"Problems are not easy to solve, and it takes time to know you already defeat them"
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NASAKTAN si Kevin sa pagtalikod ni Monique but it's fine, he understands her. He watched her until she falls asleep.
Isang oras ang dumaan bago napagtuunan niya ng pansin ang sugat. Kanina nang makita niya ang asawa na may bitbit na kutsilyo ay kinabahan siya dahil akala niya may gagawin itong masama sa sarili, but he was relieved that she used it against him. Instead of getting mad at her ay inintindi nalang niya ito. She didn't heard the rest that's why she acted that way.
He sighed and got up. He walked to the bed and lay down beside her. Before he get to sleep ay hinalikan niya muna ang noo ng babae bago matulog.
Kevin stepped out from his car and gazed the sublime building of NCC. He smiled knowing his wife managed it systematically and accurately. He's so proud.
Pagpasok palang niya sa unang palapag ay halos mapailing na siya. Their eyes are on him and it irritates him especially those who eye raping him.
Nang makatungtong na siya sa palapag ni Monique ay mabilis siyang naglakad at pinasok ang opisina ng asawa. Her secretary bowed and greet him, he simply nodded at her.
As he gets in he stopped seeing Monique looking so busy on her papers that she didn't even noticed someone's entering her office. He glared at her, he couldn't take off his eyes, she's so gorgeous in his sight.
He walked and faked a cough.
Mabilis na umangat ang ulo ni Monique just to see Kevin standing in front of her table. Her heart beats so fast. It's 10 in morning but he's here.
Her forehead knitted. "What are you doing here?"
Umiling-iling ang lalaki.
"Uh... good morning too?" Patanong nitong sabi.
Monique rolled her eyes and leaned back.
"What are you doing here?" She asked one more time and sighed.
Her eyes moved to his left arm. The wound is not visible since he's wearing a suit. Then she glanced back on his face. Seemed like he didn't endure pain in his body huh!
"The pain's gone, thanks to the medicine you gave me earlier." Anito. She felt a little bit embarrassed, nabasa nito ang nasa isip niya. Tumingin siya sa ibang direksyon, and it landed on her papers.
He sighed.
"Actually I came here to..." He stopped and walk to her side. "To inform you that I will visit Illyza in the hospital." He said so tenderly.
Nahigit ni Monique ang hininga nang sabihin iyon ni Kevin. She felt pain. Bakit ito pupunta kay Illyza? Para saan pa?
Her eyes suddenly warm up. She wants to cry. Then his conversation with Illyza last night hits her. Kevin told the woman he will visit her, at nasasaktan siya.
"I'm telling this because I want to be faithful and honest husband to you. I don't want you to think of me cheating on you because I care and love you, baby. Everywhere I go, anything that I'll do. I promise, I will inform you beforehand."
Lumunok si Monique. Kevin is becoming sweet these days. Pakiramdam niya lalabas na ang puso niya dahil sa matinding kabog nito.
He held her jaw with tender. Monique looked up. There's so much emotions in his eyes.
"If you won't let me, I understand."
She shook her head and smiled tightly.
"Go," mahinang anang Monique at huminga ng malalim. "I know you have something to talk with her. Go, I won't stop you."
She pushed him. Sa una ay may pag-aalinlangan si Kevin but Monique assured him na okay lang sa kanya.
He was about to leave the office nang may maalala si Monique.
"Kevin, wait!" She stopped him. Monique took her bag and got up. She stretched her arm. "Ibabalik ko na sa'yo," inabot niya rito ang wallet. "I know you need this."
Kevin pushed the door to get in Illyza's hospital room. He saw her lying on the bed, malungkot ang mukha nito nang lumingon ito sa kanya. Nilibot niya ang mga mata, nag-iisa lang ito sa kwarto.
"Illyza," Anang Kevin at naglakad palapit sa babae.
There's happiness and sadness streaming all over her face. Kevin pitied her, Illyza doesn't deserve this. Pero wala na siyang magagawa pa, he can't comfort her. Naaawa siyang isiping dadagdagan na naman niya ang lungkot at sakit na dinaramdam nito ngayon. If only he could do something to ease the pain she felt.
Dahan-dahang umupo si Illyza. Her eyes went watery. She wants to cry seeing Kevin right in front of her, sobrang saya niya na tinupad nito ang sinabi nito kagabi. Akala niya hanggang asa nalang siya but he's here, still handsome as ever. She heaved a deep sigh to stop her tears, she became more emotional these days.
"Kevin," she smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" He asked nang makalapit.
