Forced to be with you

Force 2

Araw ng sabado kaya pwede akong lumabas ngayon. Thank god, I can finally go out from the house. Halos tubuan na ako ng ugat doon sa pagkabato sa buong araw.

Tinawagan ko si Tiana kanina na magkita kami ngayon. I invited her to go to our favorite Salon. All in one na kasi iyon, meron nang massage service sila.

"Thank God nakalabas ka sa hawla mo!" bulalas ni Tia.

Natawa ako bahagya sa reaksyon ng mukha niya.

"I understand why River decided not to let me go out during weekend. May trabaho siya nun at kailangan niyang may nag-aasikaso sa kaniya" I defended my husband.

"Eh ikaw inaasikaso ka ba niya bilang asawa din?" tuya niya pabalik sa kaniya.

I smiled bitterly with the truth.

"We have different ways to show our care as husband and wife Tia" I told her trying to sound okay.

"As much as I hate your husband, I respected every decision you make. But I am still praying na mauntog ka sa pader para matahuan ka" she said then flip the page of the magazine she is holding.

We are having a hot oil theraphy. Magkaharap kami ngayon habang may nagmamanecure sa amin. It is nice to have these kind of getaway once a week and I really need a massage lalo na napagod ako kahapon maglaba. I washed all oir comforters. Minsan gusto kong ibrought out kay River na sana kahit isang kasambahay lang na ihire niya. Hindi naman sa nagrereklamo ako pero minsan kailangan ko rin ng katulong.

"Anyways, good thing we've met today because I have something important to tell you and I am sure you'll love it" she told me.

I suddenly felt the excitement while waiting for her to tell what it is.

"A friend of mine is looking for a professional painter to make him a big painting for his new built house" masigla niyang sabi.

Bumagsak ang balikat ko sa sinabi niya. If I didn't set aside my passion, I would really love to make one like she said.

"I am sorry. Tell your friend that I am resting for a while" malungkot kong saad sa kaniya.

Kumunot ang noo niya sa sinabi ko."When did you rest in painting, halos gawing bahay mo na nga ang studio mo tapos maririnig ko iyon sa iyo?" she scoffs in disbelief.

Hindi ako sumagot. She was right, halos gugululin ko na ang buong araw ko sa studio. Lagi niya akong pinapagalitan dahil nagsiskip ako ng meal. But sad to say, I haven't hold a paint brush for quite a while now.

Umangat ang tingin niya sa akin sabay paglali ng mga mata niya sa gulat. "What the hell! stop joking Cleyofe Trajico" hindi makapaniwala niyang bulalas.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kaniya. Napapitlag ako nang biglang binagsak niya ang hawak niyang magazine kaya naglikha iyon ng malakas na ingay. Pati ang dalawang naglilinis ng kuko namin nabigla din sa pagwala niya kaya I motioned them to leave us for a
moment.

I look around the shop and see customers turned their head at us. I bit my lower lip due to embarrassment.

"Ganoon kana ba kalala huh? that was your passion! You love painting and I am always proud of me because you know exactly what will you be like unlike me! then tinalikuran mo lang basta-basta?" she disappointedly commented.

Gusto kong mangiyak sa mga sinabi niya. Love ko parin naman ang painting eh. Hindi ko naman talaga tinalikuran iyon, na set-aside lang.

"I still love painting naman—"

"Don't give me that crap Cley. Alam kong napilitan kalang dahil na naman sa peste mong asawa. You could have any guy greater than him, who will value your passion not forcing you to turn your back at what you love!" patuloy na lintaya niya. Kitang-kuta ang mga paglaki ng mga ugat niya sa leeg sa sobrang galit.