"Alis na ako."
Pagkatapos umalis nila mommy sa bahay, nagmadali rin akong magbihis para umalis. Pero hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nagpaalam sa kanya. I don't need his permission because I can do whatever I want. He has no say to that. Wala siyang karapatang magpahayag ng kanyang opinyon tungkol dito.
Mula sa laptop niya, napatingin siya sa akin na nagsusuot ng sandal. Kahit siguro siya nagulat na nagpaalam ako sa kanya.
"Where are you going?" tanong niya.
I raised my eyebrows to let him know that I wasn't obligated to answer his question. "I don't need to explain myself to you," I replied, my voice filled with a newfound confidence. "I can go wherever I want, without seeking your permission."
I rolled my eyes at him one last time before I walked out.
"What time will you come back, Aria? Lulutuan kita ng paborito mo pag uwi," rinig kong tanong niya, pero hindi ako sumagot. Pakialam niya.
This time, I used his other vehicle. Pwede ko naman sigurong hiramin 'to dahil asawa ko naman siya at wala namang prenuptial agreement na nangyari noon ikinasal kami. I drove myself to the farthest bar in the city. When I arrived, I ordered immediately. Tinawagan ko rin si Andrian para samahan ako.
"What?" masungit na bungad niya sa cellphone. "I am in the middle of something here, Aria. Why did you call?"
My lips drew a circle when I realized what he was doing. I heard moans in the background, but I didn't mind it. I'm used to it anyway.
"Hurry up. Louis XIII Cognac is waiting for you, babe," I said, laughing. He groaned in annoyance and pleasure.
"Bakit hindi mo na lang ayain ang asawa mo at ako ang ginugulo mo? Ah, fuck! You should've invited him the next time you go to the bar. You're so annoying, Aria! Hindi ako maka-focus dito! Oh, damn. I'm coming!"
I took a sip of my drink, savoring the smooth taste as I listened to Andrian's frustrated voice on the other end of the line. "Come on, Andrian! You know that we're not in a good term ever since! He's so freaking annoying, you know? That guy really gets into my nerves. He's become an expert at playing the role of a loving husband, but behind closed doors, it's a different story. The lies, the pretense, it's all too much to bear. And you know what? He just said I was extra beautiful today with endearment in it! He even let mommy hear his cringe dialogue!"
Andrian let out a sigh, his voice filled with empathy. Tapos na yata sila dahil normal na ang boses niya ngayon. "I can't imagine how frustrating that must be for you, Aria. To have to endure his deceit day in and day out. But you know, Aria, one of these days, I'm going to convince you to leave him for good."
I smirked, knowing that Andrian's words held a mixture of truth and desire. "We'll see about that, won't we? Now don't keep the Louis XIII Cognac waiting. It's a shame to let such a fine drink go to waste."
He let out another sigh. "Kakatapos pa lang namin at nakakapagod pa, pero alright, alright. I'll be there soon." He hung up the call.
I took another sip of my drink, the rich flavor covering my senses, temporarily transporting me to a world where worries faded into the background. It was a temporary escape, a break from the challenges and frustrations of my daily life.
"Hey, beautiful. Are you alone? Mind sharing a table for a drink?" a stranger came up out of nowhere.
"No thanks," I replied firmly, rolling my eyes at the audacity of the stranger's approach. The last thing I needed was an unwelcome interruption to my moment of peace.
I turned my attention back to my drink, hoping to dismiss the guy and continue enjoying my own company. But the guy seemed persistent, refusing to take no for an answer.
