Battered Wife

Epilogue

"Natauhan ka rin, huh?"

I laugh with Aaron when I heard what he said. Today is my second wedding with Tinsley and Aaron is the best man. I watched Tinsley as she slowly walk on the red carpet. Kahit libo ang tao sa loob ng simbahan ay siya lamang ang nakikita ko, nasa kaniya lamang ang atensyon ko. The veil that's covers her face is not enough to hide her beauty.

I remember the first time that I saw her. Ayaw ko na kaagad sa kaniya. She's a spoiled brat. I know the truth behind our arranged marriage. Aksidente kong narinig ang usapan ng aking ama at ng kaniyang ama. Gawa-gawa lang nila na malaki ang utang nila sa amin. It is true that Atlas Ventures is facing bankruptcy pero magagawan pa iyon ng paraan. Pero para sa kaligayan ng unica hijo ni Tito Leo, he made a lie. Anong akala niya sa akin? Damit na puwedeng ipamigay kung gugustuhin?

But I must say, when I heard that, nakaramdam ako ng inggit. Tinsley is a spoiled brat because her parents love her dearly. I never experienced that. My mother would rather take care of another child than to care for her own child. Uhaw na uhaw ako sa atensyon at pagmamahal na galing sa isang magulang kaya naman ay ginawa ko ang lahat para mapasaya ang aking ama. I studied hard so I can graduate on top, joined different clubs, sports and association just so he could tell me that he's proud of me.

Growing up, my mother would always spank me whenever I do something wrong. Aniya, ayaw niya sa akin dahil ayaw niya sa tatay ko. According to her, he's an asshole, heartless and a monster. Lahat ng galit niya sa aking ama ay sa akin niya ibinaling. And when I was five, they finally separated. Because of that, I don't like girls in my life. I hate them. Not until I met someone in highschool.

"Paano na ako?"

Pakiramdam ko ay binibiyak ang aking puso habang pinapanood na umiiyak ang kaisa-isang babaeng minahal ko. Trixie Mateo is the only woman I ever loved. Since we're in high school, siya na. But here I am now, following my dad's order just because I am thirsty for validation. Hindi ako natatakot na mawalan ng mana, to hell with that. I have enough money on my own to start from scratch but I'm scared to disappointment my father. He might stop loving me if I did.

"I'm sorry."

I surpassed my own feelings. I will definitely miss her once I'm married. She's the only one who was brave enough to put up with my traumas.

Tuwing sinasaktan ko si Tinsley, isa lang ang nasa isipin ko, kung gaano siya ka-spoiled. Ang pagmamahal, hindi basta-bastang nakukuha, pinaghihirapan iyon. Just like how I'm striving and doing the best that I could so my father can keep on loving me. Kahit pa durog na durog na rin ako sa loob.

Until one say, I woke up realizing how cruel and evil I was for hurting her. Pero hindi kaya ng pride at ego ko na humingi ng tawad sa kaniya.

"Oh hijo! What a surprise!"

I found myself following her in their house. Ako ang nag-utos kay Tinsley na huwag umuwi pero hindi rin ako nakatiis. Just the thought of her alone with Aaron is making me crazy. Parang gusto kong bawiin iyong usapan namin.

"I miss my wife, ma."
Magalang na sabi ko sabay abot ng bouquet ng bulaklak na dinaanan ko kanina.

"It's not have been a day yet."
Natatawang aniya at tinanggap akong bulaklak na iniaabot ko. Iginaya niya ako papasok ng bahay. Their house is homey and cozy, halatang punong-puno ng pagmamahal ang buong bahay. Hindi ko maiwasang muling makaramdam ng lungkot.

I wish I have this kind of family.

Pagpasok sa bahay ay kaagad kong nakita ang mga naglalakihang larawan na nakasandal sa dingding. May isang larawan si Tinsley na nakakuha ng atensyon ko. I guess she's still ten years old in the picture, kumakain siya ng cake, nakatingin sa camera at malaki ang ngiti.