The Woman Who Tamed the Tiger - part 5

Admin Note: *Contributed Story* Please give credit and thanks to blossom. This is a continuation to The Woman Who Tamed the Tiger – part 4.

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Author: blossom

Author’s Note:  Sorry for the late update. Final exams na and I had been busy.

Special thanks to the following readers:  maria, eijoj20, chics20042001, canistel, Dinah Holmina Aldos, rss9485, klein, ==►BCWMHolicz, t0niann3, ghie2013, ehms, prettyJOB, darlene seleccion, cla2x, Mimi.

Well, without further ado, here’s the next part!

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Last Chapter:

SC: Come on Maya, let’s play a game.

M: Anong game?

SC: I’ll give you three clues about my chosen love. If you solve who she is, I’ll give you one wish. I’ll do everything in my power to grant that wish.

M: Pano pag natalo ako?

SC: You won’t leave me, ever.

M: Ha?

SC: Will you take the challenge Maya?

M: Sige. Ano yung first clue?

 

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The Woman Who Tamed the Tiger

Part 5: Burning

Veranda

Maya: Eto yung kape mo Richard.

Sir Chief: Salamat Maya, come, join me.

M: Alam kong sasabihin mo yan, ready na rin tong kape ko. *smiles and sits opposite Richard*

SC: Ang bilis na panahon no? I can’t believe I’m at the age where my eldest son just had his first girlfriend and my second child attended her first prom. Last time I checked, they’re still arguing and teasing each other. Ngayon, si Luke ang nanghihingi sa akin ng love advices and I’m worrying about my daugther’s future suitors. I don’t think I’m ready to let them go yet…

M: Pero wala ka namang magagawa tungkol dyan. Sabi nga nila, the only permanent thing in this world is change. Hindi mo pwedeng pigilan ang paglaki ng mga bata. Darating ang panahon na magiging independent na sila at haharapin na nila ang buhay nila ng mag-isa. Isusulat nila ang sarili nilang kapalaran. At kinalaunan, magkakaroon na rin sila ng sariling pangarap.

SC: I know… I know that but still…

M: Natatakot kang maiwan pag nagkaroon na sila ng sariling buhay?

SC: Wha-

M: Lahat naman tayo natatakot maiwanan kapag mawawala na sa atin ang mga taong ilang taon mong kasama sa araw-araw. Saksi ka magsimula pa lang sa pagkasilang hanggang sa paglaki at pagtanda nila. Unfair nga kung tutuusin, dahil ginugol mo ang kalahati ng buhay mo para sa kanila pero sa bandang huli, maiiwanan ka rin…

SC: You’re right… Pag nagkapamilya na ang lahat ng mga bata, pano na ako? Anong gagawin ko? Will I live in this big house all alone, with gray hairs, all wrinkly and weak? *sad face*

M: *Places hand on top of Richard’s clenched hand* Richard, tumingin ka sa akin. Mahal na mahal ka ng mga anak mo, tandaan mo yan. Oo, hindi na 100% ang kaya nilang ibigay na atensyon sa iyo pero hindi ibig sabihin nun na wala na silang oras para sa iyo. Ikaw ang Daddy nila, and nagpalaki at nag-aruga sa kanila sa lampas 20 taon ng buhay nila. May espesyal kang space sa puso nila na hindi kayang kunin ng sinuman…

SC: *smiles and shakes his head* Maya de la Rosa… you’re truly one of a kind.

M: *blushes and withdraws her hand* Ah, haha. Salamat. Masyado ka kasing nageemote dyan, dinaig mo pa ako. Humahabol ka din bang Best Actor?

SC: *laughs* Sure. Basta ba ikaw ang leading lady eh.

M: Aba, sure win na tayo kung ganun! *laughs*

SC: Maya…

M: Hm?

SC: Do you think I deserve finding a new partner? I mean, with what happened with Alex, I feel it’s unfair for her and the kids that I just move on…

M: Sir Chief, engineer ka nga ng mga eroplano pero pagdating naman sa mga bagay na tulad nito, daig ka pa ni Luke eh. *smiles and sips her coffee*

SC: *eyebrows raised* And what do you mean by that Ms. de la Rosa?

