Fundamentals of Marriage | Suarez I

Chapter 23

I cannot wait for tomorrow to see and talk to Mom. Nang makatulog si Franco dulot ng pagod at pag-iyak sa akin ay umalis ako ng unit.

I am on my way to the mansion with pieces of baggage of anger enclosed in my fist. Why do I feel like this is also my fault? Na hindi ko inantabayan ang mga galaw ni Mommy?

Masiyado akong nagpadala sa emosyon kaya isinantabi at ipinagsawalang bahala ko ang katotohanang pwede itong mangyari. Dahil una pa lang, alam ko na. Hindi pagkakasundo at pagsasama ang gustong mangyari ni Mom.

I want to yell inside the taxi but I can't. The rage and pain is unbearable, it makes my chest feel heavy. Natakot ako para sa anak ko kaya hinaplos ko ang tiyan at pinakalma ang sarili.

"Where's Mom?" It was the first question I asked the maids after entering the front door.

"Wala po si Madame, Ma'am--"

"Where is she? Saan siya nagpunta?" I am asking like I am in an emergency. This is an urgent matter after all.

"Hindi po namin alam, kasi po--"

"Anong oras siya umalis? Wala man lang bang sinabi sa inyo kung anong pakay niya? When will she come back?" I am being rude, I know. That's out of my worry for now.

Nahimigan nila ang pagkagalit ko kaya parang mga makahiyang gustong tumiklop ang mga kasambahay namin. They exchanged look, pointing fingers at each other to decide who will answer me.

"I'm sorry. Did she tell you what time will she come home?" I repeated my question in a much more tranquil voice.

"Hindi raw po siya mauuwi ngayong gabi, Ma'am Era. Ang sabi po sa amin ay bukas na ang dating niya pero walang oras na binanggit." I can sense tremor in her.

Kumuyom ang kamao ko sa katotohanang hindi ko siya mahaharap ngayong gabi. I am very impatient about this but I won't go home to Franco without talking with her. I will not break our engagement. Not now that I have this precious thing inside me. Not now that I love him.

"Can you clean my room for me? I'm sorry, I have to sleep here."

"Yes, Ma'am. Lilinisin po namin. Nagdinner na po ba kayo? Hindi po kami nagluto pero kung gutom kayo ay ipagluluto namin kayo."

I smiled nonchalantly and nodded. "Thank you." I have no appetite. Kung hindi lang ako buntis ay hindi ako kakain dahil nakakawala ng gana ang sarili kong ina.

I went to my room after eating. I was rubbing my tummy when my phone rang. Franco is calling. I might break down if I answer so I let it pass. I waited for him to stop calling before I texted him. He sent me a message before I could send mine.

Miguel:
Uwi ka na. I can't sleep without you.

Me:
I'm at the mansion. I'll be back tomorrow. I just need a talk with Mom. Please rest, love.

Miguel:
I love you. Don't give up on us, baby.

I shed a few tears after reading his reply. Fuck. Both of us are impulsive. We haven't talk what we will gonna do if such things happened because we didn't expect something like this will come up.

I was right, quiet people shouldn't be trusted. They are the most dangerous friend to your face and an enemy behind your back.

Pinanood ko ang interview ni Mommy na kanina lang isinapubliko. As one of the leading CEO's today, they often get interviewed. Kung minsan, sila ang nag-aayos for publicity. It's not just her, even the Suarezes and other businessmen in the city.

This time, I'm sure. The interview was part of her plan. She was asked about the breach of contract issue of Dolce Casa and my engagement with Franco.

"My daughter is breaking off the engagement. We can't tolerate such actions of the Suarezes. They are one of the most known names in business and yet behind their beautiful facade, they are hiding patches of mud. Of course, we can't let them dirt the reputation of my family."