"Oh, Mika!" bungad ni Sharlene sa kaibigan nang makitang nasa labas lamang ito ng kanyang bahay at tulalang nakatungo sa harap ng pintuan nila.
"Shar..." malungkot na tawag sa kanya ng kaibigan at niyakap siya ng mahigpit. Nagtatakang tinapik lamang niya ito ng mahina sa kanyang likod. Pinapasok niya ito pagkatapos ng ilang sandali.
"I don't get it! Why is he acting like a kid? Mas matured pa ata mag isip si Sophia kesa sa kanya." pag-aalburoto ng kanyang kaibigan habang siya naman ay prenteng kumakain lamang.
"Gusto niya lang siguro ng lambing mo." pag-aalo niya sa kaibigan.
Mika scoffed. "Lambing? Ano siya bata?" tanong nito.
"Mika, every guy needs to spoil too. Naghahanap lang iyan ng lambing." malumanay na sabi nito.
"Oh? Ginawa mo din ba iyan kay Donny?" tanong ng kaibigan niya. She nodded her head.
"He always spoiling me. Hindi naman masama kung gawin ko din iyan sa kanya paminsan-minsan." nakangiti niyang saad. Mika shooked her head.
"Kaya pala mukhang baby damulag gumalaw yung asawa mo." asar nito sa kanya. Inismiran niya ito.
"Kaya pala masungit palagi yang asawa mo, kulang sa tamis. Palagi nalang bitter." asar niya pabalik.
"I hate him." sabi nito.
"Yet you love him." asar pa ulit niya sa kaibigan. She clasped her hands.
"Ang totoo niyan, galing na siya dito kanina. Nakipag-inuman kay Donato but something's came up. My husband left with him." sabi niya.
"Kaya pala umuwing lasing yung gago. Saan naman pumunta yung magaling mong asawa?" tanong ng kaibigan niya.
"Tumawag yung Dad niya. He needs him." sagot niya.
"Nang ganitong oras? Seriously?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.
"Business thing." tipid na sabi niya. She took a deep breath.
"The truth is...I'm bothered." dagdag pa niya.
"With what?" tanong ng kaibigan niya.
"With whom." pagtatama niya sa kaibigan. "Yung newly hired na architect niya. She always calls him kahit hating-gabi na tumatawag pa rin sa asawa ko kahit hindi na ito tungkol sa trabaho." she said.
Her friend tapped her back.
"You should have ask your husband." suhestyon ni Mika.
"I can't. Baka sabihin niya hindi ko siya pinagkakatiwalaan." sagot niya.
"Duh! There's nothing wrong when asking." sagot din ng kaibigan nito. She pouted her lips while the latter consoles her again.
It's almost midnight but her husband wasn't home yet. She worriedly dialed his number and for a fleeting seconds, he answered.
"Love! Ba't gising ka pa?" napakunot ang noo niya sa sobrang ingay ng nasa background.
"Where are you?" tanong niya sa asawa.
"Bar. I'm here to fetch someone. Uuwi din ako agad." sabi niya.
"At sino naman?" taas-kilay na tanong nito.
"Our Architect." ("Engineer! What took you so long? Come here!") halos mahulog ang cellphone na hawak niya sa kanyang narinig. Boses ng babae.
"I'm sorry, Love but I have to go. Don't wait for me and just sleep now, okay? I love you." bago pa siya makaangal ay namatay na agad ang tawag.
"Engineer!" napalingon si Donny sa tumawag sa kanya. It was Isabelle Mariano, their newly hired Architect. Anak ito ng isa sa kanilang big investors. Ang mga Mariano ay isa sa pinakatanyag at kilalang mayaman na negosyante sa buong bansa. Napapayag nila ito na mag-invest sa kanilang negosyo because they have a big trust in Pangilinans when it comes to business especially to Donato who's more focus, very significant and smart in the field of business. Before they signed the agreement, they need to employ their daughter to their company as an architect too. Aside from she's came to respected and high-profiled family, she is good indeed as an architect. Mabilis ding napapayag ang mga Pangilinan sa kasunduang iyon.
"Belle, you need to go home. Your father is worried." he told her. Tinawagan siya ng Daddy Anthony niya tungkol dito. Tumawag daw ang Papa ni Isabelle sa kanya upang pakiusapan ang anak nitong si Donato na sunduin si Isabelle sa isang bar. Dahil sa malaking respeto at utang na loob nito sa Pamilya ng mga Mariano lalo sa tatay niya ay pumayag na lamang ito.
