Masked Joy

12

Luke

I have to admit that I used to be an asshole, since I married Cynthia, I made her feel that I hate her, which is true. Pinaniwala ko siyang mahal ko siya at nagaalala ako sa kaniya kahit na hindi naman talaga. Wala akong pake sa kaniya, ayos lang na kasal kami as long as nasa akin pa rin si Scarlet at hawak ko ang company.

"Ano ba?! Hindi ba't sinabi ko sayo na sa guest room ka matulog? I shouted.

"I-I'm sorry, l-lipat na ako ron," Cynthia said and ran to the guest room.

"I don't like her, masyado siyang mabait, napplastikan ako sa ugali niya," I told Cian, my best friend.

We're here today in my office talking about other investments, I don't know why the conversation went to Cynthia. Cian is kind, he is always there when I need him. Actually, he was the one who introduced me to Scarlet.

"Nako, dude! Baka naman bandang huli ay lamunin mo yang salita mo," he said and grinned at me.

"Dude, the fuck?! Nah, kahit kailan ay hindi ko lalamunin ang salita ko. Kapag sinabi ko, sinabi ko," I replied to him and drank my coffee.

"May type ako roon sa café mo, Lilith ata ang pangalan," he said, reason for me to look at him.

"Lilith? Wala akong staff na Lilith ang pangalan. Isa pa, puro bata ang mga nandoon bilang lang ata ang may mga anak na, hindi ko alam na bata pala ang mga type mo," I said and smirked at him.

"Hindi naman, nakuha niya lang talaga ang attention ko. What?! Wala kang staff na Lilith ang pangalan? Baka Lily meron? Yung madaldal? Pumunta kasi ako sa café mo kahapon, siya ang nag-assist sa akin," he said and looked at me.

I looked at him and said, "Yeah, Lily. Madaldal talaga siya, she's 18."

"Yon! Walang kaso!" he said and even gave me a high five.

Umuwi agad ako pagkatapos ng huling meeting ko. Nakakapagod ang araw na ito, I think I deserve a rest. Dumiretso ako sa kwarto ko at naghahanda na para matulog nang biglang mag kumatok sa kwarto ko.

"Come in," I said.

The door opened and Cynthia came in, "Hinanda kita ng pagkain... Sabi nila Manang Lucy hindi ka pa raw kumain."

"I will not eat, if you want your food to be wasted, just leave it there. You can go out now," I said and looked at her.

She left the room slowly, when she finally got out, I looked at the food she bought. Sinigang. I went closer to where she put it and tasted it. It tastes good, this is probably my favorite now.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pumasok kay Cynthia at naisip niya na magdivorce. Hindi ako pumayag sa gusto niya dahil mawawala sa akin ang company, ano na lang ang sasabihin ni daddy kung malaman niya na makikipagdivorce sa akin si Cynthia? Gamay ko na ang company, at hindi ako papayag na mawala ito sa akin.

"Cynthia, please listen to me. I don't want to do this, but I have no choice. My father will take everything away from me if we get divorced. You have to understand that I have no other options," I pleaded as I pushed Cynthia inside the room and slammed the door shut.

I saw her coming out of the door and opening it, luckily I didn't take my eyes off her.

"Where do you think you're going?" I growled, grabbing her by the arm.

In a desperate move, she kicked me in the shin and then ran towards the door. I lunged at her, she managed to push me aside and run into the street.

"Please help me! My husband is abusive and he's trying to hurt me!" I heard her cry out.

I quickly went out to the street and looked for where she was, I saw her. talking to the police. Luckily I talked to the police without her knowing, I told them she was lying. Luckily, they believed. You can't do this to me, Cynthia.

Sa sobrang inis ko ay inilock ko siya sa kwarto para hindi siya makaalis, kapag ito ay nalaman ni daddy, mas lalo akong magagalit sa kaniya.

Ilang araw ang lumipas, bigla siyang nawala sa kwarto. Paniguradong tumakas na siya.

"Find her!" I shouted to my men, they quickly dispersed to look for Cynthia.

We searched for several days but we still couldn't find her. I don't know but I should be happy because she's no longer here, but I feel the opposite. I was desperate to find her, I missed several meetings just to find her.

"Dude! Nakita ko si Cynthia, doon pala sa café mo nagtatrabaho. Bisitahin mo rin kasi ang café mo minsan," said Cian, sa sobrang desperado kong mahanap siya ay tinignan ko si Cian na parang nagmamakaawa.

"You're not joking, right?" I asked.

"Hindi nga! Tignan mo pa ron," he said.

Nagpahatid agad ako sa café para tignan kung nandoon ba talaga siya, magtago ka na sa panty ng nanay mo kapag wala rito si Cynthia, Cian. Hindi siya nagsisinungaling, nandoon nga siya. Pinasadahan ko sila ng tingin at huminto ang tingin ko kay Cynthia at nagtama ang mga mata namin.

"There you are, love..." I whispered, enough for her to hear.