The Replacement Wife

Chapter 4

I feel guilty and a pang of pain as Athena's angelic face flashed in my mind.

I missed her. So much. But I don't know how to faced her now. Until what I've done, it seems for me that I betrayed her. That marrying Zeiger is a betrayal of her.

"Aba, 'te! Sa dami ba naman. Kaloka, gusto mo bang mai-stress ako kaka-recite ng pangalan ng ka-batchmates natin?"

Tae talaga ng babaeng 'to, oh.

Ngumiwi nalang ako sa kaniya at tinignan ang tanawin sa labas ng cafe through the glass walls.

"By the way, kamusta kayo ni Zeiger?"

By mentioning his name, I stilled. No one knows about our marriage. That everything was just an act. That it wasn't real. That I was just a... replacement wife.

I cleared the lump on my throat and smiled.

"Okay naman. Kayo ba?" Pag-iiba ko agad.

I don't want to talk about my marriage life. Not now, not ever.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Celeste at nabilaukan at tila nangangapa ng sagot dahilan para itaas ko ang isa kong kilay. Mukhang may tinatago 'tong babaeng 'to.

"K-Kami? Kami ni who?" May pag-aanlinlangang tanong niya.

Mas lalong tumaas ang kilay ko. What are you keeping, Celeste dear?

"Aba, malay ko. I just heard that you're in a relationship or something?"

She calmed a bit and her faced lightened making my curiosity build up more.

"Wala! I'm single and ready to mingle." Tinaas-baba niya ang kaniyang kilay dahilan para mapangiwi ako.

"Ew." Saad ko. She laughed at my reaction as she stood up.

"I'm out, Elaine. I have a meeting to attend. See you around." Saad niya at nakipag-beso sa akin.

"Okay, bye."

I watch her back as she ramps and walks out of the cafe like she's in a runway.

Celeste is beautiful. Papasa siyang beauty queen. But she's a bitchy brat. You can actually see it by just first sight of her. Mukhang mataray. But nonetheless, she's a great person.

Tumayo na ako at nagpa-alam na kina Jessie.

Pupunta ako ngayon sa flower shop. Sumakay ako sa kotse ko at agad itong minaneho patungo sa shop ko.

Natigilan ako ng makita ang kotse ni Zeiger sa harap ng flower shop. I blinked multiple times and slapped myself just to confirm if he's here for real or I am dreaming again.

Nang maramdaman ang sakit dahil sa sampal ko para sa sarili ko, agad humarentado ang puso ko.

He's here!

Agad akong bumaba sa kotse at pumasok sa flower shop. Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa loob, lalo na sa waiting area pero walang naka-upong Zeiger doon.

I sighed. I bit my lower lip and run my fingers through my hair.

Stop expecting, Elaine. It's not like si Zeiger lang ang may ganoong kotse.

"Ate Elaine."

Marahan akong napatalon at sapo ang dibdib na hinarap ko ang tumawag sa akin. Si Natalie, isa sa empleyado ko sa flower shop. She's around 19 years old pa lang, that's why I don't mind her calling me ate.

"Sorry, ate." Bumungisngis siya at nag-peace sign sa akin.

"Bakit?" Natatawang tanong ko din dahil sa reaksyon niya.