Tumikhim si Illyza at pinakatitigan ang lalaki. There's no love in the the way he stares at her at nasasaktan siya.
"Alam mong hindi ako okay," she said at yumuko. Tears began to stream down her cheeks. "Nasasaktan ako Kevin."
He lost out of words nang makita ang dating minamahal na luhaan at nasasaktan. Parati na niyang nakikita si Illyza noon na nasasaktan at umiiyak but now is different. She seemed like a lost puppy and so much devastated and he knew, he caused it to her.
He couldn't talk, he just looked at her. Naaawa talaga siya kay Illyza. He held her head at pinalandas ang palad sa buhok nito hanggang sa huminto ito sa balikat ng babae.
"Stop crying Illyza, and don't think too much. Emotional stress may harm you..." He stopped and slightly press her shoulder. "Especially the baby."
Mabilis na umangat ang ulo ni Illyza. Mas tumulo ang kanyang mga luha, even if she felt he doesn't love her anymore she still feels he cares for her. Kevin is thoughtful, isa sa mga bagay kung bakit ayaw niyang bitawan ang lalaki. Mahirap maghanap ng lalaking katulad ni Kevin.
"You care for the baby..." She whispers while sobbing. "...our baby." She sounds so desperate but Kevin shook his head.
"Your baby," diin ng lalaki.
Umiling-iling si Illyza at hinawakan ang tiyan, inabot naman ng isang kamay niya ang kamay ni Kevin. She looked at him desperately, nawala na ang hiya sa katawan niya. Sa huling pagkakataon susubukan niyang maging desperada ulit.
"Kevin this is our baby,"
He closed his eyes tightly trying to control his temper. Unti-unti ng nauubos ang pasensya niya dahil sa pagkadesperada nito.
He looked at her. Kinuha niya ang kamay mula sa pagkakahawak nito and took a step behind.
"Illyza, you know it's impossible." He said calmly. As much as he could he will maintain his calmness. "For ten long years we have been in a relationship, I didn't attempt to touch you 'cause I respect you." He sighed. "You don't want to give it not until you get married..." He shook his head. "But you broke it. Now you're pregnant with whom?"
Her tears like a waterfall. Dahil sa hiya ay tinakpan niya ang mukha ng mga palad habang umiiling.
"I'm sorry, Kevin. I'm sorry," she said in between her sobs.
"Tell me Illyza, are you cheating on me while we're in a relationship—"
"Kevin hindi ako nagloko sa relasyon natin!" She stops him.
Tumaas ang kilay ng lalaki. "Really huh? I felt the opposite." He said sarcastically.
"Kevin maniwala ka, mahal na mahal kita. Kahit kailan hindi ko magawang lokohin ka."
"You expect me to believe you now that you're pregnant. What happened to your promise Illyza, a promise that you will surrender it right after you get married?" Still he sounds sarcastic.
She bit her lower lip to stop from sobbing at pinahid ang mga luha. Nahihiya na siya, huminga siya ng malalim at tumingala rito.
"Tama nga ako, huhusgahan mo 'ko." Mahinang anang Illyza. She nodded. "Pero okay lang, naiintindihan kita. Hindi mo kasi alam ang nangyari sa'kin months ago." She said.
Kumunot ang noo ni Kevin. His eyes still focused on her. He didn't talk, he wants to hear her. She seemed like in deep agony.
"Two months ago I went to New York para magpalamig at huminga kahit na kunti. Sobra na akong nasasakal sa pressure sa trabaho, sa pamilya ko, sinabayan pa ng hindi pagkakaintindihan natin. I was hurt, and I felt so much burden habang iniisip ang pamilya ko. Palala na ng palala si mama pati na ang mga kapatid ko kaya naisipan kong magbakasyon. Ilang araw palang ako sa New York miss na miss ko na sila mama kaya pumunta ako ng bar at uminom hanggang sa malasing ako." She confessed. Yumuko siya at pinahid ang mga luha. Tumingin siya sa ibang direksyon, she can't take Kevin's stares.
While Kevin froze, he knew Illyza. She's not used of drinking alcohol. She's really not in herself when she's drunk kaya kapag iinom ito noon palagi siyang nasa tabi nito o ang mga kaibigan nito dahil wala talaga ito sa sarili kapag nakainom. She's literally wild when alcohol hits her.
"I don't know what happened next. Nagising nalang ako sa kwarto ng isang dayuhang lalaki, naked." She then cried, again. Sobra na siyang nahihiya. Tinakpan ng mga kamay niya ang mukha. Pakiramdam niya wala na siyang mukhang maihaharap kay Kevin. She felt small and dirty.
