Napasalampak na lamang si Chance sa kanilang kama ng makalabas na ang asawa. Nanghihina siya and at the same time, he loathed himself. Gusto niyang saktan ang sarili sa lahat ng luha at sakit na nakita niya sa mga mata ng asawa.
Napapikit siya kasabay ng pagtulo ng kanyang luha. "I'm sorry." Bulong niya ng ilang ulit habang patuloy na umiiyak.
He want to chase her, to hug her and to say sorry. That everything he said is not true that he didn't cheat. But if he do that, everything will be ruined... He just need time to make things right.. Then he will win her back.
Nakita niya ang annulment paper sa kanyang tabi. Walang pag aalinlangan niyang pinunit ito. She's still his wife!
Nang kumalma siya ay inayos niya ang sarili. He need to see Hunter. He need his help. Akmang lalabas na siya ng kanilang kwarto ng makita si Ann na papasok. Nakasuot na ito ng isang maluwag na T-shirt.
"Chance... Where are you going? Don't tell me, hahabulin mo siya?" Galit na tanong nito.
Hindi na lamang niya ito pinansin ito at nilagpasan kahit ilang ulit siya nitong tinawag. Hindi niya alam kung bakit narito ito. Ilang beses na itong nagpupunta rito ngunit hindi niya ito pinagtounan ng pansin. He's to busy to give his attention to her.
Nang nasa lobby siya ay napatigil siya ng makita ang asawa na tahimik na umiiyak sa isang sofa. He again felt a painful grip on his heart. Napakuyom siya ng kamao and he did everything to stop himself to hug his wife. Ilang minuto pa at nakita niya ang pinsan nito na si Jared na parating at nakita niya agad ang galit na anyo nito. Agad siyang nagtago. Ilang minuto pa nag-usap ang dalawa bago inakay ni Jared ang umiiyak parin na asawa.
Napapikit siya at Napayuko upang itago ang luha na pumatak sa kanyang pisngi bago tahimik na nagtungo sa parking lot at sumakay sa kanyang sasakyan.
Habang nasa sasakyan siya patungo sa bahay ni Hunter ay may tumawag sa kanya. Agad niya itong sinagot.
"Mang Ben." Saad niya.
"Sir.. Naayos ko na po ang bahay niyo. Nailipat ko na po ang mga gamit rito." Saad nito.
He felt pain on his heart. "Thank you, Mang Ben."
"Sige sir... Pero bakit halos lahat ay gamit po ng pangbabae?" Nagtatakang tanong nito.
Napangiti siya. "Gamit ho ng asawa ko iyan. I am planning to live there with her anytime soon. Don't worry, Mang Ben. Ipapakuha ko po ang mga gamit ko sa susunod." Bilin niya.
May ilang bagay pa silang pinag-usapan bago niya ibinaba ang tawag.
He sighed deeply. Hindi totoong itinapon niya ang gamit nito. Hell! He couldn't and wouldn't do that! Ipinadala niya ito sa bahay na matagal niya nang pinapatayo para sa kanila ng kanyang asawa at para sa magiging anak nila.
But now he needs to makes everything right first.
Ilang minuto pa at nakarating narin siya sa opisina ng kaibigan. Naabutan niya itong abala sa pagtananaw sa siyudad sa ibaba habang may hawak itong alak. Nang mapansin nito ang presensya niya ay lumingon ito at binigyan siya ng isang ngiti.
"Chance..." Pagbati nito bago siya nilapitan. They did their bro's secret hand shake bago siya umupo sa sofa na nasa tabi lamang ng lamesa nito.
"Is this about the help that you're asking?" Tanong nito bago inilapag sa kanyang harapan ang isang baso ng alak.
He sighed deeply. "Yeah... Everything is so fvck up now." Hapong-hapo na wika niya. Ilang linggo na siyang naguguluhan sa patong-patong na mga problema.
Hunter sighed. "It's so unusual to see you frustrated and asking for help, Chance... You are the walking dictionary of our group and you're a lawyer." Naiiling na wika ng kaibigan.
Napatagis siya ng bagang. Hunter is right. Sa kanilang Lima ay siya ang pinakamatalino, ika nga nila. But everything that happened especially for the safety of his wife? He can't think straight.
"Anyway, ano ba ang nangyari?" Usisa nito ng hindi na siya sumagot.
