PULANG-PULA ang mukha ni Jeva dahil sa sobrang hiya. She never imagine herself doing that thing inside her office. What if someone saw or hear them? Gosh! She will definitely lose her face and dignity. Ano ba kasi ang nakain ng asawa niya at ginawa iyon doon? Kahit alam niya na sa totoo lang nagustuhan niya ang kanilang ginawa.
She left her office and walked straight to the parking lot. Today was actually her rest day but still on-call that's why she has to meet that patient.
Mabilis na naglakad si Jeva patungo sa kanyang sasakyan ng may taong marahas na hinawakan ang kanyang kamay at pinihit siya paharap dito.
"What the hell are you doing?" - pabulong na sigaw niya sa lalaki.
"Why can't I see my wife?" - supladong saad nito sa kaniya.
Napabuntong-hininga na lang siya. "May usapan tayo, Champ--"
"So, I'm Champ now, ha?"
Napailing siya dahil sa kadramahan ng lalaki. "Sweetheart~, may usapan tayo diba? And, nagkita na tayo kanina." - or should she say, may nangyari nga sa kanila kanina. Pasimple niyang pinaikot ang kanyang mga mata.
"Still." - natawa siya nang makitang nagpout ang kanyang asawa. "Don't laugh. You clearly knew that I didn't agree with your plan." - nagtatampong saad nito. "Bakit pa kasi kailangan nating itago na naman ang relasyon natin? Alam mo ba na ang hirap ng pinagdaanan ko sa kamay ng ama mo doon sa Spain tapos ganito lang ang mangyayari?" - he said.
Jeva sighed and gave him an assuring smile. "Konting tiis lang naman ang hinihingi ko, sweetheart. You need to act that we already broke up. Kailangan mo na nating pasayahin ang lintang yun at hayaan natin siyang isipin na nagtagumpay siya sa kanyang plano. After we settle that bitch, we'll be free." - malumanay na sabi niya sa kanyang asawa. "Please, help me do this. You know that this is not only for us. I'm also doing this for my friend." - she pleaded.
Champ took a deep breath and touched her face. "You don't have to plead you know that I am willing to do everything you want."
She gave her a sly smile. "Willing?" - she teased. "Are you sure you're willing?"
He tsked. "Fine. I'm willing to do whatever you want pero sa lahat ng ipinagawa mo sa akin. Yang pagtatago lang ang hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit kailangan pa natin yang gawin." - he pulled a face. "We can do the plan without doing this." - he argued.
"Pero hindi ba na mas effective kung ganito ang gagawin natin?" - she gave him a side smile.
"Fine." - he said in defeat. "Just make it fast. Baka hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili ko at sasabihin ko sa lahat na asawa pa rin kita."
Napanganga naman ang babae sa tinuran ng lalaki. "Bakit? Hindi mo pa ba nagagawa?" - remember the comment he commented on Mari's live.
"That wasn't counted. They'll only think that we're still married because I didn't sign the annulment papers." - he tssed.
"What if those papers we're not fake?"
Champ glared at her. "Don't you ever send me another annulment papers whether it's fake or not. I'm still not going to sign it. Do you really believe that I will let you break up with me? Ha! Mamatay mo na ako bago mo yun magagawa. At kahit man mamatay ako, you are not allowed to love another man. Mumultuhin ko talaga kayo. Tsaka, wala ng ibang lalaki na bagay maging ama ng anak ko. Ako lang." - he rolled his eyes after saying those words.
"Okay. Okay. Daming sinasabi." - Nakangiwing sabi ng babae sa kaniya. Anong pinaglalaban nito? Kung saan-saan na nakarating ang mga sinasabi nito. "Masyado kang inlove sa akin."
"Yes, I am."
Her jaw dropped. "My gosh! Hindi man lang nahiya. Hindi man lang itinanggi." - she murmured.
"Why would I be ashamed being so madly in love with my wife?" - he grinned. "And I won't deny it. Alam ko na kung idedeny ko, magagalit ka na naman." - may pagkatoyoin pa naman ang asawa niya at kung itatanggi niya baka tuluyan na talaga siyang hiwalayan nito.
