What Ties Us

Chapter 1

Irene

"Ashton maghiwalay na tayo"

He stayed silent for a bit.

"So you're really eager to jump into another man's bed, yeah?" pag-aakusa niya na para bang gusto ko 'tong ginagawa ko.

He loosen his tie while his eyes are burning, directed to me.

"Pitong buwan. Alam mo ba kung anong nangyare sa'kin sa loob ng pitong buwan. Hindi di ba? I always wait for you to come home yet I ended up sleeping alone" I started to explain my side.

"Why? You need a bed warmer?"

Iniwas ko ang tingin ko. He's trying to hurt me with his words. Great! it's working.

"Don't blame me. I have reasons" sabi niya ng hindi ako nakapagsalita.

"Reasons? We are back again with your cheating allegations, huh? Ilang ulit ko bang sasabihin-"

Ang sakit sa puso. Napakabigat.

"Na hindi kita niloko. Kailanman di ko yon kayang gawin sayo" mahina kong sabi.

He stayed silent.

"You really don't know me, do you? And yet you ended up marrying me" dismayado kong sabi.

Binuksan niya ang cooler at kumuha ng wine. Hindi na siya nagsalin sa baso dahil ininom nito ng diretso pagbukas.

"Are you falling out of love already?"
he asked me with bored expression.

Oo! Sana kaya kong sabihin na oo pero hindi eh.

"No"

"Ikaw?" this time I'm the one who asked him.

Hindi siya sumagot. Umasa akong sasabihin niyang hindi rin.

I knew it. He fell out of love already.

"Why?" I whispered. Tears started to form.

Dati ang saya naman natin. Yung dati, yun na lang ba yung pwede kong panghawakan.

Hinagis niya ang bote at nasira ang isang painting. Napataas ang balikat ko dahil don. It was auctioned for 450 thousand, this man is crazy!

I blink multiple times but my eyes betrayed me.

"Actually I can forgive you naman Irene. If you just accept your mistakes, don't deny it and ask for my forgiveness. Irene napakasimple non, Pero...fuck bakit! Bakit hindi mo kayang gawin" kita ko ang galit sa kanya.

"Paano ako hihingi ng tawad... kung wala naman akong ginagawang masama-"

"Oh were back again with that" sabat niya.

"Binubulag ka ng kasinungalingan. Tell me Ashton, who gave you the idea that I'm seeing someone?"

"Why do you care?"

"Why do you care? Can't you see! the person is destroying me. Your love for me turned all to hate and you're...

...you're starting to loose me"

Walang sumunod na nagsalita. Nabibingi ako sa tahimik. Then, he took few long strand towards me and now he's facing me. He gripped my jaw and crashed his lips into mine.

This kiss? I can't feel the love anymore, t'was pure punishment. I tried to get off of him. Tinutulak ko siya kahit hinang-hina na ko.

He didn't let me go instead he encircled his arms on my waist. I can't feel my lips anymore and I know it's swollen right now. We went to our bedroom and decided to give my all. I will let him have all of me tonight,

for the last time.

"Mommy? Where are you.. mommy!" I suddenly wake up.

It was this nightmare again. Batang hinahanap ang mommy niya. Niyakap ko ang sarili ko habang hinahayaang tumulo ang luha. Ashton always soothes my back when I dream of this. But now, looking at the side of this bed, he's gone

Inabot ko ang phone sa side table nang maramdaman na masakit ang buong katawan ko. Kailangan ko 'tong iligo ng mainit mamaya.

I dialed Rylie's number.

3 rings and then "Hello teach! At bakit ka napatawag? Nasa kalagitnaan kami ng alam mo na" bungad niya.

"Sira! wala kang namang jowa Atty."

"Porke may Ashton ka, ganyanan na? Pag-" napahinto siya sa mga sinasabi niya. "I'm sorry. Hindi pa pala kayo okay"

"Uhm.. I want you to.. ah prepare the files already"

"Talaga? Tototohanin mo na talaga? Sigurado ka na ba?" she whispered-yell. "Alam mo pag-isipan mo muna to ng mabuti. I know Ashton, he really loves you. You need to fight for your relationship or else masisira lahat"

"I don't think may masisira pa, our relationship ended the day he accused me of cheating" mahina kong sabi.

"Okay sige. I'll check the papers and send it to you immediately" agad naman niyang sabi.

"Thanks"

"Irene?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm always here for you, please know that" mahinahon niyang sabi.

Nagkakilala kami sa university at nagclick! Sabay kasing nag-enroll, sabay gumagawa ng projects kahit ang hirap intindihin nung kanya, sabay umiyak nung bumagsak sa isang subject hanggang sa sabay kaming grumaduate.

"I know, thank you Rylie. Bye"

May isa pa akong kailangang tawagan bago ko tapusin ang lahat ng to.

"Mrs. Renov? Magandang araw po"

"Oh Madisson! Thank God you called. Kailan ka ulit bibisita dito?" I can feel she's smiling and at the same time excited.

"Please call me mom" dagdag niya.

"I'm ready, mom" hindi pa ko sanay na tawagin siya don. Still akward for me.

Narinig ko na lang na may umiiyak sa kabilang linya.

"Finally sweetheart. I am so thankful that this day had arrive. It made me anxious for months that you don't want to go back to the real you after we lost you. I'm really sorry for that"
she continue to cry and ask for my forgiveness.

"Ayos na po. Huwag na kayong umiyak. I heard you didn't stop looking for me. I am now willing to be your Madisson, please stop crying"

"I love you my baby"

"Ako din po. See you soon" and with that I ended the call.

It's time to accept my fate. Napahigpit ako ng hawak sa bed sheet. Kinakabahan ako. Tama ba tong desisyon ko?

I am now going back to the place where I should be all along,

the world of a billionaire.

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