Hi! This is a special chapter I wrote in collaboration with Wattpad and Kumu. This is the special chapter of the story Control The Game, fourth book in the Game Series. If you haven't read that yet, I suggest you read that first before reading this. Thank you and enjoy the story! :-)

#CTGSpecialChapter

I woke up earlier than my alarm. I quickly stopped the alarm because I didn't want to wake Iñigo up. 11PM na siyang naka-uwi kagabi dahil nag-overtime siya sa lecture niya sa class niya for BAR examinees. He wanted to finish the syllabus last night para wala ng pasok sa susunod na linggo. That's always been his rule—no review class a week before the exam. He told me that back when he was studying, that was his biggest problem—studying for recit whilst reviewing for exams. He wanted to do it differently.

"Cha..." he said when I attempted to get out of the bed.

I looked at him. The while sheet was covering his torso habang naka-dapa siya sa kama. Tinagilid niya iyong ulo niya para tumingin sa akin. Mapungay pa iyong mga mata niya dahil sa antok.

"I'll prepare the breakfast," I said. It was just a simple breakfast, anyway. Hindi naman mapili iyong mga anak namin—or maybe because wala rin naman silang choice. If they wanted something, they could always eat out with their friends.

"Okay, wait lang."

"Tulog ka muna."

"No, Sunday ngayon."

"Speaking of Sunday," I said as I stood up and grabbed the robe and wore it. "Naalala mo ba na ngayon iyong sa Alumni Homecoming?" I asked him.

He nodded. I just wanted to remind him even though I knew that Iñigo's always on top of things. Ever since he became a lower court judge, mas lalo siyang naging mabusisi sa oras niya. Gusto niya na natatapos on time lahat ng naka-second sa dock na kaso. He said that he didn't want all those people to go through all the trouble ng pagpunta sa korte tapos ay wala silang mapapala. Karamihan sa mga iyon ay nagbabayad ng per appearance sa abogado nila kaya kailangan matapos lahat ng naka-schedule.

He's also very strict when it came to re-scheduling. Kung hindi matter of life and death iyong dahilan ng request, the motion would most likely be denied. He's built a reputation around it already kaya bihira na iyong humi-hingi ng postponement.

I was very proud of the person he'd become.

"Bakit ganyan ka maka-tingin?" he asked, laughing as he sat on the bed and he ran his fingers through his hair. "Gusto mo ng bagong baby?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "My tubes are tied."

"E 'di untie?"

Hindi ko na siya pinansin at tinawanan niya lang ako. Lumabas na ako sa kwarto namin. Naka-salubong ko si Lily na papunta na rin sa kusina.

"What time kami pupunta kila Tito Niko?" she asked.

"Niko?"

She nodded. "Yeah... Today's your alumni homecoming, right?"

"Yes... how did you know?"

"Family calendar?"

"Oh..." I said. We have a family calendar. We're a busy family. We just wanted to be updated sa kung ano ang meron sa bawat isa. We also built a system with colors para alam namin kung saang okasyon kailangan na nandoon kami. Hindi dahil busy kami ay magiging dahilan na iyon para hindi kami umattend sa mga importanteng bagay.

"But why Niko?" I asked.

Lily shrugged. "Saff said we'll be going kina Tito Niko?"

"Saff?" I asked Saff na kaka-labas lang sa kwarto niya. It was just a few minutes after 7AM pero naka-pag exercise na siya at bagong ligo na. I... didn't understand her.

"Present," she said.

"Why did your sister tell me that you'll be going to Niko's?"

She shrugged. "Heard from the vines," she replied. Kumunot ang noo ko. "GC," she added. "Kyler said na doon daw sila din."

"Okay... Ayaw niyo ba kina Gracey?"

"I love Tita Gracey but Tito Niko's fun! And Tita Jersey!" she said.

Dumating na rin si Sage na mukhang hindi pa natutulog. "Will we go to Tito Niko's after breakfast?"

Bakit ba gusto na nilang pumunta roon? The homecoming would start at 6PM. It was Sunday and we're supposed to have lunch together dahil hindi nangyayari iyon kapag weekdays.

"Gusto niyo bang dumiretso kila Niko?" tanong ko sa kanila.

Lily looked at Saff. Saff shrugged and got her phone from the pocket of her shorts. "I'll just ask the gc if what time tayo pupunta," she said and then walked while she was on her phone. One of these days, sigurado ako na tatama na siya sa poste sa ginagawa niya.

"What's with Niko's house?" I asked Iñigo. Tabi kaming naka-tayo habang si Lily na iyong nagsimulang magprepare ng breakfast namin. When they were younger, mayroon kaming tatlong kasama sa bahay. As much as I wanted to do it all alone, I couldn't. Raising a kid was challenge enough—nung dumating iyong kambal ay mas nahirapan ako. But when they grew older, isa na lang iyong natira, si Siren. We just needed someone who would make sure that the house was in order... Kapag kasi hindi ay nagiging parang gubat iyong bahay sa sobrang gulo ni Saff. Sobrang linis niya sa katawan, but it was the opposite with her things. Kahit si Lily ay sumuko na sa kanya. It was only Sage who could get past all the mess. Kami ni Iñigo? Hindi na kami nakikielam. It would be a whole issue of us trying to 'control' her.

I never thought I'd say this... pero iba na ang kabataan ngayon.

"I think... Niko's the fun uncle."

