The Wedded Wife
1994 Words
WEEKS passed by. That was the last time Chasty saw her soon to be husband.
“Oh baby I can’t believe na ikakasal ka na,” maluha-luha na sabi ni Lorin.
“Tita don’t— please,” she rolled her eyes at umiling.
“I am sorry, I am just happy to see you wear this gown.”
Maya-maya pa ay pumasok ang dalawang kaibigan niya.
“Chasty..” Yumakap sila sa kaniya na naluluha sa tuwa.
“You look so beautiful,” sabi ni Kaylee.
“I am not sure about this,” bagsak ang balikat ni Chasty.
“Dati pa naman hindi ka sigurado, pero umabot na tayo rito,” sabi ni Belinda. Nagkaharap ang tatlo at naiyak si Chas.
“I can’t do this,” sabi nito. “I can’t explain, hindi ko kaya humarap sa mga tao and pretend like I am happy,” she said.
“Ano ka ba, nasa balita na nga ang kasal niyo, hindi mo ba alam?” Kaylee said.
Bilang isang kilalang hotelier, the Monforts are always in the page of news, mapa-tv man o magazines. Sa tikas na lalaki ba naman ni Theo, sino ang mang-aayaw? Some call him a charmer, sa ganda ng mata nito at hugis ng mukha. He could be the perfect adonis for venus.
“Girls let’s get going, mahuhuli tayo, naghihintay na ang lahat,” basag ni Lorin.
“It’s time!” Belinda said.
EVERYONE has been waiting for the bride to arrive. All is set, the entourage, the choir, priests.
Pikit mata na huminga ng malalim saka bumaba ng sasakyan. Pagkabukas ng pinto ay agad na sumalubong ang isang staff ng organizer ng kasal. She don’t know what is waiting ahead.
The instruments started to play for a bridal walk. Naiiyak si Chas sa punto na hindi niya sigurado ano ang magiging buhay na mayroon siya pagkatapos ng palabas na ito. She met her in-laws, and they were good to her. But as to her husband to be, she doesnt know if where they are going after this.
As she walk down the aisle she saw her dad standing. He smiled at her but she gets emotional that she can’t choose for herself. Arthur walked her to Theo who is waiting for her. She didnt look at him, instead she kept her sight straight to the priest who will preside the ceremony.
Arthur handed Chasty’s hand to Theo. That is the first time they touched each other, how awkward. Her heart beats so fast like she wanted to get lose from his hands. But what funny is, Theo’s hand sweats. Napalunok na lang si Chas that she has to bear with everyone not making a scene. Habang nagaganap ang sermonya ay kung anu-ano ang naiisip ni Chas. She is so distructed with a lot of thoughts that made her respond to the priest, “ayoko na,” she said so loud. Everybody was in shock upon hearing, but she immediately apologized, “that was nothing, please, Father continue.” Napatingin siya sa mga mata ni Theo.
Those eyes looks different today.
“I now pronounce you, husband and wife”
Everybody looks happy to hear that. The two needs to pretend like everything is real. Theo now is waiting for the priest’s command.
“You may now kiss the bride”
Theo looked at Chas’ face. He did not wait for a second and lifted the thin cloth on her head and immediately tilted her chin so he may now reach her lips. Chas did not anticipate that quick move. A micro kiss that was.
Tila walang nangyari right after the kiss, Theo faced the crowd and Chas have to do the same.
Chas and Theo tried their best to get along with people. Now they are seated inside a room of the hotel. Walang imik si Chas. Nakikiramdam at tila hindi alam kung saang sulok ba siya paparoon.
Theo loosed his tie and unbuttoned his top.
“Hey! Are you okay?” He asked her as he take off his top. He might have asked her but his eyes were not on her.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I got to change,” sabi nito sabay talikod at tinungo ang rest room. Nakahinga si Chas. She si still wearing her wedding dress.
“So now that you are my wife,” he uttered and threw an glare at her. Tila inaaral ang mga mata nito na pilit inilalayo ang tingin sa kaniya. Napangiti si Theo, “I know what you’re thinking,” ngumisi ito.
Her brows curled and lips opened, “don’t—“ sabi niya.
“Take a deep breath,” sabi ninTheo habang inaayos ang tshirt nito na ipinalit sa suot kanina.
“I am not staying for tonight, as I said before, we will not be confined in one room,” he said.
“So you mean, I will be left alone in here?” She asked him.
“If you wish,” He responded.
“Can I just find another place? Do you have someone whom I can ask to take care of my things?” She asked him.
“Nagmamadali tayo pareho na makalabas,” he said and seated in the couch.
“I am tired, aren’t you?” he said. “And could you change your dress now? I mean, I think youre not comfortable anymore, you can use the rest room,” he said to her. “Oh or I think I should go out so you can have privacy,” he suggested.
Tumayo ito at tinungo ang balcony. He closed the door and chose to stay outside.
Hindi maintindihan ni Chas kung ano ba ang pinasok nilabg dalawa. But to grab the opprotunity na walang kasama sa loob ay sinubukan nitong tanggalin ang suot niyang gown. Her hand reached her back. She struggles as she is trying to take unzip unbutton the dress. But it took her long. Its been twenty minutes of trying.
