SECRET AFFAIRS' Bound in Love (Ree and Lia)

Chapter 14 Legs in his Bed

LIA

SINCE the day he spilled everything, I just realized how eager I am to be with him. I never thought that this tough guy who looks so perfect to my eyes, have a dark past he keeps. And know what? I am so grateful he finally stood up and tell me who he really was. But I just can’t let go of the fact, I felt that jealousy over that dead woman he slept with for years. I don’t wanna be so selfish, but maybe I am meant to meet this man. It must have been that way for them.

“Hello, Baby,” he greeted at napaigtad ako nang bigla na lang sumandal ang baba niya sa balikat ko. This thing he don’t usually show, now he’s making me feel so special. Pinakiramdaman ko muna ang pagdagan ng baba niya sa balikat ko. Dumikit ang ulo niya sa tainga ko. His smell flourishes into my system like I wanna smell him until I lose my breath and take another breath.

“Uhm you broke in,” basag ko bago pa man ako tuluyan na mawalan ng control sa sarili. Bigla na lang bumalot ang braso niya sa akin. Napakurap ako ng aking mata. He hugs me from behind and I love that. He’’s kinda sweet and that is so enough for me. No words, just feeling.

“You always leave the door open, kaya lagi akong nakakapasok” usal niya. He is right, I always leave my door open kaya lagi niya itong ginagawa since that night he kissed me. I know sobrang bilis, pero ayoko rin ng paligoy-ligoy.

“By the way, Baby.” Kumalas siya at umikot. Humarap itong nakaupo ito sa office table ko. Since naitayo ang training school na ito, he gave me this space so I can work on the things I want to. Nagtaas ako ng tingin sa kaniya. He took my hand and wrapped them in his hands. Just enough to cover it dahil malalaki ang kamay niya. This feels so warm and I feel so lucky here to be held by

“What is it? Hindi ka man lang naiilang sa mga tao mon a madaanan kang ganito sa akin.”

Napailing siya at ngumiti. “You think? Tayo pa lang ang nakikita nilang ganito?” he asked me in a whisper.

“Stop,” I said and sighe. “Ano ba kasi ang pinunta mo dito?” I pulled myself up to see him closer. “Can’t you see all these?” itinuro ko ang mga files na kanina lang ay ipinahatid niya sa staff niya. He is actually a busy man, not after we became intimate.

“Wow.. I love how you call me now. Did you just said you missed me?” Diretso niyang saad. Napangiti na lang ako sa mabilis niyang sinabi. I didn’t expect that. “Well I always know, you do.” Tinutukso yata ako nito at nagtaasan ang mga kilay ko. “Well my mom will be here tomorrow.”

Napalunok ako. Kanina lang kilig ang nararamdaman ko ngayon naman bakit bigla akong nakaramdam ng kakaibang kaba? Nagtaas muli ang kilay ko at napalunok at humugot ng hininga. “So,” ngumiti ako kahit napipilitan. I just don’t know what to say at all. “Are we gonna see her?” tanong ko.

“Y-yes,” mabilis niyang sagot. “I want to take you for a dinner with us.”

“Dinner? Talaga?” Paniniguro ko.

“I want her to meet you.” He grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him. “She knows about you and she said she wanna see you too.”

Nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya. And I can’t say a word. Bigla ko yata nakalimutan na ako ang taong walang alinlangan sa mga bagay. Alam ko kaagad ang gusto ko at alam ko na kapag gusto ko ay ginagawa ko. But this time? I wanna make him feel comfortable taking me to her mom and introduce me to her like I am his girl. Oh wait. Am I really his girl?

“Hey,” basag niya. Hinawi niya ang buhok ko. The way looks at me, makes me feel confident now. It’s alright, alam ko na kaya kong harapin ang mom niya. But this is the first time I will meet someone’s mom aside from Tim’s. Well that was different at all. Tumango agada ko at ngumiti. Gumuhit naman ang matamis niyang ngiti sa kaniyang labi. Is he this happy? Well, as I remember may tampo ito sa nanay niya. But here he is, maybe he wanna make up with her, through me.

“You sure about me meeting her?” tanong kong naniniguro.

“Sir excuse po,” isang katok ang siyang bumasag sa usapan namin.

“Yes?” sabat niya. I distanced myself from him upang makaharap niya ang staff.

“The board is in the conference room, and they want miss Lia to join too.”

Napatingin ako kay Ree, sabay naman ng pagtutol. “Tell them, I don’t want to. Just do what you want to, I don’t want to handle things like..”

