The Ignored Wife (Published by PSICOM)

18: Down

"All of us are weak. In fact, a single word can tear us down."- jazlykdat

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Published by PSICOM. Available in all leading bookstores nationwide.

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Surreal.

That's the exact word that describes how Lianna feels as she walks at Dublin airport. Parang hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala na nandito na ulit siya kung saan nagsimula ang kuwento nilang mag-asawa.

She can vividly recall how Vaughn appeared that day habang binibigay ang passport niya sa check in area pauwi ng Pilipinas.

Kung nagtiwala lang sana siya dito noon. The last five years of their lives would have been heaven-like.

But she can not do anything to reverse what happened. She shrugged the thought off. Kailangang kalimutan niya ang nangyari noon. Kung siya mismo ay hindi makalimot eh di mas lalo na ang asawa niya na higit na nasaktan sa nangyari.

Nasa unahan ang kambal kasunod ang ama ng mga ito na hila-hila ang luggages nila. Vaughn instructs the children where to go habang siya naman ay tahimik lang na nakasunod hila-hila rin ang sariling bagahe.

There are a lot of things running on her mind like why did Vaughn took them in Ireland. Isn't this supposed to be a bad place to remember? Kasi dito sila unang nagkita.

She was taken aback when Vaughn stopped. Nasa labas na sila ng airport at may nakaabang na limousine. Mas lalo siyang tinakasan ng kulay nang may umibis na dalawang tao mula sa sasakyan, a woman too beautiful to be old and a handsome man of the same age as the woman. Parehong nagtatangkaran ang mga ito at hindi halata ang mga edad sa tindig nila. They look alive and kicking.

The old man obviously has a Spanish descent and his eyes have the same color as Vaughn's. The woman is undoubtedly Filipino- American.

"Are these my grandchildren?!" namamanghang tanong ng matanda. Her eyes are smiling at the twins. Ganoon din ang matandang lalaki.

"They are the most beautiful kids I've ever seen." She said before kneeling down to hug them both. The twins immediately hugged her back.

"Look at how biased your mom is," natatawa namang saad ng matandang lalaki kay Vaughn. He also kneeled down and hugged the kids.

"I know dad," Vaughn answered chuckling.

Lianna remained static. Hindi niya alam kung paano magre-react sa harapan ng parents ni Vaughn. She's afraid that they may be mad at her for taking the kids away.

She stiffened when Vaughn's mom stood up and looked at her.

"So, this must be Lianna?" she asked with a wide smile.

"We are glad to finally meet you," sabad naman ng matandang lalaki at yumakap sa kanya. Somehow, the old man's gesture hefts her feelings. When he released her, sumunod namang yumakap ang matandang babae. Nang tingnan niya si Vaughn, ngumiti ito ng tipid.

Their gestures maid Lianna teary-eyed.

"Vaughn was right! You really are breathtakingly beautiful." Nakangiting saad ng matandang babae sa kanya pagkatapos siyang yakapin. She blushed as the old woman scrutinized her face.

"Mom!" She heard Vaughn complained.

"Bakit totoo naman, ah?" natatawa namang saad ng ina nito. She was amazed to hear how she speaks the Filipino language. Katulad ni Vaughn, matatas din itong magtagalog.