CHAMP'S
That woman is surely the death of me. Doesn't she know that I'm a man? I'm freaking stressed because of the left and right jobs, and now I think I'm drained because of her.
Two years living with her and I could say that she's really different from the first time I saw her. She was demure while the truth is she's not. She is crazy and bold. Literally bold, she and her mouth.
Just like a while ago. Who is in their right frame of mind grabs her hair up without minding that someone could see her boobs?
And for the whole two years she's been calling me talong, walking cucumber/talong, humihingang talong, kuto, kutong-lupa o lamang-lupa. I know that I am acting arrogant to her but hell! Why would she see me like a fucking vegetable o a nasty creature which I am not even sure if they exist?!
I walk straight to my room. I threw myself on the mini bed beside the window, trying to calm myself.
The first time I saw that duckling I was really attracted to her.
To her heart-shaped face, small nose, not so chinky eyes, and red pouty lips. So is her long brown wavy hair.
She also has a body to die for. She is slender. She could be a model or an actress but I don't know why she doesn't want to.
I called her duck/duckling and that is because, I am tempted to kiss her. Argh! This is frustrating marami namang babaeng artista or model na mas maganda kaysa sa kaniya but her impact to me is undeniable.
When she said that we will be annulling our marriage after three months my ass was dreaded. I know it is so selfish of me to keep her even if I still wasn't sure of my feelings for her until now. But I don't want to let her go. It is a real-life horror movie. I am quite happy when my grandma got sick, dahil nawala sa isipan ng babaeng 'yon ang makipag-annul sakin. But, I am not praying that my grandma will be sick, that was maybe a blessing in disguise.
I may be attracted to her but I love my career. I don't want it to be ruined, that's why I asked her to keep it a secret. Selfish? Yeah. I want to keep her but I don't want it to be exposed. Not yet. Not now.
I stood up when my phone rang. I took it from the side table.
Jaxxon Calling...
"Hey, bud. What's up?" - I greeted him. He is also a celebrity. He is a popular singer.
"Hey, Chandria invited us in celebrating her boyfriend's birthday party at Haven Delight's Café at 7:00pm. Will you go? I also invited Pietro." - He said. Baka ito na nga ang pampatanggal ng stress ko. Dahil kung mananatili ako sa bahay na ito kasama ang babaeng 'yon baka mabaliw na ako.
"I'll go. See you later. Bye." - He just said okay and bid.
I open the door to the bathroom nakita kong open rin ang pinto ni Leyn kaya dumeretso ang paningin ko sa kaniya.
She's standing there with only a panty on and her sexy back is facing me. She's currently talking to someone on her phone.
"Hello, love?" - I heard her say. Really, Love? May tinatawag na pala siyang Love tapos naghubad siya sa harapan ko. Wait, is she cheating on me? Is she playing games with me? Kahit sabihin nating fixed marriage lang ang nangyari sa amin kasal pa rin kami. Hindi magbabago 'yan pwera nalang kung magpapa annul kami which is not gonna happen. I won't allow that to happen.
Dumiretso ako sa shower room. Kanina gusto ko lang umihi pero napunta ako rito because that woman is really giving me a hard on without her knowing.
I took a cold shower after releasing bad spirits away from myself.
I walked out of the shower room while drying my hair. I looked at her room for a second and I looked away.
Kung kanina nakatalikod siya ngayon naman, nakaharap na.
Fuck! Bullshit! Kakashower ko lang!
I walked into my room breathing heavily and slammed the door.
Easy there buddy. It's me trying to calm my member.
We want a grandchild. Fuck! I hissed when I remembered my grandparents' request.
I immediately put on my clothes. Pambahay muna. Mamaya pa naman 'yong party.
Tumambay muna ako sa living room and the scripts are with me. I usually don't memorize my line nirerevise ko sila but our director now wants us to stick to what's written in the script.
I wanted to invite Leyn to come with me to the party, as a companion, of course. I can't say that I am dating her or that she's my wife. Not yet. It may ruin my career or is it me not wanting her to be exposed because I don't want anyone to put their eyes on her?
I stunned when I saw her fully dressed. Saan na naman ito pupunta?
"I'm going out." â She informed me. Wow! Really? You won't ask if I'll let you or not? This woman is really something.