M: Kalma lang! Wag papa high blood! Ang ibig ko lang sabihin ay hindi mo na dapat itanong sa akin ang mga bagay tungkol dyan, kasi kahit hindi ko kilala si Ma’am Alex ng personal, ang alam ko lang ay napakabait nya at mahal na mahal ka at ang  mga anak nyo. Biglaan ang pagkawala nya at lahat kayo nagulat sa mga pangyayari, nalungkot… nadepress. Normal yun. Pero hindi na sya normal if tumagal sya ng napakatagal na panahon.

Hindi ko sinasabing mali na alalahanin nyo si Ma’am Alex, malaking parte sya ng pamilyang ito at hinding-hindi mabubura ang mga alaala nya sa mga puso nyo. Pero mali naman kung habang buhay kayong madedepress sa pagkawala nya. Lalo na kayo Sir Chief. Napalaki nyo ng mabuti ang mga anak nyo, pero may mga pagkakataon na hindi sa lahat ng bagay e mapupunan nyo ang mga pangangailangan ng mga bata.

SC: What do you mean? Kulang pa rin yung pinoprovide ko sa kanila right now?

M: Hindi material na bagay ang tinutukoy ko Richard. Love, care and understanding ng isang ina. I know na mahal na mahal mo sila, pero may mga bagay na hindi mo kayang iprovide sa kanila as you are right now.

SC: Huh? Like what?

M: Example na yung nangyari sa dress ni Nikki. Di ba may nakapareha sya ng dress at pumunta sya ulit sa botique ng MAG-ISA. Kundi pa nya ko tinawagan, tiyak ako na gagabihin yon sa kakapili ng dress nya para sa prom.

SC: I offered to drop my meeting and accompany her but she refused!

M: Alam mo ba ang dahilan dun Richard?

SC: She doesn’t want to interfere with my work?

M: Partially oo. Pero ang totoong rason dun ay dahil alam nya na wala kang maitutulong sa kanya.

SC: Wha-

M: Ano ang jewelry and bagay sa powder pink gown?

SC: Uh- how am I supposed to know that? I’m not a woman.

M: Exactly Richard. Hindi ka babae. At nagdadalaga na ang panganay mo. Hindi mo na sya pwedeng tratuhin na parang bata. Lumalaki na sya at dumadaan na sya sa mga pagbabago from childhood to teenage years. May mga bagay na pinagdadaanan ang mga babae na hindi kayang intindihin ng mga lalaki.

Para sa inyo ni Luke, ay naging OA ang reaksiyon ni Nikki noong nalaman nyang may kapareho sya ng dress. Pero sa aming mga babae, natural na magpanic kami dahil gusto naming ok ang lahat, lalong lalo na at first prom ni Nikki. Napakasensitibo ng mga babae sa mga bagay na ganyan dahil gusto nilang maging maganda at presentable sila harap ng maraming tao. *sips coffee*

SC: You’re correct… I can never replace the gap that Alex left when she went away… In the end, I might fail with my second and third daughter in the future… *closes eyes*

M: Richard Lim!

SC: Ha? Bakit?

M: E nageemote ka nanaman dyan eh! Gustong-gusto mo ba talagang  manalo ng best actor at ganyan na ang tindi ng acting mo today? Grabe na yan ah.

SC: It’s just that…what you said was true and what if I won’t understand Nikki’s concerns? What if she rebels and goes in the wrong road? What if-

M: *stands up, places her hands on SC’s face and turns his head to meet her eyes*

Sshhh. Richard. Kalma lang. Magiging ok ang lahat at ang mga bata. Hindi ka magfafail at mapapalaki mo ng maayos ang mga bata. Hindi madidisappoint si Ma’am Alex at hindi sya magagalit sayo. Bawal ang nega, mabablock ang swerte. Naiintindihan mo ako?

SC: *teary eyed* But what if I fail and fall down, bringing the kids with me?

M: Edi yuyuko ako at tutulungan ko ang mga batang tumayo. Tapos gagamutin nalang kita, para makatayo ka. Ikaw na bahala nun kay Luke at Nikki. Ako kay Abby. Hindi naman kita kayang buhatin eh! *Maya smirks playfully*

SC: *laughs and tugs Maya forward, falling in his broad chest*

Richard breathes hard and inhaled her scent. This woman is truly one in a million. As if decided by fate, she landed in his life to mend his broken heart; pick up the pieces and glue them back with her love and care. He can’t believe that God gave him the second chance to be happy again. This God- given chance… he won’t waste it.

Maya…

M: Sir Ch- Ri..chard A-Ano yon?