"Sinong tumawag?" lasing na tanong ni Isabelle.
"My wife." sagot niya habang binubulsa ang cellphone. Nahuli niyang umirap ang babae.
"Let's go. It's getting late!" pag-aaya nito.
"No! Dito lang muna tayo. Just have some fun! Do you want some drinks?" tanong ng dalaga.
He stuck his tongue inside his cheeks. He feels annoyed while looking at his wristwatch. Gusto na niyang umuwi.
"I'll leave you if you don't get up." he said seriously. He's tired and all he wants is to cuddle with his wife on their bed. Malamig pa naman ngayon. He felt excited about his thoughts.
Padabog na tumayo si Isabelle at nagpaalam sa mga kaibigan nito. Nahihilo at halos hindi na makalakad nang maayos. Sinubukan niyang lumapit sa lalaki pero natumba ito at agad naman itong sinalo ni Donny. Halos mamula ito at napaiwas ng tingin nang tuksuhin sila ng mga kaibigan niya.
"I'm sorry, Engr." she apologized.
Hindi na ito sumagot at dumiretso na sa kotse niya. Galit itong tumingin sa dalaga. He doesn't want to act like a jerk but Isabelle gave him a lot of trouble lately. Inalalayan niya ito and gently placed her at the passenger seat. Umiling-iling siya nang makitang nakatulog kaagad ang dalaga. He will give her a long lecture tomorrow. Porket anak siya ng investor nila? After all, she's their employee so may karapatan itong magalit sa kanya. Ang bata-bata pa, malakas na uminom.
Pagkarating nila sa tahanan ng mga Mariano, nagpasalamat at humingi ng paumanhin ang magulang ng dalaga sa kanya. Umalis ito agad at umuwi na rin.
Pagod niyang pinatay ang makina sa parking lot ng bahay nila at pumasok sa loob. Dumiretso na ito sa kwarto nila. He found his wife sleeping soundly. He smiled and walked closer to her. Sinuklay niya nang marahan gamit ang kanyang mga daliri ang malambot na buhok ng kanyang asawa bago pinatakan ng halik sa kanyang sentido. Sa sobrang pagod, hindi na ito nagbihis at humiga na ito sa tabi niya.
Minulat ni Sharlene ang kanyang mga mata nang maramdaman niyang humiga ang kanyang asawa sa tabi nito. She turned left to face him. She met her husband's tired and sleepy eyes. Ngumiti ang asawa niya.
"Nagising ba kita?" malambing na tanong ni Donny.
"Hmm." she answered sleepily while slightly nodded her head. Her husband moves closer to her.
"I'm sorry, Love. Tulog ka na ulit." sabi ng asawa niya.
"Bakit di ka pa nagbihis?" namamaos na tanong nito.
"I'm too tired." he answered and wrapped his hand on her waist. Lumapit si Sharlene sa kanya at inunan ang braso nito. Napangiti siya at lalo niya itong niyakap ng mahigpit.
"Where have you been?" malumanay na tanong niya. She gently brushed her thumb on his red plum lips. She loves doing that.
"Sinundo ko si Isabelle." he answered. Natigilan ang asawa niya.
"Why?" tanong ng niya.
"I was just doing a favor." sagot niya. Di naman umiimik ang kanyang asawa. Tumalikod ito sa kanya.
"Love...are you mad?" tanong niya sa asawa while his hand touches her arm. She didn't respond.
"I'm sorry, Love." he apologized. Hindi pa din ito sumasagot. Bumuntong-hininga siya.
"Please trust me with this." he pleaded. His wife turned to face him.
"I trust you. I believe in you, Donny. But I couldn't trust her. I feel like she will bring us trouble." she felt scared at that thought.
"Shh...you're just being paranoid. Let's sleep, okay?" paglalambing niya. His wife turned her back on him again. Galit na ito! He sighed and hugged her from behind.
"There's nothing to worry, Love." he said as an assurance.
"Why wouldn't I? Araw-araw tumatawag at nagte-text sayo kahit hindi naman related sa trabaho, Donny. At ngayon naman malaman-laman kong pumunta ka pa talaga ng bar para sunduin yung babaeng iyon? Ano mo ba siya ha? Girlfriend?" naiinis na singhal nito.
"I told you I was doing a favor." malumanay na sagot niya sa asawa.
