Chapter 9: Belle

<p>Pababa nang grand staircase si Luisa Aragon nang pumasok si Matt sa mansion ng mga magulang. <br/><br/>"Why are you here, Aguimatt?" bati ng ina ni Matt.<br/><br/>'I miss you, Ma. Hindi na ba ko pwedeng dumalaw?" lambing ni Matt sa ina na sinabayan pa nang pa-cute na pagyakap nito sa ina. <br/><br/>Matt's mom was the ever famous actress Luisa Sulla Aragon. She started acting at a young age but her biggest breakthrough when she was in her late 20s. She was 16 years old when he had Matt. She thought it was the end of her career but Matt just became her most loved treasure and it doesn't stop her reaching her dreams. She ended up being with Matt's Dad, Miguelito Aragon. Kahit pa 8years ang tanda nito sa kaniya, minahal niya ito ng lubos and ended up marrying him. <br/><br/>At the age of 47, patuloy pa din itong namamayagpag sa mundo ng showbiz. Gayunpaman, humahawak na rin ito ng talents at nagmamanage ng mga artista. <br/><br/>The reason why he visit today is because of the promise she gave Via, yesterday. She wanted to cast ang batang si Belle sa project nito and he knew his mom can help her. <br/><br/>"Sus! Hindi na bagay sayo ang pagpapa-baby. Dapat sayo nag-aasawa na," saway ng ina nito. "Bakit ba wala ka pang pinapakilalang babae sakin? I was 16 when I have you!" <br/><br/>Napakamot sa ulo si Matt. "Ma naman! Masyado lang kayong mapusok ni Papa on your youth. Plus, I still enjoy my bachelor life." <br/><br/>Ngumiwi ang ina nito. "Anyway, why are you here?"<br/><br/>"I want to eat lunch with you. It's been a while since we had lunch together," patuloy na lambing ni Matt sa ina. <br/><br/>"I give up. Alam kong may kailangan ka sakin. I don't want to pretend as if I don't know. What is it now?" natatawang turan ni Luisa sa anak. <br/><br/>Matt gave a boyish grin. "I'll tell you over lunch. I'm starving." Itinulak ni Matt ang ina patungong kumidor para ayain itong managhalian. Napaakay naman ang ina. <br/><br/>"Sinabi sakin ni Manang na tumawag ka't nagpapahanda ng pananghalian. Yun palang alam ko ng may kailangan ka. You're Papa will join us," ani Luisa. <br/><br/>"Papa? I thought he's on business call. He's here?" <br/><br/>"Ofcourse!" sagot ng baritonong tinig mula sa matipunong lalaking papasok sa kumidor. Miguelito Aragon, a well-built man in his 50s, is the man na pinagmanahan ni Matt ng halos lahat ng features ng pagkatao niya. He's Matt's replica just older. "I get jealous if other man dines with your Mama. And you are not an exception."<br/><br/>"Ma have confess her true feelings to me. There's no competition to that," biruan ng mag-anak habang pumupwesto sa hinandang pagkain sa lamesa. <br/><br/>"You need to find you're own woman, Aguimatt. Hindi yung dikit ka pa din ng dikit sa Mama mo," ani ng tatay ni Matt. <br/><br/>Napahalakhak si Matt.<br/><br/>"I can't believe that at this ages of ours, eh nag-aagawan pa rin kayo sa atensyon ko," ani ng ginang ng tahanan. "I wonder how will it be kapag nakahanap na ng mapapangasawa ang unico hijo ko."<br/><br/>"I guess you have to get used to the idea na malapit na rin ako mag-asawa," sagot ni Matt na nagsasalin ng pagkain sa sariling plato. Natigilan naman ang mag-asawa sa tinuran ng anak. Napatingin sa kaniya. <br/><br/>"What do you mean?" mariing tanong ng ina. Napalingon si Matt rito at tila nagulat sa akto ng mga magulang. <br/><br/>"What did I say?"<br/><br/>"Are you seeing someone, son?" tanong ng ama. "By means of marriage material?"<br/><br/>"Was the rumor of that starlet true? Is she the girl your seeing?" May pagkabahala sa tinig ng ina. <br/><br/>"I didn't mean it like that. I mean, comm'on, I'm 27. Syempre iniisip ko na ding mag-asawa like Red and Bob. Shouldn't it be logical? Should this be surprising?"