Bachelor's Inferno 1: Dust of Memories

Chapter 4

"I'M worried about Frankus, Wilson," Sasahh said after setting the cup of tea on the patio table, in front of Wilson. She placed another cup of tea on the table before sitting directly across from her husband.

"The other day, he cried after waking up from the nightmare. Hindi kaya naapektuhan siya sa mga pangyayari noon at ngayon lang lumalabas ang sintomas?"

"Maayos naman siya pero medyo naninibago nga lang ako. Hindi naman masama, actually natutuwa ako. Para kasing..." Wilson paused for a moment, contemplating the next line. "I felt that he needed me. Parang gusto niya akong makasama, makausap and he even enjoyed playing golf with me."

"Ganoon din ang nararamdaman ko. Parang bawat gesture ko, kahit napakasimple, masayang-masaya siya. Ganyan naman siya dati pa pero may iba lang talaga." Sasahh brought the cup to her lips, and she took a sip on the Jasmine tea.

"But I'm happy seeing you both very okay again," she said after placing the cup back down on the table.

"Ako rin. Masaya akong naging okay kami ni Frankus. Akala ko hindi na mangyayari." Tumayo si Wilson at naupo sa mas mahabang upuan.

"Halika ka rito, Baby Doll."

Sasahh's eyes automatically rolled, but she tried not to smile. Wilson reached out a hand to her. She stood up, placed a hand over Wilson's hand, and moved to sit beside him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder while holding her hand.

"Stop calling me a baby doll. Hindi na tayo mga bata. Nalipasan na tayo ng panahon."

"No amount of time can ever erase the memories we've shared, and the love I have for you."

"Hindi na ako mukhang baby doll."

"You are still in my eyes." Sa pagkakataon na iyon ay tuluyang natawa si Sasahh pero sa loob ay kinikilig siya. Sometimes, she couldn't believe that Wilson could still give her butterflies in the stomach even if they have been together for decades. Maraming beses sinubok ang kanilang pagmamahalan, at nito lang ay malaking pagsubok na akala niya ay sisira nang tuluyan sa kanila ni Wilson.

Pero hindi... mas nanaig ang pagmamahal niya kay Wilson. Masakit ang ginawa nitong pagtago sa kanya ng katotohanan pero ayaw bumitaw ng puso niya... Natabunan ng pagmamahal niya ang nararamdaman niyang galit sa ginawa nito. Binalikan niya kung paano sila nagsimula. Kung paano sila nagkakilala. Kung paano nagsimula ang pagmamahalan nila. Kung paano nila ipinaglaban at ang pangako nila sa isa't isa.

"Thank you," mahinang usal ni Wilson. Tumingin siya rito at ngumiti.

"Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for still loving me." Wilson leaned in; his forehead met hers.

"Masyado mo akong sinanay sa ka-sweet-an mo kaya paano naman kita palalayasin? I'm gonna suffer if I do that."

Wilson smiled. "I will love you for the rest of my life."

"Ako rin. Habambuhay." Hinaplos ni Sasahh ang pisngi ni Wilson. Mahal na mahal niya ang taong ito. Hindi niya magawang mamuhi. Kahit kay Frankus na kahit hindi nanggaling sa kanya ay hindi nabawasan ang pagmamahal niya.

***

HECTOR could hardly contain his excitement as he stood in front of the closed door, waiting for Maureen to open it for him. He gasped when the door swung open, and the very alluring scent of her wafted up to his nose. And it's not that... the sight of her wearing nothing but a pair of black lace underwear and a black kimono silk robe made every nerve ending in his body pulsate.