Semper Fidelis

Untitled Part 37

"YOU'RE crying—" si Aldon.

"What's gonna happen to me?" tanong niya. Ngunit hindi ang kasong kinakaharap niya ang kanyang tinutukoy kundi ang mangyayari sa kanya ngayong na-realize niyang kahit kailan ay hindi nabawasan ang pagmamahal niya kay Aldon.

"Nothing. I'm here and I'm gonna take care of you. Hindi ako papayag na makulong ka." He was lying naked at her side. "I'm your husband."

"You are not my husband. I am not your wife. You have tried to give my love away..." Hindi niya napigil ang paghikbi.

"So I can marry my mistress. Sinabi sa akin lahat ni Ralph. I'm sorry, Sari. Inaamin ko, binalak ko 'yon, pero hindi pa nangyayari ang plano ko, minahal na kita—maybe I've loved you the day I married you. I was just stupid and I lost you." Hinawakan ni Aldon ang pisngi niya at ibinaling ang mukha niya rito. "Look at me, Sari. I'm big and old but I couldn't help but cry when I lost you. At maraming mga gabing nagigising ako at tinatawag ko ang pangalan mo. At sa aking pag-uwi ay umaasa akong naroon ka.

"You see, I love that little wife who cooked my meals, washed my clothes, gave me everything I needed. I was just stupid. Can you forgive me and be my wife again?"

"I-I don't think I can still cook your meals and do the laundry. May trabaho ako."

"Fine with me as long as I'll see you when I get home."

Tumagilid si Sari at ipinatong ang ulo ni Aldon sa braso niya. "Dapat kang parusahan dahil hindi ka naging tapat sa akin. You were sleeping with another woman!"

"Hindi na mangyayari iyon, promise. I'll be the perfect husband, if there's such a thing. Just love me again the way you used to do."

"I'll love you better, Aldon."

Tumunog ang telepono ni Sari, si Aldon ang sumagot.

"Dorcas!" bulalas nito at napabalikwas si Sari. Bakit siya tatawagan ni Dorcas? Manggugulo na naman ba ito? Iniabot sa kanya ni Aldon ang telepono. "Gusto ka n'yang makausap."

Nakasimangot si Sari. Pinisil ni Aldon ang kanyang babae. "Cheer up. She's married and pregnant."

Tinanggap ni Sari ang cordless phone. "What do you want?"

"Sari, look, nabasa ko ang balita and I—malaki ang kasalanan ko sa iyo. Gusto kong bumawi para mapatawad mo ako. I want to represent you and I promise to get you out of this mess."

"Thank you."