Love in a Rush 2 (COMPLETED)

Thirty

KAHIT kelan talaga ay hindi makuhang mambastos ng babae ni Gerard, na kung minsan ay kinaiinisan na nga ni Shayla.

Ngunit hindi niya makuhang magalit sa asawa o magduda man lang. By some weird way kasi ay parang nalalaman ni Gerard ang kanyang nararamdaman at naagapan nito ang pagtatampo niya sa tuwing mayroong babaeng susubok na manlandi sa kanyang asasaw.

Hindi rin niya makuhang magselos pa ng matagal dahil napakapasensyoso at tiyaga ni Gerard sa kanya pag dating sa sa agam agam at pagseselos niya. He has always been honest, patient, and reassuring to her.

Isa pa'y bukas din naman ang kanyang isip na ang turing ng publiko kay Gerard ay para na rin isang celebrity dahil nga nag-iisang anak ito ng pinuno ng bansa. Kahit papaano ay natanggap na niya ang riyalidad na may mga babaeng kilala at nagkakagusto kay Gerard. Hindi rin naman kasi basta basta ang asawa. Mula sa pisikal na hitsura pa lang nito ay sigurado naman siyang marami ng mga nahuhumaling dito. Idagdag pa natin na matalino, mabuti ang puso, at pagkatao ni Gerard. Pasado din ito sa aspeto ng pagiging padre de pamilya at pagiging asawa. Wala na nga siyang mahihiling pa kay Lord. At napakabuti ni Lord para biyayaan siya ng lalaking katulad ni Gerard.

Pero iba kasi ang sitwasyon ngayon dahil pinagseselosan niya si Angela, ang kanyang nemesis simula pa noong college.

"Hon," umpisa ni Gerard. "I have to tell you something."

"Ano yon?" nakaramdam siya ng nerbyos. Sa seryosong hitsura pa lang ng asawa ay pakiramdam na niya na parang may problema--- and something told her it was something that would hurt her feelings. At ang masaklap pa nito ay mukhang si Angela ang source ng problema.

Naalala tuloy niya nung anibersaryo nilang mag-asawa ay ganitong ganito din ang mukha ng asawa nung sinabi nitong hinalikan ito ni Angela.

Bahagyang siyang napapikit at huminga ng malalim. She quickly remembered and said their constant prayer in her mind, because she knew she wasn't ready, and will never ever be ready, if her husband would one day tell her something that would break her heart.

"Father, we pray that we would speak the truth in love to one another, honestly and openly share our feelings.  We pray that we would be kind, tenderhearted, gentle, forgiving, and patient with each other through the ups and downs of our life together. Help us to discern and deal with those things that hinder and hurt our love for one another such as jealousy, envy, and temptations.  Pls bless and strengthen our marriage in the midst of pressures and challenges in our lives, and protect our marriage from the attacks of Satan.  Pls deliver us away from his evil and destructive plans. May we always seek what is best for our relationship, and not allow our pride to hinder us. May we rejoice in each other's strength and gifts, and may Your power sustain us and give stability to our marriage. Amen."

"Kanina kasi... while we were having soup, she touched my..."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Shayla at namula.

"Ang kapal ng mukha ng babaeng yon! Aba't katabi ninyo lang ako kanina, ha?" galit na galit niyang nasabi at alam niyang bakas sa  kanyang mga mata ang nagbabantang mga luha.

Sinubukan niyang pigilan ang pagpatak ng mga ito at tinakpan ang mukha. She was extra emotional and she was aware of that. It was probably her hormones since she was pregnant. But even if she wasn't, she was not sure that she would lightly take in something such as Angela touching her husband's private part. Territorial o madamot na kung madamot, but his was her possession, and only hers. No other girl is allowed to share it with her. Gerard was only hers, except if he was the one who would tell her that he was no longer hers.

"HON," sambit ni Gerard at lumapit sa kanya dahil nag-aalala ito sa reaksyon niya. "Honey, naalala mo yung panahon na nagkaroon tayo ng problema kay Bianca?" marahan nitong tanong sa kanya, looking straight in her eyes.

