Chapter Eight: When Everything Falls Apart
-Audrey-
"I like you better when you're not bitching, Auds." Komento ni Chris. Hindi makapaniwalang napalingon ako sa kanya. What the hell?
"What did you say? Do you want me to kick you out?" Hamon ko sa kanya. Dito kasi siya natulog sa unit ko. Pinagkasya niya ang sarili niya sa sofa. Kalaking tao pa naman niya.
"There you go again. I'm just saying, okay? Magluto ka na nga lang ng almusal nang makaalis na ako." Utos nito sa akin. Kapal din ng mukha nito eh, sarap lasunin.
Inirapan ko muna siya bago tumungo sa kusina. Dinig ko na sumunod siya sa akin. Dumeretso naman ako sa ref at doon naghalungkat ng maluluto. Naupo ito sa harap ng counter island at doon nangalumbaba.
"Ano na ang balak mo ngayon?" Seryosong tanong niya. Inilabas ko yung frying pan at ipinatong sa stove at tsaka ko siya binalingan.
"I'll move on, just like you said. I don't deserved being miserable, and I don't want to be like this every time he does something that will hurt me. Kung mahihiwalayan ko lang siya, ginawa ko na iyon two months ago but I can't because of the damn business. So I'm stuck being his wife. Well, legally." Sagot ko. Kunot noo naman siyang nakatingin sa akin.
"What if... What if he really did fell for you?" Alangan na tanong niya. I chuckled.
"In two weeks time? Are you seriously considering it? He did not fall in love with me, Chris. He never loved me. He's guilty because he tried to kill me. That's not love for fucks sake. He's lucky I didn't sue his ass. " Angil ko. Napabuntong hininga naman siya.
"I'm just saying, what if, Audrey? Have you ever consider at least listening to his explanation?" Halos mapanganga ako sa sinabi niya.
"Honestly, no. I'm not gonna listen to his explanation why he left or why he tried to kill me. I'm not gonna listen to all the lies he's going to make. And what happened to you? Yesterday you're saying I have to move on and now what in the world happened?" Matigas na tanong ko.
"You're too angry. You can't move on if you're too angry, Auds." Simpleng sagot niya. Nagtiim ang mga bagang ko.
"Sino ba naman sa tingin mo ang hindi magagalit sa taong sinaktan ka at sinubukan kang patayin?" Katwiran ko. Tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin.
"What if it's an accident, Audrey? You said you were arguing with him that time. What if he just accidentally pushed you? What if he didn't meant it?" He reasoned. I looked at him blankly.
"Those are just your what if's. And even if he didn't meant it, I'm still gonna damn loathe the guy. He didn't even have the balls to stay. He could have stayed with me. I recovered on my own. No, you picked me up, helped me recover while he run away from all the responsibilities. And I fought hard for him and this is what I get?" Sagot ko sa kanya. "I'm done talking about Riley. Magluto ka ng pagkain mo kung gusto mo. I have to go, I have work to do."
**
Ready na ako to go to work ng may kumatok. It's probably just Chris. Agad akong naglakad papunta sa pinto para buksan. But when I opened it, it was Riley's father and mine.
"Daddy, Mr. Fajardo, to what do I owe your visit?" Bungad ko sa kanila. Nakita ko naman ang iritadong mukha ng ama ko. Pilit naman akong ngumiti. "Please, do come in."
Naunang pumasok si Daddy, kasunod si Mr. Fajardo. Isinara ko ang pinto at tsaka sumunod sa kanila. Dumiretso naman sila sa may salas at doon naupo.
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BINABASA MO ANG
The Bastard's Wife (On-Going)
عاطفيةWhere were you when everything was falling apart? (Riley Fajardo's Story)