It was already dusk when they reach the condominium. Tinignan niyang mabuti ang asawang natutulog sa passenger seat. She was pissed at him because of his behavior towards the guy she was talking to a while ago. But what could he do? He did not like the idea. And the smile she gave him is so bright that it could give light to the whole miky way. He felt possessive of that smile. He wanted that smile to be exclusive for him. She shook his head. He is crazy to think that he is getting fond of his hired wife. He slightly nudged her to wake her up. “George?”
“Hmm?” She moaned. He looked at her lips, then sharply diverted his attention elsewhere. He nudged her again and woke her up.
“We are here. T-Time to get off the car.
“Yeah, five minutes,” she begged. She thought she is in her house. Tiyahin niya ang gumigising sa kanya at hindi ang asawa niya.
“George…” Nanatiling nakapikit si George. Nauubos na ang pasensya ni Pavlo.
“GEORGE!” Tumaas ang boses ni Pavlo. Biglang naalimpungatan si George. Magkasalubong ang kilay niya nang tignan si Pavlo. “Bakit kailangang mong sumigaw?!” Pumalatak si George habang nilamukos ang mukha. Ayaw niya ng ginugulat siya kapag ginigising. Doon sila madalas na kinaiinisan niya sa tita Imee niya.
“It was hard to wake you up. Kanina pa kita ginigising.” Bumuntong hininga si Pavlo. Nanatilig magkasalubong ang kilay ni George.
“Andito na tayo. Let me show you my house—err our house.” Medyo huminahon ang boses ni Pavlo. He has never lost his temper before. He is usually calm and in control. But with George it is different. He becomes out of control and predictable.
Hindi maipinta ang mukha ni George nang pumasok sila sa magiging bahay nila. The unit is on the 8th floor. Paglabas ng elevator, napalitan ng pagkamangha ang reaksyon niya. Nang pumasok sila sa magiging unit nila, nanlaki ang mata niya sa laki nito. It is a typical bachelor’s pad. Colors of gray and brown filled the room. Sofa and lovechairs are black. There is a coffee table across the sofa.
Mayroong fish tank sa likod ng sofa. Pinuntahan niya ito at tinignan ang nag-iisang gold fish na umalangoy sa malaki niyang tank.
“Ang cute. Pero mukhang malungkot siya. Ano ang name niya?”
“Fish.” Sagot niya sa asawa na hawak-hawak ang phone niya.
Humarap siya sa mister niya. Nagsalubong ang kilay niya. “You named a fish, fish?”
“Why? What is wrong with that?”
“You can’t name him fish…” Nilingon niya ulit ang malungkot na isda. “Wala siyang identity. Kawawa naman siya.” Napailing lang si Pavlo habang sinasagot ang mga text messages mula sa office.
Pumunta siya sa malaking glass window. Nakita niya ang view ng buong city. The scenery is breathtaking.
“Oh my,” sabi niya habang nakatingin sa bintana.
“This is too good to be true.” Naramdaman niyang tinabihan siya ng asawa.
“Are you sure we are going to live here? We—Mr. And Mrs. Vera-Perez? Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala.”
“You have to believe it, George. It is true,” tugon niya sa tabi ng asawa.
“We have the marriage certificate—signed and sealed from the marriage capital of the world, Las Vegas.”
Napatawa si George. “Alam mo, hindi ka nga napagod sa kasal natin eh. Yun ang pinakamabilis na kasal ang nasaksihan ko. Epic din kasi ang nagkasal sa atin, hari.” Hindi maiwasan ni George matawa kapag naalala niya ang kasal nila na parang pang pelikula ang dating.
BINABASA MO ANG
A Wife for a While
General FictionIf you have read The Savage Casanova, you would meet Pavlo Vera-Perez, and this is his side story. Annoyed at his grandmother’s medieval scheme to claim his inheritance, Pavlo Vera Verez—the most sought bachelor needs to find a wife—fast. A perfect...