"Obviously," I replied. "Do you think mayroon silang ginagawang kalokohan doon?" I asked because why were they so... excited to go there?

"Sa tingin mo?" Iñigo asked, looking at me.

"I don't know..." sagot ko tapos ay sabay kaming tumingin sa mga bata. Si Lily ay nag-aayos na ng iluluto niyang pancake habang si Saff ay nasa cellphone niya at tumatawa. Si Sage naman ay natutulog ulit habang naka-sandal iyong ulo sa may kitchen counter.

Inakbayan ako ni Iñigo.

"Isipin mo, ginawa natin 'yang tatlo na 'yan?" he whispered... but apparently, it was not whisper enough dahil napa-tingin sa amin si Saffron at sumimangot.

"Ew," she said with disgust written all over her face. "Please do not discuss how you two procreated—please do not traumatize us."

Iñigo just laughed tapos ay lumapit na siya at tinulungan si Lily dahil kung hindi ay si Lily na naman ang magluluto ng buong breakfast namin. Normally, si Siren ang gumagawa nito but it's Sunday and it's her free day.

"Bakit? Grabe naman. Alam mo ba na kayong dalawa ay nabuo sa—"

"Oh, my gosh! Dad!" sabi ni Saffron na naka-bukas nang malaki iyong mga mata habang si Sage ay natutulog pa rin. Bakit hindi siya sa kama niya matulog?

Iñigo was just laughing. Ako na iyong tumulong kay Lily sa pagluluto habang inaasar lang ni Iñigo si Saffron. After a while, we finished with our breakfast. Dahil natulog lang si Sage ay siya iyong naghanda ng lamesa.

We had our breakfast. We talked about random things. This was our Sundays. I like it exactly like that.

After breakfast ay nagsabi sina Saffron na pupunta na sila kila Niko.

"Bakit may dala kayong bag?" I asked dahil susunduin din naman sila after ng homecoming.

Saffron shrugged. "Just to be safe."

"We will pick you up after," I said.

"Or... Tito Niko can just drop us off here. Or Grab."

"Sunduin namin kayo," Iñigo said and after that, hindi na nagsabi pa si Saffron. She knew how her dad could be when it came to safety. Ever since naging lower court judge siya ay mas naging strict na siya. Naiintindihan naman naming lahat. It's part of the job. It just came with the territory. And before Iñigo accepted the nomination, he talked to us first because he knew that if he gets appointed, lahat kami ay maaapektuhan.

Being a lawyer is dangerous enough... more so when you're a lawyer in the Philippines.

Pagdating namin sa condo nila Niko ay bumaba rin kami. We're just suspicious. Bakit parang masyado silang excited na pumunta rito?

"Parang wala naman," Iñigo said habang naunang maglakad iyong tatlo sa amin.

"Or they're just good at hiding."

"Ano namang gagawin nila kila Niko?"

I shrugged. "Who knows?" I asked.

"Grabe, wala ka bang tiwala sa mga anak natin?" natatawa na sabi ni Iñigo.

"I just know how teens could be."

"Bakit? Naging rebeldeng teenager ka ba, Cha?" he asked, his brow arched.

"No," I said. "But remember what you did to me when I was supposed to be quietly studying?"

He faked a shock. "Excuse me—ginusto mo rin iyon."

"That's not how I remember it," I said.

"Ikaw kaya nanghatak sa akin sa auditorium—" sabi niya at napa-tigil kami nang mapansin namin na naka-tingin na sa amin iyong tatlong bata. Iñigo laughed dahil sa itsura nila ay para bang masusuka sila sa mga narinig nila.

Tinawanan lang sila ni Iñigo tapos ay pumasok na kami sa elevator. Pagdating namin sa penthouse ay ingay ang agad na sumalubong sa amin. Nakita namin na nandoon na sina Kyler, Kylo, Kallie, Laslo, at Lucho.

"Si Lucille?" Iñigo asked Lucho.

"I think with Tita Je," he replied.

"They went out to get food," Kallie replied, and then looked at us. "Hi, Tito and Tita!" she said and then kissed both our cheeks. Ganito siyang bumati sa kahit kanino na kilala niya.

Naka-set up na iyong gaming consoles nila sa harap ng TV. Lumapit kami kay Niko na naka-upo lang sa kitchen stool.

"Dito lang sila buong gabi?" Iñigo asked.

Niko laughed. "Yes, of course. Why?"

Iñigo shrugged. "Wala... weird kasi parang excited pumunta rito."

Niko sipped his coffee. "Because I'm the fun uncle!" he said.

"Fun din ako," sabi ni Iñigo.

Niko laughed. "No offense, Judge, but I really think I'm the fun uncle."

Umalis na ako dahil alam ko na pagtatalunan na naman nila iyon. Mabuti na lang at wala si Yago rito dahil sigurado ako na sasali rin siya.

I just looked around. Everything seemed normal. Pagbalik ni Jersey ay kasama niya nga si Lucille. We just said hi tapos ay umalis na rin kami. Pagbalik namin sa bahay ay nakaka-panibago dahil masyadong tahimik.

"Cha," Iñigo said.

"Hmm?"

"In a few years aalis na rin iyong mga bata. Parang ang lungkot kapag tahimik masyado. Ang daldal kasi niyang si Saffron 'di mo alam kung saan nagmana."

I looked at him, my brow arched. "Are you serious?"

"Grabe ka! Sinasabi mo ba na sa akin siya nagmana?"

