A Sinful Forbidden Affair

Chapter 11

Ang sabihing mayanig ang kaniyang mundo ay kulang. Michelle did not expect this to be this way. Alistair filed for a divorce of their marriage and annulment here in the Philippines. Mabilis na maga-grant ang annulment nila dahil una, it was not officiated here in the Philippines. It had been eight friggin' months. Umuusad na sa korte ang kanilang annulment. Their parents tried to do something about it, pero sila pa rin ni Zenith ang nasunod. 

Mula nang naghiwalay sila ay umalis na rin ito ng bahay. As far as she knew, he was staying in his condominium in Bonifacio Global City. Alam niyang ginawa na nila ang mga puwedeng alternatives, such as counseling to save their marriage, ngunit pakiramdam niya ay ginawa lamang ito ni Zenith para sabihing he did his part. He tried his best. 

Based on the reports of her private investigator, madalas ito sa tahanan ng mga Toh-Ballesteros. Was Stephanie the reason kung bakit hiniwalayan siya ng asawa? Siya rin ang sumawata sa naisip. It was an absurd idea. Masaya na si Stephanie sa asawa nitong si Alexis. Kahit alam naman niya na ayaw sa kaniya ng bestie nito, hindi nito kailanman papayuhan ng iba si Zenith.

Ano ang laban ni Michelle sa rason ng asawa? Hindi na siya nito mahal. How can you fight that, right? Masakit tanggapin, but he fell out of love.

Dahil ba naging "rebound girl" siya nito? Sinunggaban niya agad ang pagkakataon na mapasakaniya ang lalaking matagal na niyang minamahal nang palihim. Kasalanan naman niya, e, umasa siya. Umasa siya na kapag naiparamdam niya kung gaano niya ito kamahal ay mamahalin din siya nito pabalik. Ang masakit? Nang maghiwalay sila, there was no heated confrontation nor argument. 

"Alistair, please, can we try for the last time?" she pleaded. 

Zenith walked towards her. Iniangat nito ang kaniyang mukha na puno ng luha. Marahan niyang pinahid ang mga luhang ayaw paawat.

"Michelle, you are one of a kind woman. I do not deserve your kindness and this selfless understanding you are bestowing me." He smiled at her trying to hide the pain. "Ga-go ako, Michelle. I dragged you into this mess. I am selfish. Hindi kita naisip. Hindi ko naisip what it would be like for you. You deserve someone who will love you as much as you love him."

"Alistair, kung may pagkukulang man ako, please sabihin mo. Ano'ng wala sa akin na hinahanap mo?" 

He shook his head while looking straight to her eyes. It pained her more dahil nakikita na niya ang pagsuko mula sa mga mata nito. "Wala kang pagkukulang, Michelle. Lahat, nasa iyo na, pero ako ang may problema. Patawarin mo ako, Michelle. Hindi man ngayon, sana mahanap mo sa puso mo ang pagpapatawad mo sa akin. Wala kang pagkukulang, Michelle. Wala." 

She felt his shoulders move. The next thing she heard were his sobs. "I am sorry, Michelle. I failed you. I failed this marriage. One thing I want you to remember, I did love you, Michelle. You are one amazing woman and you don't deserve this shitty kind of love I gave you."

"No, Alistair. Any form of love from you is enough for me. More than enough." Michelle lightly caressed Alistair's face,  mukha ng asawa na hilam na rin sa luha. 

"Please, Michelle. Huwag." Umiling ito at niyakap siya ng mahigpit.

 Ipinikit niya ang mga mata, and forever etched in her mind his warm embrace that brought her comfort, security, and the feeling of being loved. Bumitaw ito sa kanya and  they just stared at each other's faces. Kinabisado niya ang mukha ng asawa. It would take a lot of time before she would see him again. 

When Zenith hugged her again tightly. Michelle felt this was his last embrace of love, mas bumigay ang emosyon niya. Marahan nitong hinahagod ang likod niya. It was comforting.

"Tandaan mo, Michelle. I am one call away when you need me. You will always be special here in my heart."

Napatango si Michelle. Binuksan nito ang palad niya. Ipinatong nito sa kaniyang kamay ang wedding ring nila.