The Rich Man’s Ex-Wife

Kabanata7

A man in his 30’s stepped into the restaurant and was immediately enveloped in an ambiance of delicate strains of soft jazz music floated through the air, creating a soothing background melody that only complimented the place. The soft sound of glasses tinkling, melodious laughter, and hushed conversations added to the overall charm of the restaurant. He was dressed smartly in a tailored suit, giving off an air of elegance and confidence. His well-groomed hair frames a chiseled face, adorned with a neatly trimmed beard that complements his strong jawline.

Hindi niya ma-hindian ang ina dahil nang sabihin nito na makipag-meet siya sa kaibigan ng anak nito na kadarting lang galing abroad. Of course, may ideya na siya sa ganitong sitwasyon. They want him to set up in a blind date. He settled into a plush armchair, feeling the sumptuous upholstery embrace him while a glimmer of excitement danced in his eyes. Walang binaggit ang ina niya tungkol sa babaeng ime-meet niya, his mom even danced in excitement making him curious kung ano’ng klaseng babae ang makikilala niya ngayon.

Ilang sandal pa ay bumukas ang pinto ng restaurant kaya napaangat siya ng tingin papunta doon. She radiates grace and elegance in her well-chosen attire. Her outfit, which was stunning shade of deep blue, accentuates her curves without being excessively revealing and fits her shape flawlessly. Luminga-linga ito at nagtagpo ang kanilang mata. As she nears the designated table, a small smile formed on her lips.

Napatayo ang lalaki at pinaghila si Aira ng upuan. “Thank you. Kanina ka pa ba naghihintay?” She smelled fresh fragrance when he stepped closer to her. Hindi iyon masakit sa ilong at sa katunayan ay gusto n’yang itanong kung ano ang ginamit nito.

“Hindi naman. Are you hungry? Do you want to eat first? I’m Aira Gomez by the way. Do you know about our set up? Naikwento ba sa’yo ng parents mo?”

A resolute smile stretched out on the man’s lips. “My name is Riguel Suarez. I know this was a set up, but my mom never told me anything about you so I’m clueless.”

Magaan ang pakiramdam ni Aira sa lalaking ‘to gayundin si Riguel. Pinapili siya nito ng menu bago nito tinawag ang waiter para kunin ang order nila. It will take ten minutes to serve the food, uunahin mun ana i-serve ang appetizer.

“Pareho lang pala tayo. Can you tell me about yourself?” Wala talagang ideya si Aira sa blind date na’to, pero tama naman siguro ang mga tanong niya. Pero bakit parang ang dating ay nag-iinterview siya sa isang aplikante?

Riguel gracefully put down the glass of white wine in the table. “I’m a senior accountant sa firm ng dad ko. Besides working in the company I’m a part time professor in a university. A bit tiring, but I enjoy it. How about you? I heard kababalik mo lang ng Pinas.” Kaya siguro excited ang ina niya dahil kahit siya ay namangha sa ganda nito, batid din na matalino ang dalaga at galing sa magandang pamilya.

“Well, yes. I plan to settle her and work under my brother’s supervision.” Dumating ang pagkain nila. Minsan-minsan silang nag-uusap at nalaman ni Aira na wala itong alam sa nangyari sa kan’ya gayong balita ito sa telebisyon. Riguel seemed like he didn’t care about those things.

Pinunasan niya ang bibig ng tissue at tumingin sa binata. “We’ll stop here, Mr. Riguel. Alam naman natin ang goal ng magulang natin at hindi na ako magpapaligoy-ligoy pa. Ako na ang bahalang magpaliwanag sa mom ko at siya na lang ang magsasabi sa mom mo.”

Riguel tapped his finger on the table. “I don’t understand, Aira? Ayaw mo na bang maulit ito?”

Huminga ng malalim ang dalaga. “What? Interesado ka ba sa’kin?” natatawang tanong ni Aira. Tumingin ito kay Riguel na hindi tumatawa kaya naman nawala ang ngiti niya.

“Interesado nga ako sa’yo. Paano kung gusto ko pang maulit ito?” It’s such a waste of time kung walang mangyayari sa kanila— in fact, they are suited for each other.