"Mukha bang sa akin?"

"Kamukha mo kaya!"

"We were talking about her being talkative."

"Baka recessive genes," sabi niya tapos umiling lang ako bago niya inamin na sa kanya nagmana si Saffron.

Dahil wala iyong mga bata, Iñigo and I decided to just have food delivered. Habang naghihintay kami ay nandoon lang kami sa may garden. We were drinking our coffee—usually, we drink decaf kapag linggo dahil gusto naming matulog nang maaga dahil Monday kinabukasan.

"Di ko alam kung seryoso pero sabi ni Sage wala raw siyang balak magcollege," Iñigo said.

Napa-tingin ako sa kanya. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "Balak atang maging vlogger nung batang 'yon kagaya ni Gali."

I remained silent. Growing up, I'd always been told that success is measured by diploma... and more diploma. But I knew that that kind of mindset was not healthy. Iba-iba ang hilig ng bawat tao.

So, as much as it was... unsettling to me na mayroong isang anak ako na baka hindi mag-aral ng college, I drew a deep breath.

"Okay," I said.

"Ano'ng okay? As in okay na hindi siya mag-aaral?"

"No, I mean okay as in kung gusto niyang maging vlogger, then he'd study film... or something related to that," I said. "We won't force him to take up law—but he needs to study."

Iñigo nodded. "I agree. Pero 'wag na muna nating isipin dahil mukhang 'di pa rin naman siya sigurado," he said. "Sa tingin mo ba may magiging lawyer sa mga anak natin?"

I shrugged. "Hindi ko alam."

"Si Lily?"

"She's more interested in plants."

"Environmental lawyer?" sabi ni Iñigo. "Kailangan ng bansa natin niyan."

"Kapag nagustuhan niya siguro," sabi ko. "Try to introduce the idea, but at the end of the day, siya pa rin naman ang mamimili ng gusto niya."

"Ang saya sana kung may magiging lawyer din," Iñigo said.

I remained silent because I agreed na masaya nga kung may susunod sa trabaho namin. It would be nice kung mayroon sa isa sa mga anak namin ang magtatanong sa amin tungkol sa mga lessons nila. But we also didn't want to force them dahil alam namin pareho na magda-drop lang iyon kapag pinilit. Mahirap pumasok sa law school kung hindi mo naman gusto talaga.

"Kung wala, walang magagawa," Iñigo added, shrugging.

After we finished our coffee, nagtanggal kami ng mga patay na dahon sa mga halaman. Iñigo watered the plants. By 3PM, we decided to watch a movie, but it seemed like Iñigo had other plans dahil papasok na naman sa shirt ko iyong kamay niya. Napa-tingin ako sa kanya at naka-angat ang kilay ko.

"Akala ko manonood tayo?" I asked dahil ang tagal kong namili ng documentary na papanoorin namin. It was a documentary about the missing backpackers in Southeast Asia in the 1970s.

"Nood ka lang," he said as he began to kiss my neck.

So, I clicked play while Iñigo was busy kissing my neck. Naramdaman ko rin iyong pagtanggal niya sa bra ko. It was so hard to concentrate while he was doing that. So, when his lips were on the side of my lips, I turned my head so that our lips met. I felt him smiling while our lips were touching.

"Akala ko manonood ka?" he asked.

"You're distracting me."

"Wala kasi 'yung mga bata. Solo natin 'yung bahay."

"Lagi naman silang nasa school o nasa galaan."

"Yes, pero nandito si Siren. Ang weird, e," he replied while he was taking my shirt off at saka hinihiga ako sa couch. "Wag mo akong susuntukin—" he said and I frowned. Why did he keep on bringing that up? Of course it was my first time. Of course nagulat ako nung ma-realize ko kung saan papunta iyong mukha niya. But we've been married for so long and may tatlo na kaming anak.

"Joke lang, ito naman," he said, laughing. "Tatanggalin ko na iyong panty—"

"I will kick you in the face," I told him.

He laughed. "Wag naman. Paano ako haharap sa mga tao sa korte na may blackeye?"

"Remember nung sinuntok—"

"Ito na naman. 'Di nga kita sinuntok."

"Then why did I get a blackeye?"

"Aksidente iyon," he said.

I shrugged. "Okay." And then he stared at me tapos ay natawa siya bigla. "What?" I asked.

Umiling lang siya. "Wala... Na-realize ko lang na grabe... Ang layo na pala ng narating natin, noh? Parang dati sinu-sungitan mo lang ako... I mean, ngayon ay ganoon pa rin naman."

I just stared at him tapos ay tinawanan niya ako at saka tinanggal niya iyong shirt niya bago kami nagpatuloy sa ginagawa namin... but not before Iñigo quickly running to check if every door was locked because we didn't want the kids to walk in on us—that happened to Rory and Yago and it sounded so traumatizing.

* * *

"Remind me to have the couch deep cleaned," I said while I was wearing my earrings for the homecoming.

Humalakhak siya habang sinu-suot iyong tie niya. "Grabe parang dumi naman natin."

"Imagine our kids sitting on that couch."

"Okay lang—magkakasama sila ng mga kapatid nila."

I frowned. "Is that becoming of a judge?'

Tumawa siya. "Naging judge lang naman ako—jokerist pa rin sa labas ng korte," sabi niya at umiling na lang ako sa kanya.

