My Husband's Mistress is my Sister

four

Chapter Four

 [Michelle Mercado]

Kinabukasan, nagising ako dahil sa biglang pagyakap ni Troy sa 'kin. Hindi ko alam kung gising na ba 'to at biglang yumakap o tulog lang talaga siya, but knowing Troy, malamang, mahimbing pa ang tulog nyan.

Na-satisfy naman ako sa nakikita ko right now. His long black hair suits him, his eyes, ang napaka-tangos niyang ilong, ang mga labi niya. Everything seems to be perfect. But no. If you could just notice (but sadly hindi) mayroon siyang scar sa right eyebrow na nakuha daw niya sa pagkaka-untog nung bata pa siya. At yung balat niya sa leeg. Di nga lang siya ganun kahalata sa malayuan kasi kakulay lang ng complexion niya. Pero kung kasing lapit ng mukha ko ang mukha niyo sa mukha niya, mapapansin niyo yun .

Those imperfections make his so damn perfect.

Napansin kong bigla siyang ngumiti pero nung kumurap mata ko, hindi na. Maybe, he was just dreaming, dreaming of me. Kidding aside, tinanggal ko muna yung pagkakayakap niya to check Emman, pero wala siya sa crib niya. Hindi naman kayang bumaba ni Emman sa crib niya so I assumed na kinuha siya nila Mama while were asleep.

I decided na puntahan sila Mama sa kwarto nila, but surprisingly may nakita akong mga nakakalat na rose petals. Imposibleng si Troy ang may gawa niyan kasi tulog siya, or should I say, tulog nga ba siya?

Sinundan ko ang mga petals and it led me to the balcony wherein I saw a brunch, "Good Morning, baby." he said while giving me a backhug and a quick peck to my cheek. "I knew it. Hindi ka tulog. Where are the kids?" I asked inquisitively.

"Nasa school na sila, two hours ago. And about our little angel, na kila Mama siya. Namamasyal." he amazingly said.

Almost two hours ago? I can't believe, sa dami nang gumugulo sa isip ko kagabi, at sa... Basta, napuyat ako. I looked at my watch and it's already past nine at late na late na ko. Itong asawa ko, hindi man lang naba-bother. He has to something. "You've planned for this right?"

"Technically, yes. Since I saw you these past days, problematic, I decided, why we should have our break. OUR day. Just you and me. As your husband, I can't endure a day seeing my wife, suffering from those stupid problems, while I? Wala man lang magawa. Kahit ito man lang, let me do my part. Nangako tayo, right?" he raised his right hand and pointed his ring finger, the ring to be exact. Maybe, he's referring to our wedding.

He gave me a warm hug, kissed my forehead and combed my hair using his fingers. I responded. Sa araw-araw na ginawa nang Diyos, nagpapa-salamat talaga akong inilaan si Troy para sa 'kin. I rested my head to his chest, hinihintay ang susunod niyang sasabihin, "Today is our day. Magsasaya lang tayo. Don't think of any problems. Even the kids. This day is made just for you and me."

 “How about---"

"School. I already contacted the admin at sinabi kong siya muna bahala. Sa resto, pinasara ko. Para hindi nila sabihing yung boss, naka-off, tapos sila, nagpapagod para magpasok ng pera sa negosyo ko," then we laughed " And for the twin, pinasundo ko muna sila kay CC. Wala daw makakasama si SS, wala ring makakalaro yung kambal nila. So, everything's been settled. Maybe we should OUR day with the breakfast I made."

Napatingin naman ako sa table sa gilid namin. There's an egg, breads, rice, tapa ata yung isa and 2 cups of I don't know. "Wow, hindi siya sunog this time. Sure kang ikaw gumawa nito?"

"Of course. Tanungin mo pa si Manang sa baba." he proudly said.

"Okay. I believe in you. Quite impressive, husband."

He assisted me para maka-upo and start eating our breakfast. Well, I should say, "Don't judge a food by its presentation', if you know what I mean? Hindi nga niya nasunog, iba naman lasa. Ang sunny side up, sobrang alat. Ang hotdog, may part na frozen kasi di niya nahiwa. Ang fried rice, mamantika. Aware naman siya sa mga nagawa niya, but I really appreciate his efforts. I really do.

