Napapikit ako ng bahagya ng lumagapak ang kamay ni dad sa ibabaw ng lamesa.
"It's the first day of school, and yet you've already fought with someone?!"
"Dad, I didn't start the fight." - I defense.
"But still, it didn't change the fact that you were the first one to throw a fist. And it's your freaking cousin, Juztine. Sana iniwasan mo nalang. Alam mo naman na matigas ang ulo nun."
Humalukipkip ako at umirap. "Karl is an asshole, dad. Kulang pa nga iyon. Kapag may sinabi ulit syang hindi maganda babasagin ko na talaga ang mukha nya."
"Juztine!"- his voice roared.
Sakto naman na bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si mama.
"Kumalma ka nga. Wag mo masyado pagalitan ang anak mo."
"Ayan, kaya yan ganyan kasi kakampihan mo na naman."- reklamo ni dad.
"Wala akong kinakampihan."
Tumayo ako at inayos ang nagusot kong damit. Bored kong tinignan ang dalawa sa harapan ko at bumuntong hininga.
"Don't fight. I'll settle the issue myself, but I won't say sorry to that scumbag."
Iniwan ko na sila sa office at tuluyan na akong lumabas habang bitbit ang bag ko. Hindi naman big deal sa akin ang pagsigaw ni dad. May point naman sya e, dapat nga iniwasan ko nalang.
Panigurado bukas ipapatawag na ako sa guidance office. Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ko na may CCTV sa school pero wala akong pakealam duon. Ipapagtatanggol ko ang asawa ko kahit kanino.
*************
"You're spacing out."
Napayuko ako nang marinig ang malamyos na boses na iyon. There, I saw my wife looking innocently worried about me.
"I'm sorry. May sinasabi ka ba?"
Hinawakan ko ang mga kamay nyang nasa jawline ko humahaplos. Nandito kami ngayon sa condo nya. Dito na namin napili na magpalipas ng gabi tutal mas malapit itong puntahan.
"Sabi ko kakain na."
Lumayo sya ng bahagya sa akin at ngumiti ng tipid. Hinila na nya ako patungong dining area at pinaupo.
"Hindi ka ba galit sakin?"
She chuckled and kissed my cheek. "I heard the news, but I know you did that for a reason."
"Thank you. Akala ko sesermunan mo din ako."
Natawa na sya at pinindot ang pisnge ko saka umiling at naupo na din sa upuan nya.
We ate in silence, but there were a few times when she tried to open up a conversation about my first day in school. Ramdam ko din na iniingatan nya na wag magtanong tungkol duon sa naging away, mailap din ang mga mata nya.
Now she's washing the dishes while I'm just sitting and watching her back. My fingers were making a noise on top of the table as well.
Nang hindi ako makatiis ay tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya. Ramdam ko ang pagkabigla nya ng yakapin ko sya sa bewang at amuyin ang ulo nya.
"C-Claire.. I'm busy."
"You can continue."
"But——"
I nuzzled my face against her neck. "Please, I want you this close to me."
Wala na syang nagawa kundi ang sumunod kaya naman hanggang matapos sya sa ginagawa ay nasa likod lang nya ako at nakayakap sa kanya. Ubos na nga yata ang bango nya kakasinghot ko. Hindi kasi nakakasawa e. Ang bango bango kasi nya sobra.
Nang matapos sya ay humarap sya sakin at pinagmasdan ako. Kumunot din ang noo nya at hinaplos ang pisnge ko.
"What's wrong?"- she softly asked.
"Can we talk?"
Her brows furrowed. "We're talking already; actually, kanina pa nga di ba?"
I pursed my lips and leaned down to kiss her, but she was quick enough to dodge it. Her other hand was on my chest, stopping me from moving closer.
"I won't let you kiss me if you won't tell me what's bothering you."- she crossed her arms and stared firmly at me.
Humugot ako ng lakas ng loob at tinuon nalang sa magkabilang gilid nya yung mga kamay ko.
"Do you have a phobia? I just noticed na sa tuwing mag tataas ako ng boses o kahit may mabasag ako kapag galit ako natatakot ka. At ngayon may nakaaaway ako nakita ko din ang pag aalangan sa mga mata mo."
She parted her lips, but no words came out of her mouth. She was just staring blankly at me.
"Addison.."
"L-later. I.. I need to take a bath."
