ANOTHER DAY ROTTING IN VAIN

CHAPTER 008 - Values and Beliefs - p1 (First Marital Problem)

— Certainly, there will be differences and disagreements within a marriage, but some differences are too major to ignore, such as core values and beliefs. Since everyone does not grow up with the same belief systems, morals, and goals, there is a lot of room for debate and conflict within the relationship. —

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           "BASTA maaga ka pa sa Sunday ha? Ikaw ang naka-assign na magluto ng lunch. Hindi maka-pupunta si Coreen dahil inaasikaso ang negosyo, kaya hindi ka pwedeng mawala."

           Bahagya lang na narinig ni Demani ang sinasabi ni Maureen dahil ang pansin ay na-baling sa pag-pasok ng kotse ng asawa sa gate ng bahay nila. Mula sa pagkakaupo sa couch ay napatayo siya at naka-ngiting tinanaw ang pag-labas ni Van sa kotse nito at ang paglakad nito sa footwalk patungo sa front door.

           Oh, her husband hadn't lost it. Sa bawat pag-hakbang at sa kilos nito'y nagdadala pa rin ng kakaibang kilabot sa kaniya. Everything about her husband was making her feel deliciously uneasy.

           Kasalukuyan siyang naroon sa library na nasa third floor ng bahay nila at naka-upo sa couch na naka-harap sa glass wall, overlooking the Zen garden in the front of their house and the city from afar. Naka-sanayan na niyang maghintay roon tuwing hapon upang antabayanan ang pag-uwi ng asawa.

           Normally, Van would come home at five in the afternoon. Sa loob ng tatlong buwan simula nang ikasal sila ay memoryado na niya ang schedule nito. He's leaving at nine in the morning and would come home at five in the afternoon. Kapag may mga ka-meeting itong investors ay inaabot ito ng alas-otso. Sa tuwing nasa biyahe na ito ay saka ito tumatawag upang ipaalam sa kaniya kung anong oras ito makararating at kung may iba pa itong lakad upang hindi siya maghintay. He would also ask her what she would like him to bring for her, o kung may gusto siyang kainin na maaari nitong bilhin habang pauwi.

           May katulong siya sa bahay na pumupunta lang roon tuwing Sabado para asikasuhin ang paglilinis at paglalaba, subalit sa araw-araw ay siya ang umaasikaso ng mga kakailanganin ng asawa, kabilang na ang pagkain. Bilin ng mommy niya ay panahon na para matuto siyang magluto.

Dati naman na siyang marunong magluto, pero puro lang iyon Filipino home-dish na hindi niya alam kung magugustuhan ni Van. Kaya nag-pursige siyang matuto ng iba pang klase ng putahe upang maalagaan ito.

           Tulad nga ng sabi ng mommy niya— the way to a man's heart is through their stomach.

           So she did her best to learn new cuisines to impress her husband. She watched cooking channels to learn new recipes, read books about foods, and registered for an online culinary short course. At makalipas lamang ng dalawang linggo ay natuto na siya at naliligayahan sa tuwing nagugustuhan ng asawa ang inihahain niya.

           In the last three months, Van had become the sweetest and most loving husband any wife could ask for. Habang tumatagal ay lalo niyang itong nakikilala at mina-mahal. She was just so happy she couldn't ask for more.

           Pagkatapos naman ng hapunan ay madalas na naroon sila nito sa library. They would spend time together on the rattan-made swing as they talk about their lives and future plans. Sometimes, they would just silently stare at the glass wall and watched the city from afar, or the starry skies and the moon. Until her husband would start being kinky and the action would start eventually.

Yes, laging maaksyon ang gabi nila. Van was an insatiable beast in bed and she became a wanton herself. Naging mapag-hanap siya — laging nangangailangan. Her husband has taught her many things about lovemaking and she was enjoying every bit and piece of it. Wala siyang reklamo dahil nagkakaintindihan ang kanilang mga katawan. Their whole night was spent making love. And her husband never failed to bring her to the moon and beyond.