<br/><br/>Napailing ang ama ni Matt and return to eating. Habang naging seryoso naman ang tingin pa lalo ng ina nito. <br/><br/>"Marriage is not something you chose to kasi tumatanda ka na," ani ng ina. <br/><br/>"I know, Ma. But let's just consider the idea. Besides, kasasabi mo lang kanina," natatawang sabi ni Matt. <br/><br/>"Well, we still need to meet the lucky girl," turan naman ng ama. <br/><br/>"With all pleasure, Dad. But let's stop this convo. I don't feel the masculinity sa conversation na 'to."<br/><br/>"Consider your princess as a royalty, a princess. Hindi pwedeng kung sinu-sino lang ang pipiliin mo," mariing turan ng ina. <br/><br/>"Oh, believe me, she's not," pahapyaw ni Matt na may malokong ngiti. <br/><br/>"Aguimatt!" His mom exclaimed. Napahalakhak din ang Papa niya habang patuloy sa pagkain. <br/><br/>"Let's stop, Ma. Hindi yan ang pinunta ko dito ngayon," pag-iiba ni Matt sa usapan as he started eating again. Hindi naman nagsalita ang magulang niya. They waited for him to start talking. "Do you remember the charitable project me and my friends donating to?"<br/><br/>"Yes, we told you that we are donating as well. I'm reading the pre-reviews. Maraming bumabatikos sa main lead but the director is world class and she's more interesting than the actresses," ani ng ina na totally indulge pa din sa showbiz. <br/><br/>"She's interesting really. I met her."<br/><br/>"Was she good? Her movies are world class. I wonder why would she works for charity," ani naman ng tatay ni Matt na nagproproduce din ng mga pelikula. <br/><br/>"Via grew up in an orphanage and importante sa kaniya yung mga pupuntahan ng donation. Through her works, she maintained her feet on the ground. She's an angel physically and deeply." He wanted to describe Via as platonic as possible but he sounded so proud and admiring. Buti na lang hindi iyon nahalata ng ina. <br/><br/>"Right, it's Via Alustre. We only hear good things about her," sabi ni Luisa. <br/><br/>"But she's an orphan?"<br/><br/>"Not an orphan. She grew in an orphanage. Long story."<br/><br/>"Magandang back story yan sa isang talent. Katulad nung mga dating kargador turned into matinee idols," ani ng ama ni Matt. <br/><br/>"Well, yeah. But she doesn't talk about her a lot, personal wise."<br/><br/>"You seemed met her a couple of times. Why do you know personal things about her?" tanong ng ina.<br/><br/>"We went to the orphanage yesterday. I met her family. She consider the orphanage his family," sagot ni Matt. <br/><br/>"Were you focus on this project? Mukhang hands on ka," ani naman ng tatay ni Matt.<br/><br/>"Let's just say, it really got me interested. This project seemed to make a huge hit. A world class director, all charity profits and prominent cast and crews. I was thinking if this works big, baka maraming mag-franchise and could sell a lot. And as a major sponsor, we could get the royalty kahit kunti."<br/><br/>"That's a good idea. You're mom will love that," ani ng ama. <br/><br/>"Actually, I wanted to ask a big favor," umpisa na ni Matt sa tunay na pakay na lumingon sa ina, "...to Ma."<br/><br/>"Sakin? Favor?"<br/><br/>Binaba ni Matt ang kubyertos, nagpahid ng labi and look straight at his mother. "Would you consider fostering a 9-year old orphan and be one of your talent?" <br/><br/>"What?!"<br/><br/>************<br/><br/>Luisa Aragon is scared to get out of the car. She's trying to calm herself and get on with it but she couldn't find the courage to do so. Pumayag siyang tanggapin ang batang si Belle sa pangangalaga niya bilang manager nito at foster parent gaya ng hiling ni Matt. She'd loved to. But it was not that easy... There's something scaring her behind all this. <br/><br/>"Ma?" dukwang ni Matt sa bintana. Nasa labas na ito ng sasakyan at tila nagtataka kung bakit hindi pa siya bumababa. "What's wrong?"<br/><br/>Pinilit niyang itago ang pangamba. "I'm just fixing myself," mabilis niyang rason and bahagya pang inayos ang buhok. <br/><br/>"The sisters are here. Are you ok?" tanong ni Matt na nag-alala sa ina.