“Are you excited?” Ervic asks over the phone.
“Excited your face.”
“Don’t me. When it comes to my brother, you’re always excited.”
“Yes, my vagina too.”
“Obviously.”
“You know, I hope you don’t call because you are ugly to talk to.” But he only answered me with a loud laugh. This gay calls me just to tease me. I hope he didn’t call me.
I told him what happened earlier at the hospital and when we went to the mall. How many clothes did Enrique buy? They say it’s called a maternity dress. It’s very loose but it looks nice to wear when you’re only at the mansion. It’s like what I’m wearing, it’s comfy and cozy and my stomach doesn’t get stuck.
He also seems to know that I don’t like cheap because the things he bought are from famous stores. My only problem is how to dispose of it once I have given birth. I think it’s about fifty pieces.
“I want to go home, Daze, but—–”
“But?”
“Nothing. Anyway, your brother is really rich? He sends me a lot of money always.”
“He’s rich, but he’s a hopeless romantic. Lots of money but no love life.”
“You are terrible to your brother.”
“Just telling the truth.”
“Anyway, I need to cut the call. Take care always.”
“You too and I hope you can go home.”
“I will, soon. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
I put the cell phone in my clothes pocket. I’m quite hungry and I don’t know what to eat. I’m fed up with what’s stocked here in my fridge.
I went out and went to the kitchen. I looked for something to eat and when I saw that it looked like it was freshly cooked, I went ahead and got it. I eat alone until finished. I just put what I ate in the sink and left.
Headed to my room I passed the forbidden room. This is the room that is not allowed to enter, said Ervic. This room is exclusively for Enrique—and for his whore–obviously. The face is thick. Even if he is married, even on paper, he still brings a woman here. Not ashamed of the assistants here and even more not ashamed of me. Even if I’m only a wife on paper, he should still respect me.
After all, I can’t blame him either. He is a man and has his needs. He needs to satisfy his lust. But hopefully not here at the mansion because I’m here. He’s already hurting my feelings, he still doesn’t respect me.
I noticed the door was ajar. I didn’t see anyone around. I didn’t notice that someone had come. I put my ear to the door and maybe there is someone inside or maybe I can hear something strange but no sign that someone is inside.
I am thinking about what is inside. Is this like Gray’s red room of fifty shades whose contents are all sex toys?
And because I was curious about what was inside the forbidden room, I slowly pushed the door. But it wasn’t sex toys that exposed me. I rolled my eyes and then looked outside because I might have entered the wrong room and not the forbidden room—-but, no—–this is it. The forbidden room that Ervic was talking about.
But why are there no sex toys here? There is no sign of this room being used as a sex room. There is not even a bed. Instead, there is a lot of painting on the walls—and a piano in the middle.
So this is not a room for sex? Enrique doesn’t bring a woman here to have sex? Instead, can he show the painting or the instruments that are here?
I looked up at an instrument resting on top of the piano. I remember brother Dylan and sister Dane when I saw the piano, but the cello that was there was more dominant in my eyes.
I walk closer to it. The bow rests on an acrylic stand and leans. I caressed it and smiled. I don’t know but my heart felt like jumping when I saw it. I even feel my baby kick as if I am being ordered.
“Do you want me to play, baby?” I asked myself as if talking to my son. She kicked again so I took the cello and bowed. Not thinking whose it is. I lost interest in the surroundings because my attention was only on the cello. “Mommy will play it for you.”
I don’t know if I still know how to use it. The last time I held this was when I was in high school. The first time I played was when I was in elementary school. When I was ten years old a couple performed on stage during the birthday celebration of the city mayor which our family got invited. Mayor Andrada is now a congressman.
The woman played the piano and the man played the cello. They are a perfect combination and I was so amazed by them, I was listening with my mouth open as if I couldn’t see anything but the two of them. Since then, I wanted to be like them. I wanted to play too, and wish that someday, I can play with them too.
I even thought then that my future husband would also be my partner in passion like they are a couple. Not even in playing, but I hope we have something in common so that we can bond as well.
They are the reason why I met Enrique. Because when I saw them come out after they performed, I followed them and everywhere I sat I got lost. And Enrique saved me and was my knight in shining armor.
But I never saw them after that. I didn’t even bother to ask my parents about them. But I didn’t lose my desire to play the cello because I hope someday I will meet them again and I can tell them that they are my inspiration. They are my dream to play with.
But while I was reaching for that dream, I also lost my interest. Because no one supported me. Everyone is busy and no one listens to me except brother Dylan, who seems to only have time to listen three or two times a year. Because his time was more focused on his girl at that time.
And also I couldn’t find that couple. I also don’t want to ask my parents because for sure there will be something else to say or maybe they forgot it immediately with the number of people they know and going to events.
I remember the song they played. I heard the MC introduce the song clearly. Speak softly, love by Andy Williams. And that was the first thing I learned and played over and over again.
“Mommy will play her all-time favorite song.”
