Ken was expecting Ahn at the airport when the plane landed, but he saw Iya instead.
"Where's Ahn?" tanong niya sa kakambal.
Her face contorted. "Ken, we have a problem."
Nang sabihin nito sa kanya ang nangyari, kusang nalaglag sa sahig ang mga gamit niya. Kaya naman pala hindi sumasagot ng tawag si Ahn. She's been avoiding him because of that stupid post on Facebook!
"I'm sorry," mangiyak-ngiyak na sabi ni Iya.
Hindi niya ito pinansin. He picked up his bags instead and hailed a taxi. Ayaw niyang singhalan si Iya. Buntis ito. Baka makasama sa dinadala nito. Which is why he needs to be away from her as soon as possible.
Hindi na siya umasang madadatnan niya si Ahn sa bahay nila so he went straight to her parents' house. And he was right. Nandoon nga ito.
"Ahn, can we talk please?"
She simply nodded. Naupo ito sa wicker chair na nasa front porch. He stood next to her.
"Galit ka ba? I missed you at the airport."
She looked up to him, her eyes glistening.
"Ken, why did you go to Canada?"
"Pinag-usapan na natin 'to, di ba? I have to go there every quarter. Usapan namin yun ng kumpanya."
"Is meeting Aubrey part of your job description?" There's a tinge of accusation in her voice. Hindi naman niya ito masisi.
"Listen," he knelt beside her. "Nakipagkita lang ako kay Aubrey to apologize to her. You don't need to worry. We're just friends."
"Kung ganoon naman pala, bakit hindi mo sa 'kin sinabi? Don't you trust me, Ken? Did you think that I won't trust you?"
He sighed. "I just don't want you to be upset."
"I'm upset right now. I don't know if I could trust you again. Baka sa tuwing aalis ka, iisipin kong makikipagkita ka na naman kay Aubrey."
Ikinulong niya ang kamay nito sa mga kamay niya. "I wouldn't cheat on you, Ahn. Never."
"I don't know, Ken." Nag-iwas ito ng tingin. "Nagsasawa na rin ako sa ganito. Being with you is a struggle. Ayoko nang ganito kadramang buhay."
His shoulders slumped. "What are you trying to say?"
She handed him the ring. "I'll take the three-year deal."
"Ahn..."
"Ayokong palaging may alalahanin, Ken. I can't afford to be stressed these days."
"Last na talaga 'to. Pangako. I told you I'll straighten things out, didn't I? Okay na, Ahn. Aubrey already forgave me. Okay na kayo ni Iya. Ngayon ka pa ba aatras? Please, Ahn, don't do this to me."
She caressed his face. Umiiyak na naman ito. Bakit ba palagi na lang itong umiiyak? Is he that bad as a husband?
"Please give me some space. I need to think things through."
"Okay. I'll give you all the space you need. Just consider what we have. We're meant to be together, Ahn."
She forced a smile. "I hope so."
--
"Ayaw mo na ba talagang magpakasal?" tanong ni Jasmine kay Ahn isang araw.
Umiling siya. "Hindi ko alam."
Kasalukuyan siyang nakatira sa bahay ng parents niya. Tuwing dadalaw si Ken, magpapaalam muna ito sa kanya. Kapag ayaw niyang makipagkita ay hindi ito nagpupumilit.