"Yes," mahina niyang sagot, pero nanginginig na siya sa nagbabantang pag-iyak na may kahalong galit.

"We agreed... that we should trust each other." He said poker faced, seemingly observing her reaction. "Sinabi ko sa'yo noon na dapat kabisado mo na ako... at kabisado na rin kita..." mahinang sambit ni Gerard at humawak sa magkabila niyang braso. "We've gone through a lot... at pinangako natin na kahit ano pang sabihin o gawin ng iba, parati natin tatanungin ang ating mga sarili na kung ako ba ikaw... gagawin mo ba ang isang bagay na'to o hinde? And you agreed that we will constantly talk and listen to each other...." he reminded her.

Naaalala niya ang pinagkasunduan nila noon. "So?"

"Well, this is the time na makakatulong sa ating pagsasama ang pinagkasunduan natin noon." Seryosong sagot ni Gerard.

"Hindi mo pa nga nasasabi sa akin ang buong kuwento, pero pakiramdam ko na parang defensive ka na..." komento niya sa asawa.

"I'm not defensive, hon. And, I'm not using this to escape your possible judgment... or even wrath ..." he sadly said. "But, I'm determined to remind you of the important promises we've made in the past, because I love you, my conscience is clear, and I'm willing to fight for our marriage—even if it means I have to deal with what you might throw at me--- "

Napahilamos siya ng mukha at bumilang ng isa hanggang sampu bago pa nagsalita sa asawang batid naman niya ay nag-aalala kung paano ito magpapaliwanag sa kanya.

"Bakit kayo napunta sa ganoong sitwasyon?" she asked, trying to give him a chance to explain.

"She asked for soup." Umpisa ni Gerard, trying to be unbiased with his side of the story. "And then... she placed her hand on my leg..." he placed his palm on his neck, massaging it, while trying to read her reaction.

"Ituloy mo!" Utos niya and crossed her arms. She tried her best not to close her mind. Kahit na nagpupuyos ang dibdib niya sa galit, ay pinilit niya ang sarili na makinig sa sabihin ng asawa.

"I stood up to discreetly get rid of her hand, because I didn't want to cause a scene..." she felt a strain in his voice. "But when I sat down and gave her the soup, she brushed her hand on my..." hindi maituloy ni Gerard ang sasabihin.

Kumulo na talaga ang kanyang dugo. "May nangyari pa bang iba bukod doon?" she asked trying with all her might not to feel any doubt.

"Hon," napabuntong hininga si Gerard at hinawakan ang dalawang kamay niya. "Now, I don't want you to overreact."

Hindi na niya napigilang na itago ang kanyang inis. Paano naman ay sinabi ng asawa na nago-overreact siya.  

Inalis niya ang kanyang mga kamay sa paghawak ni Gerard, at umatras. "Ako? Mago-overreact? Aba! May dapat ba akong ika- overreact? Hinawakan lang naman ng bruhildang yun ang chorizo de bilbao ng asawa ko, diba?" she sarcastically said. "WHY WOULD I OVERREACT?"

She couldn't help but recall the first time she and Gerard had a fight, because of another woman. She felt so jealous of Bianca Sobel before, because she was Gerard's long time girl friend; and they just broke off back then, which led for her and Gerard to cross paths. Gerard got her pregnant because of a one-night stand, but Bianca wanted Gerard back.

Bianca confronted her about it. Pero ayaw ni Gerard na pumatol siya noon. Dahil pinigilan siya ng aawa ay nasampal siya ni Bianca, sa harap pa noon ng asawa. Ngunit, imbis na hayaan siya ni Gerard na ipagtanggol ang sarili ay pinigilan pa niya ito. Kaya naman nasampal siya ni Bianca. Wala naman nagawa si Gerard. Piniglan pa nga siya nito upang hindi siya pumatol.

Sa tingin niya, ganoon na naman ang gustong mangyari ni Gerard ngayon--- na huwag siyang pumatol kay Angela.

"Hon," napakamot ng ulo si Gerard, at napakagat labi, unintentionally revealing his adorable dimples that she so much loves--- at pinaglilihihan.

