Havard Series | Knot with the Maid

Chapter 17

IRVINE

SASHA IS A GOOD SWIMMER at wala siyang pakialam kung malamig ang tubig ngayong umaga. Para siyang sirena kung magtagal sa ilalim ng tubig, to the point na gusto ko ng tingnan kung may itinatago ba siyang hasang o wala. Para siyang batang nagtatampisaw at ayaw umahon. I can't blame her. Living in New York City is really different kung ikukumpara sa paninirahan dito sa Pilipinas — lalo na dito sa Batangas.

"I'm just going to order some drinks. Do you want to come with me?" Hinapit ko siya sa baywang at saka niyakap mula sa likod.

"Hmm. . . maybe I will stay here for a bit. Do you mind?"

"No, I'll be quick. Enjoy the water." Hinalikan ko siya nang mabilis sa balikat at saka umahon. I was looking for a server but there was none. Palibhasa ay wala pa gaanong gising. Pinatuyo ko ang sarili ko ng towel at saka isinuot ang robe. I need to be decent kung pupunta ako sa loob.

Binaybay ko ang pathway papunta sa isang malaking cabana na nasa gitna ng garden. There's a few people sitting there and they don't just serve alcohol here — they also serve non-alcoholic drinks.

"Good morning, can I have two glasses of piña colada, please?" Magtatanong pa lang ang staff ay nasagot ko na siya. "No alcohol please, it's still early," natatawa ko pang sabi sa kanya.

"Noted, Sir. I will do it right now," nakangiting sagot sa akin ng babae.

Letty ang pangalan niya. Sa tantiya ko ay nasa edad kwarenta na siya at mukhang matagal na rito sa resort. She knew her way around the cabana at parang kahit nakapikit siya ay alam niya kung saan nakalagay ang lahat.

Nagulat ako nang may magsalita sa gilid ko. "I heard you got married."

Her voice sounded familiar at kahit ilang taon na rin ang lumipas, kilalang-kilala ko ang tinig na 'yon. How could I forget? We were on vacation in Mexico when I blurted out marriage. I didn't have a ring or anything and everybody was talking about marrying the love of their life. My brother, my friends. . . I was only twenty four back then — what do I know? There comes a moment in our life na nakikiuso na lang tayo dahil feeling natin, naiiba tayo sa lahat.

It was an eye opener when she said no and after that, naging malamig na ang lahat sa amin. Kahit ang s*x ay dumalang nang dumalang hanggang sa pati oras namin sa isa't isa ay naubos na. Para bang naghihintay na lang kami na makipaghiwalay ang isa sa amin. Wala lang may lakas ng loob na mauna.

"Arianna."

I couldn't help but swallow. We dated for a couple years. I met her after graduation and I tried living on my own. I was grocery shopping when I bumped into her at hindi niya maabot ang kailangan niya sa taas. It was a sanitary napkin. Hiyang-hiya siya noon pero wala siyang choice kung hindi hayaan akong kunin. I asked her for coffee that day and it was the start of our relationship. Ni hindi ko siya niligawan.

For me, the feelings were mutual and we were old enough.

"You remembered my name. That's a good sign." Tumawa siya nang pagak.

"What are you doing here?" takang tanong ko naman sa kanya.

"It's a resort, Vin. I think I am allowed to be here."

"I meant, are you with someone?" My order was ready at inilapag na ni Letty sa harapan ko ‘yon. "Salamat."

"That someone could be you, if you want to." Arianna wasn't smiling but I could feel her heated gaze.

I knew the whole time we were dating each other that she loves me. But the thing is, I never told her those three magic words — simply because I wasn't sure if I do. It was more of being in love in the idea of having a serious relationship than being in love per se. I wanted what my parents have.

If you had the opportunity to meet my parents, you would know what I'm talking about. Mga bata pa sila ay napukaw na ang kanilang mga damdamin kahit hindi nila alam ang tawag doon. Especially Mom. It may have been an arranged marriage — but Pinky and Bruce made it. Their love was bigger than any problems that came their way.

Pinili kong huwag pansinin ang sinabi niya. "I have to go. It's nice seeing you." Kinuha ko ang in-order kong dalawang inumin. I tried to step forward when I heard her talk again.

"There's always a way to annul the marriage." Her voice was firm and serious.

I turned around to face her and I was lost for words. Ilang segundo ko siyang tiningnan at inarok kung nagbibiro ba siya o nabigla lang sa kanyang tinuran.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I've heard you right."

"You heard me. This won't be the last time we'll be seeing each other. You've asked me to be your wife before, and I was a fool to let that pass me by. I'm ready now if you'll have me."

I did hear her right the first time. But the more I talk to her, the more she's trying to force her way back into my life. Hindi naman siya ganito dati. She was never aggressive.

"Arianna, it's — I'm married now and I don't plan to annul my marriage to my wife." Gusto ko sana siyang tanungin kanina kung nakainom siya pero hindi ko itinuloy.

"You said we are just taking a break, but you never came back," pahabol niya.

"It wasn't working anymore. Do you remember that? After Mexico, you avoided me and everything fell apart. I tried to hold on but you kept your distance and you know me — I am not going to stay where I am not wanted."

"But I wanted you. I loved you then. I love you now. You wanted me to be your wife, I wasn't ready then — but I am now. And nothing can come between us."

I was about to tell her to stop when I heard a voice.

"Irvine."

Nang lumingon ako ay nakita ko ang asawa ko at hindi ko alam kung gaano na siya katagal na nandoon. Narinig ba niya ang lahat?