"Did you get his name?" He asked seriously. He's mad, he wanted to punch the guy. Yes, he don't love her anymore but still he cares for her. Illyza is his first love.
He sat on the edge of the bed. Binaba niya ang mga kamay nitong nakatakip sa mukha nito. He wiped her tears away.
"Nagsinungaling siya,"
"He lied?" He tilted his head. "Two things, either he's a married man or he's playing on you." Seryosong anang Kevin.
Muli ay tumulo ang luha ng babae.
Kevin can't take it anymore so he hugged her.
"Problems are not easy to solve, and it takes time to know you already defeat them. Be strong, don't let them affect you." He said while caressing her back. "This great storm will be over soon."
-----
MONIQUE stopped from signing the papers when her phone rings. Agad siyang kinabahan nang makatanggap ng International call, it's from Laverth Powell. Her friend from New Zealand.
"Hello Lav?" She answered.
(Monique) Anito. Narinig niya itong huminga ng malalim. (You'll be glad with my news.)
"What is it then, Lav?"
(We found the 2 suspects of your son's death, and they're in jail right now.) Pakiramdam ni Monique nahugot ang nakasaksak na patalim sa katawan niya. This is unexpected! Matagal na niyang pinahanap ang nakapatay sa anak niya and now they found them. God knows how thankful she is. Parang gusto niyang umiyak sa sobrang saya, at last mabibigyan na ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng tatlong taong gulang na anak niya. (But we need you here. Can you come to New Zealand probably this week?)
She froze. Hindi niya ito napaghandaan. Kinabahan siya, hindi pa niya nasasabi kay Kevin ang tungkol sa isa pa nilang anak na namatay na, ang kakambal ni Alliyah. She closed her eyes. Hindi niya alam kung sino o ano ang uunahin sa mga problema niya, but her mind is shouting for something. She kept on moving her forefinger up and down on her table.
(Hey, Monique! Are you still in the line?)
"Hmm," dumilat siya. She smirked. May naisip siya. "I'll be there tomorrow. Bye!"
She sighed.
-----
PAGKATAPOS makipag-usap ni Kevin kay Illyza ay umalis na siya agad sa ospital. But before he leaves, binayaran niya muna ang hospital bills ng babae bago tuluyang bumalik sa kanyang kompanya. Sobrang saya sa pakiramdam na tuluyan na siyang binitawan ni Illyza. Ngayon excited na siyang sabihin ang balitang ito kay Monique.
Nang makarating sa opisina ay agad siyang nagtrabaho ng nakangiti until he picked up Alliyah at school at hanggang sa nakauwi na sila sa bahay. Sobrang saya niya. Hindi niya matanggal-tanggal ang ngiti sa kanyang labi.
Kevin waited for Monique until seven in the evening. Pinakain na niya ang anak at lahat-lahat ay wala paring Monique na dumating. He contacted her, pero hindi ito sumasagot sa tawag niya. He called her secretary pero hindi nito alam kung nasaan ang asawa. Tinawagan din niya ang isa sa receptionist ng kompanya ng NCC pero wala na do'n ang asawa. He calls her father and her friend Sasha pero pareho lang ang sagot, hindi nila alam.
He heaved a sigh and calm himself. His patience literally went low. Pinikit niya ang mga mata pero agad siyang napadilat nang tumunog ang kanyang cell phone, nakatanggap siya ng text. It's from Monique, nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang malamang nasa bar ito.
He almost screams in annoyance.
What is she doing there? Is she thinking straight? She's pregnant! She's not allowed to go in that kind of place! She's not even with her friend! What is she doing there? To dance? To listen to music? Fvck! I can play any songs she wants in our house! She knew she's forbidden with alcohol will she drinks juice? The fvck! There are stocks of juices in our house. She can choose!
Kevin revved the car's engine, halos liparin na niya ang daan patungo sa bar. Nang makarating siya do'n ay hinanap niya agad ang asawa but he can't find Monique.
Nag-vibrate ang kanyang cellphone. Dali-dali siyang umakyat sa hagdan patungo sa kwartong ti-next nito and there. He found her, sitting on the sofa at may maraming beers na nakalagay sa lamesa.
His blood boils on the sight. Mabilis niyang sinara ang pinto at pilit na kinalma ang sarili. Lumapit siya sa asawa pero nahinto siya nang makita itong hilam sa luha ang mga mata.
Ang galit niya ay napalitan ng malamlam na ekspresyon nang makitang umiiyak ito. He sat beside her.