“Alright,” sabi ni Ree. “But it would be better if you, at least try once,” dagdag niya. “Just sit and listen,’ pakiusap nito.

“No I don’t like to distract you,” pagpupumilit ko.

“You will never be, remember you own a share,’ he reminds me.

‘I know and I don’t have to show up,” saad ko.

“Okay. I’ll be back in an hour in case we can’t settle stuffs.”

“Sure, I will be right here,” kindat ang siyang kasunod ng aking sinabi. He then pulled me again matapos siyang sumenyas sa staff na balikan na ang board. He kissed my lips with a smuck. Talagang nagnakaw pa ng halik bago pa man tumayo.

REE

HER hands feel cold. I am holding it with my left hand. Napalingon ako sa kaniya. I wanna see her okay but I can feel her tensed. “Are you alright?” tanong ko. Tumingin naman ito sa akin at kita kong pilit ngumiti.

“She’s not gonna bite,” sabi ko ng pabiro.

“Ano ka ba? I never met anyone’s mom. Huwag mo akong inaasar. What if your mom is too perfect? I can’t be here.”

“Perfect? You are far perfect that her. She will like you, I guess.”

“Hindi ka nga sigurado. Can I just go? Ikaw na lang makipag-date sa mom mo,” saad nito. She is so childish to say that.

“Can you please keep calm” pinisil ko ang kamay niya.

“I am sorry, I can’t help it either,’ she uttered.

“This will be quick, Baby,” I said. Kita ko kung paano naman siya humugot ng paghinga. She amazes me when she’s too hesitant. Kaya nga rin siguro she got me attracted to her. Too unpredictable and too straightforward.

Ilang sandali pa ay nakita ko na ang mommy at kasama nito ang pinsan kong tatanda na sigurong dalaga. It’s been a while.

“Hijo,” bati ni mom. With arms wide open, he hugged me. Nabitawan ko ang kamay ni Lia dahil hinila niya upang kumalas sa hawak ko.

“Hello, Mom.” Tanging nasabi ko.

“I missed you, son.”

Nagkumustahan at ipinakilala ko si Lia.

“Mom meet my partner, Lia Yssabelle,” sabi ko. Tiningnan siya ni mom at ngumiti sa kaniya. I am relieved that she did that.

“Hello, dear. It’s nice to finally meet you. Marami tayong pagkukuwentuhan and I think I owe you a lot of time,” she said to her and she hugged her. Glad that she welcomed her.

“By the way meet my cousin, Aya,” pakilala ko kay Lia.

They shake hands and smiled to each other.

“I am glad to meet you, Aya. Madalas ka ikwento ni Ree.”

“Siya ba? Ako rin naman, so please to meet you, Lia. Seems like he caught the finest one,” sabi ni Aya.

“Aya?” basag ko.

She put her hans up at nagkibit ng balikat. “I am happy to see her with you.” Ito ang sabi ni Aya at ibinaba ang kamay.

I drove them in a hotel. Ayaw ni mom na dumiretso sa bahay niya sa isang exclusive subdivision. I wonder why she wouldn’t want to stay there. But I guess she is here for business kaya ayaw niya doon. Halos magdalawang dekada na rin kasi mula nang iwan niya ang Pinas. Kung hindi pa ako umuwi dito, baka nga hindi na rin siya magawi.

“Aya natawagan arrange the meetings I mentioned to you,” saad ni mom habang ako ay abala sa pagmamaneho.

“Mom kararating mol ang, may appointment ka na agad?”

“Of course, I will not stay long, but I will have dinner with you and Lia, first.”

Kaya naman ay nagpahanda na lang ako ng dinner for us. Ma-kwento si Lia kay Aya. I can see that she is comfortable with her. I am happy to see her fit with my family. I do hope, mom would like her too.

“So how is the training school going?” tanong ni mom.

“It’s good,” sagot ko.

“I am glad you made your biggest dream come true, son.”

Tahimik lang si Lia sa tabi ko. Kaya naman at ibinaba ko ang kamay ko upang hawakan siya sa binti. I want to give her sign that I am here beside her.

“By the way, your Dad wants you to come home, he said maybe it’s time you check on the business in Canada,” sambit ni mommy.

“Napag-usapan na natin, Mom. It is Dad’s and I can’t,” umiling ako. Nilingon ko si Lia na ngayon ay nagpahid na ng hanchy sa bibig niya. Isang phone call ang umagaw naman sa atensyon ko at kailangan ko sagutin. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa at nakita ko sa tingin niya na inuutusan akong sagutin ko na.

“Excuse me, I needed to take this call.” Tumayo ako at lumayo mula sa table. Naiwan si Lia, Aya at Mom.