I focused on putting on my earring. I normally did not wear earrings—only on formal occasions such as this one. While I was concentrating hard on putting them on, lumapit sa akin si Iñigo at tumayo sa likod ko. He placed his hands on the sides of my waist and then planted a kiss on the side of my neck.

"Ganda naman ng asawa ko," he said while staring at our reflection on the mirror.

"Hindi ko huhubarin 'tong damit ko," I told him.

Tumawa siya. "Wala naman akong sinabi."

"I know that stare, Borromeo."

"Ano'ng stare, Mrs. Borromeo?"

Umiling ako. "Hands off," I told him.

Tumawa siya. "Fine... pero mamaya? Pwede na hubarin 'yan?"

"Fine," I said. "Di ka pa ba pagod?" I asked kasi bakit parang ako iyong mas napagod kanina kahit naka-higa lang naman ako?

He shrugged. "Parang never naman kapag sa ganon," he said at napa-iling na lang ako. Buti na lang sigurado ako na hindi siya ganito sa trabaho. He's very serious kapag nasa trabaho siya. Mayroong home version at work version. It's amazing kung gaano magka-iba iyong dalawa.

"Okay ka na?" he asked.

I nodded. "Okay lang ba 'yung suot ko?"

"Oo naman," he replied as he looked at me. I was wearing a red evening dress that fell on my ankle. Medyo mababa iyong neckline pero hindi naman bastos tignan sa akin. Naalala ko bigla iyong reklamo ni Iñigo nang bumalik sa dati iyong boobs ko dahil tapos na akong magbreastfeed. This man had the weirdest problems...

Inalalayan ako ni Iñigo habang naglalakad ako dahil sa suot kong heels. Kahit na 3 inches iyong suot kong heels ay mas matangkad pa rin siya sa akin. Pumasok ako sa loob ng sasakyan. Iñigo didn't open the door for me because after years of being married, I realized it's a waste of time dahil kaya ko namang buksan iyong pinto—unless marami akong dala dahil kusa niyang bubuksan iyon para sa akin.

Pagdating namin sa school ay nagpark na kami sa loob. The parking lot was covered with luxury vehicles—it seemed like our batch did very well for themselves... I hoped walang corrupt politicians sa kanila, but I highly doubted it.

"Nandito na raw ba sila?" Iñigo asked habang inaalalayan ako bumaba sa sasakyan dahil naka-heels ako.

"On the way na raw sabi ni Rory. Medyo traffic daw."

"Punta na ba tayo sa gym?" he asked dahil doon gaganapin iyong homecoming.

I looked around. This was the first time I came here again... Ang dami na palang nagbago... Mukhang may mga bagong building na rin.

"Nandito pa rin kaya iyong auditorium?" I asked out of curiosity. "What?" sabi ko nang mapansin ko na naka-tingin sa akin si Iñigo, wiggling his brows. I rolled my eyes. "I was just curious."

"May mga naaalala ka, noh?"

"Alam mo kung ano iyong naaalala ko? Iyong paggrade mo sa quiz ko."

Humalakhak siya habang naglalakad kami. "In my defense, sinunod ko lang naman iyong sinabi ni Sir."

"Equity," I said.

"Dura lex sed lex."

"Wow... ganyan kang judge?"

Humalakhak siya. "The law is the law—'di naman ako pwedeng magmagic dun," sabi niya. Pagdating namin sa may second floor, dumiretso kami sa kung nasaan iyong auditorium dati. Iñigo tried to open the door at bumukas nga iyon.

"Wow..." Iñigo said nang maka-pasok kami sa loob. Nung huling nandito kami ay may mga nagkalat pa na hollow blocks at mga kung anu-anong kahoy. Hanggang maka-graduate kami ay under construction pa rin siya. But now, it looked like a real auditorium.

"Akala ko forever na 'tong under construction gaya nung mga kalsada," he said.

"Baliw ka ba? Nagdonate ka rito dati."

Tumawa siya. "Ay, oo nga pala," sabi niya dahil nung 10th wedding anniversary namin ay nagdonate siya rito. I think iyong bagong soundsystem dito iyong pinaggamitan sa donation ni Iñigo.

We walked around the auditorium tapos ay naupo kami roon sa may upuan sa may aisle.

"Nung nag-aaral pa tayo, naisip mo ba na sa ganitong punto tayo aabot, Cha?" he asked while we were seated side by side at naka-tingin lang kami sa may stage.

"Yes."

"Talaga?"

"Yeah."

"Bakit mo naisip?"

"I trust us."

Ni hindi ko kailangang tumingin para malaman na naka-titig siya sa akin. I turned my head to the side to stare back. He smiled at me.

"Mahal na mahal talaga kita," sabi niya. "Kung hindi ikaw, salamat na lang sa lahat."

I rolled my eyes. "You're talking like hindi ako natapunan ng frappe noon dahil sa dami ng nilandi mo sa College of Medicine."

"Grabe, ungkatan ba ito ng past?"

"It's true, though. Sabi ni Gracey pati siya ay muntik na ma-boycott ng mga kaklase niya dahil sa 'yo."

"Fake news 'yan si Gracey kahit kailan," sabi niya na naiiling.

"Pero totoong natapunan ako ng frappe."

He blinked. Wala siyang masabi kasi totoo naman.