"Carly's father is the one who's behind my company's failure and for the scandal I've been facing too. But hell, I don't fvcking care for that. He can bring me down for all he wants... But my wife..." Napailing siya sa frustration at galit. "Damn it man! I can't fvcking protect her especially she's hiding something from me!" He hissed angryly. Napasabunot siya sa sarili trying to contain himself. He needs to calm down! Having an episode is not the things he need now!
Alam niya ang tungkol sa ina nito kahit hindi pa nito sabihin... He was waiting for her to tell him about her mother but she didn't. Mas pinili nito na magtiwala sa lalaking iyon but he didn't react kahit na sumasabog na ang puso niya sa selos noon. And that was a blessing in disguise...
He said everything to Hunter. Lahat-lahat.
"Fvck! For being the best lawyer in the country, you are the most dumb lawyer I've ever known!" Hunter hissed matapos niya ikwento rito ang pagtaboy niya sa asawa. "Fvck man! You should have tell her the truth-"
"I fvcking can't! Mapapahamak siya sa kamay ng kanyang ama! And I can't make that happen!" He hissed and throw his glass of the wall.
"Shit dude! You should asked for my help! Alam mong tutulungan kita! You should have think what is the consequence of this-"
"Do you think I can fvcking think properly, Hunt?! I can't fvcking think anything! I'm so fvcking mess!" Galit na sigaw niya. He can already feel his wrath.
Napatulala si Hunter sa bago napamura ng mahina. "Damn! I fvcking forgot about your IED!" Usal nito.
Inis na napakagat siya ng labi. Yeah! Kung sana ay wala siyang sakit! Kung sana ay hindi siya natatabunan ng emosyon niya ay baka napaisip siya ng maayos. Maybe he does not need to push his wife away.... Damn it!"
ilang oras pa silang nag-usap upang pag-usapan ang gagawin bago siya pinilit pauwiin ng kaibigan.
"Go home Chance." Kalmadong wika ni Hunter sa kanya. "I'll do my best to help you. But now, please have some rest." Pakiusap nito.
Tumango siya. Yeah, he needs a rest for now. "Thank you, Hunt.... You are the only one I can ask for help now." Sensirong wika niya bago nagpaalam na uuwi.
Tahimik lamang siya sa byahe hanggang sa makarating siya sa kanilang pad. He was expecting a quiet house, because his wife is no longer here. But to his dismay, he saw Ann waiting for him at the living room.
Nakasuot na ito ng itim na spaghetti strap dress. "Where have you been, Chance? I've been waiting for you for an hour!"
Hindi niya ito pinansin at nilagpasan. He don't have time for her bullshit act. He's done with her act. Ngunit sumunod ito sa kanyang kwarto.
"Ano Chance? Did you Chase that stupid bi-"
Bago pa nito matuloy ang sasabihin ay mahigpit niya na itong hinaklit at idiniin sa pader. He cupped her cheeks tightly that he can see her flinching in pain.
"Don't... Fvcking call my wife like that.." Mariin at mapanganib na wika niya. Nakita niya ang pamumula ng dalaga. Huminga siya ng malalim at binitawan ito. "Go home, Ann... I'm done with you. I don't wanna see your fvkcng face again..."
"B-but Chance! I love you! I still love you so much! Come back to me please!" Ann plead desperately.
He sighed. He was imagining his wife begging for him. But hell! Hindi kailangan ni Carly na magmakaawa. Siya ang gagawa nito!
"Well, I don't want you anymore." Malamig na wika niya. "I have a wife."
"But she cheated on you, Chance! And you already pushed her away!" Galit na sigaw nito.
Inis na tumalikod siya rito. "I fvcking don't care, Ann. Go home... I don't wanna see your fvcking face anymore." Saad niya bago ito iniwan at nagtungo sa banyo. He need a shower to calm himself.
"Well, congrats dude. Everything is okay now." Pagbati ni Hunter kay Chance. Nasa loob sila ng opisina ni Chance at kakatapos lamang ng isang board meeting kung saan pinatalsik niya na ang mga traydor na pumanig sa kalaban. After three weeks of working hard to clear his name to the board members everything is okay now.
He sighed in relief. "Thank you, Hunt... I don't know what to do without your help." Pagod na wika niya. Hinubad niya pa ang suot na tie upang makahinga ng maluwag. Kanina pa kasi naninikip ang dibdib niya.
Hunter scowl. "I fvcking hate what you said." Nandidiring wika nito. Ngumisi na lamang siya. He's so lucky to have him as a best friend..
"By the way... What would you do now that everything is okay?" He asked.
Napaismid siya. "Of course! I will get my wife again." He said with full of determination.
