The Unexpected Wife

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Funny

“Where the tell have you been?!” salubong sa akin ni Ella pagkatapos kong isara ng malumanay ang pinto.

Napapikit ako dahil hanggang ngayon ay iniisip ko pa rin iyong nangyari kagabi. It’s so vivid I don’t want to think that I’m not drunk enough to forget those!

“Melissa!”

Napapitlag ako at nababuntong hininga. I dropped my shoes and went to the couch. Sinundan naman ako ni Ella at tiningnan ang buong katawan ko. I looked up to Ella to find her squinting her eyes at me.

I held my temple and groans loudly, making my friend startled.

“Ano? Anong nangyari sa’yo kagabi?” tumabi siya sa akin.

“I’ve done something that I would never forget the rest of my life,” I whispered.

Sinilip naman niya ako mula sa aking pag kakayuko. Matagal kaming nagtitigan bago niya tinulak ng hintuturo ang noo ko.

“Aray!”

“Sabihin mo na!”

I gulped and confidently looked at her.

“I uh…” she raised her brows, “I… did…” I cleared my throat, “Something happened…”

“I know something happened! Ano nga Mel? Bilisan mo naman-”

“I had an i*********e with Dan Lio.”

Her eyes grew wide, “I-i*********e? Wha… You mean interaction? Right? Nag-usap kayo kagabi?”

I nodded and made my face like crying, “Sana iyon lang Ella…”

Her mouth opened wide while analyzing what my lips couldn’t even say.

“Don’t tell me…” pinaypayan niya ang sarili bago bumaling ulit ng tingin sa akin, “Masarap ba iyang ginawa niyo?”

“Oh my gosh!” tinakpan ko ang aking tenga at napasandal nalang sa sofa. “Ella!!”

Napuno na ng boses niya ang buong unit namin. She’s mad, and she’s also highly shock and a bit… tease.

“Melissa! Paano nangyari iyon? Akala ko ba ayaw mong lapitan?! Todo pa iyang ginawa mo!”

“Oo na. Hindi ko alam! Hindi ko alam anong nangyari!”

“You mean, wala kang naaalala? Nagising ka nalang katabi niya?”

I sobbed and groaned loudly, not really having tears. “Iyon nga. Naaalala ko. Naaalala ko lahat!”

She laughed and held me in my arms while shaking me.

“I didn’t know you’re capable of doing that!”

“Huwag mo akong tawanan! Hindi ako natutuwa ngayon! I am regretting it!”

Naningkit naman ang mga mata niya, “Sure ka?”

Hinawi ko ang kamay niya sa akin at sumandal muli at napapikit. I’m not sure, of course! Tingin ko kung mangyayari ulit ay ganoon pa rin ang magiging aksyon ko! I’m so disappointed in myself.

I’m so nervous the next day when we went to work. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako kinakabahan gayong hindi naman dito nag t’trabaho iyong si Dan. Baka lang kasi maisipan na naman niya tumambay.

Fortunately, hindi nagtagpo ang landas namin noong araw na iyon. Several days past, at hindi pa rin kami nag kikita. Nakikita ko siya. He visits almost every day, pero todo ang iwas ko na makasalubong siya kahit pa saan iyon.

I got to save myself from seeing him for two weeks, at sobrang effort ang ginagawa ko para lang makaiwas sa Santibal na iyon. I deserve an award for this, especially this week. He's always been around here. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinagkakaabalahan nilang dalawa ni Sir Melvin para lagi siyang magpunta rito. He has his damn company, for Pete's sake!

"Hoy babae!" Napapitlag ako nung tawagin ako ni Ella.

"Ano ba nakakagulat ka!" I hissed. Inirapan lamang ako nito.

"Ano? Hide and seek game again?" She sarcastically asked. Kasalukuyan kasi kaming nasa pantry ngayon ng office namin.

"Hide lang. Wala namang naghahanap sakin." Mahinahon kong sabi habang umiinom ng kape.

"Eh gaga ka talaga e. Bakit ka nagtatago kung wala naman palang naghahanap?” She kidded.

"Ayoko lang makita niya ako. Ako na mismo umiiwas sa kahihiyan." Kalmadong sabi ko.