He narrowed her and wipes her tears away.
"Baby, don't cry please..." He said so softly.
Yumuko si Monique at pinigilang tignan sa mukha si Kevin.
He held her jaw.
Umiling-iling si Monique.
"Baby what is the problem? Tell me please," his voice went husky.
She looked up at him with no expression.
"May anak kayo ni Illyza," she utters in a cold tone.
His forehead furrowed.
"What? No!"
"You fvcking liar! Don't come near me, I hate you!" She shouted and push him hardly.
"What? You know I love you, why would I lie to you?"
"Paano ako nakakasigurong nagsasabi ka ng totoo?"
She punched his chest para lang lumayo ito pero parang wala lang ito kay Kevin.
She stopped and wipes her tears. She shook her head.
"Kevin, I want you to be honest with me." Mahinang anang Monique.
He didn't answer, tinitigan lang niya ng mariin ang asawa.
"Mahal mo ba talaga ako?"
He gently nodded."Yes,"
"Gaano mo 'ko kamahal?"
He narrowed her thoroughly. Five seconds after he answered.
"It's unmeasurable Monique," he confessed. There's so much emotion in the depths of his honey brown eyes. "There's no exact word sweetheart."
Monique swallowed. Her heart is pumping so fast; she felt butterflies in her stomach. Kevin really know how to do this kind of feeling to her. Happiness overloads her body, but her inner self is opposite from the outside. She remained cold. She needs more words. She heaved a deep sigh.
"Paano kung aalis ako?"
Biglang nagbago ang ekspresyon ng mukha ni Kevin. He don't like it, his face darkened.
"I won't let you,"
"Paano kung nakaalis na ako? Ano ang gagawin mo?"
He was silent for seconds. Tinitigan lang niya ng mabuti ang asawa.
"I will find you no matter what," he said seriously.
"Paano kung hindi mo 'ko makita?"
"I promise, I won't stop looking for you. In that way, I can prove to you how much I love you."
Do'n na ngumiti si Monique. She held his cheek.
"Panghahawakan ko 'yang sinabi mo." Makahulugang anang Monique.
Agad na nangunot ang noo ni Kevin. Bigla siyang kinabahan sa sinabi nito. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ng babae na nakahawak sa mukha niya.
"What do you mean?"
Yumuko si Monique at umiling-iling pagkatapos ay bumalik ang tingin niya sa asawa. She sighed.
"Nothing," tikom bibig siyang ngumiti.
Hindi kumbinsido si Kevin sa sinabi nito. Pakiramdam niya may kahulugan ang sinabi nito. He sees something in her eyes na pilit nitong tinatago, doon ay kinabahan siya. Hindi pwede ang nasa isip niya.
"May tanong pa ako," kinabahan si Monique sa nakikitang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Kevin. He went blank matapos ng sinabi niya kanina. She don't know what's running on his mind. Yumuko siya at huminga siya ng malalim. "Yung anak ni Illyza... ikaw ba ang ama?"
"No,"
Mabilis na umangat ang ulo ni Monique. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata, walang paliguy-ligoy na sinagot iyon ni Kevin.
"What, no?"
Umiling si Kevin and held her hands whose now on her lap.
"I'm not the father of Illyza's child. For how many years that we're in a relationship I didn't attempt to touch her, we both respect each other." He confessed. Sa sinabi ng lalaki ay gustong maiyak niya, she's so damn happy dahil akala niya ilang beses ng may nangyari sa kanila ni Illyza. She witnessed how they loved each other before. "I know this is quite surprising, but this is the truth. I know you won't believe me but, same as Illyza. I want to stay clean until I get married. That's one of our principle. I had girlfriends before Illyza but I didn't touch them. It's impossible because I'm a man and I have needs, but believe me. I'm telling the truth."
Kumabog ng husto ang puso ni Monique, pakiramdam niya lalabas na ito sa dibdib niya. Hindi niya alam na ganito pala si Kevin, uminit ang mga mata niya. She wants to cry, her man is a good man. Gusto niya itong halikan at yakapin ng husto pero pinigilan niya ang sarili. There's a right time for it. For now, magtitiis na muna siya.
She looked at the table na maraming bote ng alak.
"You know you're not allowed to drink these alcohol," sabi ni Kevin na kagaya ni Monique ay nakatingin din sa lamesa.
She looked back at him.
"Gusto kong ubusin mo lahat 'to,"
Nagulat si Kevin.
"What? Monique, I can't... I mean, I can but I can't drive you home if I get drunk. I won't risk your life for these bottles of alcohol, so nah." He got up. "Let's go home."
