After A Decade (Jesse & Leni)

Chapter 6

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"Hiding the truth is the same as telling a lie."

But what if telling the truth makes things worse? What if telling the truth would break her heart? What if telling the truth would make them suffer even more? What if telling the truth would never set them free?

~~~~~~~~

Albert is ready to start his day again. He finished his morning routine and walked straight to the pantalan for his work, but again, his friend Jesse was nowhere to be found again in their boat.

"Napanaginipan na naman niya siguro yung asawa," he said in his mind.

"Pareng Albert alis na tayo," his co-worker said.

"Sa pangalawa nalang ulit kami, wala pa rin si Jess, puntahan ko nalang muna sa bahay niya." He said

"Oh sige, sabihin mo nalang kay boss. Alis na kami"his co-worker said.

"Oo, ingat kayo," he said, and quickly walked to Jesse's house.

--

It was almost 6:30 in the morning and Jesse falls asleep as he sits inside his house while waiting for his wife to come back. He suddenly heard a man shouting his name.

"Jess!!!! Jesse!! Pare!!" Albert shouted while running to Jesse's house.

Jesse immediately stood up when he recognized Albert's voice.

"Albert?"

Albert is now catching his breath after running.

"Jess, may nakita akong babaeng nakahandusay doon, hindi ko muna nilapitan baka kung sino, tsismis pa naman dito sa amin noon na may serena talaga dito sa dalampasigan baka kasi serena yun Pare, natakot ako lapitan, pero may mga paa at damit, diba dapat — " Albert explained

Jesse didn't finish what his friend was trying to say anymore because he knew that it was his wife.

"No, no, Leni," he thinks to himself as he runs to find his wife.

He then saw Leni lying in the sand. He quickly ran to her.

"Ma? Maaa Leni? Ma, huuwag kang magbiro. Bok?" He said this while his hands is trembling and trying to wake up her, but there was no response. Leni's eyes are still closed. Then he decided to carry her back to his house.

--

Jesse carefully placed his unconscious wife in his bed then suddenly Albert interrupt him.

"Pare si VP Leni yan diba? Asawa mo yan diba? Pareng Jess!! Panaginip ba to? Hala! pati ako nasa panaginip mo na rin?" Albert can't believe what is happening.

"Mainit siya. Pakikuha muna ako ng bimpo, maliit na planggana lagyan mo ng tubig. Dalian mo!" He uttered while checking his wife as he place his hand in her forehead.

"Pati sa panaginip mo, utusan mo pa rin ako, tsk" Albert complaint.

"Puro ka reklamo, gawin mo ang inuutos ko sayo. Sasagutin ko mamaya yang mga tanong mo."

"Oo na. Ito na." His friend said.

After taking care of his wife, he seriously stares at her. "Hindi mo ba inaalagaan ang sarili mo, Ma?" he sain in his mind.

"Pareng Jess, sagutin mo na yung ma tanong ko. Naguguluhan na ako." Albert interrupt him.

"Doon tayo sa labas." he said and carefully placed the blanket to his wife's body that still unconscious.