Her eyes seethed with anger and she balled her fists. "Act haughty all you want, I don't care! You should be thanking me because I am doing you a service by telling you that you are in a loveless marriage and he'll get bored of you soon!"
"That's up to Ayden—"
She sneered. "Hindi mo ba alam kung ano ang mga sinasabi ng mga kamag-anak namin tungkol sa'yo? You married my cousin for his money! That your father knew of your evil plans and he's after our family's money, too—"
"Leave my father out of your sick narrative, Crystal. I am not going to tolerate anyone, regardless if they are a cousin my husband speaks highly of, badmouthing my father. Try it one more time and it will be the last thing you'll do."
"Are you threatening me?"
"Are you threatened?"
"The audacity—"
"The wicked sense of entitlement," I fired back. "What made you think that you have the right to meddle in other people's relationships? What made you believe that you are allowed to stick your nose where it shouldn't just because you are my husband's cousin? Who the hell gave you the freaking right to break up my marriage?"
She looked in disbelief at me.
"I am Ayden Xyon Ynchausti's wife and your threats, tantrums, or twisted brand of concern for my well-being is not going to move me out of my husband's life. May sasabihin ka pa ba?"
She opened her mouth as if to say something but changed her mind.
"It's a pleasure meeting you, too, Crystal. But, I am afraid I do not have the stomach for pretentiousness. It is better if we stay out of each other's way because I hate to drag my innocent husband into this war you started. I hope you don't mind my straightforwardness?"
She furiously turned to leave.
I inhaled deeply as I stared at my hands which were shaking. Calm down, Aiyla—
"Aiyla! Bakit ka mag-isa rito? Where's Ayden?" a woman in her fifties asked.
I hid my trembling hands behind me as I pasted a smile on my face. "He's with Lolo Felipe po, Tita Ruby."
"Ano ba naman 'yung batang 'yun. Why would he leave you all by yourself like this—are you okay, Dear? Parang namumutla ka yata?"
"I'm fine po, Tita. Pasensya na po, ha, I am on my way out. May kailangan lang po akong tawagan."
"Are you sure you're okay though?"
"Opo," I replied with a wide smile. "Excuse me lang po..."
I blindly headed towards the main door because I wanted to be away from the people who talked about me and laughed behind my back for being a substitute bride; I wouldn't be the subject of anyone's false sympathies and obscure mockery any longer.
Two years, Aiyla...just hold on for two years. After you graduate from med school, you'll be financially stable enough to take care of your dad...
I felt sick to my stomach and I held my breath until my nausea passed.
My phone started ringing and I took it out of my purse and inwardly groaned when I saw the words Dad calling reflected on its screen.
"Daddy!" I forced myself to sound cheerful. "Kumusta na po kayo?"
"Mabuti naman. Ikaw, kumusta ka na?"
You married my cousin for his money! That your father knew of your evil plans and he's after our family's money, too!
A wave of self-pity suddenly engulfed me. "Mabuti po..." I swallowed the sob that rose to my throat. "Naiinom n'yo naman po ba ang gamot n'yo po sa...tamang oras?"
"Are you okay, Anak?" my father asked. "Nasaan ka? I can hear cars honking their horns."
"We're at Ayden's grandparents' home, Dad. They have a family gathering."
"Are you crying?"
I sniffled. "No..."
"Anak, what's wrong? Saan 'yan? Susunduin kita—"
"No, Dad. There's nothing wrong. May...may sipon lang po ako."
"Where is Ayden?"
"He's with his lolo..." I said before a sob escaped my lips.
"Aiyla, you are crying. Anak, you can come home if you are having a hard time—"
"I'm not...I'm doing great...Ayden treats me well, Dad..."
"Aiyla..."
"I just miss you..." I spoke as my tears fell faster. "I wish I am...at home with you. Na-ho-homesick lang po ako, Daddy. Miss ko na kayo...ni Tita Lucia. Na-mi-miss ko na 'yung bahay...'yung kuwarto ko...na-mi-miss ko na 'yung kare-kare mo..."
My father sighed. "Are you telling me the truth? Na-ho-homesick ka lang bang talaga? Kasi kilala kita, hindi ka mabilis umiyak. Mamamalengke ako bukas at ipagluluto kita ng kare-kare—"
"Dad, h'wag na po," I immediately said. "Hindi po ba ang sabi ng doktor ay hindi kayo dapat napapagod? I am okay, Dad. I am happy. But there are times that I just miss you so much..."
"Your old man misses you every day, too."
Fresh tears gathered in my eyes. "O, sige na, Dad. Babalik na po ako sa loob. Ayden might be looking for me. I love you."
"I love you, too, Aiyla. Mag-iingat ka palagi d'yan."
"Opo, Dad. Kayo rin po. Bye..."
I stashed my phone inside my purse as I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. "You made your father worry because you're such a crybaby—"
I was surprised when a white handkerchief appeared in front of my face. I looked up to find Ayden frowning at me. "What's wrong?" his voice was filled with worry. "Bakit ka umiiyak?"
"Uy..." I said smiling tearfully. "Kanina ka pa d'yan?"
"What happened?" he asked wiping my face with his handkerchief. "Talk to me, why are you crying?"
"I...I just miss my Dad..." I alibied.
"Gusto mo ba s'yang bisitahin? I can drive you there. Anytime naman ay pwede tayong dumalaw sa kanya—"
Unable to help myself, I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest.
His arms went around me. "Sweetheart, what is it?"
Masyado rin kasing ma-pride itong si Ayden! Ano ba naman 'yung sabihin n'ya kay Gwen na nagkamali s'ya? That he regrets letting her go? Na years later, it's still her he loves? Mahirap ba 'yun?
I shook my head. "Wala..." I spoke.
I stepped away from his embrace to smile up at him. "Tara, let's go back inside. They must be looking for you."
"Aiyla—"
I took his hand in mine and held it tight knowing that I would eventually have to let it go.
Chapter 6: Unhand
Start from the beginning
