Mamihlapinatapai

Chapter 11

Cray

Welcome to my home, wife..

Ember's chamber is like a den. A perfect hideout for a child. But given her current frame right now, I know that the place won't fit the two of us. She really grew too tall.

"Uhm.." Napakamot sa pisngi nito si Ember nang mapagtanto na hindi talaga kami kakasya doon. Pwede siguro kung pareho lang kaming nakaupo at wala ng gagalaw pa.

"Is that your home?" Napahawak ako sa batok ko para kalmahin yung sarili ko.

But I think I lose one of my strings when Ember shyly bit her lower lip and nod her head. The excitement on her face awhile ago was replaced with a crestfallen look. Like a child who realizes that she's no longer a child. And the play she used to play is no longer a play for her age.

"Let's go." Tinapik ko yung balikat nito. "We can't live into the woods. Let alone spend a night here." Pagkasabi niyon ay dinampot ko yung bag nito na nilapag nito sa damuhan kanina para maitulak yung harang na bato.

"But.."

Napalingon ako dito. Nakayuko ito at pinagsasalikop yung mga daliri. "This is supposed to be our home in here. I don't wanna go back."

Natigilan ako doon.

Was this planned? Is this one of Ember's game again? Yung sasabihin nito na kailangan namin umuwi dahil may emergency pero ang totoo ay gusto lang ako nitong makulong dito sa Isla. Was this her plan all along?

Damn it!

"Did Rebem really died?" I gripped her bag tightly. I need to cluth onto something before I turned into violence.

"Y-Yes..."

Unti-unting lumuwag yung pagkakakapit ko sa bag nito. She didn't lie into that part. That's somewhat a relief for me. But a little sad for her.

"But I meant us to stay here." Dugtong pa nito. "Ayoko na bumalik sa Manila. Gusto ko na lang dito."

Naiintindihan ko kung iyon yung gusto nito. Siguro ay iniisip nito na kung nandito lang ito sa isla ay mas madami itong oras na kasama yung alaga nito. Kung gugustuhin nitong manatili dito, I've got no problem with that.

"You can stay here, Ember. I've got no problem with that. Just tell your Mom that I need a lift back to the city."

Umangat yung mukha nito. Ako naman ay bahagyang napatingala dito. Our height differences is too visible that I had to try too much not to swallow in intimidation.

"You can't do that. We're married." Giit nito. May bahid pa nga iyon ng sarkasmo.

Napailing na lang ako. She's becoming too difficult to deal with again.

"In papers. Not in real life. Remember?" I made sure she can get the sarcasm in my tone too. Tutal sa kanya naman nanggaling yung linya na iyon kanina.

"Are you running away again!?"

Nagulat ako sa pagtataas nito ng boses. Bakit ba nagagalit sya?

"Ang sinasabi ko lang ay hindi ako mabubuhay dito. You don't have to shout, Ember! My life is in the tennis lawn. In the limelight. With a crowd cheering so loud for my victory. Not in this lousy place. Dull. Boring."

Umismid ito. "O baka naman para may excuse ka na naman sa mga naghahabol sayo?!"

"Pakialam mo ba kung ganoon nga?" Naiinis na din na sagot ko. "I've got my own life to live. You can't cage me here."

"You can't run away from me again, Cray!" Galit na hinawakan nito yung braso ko. The way she gripped my arm made me wince in pain. Too tight. Possesive. Claiming. Demanding the same intensity.