Pinagsoltada

98

2020 . . .

SA WAKAS ay naaprubahan na ang annulment ng kasal nina Ernesto at Allyssa. Halos sampung taon din ang hinintay nila para sa kumpirmasyong ito.

Allyssa appeared in the final hearing as formal as possible. Yumakap sa makurbang katawan nito ang button-down suit blazer top na kulay krema na kakulay ang katerno nitong pencil skirt. Mababa ang pagkaka-ponytail ng itim at unat na buhok ng babae.

Ernesto had to admit, humahanga siya sa dating esposa. She had been strong and she had taken care of herself very well. Only coward men were those who were unwilling to let go of a woman when they have to, in fear to admit that they were not qualified for them because of their ego. So, Ernesto was thankful he had been brave. He was thankful that he did not let his ego get the best of him. He foresaw that she would be better without him, so even if it would be a scandal or a big trouble, he was glad he took the risk of setting her free before either she completely destroys herself or he destroys a good woman like her. Good women like Joan, like Allyssa shouldn't be destroyed. Instead, their kindness and loving nature and all that they are must be rejoiced.

Ernesto was already forty-seven but still staggering handsome in his grey suit and white polo with its top two buttons undone, making his silver neck chain peek a little.

Naunang lumabas mula sa courthouse si Allyssa kaya minadali ni Ernesto ang pakikipag-usap kay Attorney Pereira bago nagkukumahog na hinabol ang babae.

Bitbit ng isa nitong kamay ang isang brown leather pouch na muntikan na nitong mabitiwan dahil sa gulat nang tawagin niya. She gracefully turned, looked at him with her cat-like eyes, and smiled formally. She watched him with approach her until he stopped in front of her.

"Tandaan mo, Allyssa," matalim niyang titig sa babae. "Nasa iyo ang custody ni Alwyn, pero ako pa rin ang ama niya."

Taas-noo itong sumagot. "Oo naman, Ernesto. Hindi ko naman mapapalitan ang DNA niya to disprove that." She smiled, satisfied with the way she just roasted him. "Magpasalamat ka na lang dahil kahit idiot ka umamin na may pinopormahang iba habang kasal ka pa sa akin, I declined the suggestion of my lawyer to file adultery charges against you. But remember, one wrong move, at matatanggalan ka ng kahit anong karapatan kay Alwyn. Clear?"

She looked so annoyed with him. Kahit anong kaila ng babae, tiyak niyang nabuwisit ito dahil sa ginawa niya sa katatapos lang na hearing. Mahigpit na ibinilin sa kaniya ni Attorney Pereira na huwag na huwag babanggitin ang relasyon nila ni Joan dahil baka ikapanalo ito ni Allyssa sa korte. Worse, she could use his admission as grounds for filing adultery charges. Yet, he made a very bold move there, which was mentioning his relationship with Joan, so that the judge would believe that there was no way that his marriage with Allyssa could be saved.

Siyempre, kailangan niyang ibida si Joan. He made it a point to insist that Joan was a better woman than Allyssa. Of course, he didn't want to hurt Allyssa's feelings, but he had to resort to mudslinging for the both of them to get what they want out of this annulment. And the daring move he just did was worth it because they got what they both exactly wanted. Napunta kay Allyssa ang custody para kay Alwyn. Mas naging flexible ang visitation rights ni Ernesto para sa kaniyang anak. Pareho silang nakalaya mula sa makalumang tradisyon ng kanilang mayayamang angkan na 'marriage for convenience.'

At walang balak si Ernesto na ipaalam kay Allyssa na sinadya niyang magpaubaya nang kaunti para makuha nito nang tuluyan ang custody kay Alwyn. He wanted her to savor her triumph as hers alone, and not credited to someone else like him. She deserved to enjoy her win against the man who broke her heart and who used her for business advantages. Kahit si Attorney Pereira, walang-malay na ito ang gusto niyang maging resulta ng hearing. Ayaw niyang ipaalam sa kaibigan dahil alam niyang hindi ito papayag dahil mababawasan ang win-rate nito bilang abogado.