WIFE SERIES : Silent Scars [Tagalog]

Chapter 9

“Happy anniversary, Love.” Philip kissed me on the lips and handed me a small box. It was a gift.

I was trying so hard to mask the emotion that I was feeling right now. Kasi kung hindi ko pipigilan ang aking nararamdaman, I’d be on my knees, breaking down in front of him.

Anniversary namin. Dapat masaya ako. The restaurant where we were dining was full of life. Pero ako ay parang wala ng buhay. Parang pinipiga ang puso ko sa sakit sa gagawin ko kay Philip.

I would be breaking his heart on our 3rd anniversary. Pinlano ko talaga na gawin ito sa araw na ito para kamuhian niya ako. It would be better if he’d hate me. Para isang bagsakan na agad ang sakit. Lalo na at bukas ay kasal na namin ni Nicholai. Wala akong choice. Kailangan kong gawin ito para protektahan siya. At ang anak ko.

Siguro ako ang lang ang babaeng ikakasal na di masaya bukas.

I remained stoic face while looking at Philip smiling. This would be the last time that I’d see his smiling face.

“I can’t take that Philip.” Inusog ko palapit sa kanya ang regalong binigay niya.

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at dahang-dahang inalis sa daliri ko ang engagement ring na bigay niya sa akin. Nilapag ko ito sa mesa at inusog papalapit sa kanya.

“W-What is this? Why did you take it off?” I could see that he was confused. Gusto kong ngumiti ng mapait pero iyon ay di ko din magawa. Lalo na sa susunod na sasabihin ko sa kanya.

“Let’s break up.” Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao sa ilalim ng mesa para pigilan ang sarili ko na umiyak at bawiin ang sinabi ko.

He laughed from what I said. “You are doing it again. This is just a prank. You almost got me. Just get it back and wear it.”

“I’m serious, Phil. Ayoko na.” I looked at his eyes. Those pairs of eyes that made me fall for him, hard.

Ginagap niya ang kamay at tumingin sa akin. I matched his stare. Tiningnan ko nang malamig ang nagsusumamo niyang tingin.

“What’s the problem, Love? Why are you breaking up with me? May nagawa ba akong mali? Tell me—-“

“I don’t love you anymore,” diritsong sabi ko sa kanya na walang emosyon.

“W-What?” Bakas ang pagkabigla sa kanyang mukha at unti-unti itong napalitan ng sakit.

“Nagising na lang ako na hindi na pala kita mahal. So let’s stop this. Ayoko na sayo.” Inalis ko ang kamay niya sa pagkakahawak sa akin. Tumayo na ako at nag-umpisang maglakad. Napatigil ako nang biglang hinablot ni Philip ang kamay ko.

“Love! Wait! Wag naman ganito. Please… Let’s fix this. I know you still love me. I’ll do everything just don’t leave me. I love you so much,” pagmamakaawa nito. My eyes widened when he kneeled in front of me. Nagtitinginan na sa amin ang mga tao sa loob ng restaurant.

“What are you doing? Stand up, Philip!” I said in gritted teeth.

“No. Not until you take back everything that you said a while ago.”

Pikit-mata, kinuyom ko ang aking kamay bago ko siya tiningnan ulit ng malamig. I didn’t want to take it back. I’d be firmed with my decision.

Malakas kong binawi ang kamay ko sa pagkakahawak niya. “I don’t love you and I’m not happy with you anymore. Mahirap bang tanggapin yun? If you love me you will let me go. Please, just let me go.” I saw a tear fall from his eyes. I bit my lower lip and ran out of the restaurant. Hindi ko na kayang tingnan kung gaano ko siya sinaktan.

Fuck! Hindi ako makahinga sa sakit. Pinukpok ko ng malakas ang aking dibdib.

I took one last look at Philip na tulalang nakaluhod pa rin sa pinag-iwanan ko.

Goodbye, Philip.

Dali-dali akong akong naghanap ng taxi. Hindi ko dala ang sasakyan ko dahil sinundo ako ni Philip sa condo ko.

Ang kaninang pagpipigil ko na huwag umiyak ay nawala na. I was crying while walking on the pavement. Panaka-naka kong pinupunasan ang mga luhang isa-isang nalalaglag sa mata ko.

I was startled when someone grabbed my hand. Napatingala ako.

It was Nicholai. He was looking at me with a worried expression. I burst out crying even more.

He hugged me and I cried on his arms.

“A-Ang sakit-sakit, Nic.” I cried.

“Shhh! You will be fine.” He cupped my face and looked at me in the eyes. “I will help you forget about him. I will make you forget about him.”

“I hate you,” I cried again. He wiped my tears and gave me a sad smile.

“I know. I know.”

***

Next day came. The day that I would tie a knot with Nicholai.

It was my wedding day, but I didn’t feel happy at all. Our family didn’t ask us a lot of questions of why we were suddenly going to get married. Alam na daw kasi nila na sa kasalan din ang bagsak naming dalawa. They were beyond happy for us. Opposite to what I felt.

Nicholai prepared an intimate wedding for us in Amanpulo Island Resort Palawan. I told him to make it as private as possible. And just between our two families only. But I didn’t expect that it was still as grand as what I was seeing right now. ‘Yung motif na sinunod niya ay ang dream wedding ko with Philip. But unfortunately, Nicholai was the groom. Not Philip anymore.

“Dearly beloved and honored guests. We are gathered together here to join Nicholai and Denima Cris in the union of marriage. This contract is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities,” sabi ng pari sa harapan namin. We didn’t exchange vows. I didn’t write one. For what?

“Nicholai Acosta, do you take Denima Cris Hanon to be your husband/wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others, and holding only unto him/her forevermore?”

“I do,” diritsong sagot ni Nicholai.

“And Denima Cris Hanon, do you take Nicholai to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others, and holding only unto him/her forevermore?” My lips quivered. Love? Ngumiti ako ng mapait. I wished I marry the man that I really love para hindi ganito kahirap.

“What are you doing? Answer the priest now,” may diin na bulong ni Nicholai sa akin. I looked at the priest who was waiting for my answer. I smiled at him and nodded.

“I do, Father.” I heard Nicholai sighed in relief. Nagpatuloy ang seremonyas hanggang sa mag-announce na ang pari.

“By the power of your love and commitment, and the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride!” sabi ng pari pagkatapos naming magpalitan ng singsing.

Nicholai turned to face me and took off my veil. He leaned forward and stopped an inch away from my lips.

“You are now mine, Mrs. Acosta,” he said and then claimed my lips.