The Universe Conspired

TWENTY-ONE

I awkwardly patted his back before swiftly disengaging myself from his arms.

"Rae, bakit sinasabi nila may asawa ka na?" Puno ng pagtataka siyang tumingin sa akin at kay Atlas bago tuluyang dumapo ang paningin niya sa palasingsingan ko.

"Timothy," sabi ko sa isang malumanay na boses. Hindi ko inasahan na magkikita pa kami ulit kaya't hindi ko napaghandaan ang paghaharap na ito.

"Attorney Atlas Salvador," my husband said calmly and extended a hand which Tim reluctantly took.

"Timothy Buensuceso."

They looked at each other intently, obviously sizing up each other. I doubt my husband would engage in a fistfight even if provoked, but I can't say the same for Timothy.

"Sa... sa loob na lang tayo mag-usap," putol ko sa kanila.

Atlas opened the door of his office for Timothy and I.

"I'll give you two a chance to talk. Mr. Buensuceso, please do stay for dinner. I'm sure you've had a long journey."

Although my husband was acting cordially, I know he must be feeling confused and angry right now. I want to go out and explain to him but that will have to wait until I finish talking to my ex-boyfriend.

"What the hell is this, Rae? Asawa? Akala ko ba tayong dalawa ang magpapakasal? Ang bilis mo naman yata nakahanap ng iba!" galit na saad ni Timothy.

"Matagal na kaming magkakilala. Kailangan mong malaman, nang pinaghiwalay tayo ng Mama mo—"

"Nandito na ako ngayon 'di ba? Sabi ko naman sa'yo, hintayin mo lang ako. Kaya ano'ng nangyari, Rae?"

His handsome face betrayed how upset he was.

"Marami... marami ang nangyari," mapait na saad ko.

"And I'm sorry for not being there for you. I told you I need some time. I needed to graduate and find a job before I could marry you, Rae!" he said in an accusing voice.

"Hindi ko alam kung seryoso ka sa'kin, okay? Tim, ni hindi mo nga kami naipagtanggol ni Nanay nang pinalayas kami ng Mama mo!"

Ayoko man magtunog nanunumbat, hindi ko na maalis 'yon sa tono ko. Pagod akong tumingin sa kanya, nasasaktan dahil kahit papaano ay may pinagsamahan din kaming dalawa.

"Gano'n na lang ba 'yon? Tama ba si Mama? Ginamit mo lang ba ako?"

I nervously looked at the door, afraid that we could be heard outside. He noticed that and grew even angrier.

"Afraid your husband is going to hear what I have to say?" he asked and furiously strode outside where Atlas was standing by the dining table.

"Tim, tama na! Umalis ka na," pakiusap ko sa kanya sabay hawak sa braso niya. Atlas immediately looked at my hand on Timothy's arm so I consciously withdrew it.

"Bakit? Natatakot ka ba malaman ng asawa mo ang nakaraan mo?"

"Mr. Buensuceso, I think you should go. Your presence has clearly distressed my wife," Atlas said calmly.

Timothy heaved heatedly. "Kilala mo ba talaga ang pinakasalan mo, Pare? This girl, Andraea, was a maid in our house. Silang dalawa ng nanay niya!"

Hindi ko kinakahiya na naging katulong ako pero sa tunog ng pagkakasabi ni Timothy ay para bang nakakadiri ako.

"You need to go," ulit ni Atlas.

"Kahit underqualified siya, pinilit ko ang Mama ko na gawin siyang receptionist sa dental clinic niya. She became my girlfriend and my mother found out. Tama ang sinabi ni Mama, 'di ba, Rae? Ginamit mo lang ako? Naghihintay ka lang na makatapos ako sa dentistry at sikreto tayong magpapakasal, 'di ba?" galit na saad ni Timothy.