Ending the Heart's Rebellion (Amor Fortis 1)

Kabanata 21

Kabanata 21

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"Dimitrivina Lunamovas!"

Muntik na akong mapairap. I smiled at the sophisticated lady nearing me. Ilang beses na kaming nagkita sa ilang auction dito sa Spain pero hindi ko pa rin gaanong natatandaan ang pangalan niya. Maltha? Martha?

"Tabatha, dearest!" she chuckled when she realized I forgotten her name.

Naupo siya sa silyang kaharap ng akin. I sipped on my champagne. I only plan to have my peaceful night here in this secluded part of this very bar and never crossing paths with any of the Lunamovas' ladies.

"Where is your husband? I'm really surprised to see you here alone," nilinga niya ang paligid. "It's your wedding anniversary, isn't it? Where is Pavino?"

Yea, right. Our wedding anniversary that I'm celebrating alone.

"He's gone to Russia for business matter. And yes, today's our wedding anniversary and I'm celebrating it... alone," kaswal kong sinabi.

Tabatha gave me that sad look. Hindi naman ako nakaramdam ng awa para sa sarili. It's not that I anticipated for a moment tonight with my husband, anyway. In fact, I have expected this day to turn out this way. And it simply happened the way I foresee it.

"That's sad, Trivina. I would love to join you tonight but I have to see my husband at the next table," she pointed a spot I ignored to trace.

"We'll be in a spot few tables away from you. You can join us if you really feel lonely tonight."

I smiled and gave her a small nod for compliance. Pero hindi ko naman talaga kinonsidera ang ideya na maki-share sa mesa nila. I'm not lonely in my space. Sa katunayan, sumaya pa nga ako nang iniwan ako ni Tabatha nang dumating na ang asawa niya.

She's a few years older than me. Siguro kasing edad ni Cozen. Maaga ring ikinasal gaya ko. Kaya lang, her marriage is utterly successful than mine. Pinsan siya ni Pavino pero hindi gaanong close ang magpinsan sa isa't isa. Pavino isn't family oriented. His clan is actively hosting family reunions but we only attended one. Iyong isa na nangyari sa Manhattan isang taon na ang nakalipas.

Within these years of marriage, I realized I married a busy man. I got myself a husband who is drawn to his work and the family comes second to his priorities. Although he's considering my welfare and me myself as his wife, that isn't still enough to root his feet in Spain. Sa buwang ito, bilang ko lang sa daliri ang ilang beses na nagkita kami rito sa bahay.

Ghad! I feel like a ghost wandering alone in that mansion! Mag-isa lang ako sa bahay! Lagi! Pavino has provided me the wealth of the Lunamovas, sure! But I can't converse with these diamonds! Can these birkins talk with me? Or can I laugh with these grand staircase? Hindi naman, 'di ba?

It's always grand. It's always the busy city. It's always the busy husband I have. It is always our own terms. This marriage... it is surely just for convenience.

"I have business deals to close, Mi Hermosa," Pavino's voice low at his indirect goodbye.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kanya at tipid na ngumiti. Hindi pa nga dapat kung hindi niya lang sinuklay ang buhok ko.

I was in my cozy chair reading my book when he came home. Sukat sa posisyon ko, kinailangan niyang bumaba para sa paalam niyang ikakasama ng loob ko. Sino bang hindi sasama ang loob kung kauuwi niya pa lang, aalis agad pagkatapos magbihis?

"I didn't forget about our anniversary. I wish we could have an early celebration for that but I really need to fly to Russia."

Hindi pa rin ako nagsalita. Pinanuod ko lang siyang hugutin mula sa suit niya ang isang envelope. He handed it to me, pero matagal pa bago ko tinanggap.