Elite Wars

Chapter 12

SANDRINE

Gustave and I might hate each other a little but at least we can tolerate each other. As long as my son isn't affected, then it's okay. For the first time in years, I woke up with Gustave still at home at 6:30 am in the morning. He just came out of the walk in closet, struggling to put on his tie.

"Why are you still here? You're later than usual." Pansin ko sa kanya. Mula sa pagkaka yuko ay inilipat niya sa akin ang tingin niya.

"Good morning. I want to go to the office together. Consider it as a..." Nag-isip siya sandali.

"Compromise. For a healthier marriage." Sagot niya.

It's like he's trying to say that we really are stuck with each other for the rest of our lives and we have no choice but to make it work.

Nanliit ang mga mata ko at nag-iwas ng tingin. How can a marriage be a healthy one when there's no love involve? Hindi ko hinayaan na mamataan niya ang saglit na pag-daan ng emosyon sa mukha ko. Tumayo ako kaagad para pumunta sa banyo. God, I feel suffocated.

Laking pasasalamat ko nalang nang hindi ko na siya naabutan sa kwarto pagkatapos kong maligo. I took my time, taking a shower. I wanted to scrub away every bit of him from me. I picked a vintage Chanel dress, put on some pearls and a pair of white Louboutins. The room was empty when I finished preparing. I figured maybe he got impatient and left but I was surprised to see him eating breakfast on the dining hall.

He stopped chewing his food and motioned me to sit on his right side which I courteously did.
Ilag man ay ipinag sandok niya pa din ako ng pagkain. Nagulat akong alam niya pala na mixed fruits at yogurt ang kadalasan kong kinakain sa umaga.

Kalansing ng kutsara't tinidor at plato ang umaalingawngaw na tunog sa buong dining hall. Sumubo ako ng kaunting pagkain habang humahanap ng tiyempo na kausapin siya. This is too awkward but whatever. We just had sex, for Christ's sake.

I heard little footsteps approaching so I quickly turned my head and saw my little baby walking towards us. Kasunod niya ang kanyang yaya.

"Hey baby!" Tumayo ako at inalalayan siya patungo sa upuan katabi ko. Hindi pinansin ang mainit na titig ng asawa ko.

"G-good m-m-morning, m-m-mommy. G-good m-morning Da-daddy." Aniya.

Napangiti ako. I can see that he's trying so hard at his young age. Matalinong bata si Ansel, the doctor even told me that he's advanced compared to the kids his age. It's really just his speech impairment that is holding him back.

"What are you doing at school today?" Tanong ko habang inaasikaso siya.

There was already a bunch of food on the table so I just pick whatever I think he would like and will give him nutrition throughout the day.

"W-we're g-gonna m-make s-s-some arts-s-s to-d-d-day." Aniya.

Nakangiti akong tumatango tango habang inaayos ang buhok niya. Kumuha ako ng tinidor at kutsilyo at hiniwa ang pancakes para mas madali niyang makain. Tumusok ako ng isang piraso at isinubo iyon sa kanya.

"Let him be, Sandrine. He can eat on his own." Ani Gustave.

Itinigil ko ang ginagawa ko at hinarap siya. Sinigurado kong huwag itago ang pagkainis ko. Sino ba siya para pakialaman ang pag-aalaga ko sa anak ko? Palibhasa ay wala siyang pakialam kay Ansel. Gusto mo siyang sagutin pero maririnig ng bata kaya ako nanaman ang nag-pigil. Nang masiguro kong maayos na ang pagkain ni Ansel ay saka ako umupo ng maayos at kumain ng agahan. Mabilis lang kumain si Ansel dahil maaga din ang pasok niya sa isang prestihiyosong pre-school sa Maynila. Can you believe it? A pre-school for the rich. Hanggang ngayon ay napapa iling pa din ako. He can learn anywhere. Matalino ang anak ko, pero dahil nga sa espesyal niyang kalagayan ay hinayaan kong si Gustave ang mag desisyon kung saan siya mag-aaral.