CHAPTER 41
HEAD DOWN, FASHIE bit her lips. Infront of her were her cousins. They are all staring at her seriously, like as if she've done a large mistake.
"Explain yourself." Kuya Warren's cold voice invaded Fashie's ears.
"What should i explain?" Tanong niya sa mababang boses.
"Everything about your relationship with Degustare."
Huminga siya ng malalim at nagsimulang mag-kwento. Simula umpisa hanggang dulo, walang siyang pinagkait sa mga ito. She told them how they met, what happened to their relationship, why they ended up separated.
Nakikinig lang ang mga ito sa kaniya, seryoso at walang bakas ng emosyon sa mukha na minsan ay nakasanayan nalang niya. They become more untouchable as years passes by.
Pinunasan niya ang tumutulo na pala niyang luha. "So, please, don't ask me to leave him. Nasaktan ko na siya dati, nadurog at naging miserable siya ng dahil sa'kin. Ayaw ko ng masaktan ulit ang lalaking mahal ko." Her sobs turned louder, she suddenly become emotional.
Mahigpit siyang niyakap ni kuya Hector, "hush, baby, stop crying."
Lumapit sa kaniya si kuya Warren saka nag-squat sa harapan niya. "I don't have plan to ask you to leave Degustare. What i can't understand is why do you need to hide it from us? Did you really think we would not understand you? Although, i'm gonna beat that fucking bastard for hitting you first."
"I was scared na baka sabihin niyo kila Mommy at Daddy noon, kuya..." Tipid ang ngiting ibinigay niya rito.
"Okay, i understand now. I will always understand you, baby girl." Humalik ito sa kaniyang noo.
Tatango-tango siya habang kagat ang pang-iba labi. Naiiyak na naman dahil nata-touch siya sa pagmamahal ng mga ito sa kaniya.
Suminghot siya, "so, payag na kayong ikasal kami?" Fashie looked at their eyes one by one. They all heave a sigh and nodded. A wide smile appeared from her lips, "thank you! I love you all so much!" Isa-isa niyang mahigpit na niyakap ang mga pinsan. She's happy.
They are having their moment when they heard a loud voice coming from the entrance door. Hindi nila ito kita dahil mayroong pader na namamagitan sa entrance at living room.
"Sweetheart, i'm home! Where are-" Napatigil sa pagsasalita si Timothy nang makita silang magpipinsan sa living room.
Oh... Oh. Nagpantay nalang ang mga labi ni Timothy nang makita ang mga pinsan ni Fashie. She didn't tell me they are coming. I should've ready myself for another round of punches.
"Hubby!" Fashie run towards him then give him a smack kiss on the lips. Niyakap naman niya ito sa baywang at hinalikan sa noo. Kitang-kita niya kung paano siya samaan nang tingin ng anim.
"Hey, sweetheart. How's your day?" Kusang humaplos ang palad niya sa pisngi ng babaeng mahal.
She offered her a gummy smile. "As you can see, i had a good day." Fashie tiptoed to whisper something, "payag na sila na ikasal tayo." Nagtataas-baba ang kilay nito.
His brow raised, really? He expected them to give him a hard time to get their blessing. Fashie maybe used her charm to deceive her cousins.
"What did you do?" Bulong niya pabalik while his eyes were on Guerrero and Marquez'.
Fashie giggled, "drinamahan ko. They can't resist me especially when i cry. Am i good?"
He let out a small chuckle, "absolutely, sweetheart. You deserve an award."
Her eyes twinkled, become excited. Ah-huh. "When can i receive it?"
"Tonight." And yes, they're still whispering. They look fool whispering to each other but it only made him smile.
"Why you two are whispering?" It was Theodore Marquez Carter, with his a deep frown on his forehead.
Nagkatinginan sila ng kasintahan saka ito ang nagsalita. "Wala, kuya."
Warren Marquez walk towards them, staring at him darkly. "Mind if i borrow Degustare, baby girl?"
A worry appeared from Fashie's face, "kuya-"
Pinisil niya ang kamay ng kasintahan and look at her with a smile, telling her it was okay. At the end, Fashie didn't succeed.
Timothy just found out himself at the garden, being beaten by Fashie's cousins.
Damn, hindi pa magaling ang mga pasa at pilay niya ngunit mukhang madadagdagan na. But he let them, if this is only the way to atleast make them throw their grief on him.
He taste his own blood when he licked his lips. Sweating and with broken leg, Timothy force himself to stand up.
"N-Not done yet?" There's a smirk on his face.
"You have the guts to show a smirk, Degustare!" It was followed by laughs.
Kumunot ang kaniyang noo, where's that voice coming from?
Dumako ang mata niya kay Guerrero na hindi na nakisali sa pambubogbog sa kaniya dahil nagawa na raw nito iyon noong isang araw. Guerrero is holding an iPad which where the voice came from. They are in a video call with Guerrero. The fuck.
Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang kaibigan. "Fuck off!" He raised his middle finger.
"Point of view, things you can do for your loml. Lol, that's why i don't want to fall in love." It was Levin. Wala na talaga itong ginawa kung'di mag-asar ng kaibigan, pumapangalawa sa kaniya.
"What's even loml?"
"You speak like a gen z and gen alpha. You're a millenial, fucker."
Timothy was about to make Levin shut off when he felt a strong fits punch his face. Damn, hindi pa pala tapos.
Masakit ang katawan, halos hindi makatayo, puno ng mga pasa at sugat sa katawan, 'yon ang kalagayan niya matapos siyang bugbogin ng magpipinsan.
How am i able to show my face to Fashie? I look terrible right now.
MONTHS HAVE passed, Fashie is at Dra. Sanchez' office to get her monthly check-up. Dra. Sanchez told her to have a healthy lifestyle; exercise, low-calorie diet at non-stress life.
Fashie also undergo in Progestin therapy wherein she has to take 10 to 14 days every 1 to 2 months. It regulate her periods and protect endometrial cancer. Dra.Sanchez recommended birth control pills but she refused, she wanted a baby. Umaasa parin siyang makakabuo sila ng baby.
Every week din siyang pumupunta sa Derma for hair removal and Eflornithine (Vaniqa); It is a cream that slow hair growth. Since excessive hair growth is one of the symptoms of pcos.
Mabuti rin na may malapit na kaibigan si Dra.Sanchez na isang Pharmacological agent for her medicine.
At lahat ng ito ay walang alam ang asawa niya. Yes, asawa. They got married one month ago. It was one of the happiest day in her life.
Timothy's mother and friends was present, so as her cousins and friends. It was just an intimate wedding but it was glamorous. Hindi niya akalaing gano'n kabongga ang ginawang paghahanda ng asawa niya para sa kasal nilang dalawa.
"How are you doing?"
Her senses came back when Fashie heard Dra.Sanchez' voice.
Ngumiti siya rito, "i'm doing good, i hope you too."
"Well, i am. Your medication is doing good too." Dra.Sanchez has a warm smile.
"Really? That's... That's a good news!" She exclaimed, glad that her medication is doing well.
Tumango-tango ang doktora, "yes, yes. Although i have told you before that pcos isn't curable, it can be manage."
"And how about my pregnancy?" Tanong niya.
"Payag ka na ba sa In Vitro Fertilization? Would you take the risk? You don't want to take birth control pills because you want to be pregnant, IVF is best for you."
Huminga siya ng malalim, "he still didn't know."
"Oh. Not like i meddle but when do you plan to tell him? He deserves to know too."
"I... I don't know..."
The dra. held her hands, "tell him sooner, para alam din natin ang susunod nating steps."
Fashie absentmindedly nodded to the dra.
"Is it dangerous for the baby?"
"There are few risks like heart defects, musculoskeletal and central nervous system malformations, preterm birth, and low birth weight. But we can do something about it, aalagaan natin si baby."
Malalim siyang nag-iisip habang naglalakad sa labas ng hospital. Hindi niya nga namalayan na lumabas siya sa opisina ni Dra.Sanchez.
"Fashie," someone called her.
She turned her head to where the voice came from, and it was Kael.
"Hey, it's been a long time." Nakangiti itong bumungad sa kaniya.
Ngumiti siya pabalik, "yeah. What are you doing here?"
"I... I visited someone, then i saw you here. Do you mind if i ask why you're here?"
"I visited my ob." She simply said.
An emotion showed on his face but it faded instantly.
"Oh." Seems like Kael has words to speak but he chose not to. "I once visited you in your house, but you're not there. Lumipat ka ng bahay?"
Hindi sana sasagot si Fashie ngunit naging mabait naman sa kaniya si Kael para sabihin niya ang ilan sa mga nangyayari sa kaniya.
"Yes, lumipat ako sa bahay ng asawa ko."
"Asawa?"
Tumango siya at pinakita niya ang kaniyang singsing sa kaliwang kamay.
"Timothy?"
"Yes."
"Wow." He seems shocked. "I thought it's not true but well," ipinilig nito ang ulo, "that's why you visited an ob? You're pregnant? Congratulations!"
She smiled, hindi itinama ang sinabi nito. "Thank you. See you some other time, Kael. I have somewhere to go pa eh."
"Sure, sure, ingat."
Fashie wave her hand at Kael then find her car to manuevered it to her husband's company building.
She has made a decision, sasabihin na niya sa asawa. But when she arrived at the company, Timothy wasn't there. Bigla nalang daw umalis nang hindi nagsasabi kung saan pupunta. At the end, umuwi nalang siya sa bahay nila mag-isa.
