ALASTAIR ARMENDAREZ

EPILOGUE

I SMILED bitterly while looking outside of the car. I have no idea where to go—I just wanted to be alone. After our conversation a while ago, I decided to ride a grab going somewhere else. My driver couldn't drive me as he was already in Manila because my husband told him to go back to the city. I have no idea where I will be heading.

It's already nine in the evening but I'm not yet eating my dinner. Nagugutom na din ako kaya nagpababa na ako ng makakita ako ng bukas na convenience store.

"Anong lugar po ito kuya?" tanong ko pa sa sa driver bago ako bumaba ng kanyang sasakyan.

"Batangas ho Ma'am, pasensya na ho wala na ho akong alam na lugar na magandang puntahan. Alam ko hong makakapag-relax ka ho dito, malalapit naman na ho ang mga beach resort dito." Kuya explained.

I nod at him and thank him as well. I went inside the store and buy some food. Tumambay ako ng ilang saglit para kumain pagkatapos ay tinanong ko kung akong pwedeng masakyan papunta sa nearest beach resort dito.

Mabilis rin naman akong nakahanap ng sasakyan at mabuti nalang mabait si Manong. Hinatid niya pa ako sa mismong hotel kaya binigyan ko siya ng extra bayad.

A cold wind suddenly embrace my whole body. Tinungo ko ang hotel na tanaw ko mula sa kinaroroonan ko at nagtanong kung mayroon ba silang available room sa ngayon. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag ng sabihin nitong mayroon isa pang room na natitira kaya kinuha ko na agad iyon.

Kalapit lamang nito ang dagat kaya ng maiwan ko ang aking ilang gamit doon ay lumabas ako para magpahangin sa labas. Gabi na at siguro mag aalas nuebe na ng gabi. Naupo ako sa buhangin at tumanaw sa mahinang hampas ng alon.

I couldn't help but to have some thoughts right now. A lot of thoughts that are popping out in my head. I remember what happened earlier between Alas and I.

Everything is fine right? Like we were both doing good—we were okay. We're just busy with our lives these past few weeks. We were just trying to move on from the incident happened. Do I did something wrong? Did I hurt his feelings?

The incident was still haunting me these previous days—so I keep trying to get busy and not to think about it.

I let out a heavy sigh. "Oh god help me.." I blew.

The sounds of the waves really help me to feel better. I don't know what to do right now, I just wanted to be alone. To stay in the quiet place.

"Ara!"

I was sitting quietly in the sand when I heard a familiar voice from my back.

"How many more times that you were gonna walk away without telling me." his voice is so deep.

I immediately stood up to walk towards him. "A–alas, a—anong ginagawa mo dito?" naitanong ko sa kanya.

"Tell me—are you tired of me, Ara?" hindi niya sinagot ang aking tanong pagkuway sinabi ang salitang iyon.

"N–no, why would I."

"Then why are you keeping all of your thoughts alone. We were married, Ara. I am your husband and you were my responsibility." his voice is not angry and it's not even calm.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin at nagmasid sa dagat. "I just want to be alone, Alas."

"And how about me, Ara?" his voice started to soften. "I thought—we will conquered all our problems and obstacles as husband and wife. How about our vows?" I bit my lower lip. "Fine, if you want to be alone—I'll let you do that." He sigh. "I'm going back to our house. Ipapasundo kita sa driver bukas ng umaga!" with his last word, he left.