<br/><br/>"Ofcourse, Aguimatt. I'm coming out," she cheerfully replied and get out of the car. Dahan-dahan siyang bumaba ng sasakyan and looked around sa ampunan ng Sta. Clarita. She's never been there but she knows the place. Pagkuwa'y lumingon siya sa mga madreng nakatunghay din sa kaniya. <br/><br/>"Good morning, sisters?" bati ni Matt sa mga madreng sumalubong sa kanilang mag-ina. "This is my mom, Luisa Aragon," pakilala ni Matt sa ina. "Mom, these are the mothers of Sta. Clarita."<br/><br/>"Magandang araw po Mrs. Aragon. Salamat po sa pagbisita samin," bati ni Sister.<br/><br/>"The pleasure is all mine, Sister. But please bear me, I don't usually go on long trips lately. Medyo nahihilo ako sa haba ng byahe," ani ng ginang upang itago ang pagkabalisa.<br/><br/>There's something in Sta. Clarita that makes her nervous. In fact, it's not just Sta. Clarita. She has something going on sa mga bahay ampunan.<br/><br/>"Sisters, may mga pasalubong kami para sa mga bata," ani Matt saka inutusan ang driver na kasama nila para asikasuhin ang mga dalang pasalubong.<br/><br/>"Maraming salamat at nag-abala pa kayo. Tayo na sa loob at nang makapagpalamig kayo," Aya ng Mother Superiora ng Sta. Clarita. <br/><br/>Nakaalalay si Matt sa ina habang papasok sa loob. Nadaanan pa nila ang ilang mga batang masayang naghahabulan sa hardin ng ampunan. Napapangiti si Luisa habang masayang nakatingin sa mga batang naghahabulan. Kasabay ng pagbuhos ng nakaraan.<br/><br/>Matt had a younger sister. Luisa bear a child again nung almost nasa menopausal stage na ito. But Matt's sister was kidnap, 2 weeks after she was born. One week his mom and dad keeps communicating with the abducters. Only to find out, ang yaya pala nito ang kumuha sa kapatid niya. It was all a mess. And at the end, napatay ang yaya ng kapatid niya but the baby isn't found. The search keeps on for almost a year, hanggang sa may natagpuang baby na nakalibing sa mismong likuran ng hide out ng abducters ng kapatid niya. <br/><br/>His mom wouldn't believe it that it was her sister. But with the same clothing and same covers that was used, he and his Dad believe it was Matilda, her sister. Luisa keeps the search on for her missing daughter pero it has been 9 years and they don't even have a lead. <br/><br/>"Ma," tawag ni Matt sa inang nakatunghay sa mga batang naglalaro. "We have to get inside."<br/><br/>Napalingon si Luisa sa anak. Nakangiti. "You understand how I feel about this, Matt. You know the story." <br/><br/>Inakbayan ni Matt ang ina. "Yes, Ma. And I won't reciprocate your thoughts. I know how much you missed Matilda. She could've been a beautiful kid." <br/><br/>Marahan silang humahakbang papasok ng ampunan. Matt was holding his Mom in a half embrace. <br/><br/>"I know we can't replace Matilda in our lives but I hope you'll love Belle just the same habang nasa poder natin siya," ani Matt. <br/><br/>"I still don't understand why we can't adopt her as our own. Why do we need to foster her instead?" <br/><br/>"Ma, her mom will come back for her. Hindi natin siya pwedeng angkinan basta-basta."<br/><br/>"It's been 9 years, Matt. Do you honestly believe that her mom will go back. No good mother could wait that long para sa isang anak na iniwan. She's missing her childhood."<br/><br/>"We have to believe, Ma. In life, there are hundreds of reason why we make decisions. Let's just say, her mom don't have the courage to see her yet. Let's give her time."<br/><br/>"Fine. But just to be clear, she'll stay with us until her mother gets her. Hangga't hindi, she will be our sweet little Belle."<br/><br/>"You haven't met her, pero you seemed to be possessive of her." Kunot-noong turan ni Matt. <br/><br/>"I don't know. I think it's because I'm a mother. Kung pwede ko lang ampunin silang lahat," ani Luisa. <br/><br/>"I think I know why you choose to have a talent agency. Kaya ka pala maraming ampun," biro ni Matt sa ina. <br/><br/>"Mrs. Aragon, Sir Matt. Dito po tayo," tawag ni Sally sa mag-ina. Tumalima naman ang dalawa sa tinurong silid ni Sally. It was Mother Superiora's office. Mother Amelia was an old woman with a very warm aura. Hindi ito katulad ng mga Head Nuns na masungit at tila aloof. She was smiling and seemed lively. Kaya siguro magaan ang aura ng Sta. Clarita para sa mga bisita.