The Former Mrs. Tan

Meeting Ana

Something in my vision made me snap back to reality.

I saw Herbert pulled someone familiar and both of them approached me walking hand in hand. Never did I see Herbert like this. They looked perfect. I couldn't get wrong with that familiar fair face, that long hair, that slim, sexy body, and that aura that spelled H-A-P-P-Y.

I could see how Herbert would really fall for that sort of girl. She was nothing like me, who thrived on earth-colored but intimidating corporate attires, high ambitions, and fast- paced competitive life.

Herbert was with Ana Maria Torres, my high school classmate and friend, a Vixen like me, and a single mom with two daughters. But how could she have ended up with him?

"Hi!" I greeted and smiled at them. "So, SHE'S the woman you're telling me."

Ana was dumbfounded when she saw me. "You?"

"Hi, Ana," I said smiling. "It's nice meeting you... again. I'm the former Mrs. Herbert Tan." I offered my hand for a handshake.

"Irene," she said as she took my hand and hugged me. "I... I don't know what to say."

"You know each other?" Herbert asked.

"Yes," I said as I put my other arm around Ana's shoulders, still holding her hand. "She's my classmate and friend, we were buddies back then."

"That's right," Ana said as she put her arms around my waist. "So how are you, Irene?"

"I'm doing good; how about you?"

"Happy, at last," Ana answered.

ANA INVITED ME FOR AN EARLY LUNCH to a nearby restaurant. We left Herbert and his staff at the exhibit. He said that he would join us closer to noon. The waiter left after taking our orders.

"Herbert said that you'd come to warn me," Ana said.

"I should have," I said. "But when I saw you with him earlier, I changed my mind. I saw that you were perfect together. I didn't believe him when the first time he told me about a new girlfriend. But now I've felt and seen it."

"Any regrets or any misgivings?" she asked.

"Probably none."

"He told me that the divorce was painful," Ana said as she bowed her head. "We promised ourselves not to pry open each other's wounds, though."

"I understand. Although my case with Billy was different. They knew each other back then at Contact Point."

Then, there was a long silence between us.

"So you are Herbert's ex-wife whose name can't be mentioned," Ana laughed.

"That's right," I answered and held Ana's hand. "Small world, isn't it?"

"But how come you separated?" Ana asked. "I thought you were happily married."

"That's what I thought at first."