KNIGHTS I-6: Pursuing Cinderella (Trigger Knights)

Chapter 8

Miracle's hand stopped from painting when one thing striked her mind. Bumaba ang kamay niya bago mapangiti nang matamis.

She hurriedly went outside the room before closing it. Sunod siyang naglakad papalapit sa digital calendar na nakadikit sa pader. Agad na pumuslit ang ngiti sa mga labi niya nang makita ang petsa.

She felt so stupid that she just realized it now. It's October 12, and Trigger's birthday is in October 13. Birthday na pala ng asawa niya bukas pero nakalimutan niya pa!

She walked towards their room to see if Trigger's there, but she found no traces of her husband.

"Nasa company siguro 'yon. Pagod na pagod na nga, ayaw pang magpahinga," she softly murmured to herself.

Muli niyang nilingon ang digital calendar. She's so excited for Trigger. Gusto niyang maramdaman ng asawa niya ang saya sa araw ng kaarawan nito. Minsan lang kasi niya makitang i-celebrate ni Trigger ang sariling birthday, at wala pang ibang bumabati rito.

Even Trigger's brothers and parents are mad at him. The Knights family knew what Trigger's doing to her kaya buong Knights ay ilap sa lalaki. Isa rin siguro 'yon sa dahilan kung bakit galit na galit ang asawa niya sa kaniya.

Maybe Trigger's blaming her about it.

That's why Miracle never wanted her husband to lose some friends, to lose Enica. He must be so lonely in his life.

In her situation, her parents are also mad at her for unknown reasons. Pero sanay na siya sa ganoong sitwasyon. Kahit noong bata pa siya, bugbog at galit lang ang natatanggap niya sa mga ito kaya hindi na bago 'yon.

Pero si Trigger, iba naman ang sitwasyon nito. He used to be close to his brothers until she came and ruined his life.

Bumuntong hininga si Miracle nang muling maalala na wala pa pala siyang regalo para sa asawa. Mabilis na lumikot ang mga mata ni ng babae, nag-iisip kung anong ireregalo niya rito.

Trigger has everything, kaya kapag materyal na bagay ang binigay niya rito. Wala itong pake, at hindi man lang ito ma-e-excite.

She bit her lower lip before running towards the room where she was. Maybe if she'll paint Trigger's portrait, he'll get excited since it's not something that a person will expect.

Halos tumalon ang puso niya sa tuwa habang maingat na pinipinta ang mukha ng asawa. Tutal ay lagi itong nakasimangot at hindi niya pa ito nakitang ngumiti sa harapan niya, she painted Trigger's portrait where he's smiling sweetly.

"I hope he'll like this one," she whispered to herself.

PAGOD na humiga ang babae sa kama nang maramdaman ang sakit ng mga braso. Inabot siya ng apat na oras sa pagpipinta ng larawan ng asawa.

In the end, her struggles are worth it. Trigger's portrait is the one of the most beautiful piece she ever painted.

Tumayo siya sa kinahihigaan at pinagtabi ang portrait ng asawa niya at ng baby niya. She giggled softly while staring at the two most important people in her life.

"Your father will like you for sure, baby. I hope everything will be okay once he found out about your existence," she whispered while staring at her child's image.

She went down to the kitchen para ipagluto ang asawa. Shanelle told her that whenever her husband is tired and stressed, pinagluluto niya ito. That's why Miracle wanted to that also.

Alam niyang mamaya pa uuwi ang asawa niya. Trigger usually comes home between 12 AM to 2 AM around weekends. Sakto na gusto niya itong batiin sa mismong pagpatak ng alas dose.

Seeing how Trigger acted a while ago, it feels like he forgot about his birthday also.

KINUSOT ni Miracle ang mga mata nang marinig ang kaluskos mula sa sala. Nagmamadaling bumangon siya mula sa kama at sinuot ang pangbahay na tsinelas.

She got out from their bedroom to confirm if her husband is already home. Nang sumilip siya mula sa taas, she saw Trigger sitting on the sofa while massaging his own forehead.

Miracle hurriedly took the portrait she painted and carry it as she went downstairs. Hindi pa napapansin ni Trigger ang presensya niya kaya maingat niyang nilapag ang painting sa gilid.

Bago niya ito lapitan ay naramdaman niya ang pag-vibrate ng cellphone mula sa loob ng bulsa. She quickly opened the message from an unknown number.

Hey, pretty! I took your number from Trigger's phone a while ago so don't ask me kung saan ko nakuha. This is Enica. But look at this. Your husband's with someone else a while ago. I wanted to punch him straight on the face pero ayokong pangunahan ka. Do you know this girl, by chance? If not, I'll beat her to death.

Matapos basahin ni Miracle ang message ni Enica ay sunod niyang binuksan ang picture na sinend nito.

She saw Trigger's picture accompanying another woman. And they look sweet.

Miracle smiled bitterly. Ano pa nga bang pinagbago?

She approached Trigger na agad namang nag-angat ng tingin nang mapansin ang presensya niya.

"Why are you still awake?" malamig na tanong nito.

Miracle felt Trigger's aura in instant. She knew that he's having a big problem right now. Siguro may issue na namang nangyari sa kompanya. Kaya kahit na matamlay siya dahil sa mensaheng natanggap mula kay Enica, imbis na batiin niya ito ng 'Happy birthday', iba ang lumabas na mga salita sa bibig niya.

"What happened?" she worriedly asked him.

Trigger didn't answer her. She was about to open the lights but Trigger stopped her by grabbing her wrist. "Go to sleep. Don't mind me."

Matamlay na inagaw ni Miracle nang dahan dahan ang kamay bago pakatitigan ang asawa.

"You look bothered. Tell me, what happened to you? Is it about the board members?" mahina at nag-iingat niyang tanong.

Baka lumala pa ang init ng ulo ng asswa at madamay siya sa galit nito. She doesn't want to give Trigger a stressful birthday.

Umiwas ng tingin ang lalaki. "All of the investors pulled out their investments from the company," mahinang sagot nito.

Miracle's eyes widened. Agad siyang umupo sa tabi ng lalaki. "What? Bakit? Anong nangyari? Nag-away away ba kayo?"

Trigger clenched his jaw. "You don't care. Stop asking me."

Tumayo na ito mula sa pagkakaupo pero mabilis na hinila ni Miracle ang braso ng asawa at muli itong pinaupo. "Trigger tell me what happened. Ayokong maging clueless sa mga nangyayari sa 'yo dahil asawa pa rin kita."

Inagaw nito ang braso mula sa pagkakahawak niya. "Those jerks pulled out their investments because of my project. There, I said it! That's not my fucking problem here. I called my brothers to help me but they never answered me back. I'm fucking tired of all these bullshits that happened to me in this day, so stop asking me!"

Miracle didn't flinch when Trigger burst out in anger.

All she can see right now is not her husband who's very independent and strong. All she can see right now is her vulnerable husband who's seeking for someone's attention and care. And even his own family can't give that when he's facing a big problem like this.