Hinawi nya ako at tuluyan na syang umalis, halatang umiiwas. Napahilamos ako sa mukha ko at yumuko. Ilang minuto din akong nakatulala sa faucet ng lababo bago ako pumasok ng kwarto para kumuha ng damit.
Rinig ko ang lagaslas ng tubig sa loob ng banyo kaya naman nag desisyon ako na sa kabilang kwarto nalang maligo. Oo pwede kaming magsabay pero mukhang kailangan muna nyang mapag isa.
Matapos akong maligo at makapagbihis ay bumalik ako sa kusina at nagbukas ng wine. Uminom ako mag isa sa counter habang nag iisip ng kung ano ano. Sinuklay ko ang medyo basa ko pa din na buhok at bumuntong hininga.
Nakakalahati ko na yung wine nang may kumuha ng baso sa akin at nilayo din sa akin yung bote. Nalanghap ko agad ang halimuyak ng pampaligong ginamit nya.
Her smell is a combination of berries, rose, and vanilla. It's making my heart beat fast and bringing me to a world full of comfort.
"Are you going to answer me now?" - I softly asked and reached for her arm.
I pull her closer until she's in between my legs. I close my eyes when she reaches for my hair and combs it using her fingers. Gently massaging my scalp and giving me butterflies in my stomach.
"I witnessed one before, and since then I hate violence. It's making me feel nervous whenever someone is shouting or breaking things. I hate it. I'm afraid."
"I'm sorry."
She smiled and cupped my face. "It's not your fault, baby."
"Pero may ugali akong ganun."
She just gently shook her head and kissed the tip of my nose.
"I trust you. I know you wouldn't hurt me. You love me so much, right?"
Her arms loosely wrap around my neck. We're staring into each other's eyes. She looks so dreamy. Oh, what did I do in my past life to have someone like her in my life?
"Yeah, I love you. Ikaw lang naman yung nananakit."- nakangising sabi ko kaya nakatanggap ako ng kurot sa tagiliran.
"Oh see? You're hurting me!"- dagdag ko pa kaya rumolyo na ang magaganda nyang mata.
I steal a kiss on her lips and hug her waist. I can still feel her hand caressing my damp hair, and she's kissing the side of my head.
"I love you. Let's take a rest na? You still have class tomorrow."- malambing na sabi nya sakin at hinila na ako pabalik ng kwarto.
**************
"That's not fair! She attacked me first!"- umalingawngaw ang boses ni Karl sa loob ng guidance office.
Prente lang akong nakaupo at pinagmamasdan syang parang sasabog sa sobrang pula ng mukha dahil sa inis.
Both of us will receive punishment. The only difference is that I'm not going to clean the whole university; he'll be in charge of that along with his friends. While I, on the other hand, will just assist some professors in the faculty.
Nakita naman kasi talaga sa CCTV kung sino ang nauna kaya ayan ang napapala nya.
"Ma'am! Hindi mo ba nakikita? May sugat pa ang ilong ko!"- maktol pa nya.
"I can perfectly see it, Karl. It's just that many people saw you start everything. You even stole her food and insulted her, and your so-called friends testify to that."- the guidance counselor said in her serious tone.
Umigting ang panga nya at kumuyom ang mga kamay. Lumingon sya sa gawi ko, masama ang tingin at parang nagbabanta pa.
"This school does not tolerate bullying, especially from newcomers. You know that very well, Karl."
Padabog syang umalis at hindi manlang pinansin ang guidance counselor. Lumagapak pa ang pinto pagkasarado nya.
He doesn't have any manners at all.
I stood up as well and put on my bag while looking at Madam Elris. She looked so calm, even though Karl had that kind of attitude.
"I can't believe you two were cousins."- she said lowly.
"I wish we weren't. But anyway, thank you for not being biased, ma'am."
"Biased?"
"Matagal na sya dito. Bago lang ako. Mostly kasi kapag bago hindi naman pinaniniwalaan e."
She smiled and clasped both of her hands on top of her table.
"He's been hard headed ever since. Mas lumabas nga lang ngayon ng dumating ka. Hayaan mo na yon para naman magtanda sya kahit papano. I'm not favoring anyone of you, Miss Arden. I was just doing my job, and based on my judgment and evidence presented in the office, he's really the one who started the fight."
My hold on the strap tightened, and slowly a small smile crept onto my lips.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Okay. You can go now."