<br/><br/>"May mga importanteng papel lang na kailangan nating pirmahan bago niyo maisama si Belle. Atska liliwanagin ko lang po, may bibisita or tatawag po sa inyo 3 beses sa isang buwan to check po sa bata," turan ni Mother Amelia.<br/><br/>"No worries, Mother. Bibisita-bisita din si Belle dito once in a while."<br/><br/>"Papadalhan po namin kayo ng abiso kung may update po tungkol sa nanay ni Belle," sabi naman ni Sally.<br/><br/>Luisa gave a smirk. "I would love to meet her, honestly. Sorry sister pero hindi ko maiwasang mainis sa ina ng mga batang nag-iwan sa mga ito. They do not deserve to be called moms."<br/><br/>"Ma, you're acting up," saway ni Matt sa ina.<br/><br/>"Naiintindihan namin ang nararamdaman ni Mrs. Aragon. Pero para sa Sta. Clarita, masaya kaming kumupkop ng mga bata kaysa mangulilala sa lansangan," sagot ng Mother Superiora.<br/><br/>"Thank God for having you sister. Matt, make sure you sponsor in this institution regularly."<br/><br/>"I will, Ma," nangingiting turan ni Matt. "By the way, Sisters, si Belle?"<br/><br/>Tyempong bumukas ang pinto. There came Belle, akay ni Sister Ara. All smiling and very pretty in her pink cutesy dress. Tila excited na excited ito.<br/><br/>"Kuya Matt!" magiliw na bati ni Belle sa kaniya. Napatakbo pa ito palapit sa kaniya. Napayakap si Matt rito.<br/><br/>Luisa was all eyes fixed on Belle. Her face was lighting up. She seemed so happy in seeing the little girl. To Luisa's eyes, Belle was the most beautiful little girl she'd ever seen.<br/><br/>"Nung isang araw ko pa po kayo hinihintay. Sabi po ni Ate Via, babalik kayo agad," nakangusong sabi ng bata. She was so innocent.<br/><br/>"Nagtatampo ka ba? Parang 2days lang naman."<br/><br/>"Hindi naman po. Nakakainip lang maghintay. Si ate Via po?"<br/><br/>"Hindi namin siya nakasama pero sabi niya pupuntahan ka niya mamaya sa bahay ng Mommy ko. Ah, oo nga pala. Belle, siya ang Mommy ko. Si Mommy Luisa. Magiging mommy mo muna siya for the meantime, sa kaniya ka titira," pakilala ni Matt sa ina.<br/><br/>Napaharap si Belle kay Luisa. "Talaga po?! Kilala ko po kayo. Napapanood ko po kayo sa Luha ng Langit! Kayo po yung mataray na nanay ni Maritess," ani ng bata na tinutukoy ang katatapos lang na teleserye ng artistang ginang. "Mataray po kayo, di ba?" <br/><br/>Nagtawanan ang lahat sa paligid sa inosenteng komento ng bata.<br/><br/>"Naku, hija. Palabas lang yun. Pag-arte lang yun," depensa ni Luisa sa sarili.<br/><br/>"Sa totoong buhay, malambing si Mommy tsaka mabait," ani Matt saka bumulong. "Wag mo lang sasabihang matanda na kasi mapapagalitan ka."<br/><br/>Napahagikhik si Belle. "Maganda naman po siya kahit matanda na."<br/><br/>"What?! Aguimatt, stop teaching her that!"<br/><br/>Matt laugh hard kasabay ng maliliit na higikhik ni Belle. Gayundin ang mga madre sa paligid.<br/><br/>"But kidding aside, lapit ka nga," ani Luisa sa bata. Dahang-dahang lumapit si Belle. Diretso ang tingin sa ginang. Luisa brush Belle's long curly hair with her fingers. She softly touched her face na tila kinakabisado ang features nun. "You're 9 years old. You should've been same aged as my Matilda," madamdaming turan ni Luisa na halos pabulong. <br/><br/>"Po?" inosenteng tanong ng bata.<br/><br/>Ngumiti lang si Luisa. "So, gusto mo bang tumira sakin?"<br/><br/>"Kung hindi niyo po ako sasampalin katulad nung pag sampal niyo kay Maritess."<br/><br/>"Sisters, bakit niyo ba pinapapanood sa mga bata ang mga dramang ganyan?" pabirong turan ni Luisa.<br/><br/>"Ah eh, ang mga caretakers po kasi, mga teleserye ang pinagkakaabalahan."<br/><br/>"If you will be in my care, forget watching those." ani Luisa. "Don't worry, hindi ako mapanakit."<br/><br/>"Aalis na po ba tayo ngayon?" nanlalaki ang mata sa excitement na turan ni Belle.<br/><br/>Napuno na lang ulit ng tawanan ang paligid.</p>