"Where?" â I sounded like I care. Of course, I care. I wanted to invite her and yet, here she is going somewhere else with someone I don't know.
"I am going to my friend's café. We'll be preparing for my other friend's birthday." â Andami namang may birthday ngayon, galing naman tumayming ng kaibigan niya. Why can't they hire someone to prepare for it? I know all of her friends can afford. Why exert so much effort? Eh, hindi nga siya nag-exert ng effort kapag ako 'yong may birthday eh. Tsk!
Tiningnan ko ulit ang suot niya. Bakit parang kinulang sa tela ang suot ng babaeng 'to? Nagkulang ba ang mananahi ng tela? Just tell me, and I'll donate. I wonder if she's really going to prepare for a birthday party or a date. My blood boiled with that thought. Will she go out and meet the one she called love?
Fuck! Why do I sound like a jealous protective boyfriend?
"With that outfit?" â She looked at herself at taas-noong tumingin sa 'kin. Can't she see what's wrong with her outfit? Gusto ko siyang hilahin pabalik sa kwarto niya at ikulong roon.
She just shrugged.
"You can come if you like." â Is she inviting me to come with her? I mean to follow her?
"I'll stay here. I have to memorize the script." â I reasoned out. Nah, I don't like to sound like I am dying to be with her. And Jaxxon also invited me to a birthday party.
She stormed out after placing a black wallet-size invitation card. I picked it up and read. I knew it! She's preparing for a guy. TSS! But the venue caught my attention.
Haven Delight's Café. Isn't it the venue of Chandria's boyfriend's birthday party? Is this a coincidence or not?
I just shrugged that thought. I still can't get over her exerting effort on someone's birthday and to think that someone is a MALE!
Fuck! I kept myself busy memorizing my script. And the hell! I can't concentrate. This is a real BULLSHIT! So frustrating!
Hours passed and still, I can't memorize a single line. Fuck it!
I went to garage and drove my car to my condo unit. No one knows that I am married except for my star-manager. So, I need to go to my condo unit at doon magpapasundo kina Jaxxon. Ayaw kong mag drive papunta sa café na 'yon. Makikisakay na lang ako.
I waited an hour in my condo. Nakatulog ako habang naghihintay sa kanila. Palagi talagang grand entrance itong sina Jaxxon. Laging huli kapag may ganitong mga event.
Dumaan lang sila dito sa condo para sunduin ako and we go straight to the café.
Hindi ko naman kilala 'yong magbibirthday so, I didn't bring a gift. I just bring myself. I hope he wouldn't mind. Chandria also said it's fine, so yeah.
I am with Jaxxon, Pietro and Jeron inside the SUV. Lahat pala kami rito hindi kilala kung sino ang magbibirthday. Chandria didn't give us the name, all we know is that her non-showbiz boyfriend is a captain. Captain ng barko. I mean, fianceé. I was corrected by Jeron a while ago, that they have been engaged since the other day.
Moments later, we arrived at the café. We go inside directly baka may makakilala sa amin sa labas.
The light is dim. I looked around. I was stunned when I saw my wife-beating the drums. I saw her stunned too. Hindi niya inaasahang pupunta ako dito ngayon. I told you a while ago that I'll be memorizing my lines and here I am.
I move aside when Pietro push my sideways para makapasok siya.
Pietro stiffened as he saw the people on the stage. His expression changed. It became so dark.
Tinapik ko ang balikat niya. I got his attention, I gestured to him that we should take a seat. Good thing he followed.
Nang nakaupo na kami, three tables away from the stage. I look again at my wife playing with the drums.
I didn't know she could play drums. Okay, how would I know? Madalas mukha naman kaming strangers sa loob ng bahay.
God! She's so hot.
I thought they were already done when the song ended but the vocalist speaks.
"Let's hear another song from my friend here." - She pointed to my wife. What?! She could sing too? This woman is really full of surprises.
Lumapit siya sa babaeng hawak ang lead guitar at nagpalit sila. Bali 'yon naggigitara kanina siya na naman ang magdadrum ngayon. Habang 'yong vocalist kanina ay bumaba na kasama ang babaeng may hawak ng tambourine.
"I wanted to greet Dane, a happy birthday. But this song isn't for you, bro." - she laughed when the birthday celebrant shouted 'WHAT' at her. Tumikhim muna siya bago nagsalita ulit. "This song is for my special someone." - She laughed again when her friends booed her.
