Circulo Verde Series #1: Rough

Chapter 1

Espánia Valeria's Pov

"Let's hangout? Sa rooftop bask. It's all on me," anyaya ko kina Itália at Eres. Ilang minuto pa lang simula nang makatungtong ulit kami sa kalupaan ng Pilipinas matapos ang halos isang linggo naming pamamalagi sa Europe para sa bakasyon. Well, technically... hindi naman talaga siya bakasyon. It's work. The three of us and Bella Donna's staff head to Paris, Germany and Rome for advertisement, featuring Eres cosmetics new products and Bella Donna's fall fashion.

Italia stares at me with this uncertainty lingering in her purple colored eyes. It's because of her contact lense, of course.

"I'll pass. I wanna go straight home and rest." Napasimangot ako dahil sa narinig.

"Sabihin mo na lang kasi na uuwi ka na kasi namimiss mo na si Kuya Lander." Sinindot ko ang tagiliran niya dahilan para mapatalon ito ng bahagya dala ng kiliting naramdaman. Italia flashes her warning look so I stopped my antics automatically.

Nang maging abala na si Italia sa kaniyang cell phone habang hinihintay ang susundo sa 'min, si Eres naman ang pinaglaanan ko ng aking atensyon.

My eyes makes their own move for me. Eres groaned and raise her hand in mid-air. "As much as I want to relax, I can't. I'm not allowed too. I have a meeting with my event's organizer for the launching of Eres and Spice." Just like that, I was left alone as the two of them are back in their usual busy selves, talking to their phones, asking the abouts of their own business and soon to be empire.

I sighed.

Looking down while tracing the airport's floor with my white strappy heels. A black shoes of a woman suddenly appeared in my sight. My eyes climbs carefully to its face.

"Dolce." I greeted my personal driver and bodyguard. Hindi na nasambit pa ang sasabihin ko kay Dolce nang lumapit sa 'kin sina Eres at Itàlia para magpaalam dahil dumating na rin ang sundo nilang suv.

"I'll drop by at the Rooftop Bask. Ikaw na lang ang bahala sa mga maleta ko," sabi ko kay Dolce. Inalis ko ang suot na trench coat at pinatong na lang 'to sa ibabaw ng bakanteng passenger's seat. Mula sa rearview mirror ay sumulyap siya sa 'kin.

I smiled cutely then proceed on shading my lips with a nude colored lippies.

"Aniá nasa mansion kasi si Sir. Atlas. Dumating siya kaninang madaling araw. Hinahanap ka nga n'ya. Hindi mo pala sinabi sa kaniyang nasa Europe kayo." Nagkibit balikat ako. Isinarado ko ang compact mirror na hawak at binalik yon sa 'king make up kit na inilagay ko naman sa loob ng aking bag.

Atlas. That Atlantis Romanov. He's out of this country for a year, working, running and expanding their business empire. His scheduled is so full that he couldn't even answer my phone calls. Isang minuto lang ng buhay niya ay pahirapan ko pang makuha. Ako na lang ang napapagod sa t'wing naririnig ko sa sekretarya nito ang mga kailagan niyang gawin para sa bawat araw na darating. Kung magpakaalipin siya sa trabaho niya, daig niya pa ang magsasakang may bente unong anak na kailangan niyang pakainin at pag-aralin nang sabay-sabay.

"Dumiretso na lang pala tayo sa bahay." Nahuli ko ang nakatagong ngiti sa labi nito nang tumango siya sa 'kin ngunit hindi ko na pinuna pa 'yon.

I took my phone from my bag and turn it on. A part of me secretly hopes to be welcome by bunch of text messages from Atlas but I got none. My jaw dropped.

Anong klaseng tao ba ang ipinasawa sa 'kin ng mga magulang ko? Ni hindi nga ata 'to marunong mag-alala para sa 'kin.

Letting go on the string of my ego and pride. I sighed and dialled his number. A smile painted on my lips as I instantly heard his voice from the other line. Bihirang mangyari ang gan'to!