SC: *murmurs near her ear* Thank you. Thank you for coming in our lives… my life. *hugs her tighter and sits her in his lap*

M: (in her mind)

Naku naman! Umabot na nga ako sa quota ng kilig points nung hinawakan ko yung mukha nya tas ngayon may pahila-hila at hug ng mahigpit sa akin? Hindi na nga ako makahinga sa higpit ng yakap nya, parang na heart attack pa ako sa lapit naming sa isa’t-isa! Ano bay an Sir Chief! Hindi ko na mapigilan anng bilis ng tibok ng puso ko! Richard naman! Pero- pero ang init ng yakap nya. Parang walang makakasakit sa akin hangga’t nasa bisig nya ako. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam.. parang, parang ramdam kong mahal din nya ako… Sana nga… Sana.

*hooks her arms in SC’s neck, relaxes and hugs back*

Walang anuman Richard…

They stayed in the same position for a while. Maya’s arms around his neck and chin tucked in Richard’s shoulder while Richard’s arms are wrapped around her waist and face buried in her neck. No words were exchanged. Only the warmth brought by their joined bodies made them aware of each other’s presence, and the steady rhythm of their hearts beating at the same time, as if linked by an unknown thread of fate.

Under the stars, Maya de la Rosa and Richard Lim unwittingly tied their strings of fate together, setting their future, side by side. Alexandra Lim watched below, looking at the couple, the woman smiled nostalgically.

“Richard, mukhang oras na para kalimutan mo na ang pagmamahal mo sa akin… Nandyan na siya. Ang babaeng pupunan ang naiwan kong lugar sa pamilya natin. Wag kang mag-alala, hindi ako magagalit. Naiintindihan ko na kailangan mo muling sumaya at magkaroon ng kasama sa pagpapalaki ng mga anak natin. Pero kapag hindi ka pa kumilos, talagang bababa ako mismo at mumultuhin kita hangga’t kumilos ka na to make her yours.”

The next day

Lim Aviation Services

SC: (in text) Hi. Wag kang papagutom. Stay safe and I’ll pick you up later at 4. <3

M: *blushes at the heart emoticon* Hello. Okay. Ikaw din. Wag mong kalimutang lunch, hindi yung puro coffee lang. See you mamaya at ingat sa pagdadrive. <3

SC: I know… I miss you Ms. de la Rosa…

M: *bites her lips to keep herself from smiling* Oi, Mr. Lim, anong drama yan ha?

SC: I’m just telling the truth. Don’t you miss me too? L

M: Naku ha, may nagtampo pa ang Mahal na Hari. Miss ko na rin po kayo. <3

SC: Really?? J

M: *phone ringing* Hello? Bat napatawag ka?

SC: I know you missed me. That’s why I took the liberty to lift your pain…

M: Mr. Lim ha, kumoquota ka na sa kacornyhan mo.

SC: Pero you like it…

M: Oo na. Mauna na ako, may klase pa ako. Wag kang papagutom ok? Kita tayo mamaya. Bye!

SC: Say that you miss me first.

M: Ha?

SC: I’m waiting Maya…

M: Oi, Mr. Lim, sumosobra ka na ha.

SC: I won’t give you the first clue unless you tell me you miss me.

M: Clue? Ah- yun pala…

SC: Maya? Are you still there?

M: Ah, oo. I miss you too. Kailangan ko na umalis. Bye.

SC: Wait Maya- *call ended*

M: (in her mind)

Si Richard naman, kung kelan kinikilig na ako dun sa nangyari kahapon tsaka kanina, dun naman nya isisingit sa usapan yung babae nya! Alam naman nyang crush ko siya tapos ang lakas pa ng loob nya na pag-usapan naming ang lovelife nya? SADISTA!

At ikaw naman Maya de la Rosa, dakilang MASOKISTA!

*message received*

SC: I’ll ignore the fact that you just hung up on me. Anyway, Clue #1: She is a dense, assuming and frustrating woman but I love her more because of it. Study hard Mahal na Prinsesa! <3

M: Grr! Richard Lim! Wag mong pagsamahin ang “I love you” at Mahal na Prinsesa sa iisang sentence kung hindi naman para sa akin! Nakakasakit lang ng puso!

Lumipas ang buong araw na lumulutang ang isip ni Maya. Napansin yon ni Ms. Pacheco at tinanong siya, pero nasagot naman ito ni Maya. Para itong isang robot na tuluy-tuloy ang paggalaw pero walang kabuhay-buhay. Hinayaan na lang siya ng mga co-interns nya at nagsimula na sila sa wine-tasting.

Sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, mukhang nawili si Maya sa pagtikim ng mga wine at nakalimutan ang instruction ni Ms. Pacheco to only take a sip on each kind, especially if low ang tolerance nila sa alcohol. Before she knew it, Maya flushed deeply and began hiccupping.

Ms. Pacheco: Ms. de la Rosa, are you ok?

M: Po? Okay na okay po ako Ms. Pacheco! *thumbs up motion and swaying slightly*

Rica: Naku ate Maya, lasing ka na!

M: Ako? Lasing? Hindi ah! Okay na okay ako!

MP: Looks like you’re not Ms. de la Rosa. Come, I’ll send you home early. Guys, please help me escort Ms. de la Rosa in the service vehicle.

M: Naku Ma’am, kayang-kaya ko pa po!

MP: I insist that you go home early today Ms. de la Rosa.

M: Ok po. Sabi nyo po eh. *hiccup*

TA Training School Parking Lot

M: Thank you po talaga at pasensya na sa abala Ma’am. Salamat din guys, ang bait-bait nyo talaga.. *leans on the car door*

SC arrives and descends outside the car.

M: Patay…

SC: Maya? What happened to you?

MP: And who you might be sir?

SC: Richard Lim.

MP: From Lim Aviation Services?

SC: Yes Ma’am. You must be Ms. Pacheco? Maya’s current instructor?

MP: Yes. May I ask what’s your business here Mr. Lim?

SC: I’m supposed to pick up Maya thirty minutes from now. I just got here earlier… What happened to her?

MP: We had our wine tasting and Ms. de la Rosa downed the cups as if they were water. She’s really drunk right now. I’m sending her home through the company car.

SC: No need Ms. Pacheco, I’ll send her home.

MP: You know where she lives?

SC: She lives in our house, with our kids…

MP: You live in the same house and you have kids? I thought Ms. de la Rosa is single? Married trainees are not allowed here. *frowning*

SC: Oh. I’m sorry. I phrased it wrong. She’s living with us because she was my youngest daughter’s nanny. I’m a widower with three kids. But since Maya joined the training school, I fired her and she lives with us as a family friend right now. Maya, stay still. Halika nga dito. *walks forward and snakes his arm around her waist to support her, Maya instinctively hooks her arm around his neck*

MP: Oh… Then why use the term “our kids”? Unless… *Ms Pacheco looks at the hiccupping Maya around his arms and his concerned face, brushing the hair obstructing her face*

M: Richarrdd.. Anong ginagawa mo dito? An aga pa ah… *hic* Miss mo na ako agad? Bakit parang tumakas ka sa mga trabaho mo Mahal na Hari?

SC: Yes. Kinuha ko agad ang pinakamabilis na kabayo para masundo ka Mahal na Prinsesa. Kailangan na nating umuwi…

M: Sabi ko na nga ba eh! Gusto mo lang ako ikulong nyan sa kwarto ko habang nakikipagkita ka sa babae mo eh.. *sabay suntok sa balikat ni SC*

SC: Kanino naman ako makikipagkita Mahal na Prinsesa? Andyan ka naman para samahan ako, bakit ko pa kailangang maghanap ng iba? *leading Maya slowly to the passenger seat*

M: Ewan ko sa yo! Andito naman ako pero humahanap ka parin ng iba! Ako na nga lang ang nakakatagal sa tiger mode mo pero pinagpapalit mo pa ako! *hic*

SC: Hindi. Wala nang iba Mahal na Prinsesa. Ikaw lang. Pangako. *kisses her forehead* Pikit mo mga mata mo pagkatapos pagmulat mo, nasa palasyo na tayo ulit ok? Hinhintay na tayo ng mga bata.

M: Ok. Goodnight Mahal na Hari.

SC: Sleep well Princess.

MP: Ahm, I’ll leave Ms. de la Rosa in your care Mr. Lim.

SC: *blushes and clears his throat* Leave her to me. We’ll go ahead Ms. Pacheco.

Ms. Pacheco can only shake her head amusedly to the shocked looks of some of the trainees and some depressed ones. It was no secret that more than half of the male population are attracted to the young, beautiful and smart Maya de la Rosa. They hoped that they had a small chance in catching her because they knew that she has no boyfriend yet but today’s show is more than enough to knock them off the pedestal.

