The Replacement Wife

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Ayos ka lang ba, Elaine?" tanong ni Belle sabay bigay sa akin ng isang basong tubig.

Tumango ako at tinanggap ang basong inilahad niya at ininom ito.

"Thank you for coming," I said sincerely.

Ngumiti siya sa akin at tumabi ng upo bago ako niyakap mula sa gilid.

"You know, I'm always here for you no matter what. Even if I'm miles away, no matter how busy I am, if you need me, if you need a shoulder to cry on, you need someone to talk to, remember that I'll always come after you."

I felt something touched my heart as I heard those words coming from her.

If you have a best friend like this, don't let them go. They're hard to be found in this world full of pretentious people. You're blessed if you have one.

"Thank you, Belinda. Thank you."

Agad siyang kumawala sa akin at hinampas ako.

"Tangina mo talaga. Feel na feel ko sabayan kadramahan mo, eh! Tas tatawagin mo lang akong Belinda? Tangina mo, Elena."

I laughed at her at isinandal ang ulo ko sa balikat niya.

"Alam mo, Laine---"

"Hindi ko alam."

"Tangina mo ulit."

Natawa ako at inilapag ang baso sa coffee table sa harap namin.

"Pero 'di nga. Laine, hindi masamang sumuko 'pag ayaw mo na, 'pag sobra ka nang nasasaktan. Hindi masamang bumitaw," seryosong saad niya.

Napalingon ako sa kaniya at ngumiti ng pilit.

"Alam ko naman. If only it's easy to just let go," mahinang saad ko.

"Ganoon mo siya ka-mahal?"

Napakagat ako sa pang-ibabang labi ko at tumango.

"Oo. Na kahit sobrang sakit na, na kahit nakakapagod na, na kahit na nawawalan na ako ng pag-asang mahalin niya ako pabalik, hindi ko pa din kayang bumitaw. Hindi ko pa din siyang kayang kalimutan, iwanan," I said as a lone tear fell again from my eyes.

"Oh god, Elaine," Belle said and she hugged me tightly.

"Seeing you cry makes me feel afraid by the thought of being in love," dugtong pa nito.

Mapait akong napangiti.

Before, I always thought love is the most joyful feeling one can ever feel. The happiness it brought to someone's overwhelming. And that's the point that I was wrong. The point where I thought love was only about happiness. I forgot that love also bring too much pain and hurt.

"Tara," kapagkuwang usal ni Belle.

Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kaniya at nagtatakang tinignan siya.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" tanong ko.

She smirked before standing and pulling me up as well.

"Let's have fun!" masiglang saad niya.

Napairap ako napangiwi.

"It's too early to go to a bar---"

"Ikaw na lasinggera'ng broken ka! Basta fun, sa bar agad? Hindi pwedeng pagala-gala sa mall lang?"

"Wow, Belle!"

Humagalpak siya ng tawa sabay tulak sa akin palapit sa hagdan.

"Go on, change. Promise, we won't go to a bar. Siguro mamaya na." Tumawa ulit siya na parang loka-loka at wala akong magawa kundi mapailing nalang at tinalikuran siya para tahakin ang daan patungo sa kwarto.

Hindi na ako naligo tutal tapos na ako kanina, kaya agad na akong nagbihis.

I just wore a black faded jeans, white long sleeves shirt, and a white sneakers. I also tied my straight long hair into high ponytail, and putted some light makeups on my face.

Napabuntong hininga ako at pilit na ngumiti sa harap ng salamin.

You'll be okay, Elaine.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto at bumaba sa hagdan. Nakita ko si Belle na nagtitingin sa photo album na nasa ilalim ng coffee table kanina.

"You, Athena and Zeiger were classmates when you were in high school," sabi niya.

Lumapit ako sa gawi niya at tinignan kung ano ang tinitignan niya. It was our class picture way back in high school, and yes, we were classmates.

I just met Belle when I was on my last year in college. And since then, we've became close friends. But even though we're already friends, I still don't have the guts to tell her the whole story about the three of us. Just a few of it.

Parang may sumasakal ng puso ko habang nakatingin sa picture na iyon. I was beside Athena, and beside Athena was Zeiger. Bale napagi-gitnaan namin ni Zeiger si Athena.

I was closed mouth smiling on the picture, not showing my teeth, while Athena and Zeiger were smiling widely, grinning from ear to ear. Zeiger's arm snaked around Athena's shoulder, while Athena snaked her arms around Zeiger's waist as well.

My other classmates were smiling, posing wacky or laughing, or even joking around while taking the picture. Our adviser was smiling while looking at my classmates. Ang gulo ng class picture namin. Sobra.

But, I was there, standing straight, looking at the camera, and trying to smile because I was at the verge of breaking down that time, and I don't want to spoil everyone's happiness.

Nabalik ako sa ulirat nang biglang isinara ng malakas ni Belle ang photo album. She sighed and looked at me.

"Stop crying, Elaine. Naiiyak din ako," saad niya at nakita ko ang pangingilid ng luha niya.

Mahina akong natawa at pinunasan ang luha kong tumutulo na pala.

"Tara na."

Hinatak ko si Belle palabas ng bahay. I lock the doors and took out my phone from my pocket to text Zeiger.

Ako:
I'll be going out with Belle today. Siguro late na ako makakauwi mamaya. See you!

I sighed as I sent the message.

He probably doesn't care, but still I don't want him to worry about me when he gets home and wala ako. Kung magwo-worry.

Belle was already on her car, kaya pumasok na din ako matapos ilock din ang gate.

"So, saan tayo?" she asked as she starts maneuvering the car.

"Mall. Then around 6:00, sa BGC."

"Ayy, bet! Erkey." She giggled.

Natawa nalang din ako.

I want to freshen up my mind just for today. Nauumay na din ako sa pagmumukha ni Zeiger. Hindi naman siya nagsasalita.

Natigilan ako nang mag-beep ang cellphone ko. My heart beats fast when I saw Zeiger's name on the screen. He texted me! Oh my goodness!

This is the first text he sent ever since we got married. And I just can't calm my heart down while swiping the screen to read his message.

Zeiger:
Where?

Jusko!

It's just a simple question and message pero para akong lalagnatin! Parang tanga lang. Para akong teenager na pinansin ng crush niya.

Sa simpleng message niya na 'yon, nawala ang sakit at galit na naramdaman ko kanina.

I sighed and tried to calm myself. Elaine, 'wag marupok.

Ako:
Mall. Tas BGC mamaya.

Matapos kong ma-send iyon ay napasinghap ako.

Why is he asking? Susundoin ba niya ako? Susundan? Babantayan? Like those guys I've read on books? Iyong hahatakin ka palabas ng bar in the midst of partying, tas he'll look at you then glares at you, then he'll say 'get in the car, now!' With so much authority in his voice?