"Past is past, Cha. Move on na tayo doon," sabi niya tapos ay inakbayan ako at hinalikan iyong gilid ng ulo ko. Nang magtext sila Rory na nandito na sila ay tumayo na kami. Iñigo held my hand as a support dahil baka bigla akong matapilok dahil 'di naman ako sanay na naka-heels. Kahit sa office ay naka-flats lang ako.

"Dito ba 'yun?" he asked, pointing at the wall.

"Alin?"

"Yung unang momol natin?"

"Iñigo."

Tumawa siya. "What? Grabe! Syempre, homecoming kaya dapat alalahanin ang mga dapat alalahanin," natatawa na sabi niya. "Reenact natin."

"No."

"Sige na—wala namang tao."

"Para kang tanga."

Tumawa siya. "No? Final answer na ba 'yan?"

"Naghihintay na sila Rory."

"Parang hindi naman no 'yan, Charisse Faith?"

Umirap ako. "Fine," I said. "Pero sandali lang."

Iñigo quickly nodded tapos ay hinatak ako papunta roon sa may pader kung saan dati kaming nagme-makeout kapag free time namin. Iba na iyong itsura niya, but I could still remember how this used to look like. The memory was very vivid like everything just happened yesterday.

Nung una ko siyang makita sa hallway ng school.

Nung una kaming ipakilala sa may resto.

Nung makapal iyong mukha niya na naki-sabay sa akin.

Nung pilit siyang pumasok sa buhay ko... at hindi na lumabas simula nun.

Who would've thought?

"Ganito 'yun, 'di ba?" he asked habang sinandal ako sa wall at naka-lagay iyong dalawang kamay niya sa magkabilang gilid ng ulo ko.

"Para tayong tangang dalawa," sabi ko sa kanya.

Tumawa siya. "Grabe, ang pagmamahalan ay hindi lang para sa mga bata—equal rights for senior citizens!"

"Hindi tayo senior citizens."

"Mas may effect kasi," sabi niya. Umirap na lang ako tapos ay bigla kong naramdaman iyong labi niya sa mga labi ko. I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck as I felt his hands around my waist.

We didn't make out like we used to. Before, para akong laging kakapusin ng hininga kapag hinahalikan niya ako. Laging namamaga iyong labi ko sa kanya. Laging mukhang galing kami sa bagyo dahil sa gulo ng buhok naming dalawa.

But we're... different now. We love different now. But it's still us—I think just wiser and a lot calmer.

* * *

We made out for ten minutes. Napaalis lang kami dahil biglang bumukas iyong pinto. Mabuti na lang at nandoon kami sa kabilang exit kapag mabilis kaming naka-labas ng auditorium. Dumiretso na kami papunta sa venue.

"Borromeo," bati ni Sir Harry, iyong professor ni Iñigo sa CommRev at naging reviewer niya rin na lagi niyang sinasabi dati na dahilan kung bakit pagud na pagod siya... pero dahilan din kung bakit nagtop 1 siya sa BAR exam.

"Sir!" masayang sabi ni Iñigo.

"Kamusta kayong dalawa?"

"Okay naman, Sir."

"Di ka pa rin ba magtuturo? Nandito na 'yung dalawang bugok," he said, pertaining to Jax and Yago.

Tumawa si Iñigo. "Saka na, Sir. Nag-aadjust muna ako sa load ko."

"Balita ko nga sa mga abogado ko e sobrang higpit mo raw."

Tumawa ulit si Iñigo. "Fair lang, Sir. Bawal palakasan system," sabi niya tapos ay nagsales talk na naman si Sir Harry para ayain si Iñigo na sumama sa faculty. Nagturo na kasi sina Yago at Jax dito. Nauna si Jax... I think nainggit si Yago kaya nagturo na rin siya. Tapos ay si Iñigo naman ang tina-try nilang isama pero ayaw pa ni Iñigo. Sabi niya sa akin ay baka next year daw. Mukhang totoo naman dahil mukhang excited siya kapag nagku-kwento.

Nagpaalam na kami kay Sir Harry.

"Ano ituturo mo, if ever?"

"Torts?"

"Bakit Torts?"

"Syempre doon tayo naging magkaklase."

"Dahil lang doon?"

Tumawa siya. "Di ko alam—kahit ano naman ibigay nila sa akin, okay lang."

"Ang yabang."

"Grabe! Syempre pag-aaralan ko naman uli kapag binigay nila sa akin," sabi niya. Pagdating namin sa may venue, agad na nakita ko sila Rory na nasa may malapit sa gitna na table.

"Tagal niyo," Rory said.

"Kinausap pa ni Atty. Harry si Iñigo," I replied.

"Magtuturo ka na rin?" Yago asked, sounding excited para may dagdag na sa kanila sa teacher's lounge.

Iñigo shrugged. "Baka next year."

"Torts ituro mo para may Torts tayong tatlo," Yago said.

"Ano ngang load mo?" Iñigo asked Jax.

"Crim, Obli, Torts," Jax said.

"Persons, Wills, Obli, Torts ako," Yago added.

Iñigo nodded. "We'll see."

Nag-usap sila tungkol sa kung sino ang magiging paboritong professor kapag pumasok na si Iñigo—but it was more of Yago and Iñigo talking dahil tahimik lang na nakikinig si Jax sa kanila and wala namang pakielam 'yon.

"Iñigo will teach?" Katherine asked.

"I don't know yet," sabi ko dahil ayokong pangunahan si Iñigo sa desisyon niya.

"How about you?" Rory asked.