Jeva blushed. "Oh edi, panalo ka na. Osya, sige. Uuwi na muna ako kukunin ko si Way hinahanap ka na nun."
"No." - tanggi ng lalaki. "I'll drive you there. I promise I won't step out from the car. We'll be leaving together." - tumango na lang siya. It's the least he can do for her husband dahil alam niyang gustong-gusto na talaga nito na makasama sila. And they planned of having a family dinner together. Sana lang talaga wag madulas ang bibig ng anak niya.
As usual, Champ still doesn't want her to drive her own car. Pero wala naman itong magagawa dahil sa usapan nilang wag munang ipaalam ang kanilang relasyon kaya hinahayaan muna siya ng asawa na ipagdrive ang sarili.
"Anyways, we lived together in Spain for almost 3 years, why didn't you tell that you already quit from your acting career? Kaya naman pala halos hindi ka na umalis sa Spain?" - umaalis lang kasi ito kung mga conference or business trip related to ZK Pharmaceutical Company. Buwan-buwan din siyang bumibisita sa company.
Champ scratched his head. "I forgot?" - Jeva glared at him. "Okay. Okay. Fine. I just think that you really don't have to know and it was just nothing." -he reasoned out.
"What if people will think that you were really head over heels for me and you went nuts because your wife left."
"They can think whatever they want to. After all, it's true."
Jeva creased her forehead. "True? What's true?"
"It's true that I am head over heels into you."- he gave him a teasing smile.
She looked away because she felt her face burning. They've been married for almost 5 years but Champ never fails to make her feel that he really loves her.
Ilang sandali lang ay nakarating na sila sa bahay ni Mari kung saan iniwan niya ang kanyang anak sa pangangalaga nito. Sana lang talaga hindi ito pinabayaan ng kaibigan kundi, kukutusan niya talaga ito.
"I'll go get Way." - paalam niya sa lalaki bago bumaba ng kotse.
Pagkapasok na pagkapasok niya sa bahay ay narinig niyang nasisisigaw ang kaibigang si Mari.
"Por favor, sal por un minuto!" Please, get out for a minute. Napakunot siya. Sino ang nandito sa loob ng bahay na gustong paalisin ni Mari.
"Daan naman eeeeh!! Por favor, sal!"
Uh-oh! I think it's my daughter. Bahagyang napangisi si Jeva. Ano na naman kaya ang ginawa ng anak niya at bakit nagsisisigaw ang ninang nito.
"No! no lo haré!" No! I won't! - pabalik na sigaw ng kanyang anak.
"Por favo---"
"No!"
Hinanap niya ang mga boses ng mga ito. Dahil baka iiyak na ang kaibigan niya sa sobrang tigas ng ulo ng kaniyang anak. They're voice brought her to the comfort room. Bahagyang nakabukas ang pinto ng CR kaya naman sumilip siya dito.
Mari is sitting on the toilet bowl while her daughter is standing in front of her while her back is leaning on the wall.
"I can't deposit because you are watching. Gusto ko ng tumae. Please leave for a minute or just wait for me outside." - naiiyak na sabi ni Mari kay Way.
"What? I can't understand you, ninang. And, no. I will not go out. I will stay here." - pagmamatigas ni Way.
Tinakpan ni Jeva ang kanyang bibig dahil natatawa siya habang nakatingin sa dalawa.
"Mahabaging Diyos!! Tulungan mo po ako. Sobrang sakit na ng tiyan ko!" - naiiyak na sigaw ni Mari.
"What are you saying, ninang? But, i don't care. I will still stay here." - napatampal ng noo si Mari dahil sa bata. It's so uncomfortable to excrete waste when somebody's watching.
"JEVAAAAAAAAA!!!!!" - natawa si Jeva ng biglang isinigaw ng kaibigan ang kanyang pangalan. Poor, Mari.
She opened the comfort room's door widely. She gave her friend an apologetic smile. Tumakbo papunta sa kanya ang kanyang anak nang makita siya nito. Way hugged her leg. She bent and pulled her daughter up as she carried her.
Way doesn't want to be left behind. Gusto nito laging may kasama. Kung sino yung nagbabantay sa kaniya ay hindi niya inaalis ang mata niya rito. Kung nasaan ito dapat nandoon rin siya.
