Man and Wife (Wifely Duties 2) - Published by PHR

Chapter Twenty-Two

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

*Love comes in different forms;

fell, grew, learned, and even in an instant.

But mostly, it's a form of choice.*

***

SIGURO kung may pinakamagugulat sa ipinapakita niyang behavior ngayon, si Agatha lang din mismo iyon.

Hindi naman iyon ang gusto niyang sabihin sa babae. She wanted to speak with class as much as possible, to be kind. Hindi dahil iyon ang inaasahan ng mga tao sa kanya, but because she was brought up that way. Hindi siya pinalaki ng mga magulang para lang magbitiw ng salitang ni sa panaginip, hindi naman tinuro sa kanyang sabihin.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the woman said, stepping backwards after Agatha called her a 'b'. The woman smiled with sophistication. Tumingin ito kay Reeve. "I guess your wife's a little foxy, isn't she?"

Napatingin siya kay Reeve. Nakatingin din ito sa kanya. Tila kulang ang salitang gulat na nababasa niya sa mga mata nito.

"I-I'm sorry," biglang bawi ni Agatha sa sinabi. "I just... I just saw m-my h-husband getting uncomfortable with how you hold him..." she said, almost a whisper.

Tila isang galit na leon na biglang napaamo si Agatha. Halos magtago na siya sa likod ng asawa. At hindi man lang nagsasalita si Reeve!

"It's alright," the woman said softly. "I'm sorry I was too... touchy. Nakalimutan kong matanda na ang pamangkin ko."

Pamangkin?

Reeve sighed. "Tita Lyla, I'm sorry. My wife has amnesia. Hindi ka niya nakilala."

Napakurap-kurap si Agatha. Blood easily went up to her cheeks. "T-Tita?"

"She's Mama's youngest sister. Pero mas matanda ako sa kanya ng isang taon," sagot naman ni Reeve.

"I'm a miracle baby," the woman added. "You know, when couples that's been married for like 30 years never expected they can still make a baby?"

Napapikit si Agatha sa sobrang hiya. Napayuko na siya at tuluyan nang nagtago sa likod ni Reeve.

She heard Lyla's soft laughter. "I'm sorry, Reeve, if I made you uncomfortable. And sorry, too, Agatha, if I made you jealous in any way. Ikaw naman, Reeve, hindi mo nabanggit ang kondisyon ng asawa mo. Well, I better go. Excuse me."

Naiwang tahimik sina Agatha at Reeve.

Tinignan ulit siya nito. Lumabi siya at tumalikod na. Bumalik siya sa kinauupuan. Tahimik na nakasunod sa kanya si Reeve.

"Duke! You will never believe what I just heard!" Trisha exclaimed, laughing.

"What did you hear, hon?"

"Agatha just said 'bitch'."

Namilog ang mga mata nito "Whoa! That's new!" Umupo ito sa tabi ng asawa. "Who did she call a 'b'?"

"Reeve's aunt."

Napasinghap si Agatha at napaangat ng tingin kay Trisha. Tinuro niya ito. "You knew?!" gulat niyang turan. "Alam mong kamag-anak iyon at hinayaan mo 'kong sumugod doon?!"

"Whoa there, girl. I was just playing with you. I was about to tell you na but..." Tumatawa pa rin si Trisha. Umatras ito palayo sa kanya at kumandong kay Prince.