"There are offers," I said.

"But?"

"I'm still thinking about it," I replied. "You?"

"Busy sa firm," Katherine replied. I was so proud of this one. If you told me years ago that she'd end up as this person, I would never believe you. The Katherine I first met was so different from the woman sitting in front of me. Sure, maarte pa rin siya but that's just who she was. From head to toe, she's covered in designer items, but you'd never know unless alam mo. She likes simple and minimalist pieces. But alongside being maarte, she's also the most generous person I know—pareho sila ni Nikolai.

But now? She runs a firm that mainly focuses on pro-bono cases. She changes a lot of lives and she doesn't even like discussing about it unless kailangan niya para maghanap ng donors and investors.

"I think no... Teaching's not for me," sabi ni Rory. "Plus I have Luci."

"Nakita ko nga kanina."

"Kasama ba si Jersey?"

"Yes."

"Good—kung anu-ano na naman gagawin ni Nikolai 'dun!" Rory said tapos ay inilabas niya iyong phone niya at mukhang tatawagan si Nikolai.

The program started shortly. May mga speech iyong mga dati naming professors. Iñigo also gave a speech bilang top 1 siya sa BAR exam nung batch nila. Si Jax ay nagspeech din dahil siya iyong highest sa batch namin.

"Ito na ba 'yung bayad natin," Iñigo whispered to me nung nagserve na sila ng pagkain. There was a lonely chicken on my plate. It looked dry.

"Can we eat pares after?" I asked Iñigo.

"Sa tingin mo bukas pa?"

"Siguro," sabi niya.

The chicken did not look inviting at all. I was just trying to cut it up para mukhang ginalaw ko naman. But while I was pretending to eat, biglang nalaglag iyong tinidor ko. I bent down para pulitin ito, pero natigilan ako dahil bigla kong naalala iyong panahon na may pinulot din ako tapos ay nakita ko sila Rory—

But it was too late. Napa-tingin na ako sa gawi nila.

"Thank God," I whispered to myself nang makita ko na magka-hawak lang iyong mga kamay niya sa ilalim ng lamesa. Nang mapa-tingin ako sa gawi nila Jax ay nakita ko na naka-patong lang iyong kanang kamay niya sa ibabaw ng kaliwang hita ni Katherine.

"Okay ka lang?" Iñigo asked.

I nodded. "Yes," I said tapos ay nagrequest ako ng bagong tinidor sa waiter.

The event continued. Maraming lumapit sa table namin para kausapin si Iñigo dahil sa pagiging judge niya. He just politely talked to them, but no more than that because as a judge, he should give the impression of propriety and fairness. Kaya nga walang kaso sila Jax, Yago, Niko, at Vito na napupunta sa court ni Iñigo dahil alam na magkaibigan sila.

"Judge," Ella Flores said, isa sa mga kasama sa batch ko.

"Hi," Iñigo replied, looking at me for help dahil hindi niya kilala iyong babae. I ignored him tapos ay nagfocus ako sa pag-inom nung tubig dahil nagugutom na ako at gusto ko ng lumabas para kumain ng pares.

"Grabe, 'di ako pinansin," Iñigo said nang makaalis na si Ella.

"Ano namang sasabihin ko?"

"Di ko naman kilala 'yun."

"Ka-batch ko."

"Di naman tayo magka-batch."

"Mas matanda ka kasi sa akin. Inabuso mo ang kahinaan ko," he said and I just stared at him tapos ay tumawa siya. Alam niya naman na mas matanda siya sa akin. "Napaka-seryoso talaga."

"What did she want?" I asked, instead.

"May case tungkol sa lupa. The usual," he replied and I nodded. May mga nagpaparamdam na naman. Minsan may dumadating na pagkain sa bahay namin, pero dahil weird, 'di namin kinakain dahil 'di namin alam kung saan nanggaling. Since then, sinabihan na namin iyong subdivision na 'wag magpapa-pasok at iconfirm muna sa amin kung umorder ba kami.

The weirdest we received was a briefcase full of cash nung may pending sa court ni Iñigo na kaso tungkol sa pinag-aawayan na lupa sa Metro Manila. The land was worth hundreds of millions. It's pending until now. Hanggang mamatay siguro iyong magkakapatid na iyon ay pending pa rin iyong kaso dahil walang gustong magpa-talo at bawat kampo ay kumuha ng mamahaling mga abogado.

After the program, tumayo na kami at nagpaalam sa mga prof namin. Sabay-sabay kaming naglakad pabalik sa parking.

"I'm still hungry," Katherine said.

"Ako rin," Rory added.

"Pupunta kami sa pares," I told them.

"Yun ba 'yung pinupuntahan niyo before?" Rory asked dahil nabanggit ko sa kanya ito dati. I nodded. "Sama kami sa hideout niyo."

Dahil hindi rin naman kami makaka-labas dahil sa dami ng sasakyan na lalabas ay naglakad na kami papunta sa may paresan.

"Naalala mo nung nahampas ako ng bote sa ulo?" Iñigo asked.

"And you asked me to corroborate your lie."

"Ganoon talaga kapag partners in crime."

"You were basically a stranger then."

"Mahal mo naman kung mahal na kita nung time na 'yon?" he asked, his brow arched. "Alam mo naman na mabilis akong na-fall sa 'yo."

"Napaka-korni mo, Borromeo," Rory said, gagging.

Tumawa si Iñigo. "Korni din naman si Yago, so fair lang, Rory."

