Bittersweet Marriage (Jella)

Chapter 5

Jema POV

Today, for the first time Ella and I sat at the table opposite. Not only that, we also do it twice today, this morning for breakfast and for dinner tonight. It feels a little strange lang, kasi usually naman I eat alone. Normally I would make a sandwich and bring it into the room or ordering food to be delivered to our house. It feels a little weird to eat together with someone, especially if that person is the person who doesn't love you, but I have to say this honestly, it feels weird and strange but I don't hate it.

Before the incident a few days ago I never dreamed that me and Ella could do this kind of truce. Dati iniisip ko na forever na akong kakain mag isa sa bahay na ito. Dinner together like this was not bad idea either. I'm still not good at cooking but I'm happy kasi at least wala naman akong naririnig na reklamo galing kay Ella. Maybe she just doesn't want to start a fight with me, but whatever the reasons, I really appreciate it.

"So?"

Ella raised her eyes from the plate of pasta and looked at me with a puzzled look.

"How was school today?"

For a moment, Ella not knowing what to say. I added and trying not to sound embarrassed, kahit sa totoo lang nahihiya talaga ako, "Naisip ko lang, couples usually like to talk about this at the dinner table? Di ba?" I asked, pretending to re-focus on my plate, "So? How was school?"

I heard Ella sighed, but next time she says something she doesn't sound rude and angry, and I was glad of it, "everything is as usual." suddenly she pauses, "ah.."

I looked up and looked at her confused, "Ah' what?"

Her forehead wrinkled as if the middle remembering something, "Today, isa sa mga student ko ang umiyak."

I laughed, "Pinaiyak mo? But I don't think that you are the type of teacher that is fierce with your student"

"Not so," Ella sighed, "Hindi sya umiyak sa class ko. I rather say, I caught her crying"

I shrugged my shoulders, to be honest I'm not so interested, a teenager crying is not a big thing, "Tapos?"

"Nung nakita nya ako bigla syang tumakbo."

I twist my spaghetti with my fork, "Baka naman kasi inaway sya ng classmate nya or niloko ng partner? Lately din kasi napapanood ko sa TV na may mga bullying na nangyayari sa ibang school.."

Ella shook her head, "Wala naman ganyan sa school na pinag tuturuan ko. Anyway, Samantha is a clever student and I knew she was never in trouble with anybody."

"then it's definitely a family matter," I concluded, "none of your business, right? Family problems of each pupils are not the responsibility of the teacher."

"Hindi ko alam." Ella smiled weakly, "Hindi ko din alam pero nag aalala ako."

I have never and will never say this directly, but at times like this I always felt that Ella is someone who is very dedicated to her work. Perhaps it was because Ella possess a tender heart, although she didn't realize it. I always knew that she always easily touched by little things.

First of all, kaya nyang gumawa ng mga delikadong bagay para sa mga taong malalapit sa kanya. Isang beses nga nahulog sya puno because she's trying to save our friend's cat. As a result, she had to suffer a fracture and was treated for a month. I'm sure even now she still has not changed.

That night I dreamed about our childhood. At that time, I and Ella was about seven years old and we are still quite close. At that time my parents took Ella went with us to the zoo. Napanaginipan ko kung paano kami parehas umiyak that time dahil kailangan na nyang umuwi. At that time, we both promised that someday when we're older we would go together to the zoo without my parent so that we can have fun longer.

Nang magising ako that morning, I felt a little wondered if Ella still remember the promise we made that day. Of course, I didn't get my hopes up because it was a years have passed since that day. I don't even remember about it if not for the promise of the dream.

The morning after Ella left for school, I received a call from my mom. My mom is a housewife, so she has a lot of spare time just like me, sometimes she would come to visit for tea and eating cake with me or call talk like today.

"Kamusta naman ang pag bubuntis mo?"

"Bukas, me and Ella will see a doctor for a routine check-up," I explained to my mom, "but so far I don't see anything strange. Sometime I still feel nauseous but otherwise I feel fine."

"Ella will accompany you to the doctor? What about her job?"

"She will have a day off," I said with a sigh, I walked into kitchen and picked up a box of cold milk from the refrigerator, "Kahit hindi naman kailangan."

"ano bang pinag sasabi mo na hindi naman kailangan!?" she scolds, "of course she wants to be with you to the doctor. It's about the health of her child and her wife, of course she would feel anxious."

I rolled my eyes. I grab the phone with my shoulder and my cheek, pouring milk into a glass. I never like milk before pregnant. But for some reasons lately I could spend two liters of milk. My mom says, I was lucky because milk contain nutrients that are good for the unborn.

"So kailan ba kayo pupunta sa bahay?"

I drank my milk while walking toward the couch in front of the TV. Next to the hand holding the glass while the other one holding up the phone. "Hindi ko po alam, What's wrong?"

My mom sighed, "Simula ng kinasal ka, hindi na kayo dumalaw dito. Me and your father a little anxious, you look not so along ahead of your wedding."

I sat on the maroon couch with carefully, "Kalma lang po, okay po kami."

"Bakit hindi nalang kayo mag dinner dito bukas at dito na din kayo matulog?" Suddenly she sounded excited, "Day off naman ni Ella all day bukas, right?"

"But on Saturday she had to go back to teach." I muttered, looking at the empty glass in hand with frown, I know my mother. If once she has insisted theres no need to argue.

"Hindi naman malayo yung workplace ni Ella mula dito sa bahay. Never mind, Kung ayaw mong sabihin kay Ella, ako nalang tatawag sa kanya"

Right? My mother was very stubborn.

"Why all of sudden?" I asked finally relented.

My mother sounded happy because she knew I had to give up, "wala naman, isang gabi lang naman. I have dream about your childhood. Namiss ko lang" she laughs, "O sige na may gagawin pa pala ako.. Take care of yourself and immediately contact the house if there is anything. Bye."

I took a deep breath when she finally breaks our conversation. Again, my mom managed to decide unilaterally. My mom, too, one of the reasons why I accepted Ella proposal. Somehow my mother really like Ella. From the first, when we were little my mom always said that I would be Ella's wife someday. Even when I started going out with James, she still often said she would agree if I'm going out with Ella.

I threw myself on the couch and straighten my leg. My pregnancy is not too big but I easily feel tired. Currently still show at eleven o'clock and I was feeling very tired. I have to eat something for lunch but somehow, I feel very sleepy. There are still a few hours before lunch. Nothing wrong for a short nap.

It didn't take long for me to fall asleep on the couch in front of the television. And I dream about James.

It is said that if you dream about someone, there are two reasons. First you miss that person, or that person who was missing you. I don't know why I dream about my ex-boyfriend, I can't remember clearly what the dream about. But when I woke up that afternoon, I became aware of two things when you check your cell phone screen to see what time it was.

First, I only have a little time to prepare dinner

Second, I receive message from James Chua.

Of course, the last thing that made me forget the first thing. I was a little shaky when deciding to read the message. After a few months, this is the first time James sent me message. Could he have forgiven me?

Message was very brief, but enough to make feel weak.

'I want to give you some of your things that left in my place. When did we can meet?'

Meeting with an ex-boyfriend, its looks like it's not a good idea.

I have decided to try maintain a good relationship with Ella. Things like this... Maybe I should not have to reply this message from him, or maybe I just need to write back and say I don't want to meet him.

I must be firm.

It's over between me and James.

I ...

Suddenly I remember the dream that I saw when I sleep this afternoon. I vaguely remember what happened in my dream.

Finally I decided to reply to the message.

Hopefully, what I did is not wrong.

'Sunday in front of the Book cafe at 2 o'clock'.

To be continue...