I took a sip of my coffee and lean on the table. Nawaglit ako sa pagiisip ng may pumasok sa loob.

"Nandito ka lang pala Mel. Hinahanap ka ni big boss." Sabi ng isa kong ka opisina nang pumasok siya sa pantry.

I nodded. But deep inside, I'm wishing... just this time please... sana wala na don si Dan. Ayoko pa siyang harapin. I sighed and look at Ella. She funnily winked at me.

"Goodluck, bes."

I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath.

Naglalakad ako palapit sa office ni Sir Melvin nang makita kong kalalabas lang ni Dan. My heart pumped rapidly. I turned around and go to the left side of our floor. When I assure that Dan’s already gone, I realized that I wasn't breathing the whole time. Gosh, what's with him?

Nang masiguradong wala na siya doon ay inayos ko ang damit at pumasok na ako sa office.

"Goodmorning, Sir..." I greeted as I plastered a smile on my face.

"Goodmorning too. I like to inform you about a new book that we'll publish. I'll send you the soft copies through email. You need to work on the cover, and I needed it on Monday." Tumango naman ako agad.

"Sure, Sir..."

"Okay, that's it. Thank you, Mel." I smiled and headed out.

Before I was able to pull the doorknob, he said something, "Did you saw Dan outside?"

"U-Uh, yes..." I replied. "I think h-he headed out..."

Nakita ko naman ang ngisi ng boss ko na nagpatambol ng puso ko. He cleared his throat. "Oh. He was looking for you earlier."

Damn. What should I say? Naramdaman ko ang pag papawis ng kamay at bawat pagkurap ng mata ko.

“Uh… d-does he says why?”

Mariin naman na tumingin sa akin si Sir Melvin bago ngumisi ulit at umiling, “He didn’t. He just said he wanted to talk to you.”

“Oh. Talked…” muntik pa akong matulala sa kaba doon, I laughed nervously. “O-Okay, sir. I’m so busy right now.” That doesn’t even necessary to say.

“Make sure to asked him when you saw each other,”

I nodded quickly, “Of c-course…” I won’t.

Buong hapon ko iniisip iyong sinabi ni Sir Melvin pati ang pakikitungo niya sa akin kanina. I don’t know if he’s mocking me or what! Does he know what happened? Hindi naman siguro sasabihin ni Dan Lio iyon diba?

Oh my gosh. Naloloka na yata ako.

It was five in the afternoon when I decided to leave. May tatapusin pa daw si Ella kaya mauuna na akong umuwi. Pagka dating ko sa basement ay nakaramdam na naman ako ng pagkahilo. My stomach suddenly aches and churn. I put my hand on my mouth when I felt something was building up in my stomach.

I ran when I saw a trash bin. This is so disgusting! Dito pa talaga? Kinuha ko ang aking panyo at dinala iyon sa aking bibig pagkatapos kong sumuka.

I started vomiting in the past two days, and the feeling was horrible. Maluha luha pa ko sa pagsusuka pero kung tutuusin ay parang wala naman akong sinuka. I stood up straight and pulled out my tumbler, and drink water.

When I turn around, I saw a man walking towards me.

I can feel my paleness upon seeing his face. My hands felt cold, and I seem to freeze on my spot. Seryoso ang kaniyang mukha na nakatingin sa akin habang naglalakad. Did he saw me throwing up?  Napakurap ako at umiwas ng tingin.

Balak ko na sanang tumalikod nang tawagin niya ako.

"Melissa."

My heart pumps harder, na feeling ko ay masyadong masakit iyon.

"Y-Yes..." I tried to look at him.

"This is yours, right?" He held my missing necklace in front of my face.

Tingin ko ay mabilis na umikot ang dugo ko sa buong katawan. I was looking for that for the past week! May hinala na ako na naiwan ko doon iyon at gusto ko nang sumuko na maikita ko pa ulit. That necklace was given by my parents.

I quickly grabbed it in his hands. "T-Thank you." I quickly said. Tumingin ako sa aking palad kung saan ko hawak ang kwintas bago bumaling sa kaniya at nilakasan ang loob. "About what h-happened, I won't nag about it. Let's both forget it."