Hanggang sa maka-rating kami sa may paresan ay nagtatalo lang si Rory at Iñigo tapos ay sumama pa si Yago at Katherine kaya naman kami na lang ni Jax ang nag-usap tungkol sa bagong nilabas ng Supreme Court na jurisprudence because that would vastly affect our strategy sa litigation and appeal.

"Mang Berting!" sabi ni Iñigo nang maka-rating kami sa may paresan. It was already 11PM. Mukhang magsasara na sila dahil linggo rin naman. Dati kasi kapag school night ay hanggang 4AM sila—huling surge ng customers nila iyong mga galing sa inuman.

"Iñigo, ikaw ba iyan?" he asked.

"Naks naman, naaalala pa ako!" Iñigo said.

"Syempre naman! Kakain ba kayo?" Mang Berting asked tapos ay napa-tingin sa akin. "Aba't kayo ngang dalawa ang nagkatuluyan."

Humalakhak si Iñigo. "Wala atang tiwala sa akin si Mang Berting."

Natawa si Mang Berting. "E kagandang bata naman kasi nitong si Charisse. Kahit ilang kumakain dito dati e may crush d'yan," he said tapos ay tinukso ako nil Yago and I ignored them all.

"Bukas pa po ba kayo?"

"E magsasara na pero kung kakain kayo e pwede ba kayo maghintay kahit mga bente minuto?"

We all nodded tapos ay pumwesto na kami habang naghahanda si Mang Berting. We probably looked a bit out of place dahil naka-formal attire kami habang naka-pwesto sa maliit na table na may mantel na prutas at plastic na upuan. But I felt so at home.

"Text mo nga 'yang si Nikolai kung buhay pa 'yung mga bata," Rory said.

"Buhay pa 'yon," Yago said.

"Check mo."

"Fine... I'll text Je na lang baka magtampo na naman si Nikolai isipin na wala tayong tiwala sa kanya," Yago replied while texting Jersey.

While waiting for the food, nag-usap kami tungkol sa mga bata. We couldn't talk about work when we're together dahil galing kami sa iba-ibang firm at may member pa ng judiciary sa amin.

"Salamat po," I told Mang Berting nang iserve sa amin iyong pagkain. We began to eat at sinumbatan pa kami ni Rory dahil bakit daw hindi ko sinabi sa kanila iyong lugar na 'to dati.

"Nako, 'wag na," sabi ni Mang Berting nung magbabayad na kami.

"Sir—" sabi ni Katherine nung nag-aabot siya ng one thousand para sa kinain namin.

"Libre ko na iyan," sabi ni Mang Berting. "Pasalamat na rin kay Iñigo na nag-abot ng tulong nung na-istroke ako dati."

Lahat kami ay napa-tingin kay Iñigo na mukhang nahihiya dahil napa-lagay siya ng kamay niya sa may batok niya.

"Grabe naman, matagal na 'yon," sabi ni Iñigo. "Bayaran na namin 'to."

"Nako, 'wag na," sabi ni Mang Berting na hindi talaga nagpa-bayad kaya naman nagpasalamat na lang kami.

"Bakit 'di ko alam 'yon?" I asked Iñigo.

"Syempre may mga secret pa rin ako," he replied and I rolled my eyes on him. Tumawa siya. "Dati pa kasi 'yun—nung panahong Range Rover pa ang sasakyan ko," pabirong sabi niya. "Saka ang tagal na nun. Nalimutan ko na nga. 'Di ko alam naalala niya pala."

That's the thing... iyong maliit na pagtulong sa 'yo, life changing sa iba. It's always nice to be nice.

I was proud of Iñigo—na kahit pala nung mga panahon na akala ko ay nabulag na siya sa pera, nagawa niya pa ring tumulong sa iba.

"People of the world," Yago said. Napa-tingin kami sa kanya. "Look at this," he continued and then made us watch a video of Lucille, obviously being coached, asking kung pwede na mag-overnight sila sa condo nila Niko.

"They planned this," Katherine said.

"May dala silang overnight bag kanina," I confirmed.

"I'm really suspicious kung ano ang ginagawa nila doon..." Rory said.

Pagdating namin sa parking, iyong mga sasakyan na lang namin ang naiwan.

"So... good night na ba?"

"Tagaytay?" Iñigo asked.

"Now?" Yago asked.

Iñigo nodded and then looked at me. I didn't know if it was because we're married or nagmerge na talaga iyong utak namin... But I felt like Iñigo was doing this dahil sinabi ko sa kanya before na minsan magdodouble date sina Rory, Yago, Jax, at Katherine. Bakit naman nga kasi ako sasama roon? But Iñigo told me that one day, magttriple date kami sa Tagaytay.

And apparently, tonight's the night.

"Coffee lang," Iñigo said. "Wala namang traffic na."

Jax shrugged. So, it's been decided na pupunta kami sa Tagaytay. Parang bata sila na nagbato-bato pick kung sino ang magda-drive dahil gusto nila na sa isang sasakyan na lang. Habang nagbabato-bato pick sila ay nagpaalam ako para magcr muna. Habang naglalakad ako ay napa-hinto ako dahil may tumawag sa pangalan ko.

"Mishka," I said when I saw who was it that called my name.

She smiled at me, but it looked calculated. "Didn't see you earlier."

I shrugged. "I was at the table in the middle."

"Right... The table."