Tumalikod na ako at tuluyan nilisan ang office nya. Habang naglalakad ako sa hallway ay hindi pa din maiwasan na pagtinginan ako ng mga tao.
Wala si Jeane ngayon. Sabi nya may importanteng lakad sya ngayon kaya naman hindi sya makakapunta ng school.
I just went to my next class for today, and the same cycle happened the whole day.
"What? You're in here?"- nag mamadali akong lumabas at tinahak ang daan papuntang daan ng school.
Napaawang ang labi ko sa kumpulan ng mga estudyanteng nanduon kaya naman nag excuse ako para makadaan at pinatay na ang call. As if on cue, when students recognized me, they parted and gave me a space to breathe and to walk in the middle.
My mouth parted and my jaw almost dropped when I saw my wife leaning on her Bugatti Chiron. She's wearing sunglasses while crossing her arms. A black coat was on her shoulders, and underneath was a simple white above-the knee length dress paired with her white sandals with three-inch heels. Her hair was just hanging behind her back, letting it sway with the wind.
I can hear distant murmuring, but my eyes are solely focused on her, especially when she starts walking towards me while taking off her sunglasses. I felt a soft thing land on my cheek, and that's when I was brought back to reality.
"Let's go? Dumadami lalo ang tao, nakakaharang na sila sa daan."- bulong nya at hinila ako patungong kotse nya.
"You didn't bring your guards?"- I asked when we're already inside her car and we're both putting on our seat belts.
"No, because we're going somewhere."
"Saan?"
"Airport. My friend is arriving today."
"But..."
There's no more space in here. I heard her chuckle and pinch my cheeks.
"May sundo syang kanya. Pupunta lang tayo kasi gusto nya akong makita."
"Ikaw lang naman pala, bakit mo pa ako isasama?"
"Because you're my wife. I want to flex you to everyone."
Hindi ako nakasagot hanggang sa tuluyan na nyang pinasibat ang kotse palayo sa gate ng school na parang nagkaron ng Zombie Apocalypse.
"How's your day?"- she asked while driving.
"Same like yesterday. The only difference is I already have a punishment."
"Hmm, I see. I hope this will be the first and last, baby."
I took a glance at her and let my other hand rest on her exposed thigh. She flinched at the sudden contact, but she didn't push my hand away.
"You dressed too formal. What happened today?"- I asked and looked outside.
"I just had a meeting."
Hindi ko na pinansin pa ang pag iiba ng tono ng boses nya matapos mabanggit ang word na meeting.
"I missed you."
There, she laughed and caressed my arm using her other hand before putting it back on the steering wheel.
"We're always seeing each other, Claire."
I didn't mind what she said. It's true that I missed her. I shifted in my seat and looked back at her again.
"Can you pull over?"
"Huh? We're in the middle of the road."
I pulled my hand back and chuckled because she looked confused.
"Later nalang."- bulong ko kahit hindi ako sure kung narinig ba nya.
Nang makarating kami ng airport ay hindi pa din maiwasan na mailang ako. Pinagtitinginan naman kasi kami at saka kung lumakad itong misis ko ay parang nasa runway. Kulang nalang tumulo ang laway ng mga lalaki dito.
We stand in the waiting area while she scrolls on her phone. Probably talking to her so-called friend. I just stood behind her to guard her from perverts because she's really sexy from every angle.
Hindi naman nag tagal ay may kinawayan na sya. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang tinitignan nya at nakita ko ang isang matangkad din na babae na naglalakad habang tulak nito ang maleta. Nakasabit din sa braso nito ang isang coat.
She look western or baka dahil lang sa kulay ng buhok nya at sa postura nya.
"Rein! Oh my gosh! I missed you!"- she said, hugging my wife.
When she took off her shade, that's when I saw her whole face. I can say that she's beautiful and charismatic too, but my wife is on another level.
They talk and laugh until my wife turns to me and pulls me closer to her side. Again, I felt butterflies in my stomach when she brushed her thumb on the back of my hand.
"Liz, meet my wife, Claire, and baby, meet my best friend, Elizabeth."
She looked at me from head to toe and then glanced at Addison with a teasing smile on her lips.
"Finally, after years of just... Never mind. Hi, it's nice to meet you—"
"Call me Juztine."- I cut her off, but I made sure I wouldn't sound rude.
"Oh, mukhang si Rein lang ang pwedeng tumawag sayo ng Claire ah."
