Through Secrets Unveiled

Chapter Twenty - Unfair

PAGKAUWI NG BAHAY, INABALA NI STACEY ANG SARILI. She cleaned up the whole house. And the rooms. And the front yard.

Hindi niya natapos ang paglilinis sa bakuran dahil inabot na siya ng gabi. Ni hindi pa niya nakakalahati ang dapat walisan doon.

Gulo na ang pagkakatali ng kanyang maikling buhok, pinagpawisan ang suot na puting shirt at nanikit ang ilang pinagpag at pinunas na alikabok sa kanyang dolphin shorts na velvet gold.

She sat at the steps by the porch of the house. Habang umiinom ng isang malaking mug ng malamig na tubig, pinagmamasdan ni Stacey ang bakuran.

Mataas-taas na ang mga talahib doon.The gate was a little bit rusty. Gayundin ang patusok na bakal na dumidisenyo sa ibabaw ng sementong pader na pumapaikot sa bahay.

She didn’t consider how the old bungalow looked before. Stacey didn’t really mind if it looked a little bit neglected. Mabuti na iyon para hindi pag-interesan ng masasamang loob. Lalo na at mag-isa lang siya noon nakatira sa bahay.

Pero ngayon, parang gusto na niyang pagandahin ang bahay.

Or maybe, she just wanted to show Renante that she’s already a wife material.

Ah… She’s just scared.

Kahit anong pagpapagod ang kanyang ginawa, hindi pa rin maalis-alis ang kaba sa dibdib ni Stacey.

Sigurado siyang hindi maganda ang naging dating kay Renante ng mga nakita nito kanina. He already made it a point last Saturday that he didn’t like seeing Piccollo around or near her.

Tiyak, iisipin ni Renante na inaasar niya ito. O sinusubok.

She had seen his dark side before— indifferent and cold. A sex machine without a heart. He would lash out his frustrations over Sondra on her before, then leave her trying to cope with the aftermath of his storm.

It’s hard to admit, but behind her strong, lone wolf persona, she had been a submissive to a man who had no feelings nor care for her, yet.

Ayaw na niyang bumalik sa ganoon. It had been painful. Toxic. She left Renante because of that.

Kung babalik sila sa ganoon nang dahil lang sa selos nito kay Piccollo, mapipilitan siyang umalis.

Ayaw na niyang umalis. Pagod na siya.

All she wanted at this moment, is to live peacefully. Like Sonny. Like her other friends.

She wanted to be… married to him.

Renante got down the car and opened the gate. Nang maipasok ang kotse, muli itong bumaba at sinara ang gate bago tinungo ang kanyang direksyon.

As he walked towards her, backdropped by the dark twilight and the pale golden glow  from the streetlight, Stacey could already see it.

She could already see how Renante would walk on the church aisle. On his midnight blue groom suit.

Perfection. Drop-dead gorgeous.

But in the reality, his eyes were dead-serious.

Huminto ang lalaki sa kanyang tapat, naaa isang kamay ang laptop bag.

She stared for quite too long before Stacey had a realization— she’s blocking his way. Mabilis siyang tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa hagdan. Umusog para bigyan ito ng daan.

Lagpas sa kanya ang tingin nito.

“Renante,” she breathed.

His jaws tensed. Stacey waited for a response. Sana naman magsalita ito ng kahit ano. Kahit sigawan pa siya sa galit ng lalaki. Mas mabuti na iyon, kasi alam niya ang tumatakbo sa isip nito.