She felt distracted and closed her eyes for a second before she spoke again. "Ayan ka na naman eh! Ganyan ka din noon kay Bianca! " Yamot niyang ungkat sa nakaraan.

Napahilamos ng mukha si Gerard at saka bumuntong hininga, bago muling lumapit sa kanya.

"Honey," marahang paki-usap ni Gerard sa kanya na tila ba humihingi ng pang-unawa, upang habaan niya ang kanyang pasensya.

"Ano na naman?" Atrass niya at ayaw magpahawak sa asawa.

"Hon, I will tell you everything, but I want you to control your emotion because you're pregnant." Gerard patiently explained.

"I can manage my emotion, while you... you manage your mistress!" bintang niya.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Gerard sa sinabi niya. Batid niyang mali ang husgahan kaagad ang asawa, but her woman's instinct was telling her that there was still something heartbreaking that he has not told her yet.

"Hon..." malungkot na sambit ni Gerard habang nakatingin ito sa kanya.

She knew that Gerard felt disappointed because she was already judging him. She felt guilty about what she said so she tried to calm herself down, and tried with her might not to block whatever he had to say.

"Let's just go straight to the point." Aniya habang magkaharap sila.

Gerard heaved a sigh, and did not say a word. She felt he was stalling, which annoyed her more.

 He stretched out his arm to reach her from their small distance but she stepped back once more. She didn't want him to touch her because she refused to be dissuaded or distracted by his soft carreses. After all, they just made love, and she was aware that her body was still steamed from their loving. Baka lambingin lang siya ng asawa ay bumigay na naman siya. She controlled her own feelings, because she was adamant for him to tell her everything. Pero alam naman niya ang dahilan kung bakit importante kay Gerard na malapit ito sa kanya. Nag-aalala kasi ito na baka sa kakaatras niya ay mapa-upo siya sa sahig.

"Okay," he said and raised his hands gesturing that he was backing off from trying to assist her, being gentlemanly and protective of her as he was.

 "Ano?" naiinip niyang tanong.

Gerard placed his hands inside the pocket of his pants and looked down. He clenched his jaw, obviously reluctant to give her the details of what happened. But she knew her husband well. She knew he would tell the truth.

The question though was if she was ready to hear the details.

Huminga siya ng malalim at ipinikit ang mga mata upang ihanda ang sarili sa nagbabantang makasakit sa damdamin niya.

"She grabbed my hand," he started to say. "And she inserted my finger in her..."

She opened her eyes at sumenyas kay Gerard na itigil nito ang sasabihin. She turned her back on him, walked a few steps away, at nagtakip ng mukha.

Napahagulgol siya. She couldn't accept that Gerard touched another woman. It was so painful for her. Hindi siya makapaniwala na nangyari iyon sa pagitan ng asawa at ni Angela.

"Hon..." mahinang sambit ni Gerard at umakap sa kanya, mula sa likod.  "Hindi ko kaagad nahila ang kamay ko palayo dahil mahahalata ng mga tao, at ang unang naisip ko ay mag-damage control."

Hindi niya napigilan ang sarili.  She turned to face him and slapped his face.  She saw that Gerard was surprised with what she did.  Pati siya ay nagulat sa ginawa niya at napasinghap.

Gerard clenched his jaw, at tumingin sa sahig. Naawa siya sa asawa, at hindi niya kayang makita itong namumula ang pisngi sa kagagawan niya. Pero galit na galit siya kay Gerard kaya tumalikod siya dito.

Hindi niya gusto na nag-aaway silang mga asawa. Hindi niya gusto na maging disrespectful sa asawa. Hindi niya gusto na narito sila sa ganitong sitwasyon ngayon. Pakiramdam niya, gusto niyang tumakbo papalayo kay Gerard at umiyak ng umiyak. But something inside her was telling her to stay... to face this situation... head on... with him. Something inside her was telling her to face the truth, deal with it—with him, because he was willing to go through with it. He was willing to face her wrath, and fight for them... for their family. She knew all of this as she felt paralyzed. Parang nagmamalfunction ang katawan niya dahil nagpapadala ito ng different signals telling her to not let go... not to give up... to face the truth though it hurts...to work it out with him... to not lose trust in him... because she knew he was not going to give up on them... he would not let her go...

