I Meant It When I Said, 'I Do.'

I Meant It When I Said, 'I Do.' - CHAPTER 8

Nagising si Earl sa tindi ng sikat ng araw sa mukha at sa tindi ng sakit ng ulo. Nagulat siya nang makitang nasa bahay na siya. How did he manage to get home? Ngunit mas nagulat siya nang maramdamang wala na siyang saplot sa katawan. At tila may kakaiba sa bahay. It's Sunday morning and the house is unbearably silent. Tiningnan niya ang lahat ng kuwarto ngunit wala doon ang asawa. Kumunot ang noo niya. Where the hell is his wife?

Napilitan siyang bumangon at nagtimpla ng kape.

Pinilit niyang inalala ang pangyayari sa nagdaang gabi. At natampal niya ang sariling noo. Dagli niyang kinuha ang cellphone.

"Hello?" anang kabilang linya.

Hindi alam ni Earl kung saan sisimulan ang sasabihin. "I'm sorry about last night," mahinang usal niya.

"Yeah, you should be."

"Look, I didn't mean to take advantage. And I was too drunk. And.. Bianca, I-I--"

"You-you what?" anitong ginaya ang pagka-bulol ng dila niya. Mas lalo siyang nahirapan magsalita.

"About what I did last night," aniyang napabuntong-hininga.

"Yeah, you've been so annoying."

Kumunot ang noo niya.

"Annoying?"

"Yes, very annoying. You keep on blabbering, I need to go home. My wife's waiting for me, blah blah blah."

Lalong tumindi ang pagkakakunot ng noo niya. "You mean--" Biglang nag-flashback ang alaala niya sa nagdaang gabi. So it was her. Parang nakaramdam siya ng malakas na suntok sa tiyan. It was really his wife he made love to last night. That's why it felt so damn right. Buong akala niya'y panaginip ang lahat. How many times have he dreamed making love to her? Hindi niya mabilang. And now that it finally came true he's not even fully awake.

"Buti na lang dumating ang asawa mo. I called her to fetch you. I was so tired last night to drive you home. Hey, something wrong?"

Natigilan siya. Something is definitely wrong. He remembered trying against his will to shout his wife's name sa pag-aakalang si Bianca ang kaulayaw niya. He remembered her whimpered in pain and that's when he realized he has been the only man in her life. Panic suddenly filled through him.

"I've got to go now," aniya kay Bianca saka pinindot ang end call button. I need to find my wife!

Damn it! Kung naka-ilang mura na siya, hindi niya alam. He can't find his wife! Pinuntahan niya ito sa Papa nito ngunit wala ito roon. Tinawagan niya si Elaiza at ilang mga kaibigan nito ngunit hindi nito alam kung nasaan ang asawa niya. Pinuntahan niya ito sa boutique nito ngunit walang sinumang nandoon. He tried every place she used to hang out. He tried every people. Papalubog na ang araw ngunit di pa rin niya matagpuan ang asawa niya.

He's worried. And he hated that feeling! Hindi niya alam kung saan nagmumula ang damdaming iyon. Buong akala niya'y hindi na siya makakaramdam ng kahit ano. Why does he feel guilty? Hindi ba iyon ang gusto niya? Ang masaktan ito?

But it wasn't part of the plan! Anang isang bahagi ng isip. It shouldn't have happened! Mabilis niyang pinaandar ang sasakyan. He had to go to the police.

Lulugo-lugo siya nang makalabas sa presinto. Hindi sila magse-search and rescue operation unless 24 hours nang nawawala ang asawa. He knew that already. Ngunit gusto lang niyang magbaka-sakali. He called his friend Alfred who has connections and was assured he's gonna find Veronica. But he can't just wait. This is killing him!

Buong araw siyang nag-drive, umaasang makita niya ito sa daan. Nagpasya siyang umuwi ng bahay para magbihis. Nagulat siya nang madatnang nakaparada na ang kotse ng asawa. Mabilis niyang ipinarada ang sasakyan saka patakbong tinungo ang elevator.