The Unwanted Wife's Cry

Chapter One

Don't Worry, Babe

Christine.

"Christine, anak." I opened my swollen eyes and saw mom looking at me. "Gising na. Maaga pa ang alis niyo ng dad mo ngayon. He's already downstairs, eating breakfast." She told me softly. I almost forgot na ngayon na pala iyon. Ngayon na pala mangyayari ang araw na kinakatakutan ko. I felt a hot liquid streaming down across my cheeks.

"Mom, wala na ba talaga tayong magagawa?" Napahagulgol ako. Sabi ko, uubusin ko na kagabi ang mga luha ko. Pero bakit ganito? Hindi pa rin maubos-ubos. "Hush, baby. I'll try to convince your dad later." She hugged me while caressing my hair. We remained silent for a while habang kinakalma ko ang sarili ko. She kissed the top of my head before leaving me.

I got up from my bed and did my morning routines. Dahil may lakad na naman kami ni dad ngayon, wala akong magawa kundi magsuot na naman ng high heels. Nagsuot lang ako ng white sleeveless dress na may floral design sa ilalim and black pumps. I have to look decent and presentable. Iyon ang gusto ni dad kapag haharap ako sa mga business partners niya. I put a light makeup and tied my hair. I grabbed my black bag bago bumaba para magbreakfast. I went to the dining area at naabutan doon si dad na nagbabasa ng dyaryo habang nagkakape.

"Good morning, dad." Halos pabulong kong sambit. Hindi kasi kami ganoon ka-close and we're not in good terms right now.

I sat down and started munching a bread. I'm eating light food right now because it's already ten o'clock in the morning and we're going to have lunch soon. There's an awkward silence between us dahil kami lang ang nasa hapag. Ganito naman palagi, e. Mas magandang huwag na lang mag-usap kasi baka mag-away pa kami.

The silence was deafening to the point na gusto ko nang i-confront si dad at hindi tumuloy sa meeting mamaya.

"Dad—"

"Kung sasabihin mo lang na huwag na tumuloy sa meeting, then save it, darling. I'm tired of hearing those." He said without taking his eyes off the newspaper.

"But why, dad? Kaya mo ba talagang ipagpalit ako para lang sa business mo?" I am so desperate. God! You can't just push someone who's not willing to do it.

He looked at me as if I said something wrong. "Hindi kita ipinagpapalit." Mahinahon ngunit mariin niyang sabi. "I am doing this for your own good. This is for your future." I sighed. Wala na nga talaga akong magagawa. Wala na talagang pag-asa na mabago ko ang isip ni dad. Desidido siya na gawin ang alam niyang tama. There's no choice left but to obey.

I finished my food and went to the kitchen to wash my hands. There, I found my mother crying. I hugged her tight. "I'm sorry, Christine. Hindi ko napapayag ang daddy mo. He said, kailangang niyang gawin ito dahil malapit na mawala sa atin ang kompanya. Hija, I'm so sorry. I can't do something. I'm worthle—" I caressed her hair.

"It's okay, mom. Kahit na wala na tayong magagawa, I know someday, everything will be fine. Everything will be back to normal." I told her to stop crying because it breaks my heart and naiiyak na naman ulit ako.

"Christine, where are you?" I heard dad shout. "We're going to be late." I sighed.

"Coming, dad." I shouted before turning to mom. "Mom, I need to go. I'll just report to you about what will happen later." I wiped her tears and she hugged me.

"I know someday, you'll be happy. Someday, anak. And if not, I'll make sure that you'll be." I nodded.

I'll hold on to that and give this a try.

I went inside the car beside my father at the backseat. I breathed. So, this is it. Wala nang atrasan. I'm going to meet them. I'm going to meet him, my future husband.