After having our breakfast, sabi ni Troy, maghanda daw ako kasi may pupuntahan kami. I don't have any idea where he will be taking me, but one thing is for sure, he assured me that we will going to have fun.

---

Almost an hour of trip, dinala ako somewhere ni Troy, beyond Metro Manila lang daw. I was a little bit pissed nung sinabi niyang may pictorial siya rito. I thought, this day is just for him and me? And why in this world nagta-trabaho siya ngayon? What will I do? Papanuorin ko lang siya? Am I so weird and over-reacting? You couldn't blame me, he promised.

"Troy, ready na?" sigaw no’ng photographer. He looked at me and just gave him a fake smile. Mukhang nahalata niya ‘yon at nag-smirk sa 'kin. He planned for this, nakakainis.

Couple of minutes ago, mukhang tapos na ang pictorial niya, lumapit siya sa 'kin at binigyan ako nang nakakalokong ngiti. Is he trying to be treacherous with me? Damn it. Inakbayan niya ako at biglang ginulo yung buhok ko, "You're frantic. Sorry na. You're next."

"Gotta be kidding me,right? Umuwi nalang tayo." I said irritably. Not frivolous.

"Seriously, nagagalit ka? Sorry na nga. Naghihintay na si Direk doon," I gave him a look saying 'what-are-you-talking-about' but instead of receiving a nice answer from him, he just laughed, "You might be thinking na nagta-trabaho ako ngayon, but no! Hell no! This is part of our day. It's been a long time na hindi tayo nagpapa-picture, ‘yon tayong dalawa lang. So, I set a pictorial just for the two of us. Sounds weird, but you know, I'm not really into romantic moves. Corny nga ko sabi mo."

"Mrs.Mercado, hinihintay ka na sa dressing room. Magpa-make up ka na"

In an instant, may babaeng humila sa 'kin at dinala ako sa isang tent.She started fixing my hair and putting light make-up on my face as I requested.I even changed my clothes, dapat daw bagay sa suot ni Troy, and to say, bagay nga.

Paglabas ko nang tent, I saw Troy waiting and as the moment his eyes met mine, he examined me from head to toe and I think, he was satisfied. "What do you think?" I asked

"Wow. Your...How could I say this? I can't find any adjectives suits you. Beautiful is not enough to describe you, Michelle."

"Okay, lalanggamin ang set! Mrs. Mercado hold your position na. Troy, mamaya muna lambingin asawa mo, iyong-iyo yan."

Tinawanan lang si Troy ng buong staffs at si Troy, namumula lsa kahihiyan. Funny.

Pumunta na ako sa designated position ko and everything went normal? Napag-alaman ko rin na kaya pala nag-held ng pictorial ay para sa catalogue na pinagawa ni Troy, catalogue containing pictures of us, with the kids and so on. How? May parang stalker ang agency nila na binayaran rin ni Troy para makuhaan kami, anywhere we go.

Troy. Troy. Troy. Is this what you called corny? Paano pa ang sweet sa kanya? Pictorial is divided into 3 parts, for him, for me and for the two of us. At no’ng matapos na ang pictorial, tinignan ni Troy ang mga pictures.Ang sabi niya, may gusto daw siyang i-print para ma-i-display sa kwarto namin. It took him half an hour bago makapili. "Send this photo to Iyah and tell her na i-print 'to kasing laki nang wedding picture sa room. Alam na niya ang corresponding dimensions for that." utos niya sa isang staff.

Tinignan ko yung picture na tinutukoy ni Troy at I can't help it, nakakatuwa.

The picture he chose was the one where he carried md, bridal style and deeply staring at each each other's eye. Smiling. We look so deeply in love. The picture seems so sweet and perfect. Really.

Nagpaalam na kami sa mga staffs dahil itong si Troy, gusto na daw akong masolo. If I know, irritated na yan kasi kanina pa siya inaasar ng mga staffs doon. Anyway, he told me na mag-stay daw muna kami dito, para daw mas ma-enjoy namin. Next stop, magpa-parachute raw kami kaya naman na-excite ako kasi first time kong makakasakay doon. But mamaya pa daw yun kasi wala pang available, for now, lunch muna.

Naglakad-lakad kami ni Troy at no’ng may mapansin kaming crowd, lumapit kami ni Troy para alamin kung anong mayroon at doon namin nalamang may mini concert palang idinadaos doon. We decided to take a peek sa nagaganap na event but surprisingly, biglang may humila kay Troy paakyat sa stage.

