THE RICHMAN'S FAKE WIFE

CHAPTER 26

NARRATOR’S POV

Hapon na ngunit nasa loob parin si Forr ng kanyang opisina. Nakaupo lamang siya at nakasandal sa backrest ng kanyang swivel chair while massaging his forehead nang matigilan siya dahil sa pagkatok ni Lay.

Agad siyang napaupo ng maayos at kunwari ay abala sa kanyang computer ngunit nagsalita si Lay matapos maupo sa harap niya.

“Eyy Forr, you' okay?” tanong nito sa kanya.

“Of course! Why would I not?” Kunwari ay kalmado niyang saad.

“Yo’ Bro. I know it all. C’mon tell me, what is it?” Pangungulit nito.

“You’re talking about what happened a while ago, aren’t you?” Pabalik niyang tanong at sumandal na muli sa kanyang upuan.

“Yan! Let’s talk about it.” Pilyo nitong tugon.

“Ano naman ang sasabihin ko sayo?”

“Oh c’mon Forr. You can tell me anything.”

“Wala nga...”

“Oh sige ayaw mong mag-open ng topic, sige ako na lang. Kumusta ka? Or let me rephrase my question, kumusta siya?” Seryoso nitong saad kaya naman natigilan si Forr.

“Bro, it’s not that I’m being nosy or what but I witnessed it all a while ago. Don’t you think you’re too harsh on her, I mean on your wife.” Saad nitong muli. Napahilamos muna siya ng kanyang kamay bago magsalita.

“Yeah I think so too. I honestly don’t know how to approach her now. I don’t even know kung nasaan siya ngayun o kung uuwi pa ba siya sa akin.” Bakas ang lungkot sa kanyang tinig.

“I knew it! Bakit naman kasi subra mo siyang sinigawan kanina. I really think that you went overboard.”pagsang-ayon pang saad ni Lay at sumandal na rin sa upuan.

“Alam ko naman yun and I feel sorry for her. Nabigla lang ako. I’m so upset because of what happened to the board meeting but I became more upset when she came here. Bro, she’s so sick. I told her to stay at home and rest but she came her and barged into the meeting room begging everyone to give me a chance. Bro, she didn’t have to do it. I can take care of myself. I can handle everything. Bakit kailangan niyang ibaba ang sarili niya sa mga tao dito. She didn’t have to do it, she’s not supposed to do it.” Mahabang litanya niya na bakas parin ang frustration sa tinig.

“Well you have a point, mas lalo lamang siyang itatratong mababa ng mga kalaban mo sa foundation dahil sa ginawa niya.”

“That’s why I’m so upset. But regardless of the reason, I shouldn’t have treated her the way I treated her this morning. I feel sorry for her.”Buntong hiningang saad niya.

“Then what’s your plan, did you call her?”

“No, not yet and I don’t have a plan to. I don’t know what to say. Besides, I like to talk to her in person, saying sorry through phone calls is just not my style.”

“And why are you still here. It’s almost 7pm. “ Lay asked curiously kaya naman napabuntong hininga siya.

“I don’t know either. I just feel like I can’t go home. Dad was there, and about Jillian, I don’t think I have the guts to face her now. I don’t know what to tell her.”Nagugulumihan niyang wika.

“mmm, well it’s all on you but bro, payong kaibigan, Jillian seems so hurt from what happened a while ago. Talking to her earlier to settle things between you two is much better than to let her feel the pain for too long. Girls are like sponge, they will absorb everything and can still be okay, but the moment they get full and stuffed, trust me, it’s the very moment that they’ll give up.” Tahimik lamang siya sa sinabing iyun ni Lay.