"Wala ka talagang planong mag-explain ha." - Sharlene.
"Love." tawag nito sa asawa habang marahang tinatapik-tapik ang braso niya.
"Sa labas ka matulog ngayon. Hindi kita gustong makatabi ." she said coldly.
"Shar naman! Wag naman ganito." pagsusumamo niya. Hindi niya akalaing hahantong sa ganito ang pagseselos ng asawa niya. She never been like this whenever she felt jealous, not until now.
"Get out, Donato." simpleng utos nito bago ito pumikit. Marahas siyang bumuntong-hininga at saka nagdabog palabas.
KINAUMAGAHAN, nagising si Sharlene nang masama pa rin ang loob nito sa asawa. Lumabas siya ng kwarto at dumiretso sa kusina upang magluto but she stopped when she saw her husband wearing indoor shorts and topless. He is wearing her pink apron while frying something. She silently watching him with an awe. Donny muttered some curses when a hot cooking oil sprinkling on his arms. Donny and his biggest enemy.
She held her laugh and pretended to act coldness towards him.
"What are you cooking?" masungit na tanong nito sa asawa habang nakaupo sa dining table.
"Good morning, Love." he turned around and he greeted her before giving her a kiss on her cheek.
"I'm frying a fish but seems like it's now useless." sagot niya sa tanong nito.
"Nagsasayang ka lang ng pagkain, Donny. You always do that! Alam mo naman na hindi ka talaga marunong. Pinagpipilitan mo pa rin." she lectured him.
"I'm sorry, Love. I'm trying but maybe you're right, I'm bad at cooking. Gusto ko lang naman makabawi sayo eh." he said sadly. She felt bad and guilty.
"Wala kang trabaho?" she asked him instead. It's quarter to nine. Male-late na ito.
"Nag-leave muna ako for this day." sagot niya.
"At bakit?"
"Gusto ko ngang bumawi sayo." he said while pouting.
"Parang bata." she murmured.
Pinatay niya ang stove at nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga. Suko na talaga siya sa pagluluto. Tatawagin na lang niya si Yaya Pasing, ang katulong nila.
"Love...wag ka nang magalit sa akin, please." pagmamakaawa nito.
"I'm not mad." depensya niya.
"You are!" hindi na umimik si Sharlene. Umirap na lamang ito.
"See? Galit ka nga." he pointed out.
"Saan si Yaya Pasing? Gutom na kami ng anak ko. Sana siya nalang pinagluto mo." anito.
"Pinamalengke ko." sagot niya.
"Sige ako na magluluto." malamig na sabi nito saka tumayo. Malungkot lamang siyang pinagmasdan ni Donny. Ano bang dapat gawin niya para lang mapatawad siya nito?
Tahimik sa loob ng kusina. Tanging ingay lang na galing sa stove at mga kagamitan na ginagamit at ang naririnig sa loob ng ilang minuto. He felt cold atmosphere inside. He took a deep breath and went closer to his wife who's busy cooking their dishes.
"Love..." he called her with a tenderness and gave her a back hug while his chin is rested on her shoulder. She didn't responsed and continued what she's doing.
"I'm sorry for making you feel jealous. It wasn't my intention to hurt you. I told you I was just doing a favor." sabi nito. Nilagay naman ni Sharlene ang mga nilutong pagkain sa isang bowl at inihain sa mesa habang ang kanyang asawa ay parang aso na sunod ng sunod sa kanya. She looked at him coldly.
"Explain." utos niya habang nakaupo sa kanilang dining table. Umupo din si Donny sa harapan niya.
"As I've said, Isabelle is our newly hired architect and her father is our one of our big investors. Our business was in trouble. Our investors suddenly pulled out their shares and transferred to our biggest competitor. Mga traidor pala ang mga iyon. Akala ko ay labis silang nagtiwala sa amin kaya nag invest sila pero akala lang pala namin yun. Mga kaibigan pala sila ng mga kalaban namin kaya gusto nilang sirain ang negosyo na pinaghirapan ni Lolo Maximo sa pamamagitan ng pull out ng mga shares nila nang sabay-sabay. Namomroblema kami ni Dad nun at kung kani-kanino na kami lumalapit. But the Marianos are came to help us. Pagkatapos nun, isa-isang nagpunta ang ibang investors nila para mag invest na din sa amin." pagpapaliwanag niya. He held her hand.
