The Married Woman

Chapter 26

Nandito ako ngayon sa labas ng bahay ni Dame nakaupo sa duyan habang nag babasa ng libro na napulot ko lang sa kwarto ko. It's already 8:45 in the morning. Seven pa lang ay gising na ako himala nga at hindi ako tulog mantika, siguro naninibago ako simula nung nandito ako laging maaga na akong nagigising. Hindi katulad sa mansion na kailangan pa akong hilain ni Yaya Sabel para gumising.

It's Sunday, and Dame has no work at the office. I haven't seen him today, nor do I know if he's awake or where he is. Not that I care about that man anyway.

I rested my head on the hammock and started reading the book I found in the room. I couldn't make out the title anymore because it was so old. As I read, I savored the gentle breeze brushing against me, accompanied by the beautiful view of flowers all around.

At nang makalahati ko na ang libro at nararamdaman kung inaantok ako ay tumayo ako at napagdesisyonang libotin ang bahay niya. Gusto kung malaman kung anong meron sa bahay na'to baka mamaya may itinatago pala siya ng nakakagimbal. 

Almost everywhere I look around his house, it's filled with flowers. I even saw two hammocks and a playground. Don't tell me that at his age, he still plays in the playground? That would be hilarious if it's true. But then again, there's really no age limit to enjoying a playground.

My attention shifted when I spotted what looked like a traditional bahay kubo in an old-fashioned style. Even from afar, it was captivating. I immediately started walking towards it, but... I froze when I saw Dame sitting cross-legged, shirtless, with his hands resting at his sides. 

He was meditating.

Nag lakad ako ng dahan dahan para tingnan pa siya lalo, may nakita akong isang malaking vase na puno ng mga bulaklak na malapit sa kanya gumapang ako papunta dun at nag tago dun. Malapit na ako sa kanya, kitang kita ko ang napakaganda niyang katawan. Ang napakinis niyang katawan. Ang mukha niya na napakagwapo lalo na kapag nasa malapitan. Yung ilong niyang ang tangos. Yung pawis niyang tumatagaktak sa katawan niya. Shit. Ang Daddy niya.

I stayed rooted in my spot, staring at him. Wow, he's so handsome. He doesn't even look old. His hands are stunning—long and elegant, with veins that are so visible, adding to his charm. Maybe if I ever wanted to be put in a headlock, I'd want it to be by him.

What's happening to me? Why am I thinking about things I shouldn't? I think I might be starting to desire him. This isn't right anymore.

I slowly crawled back to my spot behind the vase where I had been peeking at Dame. But before retreating completely, I glanced one last time to check if he was still there—and yes, he was, his eyes still closed in deep meditation.

I continued to crawl because if I stood up, he would probably see me. I kept crawling without noticing the table and bumped into it, causing the vase to fall. My eyes widened when it fell, and I quickly crawled back to the vase where I had been hiding earlier and hid there. I also covered my mouth. My heart was pounding fast. I was praying that he wouldn't catch me.

"Who is that? Who is there?" sabi ni Dame, and this time malapit lang siya sa vase kung nasaan ako.

Please, awa nalang.

"Nanay Bebeng!" tawag ni Dame kay Nanay Bebeng.

"Bakit? Anong meron?" tanong ni Nanay Bebeng.

"I heard a noise, I don't know what it is. Check what it is." sabi ni Dame kay Nanay Bebeng.

Kasi naman Evora kung ano ano ang ginagawa mo. Mapapahamak ka sa ginagawa mo.

"Vase lang anak, baka malakas ang hangin kanina dine. Papalitan ko lang ito at nabasag." sabi ni Nanay Bebeng at umalis bitbit ang vase na nabasag.