"Hon, please look at me..." Gerard tried to turn her to face him.

"Pls don't touch me." Naiiyak niyang sabi habang tinatanggal ang mga braso ni Gerard na nakapulupot sa kanya. "Nandidiri ako sa'yo. You even made out with me after what happened. What does that make me?" she was crying as she struggled to remove his arms away from her.

"Stop," Gerard demanded, and embraced her tighter. Sinubukan niyang magpumiglas sa malakas na bisig ng asawa. "Don't ever think that I made love with you because of her!"

"Liar! It was because of her. Lalake ka! Imposibleng hindi mo nagustuhan yung ginawa sa'yo ni Angela!" Pilit niyang manlaban at makawala sa bisig ng asawa. "Bitiwan mo'ko! Nandidiri ako sa'yo!"

"Honey, ano ba?" pakiusap ni Gerard. "Can you give me a chance to explain before you judge me? Please? Even for our children's sake?"

Sa salitang children ay napaisip siya, at lalong naiyak. Muli siyang niyakap ng asawa at hinagod ang likod niya.

"Hon, pinatigil ko si Angela. If you recall kanina ay napalakas ang sabi ko ng 'please stop'. I tried to make her stop. And she did. I immediately stood up and left, right? I went to the rest room to wash my hands because I psychologically wanted to refuse the idea of touching another woman. It just makes me feel I am cheating on you. And all I worried about was how I was going to tell it to you. Then, she followed me in the rest room, and she said she wanted to sleep with me. But I stopped her, and told her to go find another boy toy. I also asked her to submit her resignation to my office. But my point is, what does it say if you were on top of my mind, when it was all happening ha, hon?"

"Ewan ko sa'yo!" Galit niyang sagot at sinubukan itulak si Gerard palayo sa kanya.

But Gerard was stronger, and he didn't want to let her go. He continued to explain. "Hon, please listen to me. Aaminin ko, bilang lalake, siyempre dumaan sa isip ko na... 'wow, may thrill yung ganito na parang pasikreto', at oo honey... nagka-hard on ako, dahil hinawakan ba naman ako sa Ernie ko! Kung ikaw ba madaplisan ko lang yang Pink n****e mo,  hindi ba magre-reak yan?" He said  it and travelled his hand to her breast that surprised her.

"Ano ba!" Bulyaw niya at hinampas ang kamay ng asawa. Naiwas naman ni Gerard ang kamay nito bago pa niya matamaan, which always happens because her husband has physical combat training.

"Pero honey, it was not because of her." He quickly cupped her face. "It was due to physical reaction of an alive, physically healthy man. At healthy ang asawa mo." He softly looked at her in the eyes, hoping she would understand what he was trying to explain to her, though he knew that she was trying to refuse to absorb his explanation.

Naiinis pa rin siya, and by some weird way, he knew that she wasn't satisfied with his explanation.

"Yes, I encountered in my mind the thrill it could give me," he admitted. "Pero hindi ko ikinakahiyang aminin yon sa'yo, hon. Lalaki ako, e. Iba ang physical make up namin sa inyong mga babae. Madali kaming ma-aroused." Marahan nitong paliwanag. "Ang mga babae naman,  ika nga, ay parang diesel na makina ng sasakyan. Kailangan muna painitin, bago gumana."

It reminded her of their love making a while ago, and Angela's face appeared in her mind again.

"Does that supposed to make me feel ok that because you got aroused, at nagkataon nagpunta ko dito sa kuwarto ay ako ang ginawa mong parausan?"

 "Hon!" Napataas ang boses ni Gerard. His face darkened at what she said. "You know that's not true. You know it!" He emphasized as he held her. "Alam mong nirerespeto kita! Alam mong inaalagan kita! Alam mong mahal na mahal kita! What we did was not because of her!" Paliwanag ni Gerard na halatang nagalit sa sinabi niya.

