Head Over Feet

The Encounter

Dei wakes up a minute before her alarm goes off.

Her stomach has been feeling funny ever since she received that text from her ex-husband.

She knows she has to prepare for their conversation, thinking that her sister is right, there are a lot of different ways this day could end.

Hindi naman na siguro magbabago isip nun diba? I mean, matagal na kaming hiwalay, it is understandable that I asked for an annulment.

She shrugs at the thought of having to face him again.

Bahala na.

The day went on as expected, and before she knew it, it was 4pm.

She headed back to her condo to leave her things and to freshen up.

Freshen up talaga?
Bakit kailangan ko mag ayos? She asks herself.

Well baka isipin naman kasi nun nagmukha na akong kawawa nung Nawala sya sa buhay ko? Dapat mukha naman akong presentable.

She answers herself.

Eh bakit ba may pakialam pa ako kung anong iniisip nya tungkol sakin?

She sighs.

Kausap ko na naman ang sarili ko, baliw na.

She goes to Starbucks and arrives at 6pm sharp.

No sight of her ex yet, and she figures he’ll be late.

Typical Bobby.

On her way to the counter, someone catches her hand and pulls her to a stop.

“Hun.”

She looks at the guy seated, it was him.

“I ordered your favorite. Caramel Machiatto. Here o.”

“Bobby."  She sits across him and looks at the drink.

“Hindi nako umiinom nyan. But thanks anyway.”

“Ah, ganun ba. What do you want? Oorder na lang ako ulit.”

“No, it’s okay, hindi din naman tayo magtatagal.”

“Oh, you want to move someplace else?”

“No, Bob. I just wanted to talk to you about something. Real quick.”

“I wanted to see you too…. I missed you Dei.”

She doesn’t know what to say exactly.

5 years ago this was the guy whom she’ll move heaven and earth for.

The guy she fell madly in love with.

The guy who swore to protect her, cherish her, for the rest of their lives.

The guy who, despite his shortcomings, sustained their household well and had given her the capacity to live a lavish lifestyle if she wanted to.

But indeed, you can never really know a person until you spend enough time with him, to see his dark side.

She remembers how she made excuses for his beatings.

It all started with little spurts of anger.

Impatience.

All the shouting.

Then he hit her once, a backhand slap on her face.

Immediately he apologized profusely, saying he just had too many drinks, and had too much on his plate at that time.