The Divorce

Chapter 79: Confession

As Samantha and Arem clasped each other's hands, they looked at the villagers who had come to the village entrance to bid them farewell. The villagers had a mix of sadness and joy on their faces, a beautiful kind of sorrow that really touched their hearts. Over the week they spent together, they built strong connections while sharing stories and laughs. The villagers' warm hospitality felt like a cozy blanket, making them feel genuinely welcomed and appreciated. Samantha and Arem soaked it all in, feeling so grateful because they knew the kindness they experienced would stick with them forever.

"Maraming salamat po," nakangiting wika ni Samantha. Though she wears a smile, there's a heaviness in her heart. Her nose feels uncomfortably sour, her eyes are becoming red and watery, and she feels a bitter lump in her throat.

Marahang tinapik ni Arem sa likod si Samantha. "Don't cry. We'll visit in the future,"

"Um," Samantha hummed then nodded.

"Maraming salamat po," ani Arem saka nagmano sa mag-asawang matanda na siyang namamahala sa baryo. He's so humble and amicable. Ni walang mag-aakala na siya ang kinaiilagang Arem Syquia ng business world.

"Sige na. Humayo na kayo at baka abutin na naman kayo ng ulan. Pasensiya na sa nakayanan namin," nakangiting wika ng Village chief na siyang walang sawang nag-asikaso kay Arem at Samantha.

Mahigpit na hinawakan ni Arem ang dadaanin at baryang ibinigay ng mga taga Baryo. Nag-ambag ambagan ang mga ito para lamang may maipamasahe silang mag-asawa pauwi ng Manila. Even though it was just a bunch of old coins and crumpled bills, Arem didn't feel disgusted at all. Instead, he was really grateful that the villagers were so willing to pitch in to help him and his wife get back home. It was confounding to see everyone come together, putting in whatever they could spare.

"Huwag niyo kaming kalilimutan pagbalik niyo sa inyo!" Masayang sigaw ng ilang kabataan.

Ngumiti si Samantha sa mga ito. "That's for sure!" Aniya saka tumalikod.

Nagsimula silang maglakad ni Arem paalis sa entrance ng Baryo. Malayo-layo pa ang lalakarin nila palabas para makahanap ng masasakyan papunta sa Bayan ng lugar na iyon.

"Are you tired?"

Nang makalayo na sila ay tanong ni Arem. Sunod-sunod na umiling si Samantha. "Not tired,"

"Just bear for a while. Pagkarating natin sa Bayan, we'll look for a phone then I'll call my assistant," he said seriously.

"Your assistant?" Pinagtaasan ni Samantha ng kilay ang lalaking sinadyang bagalan ang bawat paghakbang para lang masabayan siya sa paglalakad.

"Yeah,"

"Bumalik ka na sa mga lolo mo?" Curious na tanong ni Samantha.

"No,"

No? Then why does he have an assistant? Why does he need an assistant?

"I have already moved my main office to Saint Rose Capital, so naturally, my assistant and secretaries need to be there," Arem stated matter-of-factly.

Napakunot-noo si Samantha.

"Medyo naguguluhan ako ha. Kung hindi ka bumalik sa lolo at lola mo, ibig sabihin wala ka na sa kompanya ng mga Syquia. Then why-,"

"I have my own company. I'll bring you there sometimes,"

Manghang napahinto sa paglalakad si Samantha. Kaagad din namang tumigil si Arem.

"What? You really believed that your husband is a poor person who's working as an appraiser?" Tudyo ni Arem na lalong ikinalaki ng mga mata ni Samantha. "Fret not, your husband is not so poor that you'll have to worry about your future. I can support a hundred of you at ease," he said in a teasing tone.