Hunter eyed him. "Really, huh? Good luck for that... After what you did."
Napatigil siya. Alam naman niya na mahihirapan siya but hell! Kahit paluhurin pa siya o ibitin patiwarik tatanggapin niya.
"Do you know where she is?"
Napatigin siya rito. That is also his problem. Sa sobrang daming iniisip at ginagawa ay hindi niya mabantayan ng maayos ang asawa. Ang huling balita niya rito ay bumalik itong Greece. Ilang linggo niya nang hindi nakakausap ang hinire na investigator.
Hunter stood up. "Well, I have to go. I need to check my pregnant wife." Saad nito.
He grinned. Nika is pregnant and they got married two weeks ago. Ilang beses siyang tinatanong ng mga kaibigan ng asawa kung nasaan ito dahil hindi macontact. Sinabi na lamang niya na nasa lugar ito na walang signal para sa isang project. He just hoped that they will believe his alibi.
"What the fvck!" He hissed angrily while he was talking to his hired investigator. Kakauwi lamang niya sa kanilang bahay. Their new house in some private village. Lumipat na siya rito upang makalayo kay Ann na ilang ulit siyang ginugulo.
"S-sorry sir... Hindi ko na po siya mahanap sa buong Greece. Wala na po ang mga tao na nakatira sa bahay na narito at wala po akong makalap na inpormasyon." Bigong wika ng nasa kabilang linya.
Napakuyom siya ng kamao at panga. Bigla siyang nanginig at kinabahan sa narinig. No! It can't be!
"Fvck! Then do everything you need to find my wife! I told you to keep your eye in her every fvcking day! Shit!" He cursed as he walked back in front to their sala.
"Pasensya na sir... Mukha kasing may humaharang sa akin kaya wala akong makalap."
"Fvck!" He scream. Ibinaba niya ang tawag at dinial ang numero ni Jared, na pinsan ni Carly. Hindi ito sumasagot kaya muli siyang napamura. Mabilis niyang kinuha ang Susi ng sasakyan at lumabas ng bahay. Pupuntahan niya ito. Alam niyang nasa pilipinas lamang ito ngayon.
"Jared! Jared lumabas ka riyan!" Malakas na sigaw niya habang kinakalampag ang ang gate ng bahay ni Jared.
Nakita niya ang paglabas nito kasama ang asawa. Pansin niya na agad ang galit sa mukha nito. But doesn't care.
"What the fvck are you doing here?" Jared hissed. Katabi nito ang asawa na pilit itong kinakalma.
"Where is my wife?" He asked dangerously.
Jared laugh mockingly. "Your wife? The last time I remembered, you asked her to sign your annulment. She's not your wife anymore!" Galit na sigaw nito.
Muli niyang kinalampag ang gate ng bahay nito. "Fvck! Tell me where she is! I need to talk to her!" Sigaw niya at pilit ba binubuksan ang gate. Baka sakaling nasa loob ito at tinatago nila.
"I don't know! And you don't have any right on her anymore! Go away you're making a scene!" Pagtatabuy nito bago hinatak ang asawa papasok sa loob.
"Fvck! You can't hide her from me!" Sigaw niya.
Napatigil ito at galit na bumaling sa kanya. "Try me, Chance... Try me. Ito ang itaga mo sa bato. Hinding-hindi mo na siya makikita pa kahit na kailan and I will make sure of that. Don't mess with us." Mapanganib na wika nito at tuluyang umalis.
"Fvck! Jared! Jared where is my wife! Carlinda! Baby, I'm here! I'm sorry!" He screamed. Maya-maya pa ay may dumating na mga guards at pinilit siyang itaboy. Wala siyang nagawa kung hindi ang umalis roon ng bigo.
"Man, I'm sorry... Wala rin akong makalap na inpormasyon... Mukha atang may malaking tao na humaharang sa paghahanap sa asawa mo. Sorry Chance." Bigong wika ni Hunter sa kanya.
Nanginginig sa takot at kaba na nagtungo siya sa bahay ng nga magulang. Hindi niya na naipark ng maayos ang sasakyan dahil sa pagmamadali. Humahangos na nagtungo siya sa hapag kung nasaan ang mga magulang niya kasama si Chase.
"Dad!" He screamed like a scared child.
Napatayo ang ama sa gulat. "Chance?" Gulat na saad ng kanyang ama. Lumapit siya rito at Lumuhod. He doesn't care if he look stupid for crying in front of his family.
