His Wife Tears

Chapter 23

“Be careful, Ayana.” Evan smiled at her. She just smiled back. “Here.” Linagyang muli nito ang plato niya ng pagkain.

Hindi naman nagpatalo si Asher. “Try this, Pasta Con Pomodoro E Bacilio. This one is my favourite.” Hindi na siya nakaangal pa.

“I know you will like it, Panna Cotta with Raspberry Coulis.”

Napamaang na lamang siya ng lagyang muli ni Evan ang plato niya.

“This is one of their best sellers here, Margherita Pizza.” Tatlong slice ng pizza lang naman ang linagay ni Asher sa plato niya.

“Caprese Salad with Presto Sauce.”

“Panzenella.”

“Bruschetta.”

“Focaccia Bread.”

“Pasta Carbona—”

Hindi niya na hinayaan pang makapagsalita si Evan. Wala ng mapaglagyan ang plato niya pero sige pa rin ang mga ito sa paglagay ng iba’t ibang pagkain. Hindi siya kinikilig kung hindi naiinis siya.

“Ano ba? Tumigil nga kayo. Do you think I can eat these all?” Her forehead creased while she’s clenching her jaw.

“This is your fault.” Evan said.

“Don’t put the blame on me. Sino ba ang nagsimula?” Ani Asher.

“Ikaw. Sino pa ba?”

“Anong ako? Ikaw kaya dyan—”

“One talk and I’ll shoot your mouth.” Gavin said grimly. His eyes were so dangerous.

Mukhang nairita na rin ito sa kaingayan ng dalawa. Maging siya ay hindi nakaimik. May ibang napapatingin pa rin sa kanila pero walang pakialam ang mga ito. Kapag ganitong nakakatakot na ang aura ni Gavin, galit na talaga ito. Lahat ng sinasabi nito ay kaya nga nitong gawin ng walang pag-aalinlangan. She already experienced it before.

Naglabas ito ng wallet. He put the cash above the table and he stands up harshly. Nakatingin lang sila dito. Akala niya ay aalis na ito pero nabigla na lamang siya ng higitin nito ang kanang kamay niya dahilan para mapatayo siya.

“We’ll get going. You may now continue what you’re doing.” Nagsimula na itong lumakad at nadadala siya dito. Ramdam niyang nakasunod ang dalawa sa kanila.

“Let me go, Gavin.” She used her all strength to escape from him. Naiinis siya dahil wala siyang magawa para makaalis sa mga kamay nito. They were at the parking lot. “I have a car with me.”

“Did I say that I’ll give you a ride?” He seriously said and still, there’s no emotion written in his eyes.

“Why did you bring me here, then?” Napahiya siya doon ah!

“We’ll go home.” Tipid nitong sabi.

“But you have meeting with Mr. Reyes, right?” Giit niya dito.

“I said we’ll go home.” Malamig nitong ani.

“Then, go home with yourself. Magpapahatid ka pa talaga kay Ayana. She’s a girl, man.” Singit naman ni Evan.

Matalim na tingin ang binaling ni Gavin dito. “Shut your mouth. You know nothing.”

Hindi na siya nakaimik ng dalhin siya nito sa kotse niya at pasakayin doon. “Don’t try to escape. I’m just on your back.” Banta nito bago tuluyang sinarado ang pinto.

Malamlam ang mga mata ni Asher na nakatingin sa kotse nya. She felt sorry for him. She shouldn’t lie to him.

She started the engine of her car and started to drive. Paminsan-minsan ay tumitingin siya sa side mirror at kita nga niyang nakasunod si Gavin. Wala siyang kawala dito. Pinagpatuloy na lamang niya ang pagmamaneho at hindi na muling tiningnan ito.

Maya-maya pa ay nasa harap na siya ng gate ng mansyon nila. The security guard opened it and she immediately went inside. Wala siyang sinayang na oras; mabilis siyang pumasok sa mansyon nila. Ayaw niyang maabutan pa siya nito.

Manang was blocking her way asking what happened. She didn’t bother to answer. She just walked passed by. She was about to step up on the staircase but Gavin was already grabbing her arms. She can’t don anything but to face him.

“What?” Irita niyang ani dito. His eyes were dangerous and darkening.

“How did you know him?” He coldly said. Alam niyang si Asher ang tinutukoy nito pero nagpanggap siyang hindi niya ito naintindihan.

“What are you talking about?”

Sunod-sunod itong napamura at lalong tumalim ang tingin sa kanya. He pulled her closer that makes her gasped and swallowed.

“How did you know him?” This time, he’s totally mad. She looked at Manang and she already know what that glance means. Umalis na ito doon at hinayaan na silang dalawa. “I didn’t introduce him yet with you.”

“I met him at the bar.” She said the truth. Para saan pa ba kung magsisinungaling siya dito? Nagtatangis ang mga ngipin nitong nakatingin sa kanya.

“Paano iyon nangyare?” He asked again. Mas lalong humihigpit ang hawak nito sa kanyang mga braso. She used her all strength to escape from him and she succeeded.

“It’s none of your business.” She said nonchalantly. Akmang tatalikuran niya na ito pero muli siya nitong hinigit. She groaned because of pain.

“Stay away from him.” Napa-maang siya dahil sa sinabi nito.

“He’s your cousin for pete’s sake, Gavin! How could I stay away from him?” She shouted. Hindi niya na maintindihan ang asawa niya.

“That’s the point!” Nagsisigawan na silang dalawa ngayon. She doesn’t care if others might hear them. “He’s my cousin. Kaya huwag mo na siyang isama sa mga lalaking lalandiin mo!”

Napabuga siya ng hangin at marahang tumingala para maiwasan ang luhang nais kumawala sa mga mata niya.

“Ganyan ba talaga ang tingin mo sa akin? Malandi? Haliparot?” She acidly smiledat him. “We’ve been living together for almost two years, but still, you don’t know me well.” Her sharp eyes were settled on him.

“I don’t want to waste my time with you.” Parang may bumara sa dibdib niya dahil sa sinabi nito. His words were killing her.

She chuckled sarcastically. “Mukhang kasalanan ko pa pala kung bakit hindi mo ko lubusang kilala.”

“The only thing I know is you are a bit—”

She cuts him off and looked at him grimly. “One talk and I’ll shoot your mouth.” Pangagaya niya sa sinabi nito kanina. “Kung wala kang magandang sasabihin, please, shut it. This is my way to move on. I’m begging you, stop acting strange and don’t make me confuse.” Ayana heaved a deep sigh before she left that place. She didn’t bother to look back. She went upstairs directly to her room.

She cleaned herself and jump up on the bed. Parang pagod na pagod siya ngayong araw. She was regretting why she accepted Evan’s dinner date. Hindi sana mangyayari ang mga nangyari ngayon. Hindi sana sila nag-away na naman ni Gavin. Hindi sana sila magsasama-samang apat sa iisang lugar at kumain ng sabay-sabay. Haist! Ano ng gagawin niya? Mukhang galit pa sa kanya si Asher!

Pinaikot-ikot niya ang kanyang sarili sa ibabaw ng kanyang kama. Punong-puno ng katanungan ang isip niya.

‘I just want to move on but why this is happening to me? Why Gavin was acting strange now?’

Lagi na lang salungat ang tadhana sa mga plano niya.

****