The Replacement Wife

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

True to Zeiger's words, maaga nga siya at sa bahay kumain ng dinner sa araw na iyon. He really did changed. Palagi na siyang kumakain ng breakfast at dinner sa bahay. Lunch's excluded since malayo ang opisina niya at matatagalan siya kapag umuwi pa siya sa bahay para kumain.

It was a sunny morning, I was sitting on the couch, holding a bowl of popcorn, while watching Harry Potter series. My Potterhead side's kicking again. Kahit ilang beses ko na itong pinanuod, I'm still addicted.

Nakatunganga ako sa TV nang biglang may nag-popped up na idea sa utak ko. May utak pala ako?

I glanced at the wall clock and saw that it's only 10:00 in the morning. I stood up and turned off the TV before treading towards the kitchen.

If Zeiger can't come home, might as well I'll go there, right? Pwede naman siguro 'yon. Asawa ko naman siya, diba?

Napasimangot ako nang makitang halos wala nang kalaman-laman ang ref. Great! I forgot to buy groceries.

Napabuga ako ng hangin bago pumanhik sa taas. I changed into a tattered jeans and then  fitted black sleeveless shirt and partnered it with my sneakers. I also tied my hair into a messy bun before going out of the room. I took the car keys and my wallet as I checked and locked everything in the house before storming out.

Tamad na sumakay ako sa aking kotse at pinaharurot ito paalis. I decided to just buy some groceries sa malapit na department store or something. Kaunti lang ang bilbilhin ko dahil magtatanghali na. Baka 'di ko na maabotan si Zeiger 'pag nagtagal pa ako.

As I arrived at the store, I parked my car, went out, and stormed inside the store. I took a cart with me as I lazily pushed it as I walked.

I searched for the things I needed for cooking Zeiger's lunch. Mahilig kasi sa karne si Zeiger. Hindi naman siya tumataba. I don't know, but I guessed, he usually went to a gym.

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagtitimbang ng karne nang may tumawag sa akin.

"Elaine?"

Natigilan ako at natulos ako sa kinatatayuan ako. That sweet soothing voice...

"Elaine, is that you?"

Kumabog ng mabilis ang puso ko kasabay ng dahan-dahan kong pagharap sa aking likuran. And then as I faced her, my eyes started to water.

Bumuka ang bibig niya pero agad din niyang itinikom at ngumiti sa akin ng malapad. Nangilid din ang kaniyang luha sa kaniyang mga mata habang tinitignan ako. Ang ganda niya pa din hanggang ngayon.

"Oh gosh! Ikaw nga iyan!" she exclaimed as she walked closely to me and pulled me into a hug.

"I missed you, Elaine," she said as I felt her kissed my head.

Napangiti ako kasabay ng pagtulo ng luha ko. "I-I missed you too, T-Tita Ange..."

Niyakap ko siya pabalik. Napakagat ako sa pang-ibabang labi ko, pinipigilan ang paghikbi. It felt like I just saw my mother for how many years! Even she's really not my mom, but the fact that she stood as my mother before made it like she's already my mom as well. She's Athena's mom, after all.

"I missed you, Tita."

Narinig ko ang pagsinghot ni Tita dahilan para manakip ang dibdib ko. Her hug tighten as I gently caressed her back.

Nang bumitaw siya, sabay kaming natawa at pinunasan ang aming mukha. She smiled at me warmly. Even with her swollen eyes, she's still pretty. I stared at her face that made me remembered a lot of memories from the past. Kamukha niya talaga si Athena kahit sa anong anggulo. Athena was like a carbon copy of her mother.