"Oh God! Thank goodness!" - bulaslas ni Mari. "Ano ka si superhero? Isang tawag lang andyan na?" - natawa na lang si Jeva sa kaibigan. Gusto niya pa sanang biruin ang kaibigan ngunit baka hindi na ito makatae sa kahihiyan at maging kasalanan pa niya kapag nagkasakit ito.
"Proceed to what you are about to do." - she grinned at her. "Aalis mo na kami ni Way." - paalam niya sa kaibigan.
"Okay. I'll be going somewhere too. You already have a duplicate key, right? Baka kasi mas mauna ka pang makauwi sa akin."
Tumango siya. "Where are you going?
"Somewhere. Sige na alis na. Tatae pa ako, eh." - Mari shooed them.
Natatawang umalis si Jeva habang karga-karga ang kanyang anak.
"A donde vamos, má?" Where are we going, mom? - her daughter asked.
"Cena con papá." Dinner with papa. - her daughter gave her a wide smile with excitement in her eyes.
"De verda?" Really? - Way asked as she clasped her hands.
"Si." - she gave her child a peck on its cheek.
Pinalitan niya ng damit ang kanyang anak pati siya ay nagpalit na rin ng damit bago lumabas ng bagay.
"Papaaaa!" - Way immediately hugged and kissed her father's cheek the moment they entered the car.
"Hello, princess." - Champ kissed her daughter's temple.
Way buried her face on her father's neck and sniffed. "Te extrañé, papá." I missed you, papa. - she said between her sobs.
Champ gently rubbed her daugther's back. "Yo también te extrañé, mi princesa." I missed you too, my princess. - He cupped his daughter's face and kissed its forehead. Champ placed his daughter on his wife's lap.
"Masyado ba kaming matagal?" - she said ruefully.
He shook his head. "No. And if you were. I am willing to wait even if it means forever."
"You're so lame." - she said, trying to hide her blush.
Champ grinned at her. "Kinikilig ka lang eh." - he teased.
"Whatever! Anyways, where are we going?" - tanong niya sa lalaki.
"Saan mo gusto?"
"Anywhere. Surprise me." - she challenged her husband.
He smiled confidently. "Easy." - he said as he started the car.
HINDI nga nabigo si Champ dahil sobrang napahanga ang kanyang mag ina sa lugar na kung saan niya ito dinala.
"Wow! Kaninong bahay to?" - manghang saad ni Jeva. "Hindi ba tayo makakasuhan ng trespassing? Hindi ba tayo papagalitan ng may-ari?" - tanong niya habang umaakyat sa hagdanan. Karga ng kanyang asawa ang kanilang anak.
"Silly." Natatawang napailing ang lalaki sa kaniya. "Do you think hahayaan kong makulong tayo? Besides, sinong magagalit kung sariling bahay mo ang pinapasok mo."
"Oo nga naman-- What did you say?!" - gulat na tanong niya sa lalaki nang magsink-in sa kanyang utak ang sinabi nito.
"No one will sue us for trespassing our own house." - nakangising sabi ng lalaki.
Jeva dropped her jaw. "Are you even serious?!"
"Why would I joke something like this?" - supladong tanong ng lalaki.
"Aw!"- napaaray si Jeva ng kurutin niya ang sarili. "I am not dreaming, am I?" - nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata.
"Of course, you are not. This..." - he looked around. "This is our house. Kaya madaliin mo na ang plano mo para makalipat na tayo rito."
Jeva jumped with joy and hugged her husband who's carrying their child.
"Easy. Baka mahulog tayo." - saway ni Champ sa kanyang asawa.
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, sweetheart." - pinug pog niya ng halik ang mukha ng asawa.
Natawa si Champ sa kanyang asawa. "Anything for my wife." - he kissed her fully on her lips.
"Me too! Me too!" - both of them laughed and kissed their child's cheeks.
Sobrang laki at ang ganda ng bahay. It has a modern style. It was surrounded with thick glass walls but the glass is tinted. The house was filled with varieties of blue color. Lahat ng gamit ay mamahalin at organized. Unang tingin palang alam mo ng pinaggastusan talaga ng mahal ang bahay na ito at pinagplanuhan ng maayos.
