Clyden's POV:
After we ate the lunch that my beautiful wife cooked, I help her clean the dishes as a good husband would.
"Are you free after this?" I ask.
"Hmmm...tapos ko naman na ang mga assignments ko, and yun mga gawaing bahay, so yeah, I'm free." She said while slightly tilting her head to the side.
"Is there any place you want to go? I can take you!" I said like a puppy, who's asking his owner to take his dog for a walk.
"My mom..." She said, but it seems like head is in the air.
"To tita's grave?" I ask.
She just nod and continue washing the dishes. I wanna make her happy, I think to myself for a second. I can take her there. I wanna make this girl as happy as ever.
"Sure, we can go." I said, smiling while looking at her. She stop, and look at me.
"Huh? Saan?" Tano nya.
"You said that you want to go see your mom, so we're going. It seems kase that your stress. I can see it in your eyes." I said, and point it at my eyes, to let her know that her eye bags is a bit visible, not wanting to be rude, I just use my eyes.
She wipe her hands and go to the living room, and look at herself at the mirror. She sigh and look at me.
"Fine.. I think I need some fresh air too." Natutuwa akong napangiti sa kanya.
"Yay! Good, have some cold shower, misis ko." Sabi ko. "Ako na ang bahala dito sa dishes, go treat yourself with a cold shower or warm bath." I said while smiling softly to her.
She slightly smile, and go to her room, and got out after a minute or so, while holding some clothes on her arms. While waiting for her, I just sat of the kitchen counter, and swiping on my phone.
Suddenly a call from one of my friend pops up. It was Ethan.
CALL:
"Yo bro, sama ka? We're going to have some drinks this eve, are you comin'?" Tanong ni Ethan.
I didn't notice that I was already smiling,
"I can't bro, busy with my girl."
"What? Girl? When did you get a girlfriend?" He asks, a hint of confusion on his tone.
"Just last night.. a beautiful delicate girl.." I said, remembering her cute angry face.
"O..okay? Sige, call me if you change your mind, bro." Ethan said, and ended the call.
After waiting for an hour for my wife to get ready, she came out of her room looking like a goddess that fell from heaven. She's wearing a cute spring white mesh with an embroidery of flowers of it. She looks like a fairy princess. Sounds childish, but true. She's truly is beautiful.
I didn't even realize that I was just staring at her indescribable beauty.
"What..? Di ba bagay? pangit ba?" She ask and about to retrieve to her room.
"No.. I... I apologize for staring too much.. but your incredibly stunning. I swear. I'm not lying." I can see a blush on her cute face.
"Regalo toh ni mom sa akin noong.. sinosuot ko lang toh, pag dadalaw ako sa kanya." I can see that she's a bit shy about this, she's playing with her thumbs. Honestly she just the cutest.
"You look wonderful." She slightly smile and keep shifting glances all around the room.
"Thank you.." she was also wearing a pearl headband, and a white bag.
"Your very welcome, my wife. Let's go na?" She nod and I follow her out of the house.
Car:
As I drive us to the cemetery, I can help but ask her about her mom.
"Misis ko? If you don't mind me asking, can you tell me about your mom?" I ask, focusing my eyes on the road while my ears on her.
I notices her head turn to me, it was a bit of silence for a while, when she finally talks, I listen carefully and make my brain take notes.
"Sure.. umm.. my mom died when I was 11, she was diagnosed with lung cancer.. the things I remember is, I use to took care of dad after mom's death. Mom is a great chef at home, she makes the best sinigang." Her tone sound like a low tone, like she's telling me a story from a book.
"She's good at sewing, she's good with hair, and I remember her voice is so gently.. sobrang hinhin ni mama, parang air lang yun kinakausap mo." I smile, when she talk she move her hands or fidget with something.
"Dito na tayo." She said, and point to the Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park.
I nod and drive inside the cemetery and part my car on the side. She take
the flowers, at agad na nag punta kung saan naka himlay ang mama niya. I follow her while my hands is inside my pockets. I was standing besides her, while she's sitting on the ground.
She put the basket of flowers besides her tomb and light up a candle and put it besides her tomb. Christina Tala S. Ortiz.
"Ang ganda naman pangalan ni tita." I said while looking at her tomb.
"Hi mama, how are you? I'm doing good at school.. umm.. I'm still on top.. and if dad hasn't been going here, him and his girlfriend is fine, I guess." I can hear her voice is getting a bit wobbly.
"Umm.. and dad told the most ridiculous crap I have ever hear.. he wants me to marry his boss's son..!" Her tone sounds a bit sarcastic.
I slowly squad besides her and gently put my arms around her. I want to comfort her.
"Andito nga siya eh.. yan oh.." She turn to look at me and pointed at me. Her precious eyes is cover in tears.
"Athena, blink." I said.
She shake her head, but her eyes slowly close and tears start to rain down her cheeks. I pull her in a hug, a tight one, and caress her back.
"It's okay, I'm here." I said, gently.
Hinayaan ko lang siyang umiyak sa dibdib ko. While caressing her head and back. Okay lang kahit mabasa yun damit sa luha niya, okay, Basta magiging okay rin siya pag katapos niyang umiyak. That's the most important thing.
Humahagulgol siya ng iyak sa dibdib ko, parang ang tagal tagal na niyang pinanghahawakan yun iyak na yan. Nag hahanap lang siya ng tamang oras para ilabas ito.
After a minute of her just crying on me, medjo humina na yun iyak niya, I can just hear her sniffing and panting a little. I take out my handkerchief and give it to her.
"Thanks.." she said, and put it on her face.
"It's yours to keep na." I said, while caressing her head.
EVENING
Mag gagabi na ng umalis na kami cemetery. Sabi ko pupunta muna kase sa 7/11, kase may gusto akong bilhin.
She stayed in the car while I brought her some water, and ice cream. Just to make her a little better after a good cry. I got in the car and give her the paper bag.
"Ano yan? Bat mo yan binibigay yan sa akin?" Tanong niya, habang nag aayos ng sarili.
I chuckle a bit, gosh I can't help but find her cute all the time! "It's for you actually." I said, and put the paper bag on her thighs.
"Ang lamig!" She open the bag and saw a bottle of water and an ice cream.
"Sure ka? Akin toh?" Tanong niya habang hawak-hawak yun ice cream.
"Ofcourse. It's all yours, misis ko." I smile while smiling.
I notices a blush and a smile on her face. She happily open the ice cream, and eat it with joy on her face. Ang cute naman, talaga ng misis ko!
End of Clyden's POV
Clyden drop me off the house, and he said that the handkerchief is mine, I can keep it or throw it away daw. He just smile and pat my head and go out.
Pag kapasok ko sa bahay, it's still empty. Seems like mala-late or hindi uuwi si dad ngayon. Well, at this rate sanay na sanay na ako mag isa sa bahay. And doing somethings alone is normal to me, but kanina.. while Clyden is with me, I don't feel alone.. his hugs is warm.
But I don't feel butterflies, like they say. Rather, I feel safe. But I don't know. I'm not good with love. I just shake it off, and take a shower and go to bed.
But, I think ginagawa niya lang toh kase ikakasal kami, hindi naman siya magiging sweet or loving, kung walang kami, obviously. I think ginagawa niya lang kase sabi ni dad niya. And I don't think na ako yun type niya. I still don't know, why of all people ako ang napiling ipakasal sa kanya.