Kinuha nito ang kamay ni Monique pero mabilis itong nabawi ng babae.
"Gusto kong ubusin mo lahat 'to Kevin. Mahal mo 'ko diba? Then prove it to me right now."
"But baby—"
"No more buts Kevin. Kaya kitang iuwi, ubusin mo na 'to." She stopped him at tumingin sa ibang direksyon.
Magpoprotesta pa sana si Kevin pero pinanlakihan siya ng mata ni Monique.
Nakatutok lang si Monique sa asawa habang inuubos nito ang mga bote ng alak na nasa lamesa. She sighed at ininom muli ang juice niya.
"Baby, lalabas muna ako. Sa powder room lang ako, babalik ako agad."
Tinignan siya ng asawa. Ngayon alam niyang lasing na ito. Tumango lang si Kevin kaya agad siyang lumabas ng VIP room at tuluyan ng lumabas ng bar dala-dala ang cellphone ng lalaki. She took Kevin's phone at nasa bag na niya. Nakahinga siya ng maluwag nang wala ng password ang cellhone nito. Huminga siya ng malalim at tinext si Illyza.
She felt sorry for both, pagkatapos ng sinabi ni Kevin kanina natatakot parin siyang paniwalaan ito. She still have trust issues with him. And for Illyza, ngayon lang gagamitin niya ito. Sorry.
Pagkatapos niyang e-text ang babae ay umuwi na siya ng bahay. Mabilis siyang nag-empake. Before she leaves naglagay muna siya ng sulat sa gitna ng kanilang kama, katabi no'n ang cellphone ni Kevin pagkatapos ay tinungo ang kwarto ng anak. Mabilis na nahulog ang isang butil ng luha niya.
"Mommy will get back soon baby, I promise."
-----
AGAD na tinulak ni Illyza ang pinto ng VIP room at do'n niya nakita si Kevin. He's too drunk. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang makita ang nagkalat na mga bote ng alak sa sahig at sa lamesa.
"Kevin!" Napatakip siya sa kanyang bibig. Sinara niya ang pinto at tumabi ng upo rito. "Kevin bakit ka naglalasing? Anong problema mo?"
But he didn't answer. Pumikit-pikit ito dahil sa sobrang kalasingan. Ngayon lang niya nakitang uminom ito ng ganito karami.
"Nag-away ba kayo ni Monique? Bakit ka naglasing?" Pero kahit anong salita niya ay hindi ito sumasagot sa kanya. "Kevin ano ba! Hindi mo ba ako kakausapin?"
Patuloy parin sa pagtungga ng alak ang lalaki kaya kinuha niya ang boteng hawak nito.
"Ano bang problema mo!" Sigaw ni Illyza at tinuro ang lalaki.
"Why... Why are you here?" Lasing na lasing ang boses nito.
"You texted me, remember?"
"Huh! I didn't do that, I'm with my wife!"
Nasaktan si Illyza sa sinabi nito. Huminga siya ng malalim. Ngayong lasing ito she could take this as her advantage. Tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya at hahalikan na sana ito but Kevin stopped her.
"Fvck off Illyza!" Parang nawala ang pagkalasing nito. Nanlilisik ang mga mata nitong nakatingin sa kanya. Sobrang higpit ng pagkakawak nito sa balikat niya. Bigla ay natakot siya.
"Ah...! Kevin ano ba! Nasasaktan ako!"
He let go of her.
"Illyza, I'm sorry. My drunkenness could take as your advantage. But please... I love Monique, I love my family please respect me. I don't love you anymore, please stop right there. I valued my family. They're my life... my family." Kahit lasing ay alam parin ni Kevin kung anong nangyayari, at ang pamilya parin niya ang nasa isip niya. That's how he loves them so much. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, I can't give what you want Illyza. I'm sorry."
He then left the room.
-----
HUMINGA ng malalim si Monique at huminto. Nilibot niya ang kanyang paningin. Sobrang ganda ng Youdelman International Airport. Ngumiti siya at tinignan ang eroplanong sasakyan. Eurasian Blue Air, pagmamay-ari nila Kevin.
"I'll hold on to your promise, Kevin."
Muli ay huminga siya ng malalim at pumasok sa eroplano.
As the plane ascended she sighed and closed her eyes.
"Hihintayin kita, mahal ko."
Sorry for the late update, medyo busy kasi ako.
By the way, I prepared a story for Illyza. Soon ipopost ko din dito and I hope you'll take time to read her side 😊 Happy Sunday everyone!
To be continued...
✴ever_minah✴