Tinawagan ni Zenith ang receptionist sa condominium na tinutuluyan nila ni Era. He gave her an instruction to message him upon Era's arrival.
It had been five hours. Five fucking hours mula nang umalis sina Vernon at Era. He called Era for the nth time, ngunit voicemail ang sumasagot sa kaniya.
"Damn!" Muntik na niyang maihagis ang smart phone sa gigil, inis, at kawalang magawa sa sitwasyon.
Zenith badly needed to talk to her, he wanted to assure her that he would always be by her side, para sa kaniya at sa magiging anak nila. Hindi niya maipaliwanag ang labis na kasiyahan nang malaman niyang buntis ito. Whatever people may say, para sa kaniya, ang magiging anak nila ni Era ay bunga ng pagmamahalan. Their baby was made out of love, dahil mahal nila ang isa't isa. It was just they were in this current circumstance.
He wanted to celebrate with her the good news. Gusto niyang alagaan ito, masubaybayan ang pagbubuntis, share every experiences with her. Tulad ng ginagawa niya ngayon with Michelle. If only he could be at two places at the same time, he would.
Zenith wanted to go out, hindi siya mapakali, ngunit hindi nakatutulog si Michelle nang hindi siya katabi. She was slowly feeling the effects of pregnancy. He was about to go to their walk-in closet when he heard Michelle looking for him. Zenith breathed a deep inhale and exhaled abruptly. He knew hindi pababayaan ni Vernon si Era, that thought gave him an assurance na nasa maayos na lagay ito.
***
Pinagmamasdan ni Vernon si Era habang tahimik na lumuluha sa kaniyang tabi. He wanted to beat Zenith into a pulp, but it wouldn't help the situation. Sa ngayon, he vowed to stay by Era's side whatever may happen. She needed him now more than ever.
He pulled over. He let out a hanky and wiped Era's tears. Mas lalo itong humikbi at niyakap siya nang mahigpit. He hugged her back, and slowly caressed her back.
"Please, stop crying, maaaring makaapekto 'yan sa dinadala mo, Era."
Unti-unti na itong tumigil sa pag-iyak. Pinagmasdan niya ito, a gaze full of love. "Ayan, pumapangit ka na. Hindi na kita love niyan!" Pinisil niya ang ilong nito.
She somehow laughed a little habang naiiyak. Seeing her like this broke Vernon's heart into a million pieces.
"I'll give you the space and time to think, Era." He lightly wiped the remaining tears on her face. "Lagi ko namang sinasabi sa 'yo, 'di ba? Nandito lang ako." He saw her nod.
"Can you please bring me home with you?"
Nagulat man si Vernon sa sinabi nito ay tumango siya. Muli niyang pinaandar ang sasakyan. When they were traversing the road, nilingon niya ito. Era was just staring out the window.
"Do you want to—"
She cut him off. Tila alam na nito ang tanong niya. "Can we drop off in the mall? I'll buy my essentials. Can I borrow your shirt for the meantime?"
"Sure thing! What do you want for dinner? I'll buy some ingredients."
"Any food na walang garlic and malansang amoy." She timidly smiled.
"Or . . . cook me your carbonara, Vernon. Ngayon pa lang, I'm already drooling!"
Vernon chuckled. He pinched her cheeks. They went to the nearest mall and bought the items they needed.
Pagkarating sa condo nila, he opened the door for her. She halted in the middle of the living room. He saw her scanning their former home. He saw a sad smile form in her lips. For a while at nagtama ang kanilang mga mata.
BINABASA MO ANG
A Sinful Forbidden Affair
RomantizmEra has been in a relationship with Vernon for more than a decade. They met each other when they were still young, both dreamt of a bright future together. They promised themselves to love each other despite whatever challenges life may brough them...