Special someone my ass! Is that for the one she called 'love' a while ago? Aba! Hindi na talaga nahiya ang babaeng to. Harap ko pa talaga ha? Dito talaga? Alam niyang nandito ako. Nakita niya ako kanina. Ano to? Nagpapanggap siyang hindi ako nakita? Lalandi na lang sa harapan ko pa talaga.
I scoffed. Now, she could play guitar too? What the heck that woman can't do?! I'm his husband and I don't know a single fact about her aside from knowing that she is not a demure woman.
The fuck! What kind of husband I am now? Ngayon ko lang na realize na napakawalang-kwenta kong asawa. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang favorite color niya.
Fuck! Why am I having lots of rants in my head? I am just attracted to my wife, right? Why am I feeling nuts?
I was brought back to reality when she starts strumming the guitar
Dreaming,
Fuck! Why does she have a cold singing voice? It's giving me goosebumps.
I must be dreaming
Or am I really lying here with you?
Baby, you take me in your arms
And though I'm wide awake, I know my dream is coming true
She looked at me like she was singing it for me. Like I was the one she has been dreaming of. Lots of emotions are in her eyes. But being hopeful is more vivid.
And, oh, I just fall in love again
Just one touch and then it happens every time
There I go, I just fall in love again, and when I do
I can't help myself, I fall in love with you
Her eyes are still on me. If I haven't heard her calling someone love. I might think that she's in love with me.
Magic, it must be magic
The way I hold you and the night just seems to fly
Easy for you to take me to a star
Heaven is that moment when I look into your eyes
I also wanted to hold her and watch the stars at night. She's the first girl I was attracted to after my first love who's nowhere to be found.
And, oh, I just fall in love again
Just one touch and then it happens every time
There I go, I just fall in love again, and when I do
I can't help myself, I fall in love with you
I can't help myself, I fall in love with you
Thinking about her falling in love with someone else makes my head want to burst. Why am I feeling this way, anyway?
Pagkatapos nilang kumanta ay bumaba na sila sa stage. A guy approaches Leyn and gives her a box of tissue. She smile at him and accepted it.
The party continues but we choose to start eating.
The birthday celebrant roams around with Chandria. The latter introduces him to the visitors while they greet him.
Chandria and her fianceé approach us. He and she were smiling but when he saw us his expression changed. His face got furious.
"What the fuck are you doing here?!" - All of the visitors who heard him gasped and looked at us.
I am really confused. Is he talking to me? What did I do to him that makes him so mad?
I was about to ask him when Pietro stood up.
"I didn't know it was your party." - Pietro said sarcastically.
Anong nangyayari? Bakit parang ang laki ng galit ng fianceé ni Chandria kay Pietro? Did I miss something?
"The fuck! Get the hell outta here! I don't need you here! Get out!" - The man shouted hysterically while pointing his hand at the door.
Lumapit sa amin ang asawa ko at ang mga kaibigan niya. They're gripping the man's arm while Chandria put herself in front of him trying to calm him down.
"I don't know who the fuck invited you here. But please, help yourself out." - I've never seen my wife so mad before just now.
What the fuck Pietro did do to them?
"What?" - Pietro let out a sarcastic laugh. "You're not the one who invited me." - Pietro looks around. "Oh? I didn't see your slut friend."
My wife's friend slapped him. "Umayos ka! Nagdidilim ang paningin ko sa 'yo!" - galit na sigaw nito.
"Don't you dare call my friend with that kind of name!" - Nerize, shouted at him. Of course, I knew Nerize. She's an actress. I worked with her once.
"Mister..." - My wife looked at me. "Please help your friend out." - She said coldly. Why is she calling me Mister? Why is she acting like she doesn't know me? Oh, right! I made her shut her mouth about our relationship. What a dick me!
"Oh wait..." I was about to drag Pietro out when she spoke again. "Don't you ever... I mean never. Ask us about her whereabouts because, we are not letting you know, dickhead!" - I rarely hear her cussing but damn! She's so hot when she's mad and cursing.
"We are not letting you hurt her again. Never again." - A tear fell from her eyes. I might say she's hot when she is mad but something pinched me when I saw her crying.