REE’S POV

“Lia!”

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko sa pagtataka at bakit siya biglang umalis. Gusto ko pa siyang habulin dahil baka lang may nakalimutan. But she looks upset. Was I too insensitive para hindi mapansin ang pagbabago sa mood niya? Ni hindi ko man lang naisip naisip na tanungin siya. I took my phone from my pocket, at saktong bubuksan ko sana but the lights suddenly went off. Kung kailan I needed it to call her, but I can’t. Naisipan kong balikan ang mommy. But there I see her sitting so relaxed. Kung tama ako, I am sure she did something that would make Lia angry. Pero ano naman? Lumapit ako kung saan siya naroon at naroon na rin si Aya na abala na sa pagkain.

“Mom,” bungad ko. She looked up and smiled like nothing really matters.

“Come, son. Don’t leave me here,” saad niya. I wonder what did she say to her? I know my mom is really capable of anything. Naupo akong pabagsak at inipit ko ang mga labi ko.

“Mom anong ginawa m okay Lia?” nag-iba na ang tono ng pananalita ko.

“Ree she is not the woman you need.”

Dito ko na naintindihan. May dahilan si Lia to leave us. I grinded my teeth to keep myself calm.

“Mom tell me what happened?” I humbly asked trying to compose myself.

“Sinabi ko lang ang totoo. I don’t like her. I don’t think you are gonna take her seriously,” saad niya. She’s wrong. I know I can try once more.

“Excuse me,” paumanhin ni Aya. Napatingin kami ni mommy sa kaniya na mabilis na tumayo. “I think you both need time,” sabi nito at kinuha ang goblet glass niya saka naman lumayo mula sa kinaroroonan namin.

“I called Lucas.” Tila wala lang sa mommy ang nararamdaman ko.

“Mom tell me what did you do to Lia?”

“I did nothing, son. I just told her that she wouldn’t fit the life you live. Besides you asked for a year break. Baka nakakalimutan mo? You said you will just be needing a little break. Hindi mo naman sinabi na magtatagal ka dito. I am thinking that it might be a waste of time hanging around with that brat.”

“Mom hindi mo kilala si Lia. She’s..”

“Don’t tell me about her. Hindi ako interisado na makilala ang anak ni Enrico.” Naramdaman ko ang lalim ng pinanggagalingan ng bawat salitang lumalabas sa bibig ng mommy. “I want to meet Lucas.” Utos niya.

“Still you don’t have the right to humiliate her. If you think she ain’t right for me, I am trying to make myself worthy now. Just leave my life to me,” mahinahon kong sabi kahit sa loob ko ay alalang-alala ako kay Lia. My mind wanders if where could she be. Tumayo ako mula sa hapag.

“Ree hindi ako lumipad ng paikot sa mundo para lang iwanan mo akong mag-isa na naghahapunan.” Pabanta na sabi ni mom.

“Hindi ako gutom. Have Aya with you tonight.” Tumalikod ako at mabilis na naglakad papalayo.

I looked for my car and I drove it. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan si Lia. I am so worried kung napano na ‘yon? Napahugot na lang ako ng malalim na paghinga sa pagkimkim ng galit ko sa loob ko. This is my fault. I should not have left her with her.

LIA’S POV

NAKATULALA akong nakaupo sa bar counter. Tanging lagasak ng tubig mula sa fountain ang siyang pang-aliw ko sa sarili ko. I can’t just let her embarrass me that easy. Sino ba siya sa palagay niya? “Iyong anak niya?” sambit ko.

“Lia that’s enough,” sabi ng tinig ni Tim. He reached on my wrist and hold it. Nagtaas ako ng tingin sa kaniya at nakatingin siya pababa sa gawi ko. “Stop,” sabi niya.

“Bakit? Hindi naman ako lasing, Timothy. You brought me here, so why would you make me stop?” singhal ko.

“Should you be like this? Pathetic,” simpleng ibinulong ang huling salita.

Dahil doon ay tumayo ako at ipiniksi ang kamay niya na hawak ang pulsuhan ko.

“Where are you going?” tanong niya.

“Huwag mo akong kausapin!” Sigaw ko. I don’t understand why did I let that witch say those words to me. Nagagalit akong isipin na hinayaan ko siyang hamakin ako? Do I like other girls? Napailing ako at nanlumo na lang sa sarili. This is the very first time somebody made me feel so dumb. I hate that I never had the chance to make a stand for myself.

“Lia it’s late,” sigaw pa niya na hindi ko pinansin. Tanging nasa isip ko ay gusto kong magwala. Pero saan?

