip na normal na hello ang isagot sa kaniya ay iyon ang bungad."Kons." Konstantin Kozlov is a Russian man who is fluent in a lot of languages including Tagalog. "I need your help."They talked about what's happening in his family in Italy, at dahil galing rin ito sa maimpluwensiyang pamilya ay madali para rito ang tulunga
Nagfile si Lucia ng dalawang linggong bakasyon para masulit ni Georgina ang pagbisita sa ama nito. Mabibilang sa daliri kung ilang beses siyang nakapunta sa malaking tahanan ng mga Dela Garza sa Spain pero wala pa rin nabago sa kabuoan nito. It's still as grand as ever. The barrel shaped tiles in warm Earth tones. It's rustic and yet, sophisticated with its terracotta shades of red, orange and deep brown. Just like my Georgina. I always think it's a reflection of her— warm and cozy. She make me feel at home. "Hey, what are you doing here? It's late." Naramdaman ni Lucia ang pagyakap ni Georgina mula sa likod niya. They have three days left before they go home and it's a nice change from living in the city. Nagpapahangin si Lucian sa hardin nang puntahan siya ng babae. After dinner, he decided to take a walk para bigyan ng quality time si Georgina at ang ama nito. There is no doubt that they've missed each other. Her father raised her by himself and Lucian never asked about Georgi
Lucian had no choice but to leave Georgina in Spain and visit Italy. His father's capo and a few soldiers came to pick him in the airport and they were careful not to draw so much attention. Lucian doesn't want to be here but he needs to. Pietra was panicking pati na si Lorenzo. Nang magpaalam siya kay Georgina ay hindi ito kumontra o nagtanong kung bakit siya bibisita. Aware ito na may sakit ang kaniyang ama. Pero hindi niya masabi na bukod doon ay may iba pang rason— ang batang dinala sa bahay nila.Sa eroplano pa lang ay iniisip na niya ang lahat ng babaeng nakasama niya sa kama. He made sure he was protected, pero sabi nga sa condom ay hindi naman ito isang daang pors'yento. Kanina pa siya nagmumura sa isip niya. Sa kaniya ba talaga ang bata? The last thing he wants is to have a child right now habang magulo pa ang lahat. At kung magkakaanak man siya, si Georgina lang ang gusto niyang maging ina ng mga ito. He has fucked so many women... countless of them pero siniguro niyang wal
TORONTOLucian stayed for two days in Italy at imbes na pumunta sa Spain, sinabi niya kay Georgina na sa Toronto na didiretso ng uwi. When he got home, naroon na ito. Lucian took a taxi home at nang umibis siya ay nakita niya ito mula sa bintana. He stayed on the sidewalk at pinagsawa ang mga mata sa kabuoan ng naging tahanan nila ng halos tatlong taon. Hindi niya inalintana ang lamig. Sinusubukan ng araw na sumikat pero masyadong maraming ulap. Parang katulad ng kaniyang pakiramdam ngayon ang panahon. Makulimlim. Nang pumasok si Lucia sa loob ng bahay, maayos ang lahat at ni isang kalat ay wala siyang makita. Georgina has always been neat at wala siyang pwedeng ireklamo. He swallowed and his gaze fell in to their frame picture together on top of the console. Sa Disneyland 'yon nang birthday ni Lucian. Georgina made him take rides that he wouldn't dare go in, pero dahil malakas ang convincing powers nito ay nagpahinuhod siya. Mahal niya e. Nang makarinig siya ng kaluskos ay sa kusin
The next few days weren't any better for Georgina and Lucian. It was like walking on egg shells. They barely talk. They don't sit down and share a meal together. He comes home late and she's already asleep. No one wants to talk about his recent trip to Italy. Ayaw magkwento ni Lucian. Ayaw din magtanong ni Georgina. Both are afraid to hear what the other has to say. Ganoon yata kapag mahal mo at ayaw mong mawala sa 'yo. You just wait until everything gets better on its own. Or maybe, people just don't want to take action because they don't want to take the blame. Maalin na lang sa mawala sa 'yo ang taong 'yon, or they'd be stupid enough to stay. Katulad ngayong gabi, Lucian came home late at alas onse pasado na. He was unbuttoning his shirt when Georgina spoke. Ang buong akala niya ay tulog na ito. "I'm tired of dancing around this. Do you have time to talk?" Georgina is aware that his father is sick and there are a lot of things going on with his family. But the point of being in
Alas kwatro na ng umaga pero mulat na mulat pa rin si Lucian. He hates himself for hurting Georgina's feelings and this is the first time that they weren't in the same bed at home. Mas pinili nitong matulog sa couch sa sala kaysa makatabi siya. He keeps telling himself it's better, pero para siyang pinapatay unti-unti. Bumangon siya at pinuntahan ang babae. Nakita niya itong nakabaluktot sa couch at bukod sa oversized t-shirt niya at boxer shorts na maiksi ay wala na. She didn't even bother to put a blanket on kahit mukhang nilalamig ito. Instead of picking her up, tinabihan niya ito sa couch at niyakap. Hindi ito pumiksi. Kahit ang itulak siya ay hindi nito ginawa. If any, sumiksik ito sa kaniya para kumuha ng init. Pinaunan niya ito sa kaniyang braso at inayos ang buhok na ngayon ay nakasabog sa mukha nito. He then reached for the blanket and covered them both. Sa wakas ay makakatulog na siya. Mataas na ang araw nang magising sila pareho. Lucian missed work but he doesn't care. As
Naging maayos ang pagsasama nila. Lucian continued working but he plans to file his resignation this June. Palagi silang lumalabas ni Georgina at sinusulit ang bawat araw na magkasama. They don't shop much, but they travel. Nagpunta sila sa New York, Florida, Vegas, and even down south to Cuba and Mexico. Their next trip is Jamaica. Maiiksi lang ang bakasyon nila at usually ay two days and three nights, but they enjoy every bit of it.Lucian was at work when an unknown number called him. He stopped what he's doing and answered the phone. Tumayo siya at inilapat ang pinto para hindi marinig ang usapan nila. "Kuya, someone wants to talk to you." It was P who called Lucian. Nasa Palermo pa rin ito at binilinan niyang huwag munang umalis hanggang hindi siya nakakabalik."Papa, it's Ludo.""Hey, bud. How are you?" Hindi niya tinatawagan ang bata pero sinabi niya kay P na kung may kailangan ang mga ito ay tumawag lang. "I'm fine, but I'm so bored. Can we take the train to Rome?" "No, Lud