Sunburst

Kabanata 33

~ BRIELLE~

Clear skies, ocean blue waters and the cool breeze from the sea calls for a vacation.

Hindi ko alam kung anong naisip ni Alexander para isama pa ako sa gig nilang mag-babarkada. Hindi naman sa nagrereklamo pero busy ako sa work. In fact, I'm supposed to be in a retreat with the new hires kung hindi lang ako hinila ng leon para sumama sa kanila. Bigla na lang akong tinawagan ni Max to tell me that I'm on leave for the next few days. At bago pa man ako makapagreact ay binabaan na niya ako ng telepono. Tch.

"Brie?" I opened the door upon hearing Aileen's voice on the other side.

"Hey there. What's up?" I let her in and settled while I continued to unpack my stuff.

"I just came to check on you. Baka kasi bored ka na since busy sa practice sina Alex."

"Ano ka ba, ayos lang. May mga recreational activities namang pwedeng gawin dito para aliwin ang sarili ko."

"Well, that's good. Anyways, gusto mo bang lumabas? Shopping? Swimming? Your call."

"Kasama ba natin sina Alexander?" I asked curiously which made her frown.

"Bakit naman parang ayaw mong makasama ang asawa mo? May hindi nanaman ba kayo pinagkasunduan?"

"Ah Aileen, kailan mo ba kami nakitang hindi nagtalo?"

"Kung sabagay, pero sa loob ng anim na buwan niyong pagsasama siguro naman mas nagkakaintindihan na kayong dalawa."

As if. Kahit siguro isang taon o dekada kaming magkasama walang araw na hindi kami nagtatalo. Tradisyon na nga yata iyon sa amin. It's what keep us who we are and unique to other people.

"But you know, bilib din ako sa inyo ni Alex. Akalain mo iyon, from childhood friends to frenemies to lovers. Isn't that sweet?"

"Ano namang sweet doon, Aileen? Maliban sa batas ng tao, wala namang nagbago."

Yes, we were acquainted since childhood but that doesn't mean anything. Kahit nga ngayong natali na kami sa kontrata ng kasal, nothing change.

"Maybe, pero sa mundong ito batas ng tao ang masusunod so don't you think it's only normal to think that you're one of the lucky people who's able to get married and have a wonderful family?"

"Well... If you put it like that, how can I complain."

She chuckled, "Kulang na nga lang bumuo na kayo ng sariling pamilya ni Alex eh."

Halos mahulog ko ang hawak kong laptop dahil sa pagkagulat. ''Aileen naman."

"What? You're on your twenties and married. Ayos lang namang pag-usapan ang ganitong mga bagay. Hindi naman malaswa."

"The deed is."

"Again, you're legally married. It's normal to talk about these things."

"Pero hindi ako comfortable," I said before sitting down.

"Lies. Kailan pa naging inosente sa ganitong usapan ang isang Brielle Avy Montreal?"

I just rolled my eyes before standing up and continued putting away my stuff. Pero tama nga naman si Aileen, walang bahid na ka-inosentehan sa akin.

I'm tainted with the colors of the world that even my heart was dyed in ink and emptiness.

"So? Any plans Mrs. Montreal?" I can hear a teasing tone on Aileen's voice. Minsan lang siyang mang-asar pero ang minsan ay sapat na para malaman niya ang kailangan niyang malaman.