The Divorce

Chapter 67: Prevention Is Better Than Cure

"What do you mean by that?" Curious na tanong ni Ginang Aria sa tonong silang dalawa lang ng kaibigang si Ginang Elena ang nakakarinig.

Sa totoo lang ay wala namang pakialam ang ginang sa iba. Ni hindi nga rin siya interesado. Pero dahil nakikita niya dito ang daughter-in-law niya, mas gusto itong makilala ng ginang.

"You know, typical story from a very rich family. Their family, the Allejo's are one of the big families here in the capital. There's Zobel, dela Merced, de Ayala, and the Allejo. Maraming apo ang matandang Allejo na nagtayo at nagtaguyod sa buong Allejo all his life. At ang nababalitang tagapagmana niya ay ang apo na pumasok sa showbiz, si Samuella. Kaya binu-bully siya ng mga pinsan niya. Madalas, hindi na lang niya pinapatulan. Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang pumatol ng ganyan," mahinang pahayag ni Ginang Elena.

Napalunok si Ginang Aria.

Biglang tinambol ng kaba ang dibdib niya.

Muli siyang napatitig kay Samuella. Kagaya kanina, hirap na hirap ito sa pagpitas ng talong. Unlike her Samantha, this person is a little fragile though she had a sharp tounge.

Her Samantha is a strong, dependable, beautiful, smart, outspoken, and gentle person.

Huminga ng malalim si Ginang Aria. She missed home.

But she have to work hard. Paano na lang kung itakwil silang lahat ni Samantha dahil walang matinong trabaho ang panganay niya? Tatlo pa ang nag-aaral nila. Mas mahal na ang gastusan oras na tumuntong sa kolehiyo ang triplets. Hindi pwedeng wala man lang maitabi na sariling ipon si Arem at Sam. Dahil paano na lang kapag bumuo din ang dalawa ng sarili nilang pamilya?

Muling huminga ng malalim si Ginang Aria. Naisipan niya rin na bumalik sa showbiz para mas magkaroon sana ng oras para sa isa't-isa si Arem at Samantha. Dahil palagi namang nasa school ang triplets, ang tanging maiiwanan sa bahay ay ang mag-asawa. Imposible namang walang mabuo sa pagitan nila sa ganoong sitwasyon, hindi ba?

Napailing si Ginang Aria at disappointed na napabuga sa hangin. Kaya nga lang ang anak niyang manhid, talagang pinatunayan lang na isa itong bloke ng yelo. Mantakin ba naman niyang lumabas ito ng bansa at mananatili ito doon ng halos kalahating buwan?!

Tinamaan ng magaling.

Tsk.

Mrs. Aria couldn't help but ponder where her son Arem had picked up his somewhat reserved and indirect behavior from. He was not like that during his Elementary and High School days. She couldn't help but feel a little sad.

She remembered how open and direct his father had been when they were younger. When his father was still alive, he used to go out of his way to surprise and impress her, whether it was bringing her flowers for no reason or planning elaborate dates. The contrast between Arem's current behavior and his father's made her wonder if there was a chance that he would change in this lifetime.

Because it would be a waste. He's handsome and his wife is truly beautiful but, tsk, just looking at how cold their relationship is, she cannot help feeling a little afraid. She doesn't want that divorce to happen.

"Aria, kanina ka pa hinga nang hinga ng malalim diyan. May problema ka ba?" Nakakunot-noong tanong ni Ginang Elena.

Napatigil sa pagmumuni-muni si Ginang Aria nang marinig ang sinabi ni Ginang Elena.

"I just miss my children. Lalo na ang manugang ko. She really looked like Samuella," seryosong sabi ni Ginang Aria.

"Oh? Then you have a pretty daughter-in-law" nakangiting saad ni Ginang Elena.

"Not just pretty. But she's also very kind and cool," proud na saad ni Ginang Aria.

"Huh! Bakit parang nagyayabang ka ha?" Natatawang anas ni Ginang Elena.