"Good Afternoon, Mister. If I'm not mistaken, you're Troy right?" Troy nodded his head as a response. "What brings you here? Para ba sa honeymoon niyo ni misis?" naghiyawan namanang ang mga tao sa paligid. ‘Di ko alam kung bakit nasabi ‘yon ng host, maybe, naging public figure na kami dahil nga siguro sa ginawa ni Troy last year. You know

Everyone's waiting for Troy to answer pero mabuti pa nga sigurong ‘wag na siya sumagot or--- "Actually, tapos na ang honeymoon namin. We’re here to have fun." at mas lalong lumakas ang hiyawan ng mga tao. I knew it, he's being witty, and it creeps me out. Nahihiya na ako dahil pinagtitinginan nila kami.

Mukha namang napansin ‘yon ni Troy kaya sinabihan niya agad ‘yong host na patigilin ‘yong crowd, they're obliged. Back to their business, they asked Troy if he can sing for the people, but he declined it and instead, "I'll only sing for my wife." See? Ang sama, in a romantic way =)

He started singing Ikaw lamang. I never thought na mahilig rin pala siya kumanta nang mga OPM's. Mostly kasi, preferred niya ang mga English songs. Another new.

Ayoko ng maulit pa, ang nakaraang ayokong maalala. Bawat oras na wala ka, Parang mabigat na parusa. Huwag mong kakalimutan na kahit nag-iba. Hindi ako tumigil magmahal sayo sinta

That lyric, napaisip ako bigla. Ang dami naming pinagdaanan ni Troy bago kami humantong sa kalagayan naming ito, na naging sobrang saya kami. Katulad ng sinabi sa lyrics, ayoko ko na rin maulit 'yon.

Everyone gave him an exuberant yell and after, nagpaalam na kami to have our lunch. It took so long bago kami maka-alis dahil pinipilit rin nila akong kumanta but thanks to my husband at napigilan ang audience.

---

We made it. At last, nakakain na kami and now, we decided to have a little walk bago mag-proceed sa parachute riding. The place seems perfect to have fun. Madami kang pwedeng gawin at maga-guaranteed kong mag-eenjoy ka talaga kayo.

Dinala kami nang mga paa namin sa isang golf course. Walang gaanong tao ngayon dito, maybe, bumalik sila sa mga tinutuluyan nila dahil may nagbabadyang malakas na ulan. Pero ‘di alintana kay Troy ‘yon, nananakot lang daw ‘yong ulan na ‘yan. Bigla naman siyang tumakbo paakyat sa hill at sinenyasan akong bilisan ko raw. Naupo ako sa pinakatuktok ng hill and he rested his head onto my lap. Sinuway ko siya na baka madumihan yung suot niya, pero ang kulit, hayaan nalang daw.

Nakapikit na siya. Siguro, nasisilaw siya sa konteng sinag ng araw na tumatama sa mukha niya. I combed his hair using my fingers, sinusubukan kong i-braid pero hindi enough yung haba nang buhok niya para magawa ko 'yun, so I decided na i-ponytail nalang.

"Troy?" I called. Hindi siya nag-respond but I heard him hmm-ed, "Dapat sinama natin ‘yong mga bata, nang ma-enjoy rin nila ito. Hindi ‘yong sinosolo natin."

"Kaya nga tayo lang kasi gusto kitang masolo. Isa pa may pasok sila." he said, still eyes closed.

"May pasok rin naman tayo huh, pero lumiban tayo."

"Sshh. I'm trying to sleep here. Let's don't talk about it. Hahaba ang usapan natin. This day is for you and me only. There is still next time. Isasama natin sila."

Kita mo 'to, kinakausap nang matino, sinusungitan ako. Hinayaan ko nalang siyang mahiga sa lap ko until rain suddenly come. Biglaan ang pagbagsak ng ulan kaya napatayo kami agad. But instead of running away at sumilong. nag-stay lang siya doon at hinawakan ang mga kamay ko para pigilan kami,

"Let's go, Troy."

"No sense. Basa na rin tayo. Maligo na tayo."

"Magkakasakit tayo." I said, still convincing him.

"Eh ‘di alagaan natin ang isa't isa." and then he pulled me.

