Nang dalhin ni Arem sa loob ng kanilang kwarto ang kanyang asawa, bumalik sa labas ng terrace ang kanilang mga bisita kasama ang kanyang ina.
Maingat niyang inalalayan na maupo si Samantha sa kama.
Isinandal naman nito ang likuran sa headboard saka kumuha ng unan at niyakap 'yun.
"What's wrong?" Arem patiently asked.
Samantha bit her lip while looking down at their bedsheet.
"Ayaw mong binibisita ka nila?"
Nanatiling walang kibo si Samantha.
"Have they not been treating you well in the past?"
Wala pa ring nakuhang sagot si Arem sa asawang walang kabuhay-buhay ng mga sandaling iyon. Napakalayo nito sa persona nitong palagi nilang nakikita.
"That guy...who is he?"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Samantha.
Napakunot-noo si Arem nang makita niya ang naging reaksyon ng asawa.
With his sharp and observant eyes, he immediately noticed the subtle signs of tension on her beautiful face.
Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit ganoon na lang ang reaksyon nito.
His attention to detail allowed him to pick up on this small detail, which could offer insight into her current emotional state.
"Samantha," madiin niyang tinawag ang pangalan nito nang makita niya na unti-unti na namang nanginginig ang katawan ng babaeng kaharap.
Pakiramdam ni Arem ay may kung anong bagay na sumasakal sa puso niya.
"Don't be afraid. I'm right here,"
Dahan-dahang nag-angat ng paningin si Samantha. Napatitig siya sa lalaking nasa harapan. Napakalayo nito sa lalaking nasa kanyang nakaraan.
In her previous life, the man looked very kind. His smile was like sunshine, and he never got angry. He was always patient with her and was very caring and considerate. However, despite all of this, he made her life a living hell.
Whenever he is around, her heart is always in a state of confusion. He seems like a good man, but why does she feel scared of him?
As she sat before him, Samantha couldn't help but compare the man in front of her to that sunny person in her past life. Unlike the happy and kind demeanor of that person, this man exuded an air of safety and calm. She felt at ease in his presence, as if nothing could harm her. Despite his stoic exterior, something was reassuring about him that made her feel protected.
It was a feeling she had never experienced before and one that she couldn't quite put into words.
Unti-unting kumalma ang sistema ni Samantha. Ang mga katagang 'I'm right here', ay nagbigay ng kakaibang lakas sa kanya.
Right.
He's right here.
That's why she have to pull herself together. Dahil ibig sabihin noon ay wala na siya sa bangungot na iyon at hinding-hindi na niya hahayaan na bumalik siya doon.
"A-arem?"
"I'm here," mabilis na sagot ng lalaki.
"Are they still outside?" Tanong ni Samantha sa halos pabulong na tinig.
"Umn,"
Huminga ng malalim si Samantha. Pilit na pinapakalma ang sarili.
"Water?"
BINABASA MO ANG
The Divorce
Non-FictionIn her past life, Samantha died at the hands of the person she trusted the most. Though he didn't kill her directly, he was the reason for her early demise. Upon waking up, Samantha promised to live her second life without regret. But first, she mus...