"Atlas! I'm on my way home. Do you want something? A chocolate cake perhaps. Madadaanan ko 'yong shop kung saan namin binibili ni Pixie ang favorite cake mo---,"

"Nasa airport na ako. I'm flying to Siargao. I will stay there for day or two. I will check on our resort." I didn't let him finish whatever he's saying. I ended the call immediately.

Muli akong napabuntong hininga bago ko naisandal ang aking ulo sa bintana ng sasakyan.

"Dolce, pakihatid na lang ako sa bahay namin. Doon na lang muna ako matutulog. Wala naman akong uuwian sa mansyon." Hindi na 'to nagsalita pa. Humanap na lang s'ya ng u-turn para makabalik kami sa tamang daan papunta sa bahay namin sa Quezon City.

It's our third wedding anniversary tomorrow. Looks like I'll get to celebrate it alone, like the first and second one.

"Hija, what a pleasant surprise. We missed you." Mommy kisses my cheeks. I still don't get it. I still don't understand while I always feels disappointed whenever something like this happens. Dapat sanay na ako e. Magtatatlong taon na kaming mag-asawa ni Atlas. Mapakla akong napangiti. Magtatlong taon niya na rin akong binabalewala.

If it weren't for social gatherings, business gala and special holidays, I think I'll never get to see him. Now, I feel like, I really am his trophy wife. He pays for my bills, he sustain my lavish living and caprices. I live on their gigantic mansion. I used their golden surname and that's it. Everything ends there.

"Something is wrong?" Mama whispered. Yes, I feel miserable, Ma. I... I want, I want to be free from my marriage with Atlas. I don't wanna be trap and stuck with this kind of marriage until I die. I deserve a better husband.

I look up to her. My grasp on her waist became tighter. I deserve this kind of warm and affection. Something that I never, and probably will never receive from my husband.

"Our business, will it fail and fall if we cut ties with the Romanov?" Inilayo niya ako nang kaonti mula sa kaniya dahil sa sinabi ko. Napakagat na lang ako sa 'king labi. Hindi ko na pala dapat binitiwan ang mga salitang 'yon. Mag-aalala lang siya.

Mama lifted my chin. Her smile, somehow made me feel at ease. "May problema ba kayo ng asawa mo?" I shook my head. Lying shamelessly in front of the same woman who told me not to do it since I was young.

"Wala po." Ngumiti ako ulit. "Naisip ko lang naman. Nevermind." With my arms around her waist and hers in my shoulder. We walk inside of our house.

Home. I miss thiss feeling.

A day passed. After his ocular visit in Siargao. Atlas flew back in New York.

"Good morning my dearest sister in law. This day is looking fine and good and you, you're beautiful. Rule number one, you're not allowed to frown whenever I'm around." Pixie Romanov chirped. Bunsong kapatid nina Atlas, nag-iisang babae at kaedad ko lang din. Pixie and I became the best bud after I moved in.

Binuksan nito ang isang pinto ng refrigerator at inilabas ang pamilyar na kulay pulang box. Lalagyan 'yon ng paborito kong sugar free cake.

Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba ako o maiinis lalo at isusumpa ang Kuya niya nang makita ko na ang mismong cake sa loob ng box.

"Happy Third Anniversary to you and Kuya. Wait. Let's video call him, he should be in New York now." she said while scrolling to her phone.

Muli kong pinasadahan nang tingin ang hugis pusong red velvet cake.

Ilang segundo ang lumipas at narinig ko na ang mumunting ingay dala nang pagpatong ni Pixie ng kaniyang cellphone sa ibabaw ng dining table.

"Maybe he's in a meeting. I'm sure he'll call you later." He might or probably not. I'm not gonna expect anymore.

"Pixie? Aniá?" Asgard or Asa as he is called by many showed himself in kitchen with a boquet of blue roses that I love.

"Delivery." Nagbaba ito ng mata sa bulalak. Kinuha niya ang isang maliit na card mula sa boquet na hawak. Mabilis na umapela si Pixie dahil sa ginawa nito na ikinatawa ko na lang.

"Galing kay Kuya." With their teasing, specially, Pixie. My cheeks burned completely as I take the boquet from his arm.