"Kaya laking utang na loob namin sa kanila, Shar. I hope you understand and it doesn't mean I will cheat on you just because of her. I'm not a dumb and stupid to do that." he assured her. Hindi siya sumagot. Sa halip ay tinitigan niya lamang ito.
"Please...wag ka ng magalit, okay? Mahal kita. Mahal na mahal. If you want me to stay away from Belle, I will do it. If you want me to dismiss her, I will do it right away. Maghahanap na lang kami ulit ng investors." he pleaded and she pursed her lips.
"Okay. I got it!" her wife responded.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked trying to show his cuteness by giving her his puppy eyes.
His wife chucked. "Stop doing that!"
"Are we okay?" he asked again.
"Ask our Baby Chloe." nakangiting sagot niya.
MAGDAMAG silang magkasama sa loob ng bahay. Her husband is busy taking care of her. Kahit maya't-maya ay may tumatawag sa kanya mula sa trabaho ay tutok pa rin ito sa kanya.
She looked herself at the whole body mirror, malaki ng ang tiyan nito at halos mataba na siya kaya hindi malabong iwanan siya nito ng asawa niya. She pouted. Kailangan niyang magpapayat at magpaganda kapag nakapanganak na siya. Naabutan siya ni Donny na nakasimangot sa salamin.
"Are you okay?" tanong nito.
"Love...pangit na ba ako?" she asked feeling hurt. Her husband smile and kissed her forehead.
"Bakit mo naman natanong iyan? You're beautiful even now that you have a big bump in your tummy." he answered and gave her an adorable look.
"Hmp! Binobola mo lang ako." she snorted.
"I'm telling the truth. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." he said. She just smile and sat on the edge of their bed.
"Shower lang ako, Love. Pwede mo rin naman akong samahan. " biro ng asawa niya. She just roll her eyes. Kung hindi lang sana ito buntis ay baka susunod talaga siya sa loob kasama niya at gagawa ng milagro. Tumawa lang si Donny bago isinara ang bathroom.
Hiniram niya ang cellphone ng asawa niya upang maglaro ng hellix jump. Lumipas ang ilang minuto, may nag pop-out sa screen nito hudyat na may natanggap na text ito.
From: Isabelle Mariano
You're not here. Why?
Napataas ang isang kilay nito sa kanyang nabasa. She read their previous conversations. Walang halos na reply si Donny sa mga ito. Sumasagot lang ito kapag work related na. Napangisi siya. Ganyan nga love! Sunod-sunod itong nagtext.
From: Isabelle Mariano
I miss you :(
From: Isabelle Mariano
Can I call you?
Naisipan niyang replyan ito.
To: Isabelle Mariano
Aren't you busy? Why do you keep texting me?
Wala pa sa alas kwatrong nagreply ito.
From: Isabelle Mariano
Wow! Sa wakas at nagreply ka na! Let's have a dinner, Engr. I miss you po.
To:Isabelle Mariano
I miss you, too.
From: Isabelle Mariano
OMG! Really? Am I dreaming?
She decided to call her after playing with her.
"Oh damn! You're calling me. Himala ata ngayon, Engr. I guess I'm not dreaming." she didn't responsed. She was just listening to her voice.
"Engineer! Why you aren't talking? You just told me you miss me. Are you really mean it? If yes, you don't have an idea how greatful I am today." she said with admirely. Tumikhim muna siya bago magsalita.
"Hello Isabelle. This is Mrs. Sharlene Pangilinan. I was the one who texted you. I'm glad that you are happy." she said sarcastically. Sandaling katahimikan muna sa kabilang linya bago ito sumagot.
"Bakit nasa iyo ang cellphone ni Engr. Pangilinan? Why won't you give him his privacy?" masungit na tanong nito.
"What's wrong with that, Ms. Mariano? I am his wife so I can do whatever I want. Also, my husband is taking a shower right no he cannot text you, may kailangan ka ba?" hindi na ito nagsalita pa.
"I'm sorry to burst your bubble but I'm the one who really texted you. It's quite fun. Natanggal mo yung umay ko. Hehe! Anyways, it's nice to call you, Ms. Mariano. I'll tell my husband about your texts so don't worry. Bye!" napangisi siya nang pinatay niya ang tawag. Lumabas si Donny nang nakatapis ng twalya ang kanyang pang ilalim at basa ang kanyang buhok. She looked at him while smiling.
"Love, sinong kausap mo?" tanong niya. She shrugged her shoulder.
"Kabit mo." sagot nito.