Connected Cords

Chapter Eight

My hand was stinging because of the hard impact of it againts Greg's face. Nanginginig ang kamay ko ata agad na tumalikod dahil ayokong makita ang mukha ni Greg. I just couldn't face my husband while I was on that situation. I wasn't ready. With shaking hands, I was wiping the tears on my cheeks and hurriedly walked towards the stairs with wobbling legs.

"Margaux," I heard him muttered behind me. Hindi ko alam kung nagagalit ba sya, o nagiguilty siya. All I know was that, his voice was so serious, that I couldn't even fathom what he really feels.

My tear were streaming like an endless rain because of the agony that was invading every fiber of my being. Halos hindi ko na makita ang dinaraanan ko dahil sa mga luha ko. Thankfully, I did not even trip because I was one hundred percent familiar with my own house like how familiar I am with the lyrics of my favorite song.

"Margaux, talk to me.." Sandaling nagpatigil sa akin ang malumanay at nagsusumamong boses ni Greg. I wanted to laugh sardonically, because finally, I heard his pleading voice.

Pero ayoko muna, I was too hurt and my mind was too clouded with pain and anger, baka hindi ko mapagilan ang sarili ko. Kaya nagpatuloy lang ako sa pag-akyat at dumiretso ako sa kwarto namin, patungo sa walk in closet ko. Agad akong kumuha ng mga pamalit kong damit na pantulog.

"Talk to me," I startled when Greg was already behind me.

"I'm tired, not now." I mumbled before exiting our room and went directly to Maddie's room. Dumiretso ako sa banyo sa kwarto ni Maddie. I half bathed quickly before slipping into my comfy pajamas.

Tiredness was already swallowing me and it was like the bed was already pulling me. Lumakad papunta sa higaan ng anak ko at hindi ko na naman napigilan pamumuo ng mga luha ko. I sat beside her and stared at her angelic face. She does look like her father. She got everything from her father except from her lips. Iyon lamang ang nakuha niya sa akin.

I stroked her hair and right there, I promised that for her, I will do my best and encourage myself not to give up. Para sa kanya, kakayanin ko pang tiisin ang lahat ng sakit dahil sa unti-unting nababasag na relasyon namin ng kanyang ama. She will be my light, my motivation, my inspiration and my source of strength. She was my everything.

I dried the tears that fell on cheek and kissed my daughter's hair before laying beside her and cuddled her before I slowly drifted off to slumber with a heavy heart.

***

Consciousness started seeping right through when I felt that I was moving. The soft mattress underneath me was shaking and I can hear a slurring faint and tiny voice. Hindi ko maintindihan ang nagsasalita dahil masakit ang ulo marahil sa pag-iyak ko kahapon.

"Mom, wake up!" I heard Maddie's voice clearly when I felt the bed shook furiously.

I groaned and brushed the sleepiness out of my eyes. "Maddie, stop." I protested while twisting to the other side. But my stubborn daughter did not listen to me, she continued to jump on the bed and started pulling my arm up.

"I'm going to be late, mommy!" She whined while still pulling me and I can't help but smile. How adorable.

I groaned fakely. "Fine, fine. Babangon na." I was suppressing my smile. Hindi na siya nagsalita, agad na hinatak na niya ako pababa at hinayaan ko nalang siya.

She led me towards our dining area and she even pulled a chair for me and commanded me to sit down. I was frowning the whole time and I was staring at the dishes on the table. My mouth started to water at the sight. Ang dami naman atang niluto ni Ruby?

Seconds later, Greg suddenly walked out on the kitchen with an apron on and a plate full of pancakes on his right hand. My heart tightened at the sight. When I'm seing him, all I could see was his betrayal, and all I could feel was the pain that he caused me.