MP: Well gentlemen, I can understand your predicament but you have to move on. Let’s go back inside and continue the lesson. Ms. de la Rosa is in capable hands, so you don’t have to worry about her.

More than capable too. Napakaswerte naman ni Ms. de la Rosa para mapasakanya ang lalaking yon.

Lim Mansion

MF: O Ricardo, bakit napaaga ang uwi mo? At anong  nangyari kay Maya?

SC: Si Maya po kasi, nalasing sa wine tasting nila.

M: Hi Manang Fe! Nakarating na po pala kami sa palasyo! Ang galing Mahal na Hari! Paggising ko nag andito na tayo. Ang galing talaga ng Mahal na Hari ko! *hugs Richard tightly and kisses his cheek*

Richard’s eyes widened and just stared at his love who just kissed him. Manang Fe looked shocked as well before smiling and silently going back to the kitchen. The three kids heard their Dad’s car arrive and went down to greet him but stopped when they saw the spectacle.

N: Oh my gee! Tita Maya kissed Dad!

L: For once Niks, hindi OA ang reaction mo. Nagkiss si Tita Maya and Dad?

A: Mahal na Prinsesa and Mahal na Hari are already together? How come Mommy didn’t tell it to me?

L: Mommy?

A: Si Yaya po.

N: Ha? What are you talking about baby?

A: Remember po the story of Mahal na Hari and Mahal na Prinsesa? Si Daddy and si Mommy po yun.

L: Ha? Sino naman nagsabi sayo nun baby?

A: Wala po. I just heard it when Mommy and Daddy were talking the veranda po. Daddy asked Mommy if the he was really that masungit and he said that he was the Mahal na Hari and Mommy is the Mahal na Prinsesa in the story po.

N: What did Tita May say Baby?

A: Sabi nya po it’s just in the story and nahihiya po sya. Daddy just laughed at her.

L: Niks… Mukhang tama nga ang hinala ko.. In love si Dad kay Tita Maya.

N: And Tita Maya loves him too.

A: Really? Mommy and Daddy love each other?

N: Kuya and I think so… But are you okay with that baby?

A: Okay na okay po! If Mahal na Prinsesa and Mahal na Hari end up together, Mommy will become Mahal na Reyna na! Kuya will be Mahal na Prinsipe, Ate Nikki will be Mahal na Prinsesa and I’ll be the Little Princess and we’ll live happily ever after! *jumps up and down*

L: Ok. Kalma lang baby. Wag kang mayadong maingay or maririnig tayo nila Dad. Mukhang botong-boto ang little Maya natin kila Dad Niks. Ikaw, okay lang ba sayo if magkakaroon tayo ng bagong Mommy?

N: Of course kuya! I know that Dad loves Mom very much but I know that he deserves to be happy again and Mom isn’t selfish. I know she’ll approve of Tita Ma- Mama.

L: Naks! So tanggap na natin si Mama. For now, iwanan muna natin sila Dad. Kaya na ni Dad si Mama.

Guestroom

SC: Richard Lim, you’re a gentleman. You don’t jump on women, especially drunk and adorable princess.

M: Richard, bakit parang ang init ata? Nasira ba ang aircon? *unbuttons her blouse*

SC: Wait Maya! *holds her hand*

M: Bakit? Ang init init eh…

SC: Ah –eh…

M: Bahala ka nga dyan, ang gulo mong kausap. *completely unbuttons her blouse*

Richard sighed in relief when she saw that Maya was wearing a thin camisole that didn’t really hide her white bra. He mentally groaned and closed his eyes, chanting a mantra in his mind: Don’t touch her. Don’t touch her. Don’t touch her. Don’t touch her. Don’t touch her. Don’t touch her.

M: Richard, bango bango mo parin… *goes up ang latches at SC, rubbing her nose at his neck and hands wandering at his chest* Hmmm, sarap mo pang kaakap.

SC: Maya de la Rosa, you’ll be the death of me…

To be continued.

SNEAK PEAK:

Maya: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

SC: What’s wrong Maya!?

M: Bakit nakahubad ang blouse ko at magkatabi tayo sa kama?

SC: It’s because-

M: At bakit wala ka ring suot na t-shirt?

.

.

.

Sir Chief: You already solved who she is?

Maya: Oo…

SC: Sino?

M: Bago ko sagutin ang tanong mo Richard, may sasabihin pala ako.

SC: What?

M: Tinanggap ko yung accelerated training sa London. Aalis na ako next month…

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