Forsaken Wife (Completed)

25: Parting Ways

If you have any question, pleased read the FAQs (extra chapter) I uploaded here. Pagod na kong mag-explain.

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JADE TALLIA

Umaga pa lang ay umalis na ako sa unit ko. Hindi ko gusto na maabutan ako ni Zander doon. Pumunta ako sa mansyon para bisitahin ang puntod ng aking ina dahil ito ang araw ng kanyang pagkamatay. Hindi ko pinalipat si nanay ng libingan, dito sa pa rin siya sa public cemetery nakahimlay.

Sinindihan ko ang kandila at ibinaba ang bulaklak sa harap ng kanyang nitso bago umupo sa bench. "Sensya na, 'nay. Hindi ako madalas makadalaw. Alam mo naman ang sitwasyon ko ngayon."

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Since my long lost husband arrived, naging magulo na ang sitwasyon. I don't know if I should be happy na pinahahalagahan niya ako."

"He has a girlfriend, 'nay. And she looks decent and she loves him a lot. If there would be a miracle and Zander choose me,  am I gonna be enough for him? Can he accept all my flaws and my past?" Halos maiyak ako sa sinasabi. "Will he not hurt me this time?"

"I hope so." Saad ng isang tinig.

Napalingon ako at nakita si Apollo sa aking likuran. Nakapamulsa ang isang kamay nito at ang kabila naman ay may hawak na puting rosas. Lumapit ito sa puntod ni nanay bago tumabi sa akin.

"Apollo, I'm...." Basag ko sa katahimikan.

"Wala ka naman dapat ihingi ng pasensya. Hindi mo naman ako pinilit na mahalin ka. Hindi mo rin naman ako inakit." He said gently.

"Pero nasasaktan ka ngayon. You're always by my side, but I still choose him over you."

"Hindi naman natuturuan ang puso. Noon palang, tanggap ko na. Kahit hindi ka binalikan ni Zander, alam ko na may dadating na ibang lalaki na mamahalin mo." Saad nito, batid ko ang lungkot sa kanyang boses. "You still won't hold my hand. Inihanda ko na ang aking sarili na mangyayari ito."

I hugged him arm and put my head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. We can still be friends."

"Sana ikaw nalang ang minahal ko."

"Bakit nga ba hindi ako?" Nagtama ang aming mga mata. "Huwag mo kong babanatan ng 'it's not you, it's me'. Magwo-walkout talaga ako."

Natawa ako. "Kasi, kapag nagbreak tayo, wala na akong kaibigan na malalapitan."

Napahilamos ito sa kanyang mukha. "Tangina, ang babaw."

"Sorry na kasi. Iiyak ako ulit." Banta ko sa kanya.

Nagbuntong hininga ito at pinitik ako sa noo. "I'll forgive you but do me a favor."

"What is that?"

"There's a girl who keep following me around the office." He said. "Will you help me get rid of her?"

"Why? Maybe she likes you."

"She does. But, I find her annoying. Para siyang bata kung kumilos."

"Sino ba ito?"

"Zander's temporary secretary. Naka-maternity leave kasi 'yung isa." He said. "Will you help me? Please?"

"Ayaw kong makasakit ng kapwa ko babae, Apollo. Why don't you be a man and tell her to stop?"

"I did! Many times. Pero para siyang ipis, kahit ilang beses ko tapakan, buhay pa rin."

Natawa ako. "At gagamitin mo ako as a Baygon?"

"Please?"

"Don't you think her cuteness might color your monochrome life?" I suggested.

"She's just an annoying brat."

If naririnig ng babae na iyon ang sinasabi ni Apollo, malamang ay masasaktan ito. I sighed. "Fine. What do you want me to do?"

"Saturday. It's SGC's anniversary party. Be my date." Saad nito. "Zander and Rosie might attend too. We can make him jealous and you'll see if he'll do something. It's like hitting two birds with one stone."

"You really hate this girl?"

"She is so damn annoying, Tallia."

"Why don't you give it a try?" Tanong ko. Hindi ito umimik at nagdilim ang mukha. Napangiwi ako at tumango nalang. "Fine, I'll help you."

Sabay kaming nagtanghalian ni Apollo at pagkatapos n'un ay nakipag-meeting ako sa designers and cosultants para sa gagawing extension ng isa kong warehouse. Naabutan ko sila sa loob na parang nagkakagulo habang nakalagay sa projector and powerpoint presentation. I cleared my throat to let them know that I arrived. Huminto sila sa diskusyon at umayos ng upo.

I smiled and sit next to the designer. "Let's start, shall we?"

The structural and architectural designer presented their proposal and I just listened or cut them off whenever I have questions. Then when they are finished, the senior consultant presented the budget to finish the extension.

"I would ask if we can use any alternatives." I said after sipping my coffee. "This material is not locally available and we have to import from a foreign country. Do you think it's economical if we use moisture resistant gypsum board instead?"

"Miss Valdez, we understand your concern. We will do value engineering and inform you once its done." The designer says.

"Also, I would like to revise this area. Have it bigger because my workers need to have a place where they can rest. Once its done, let me know if my suggestions affect the budget."

"Noted, Miss Valdez." The senior consultant said.

After the meeting, I had my dinner outside and stroll in the mall. Nang mapagod ay napagdesisyonan ko na umuwi na lamang dahil bukas ay bibisitahin ko naman si Mama. Pagbukas ng elevator ay lumabas na ako. I punched in the security code of my unit and the opened the door. My hand found the light switch and turned it on.

"Tallia."

Napasinghap ako at tumingin sa pinaggalingan ng boses na iyon. Nakita ko si Zander na nakaupo sa aking sofa. Mapula ang isang bahagi ng pisngi nito.

"Zander, what happened?" Nag-aalala kong tanong at nilapitan ito.

"This is nothing." Mahina nitong sabi.

"This isn't nothing. Look at your cheeks, pulang-pula."

"We fought. Rosie and I." Mahina nitong saad.

"Is it.... Is it because of me?"

"Yes. She is adorable but she really slap hard. There was a time that Rosie---"

"Shh." My finger touched his warm lips. "You're with me. So, please don't mention your girlfriend's name."

"I'm sorry."

"You need to do more than just apologizing." I pushed him and sat on his lap. I saw him gulped his saliva and lick his lower lip.

"Is it gonna happen tonight?" He said in a rough voice, as he trailed his fingers down to my waist then wraps them around my hip.

Yes, I want to see his reaction kapag nalaman niya ang kasinungalingan ko. Gusto ko na malaman niya kung paano ko siya minanipula na pakasalan ako. Sa ganoon ay mapapatunayan ko kung tunay ang pagmamahal niya o lalayo siya sa akin.

I bend my head to his ear, and whispers harshly. "If you scream her name, I'll end you."

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SWEETKITKAT ❤️