Darating kaya ang bukas? [PUBLISHED]

KABANATA 30

Anton's P.O.V.

Her beautiful face fascinates me. Most especially when asleep. Just like on the very first day I saw her,  when she went unconscious right on my feet.

Yes, right there, near the altar. While I was waiting for my bride who never came.

"Aray ko!"

Isang malakas na sampal 'na naman' kasi ang dumapo sa mukha ko.

"A-Anton?"

Yeah right? Akala na naman ba niya ay... Hahalikan ko siya? Jeez-o-pete!  Eh ano bang masama na halikan ko siya eh asawa ko na naman siya?

"Ako nga..." Iniinda pa rin ang malakas na sampal niya.  Ang sakit nun ha?  Na-dislocate yata ang kaliwang panga ko.

"Buhay ka?"

Uhm! The last thing I checked... "Yes."

"Buhay ka?!"  Pabulyaw na ang pagkakasabi niya. Nanlalaki pa ang mga mata.

"O... Oo?"

Am I supposed to doubt?

"Bu-hay ka?!" Mas malakas na.  Mas nilakihan na niya ang kanyang nga mata.

Uhm... Mali ba ang sagot ko nung una? 

"O... Oo?"

"Buhay kang walanghiya ka?!" Galit na galit siya pero parang papaiyak na.

Bad news ba o good news na buhay ako? I'm really, really confused right now.

"After all you put me into?" Umiiyak na siya nang tuluyan. Hinahambalos ang dibdib ko.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Now I get it. She's very, very upset I made her worry too much.

I know.  Yes, I know it, it wasn't the best idea to make her believe that I was dead. But, that's the only way I can keep her and my other loveones, out of trouble, since the true enemy comes in and out of our household; the enemy that I'd rather not touch, until I found a strong evidence to pin him down.

"You have all the right to get mad, Hon, but Let me explain. I did that be--"

She squeezed me tightly. So tight I could hardly breathe. But I love it. I love it very much.

"I miss you so much."  Bulong ko. "Sorry I have to do what I did.  But it's over now. I will never leave you again."

"Sorry I slapped you, Honey." Bulong niya sa may tenga ko.  "Akala ko kasi hahalikan mo ako eh."  And then she giggled.

***

"What the heck are you doing here?!" Bulalas ko kay Rafael. I am in my office.

"Woah. Keep it cool, man!"  Nakataas ang magkabila niyang kamay.

Tumawa ako. "Stay away from my wife, ok?"  Biro ko, habang bumabalik ako sa binabasa kong mga papeles.

"Well, I'll think about that." Nakabungisngis na hinihimashimas pa niya ang kanyang baba.

Binato ko siya ng paper clip.  Humahalakhak na sinalag naman niya 'yon.