“Ano ba naman ‘to, punitin ko na kaya?” sabi niya. “But baka naman isipin ng magliligpit na nagkapunitan kami ng damit? Her eyes glowed and rested her hands on her chest.
Thats too gross to think, Chas. Huwag mong pupunitin o sisirain ang gown. Napakagat labi ito at nag-iisip. Paano niya huhubarin?
Ilang sandali pa ay kumatok na si Theo mula sa balcony ng kwarto.
“Hey can I go in?” he asked from the door.
“For a while, I am not yet done,” she said to him worried.
“Is everything okay?” Theo asked as he leans his ear on the door.
“Ah- ahm—- yeah!” she said to him.
Pero hindi na talaga kaya ng braso niya at nangangalay na sa kakaabot ng botones sa likod niya.
“Okay! Enough for this I need you,” she desperately told him. She opened the door and looked at him.
“Could you unbutton my dress?” nahihiya niyang sabi.
“Are tou trying to get me?” pabiro naman na sinabi ni Theo.
“What?” gulat niyang tugon. “No way!” bawi niya.
“I’m kidding, let me help you,” he said.
“‘Wag na lang, I will be fine wearing this the whole night,” she said.
“What? Ei mas nakakahiya kung makapasok ang housekeeping bukas, sabihin pa nila kinasal ka at di ka man nagbihis? Thats gross,” he told her.
“Fine! J-just ubutton but dont look at it,” hiling niya.
“Marami na akong nakitang likod, I am sure pareho lang ang mga likod niyo,” sabi pa ni Theo.
“Don’t brag with me how many women you sleeped with, just please,” she said.
“So you’ve been trying to get to know me?” Tukso niya sa kaniya.
“Of course not,” sagot ni Chas habang tinatanggal ni Theo ang buttons sa likod nito. As he unbuttons each, her skin is much more visible to his eyes now. Humugot ng hininga si Theo. He can’t just do anything with her, lalo na she is not the typical girl he used to take on a date.
“Is it done?” Chasty asked. She now can feel the warmth of his breath on her back. And that gives her chills. “No, Chas dala lang ng lamig ‘to sabi niya sa sarili.
“What was that?” Tanong ni Theo na nasa likod niya.
“Nothing,” she said.
“There you go, its all done,” sabi ni Theo.
“I will grab a drink nearby, just keep the door closed and keep safe here,” he told her. Nakatalikod na ito at di na lumingon. He’s now wearing a fitted beige shirt that draws his broad shoulders.
“Sure,” sagot naman ni Chasty.
Theo left the room, and she can now get dressed.
“Ho!” Buntong hininga niya. Isang malalim na napaghinga. “That was intimidating. Hindi ko naisip ‘yon,” sabi pa niya.
Nagbihis siya kaagad at inayos ang wedding gown niya sa manequin. She grabbed a wine and poured a little on the glass. Something bothers her mind.
“I married a guy,” she said. “Nagpakasal ako?” she asked. “Then what is next?” another question she asked.
Napapikit ito at pilit kinakalma ang sarili. Uminom siya ng ilang baso ng wine, at nahiga. She looked at her side, the bed is empty. And she thinks that this will be empty for long. Malinaw ang usapan, hindi sila magsasama sa isang bubong lang.
THE next day. She woked up in silence. Pagkamulat ng mga mata ay kisame ang bumungad sa kaniya that looks a ceiling, yes. Medyo malabo ang paningin niyo dahil tinanggal niya ang lenses niya kagabi. Her mind is like a blank sheet trying to reconcile her thoughts. And suddenly the bed moved. Mabilis siyang napalingon sa kaniyang tabi. The man is seated looking at her. She can see his silhuete. He smiled.
“Hi!” he said. Hindi nakaimik si Chas. She is trying to remember on things that happened last night. She got dressed, she drank some wine, and she fell asleep, that is all.
“I thought you—“ she said to him. Mabilis siyang kumilos para bumangon. She is still wearing her lingerie and she forgot that she do not wear a bra. Anyway malabo ang paningin niya.
“Oh! Thats nice,” he said with a smile looking at her body. The first morning they have as husband and wife.
“Rude!” sabi niya dito sabay takip sa harapan.
“Should we be like this?” tanong ni Theo. Hinagis ni Theo ang robe kay Chas.
“Cover it,” sabi niya. “She covered herself with that robe and tied it in her waist.
“Dito ka natulog?”
“Of course,” Theo smiled a bit like he is teasing her. “Not!” he added. “I took a room, the other one.”
That was a relief for her. Napatango si Chas.
“You want me to leave?” Theo asked her. “If you want me to leave, then I will get going,” sabi nito.
“No, sandali lang,” she took a step and suddenly stopped. Hindi nga pala niya makita ng mabuti ang nasa harap niya. Everything in her eyes looks blur.
“Can you help me,?”
“Why?” he asked.
“ang lenses ko hindi ko maalala where I put them,” she said.
“Wow malabo pala ang mga mata mo?” sabi ni Theo.
“Not totally.” she told him. Tumayo si Theo at lumapit kay Chas, iniabot nito sa kaniya ang eye glasses niya. Lorin handed it to Theo last night. And as to where did he go? He met Lorin when he left Chasty.
- Writer
