The Mistress

Kabanata 31

Matalim ang titig sa akin ni V. Kitang-kita ko sa mukha niya ang pagpipigil sa sarili na magsalita.

"I'll...just get my phone," paalam ko at nagpunta agad sa kwarto.

As I stepped inside my room, hindi ko na ma organisa ang isipan ko. I heaved a deep sigh and just took my phone. I immediately called
Mike, in just few seconds, he answered.

"Where are you? Wala kayo sa pinakamalapit na hospital..." I said, trying to hide something through my voice.

"Hinatid ko siya sa bahay nila dahil ayaw niyang magpa ospital. Pabalik na 'ko..." sagot niya.

Sinabi ko sa kanila ang sinabi niya at nagtataka sila kung bakit ayaw ni Shelly na  dalhin sa hospital.

Hindi nagtagal ay pinagpahinga na ni Dad si Mommy dahil malalim na rin ang gabi. Pinilit ko ring pauwiin na sila ni V at Jundi dahil alam kong pagod na sila. Akala ko nga, hindi ko mapapauwi si V. Luckily, nakumbinse siya ni Jundi.

The cold wind kissed my skin softly. Nasa sala ako at hinihintay si Mike habang marami nang tumatakbo sa aking isipan.

I can't stop myself to feel scared...
Scared of thinking the 'what if's' in my mind. Scared of admitting...that...I actually felt...saw...all of V's accusations towards Shelly.

Pero pinipili kong huwag bigyang pansin...dahil natatakot ako. Pakiramdam ko, guguho ang lahat sa akin, kaya ayokong bigyan ng masyadong atensyon ang lahat.

But, this time, it's different. Mas lalong lumilinaw sa akin ang lahat.  For the last time, I'll give them the benifit of the doubt.

I heard footsteps kaya napabaling ako sa pintuan.

Here's the man I'm so in love with. He looks exhausted but the authority he's bringing never goes down.

I stood up and wrapped my arms around his neck. His hands went to my back, slowly down to my waist.
Without even saying any word, I feel his warmth and it really feels...home

Hinalikan niya ang noo ko at inangat ang baba ko. Tinitigan niya ako na para bang may hinahanap siya sa mga mata ko.

"Are you sleepy? Uuwi na 'ko sa hotel. Magpahinga ka na," giit niya at tipid akong ngumiti sabay iling ng marahan.

"How is she? Bakit sa bahay nila siya nagpahatid?" simple kong tanong.

"Mapilit siya. Gusto niya talagang sa bahay nila. Maayos naman na siya, hindi na raw masakit."

Fuck.

I can hear Veronica's rants in my ears.
My chest hammered painfully at the thought that...maybe...Veronica was right all along.

Tumango ako. "Oh...You massaged her foot ba? Kaya umayos?" I asked, trying to fish more.

He shook his head.

"Wala akong ginawa. Don't worry about her. You should rest now."

I'm not worried about her, Mike. I'm worried for the both of you. Are you hiding something from me, love?

Are you cheating on me?

Imbis na titigan pa siya ay niyakap ko na lang siya. Alam kong kayang kaya kong madiskubre ang lahat nang hindi nila namamalayan. I can fake my emotions in front of them so well.

"I wanted to buy something tomorrow. Pwede pahiram ng card mo?" malambing kong sabi.

It took him a minute before answering.

He chuckled. "Alright."

Kumalas siya sa yakapan namin at kinuha niya ang wallet niya galing sa bulsa niya. He took a card and handed it to me. It's a different card, iba sa hawak ko ngayon. Pero parehong may pangalan niya.