"Why?" What why! May sira ba to sa ulo? Bakit kailangan pang tanungin?!

I held my inner feelings. "Why?" I asked back the question.

"I was aware that it was your first time, and you want to forget it?" He grinned. At agad akong namula. Damn him. "That's must be something."

Kumunot ang noo ko, hindi nagustuhan ang tono ng pananalita niya.

"What are you talking about?"

“Do you want something from me? I mean, I don’t want issues circulating around me. I know what I did that night, and I know it’s important to you. You don’t look like someone who easily gives in.”

I chuckled sarcastically. I can’t believe Dan’s saying this to me right now. Ano akala niya sa akin? And what? Something from him? Just because I was not on his level, he would assume I will want to have something from him?!

"I don't want anything from you."

"I don't believe you."

Lalo akong nainis. Alam kong mababa ang tingin niya sakin kumpara sa sarili niya pero I'm not a woman that can be paid just to shut my mouth if ever I have a plan to ruin him! At sa tingin niya talaga ganoon ako? I must be out of my mind to consider us as an acquaintance. He clearly doesn’t see me as someone on his level.

"Then don't! It’s not like I know you would kiss me just for being a good human being to bring you home. Oh no, you didn’t just kiss me. You asked me to kiss you back! What a mistake I made there.” Matigas kong sabi kahit pa parang may gumuguhit na masakit sa dibdib ko.

“Melissa-”

“I don’t want anything from you. So please, ignore me if you ever see me again, just like what I’m doing for the past weeks.” I noticed how his jaw clench. “My parents didn’t raise me just to be judge by people like you.”

He advanced a step, "I am not say-"

"Let's just forget it. Forget it, Dan. It never happened."

Pagkatapos noon ay tumalikod na ako. I went to my car and drove away. Hindi ko alam kung saan ko nakuha ang lakas ng loob habang kaharap siya kanina. My eyes began to water as I clearly recall what he just said. Well... hindi naman talaga niya ako kilala kaya niya nasabi iyon. But that was the thing, he doesn't know me and yet he acted like that.

Funny thing, I like him.

Hindi ko na sinabi pa kay Ella iyong tagpo nami ni Dan kanina. Ayaw ko nang dagdagan pa ang stress niya sa akin. She was carrying all my problems with me in the past years. Simula nang mamatay ang magulang ko ay halos siya na ang naging pamilya ko.

I was with her for more than half of my life. And I can’t be thankful enough.

Kinabukasan ay mabigat ang pakiramdam ko. Hindi naman ako nagsuka kanina pero hindi rin naman maganda ang timpla ng katawan ko. I know something is up but I don’t want to acknowledge it. Natatakot ako.

May nananaig na idea sa isip ko pero ayaw kong bigyan ng pansin. One mistake is enough for this.

“Melissa!” napapitlag ako sa tawag ni Mark. “Sorry. Nakatulala ka kasi d’yan. Papasend ko lang sana ung file ng cover sa current book natin.”

Napakurap ako at umayos ng upo, “Ah oo, sorry. I’ll send it sa email mo.”

He smiled at me and nodded, “Okay. Salamat!”

Napatingin ako kay Ella na malisyosong akong tinitingnan. Inirapan ko lang naman siya at bumalik na sa ginagawa. I know I should probably check myself in the hospital. Pero umaasa pa rin ako na pagod lang ito.

I stood up to go to the bathroom. Titingnan ko lang kung ayos pa nga ang kulay ng mukha ko at maghihilamos na rin. Hindi pa din maganda ang pakiramdam ko kaya feeling ko kung hindi ako gagalaw ay lalo akong mawawala sa sarili.

Napahinto ako ng makita si Dan na papalapit sa akin. Nagtagpo ang mata namin ngunit mabilis akong umiwas. Imbes tuloy na sa east wing lang ako mag c’cr ay mabilis akong nagpunta sa west wing.

I sighed when I went in. Ano na naman ang ginagawa niya dito? Hirap na hirap na nga akong umiwas!

I washed my face with cold water and looked at myself in the mirror. My pale face looks paler now. Halata din na hindi maganda ang kondisyon ko isang tingin palang sa akin. Buti nalang naimbento ang make up.

