THE HILARIOUS HUSBAND (LEE BROTHERS #2)

Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

BANTERS

❥ ELISSE GARCIA ❥

"BAKIT ang tagal mo? At bakit ka umalis nang hindi nagpapaalam sa 'kin?" sita ko kay Hope oras na makalapit siya sa akin sa lobby ng hotel, where I'd been waiting for what felt like forever. I was seated, legs crossed, my arms firmly folded over my chest. My suitcase stood beside me, but my gaze was locked on him, brows furrowed in frustration. I had been waiting far too long, and every second that passed just made my irritation grow.

Sino'ng hindi maiinis kung iniwan niya ako rito sa hotel nang wala man lang paalam? Nagising ako kaninang umaga dahil sa sobrang gutom kaya nagdesisyon akong ayusin ang sarili ko at lumabas munang mag-isa para kumain dahil ayoko siyang gisingin at makasama sa hapagkainan dahil baka mabadtrip lang ako. But I didn't go far. I just went to the hotel restaurant so I wouldn't have to leave the building, especially since it was hard enough for me to walk after what he did last night.

But when I got back to our suite, though, he was gone. Noong una ay hindi ko inisip na umalis siya. Naisip kong baka may pinuntahan lang, like baka lumabas din para kumain at baka nagkasalisi lang kami. Kaya ang ginawa ko ay umidlip muli noong nakapagpababa ako ng kinain. But when I woke up, it was already three in the afternoon, and he still wasn't back. That's when I started getting concerned. I waited until five, thinking he'd show up any minute.

But no. That's when I found out he had already left. Without a word. Kung hindi pa ako nagtanong sa lobby ay hindi ko pa malalaman na umalis na siya. Tukmol talaga.

Then, ang ginawa ko para makontak siya ay sinubukan kong i-on ang phone kong binalibag niya sa pool kahapon. Kung dala ko lang sana ang sasakyan ko ay hindi ko na siya aabalahin pa.

Nag-on iyon, pero ang labo ng screen. Kinailangan ko pang pakatitigan nang malapitan ang screen para lang maaninag ang mga apps at ang dapat kong pindutin. I tried calling him, but all I got was ringing—no answer. I could feel my phone wasn't going to last long; it was damaged, and the battery was draining fast.

Since I couldn't reach him, I decided to call the youngest of their family, Summer Lee. Thankfully, she picked up after just one ring.

Imbes na magpakita ng pagkakunsensya, nagpamayway pa siya habang nakatayo sa harap ko at nakipaglabanan ng tingin sa 'kin. "Pa'nong hindi ako aalis? Nagising ako nang wala ka na sa kuwarto. Akala ko sumama ang loob mo sa 'kin dahil sa nangyari—" He suddenly stopped, concern flickering across his face na para bang may biglang naalala. His tone softened as he shifted the conversation, "—how are you feeling?"

Mukhang alam ko na kung ano'ng tumatakbo sa isip niya. 'Yong nangyari sa 'min kagabi. At ang walanghiya, ngayon lang ako naisipang kumustahin. Dapat sana ay kagabi pa matapos niya akong lapastanganin. But no, after he pulled out, he ran straight to the bathroom to finish himself off there. Doon niya pinalabas. Then when he came back, he just... fell asleep.

The nerve of him.

"You're asking how I feel now?" My voice was sharp, but I couldn't help it. "Kanina no'ng wala ka pa, okay ako. Ngayong kaharap na kita, nauumay na 'ko." Umirap pa ako sa kaniya bago ako tumayo sa sofa na kinauupuan ko.

I walked past Hope, refusing to look at him, my frustration bubbling up. But then I heard it—his laugh, that damn laugh, and the sound of his footsteps trailing behind me. Of course, he followed me. Alam kong hinila niya rin ang suitcase ko dahil dinig ko ang paggulong no'n sa sahig.

"Bakit ka nauumay sa 'kin? Ang g'wapo ko kaya! Huwag mong sabihing naglilihi ka na? Nag-ingat naman ako kagabi. Hindi ko pa shinoot." May pang-aasar sa boses niya.