"Why blue? Why not red?" - alam niyang red ang favorite color ng asawa.
He shrugged. "It's your favorite color."
"But, you love red."
"Ayaw kong magmukhang impyerno ang bahay ko kaya blue nalang at tsaka, I love everything you love." - he said sweetly.
"Talaga?" - she grinned at him. "Kahit yung mga favorite kong Chinese actors?"
Champ tsked and rolled his eyes. "Mas gwapo ako sa mga yun. Plus, they're not included." -bitter na sabi nito kaya natawa na lang si Jeva. "Tara na nga." - his using one hand to carry his child and the other one to drag his wife.
"Where are we going?"
"Rooftop." - simpleng sagot ng lalaki.
Hindi makapaniwalang tumingin si Jeva sa kanyang asawa. "Weh? May rooftop?"
"Kakasabi lang eh." - he rolled his eyes.
"Suplado naman nito. Buntis ka ba?"
He glared at her. "Baka gusto mong ikaw ang buntisin ko?"
"Sabi ko nga tatahimik na." - Jeva zipped her mouth.
"Dad, are we going to live here?" -tanong ni Way sa ama niya.
"Yes, baby." - he answered.
"Wow! We're rich!" - she squeezed her face with her little hands while her lips formed 'O'. Natawa na lang ang mag-asawa sa kanilang anak.
Way didn't know that they're rich because while they were in Spain, they lived in a very simple life. Ayaw kasi nilang lumaking spoiled ang kanilang anak. Kahit alam niyang imposible yun dahil sa asawa niya na handang ibigay lahat sa kanyang anak.
Jeva's eyes grew wide when they reached the rooftop. It was covered with thick glass but you can see the city lights below through it and when you look up, you will clearly see the night skies.
There is a table in the middle with varieties of food and chairs for three. The place was surrounded with yellow lights that shined on the eyes.
The whole scenario is solemn yet romantic for a family dinner date.
"Wow." - hindi niya mapigilan ang sarili niyang hindi i-appreciate ang lugar.
"I know that you wanted to experience dining in "The Nest Dining in the Sky" in Vivere Hotel but, I was thinking about your plan, so I brought The nest's vibe here. Okay ba?" - nakangiting sabi ng lalaki.
"Anong okay?" - nakakunot naman ang noo ni Champ dahil sa sagot nito. "My gosh!! It's more than okay. I love it here!" - magiliw niyang saad habang pumapalakpak. She gave her husband a kiss on his cheek.
"Who am I? Way?"
Natataka namang tumingin sa kanya si Jeva. "What are you saying?"
"Why did you kiss me on the cheeks? I am not a kid. I am not Way." - maktol nito.
Jeva laughed at her husband's childish reaction before kissing him on his lips. "Okay na?" - natatawang tanong niya dito.
A sly smile was on his lips. "More than okay."
They laughed together when their child inserted and asked them to kiss her too. Champ assisted the two to sit down.
She looked at her husband with tears in her eyes when she saw the food on the table. Most of them were her favorites, the street foods and seafoods except shrimp because she's allergic to it and others were her husband's faves.
"Oh? Why are you crying?" - tanong ng lalaki. "I brought you her and Way for a family dinner not to cry. Wala tayo sa lamay."
Pabiro niyang hinampas ang braso ng lalaki dahil sa sinabi nito. "I'm just so happy and I felt so lucky because I have you."
"Sus." - natatawang saad ng kanyang asawa kaya nahampas niya ulit ito.
"I can't wait to live with you, again." - madamdaming sabi ni Jeva sa asawa.
Champ snorted. "Kaya nga madaliin mo na ang plano mo para magkaroon na tayo ng sariling happy ever after."
"I will." - she laughed.
Kailangan na niya talagang tanggalin ang tinik sa mga buhay nila. She's desperate to get rid of that leech as desperate as that leech wanted to suck everything they have. In time, mapagpapabayad din niya ang taong iyon. Napakalaki ng utang nito sa kanila. Hinding-hindi niya hahayaang makapanakit pa ito ng iba.