Aira’s lips parted. “Annulled na ako, Riguel. Gusto mo ba ng babaeng nagamit na?” Of course, Riguel was taken a back. This woman was annulled? It was… a quite revelation but… who cares?

Ngumiti si Riguel na labas ang mapuputi nitong ngipin. “Ano naman ngayon? Bawal na bang maging interesado sa katulad mo? Wala naman akong pake kung hiwalay ka. You and your ex were over so what’s wrong with it?” Did she looked down on herself just because she was annulled?

Aira’s hand trembled. Riguel poured the wine on her glass. “Alam mo Aira walang problema sa’kin kung ano ka o kung ano ang past mo. What’s important now was the present. Why don’t you give us a chance? Wala namang mawawala sa’yo.”

Hindi umimik si Aira kaya nagsalita ulit si Riguel. “Besides, I won’t force you if you don’t have feelings for me. Gano’n din ako.”

Huminga ng malalim si Aira dahil walang pumapasok sa utak niya. This was the first time a man was so blatant to express self towards her after nilang maghiwalay ni Pietro. Riguel patiently waited for her reply.

“Pag-iisipan ko,” sagot nito.

“I’ll wait for your reply, then. But don’t make me wait for too long, Aira.” Behind that friendly smile, he was not a saint. He was not someone who will just give up to something that he decided.

She’d be a good wife for him is things goes expectedly.

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Nagulat ang sekretarya ni Pietro nang malakas nitong sinarado ang pinto ng kotse.

“Sir? Hindi na po kayo tumuloy sa loob?” Tumingin siya sa ekpresyon nito na nagpatindig ng balahibo niya. Madalim ang tingin at nakatikom ang labi na tila nagpipigil ng galit. Ano’ng meron at bakit ganito ang nangyari sa boss niya?

“Drive!” utos nito. Sinubukang tingnan ng sekretarya ang loob ng restaurant nang marinig niya ulit ang malamig na boses ng boss. “Bingi ka ba?”

Hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Pietro dahil sa nakita niya. Hindi niya inaasahan na makikita niya ang ex-wife kasama ang isang lalaki. It was impossible kung ang pinunta nito ay business, by the looks of it, they were engaging in a conversation that was personal. He narrowed his eyes as he realized something.

“Give a call to Mr. Conception that there was an emergency, and I can’t meet with him today. Let’s re-schedule the meeting the next day.”

“Noted, boss.”

Huminga ng malalim si Pietro at inalala ang mukha ng lalaking kausap ni Aira. Napansin n’yang palagi itong nakangiti na tila gustong akitin ang dalaga. Hindi niya makukuha si Aira sa ngiting iyon. Teka? Bakit niya iyon pinoproblema? D*mn it!

“Go back.”

“Ha?”

“I said go back. I’ll be meeting with Mr. Conception right now.”

Napatanga na lang ang secretary. Mabuti na lang at hindi niya pa natatawagan si Mr. Conception. Pakiramdam niya ay magiging mahirap ang dadanasin niya sa mga susunod na araw kung ganito ang boss niya na bigla-biglang nag-iiba ng desisyon. He made a U-turn and went to the restaurant again.

Before Pietro can go out, the door of the restaurant opened and two people stepped out. A man was holding the woman’s bag while the latter was holding a phone and typing something. Pietro looked at them coldly.

“H-hindi ba’t si Miss Aira iyon?” turo ng sekretarya nito na gumaralgal pa ang boses. Sh*t kaya siguro ‘di tumuloy ang boss niya dahil nagselos? No! Bakit magseselos ito, eh may girlfriend ito na isang singer.

Bumaba si Pietro at lumakad papunta sa restaurant. Napatingin si Aira doon at nagsalubong ang paningin nila. She pursed her lips and knitted her brow. The man coldly looked at her in displeasure and she also did the same thing.

Nilagpasan sila ni Pietro hanggang sa makapasok ito sa loob.

“Let’s go. I’ll drive you to your place,” Riguel offered. Aira smiled when the man opened the door of his car.

“Thank you. Nakapag-isip na ako, Riguel.” She smiled. “I want to give us the chance to try.”

At kung mahulog nga sila sa isa’t-isa… hindi ba’t magandang balita iyon para sa kan’ya?