"D-dad... Help me... My wife. Carlinda is gone, dad. I can't find her. Help me dad, please." He begged and cried to his dad. Iba-baba niya na ang sarili makita lamang ang asawa.
"What? What wife?" Tanong ng ina. "And why are you crying, Chance for God's sake!"
"Shut up, Clarissa!" Mr McLennan hissed at his wife. Agad naman natahimik ang ginang.
Mr McLennan look at his son with a stoic face. Tumayo ito at nagpunas ng labi. "Stand up, Chance. Follow me." Utos nito at nagsimula ng maglakad palayo.
Nanghihinang tumayo siya. Nakita niya ang paglapit ng ina sa kanya ngunit umiling siya. "Not now, mom. Please." He plead bago sumunod sa ama.
Nang makarating sa pinto ng opisina nito ay marahan siyang kumatok. When his dad speak for his approval ay agad siyang pumasok.
Chance stared at his father who's standing beside his table. Lumapit siya rito.
"Dad-" a hard slap stop him from talking. "
"I didn't raise you for being stupid, Chance... What did you do?" He father hissed.
Natahimik siya. Marahil ay alam na nito ang lahat. Maybe the former president told his father already.
"Dad... I made a mistakes. But please help me find my wife." He plead. Hes getting crazy. his disorder is kicking off everyday and his getting depressed as days goes by. Hindi na nga siya makatulog ng maayos at napaparanoid na siya.
"You should have asked for my help, Chance! Sana ay sinabi mo ang lahat upang matulungan ka! But you did the most stupid idea and that is to cheat to your wife!" His father angrily hissed.
Wala siyang nagawa kung hindi mapayuko at mapaiyak. Napasinghap siya. "I want my wife back... Dad please help me." And he did the thing that he never imagined that he will do in front of his dad. To kneel and to plead.
Lumaki siya na malayo ang loob sa ama. Sa kanilang dalawa ni Chase ay siya ang sutil. Ang palaging napapatawag noon sa eskwelahan dahil sa pakikipag away. Noong mag koleheyo ay inaasahan ng magulang na mag do-doctor siya katulad ng kapatid but he choose to be a lawyer. Galit na galit ang daddy niya noon. Halos isang taon siyang hindi binigyan ng Pera ng mga magulang noon but he choose to continue. Naghanap siya ng part time job noon upang sustentuhan ang sarili.
Bigong napailing ang kanyang ama at naawang tumitig sa kanya. "I can't help, Chance. Pinutol na ng mga Suarez ang ugnayan nila sa atin. I tried, Chance but I can't stop them. I'm sorry, Son."
He gasp. That's a big punch on his chest. "No! I want my wife!" Galit na sigaw niya. "Fvck! I want to see her! Ayaw mo lang ako maging masaya, that's why! You just want me to be miserable!" He hissed. Galit na tinabig niya ang vase na nasa gilid niya na nakalikha ng malakas na pagkabasag.
"Chance McLennan!" His father hissed at tinangka siyang pigilan. Ngunit hindi siya nakinig. Pinagsusuntok niya ang pader at itinatapon ang lahat ng mahawakan. He can't control his emotion again and he just want to ruined everything. Galit siya. Naguguluhan at nasasaktan. Pakiramdan niya ay pinagkakaisahan siya ng lahat.
Biglang bumukas ang pinto at bumungad sa kanya ang kapatid. "What the- Chance!" Lumapit sa kanyang ang kapatid at sinubukan pigilan ngunit sinuntok lamang niya ito.
Hindi niya na alam ang mga nangyayari. Next thing he know, he was lying on the floor as he felt a pain on his knuckle. Bigla siyang nanghina at napasalampak sa sahig habang akap-akap siya ng kakambal."
"Fvck, Chance! What's happening to you?!" His brother hissed.
"I want my wife." Humihikbing wika niya.
"Oh my god! Chance, Anak what is happening to you?" His mother cried out while touching his face.
Narinig niya ang tinig ng ama na inuutusan ang kung sino at ang ina na umiiyak sa tabi niya but he doesn't care anymore. All he want is his wife.
ANNOUNCEMENT! DUE TO MY BUSY SCHEDULE BECAUSE OF MY OJT, MY UPCOMING DEMO AND FOR THE PREPARATION FOR MY GRADUATION, I WILL UPDATE LESS. BAKA MATAGAL PO ANG UPDATE DAHIL SOBRANG DAMING GINAGAWA NGAYON. PASENSYA NA PO AT SALAMAT SA LAHAT NG NAKAKAUNAWA! 💕💕💕💕💕