They eat, talk and laughed together. Jeva silently prayed na sana, tuloy-tuloy na ang kaligayahang nararamdaman nila. She wanted her daughter to live in a peaceful life. Hangga't kaya niya hindi niya hahayaang masaksihan nito ang kadiliman ng mundo.
Nagulat siya ng biglang tumayo ang lalaki. "Wait here." - ani nito. Tumango na lang siya at hinayaan na umalis muna ang lalaki nang biglang namatay ang mga ilaw. Only the stars and city lights gave them a glimpse of light. Agad niyang kinapa ang kaniyang anak at pinaupo ito sa kanyang hita.
She hugged her daughter tightly and shushed her when it starts crying. "It's okay. Mama's here." - alo niya sa kanyang anak. Nasaan na ba kasi ang kanyang asawa at bakit biglang nawala ang mga ilaw. Hindi naman siguro nawalan ng kuryente dahil may kuryente naman sa ibang bahay.
Nakahinga siya nang maluwag nang umilaw muli ang mga lights. She jolted when a large cloth and covered the wall.
Napatakip siya sa kanyang bibig nang mabasa ang nakasulat rito nang biglang sumulpot ang kanyang asawa na may dala-dalang malaking bouquet.
She gasped when Champ kneeled in front of her. "I wasn't able to do this to you before because our marriage was arranged by our mothers. And, I never hated my mother for doing that. Kasi, kahit nasa kabilang buhay na siya ay hindi siya nagkamali at ibinigay niya ang isang tao na naging mahalaga sa buhay ko. Ang taong nagturo sa akin kung paano magmahal. Ang taong nagparealize sa akin na kaya ko pa lang magrisk. At ang taong hindi napagod na magmahal sa akin at siya ring nagbigay sa akin ng isa pang kayamanan." - he looked at his daughter. "Sweetheart, allow me to do the things that I wasn't able to do before." - he cleared his throat. "I want you to experience what other girls experienced too---"
"Just go straight to the point." - putol niya rito.
Napakamot naman ng ulo ang kanyang asawa. "Panira ka naman eh. Alam mo bang pinag-aralan ko pa ito?" -he tsked.
"Mom, why dad is kneeling in front of you?" - inosenteng tanong ng kanyang anak.
"Because, I'm his religion." - taas-noong sagot ni Jeva.
"WHAT?" - sabay na tanong nina Champ at Way kay Jeva.
"Nothing anak." - she said to Way and then she gave a glare to Champ. "Bakit hindi ba?" - nakataas ang kilay nito habang nakatingin sa lalaki.
"Oo na --"
"Napipilitan ka ata?"
"Hindi ah?" - tanggi nito. Tumingin ito sa anak. "I'm proposing to your mom."
"Proposing. Was that asking anyone to get married?" -tanong ni Way. Their child is really smart to know this kind of thing.
"Yes." - they both answered.
"But you two are already married."
They are married but their wedding was not the wedding that Jeva should experienced. Gusto niyang lahat ng kilala nila ay invited sa engrandeng kasal na gusto niya para sa kanyang asawa.
"Yeah, but I want to marry your mom again." -he smiled sweetly at his daughter.
"Oh?" - Way. "Say yes mom."
Jeva looked intently at her husband. "Ask."
Napalunok naman si Champ. "W-will be my wife?" - Kahit na asawa na niya ang babaeng tinatanong ay kinakabahan pa rin siya sa isasagot nito.
"May anak na nga tayo't lahat-lahat eh. Of course, YES!" - sagot niya sa lalaki. Agad naman itong tumayo at nagtatalon-talon. Binatukan niya ito upang tumigil. "Isuot mo kaya muna sa akin yan no?" - tukoy niya sa singsing na hawak-hawak nito.
"Oh? Right." Nanginginig ang kamay kamay habang isinusuot ang singsing sa daliri ng kaniyang asawa bago niya ito hinalikan sa labi.
"Yes!!!" - masayang sigaw ng kanilang anak kaya naman napabitaw sila sa isa't isa.
A wide smile written on their faces.
He can't wait to marry his wife again, with no more worries and hiding this time.