Against All Odds (Ranao Series #2)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Chapter 17

Hasmin immediately felt Wahid's change of mood the entire night. They just finished having dinner in a fine dining restaurant and now on their way home but Wahid is still silent. It's already six o'clock in the evening and Hafidh is asleep in the backseat. Masyadong nag-enjoy ang anak niya sa dinner na iyon at bagama't wala sa mood si Wahid, ay nagawa parin nitong pangitiin ang anak sa mga simpleng bagay na ginagawa nito.

When they picked her up from the office, hindi na siya kinausap pa ni Wahid. Alam niyang dahil iyon sa pagsama niya kay Hisham kanina. She knew that bothered him but he didn't ask. But it's bothering her too now that he's not talking to her. Hindi tuloy niya alam kung anong gagawin. Is he mad at her? But why would he be? Is he jealous? Pero bakit naman siya magseselos, diba? Wala naman siyang ginagawang masama.

Sa lalim ng iniisip niya, hindi na niya namalayan ang pagdating nila sa bahay. Wahid parked the car and went out to get Hafidh. He carried their son inside the house without even throwing a glance at her. She exhaled some breath and fixed her thoughts. Gusto niyang sampalin ang sarili sa pagiging insensitive. All the guilt she kept at bay started pouring all at once. Wahid, despite of his busy schedule, is doing his best. Sinundo pa siya nito sa trabaho kasama ang anak niya para makapag-dinner sila tapos madadatnan lang nila siyang may kasamang ibang lalake? Ofcourse, what reaction is she expecting from Wahid? Kahit pa walang malisya iyon para sa kanya, iba parin ang maiisip ng iba sa pagkakaibigan nila ni Hisham.

Muntik na siyang mapatalon ng biglang bumukas ang pinto ng passenger seat. Wahid stood behind the car's door, opening it for her. Napalunok siya habang pinapanood ang seryoso nitong tindig.

"Inihatid ko muna si Hafidh sa kuwarto niya. Aren't you going out of the car?" He asked. Wala sa sarili naman niyang sinikop ang mga gamit at awkward na bumaba ng sasakyan. Bahagyang dumampi pa ang braso niya sa kamay ng lalake kaya mabilis siyang napaatras. Nahalata naman iyon ni Wahid kaya madilim ang mga matang lumapit ito sa kanya, dahilan para mapaatras siyang muli at mapasandal sa sasakyan nito.

"Are you that afraid to touch me?" he quietly asked. Sa madilim na gabing iyon, naramdaman niya kung gaano kalungkot ang tanong na iyon. Napailing siya at hindi nakapagsalita agad.

"Why are you so afraid of my touch while enjoying other male's company? Do you prefer being with anyone but me? Ganun ba 'yun, Hasmin?" kitang-kita niya ang pagtiim ng bagang nito at ang dilim sa mga mata nito.

"N-No. O-Ofcourse not." Tila nabubulunang aniya. Her throat ran dry and so as her brain. Hindi niya mahagilap ang sasabihin. She can't even understand why is she reacting this way towards him.

"So who is that man you were with? Is he a suitor of yours?" tila napipilitan pa nitong tanong. Kunot na kunot ang noo nito habang mas inilalapit ang sarili sa kanya. Wala ng espasyo sa pagitan nila at dama niya ang mainit na hininga nito sa kanyang pisngi.

"Hisham is a good friend, Wahid." wika niya.

"Good friend? The way he looks at you doesn't show friendship, Hasmin. The man clearly wants you."

"And? Wala naman sa usapan natin na pati pakikipagkaibigan ko ay dapat ay kontrolado mo na rin. At kung may malisya man o hindi sa relasyon namin, wala ka na doon. Baka nakakalimutan mong hiwalay na tayo?"

"You are still my wife, Hasmin. And as a mother of my kid, I care. As long as you are staying with me, you can't entertain other guys." Seryoso nitong wika. Nakipagtagisan pa siya ng tingin dito pero kusa rin siyang sumuko dahil masyadong matigas ang lalake. She tiredly sighed and pushed him away, causing him to loosen up and she stepped out of his embrace.

"Alang-alang sa anak ko, I will respect that. Pero sana, huwag mo na papakealaman pati personal kong buhay. I am only here as a mother of your son. Nothing more. Sana maintindihan mo na hindi na tayo tulad ng dati. I am your ex-wife." Aniya bago tuluyang pumasok sa loob ng bahay.