I brushed my straight shaved eyebrows and curl my eyelashes. Nag lagay din ako ng kaunting blush on sa namumutla kong pisngi. Lastly, I put a lip tint on my thin lips. Itinaas ko din at pinusod ang straight kong buhok.

Nang matapos ay mabilis akong lumabas doon at bumalik na sa cubicle ko. Halos mapaatras naman ako nang makita kung sino iyong nakatayo doon. What the hell is he doing here?

“Melissa! Kanina ka pa hinihintay ni Sir Dan!” sigaw ng isa kong officemate.

Wala na akong panahon ngayon para umalis at magtago.

Our eyes met when he turned to me. My breathing hitched when he started to walked towards me. What now?!

“Hey,” he said a few steps away from me.

Umiwas naman ako ng tingin at pinanatili ang diretsong ekspresyon.

“Uh… may kailangan ka?” mahina kong tanong.

Napansin ko ang pag tingin sa amin ng ilang empleyado at ang ilan naman ay walang pakialam. Nakikita naman nila kaming naguusap dati pero never pa akong sinasadyang kausapin ng lalaking ito.

“About yesterday-”

“I told you,” I cut him off and looked straight at him. “Don’t worry because I won’t be asking anything from you.”

He sighed and took a step closer. Umurong naman ako.

“Kung iyon lang ang sasabihin mo. Huwag ka nang magalala. Hindi ako maghahabol sa’yo.”

I heard him say something I didn’t catch.

“What?”

“Mag-usap tayo ng maayos,”

“Madami pa akong gagawin.”

“After, then?”

“Wala naman tayong paguusapan.”

He sighed and his eyebrows furrowed, tila naiinis na sa inaakto ko. Ako din naiinis na! Bukod sa hindi mapakali ang puso ko dahil nasa harap ko siya, naiinis talaga ako sa mukha niya ngayon.

“I’ll go now-”

Bago pa ako matapos sa sasabihin ay hinila na niya ako paalis doon. He held my wrist and pulled me outside, away from the eyes of my officemates.

“A-Ano ba…” I pulled my wrist nang makarating kami sa corridor.

“I wanted to say sorry.” He said in a low tone but enough for me to hear. Nangunot ang aking noo. “I never intended to make you feel less of who you are. Naiinis lang ako,”

I blinked, “Naiinis? Ikaw pa ang naiinis?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

“No. What I mean,”

“Hindi e. Hindi naman kita nilalapitan ah? Ako nga dapat iyong naiinis! Bakit ba kinakausap mo ako? Sabi mo ayaw mo ng issue? Huwag ka nang magpakita sa akin kung ganoon-”

“Melissa!” he shouted, making me stop.

I pursed my lips and glare at him. He sighed, looking frustrated now.

“Why did you have to go the next day? And make every effort to avoid me?”

Hindi ko inaasahan ang sinabi niya kaya wala akong nasagot. Inisip ko pang mabuti kung tungkol saan ang tinutukoy niya.

“Huh?”

“I’m sorry. If I offended you yesterday. I didn’t mean what I said. I was just… frustrated.”

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ngayon, wala akong masabi. I gulped and looked away. So? Anong gagawin ko ngayon? At ano ba ang ibig niyang sabihin ngayon?

“O…Okay.” I blinked fast. “Aalis na ako kung ganoon.” Tumalikod na ako sa kaniya.

“Mel…”

“What?” naiinis kong baling.

“Why are you getting angry?”

“Why are you always calling my name?”

Napakunot naman ang noo niya, “Anong itatawag ko kung ganoon?”

Napasimangot naman ako. “Huwag mo akong tawagin!”

He steps closer, and I step back, “Why are you so grumpy? You’re at least nice to me back then.”

Napakurap naman ako at napaiwas ng tingin. I licked my lips and felt my heart crumble.

“Noon ‘yon. B-Bakit ba ang kulit mo?”

“What?”

“Aalis na ako!”

He sighed. Like he’s lost to what we’re talking about. Hindi ko naman siya hinintay pang magsalita at tumalikod na. Nang sigurado akong wala na sa paningin niya ay kaagad akong napahawak sa puso ko. Damn. What was that?