Mukhang hindi magpapatalo sa 'kin 'to, it made me no choice. Nakiligo na rin ako tutal basa na nga rin naman kami. Isa pa, natutuwa akong nakikita si Troy na sobrang saya. Who am I para pigilan yun? It's worth the risk.

He removed his shirt at pinahawak sa 'kin. Kita mo 'to, parang bata. Tumatakbo-takbo pa ! He seems to be a kid na ngayon lang pinayagan ng Mommy niyang maligo sa ulan. To think of it, napaka-seryoso niyang tao, yet, napaka-family oriented, but despite of all this, lumalabas ang iba niyang side na bihirang makita nang tao.

Hinila niya ako and all of a sudden, bigla niya kong binuhat at umikot-ikot. Napakapit nalang ako sa leeg niya dahil sa takot kong mahulog sa lakas ng pag-ikot niya and voila, na-out of balance siya at natumba. What if hindi ako humawak sa leeg niya, eh ‘di tumilapon ako? Not literally.

Nasa ibabaw niya ako ngayon and I can't help it. Napapatitig ako sa mga labi niya and there is something urged me para halikan siya but I can't. Tatayo na sana ako nang bigla niyang baliktarin ang posisyon namin. Kapantay ng balikat ko ang mga kamay niya dahilan para ma-corner ako. Our faces are inch closer, pumikit nalang ako dahil sa pag-a-assume kong hahalikan niya ako. He did. he kissed me sa gilid ng labi ko. I opened my eyes and saw him shaking his head. Umiikot pa siguro ang paningin niya, pero sayang.

Tumayo na siya at itinayo na rin ako mula sa pagkakahigaa. Hinapit niya bigla ang bewang ko and kissed me. Let's talk about awkwardness. Hindi kaya ang awkward na nakikita ko siyang hinahalikan niya ako at nakikita niya akong hinahalikan siya? I decided na ako nalang ang pipikit dahil masama daw tignan na hinahalikan ako. Naramdaman kong biglang ngumiti si Troy and I felt heat running to my face. Nakakahiya.

Huminto siya sa paghalik sa 'kin at tinignan ako direkta sa mata, "Nabitin ka ba?" he asked. Hinapit niya ako nang mas malapit pa.

I gave him a deep sigh and answered him honestly. "Yes."

And then he claimed my lips again. I wonder kung paano ko ilalagay ang mga kamay ko sa leeg niya para mas dama ko ang sensation, so I decided na ilagay nalang sa iba. Saan?

------x

After having fun in the rain, we headed back to our hotel room para patilain yung ulan. Cancelled rin ang parachute riding namin due to heavy rain. Sayang nga kasi first time ko sanang makakasakay sa parachute, but unfortunately, malakas ang ulan. Ayaw naman namin i-risk ang safety namin. besides, there are still next time.

As soon as tumila na yung ulan, nag-drive na kami pa-uwi. Ayaw namin magpa-gabi dahil hahanapin kami nang mga bata. It's already past six ng umalis kami and now it's already eight at nasa kalsada pa rin kami. We also tried to take an alternate route, but still the same. Noong naging light na ang traffic, we took a chance para makakain man lang sa fast food chain. Almost 3 hours na kaming nasa byahe dahil sa sobrang traffic at nakakagutom rin yun. Uuwian din sana namin yung mga bata, pero inassumed ni Troy na tulog na ang mga ito.

Almost nine na kami naka-uwi ni Troy, pagpasok palang, natanaw namin sila Mama at Papa na nanunuod sa sala. They stand up and broach us. They look so blissful like something adequate happen. It's perceptible from their facial assertion.

"Ma, Pa, bakit gising pa kayo?" Troy asked out of oddity. Instead of answering it, Papa gave us a nodge to sit infront of them. Pinatay muna ni Papa yung TV and sighed.

"Supposed to be, by tomorrow morning namin sasabihin sa inyo. Baka maunahan lang kami nang mga bata kaya hinintay na namin kayo."

"Nasaan pala yung mga bata?" Troy interrupted.

"Makulit ‘yong kambal niyo, lalo na si Zach. Pinagpilitan nilang matutulog daw silang tatlo sa kwarto niyo. We tried to stop them, but we failed. But don't worry, we make sure na safe sila at hindi malalaglag sa kama niyo. May I continue? "

We nodded our head as an approbation for him to continue. Tumingin muna si Papa sa kanya at kay Mama, para bang nagtatanong kung itutuloy ba ni Papa ‘yong sinasabi niya kanina. Mama just gave him a candied smile and nodded.