"Sabi ko sa 'yo hindi niya nakalimutan ang tungkol sa wedding anniversary niyo e," sabi ni Pixie. Inilapit ko ang mga bulaklak sa 'king mukha para maamoy ang mga 'yon.

A contented smile draws in my lips.

"Mas maganda sana kung siya mismo ang nagbigay niyan," habol na sabi ni Asa bago 'to kumagat sa peras na kinuha niya sa basket na nasa gitna na ng mahabang lamesa.

Tama siya. Mas maganda nga kung gano'n ang nangyari. Napawi ang mga ngiti ko at nang mapansin 'yon ni Pixie ay mahina niyang siniko ang nakatatandang kapatid.

"You're spoiling this precious moment. Umalis ka na nga. Doon ka na sa kwarto mo o kung saan basta malayo sa 'min," she nagged. Her crumpled face lights up as she darted her eyes back on me.

"Tawagan mo si Kuya. H'wag mong tigilan hangga't hindi kayo nakakapag-usap na dalawa," ani Pixie. Nanatili akong nakatulala sa kaniya saglit dahil pa ako sigurado kung dapat ko bang sundin ang sinasabi nito.

A thud brings my senses back. "Bilis, go." Panghihikayat niya pa. Namalayan ko na lang na dinadala na 'ko ng aking paa sa kwarto naming mag-asawa para balikan ang cellphone na naiwan ko roon.

Holding my phone with his number on the screen. I cleared my throat multiple times just to make sure that I'll sound good.

Habang kagat-kagat ang aking kuko. Nawala na sa isip ko kung pang-ilang beses ko na bang sinubukan na tawagan siya. I was about to give up and end the call when he finally picks up.

"Hello, Atlas."

"Hello?" patanong na sinabi ng pambabaeng boses mula sa kabilang linya. Kunot noong napatingin muli ako sa screen ng aking cellphone. Number niya naman 'tong natawagan ko pero bakit ibang boses ang sumagot? Ni hindi rin nito kabosed ang sekretarya niyang sumasalo ng mga tawag ko sa t'wing abala siya.

Nagpalit na ba si Atlas ng sekretarya?

"Excuse me, who are you? Why do you have my husband's phone---,"

"Macy? What the f**k---why do you have my phone?" His deep and hoarse voice filled my ears. Now, that is Atlas. Mas lalo lang akong nalilito habang pinapakinggan ko ang ingay mula sa kabilang linya.

Base sa tono ng boses nito. Mukhang ibang tao ang may hawak ng cellphone niya at hindi isang bagong sekretarya. Macey... who is she?

The little noise ended and I heard his voice, finally.

"Espánia---,"

"Sino 'yong sumagot ng cellphone mo kanina?" agap ko.

Sandali kaming natahimik na dalawa. "A friend. Kakagaling ko lang kasi sa isang meeting." Napatango-tango ako. Unlike other men at his age. Atlas is faithful, I can say that. Sa tatlong taon na kasal kaming dalawa, wala pa naman akong narinig na kung anong may kinalaman sa babae. He's just workaholic. That's all.

"Do you need something?" he asked, his voice is a bit raspy than his normal voice, an indication that he's tired.

Napangiti na lang ulit ako nang maalala ang dahilan nang pagtawag.

"Nothing. I just wanna say thank you for the blue roses that you sent me. I received them already. Ang ganda. Gustong-gusto ko sila---,"

"Blue roses? What roses? I didn't sent you one. It's not even a special day, today... Damn!" Naipikit ko ang aking mata. Wala sa sariling napatingin ako sa boquet ng roses na nasa ibabaw ng aking kama.

Hindi siya ang nagpadala nito? Kung gano'n sino?

"I think my secretary did that on my behalf. It's our wedding anniversary today. I lost it in my mind. I'm sorry, wife." Napatango-tango ako. Hindi naman kasi talaga importante ang araw na 'to sa kaniya kaya normal lang na makalimutan niya.

I bit my lower lips but before I can even our call, my sobs came out and I know that he heard it.

Nakakainis. Nakakainis ka talaga, Atlas.