I started to play it while closing my eyes. I feel my baby kicked many times so I smile. As if it was like yesterday I saw that couple. It is like yesterday I heard them play. And while performing alone I feel like I am with them. I feel they are with me, listening to my performance.
Speak softly, love and hold me warm against your heart
I feel your words, the tender trembling moments start
We’re in a world, our very own
Sharing a love that only few have ever known
Wine-colored days warmed by the sun
Deep velvet nights when we are one
Speak softly, love so no one hears us but the sky
The vows of love we make will live until we die
My life is yours and all because
You came into my world with love so softly love
Wine-colored days warmed by the sun
Deep velvet nights when we are one
Speak softly, love so no one hears us but the sky
The vows of love we make will live until we die
My life is yours and all because
You came into my world with love so softly love
I wiped my tears after playing. My god! I Should be just happy and then cry immediately. Because—I’m still crying because until now I’m still hoping to see them.
“Happy baby?” I ask my baby and caress my stomach.
“Do you know how to play the cello?” I almost screamed in shock when someone spoke behind me. The door was already closed and Enrique was there leaning behind the closed door. I also felt that the baby was surprised at the same time as me because she moved.
“How long have you been there?”
“Before you started to play.”
I returned the cello to the case and smoothed it first.
“Who taught you?”
“I studied when I was in elementary.” He walked closer to me. He took the cello and then caressed it. “A couple inspired me to play. I was just a kid when I heard them play at the mayor’s bday but sadly I never see them again. That was the day you saw me. I followed them so I got lost.”
I know it’s not important to him. But, I just want to tell him. I don’t want to fight with him because I’m so happy now because I played again what I had forgotten for a long time.
“This cello is owned by my father. This piano is owned by my mother. They are both musicians and performers. They perform not only in the Philippines but around the world. And the one you played earlier—–if I am not mistaken is Speak softly, love by Andy Williams. Their theme song and used to play it with us almost every day.”
“Your parents are performers?”
“Yeah.”
“Have they performed on Congressman Andrada’s birthday when he is still the mayor?”
“Their last performance. That was the day that I saw you. So I hastened to leave you because I received a call. They’ve been in an accident on their way home that took their lives. Their instrument is in another car so it’s not damaged.”
“Oh my god!” So, the couple that inspired me to play the cello is none other than Enrique’s parents. They are my in-laws.
“What a small world isn’t it?” he asked. I nodded and held my stomach. The cello that inspires me is right here in front of me. I was able to hold it and play it.
I don’t know how to feel. I am so fucking happy right now. I can’t explain my feelings. They are my in-laws.
“Why are you here?” I lost my thoughts when he spoke.
“Oh! I was hungry and then I passed by and saw the door open. I was curious about what was going on so I went in.”
“You’re curious to see what’s there because I’m bringing some girls here?” I rolled my eyes but he shook his head and smiled.
“Something funny?”
“Nothing. Those different girls that I brought here are my parents’ students. They came here just to see their instrument to inspire them. And wanted to buy the paintings that they own.”
“You don’t need to explain.”
“I just corrected your dirty thoughts. Because I know what’s running on your mind.”
“Is it my fault if that’s what Ervic told me?” That gay was really a devil. I can really slap him left and right because of the lies he tells me. He was just defaming his brother. I thought he was greeting us and then he did that. You don’t know if it’s in my favor or not.
“He just wants to mess with you. He likes you since then so he can slander me to you. And it’s effective. See! You’re carrying his baby.”
“Yes, of course.” I roll my eyes. If you only knew that your brother was gay, you might cry in annoyance.
“What’s her name?” My attention returned to Enrique when he spoke.
“Name who?”
“My niece-I mean my baby. Now that you know her gender, have you prepared any names for her? Although you just found out that maybe you have something ready somehow.”
“Jasmine, for flowers.”
“Nice name.”
“Of course, I was pregnant—” I was surprised when the baby suddenly kicked hard. I was stuck because she seemed to be losing herself inside.
“Are you ok?”
“Damn, I think my daughter doesn’t like her name. She kicks hard.”
“Kick?”
“Yes. Ouch.” And even stronger. But I was even more surprised when Enrique put his palm on my stomach. Even though my clothes covered his palm, I felt his warm palm.
“Baby, don’t you want Jasmine?” he asked and the baby kicked again, and damn it! it was a bit tingly because it was like she was fighting inside my stomach. “She doesn’t like it.” He said then look at me.
“How did you know?”
“I feel it.”
“What will I do? I want her name to be flower so we can be the same.”
“How about Ixora?” he asks.
“Ixora?”
“Yes. Ixora.”
“I know Ixora you said. What does that mean?” I ask.
“Types of Jasmine.” Baby moves but doesn’t kick. It’s like she’s just fiddling but smoothly. “I think she likes it,” Enrique said while smiling his palm still hasn’t been removed from my stomach.
“I think so.” My daughter is so stubborn. Don’t like Jasmine. It was beautiful back then. “Then let’s stick to Ixora.”Enrique smiled and caressed my stomach.
“Hello dear, my baby Ixora,” he said and caress my stomach.