"She hurt me which made me hurt her!" - Uh-oh! I wanted to put the table napkin into Pietro's mouth. He is adding fuel to the fire.
"That's not a valid reason for you to hurt her! If she dies I'll burn you alive, you animal!" - The one who slapped him a while ago spat at him.
"Ky... stop. She'll not die. She's strong. She's okay like you told us earlier, right?" - Pietro's muscles are stiff, I know because I can feel it. I am holding his arms.
"What are you talking about?" - Naguguluhang tanong ng kaibigan ko sa kanila.
Chandria's fianceé fakes a laugh. "As if we will tell you. You are not even worthy to know. What kind of husband are you when you are not going to listen or believe in your wife?" - He mocked Pietro.
My wife walks toward Pietro. "How could you not see that it wasn't your wife? How could you not see that someone framed her? How could you think that my friend could do that nasty thing?" - She sobs. She's really crying so hard. "You knew her more than anyone. But you are blinded by your career because you are afraid that it might drag you down. You should be the one protecting her. You should be the one who would believe in her and fix things together. But you... you did the latter. Because you are a DIPSHIT MOTHERFUCKER!" - I was stunned. Because again, I never heard my wife cussed before.
"I owned this café and it's Dane's birthday, which is, my friend. That is now a valid reason for me to kick you out. Now, get the hell outta here. Hindi ka nababagay dito! At wag na wag mo ng ipakita ang mukha mo sa amin." - The one my wife called 'Ky' yelled at him. With that, I pulled him to go out with Jaxxon and Jeron was pushing him.
"Hooh! That was intense!" - Jaxxon huffed. "What was that?" - Jaxxon asked Pietro.
"They're my wife's friend." - He answered. I heard that Pietro's wife is a much-known supermodel named Shylane who just disappeared leaving no trace left. I don't know how that happens but it happened.
That explains why. Jaxxon chose not to speak again; he knew that Pietro and his wife were really not on good terms after his wife's viral video scandal.
We remained silent when Pietro spoke. "What if they're right? What if I was really blinded? What if..." - he looked at us with a flustered face. He is so damn messed up.
"We think that you should have started investigating. How could your wife disappear like that? No trace. Nothing..." Jeron suggested.
I agreed to his suggestion. "Yeah, you should do that, bro. Upon hearing all those things from her friends, I might say that there is something odd. Something's not good happened." - Well, syempre pa good points na rin yan sa asawa ko.
Wait! Speaking of my wife. Damn! She now knows that I am a friend of this guy baka pati ako madamay sa galit niya sa lalaking to. But I guess my wife is not that mustard-minded person. I am safe, I think and I wish.
Bumaba ako sa SUV.
"Where the heck are you going?" - Jeron asked me.
"You go. Ihatid niyo na ang lalaking 'yan." - He furrowed his brows. Pietro's already zoning out. Hindi niya na alam ang nangyayari sa paligid it must be so hard for him.
"How about you?"
I shrugged. "Just go. I can handle myself." - Mabuti nalang at sumunod sila sa akin.
I waited a couple of minutes here outside the café before my wife came out.
She's walking like a zombie. She's so fucked up. Nilapitan ko siya. Hindi niya pa ako napansin kung hindi lang siya nabangga sa dibdib ko. I grabbed her waist when she lost her balance.
"Oh? Hi there, my cucumber." - She gave me an annoying smile. Tinulungan ko siyang tumayo ng maayos.
"Give me your keys, I'll drive." - She didn't argue with me. Binigay niya agad 'yong susi. She might be really exhausted.
Buong byahe ay tulog siya hanggang makarating kami sa bahay. I didn't wake her up instead, I carried her and bring her to her room.
I was controlling myself while changing her clothes and giving her a sponge bath.
I stopped when I heard her utter words while her eyes were still closed. "I-i'm sorry..." - I heard her sobs. "I'm... sorry. I didn't know..." - she sobs again. I guess my wife is having a bad dream.
"Shh! It's okay. It's okay." - I am trying to calm her down by brushing my fingers on her hair.
I continue what I am doing until she stops sobbing.
"Everything will be alright, wife. It's okay. You're okay." - I mumbled trying to calm her more, hoping she could dream what I said so she could hear it.
I kissed her forehead and went to my room.