The Broken Vow (Published Under Bliss Books)

Kabanata 17

Kabanata 17

"Sign it," he said in a low, nonchalant voice. "I want a divorce."

Durog na ako pero hindi ko alam na may mas ikadudurog pa ang puso ko nang marinig iyon mula sa asawa. Ramdam ko ang pagtulo ng luha ko sa pisngi habang umiiling, hindi makapaniwalang nakikita ko ang pirma niya sa ibabang parte ng dokumento.

"No...Gelo, please." I begged, almost a whisper.

"Sign it." He said harshly but I shook my head harder this time.

"N-no. Why?" My voice trembled, "Angelo, I-I'm your wife—"

"Wife, huh?" Narinig ko ang pait sa kanyang boses. "After you cheated on me?"

Nagitla ako sa narinig, kaagad na umawang ang labi ko at napailing-iling.

"W-what? What are you saying?" I asked, "I don't...I never cheated on you!"

I noticed how his eyes darkened even in his drunk state. Malamlam ang kanyang antok na mga mata pero kitang-kita ko ang diin at galit doon.

I remained staring at him, lumuluha at nagugulat sa naririnig.

"You cheated on me, right? And I only married you because of my family." Matabang niyang sagot kaya umiling akong lalo at sinubukan siyang hawakan pero lumayo siya.

"T-that wasn't true, okay? Who told you that?" I asked, "Gelo...please, listen to me..."

Napatitig siya sa akin pero dagli ring nag-iwas ng tingin, "just sign it and let's end this shit. I don't want to play bullshits with you—"

"I would never cheat on you, Dean Angelo!" Despite the tears hovering my sight, I managed to say that in a tough voice.

"Stop lying!" his voice roared.

"I am not lying!" I exclaimed frustratedly, "h-how could I do that to you—"

"Sign the damn papers, Philomena!"

"I won't!" I've never heard my voice with this much conviction before. "I would not sign these papers, Dean Angelo!"

Tinapon ko sa kanya ang envelope pero kaagad niyang kinuha at ibinalik sa akin, halos magusot na iyon. Nakaigting ang panga at malamig ang antok na mga mata.

"I said sign these..." I saw him even took a pen on the side table to let me sign it pero mabilis akong lumayo at umiling.

"No—"

"Philomena!" His voice roared angrily, "why don't you just sign these and end this all for once! Tutal naman ay masaya ka sa lalaki mo! You even had fucking dinner with him!"

"Jonathan is my colleague, okay?" I explained, halos mahila na ang buhok para maintindihan niya ako. "I helped him in a presentation for the board!"

"Stop lying—"

"Ikaw lang ang mahal ko, Dean Angelo!" halos 'di ko na nakilala ang boses nang sabihin iyon at mas umigting ang kanyang panga, mas umiling sa akin.

"You're lying. Sam said—"

"Sam? Sam again?! And you believed her?!" I squinted my eyes closed, marahas na hinahawi ang mga luha. "He's your ex, Angelo! How sure are you she's telling the truth?!"

"I believed her—"

"W-what about me, then?! I am your wife, Gelo! Why can't you try and believe me?!" humihikbi kong sabi, nanginginig ang boses at pagod siyang tinitigan. "A-asawa mo ako, eh...bakit...b-bakit ako ayaw mong p-paniwalaan?"

"Because you fucking cheated—"

"How many times do I have to tell you I'd never do that to you! Sobrang mahal kita para magawa pa 'yon!" halos isigaw ko na 'yon sa kanya. "M-mahal kita, Gelo...m-mahal kita..."