“Hey,” hinabol ako ni Tim. “Could you please stop? Saan ka pupunta?” tanong niya.

“I am leaving. Maghahanap ako ng may silbi na kausap. Hindi ikaw na sobrang boring na tao at sobrang yabang at sobrang walang kwenta dahil kailangan ko pa ilapit ang sarili ko para lang pansinin mo. Anong akala mo? Ikaw na ang huling lalaki sa buhay ko? Ang taas ng tingin sa sarili? Bakit?”

“Is it me?” tanong niya.

“Bakit ka nagtatanong? Hindi ba ikaw ang lumapit? I let you have what is mine. Tapos inayos ko sarili ko para masabayan ko ang gusto mo. I even gave up my pride sa Dad ko just to help you have it.” Nagpahid ako ng luha sa mata na parang wala sa sarili. I didn’t realize na hindi si Ree ang kausap ko.

“Look who’s talkig,” sabi ni Tim. “Now I know why do you look so upset. Is it Ree?” tanong niya.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko dahil sa sobrang sakit ng ulo ko ay mabilis akong napayuko.

KINAUMAGAHAN.

My eyes opened in a ceiling of maple wood. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako naroon but one thing I am sure that last night I got drunk with Tim. Mabilis akong bumangon ngunit ibinalik ko sa kama ang sarili ko sa biglang pagkirot ng ulo ko. I had tequila last night. Nasobrahan yata ako. I rest my body on my side at doon ko lang napansin na may food tray na sa tabi ng kama kung saan ako naroon. This is not my room.

“Did you had a good sleep?” tanong ng tinig ng lalaki. I know it’s Tim. Bumangon agad ako at ibinaba ang paa ko sa kama.

“How did I ended here? Ginalaw mo ako? Sumagot ka,” naghuhuramentado kong sunod-sunod na tanong.

“Calm down,” sabi niya. He seated in a couch na kaharap lang ng kama. I am wearing pajamas that I don’t remember I changed last night.

“Why am I wearing these?” tanong ko.

“Drinking too much?” sumandal siya sa couch.

“Am not playing mind games, Tim. Bakit mo ako inuwi?”

“You were wasted. Saan naman kita dadalhin? I will tell your parents, here is your unica hija and she is drunk.” He smirked like a fool.

Naupo ako sa kama realizing the things I have done. But I cant remember them all.

“Take a shower. Pwede ka na umuwi pagkatapos.” Mabilis niyang sinabi at lumabas ito ng kwarto. Now he’s got me wondering. What the hell did this beast do to me last night?

“No, thanks. Uuwi na ako.” Mabilis kong inikot ang mata ko sa paligid at nakita kong nakatiklop ang damit ko sa bandang paanan ng kama.

Sumilip si Tim sa pinto. “Well at least thank the house maid for changing your clothes last night.”

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag when I heard that from him.

AFTER that night na pinagmukha akong basura ng witch niyang mommy. I never talked to Ree. I never want to get in touch with him. I even isolated myself away from people around me. Nagtaka na tuloy ang dad kung bakit bigla na lang akong nawala sa bahay. I ran away to breathe. But the solitude I have been searching would never settle in me. His memories bothers me each time and that kills me everytime. So I decided na bumalik after a week. Hindi sa bahay namin but in my office. I wanted to check on him if he is doing fine. He never tried to find me ba talaga? But this thought have made me realized, paano niya ako hahanapin kasi naman itinapon ko ang phone ko sa sobrang aburido ko sa nanay niyang walang buto ang dila.

I am at the elevator alone. It pings exactly when I reached the second floor. Marahan na bumukas ang pinto nito at tamang pagbaba ng tingin ko ay may dalawang empleyado namin ang bumati sa akin. Well, empleyado niya, since siya naman ang namamahala sa lahat.

“Maam Lia nakabalik ka na po?” untag ng babaeng nakasuot ng slacks na khaki at naka-coat rin ito. Tiningnan ko lang sila. I am not in the mood to speak. Tumabi sila sa gilid ko at ako ay tahimik pa rin.

Napakagat labi ako dahil gusto ko silang tanungin if he arrived already or wala ba siya? Kinakabahan akong makaharap ito. I miss him so much. Pero bakit parang iba ang nasa loob ko? I hate myself from running away. Gusto ko siyang makita ngayon na. Pero paano ko siya haharapin? Does he miss me too? Or baka pagbalik ko ay maging tulad ulit siya ng dati? Tumaas ang gilid ng labi ko. Bahala na lang kung ano ang mangyayari kapag nagkaharap kaming dalawa.