"I made love with you because I felt insecure." He said poker faced. "I wanted to reconnect with you because I felt afraid." To her surprise, a tear dropped from his eyes, even if his face did not twitch. "And, by admitting this, I feel emasculated. "But what you don't realize is that I don't give a f*ck... because all that matters to me is you and my children." His face was crimson. "I just want you to know this, because not all men would do the same as I did. And I hope you would give me credit for having the strength to turn down temptation because I love you! Kahit na sino pang babae ang iharap  mo sa akin, I will restrain myself from being tempted, and that's because I love you!" He said with conviction. "I love you and I love my kids!"He dropped his hands from holding her, at paalis na ito.

"S-saan ka pupunta?" tanong niya sa asawang tinalikuran siya. Galit pa rin siya dito lalo pa't parang tinatapos na nito ang pag-uusap nila, gayong hindi pa siya kuntento sa paliwanag nito. It was new to her, because in the past, he would always be patient with explaining to her, assuring her, that he loved her. Kaya naman laking gulat niya na aalis na ang kanyang asawa. "Iiwanan mo na ko?" nanginginig ang boses niya.

Iiwan mo na ba ako para kay Angela?Naisip niya.

"Magpapahangin lang sa labas." Matipid nitong sagot habang nakatalikod sa kanya.

Hindi siya nakatiis at iniharap niya ang asawa sa kanya. Napaatras siya nang makita niyang umaagos ang luha nito.

Hindi siya nakapagsalita dahil batid niyang nasaktan niya ang damdamin ng asawa. He rarely felt hurt by her words.

Kahinaan ba ito kung ang asawa niya ay nasaktan sa sinabi niya, at imbis na makipagtalo sa kanya ay iiwas na lamang ito?

Napaluha na siya lalo habang nakatitig lang sila sa isa't isa.

"Ikaw kasi eh!" Hikbi niya na parang bata, habang ang asawa ay poker face lang na nakatitig sa kanya at tuloy tuloy lang ang luha.

"Pinangako mo sa akin noon na kahit anong mangyari pagkakatiwalaan mo ako." Sabi nito. "Nasaan na yon?" may hinanakit na bigkas ni Gerard.

"Bakit pakiramdam ko na dinadramahan mo lang ako just to get away with your crime." She just had to push it, probably because she wanted him to convince her more. Ganyan naman talaga ang mga babae. Gusto nila gumawa ng paraan ang mga lalaki para kumbinsihin sila.

"If that's what you think, hon," he said accepting her statement. She saw in his face that she made him more upset, but he was just containing it.

He turned his back on her. "Pahangin lang ako..." matamlay na sabi nito, and exited the room.

Nagpanic siya at nag-aalala. Mukhang nagalit na nga niya ang asawa. Agad niyang sinundan si Gerard, pero napatigil siya sa pintuan nang makita niya si Angela na nakahawak sa braso ni Gerard. Nakatalikod pareho ang dalawa sa kanya kaya hindi napansin ng mga ito na naroon siya.

"Ardy, mag-usap tayo. Pag-usapan natin 'to." Pakiusap ni Angela.

"Get lost." He just said and left.

Narinig niyang may humarurot na sasakyan, at batid niya na ang ginamit ng asawa ay ang sports car nito. Nakaramdam siya ng kaba dahil alam niyang mabilis magpatakbo si Gerard ng sasakyan kapag galit ito.

Si Angela naman ay pabalik na sa dining room. Nakita siya nito at napatigil sa paglalakad.

Angela put a strand of her hair behind her back as she stared at Shayla. Tapos inirapan siya nito.

Nagdilim na ang paningin niya at sinugod niya si Angela. Hinila niya ito sa buhok at sinapak. Tumili naman si Angela at hinila siya sa buhok para sabunutan.

Naglabasan ang mga tao sa dining room.

"Shayla!" Napasigaw ang father-in-law niya at tumakbo papunta sa kanya.

Dahil napatigil siya sa pananakit kay Angela ay kinuha itong pagkakataon ni Angela upang itulak siya, at mapabagsak sa sahig.

"She started it!" Depense ni Angela.

She was about to stand up to get back at Angela but she suddenly felt excruciating pain in her abdomen.