Ever since that incident, Ahn avoided Ken like plague. Palaging may malaking distansyang nakapagitan sa kanilang dalawa. And it's driving him crazy. Sa tuwing kakausapin niya ang asawa, tango, iling o kibit-balikat lang ang sagot nito. Hindi sya makalapit kahit wala namang nakaharang. It's like she put up an invisible wall between them.
"Breakfast mo," sabi niya rito. He pushed the plate of egg rolls towards her.
Tumango lang ito saka ipinagpatuloy ang pagbabasa ng libro.
"The book can wait, Ahn. Kumain ka muna."
"You're not my dad. Don't act like him."
"I'm not. I'm acting like your husband."
She raised an eyebrow, amusement all over her face.
"Sa pagkakaalam ko, asawa lang kita kapag nasa harap tayo ng parents mo."
"We're still married weather we act married or not," giit niya rito. He didn't know Ahn could be this stubborn. Noong magkasama sila parati dati, mabait naman ito sa kanya, considerate, tango lang nang tango.
Ngayon halos lahat ng gawin niya, sinasalungat nito.
"Okay," she said with a shrug.
He wanted to erase that smug look on her face, pero hindi niya ito pwedeng lapitan. He sat at across her. Ahn ignored him completely. Mukhang absorbed na absorbed ito sa binabasa.
"What are you reading?"
"A book," she replied curtly.
Sinilip niya ang title ng libro. If I Stay. "Iya has the same book," he told her. Hindi siya pinansin nito. Sighing, he grabbed a plate and ate his breakfast, occasionally glancing at her. She was still engrossed with the book. Sumisimangot pa ito o ngumingiti.
"Maganda?" he asked, trying to strike a conversation.
Tumingin ito sa kanya and for a fraction of moment, he was able to see her real feelings. Her eyes were glassy, teary-eyed. But she quickly covered it with a bland look then she shrugged again.
Hindi na siya umimik pa, sa takot na mabara ulit. After finishing his meal, he stood up and washed the dirty dish on the sink. Pagkatapos ay umakyat na siya sa kwarto.
--
Pagkaakyat ni Ken ay isinara agad ni Ahn ang libro para kumain. Kanina pa nagrereklamo ang tiyan niya, lalo na nang magsimulang kumain si Ken. She didn't know why he cooked breakfast for her. Ilang araw na rin itong mabait sa kanya. Ipinagtitimpla siya ng kape at ipinagluluto sa umaga. He helped her clean the house. Pinapauna siya nito paliligo. And he asked her out a few times, as many times as she turned him down.
Dahil kaya sa nagi-guilty pa rin ito dahil muntikan na siyang ma-rape? Or was he embarrassed with that scene at the door? Pinamulahan siya nang magawi iyon sa alaala niya.
Dinama niya ang mga labi. It's almost a week since their wedding day. Pero ramdam pa rin niya ang mga labi ni Ken. They were soft and sweet, literally sweet, though she didn't know how that's even possible. Baka lumaklak ito ng asukal bago sila ikasal.
She wanted to kiss him again. She even wanted to do something more than that. It's mind-boggling to realize that six year ago, she just wanted to be his friend. She just wanted him to smile warmly at her, to acknowledge her presence and to make her feel special. Kasi dati, bilang lang sa isang kamay ang mga babaeng espesyal dito, not counting his family.
She didn't know that it's possible to desire someone, so close to her, so much. The sad part is, if she succumbs to her desires, then sana yung one-night stand na lang ang pinili niya. She entered this marriage knowing that she will have to do her wifely duties someday. It's inevitable. But that doesn't mean that she will make it easy for him.