Narating ko ang office floor niya at doon ay diretso akong pumasok sa opisina niya. But there is no Ree here. Malinis ang table niya at halatang walang nagalaw sa mesa niya. Isnt he here yet? Kumunot ang noo ko at tumalikod. I went into my office, and there my eyes widened because of the things I see in my table. There are bouquets of flowers on top. Nasa limang bulaklak na ang naririto at nilapitan ko. Umikot ang mga mata ko sa mga ito. Some looks fresh but some looks almost to wither. Maluha-luha ang mga mata kong naisip. Did he put all these here? Kung ipinalalagay niya ang mga ito para sa akin, how cruel I am to leave him without any words.

Tila kidlat na gumuhit sa dibdib ko ang kirot. I am so stupid to leave and ignore him. I wish to call him, but how am I supposed to tell him that I am back? Baka nagtatampo na ‘yon. I kept my phone in purse. I will find him. Wala siya dito, baka nasa bahay niya? I called for his secretary at sabi nito ay ilang araw na rin na hindi ito napunta ng opisina niya. Ang sabi lang ay araw-araw lang tatawag ito at ihahabilin ang mga dapat gawin. Oh my, Ree what are you up to? Hindi mo ugali na pabayaan ang trabaho. Pero masyado akong maaga ngayon. Baka nasa condo niya lang ito. I can feel all the guilt is about to swallow me now. Nahihiya ako dahil sobrang immature ko na talikuran siya just because that Martha humialated me.

I called for the chef instructor dahil gusto ko bumawi kay Ree. He have been thinking about me at ako naman ay hindi man lang umalala na tawagan siya. I decided to make a dish for him. Something that would deal with his taste buds and will make him forgive me for running away. Ipagluluto ko siya ng breakfast. I will make sure na magugustuhan niya.

I cooked a special breakfast for him. Masaya akong nagawa ko ito. Cooking is not my thing, but because he introduced me in this, I have learned to appreciate the art of cooking. I drove fast to reach his place. Pero alam kong kabado akong makita ito. Naghahalo ang tuwa at kaba sa puso ko na halos ikanginig ng loob ko.

I parked my car at nakita ko ang sasakyan niyang naroon din. This gave me hope na naririto nga siya. Itinulak ko ang pinto ng sasakyan ko at kinuha ang bag kung nasaan ang mga niluto kong pagsasaluhan namin. Naglalakad akong napapangiti dahil makikita siya. But a car have grabbed my attention. Is that Lucas’ car? Nangunot ang nook o kung bakit naririto ang sasakyan ng kapatid ko. Nilapitan ko pa sa bandang kanan ko at tiningnan ang plate number, at tama ako. This made me stop in the aisle at napaisip. Did he bought a unit here? O baka naman may binisita lang siya? Well, hindi siya ang pakay ko dito. Matanda na ‘yon at alam na niya ang ginagawa niya.

Diretso at kabado kong tinungo ang unit ni Ree. I took a deep breath habang nasa harap na ako ng pinto niya. I wanted to push the bell button but I wanted to surprise him. Kaya nagdecide akong pumasok dahil may susi ako ng unit niya. I opened it at pumasok ako ng dahan-dahan. I will make sure na masu-surpresa siya dahil bumalik na ako. I missed him and I hope he does too. I looked around and his place looks a bit messy. What made him so busy?

Inilapag ko ang dala ko sa mesa upang asikasuhin ang pagkain niya. Inihanda ko ang lahat ng ito para pag gising niya ay handa na ang pagkain. I am doing this to catch up. I am happy dahil nandito na ako at malapit na sa kaniya.

Tapos ko nang ayusin ang lahat at siya na lang ang kulang. Masaya akong nakikita ang lahat ng ito dahil buong puso kong pinaghandaan para sana makabawi sa kaniya. I went to his bedroom. Nasa labas na ako nito at halos maghabol ako ng paghinga dahil nasasabik na rin akong makita at mayakap siya. I wanted to knock pero mas gusto ko na makita ko siyang makita ako. I want to see how surprised he is to see me.

So I opened the door of his bedroom. Umikot ang mga mata ko at kaagad kong nakita ang kama niya. Nanatili ang mga mata ko sa ibabaw ng kama nito habang nakatayo sa b****a ng pinto. I can see legs under his sheets. Pero bakit tatlo ang paa na nakikita ko ngayon? I slowly felt my mind shut down like there was nothing to do with me. I don’t understand what I am looking at. Three legs in a bed? May ikinama siya?