"Your Mama is pregnant." simple words yet, a very meaningful sentence.

I saw Troy's reaction upon hearing that news, his face was full of felicity, beatitude and amazement. At last, Troy told me once that he really wants a younger sibling, unfortunately, there is a problem with Mama. They believe na miracle nalang ang magiging reason para mabuntis si Mama, but now, here it is.

Niyakap agad ni Troy si Mama at ganoon din ako kay Papa. We congratulated them for this blessing and proceed to our rooms. Nakita namin ‘yong mga bata na mahimbing na natutulog, even Emman na supposed to be na nasa crib, eh nakahiga sa gitna nila ZJ and Sophie.

After changing our clothes, I saw Troy heading to the balcony with his guitar. I followed him and gave me a signal to sit beside him. Ni-lock niya muna yung swing to avoid it from moving and start plucking his guitar

Wake in the morning, lay next to your face. I like you; I like you. And I'd want you to know that the world is ours. I'd like to, I'd like to

Sinandal ko ‘yong ulo ko sa balikat niya. Napapapikit pa nga ako dahil nagagandahan ako sa tinutugtog niya, plus the manly bed voice he had at this moment. Napaka-seductive.

Kiss your hand, say you're the one. Will you marry me? We're wild and free. How nice and other mornings. When the sun rises, you that I'm waiting for.

Napalingon naman ako sa kanya and saw him smiling. He pouted his lips, asking for a kiss. Napangiti nalang ako bigla. I lend him one.

You'll be the princess, I'll be the king of this throne. We can make endless love, all night long. I'll catch you when you fall. When you fall, when you fall yea. When you fall, when you fall. I'll catch you when you fall. If you fall.

After listening to his song, he decided to teach me how to play a guitar. I do have a knowledge about playing a guitar pero hindi kasing galing nila Troy or Charles and even Sylvia. Madali naman daw akong turuan sabi ni Troy, ‘yon nga lang, hindi enough ‘yong haba nang mga daliri ko para maabot yung ibang chords. Tumayo siya para daw uminom muna sa kusina, he even offered me, but I rejected it. I'm not thirsty. 

Sinubukan kong mag-strum at gawin yung ginagawa niya but it seems na hindi niya ganoon kahaba ‘yong mga daliri ko para magawa yung mga tinuro niya, still, I'm enjoying it. I continued playing at it, up, down, down, up with matching droning pa. Ini-imagine ko na may rhythm na nabubuo sa ginagawa ko.

Bumalik na si Troy mula sa kusina na may dalang blue envelope. Naupo siya sa tabi ko at ini-abot sa 'kin yung envelope, "Ano 'to, Troy?" I asked out of oddity.

"Open it."

Binuksan ko naman yung envelope and it contain papers. Documents maybe. Tinignan ko isa-isa ‘yong mga papel at pare-pareho lang sila. Trust funds for the kids.

"At the age of 20? Why 20 and not 18? That time, college na sila, they will need it for financial assistance. I mean, we’re here to support them, they'll be responsible at that time.” I said, reaching out my point.

"Trust me. Mas kakailanganin nila ‘yan at that age. Besides, they're at the right age to seek for a job. They're already a grown up, matured enough to make decisions by their own. They need to live without our supervision soon, hanggat maaga, matuto na sila."

He's right. As always. I think, not all mother know's best for their kids, a father's insight too. Every time, napapabilib talaga ako ni Troy. Choosing him, having him is the rightest decision I made.

We stood up and proceed to our room. We still have works for tomorrow. A lot of works for sure.

We deposited ourselves in the both sides of our bed to avoid them from falling. He kisses their foreheads until ZJ suddenly moved. Nagising ata siya but eyes closed still, "Daddy, Mommy, Lola is pregnant." he muttered.

"We already know it, Baby. Get back to sleep. Still have classes tomorrow." Troy also muttered.

Sa paghiga ni Troy, biglang yumakap si ZJ. Sobrang close talaga nila, inseperable. I couldn't blame them for being that close. ZJ's whole life, si Troy ang nakasama niya. We lend our goodnight kissed and sleep.