Napakamot ako sa batok ko at tinanggap ang nakalahad nyang kamay.
"Ganuon na nga. Pero masaya din akong makilala ka, Liz?"
She chuckled and nudged my wife.
"She's so adorable. No wonder you're so——"
Addison cleared her throat and gripped my arm, but not too tight.
"Why don't we eat outside before you go home?"
Sumang ayon naman ang kaibigan nya at mabuti nalang paglabas namin ng airport ay nanduon na ang mismong sundo nya.
We just followed her car because she chose the restaurant on her phone. She said she missed eating Filipino dishes, and my wife just let her.
"Just don't mind whatever she's going to tell you. She loves pissing me off, but I love her."- Addison said after parking her car.
Tumango nalang ako dahil napapagod na naman ako magsalita. Humawak sya sa braso ko habang papasok kami ng restaurant. Nanduon na si Liz sa loob at kasalukuyan kausap ang isang waiter.
We all sit quietly; no, it's just me because both of them started catching up after the years that they were apart.
Dumating ang order namin at paminsan minsan ay sinasali naman nila ako sa usapan pero mas pinili ko lang ang manahimik. Masosolo ko naman ang asawa ko mamaya e kaya hayaan ko na muna na mag usap sila.
Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pag inom ng may mahagip ang mga mata ko. Akala nung una kamukha lang pero what the heck!
It's really Dahlia, and she's with a man. It looks like they were on a date and were about to leave, but I think luck isn't on my side tonight because she saw me.
My heart beat quickened when she whispered something to the man who was busy talking to another man, and after that, I saw her walking towards where we are.
Nawala ang tingin ko sa kanya dahil may humawak sa balikat ko at nanlaki ang mata ko ng makita si Jeane.
"Sabi ko na ikaw yan e."- natatawang sabi nya at napatingin sa mga kasama ko. Bigla syang namula nang makita na asawa ko ang kasama ko at mabilis din nyang binawi ang kamay sa balikat ko.
"Pasensya na mga miss-ma'am. Ako pala si Jeane, kaibigan ni Juztine."- pakilala nya.
"I'm Liz."- simpleng sabi pakilala nitong isa at ngumiti.
I glance at my wife, and she's looking at Jeane, and slowly her brows furrow before she nods her head in acknowledgement.
"I'm Rein, Claire's wife."
Jeane smiled, and trust me, I know that kind of smile.
"It's nice to finally meet you in person, Mrs. Arden. Juztine talked a lot about you."
"Really?"- my wife asked, drinking from her water.
"Yes. And oh, do you sing?"
"Jeane!"- suway ko dito dahil mukhang alam ko na ang sinasabi nya.
"Rein has a nice voice, but she's not really into singing."- Liz answered.
"Sayang naman po. Mahilig pa naman si Juztine sa mga kumakanta."
Addison's eyes drifted to me. She looks confused. Syempre magtataka yan kung bakit hindi nya alam yon info na iyon tungkol sakin.
Hindi naman kasi literal na kanta ang sinasabi nitong isa e. Kundi yung ano...
"Dahlia!"- my wife said and stood up.
So it's really her? My wife's interior designer and the one I had a one-night stand with are the same person?
Naputol ang awkward moment dahil sa pagsulpot ni Dahlia. Nag exchange of greetings sila ng asawa ko bago dumako ang mga mata nya sakin.
"Well, kamusta ka na. It's been awhile."- nakangiti nyang sabi sa akin.
Parang gusto ko nalang lumubog sa kinauupuan ko dahil sa nangyayari lalo pa at lahat sila ay nakatuon sa akin ang tingin.
"I haven't introduced my wife yet. But... Do you know each other?"- Addison asked and looked at us.
I balled my fists and was about to speak when Dahlia chuckled.
"We just met before. She's an old friend."- she said.
Dapat ba akong magpasalamat?
"That's great. You have another friend pala aside from me."- bulong ni Jeane.
I didn't mind her; I was just staring at my wife, and seeing her confused makes me guilty, even though I shouldn't be guilty at all because I'm not doing anything bad since I married her.
I never expected that this day would turn out like this. I feel exhausted and pressured, and this is not a crossover I was expecting to experience tonight. What the hell.
+++++
Miss me? Hahaha!
Degree holder na ang beshy nyo. Thank you sa mga nag help sakin dito para tuluyan akong makatapos ng college. 🎊🎊