"-YOU SEE THESE reports? She can't give you a child."
Timothy looked at the woman sitting infront of her. Who is she again? Rena Sarmiento?
"Where did you get that?"
"It's not important where i got this. What matters here i your wife is lying to you."
He started at her seriously, "i don't care."
Pagak itong tumawa, "oh gosh, Timothy. Are you blind? She's not able to give you a child, she has pcos." Rena Sarmiento said in an obvious voice.
He doesn't know why she cares too much with his relationship. Kaya lang siya nagpunta rito dahil mayroon siyang natanggap na mensahe na narito raw ang asawa niya na hindi naman pala. This woman set up him to say this thing to him.
"My wife is more important to me." He stood up and was about to leave when the woman spoke again.
"She lied to you, wala nga ata siyang balak sabihin sa'yo. And it's okay to you? What if there are things na hindi pa niya sinasabi sa'yo? You're martyr-"
Hinarap niya ito at masamang tinignan. This woman better to shut up before he lose his patience. "Don't involve yourself in our relationship, you're just a commoner. I don't know you for you to set me up. I don't even know how did you get my personal number."
"Then know me!" The woman hysterical. "Siya nalang lagi ang magaling. Siya nalang ang nakakaangat lagi sa'kin! Dapat siyang masira! She doesn't deserve to be happy! A hoe and bitch like her doesn't de-ack! L-Let g-go."
Idiniin niya ang pagkakasakal dito, "don't fucking bad mouth my wife again, or else i'll ruin you." Mariin niyang sabi saka ito pinakawalan. "My wife deserves everything she's having right now." Padaskol itong binitiwan ni Timothy.
Napaubo ito at napahawak sa leeg. Her eyes were teared up. "A-Ako nalang please... I'm pretty and sexy. I'm rich too, i'm good in bed, i can make you happy. P-Please, h'wag na 'yong babaeng 'yon."
Tinanggal ni Timothy ang pagkakahawak ng babae sa braso niya, "only my wife can make me happy. " Aniya sama mabilis na nilisan ang lugar, leaving the woman crying on the floor.
It's not new to Timothy when women chase and offer theirselves to him, but that woman is the most desperate among others.
She seems to knew Fashie, what are they before? Looks like she's holding a grudge over his wife.
Driving on the way to their house, Timothy's mind was occupied. They've been together for couple of months, married for one month. Why did she hid her condition to him?
Timothy took a deep breath, she must be scared. That's why she opened about the possibility of them not having a baby. Damn, she's more important. He can live without a baby but not without his wife.
He's not familiar with pcos but he have heard it before. I better ask her than to overthink.
Nang makarating siya sa bakuran ng bahay ay nakita niyang nakaparada sa labas ang kotse ng asawa. She's home.
Timothy manuevered his car inside the garage and next was Fashie's car. Sinarado na rin niya ang gate at siniguradong hindi basta-basta mabubuksan. The village is highly secured pero mabuti na ang nag-iingat.
It's five in the afternoon, for sure she's tired from work. What food do she craved for dinner?
'Yon ang nasa isipan niya habang papasok sa bahay. Kaagad hinanap ng mata niya ang kaniyang asawa sa living room ngunit wala ito ro'n. Where is she?
He check the kitchen, the comfort room but she was not there. Kaya umakyat siya sa taas baka sakaling makita ito sa library o kuwarto pero wala roon ang asawa. Nang magtungo siya sa balcony ay umangat ang kilay niya nang makita ito sa swimming pool area.
His wife is wearing a red two piece with her sunglasses on. Dahil may kaarawan parin kahit hapon na. Her porcelain skin is glowing under the sun and her curves are proudly showing.
Timothy shook his head, completely hooked by his wife's beauty and hotness. Mabilis siyang bumaba upang magtungo sa swimming pool area kung saan doon payapang naliligo ang asawa.
"Wife..."
Napatigil si Fashie sa paglalangoy nang marinig ang boses ng asawa. Her head instantly looked at Timothy.
"Hubby!" Mabilis siyang lumangoy pabalik sa railings upang umahon. Timothy offer his hand to help her which she automatically accepted.
"Hey, wife. What made you swim?" Tanong nito, may tinatagong ngiti sa mga labi.
"Nothing, i'm just in the mood." She gubbly said. "Saan ka galing? I went to your company earlier."
"I met someone." Iginiya siya nito patungo sa rattan chair.
"Sino?" Tanong niya.
Kinuha nito ang bath robe niya na may nakatahing 'Mrs.Degustare'. "The woman we saw at the FSBC's branch in Visayas, Rena Sarmiento." Timothy was looking at her, as if waiting for her reaction.
