The Ignored Wife (Published by PSICOM)

11: The End

"Some things must end, no buts or what ifs, they just end." -jazlykdat

***

Published by PSICOM. Available in all leading bookstores nationwide.

***

It was already late when Lianna woke up. She feels a little disoriented. Nangyari ba talaga 'yon kagabi? She's already wearing the lingerie she wore last night.

Tumayo siya at nagtungo sa banyo. Biglang umikot ang paningin niya. She immediately ran to the bathroom. Doon na siya tuluyang naduwal.

Nabuntis ba siya agad ni Vaughn? Charot! Haha!

Iniligo na lamang niya ang nararamdamang hangover. She swears hindi na siya ulit iinom ng ganoon karami.

Pero sa kabila ng hangover, napakagaan ng pakiramdam niya. Somehow, there is hope that last night marks the start of something better.

Napatigil siya sa pagbaba ng hagdan nang makita ang suitcase ni Vaughn sa sala. Nandoon na ulit ang ate at mga pamangkin niya.

"Ang aga mong nagising ah!" tudyo ng ate niya nang makita siya. Napailing na lamang siya at tuluyang bumaba ng sala.

Nakita niya mula sa nakabukas na bintana ang isang sports car. She's sure, it is Vaughn's car.

Is he going back to Manila? After what happened last night? Was is just a mistake for him?

Tinungo niya ang maindoor at tinanaw ang sasakyan. Umibis mula rito ang driver ni Vaughn. Ito ang sumusundo sa mga bata sa tuwing pinapapunta ni Vaughn ang mga bata sa opisina nito.

"Good morning, Ma'am Lianna," bati nito bago tinungo ang kinalalagyan ng suitcase at binuhat na ito papunta sa kotse.

Biglang sumikip ang dibdib niya. So, she was right. Vaughn is really going back to Manila.

"Take care, daddy!" It was Vanna Lei's voice. Nakita niyang palabas ng komedor ang mag-aama. Vaughn hugged the kids. Nagpaalam din ito sa ate niya.

She remained at the doorway...static...

Akala niya ay magiging okay na sila after last night. Now, he is going away like he wants to escape from the situation.

Gumaganti ba ito sa ginawa niya dati? Bigla na lang din ba itong mang-iiwan?

Vaughn stepped towards the door.

Nagbaba siya ng paningin. Pakiramdam niya at maluluha siya.

She saw a pair of feet stood in front of her. She knew it was Vaughn, amoy na amoy niya ang pamilyar na samyo ng pabango nito.

She felt nervous when Vaughn held her shoulders. Dahan-dahan niyang tiningala ito. He is staring at her. Hindi niya maarok ang damdamin sa likod ng mga titig nito.

She momentarily held her breath when she felt his lips on her forehead.

"I'll fetch you and the kids after a week."

She wasn't able to answer. Nagpapaalam ba ito sa kanya?

"Be good, Lianna." He whispered on her ear before releasing her shoulder and moved away.

It took her a moment bago nakahuma sa pagkabigla. Nakalabas na ang sasakyan ni Vaughn.

"Uy, umalis lang ang asawa mo, tulala ka na diyan!" Biro ng ate niya. Natatawa naman siyang pinuntahan ang dalawang anak.

She is happy that Vaughn approached her bago ito umalis. She thought he'll just go away like what she did before. Hindi naman pala... Baka kailangan lang nitong asikasuhin ang mga businesses niya.