Beyond The Rules (𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙋𝙇𝙀𝙏𝙀𝘿) ¦ Book 1

CHAPTER 34

Yoshio's Point of View

As I stepped into the hushed confines of Celestial Gardens, a heavy stillness enveloped me, the air thick with a mix of sorrow and resignation that clung to the walls like an unwelcome shroud. The muted tones of the decor – soft grays and earthy browns – fostered a somber atmosphere, while the faint scent of incense mingled with the underlying essence of flowers, a bittersweet tribute to the life that had been extinguished too soon.

I spotted my wife, Davina, her shoulders trembling with unabashed grief, the quiet sobs escaping her lips echoing through the stillness like distant wails in a desolate landscape.

She was seated in a plush chair, her gaze fixed on the tiny coffin adorned with delicate white flowers and a small, hand-knit blanket, a hollow vessel containing our little angel, stolen from us before life had a chance to truly unfold.

In this moment of unbearable heartbreak, my cell phone buzzed insistently in my pocket. The vibration felt foreign in such a sacred space, a jarring reminder of the outside world.

I pulled it out cautiously, my pulse quickening as I read a message from Nalu, my paramour.

Meet me at Secret Mirage Suites at 8pm tonight, Sir. I need to tell you something. Sana makapunta ka rito, I'll wait for you.

“Kahit man lang ba sa burol ng anak mo hindi mo talaga titigilan ‘yang kabaliwan mo sa kabit mo?” Yome was referring to the text notification that she heard.

“Hindi ka rin ba talaga nahiya sa sinasabi mong ‘yan sa harap ng anak natin?” Sarkastikong sabi ko sa kanya.

“Wow! Ako pa talaga ang dapat mahiya, Yoshio. Naririnig mo ba ‘yang sinasabi mo? Don't you think na ikaw ang may kagagawan ng lahat ng ito! Dahil sa’yo namatay ang anak natin.” Panunumbat niya sa akin. Napangisi na lang ako sa sinabi niyang ‘yon.

“Anak, ‘wag ka na muna makipagtalo sa asawa mo. Galangin niyo naman ang burol ng anak niyo!” Suway ng nanay ni Davina. “Nakakahiya na sa mga bisita. Kanina pa kayo tinitignan.” dagdag pa nito.

“Pero mom, sa tingin mo ba tama yung ginawa niya? Ako pa ba dapat ang mahiya sa lahat ng ito? Bakit siya nahihiya malaman ng lahat samantalang siya ang may dahilan bakit nawala ang anak namin dahil sa pangangabit niya!” Nagsimula na silang magbulong bulungan sa paligid.

Patakbong umiiyak ang anak namin na sina Mizuki at Miizumi at yumakap sa akin. “Dad, ano pong nangyayari? Bakit ka po inaaway ni mom?” Lumuhod ako at pilit akong ngumiti sa harap niya.

“Miizumi, you won't understand. Ipapaliwanag ko na lang if you are in your right age, okay?” I kissed her forehead ganon din si Mizuki na tahimik lang sa tabi ng kanyang kapatid.

Sa pagtayo ko muli mula sa pagkakaluhod ay nag tama ang tingin namin ni Yome.

“Para hindi na ‘to humaba pa I'll just go outside. Magpapahangin lang ako.” Bumaba ang boses ko at saka tumalikod.

Napahinto ako at saka humingang malalim.

“Ayaw mo na bang ayusin ‘to, Yoshio?” Saad ng nanay ni Davina sa akin. “Oo nga naman kuya. Sana naman mag-isip isip ka nga, alam mong may pamilya ka pero bakit nagagawa mo silang talikuran sa kabila ng pangako mo sa Diyos noong kinasal kayo ng kapatid ko.” Dikta ni Hazel isa sa mga kapatid ni Davina.

“Lahat ng pangako nasisira at nakakawalang gana kung sa una pa lang ‘yang kapatid na ninyo ang naunang tumalikod para sa pamilya namin. I can't blame myself for having another woman.” I said sarcastically.

I let out a breath before turning around after our argument in front of our family and friends, my heart heavy with a mix of emotions I can barely comprehend. The air is thick with tension, and I can’t bring myself to look at her for a long time; it feels too raw, too painful.

There are layers to love and choice that Davina fails to understand, and the reality is that no matter how much she wants to pull me back into a world that no longer feels like home, nothing can change the fact that I love Nalu more than her.

As I glance back one last time, I quietly wish her healing, knowing that our stories are taking separate turns now, and that's a bitter reality I must accept, however painful it may be.