Nagulat si Fashie sa sinabi nito, "Rena Sarmiento?" Bakit naman mag-memeet ang dalawa? Are they business partners? Or what?
Timothy made her wear the robe. "You know her?" Pinaupo siya nito sa ibaba ng mga hita ng asawa.
Dahan-dahan siyang tumango, "yes, she's my classmate in SHS. Mind if i ask why did you two meet?" Her forehead creased, confused.
"Someone messaged me that you're at the restaurant, i followed you there only to found out that it was a set-up. It was actually that woman who was there."
Mas lalong lumalim ang gatla sa kaniyang noo, "and why would she do that?" Bakit iyon gagawin ni Rena? Does she like my husband to do that thing?
He stared at her deeply, as if swimming 'till her depth. "First, i wanna ask you."
"Ano 'yon?"
"Are you hiding something from me?"
Naumid ang dila ni Fashie at hindi kaagad nakapagsalita.
"I'm asking, wife. Are you hiding something from me?"
She gulped, "u-uhm... W-What...?" Fashie even stuttered.
"Why you're stuttering? Answer my question, sweetheart. Do i need to know something?"
Naging malikot ang kaniyang mga mata, hindi ito matingnan sa mga mata. Nakapagdesisyon na siyang sabihin dito ang totoo, pero naumid ang kaniyang dila upang makapagsalita pa. Nakakakaba.
He hold her hands that made Fashie looked at him.
"She showed me paper reports, i don't know if i should believe her, that's why i'm asking you. She told me you have pcos, is that true?"
She bit her lower lips then slowly nodded, her eyes were teared up.
"Why you didn't tell me immediately?" His voice is soft but it didn't cover his husky voice. It doesn't sound mad, his voice actually give her comfort. "I'm not familiar with it, can you enlighten me, wife?"
Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ng asawa sa kamay niya, telling her that she can be open to him.
"It is... Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It is a common hormonal condition that affects women of reproductive age. It can cause hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, excess androgen levels and cysts in the ovaries. Ang mga symptoms no'n ay excessive hair growth, weight gain, acnes pero hindi mo iyon pansin because i'm taking good care of myself and i go to derma every week. I also undergo in a therapy at sabi ni Dra.Sanchez my medication is doing good. And..."
"Go on, sweetheart."
"A-And it is a leading cause of infertility. Dra.Sanchez said it's not curable but it can be manage."
"Why you didn't tell me earlier? I should've been on your side to support you in your battle.”
She sobs, “n-natatakot ako na baka iwan mo ako dahil hindi kita mabibigyan ng anak. S-Sinubukan ko sa mga nakalipas na buwan pero wala parin, wala paring nabubuo. I-Im unable to give you a c-child. Kahit na s-sinabi mo noong okay lang sa'yo, sinong lalaki ang hindi n-nangarap na magkaroon ng a-anak? I am useless. W-Wala akong kwentang asawa kasi hindi kita mabibigyan ng a-anak.”
Timothy cupped her cheeks and kissed her lips deeply. Then he used his thumbs to wipe off her falling tears. “I can live without a child, but i can't live without you. Mas importante ka sa'kin, sweetheart.”
Suminghot-singhot siya, “p-pero diba gusto mo ng b-baby?”
“Mas gusto ko ikaw. No one else. And if we can't have a baby, it's fine for me. Always remember that you are the one i want, no one else's.”
Umiyak siya sa bisig ng asawa. Her worry is nonsense, bakit hindi niya iyon naisip kaagad. Her husband is not immature, Timothy will do his best just to understand her. And she's lucky to have him in her life.
“Why did Rena showed it to you?” Tanong niya pagkatapos niyang kumalma. Ang ulo niya ay nakahilig sa balikat ng asawa habang ito ay nakaalalay sa baywang niya. “Is she concern about you?”
He kissed her forehead, “i never thought to lie to you. I guess, she has feelings for me. But i don't care about her, i don't even know her. And she seems like have a grudge over you. Did you had an issue with her before?”
Napaisip si Fashie, ito lang naman ang may issue sa kaniya pero siya ay wala. “Hindi ko alam, siya lang naman 'yong mukhang galit lagi sa'kin dati. She wanted to be the muse before but i won the voting, tapos ako ang naging top 1 at top 2 siya, at marami pa na pakiramdam niya ay sinasapawan the siya. You know, childish things.”
“And she's holding onto it 'till now?”
Fashie shrug her shoulders, hindi niya rin alam pero mukha oo. May galit parin yata sa kaniya si Rena.
....
A/N: Hi, everyone. I just want to remind my fellow girls there, please, be checked. Go to an obgyne and let you be checked. If we wish to take care of our health, do it. Para to make sure lang. Baka kung kailan huli na sa medication saka niyo pa malaman ang complications niyo. It's better to be checked than to be clueless.
PRETTY IN DARK|PID