"The kids fell asleep already"
Since Charlene left their home with the kids, Aga would always pay a visit to her place. It has never been the same after everything that happened. The gap between them gets wider, and he almost can't recognize his own wife. She has changed a lot and has become colder. Their house, which they have owned for many years, feels no more like a home. He would come home to a deafening silence revolving around the whole structure. The kids' playroom that used to be full of giggles is now only a storage room for toys. No more morning greetings. No more freshly home cooked foods. No more tiny arms welcoming him back home.
Everything is just completely different.
"Can I stay for tonight?", he requested, hoping for a positive response. But Charlene gave him a cold shoulder.
"You don't live here", she replied without looking. Aga stepped forward, about to touch his wife hand when she walked pass him. "It's good that you're here also"
This time she looked at him straight with affirmation less the affection. Aga did not respond. He waited for whatever she would utter, although an inkling of it grew in his thoughts. Looking at his wife through her eyes, he knew something was about to end. She cleared her throat before talking. This was not decided on a whim; rather, it took her a long time to finally put an end to this extensive sorrow.
"I want an annulment"
Aga was lost in words.
"Ayoko na. I tried saving this marriage but the longer I do, the more I get hurt. Itigil na natin to, Aga. Wala na tong pupuntahan. I surrender. I completely do", she added. She never imagined they would reach this point, but Charlene took part of this as her fault. She was head over heels with Aga at a young age. It was not a secret to her about Lea. Rumors of their relationship were on the air, but it boosted her courage rather than sulking to the corner. She grew up having whatever she wanted in life. And she wanted Aga all for her. When Charlene got pregnant, her dad was in rage and threatened him to ruin his career. Aga was left with no choice but to marry her. He made her feel special, and gave all their family needs. He is a good provider. She can't deny that although emotionally Aga was a bit distant. He was hiding behind a sweet facade. She knew that. She can feel that. He is different with Lea. His smile is genuine. His eyes sparkle in joy. At night he mumbles her name while sleeping. Lea brings the man in him even without her doing anything. When Lea was married to Rob she thought all would be fine, and that her husband would put an end to his feeling over Lea.
But Charlene was wrong. Heart can't be taught so as her husband from being crazy over The Broadway Diva.
"Hon, tell me you're not serious. Babawi ako", he pleaded.
"Paano? Aga, papano ka babawi? Ang dami ng nasasaktan. Pagod na ako, Ags. Ubos na ubos na ako. I gave my all to you. Buong pagkatao ko, naibigay ko na ..."
Charlene finally let go of the tears that have been wanting to escape from her eyes. She sobbed, ".... I am already empty. Ayoko na ... itigil na lang natin to. Do whatever you want, Aga. Di na ako hahadlang pa. I should have let go of you noon pa lang. I envy Janice. She took care of Luigi on her own. She let go of you no matter how much she loved you. Naduwag ako eh. Minahal kase kita ng sobra", she sat down on the fury chair behind her for she can't no longer find strength in her entire being. She is just tired of everything in life.
Aga bent down his knees with tears flowing restlessly, firmly holding her hand as his wife did not protest, "Hon, we can work things out. Wag ka namang sumuko. The kids need us to be strong. Let me be a father to Gillian. Please understand I cannot let my child be alone out there. Ang dami kong kasalanan, alam ko. Charlene, mahal kita. I love our family and I ..."
Both of them averted eyes on the phone, but Aga was startled and confused when Rob's name popped up on her screen. She immediately took her phone and avoided his gaze. "L-let's ... just see each other in court", she stood up.
"Why is he calling you?", Aga followed his wife and seized her arm when she was hastily about to walk away. His mind is discombobulated. Rob would only keep in touch with them if it's about Lea or Nicole, but he didn't even want to see his shadow now. He despised Aga so he can't think of any excuses why Rob is trying to reach Charlene at this late hour. "Charlene, answer me. Why is Rob calling you?!"
She sighed, and found the courage to tell her husband the truth. There is nothing else to lose when everything is already falling apart. "What you're thinking is right"
He was in awe. "I don't ... understand. Charlene, what is happening?!"
There was already a hint playing in his thoughts but Aga kept on denying it. His wife can't do such a thing even if they're not on good terms. She is faithful to him. But Aga isn't a fool to not discern it. "Answer me! Charlene, why is he calling you?!"
"We f*cked!", she saw the disbelief in his eyes. "You heard me! Aga, we had sex. We lost control of ourselves. It was only one night. It was a mistake, but he kept on calling me. He kept on following me!"
"And you like it? Ha?! Nagustohan mo ba?!", he cupped her cheeks in rage. "Tell me! Is this revenge?! Dahil ba nagtaksil ako so here you are doing it?! Sumagot ka! Nasarapan ka ba?! Ha?!"
She pushed him away, "Yes! I like the attention he is giving me! I like the way he treats me!"
"So, you two are seeing each other?! Tangina!", he threw the stuff near at hand into air. This is way beyond what he expected to occur. Both of them are crying in pain. He wanted to see Rob, punch the hell out of him, but his guilt is acting up. It all started because of him. It's because of his desire, of his unconditional love to Lea, of his selfishness to keep two women in his life.
Maybe it's the price he needed to pay.
Aga came to his senses after a moment of silence between them, and decided to end right at that moment. "Let's end this like you wanted to"
She waited for what he would say additionally.
"But I will take custody of my children", he warned her, but Charlene protests.
"What?! No! Aga, remember you did this first. Ikaw ang unang nagloko! It's the taste of your own medicine!"
He scoffed, "Like you said sa korte na tayo magkita. I will make sure to take custody of my children. I admit my mistake, Charlene. Pero ang maghiganti ka in that way, kasalanan mo na yan! Magsama kayong dalawa ni Rob"
Kids are both crying when Aga forcibly takes them. Charlene begged him, but Aga did not listen.
"Manang, ipasok mo lahat ng gamit nila sa kotse!", he told the housemaid while the rest of their servants are just watching the couple fighting over their children. He drove away in the middle of the night with the twins crying at the backseat.
"Daddy, where are we going? Why is mommy crying?", Atasha asked her daddy, sobbing.
"Why is she not with us? Daddy, what is happening? Please let's go back, daddy", Andres begged his dad to turn the wheels back, but Aga just told them to keep quiet. He went to his parents' house to spend the night there while mind is confused about what to do next.