I didn't make a comment. I didn't understand why she sees me as a competition because I never saw her as one. 'Di ko naman kasalanan na lagi kaming nagiging magka-tapat sa mga kaso namin. And as far as I was concerned, we must be professional. Trabaho lang naman. It's not like kami iyong nag-aaway sa mga kaso na hawak namin.

And I believed it was also because nasa iisang school iyong mga anak namin at laging natatalo ni Saffron iyong anak niya. How was that my fault? Na kahit maarte iyong anak ko ay maganda pa rin ang grades niya?

"You should've said hi," sabi ko at saka iniwan siya bago pa kung ano ang masabi niya dahil magkikita pa kami sa Friday para sa mediation.

"Akala ko kinain ka na ng CR," sabi ni Iñigo nang maka-balik ako.

"Naka-salubong ko si Mishka," I replied.

Iñigo grimaced. "Ano'ng sabi?"

I shrugged. "Di ko maalala."

"Kahit kanina lang 'yon?"

"I'm good at blocking memories," I said tapos ay tinawanan ako ni Iñigo. "Kaninong sasakyan?"

"Jax," Iñigo replied tapos ay sumakay na kami sa Range Rover. His old Range Rover was already sold kaya bumili sila nung latest na version. But this was the bullet proof version.

Pagdating namin sa Tagaytay ay dumiretso kami sa coffee shop na Bianca's. Kapag pumupunta kami ni Iñigo dito ay dito kami dumi-diretso dahil bukas siya 24/7. Randomly lang kami pumupunta kapag stressed na kami sa buhay at sa trabaho. Naging kaibigan na rin namin iyong may-ari na si Biance Esteban dahil lagi kaming nandito.

"Grabe, kilala na rin kayo rito?" Rory asked dahil binati kami nung guard pagdating namin.

"We sometimes go here," I replied.

"Di nag-aaya," Yago said.

"Di niyo rin naman kami inaaya kapag nagde-date kayo," Iñigo replied.

"Ang tanong—ready ba kayong sumama kapag nagdate kami?" Yago said and we all made face because of what he was implying. Rory just glared at him tapos ay tinawanan siya tapos nagsorry at sabi na joke lang.

We got inside and ordered coffee. Doon kami pumwesto sa may kita iyong Taal volcano. We drank our coffee and began to reminisce kung ano iyong nangyari nung nasa law school pa kami.

"Favorite ko talaga iyong sinuntok ni Iñigo si Cha," Yago said.

Iñigo, as if on cue, frowned. "For the hundredth time, hindi ko sinuntok."

"E 'di nasuntok," Yago said. "Same pa rin naman na may pasa si Cha."

"Kasalanan naman talaga ni Jax iyon," sabi ni Iñigo. Jax looked like he was surprised na nasama siya bigla sa usapan dahil tahimik lang naman siyang umiinom ng kape.

"Siguro ang nasa lapida mo, Iñigo, here lies Iñigo Borromeo—husband, father, friend. Tapos may quote na 'Hindi ko sinuntok si Cha.'"

I pursed my lips because that was funny. Hindi ko alam kung saang parte kami biglang umabot sa pag-uusap kung sino ang pinaka-matalino sa amin. Biglang naglabasan kung ano iyong mga grade namin sa law school at kung fair ba iyon dahil magkakaiba naman kami ng naging prof.

"Basta top 1 ako sa BAR," sabi ni Iñigo na biglang nagyabang.

"May license ako to practice sa California."

"Expired na 'yon," Iñigo pointed out.

Yago rolled his eyes. "Pwede ko naman i-renew."

"May penalty."

"Marami akong pera—laki kaya ng sweldo ni Rory," sabi ni Yago tapos tinignan lang siya ni Rory.

Hanggang 3AM ay nagpapa-sikatan lang sila. After that ay lumabas na kami at naabutan namin iyong owner. I introduced Bianca to them—at tamang tama dahil naghahanap daw siya ng lawyer kaya naman binigay ni Rory at Jax iyong cards nila.

"May the best lawyer win," Rory said.

Jax shrugged. "Thank you," sabi niya tapos ay biglang natawa si Katherine sa biglang pagyayabang ni Jax. I mean, he's one of the highest paid lawyer, but he's never mentioned that. Nahawa siguro sa payabangan nila Yago at Iñigo kanina.

Rory faked a shock. "The audacity."

We drove back to Manila at saka ibinaba nila kami sa school para kuhanin iyong mga sasakyan namin. Dumiretso na kami sa bahay dahil nagtext sina Lily na ihahatid na lang sila. Pagdating namin sa bahay ay tahimik dahil wala pa iyong mga bata.

"May pasok na ulit mamaya," Iñigo said because it's Monday again.

I nodded and yawned. "But I had fun."

He said and then hugged me as if he was resting against my body. "Tulog muna tayo," sabi niya. "Antok na ako."

"Paano kapag dumating na sila?"

"May susi naman sila," he replied and I nodded in agreement tapos ay dumiretso na kami sa may kama. We stripped naked because we're too tired to clean up—the sheets were due for change, anyway.

"Let's nap," he said as he held me close and kissed my forehead. "Gisingin mo ako," he added and I nodded as I reached for the phone and set the alarm for the both of us. "Thank you. Love you," he said before we both dozed off to sleep... only to be waken up four hours later para magbreakfast kasama ang mga anak namin at pumasok na naman sa trabaho.