Exchange Lovers - Completed

Sixteen: Getting close

Priele's POV

“Hello?"

“Hello, Tita?” I bit my lower lip as I spoke to her.

“Oh. Good morning, Andrea!”

 I hesitantly asked her, “Ah—did my husband called you last night?”

She paused to think, maybe. “No. Why?” I bet she’s wondering why I asked her that. Stating the obvious, Priele? Duh!

I took a mouthful of air as I composed the lie I’m going to tell her. I don’t want her to be involved with the mess I had created but, I need her help right now.  Ansel would kill me if he’ll know where I’ve been last night. And I don’t want him to ask me anything.

“Tita, ano—ah ano kasi… I have visited a friend last night. Eh hindi ako nakapagpaalam kay Ansel. My phone’s battery went off kaya hindi ko siya natawagan. Just this morning I got to give you a call kasi nai-charge ko na siya.” Shit. Shit, Priele. That excuse is just so lame. But, I wish this will work. Or else. I’m dead. “Hindi kasi ako nakauwi kagabi. Magagalit sa’kin iyon. Tita, please… can you tell him I was with you last night if he’ll call you? I know he won’t be mad kung alam niyang nasa inyo po ako. Please? Ayoko po kasing magalit sa’kin sa Ansel.”

For pete’s sake! I’m a married woman, supposedly mature enough not to ask this silly favor. 

I gnawed my fingers desperately waiting for her to agree. Thankfully, she did said yes.

“But, I hope this won’t happen again hija. You know I hate lying.” I could kiss her right now. I slightly leaned on the car seat to relax a little. “Just because I love you and I don’t want you to get into trouble, I’ll do as you say.”

“Thank you so much, Tita!” I said a little loud. “ Yes. I promise this won’t happen again.”

She sighed before bidding me goodbye.

I was relieved that I get myself to smile. Now, I have to get home.

 I glanced Riu for just a second. I felt guilty too for dragging him with me. Nadamay pa tuloy siyang hindi nakauwi sa bahay nila kagabi. I’m pretty sure Alexey will be furious about it.

“Wanna go home?” he asked.

I just nodded. But, then I realize something, “Riu,” lumingon ako ulit sa kanya, “salamat nga pala ah at sinamahan mo ako. You could’ve just dropped me somewhere last night and I wouldn’t know but, you didn’t. Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Iyon lang at pinatakbo na niya ang sasakyan.

     Nung nasa malapit na iyong taxi nakita ko si Ansel na naghihintay sa’kin mula sa labas. Tapos pagkalingon ko naman sa isang bahay na Spanish styled bungalow na nadaanan namin ay nandun na ang sasakyan ni Riu at papababa na din siya. Hula ko iyon na ang bahay nila. Obviously.

Malamang nauna talaga siya sa’kin kasi nagpababa ako sa kanya di kalayuan sa labas ng village— if you’re wondering why naka-taxi ako—  hindi ako nagpahatid kay Riu sa bahay, though he insisted, kasi alam kong maghihintay sa’kin si Ansel sa labas at tama nga ako. Baka magtaka siya kung bakit si Riu ang naghatid sa’kin. Ayoko madamay si Riu just in case mag-away man kami ni Ansel. At isa pa hindi magwwork out ang excuse ko na kanina ko pa mini-memorize.

Bago ako bumaba ng taxi ay huminga muna akong malalim. When I looked at my husband kasi he looks scary and deadly. Baka ipa-firing squad niya ako.

“Morning, Ansel.”

“It really is morning.” He said coldy. But, his expression softened, “Saan ka galling kagabi, Priele? Alam mo ba kung gaano mo ako pinag-alala?” he took a step forward and cupped my face. “Tinawagan kita ng ilang beses pero, hindi mo sinasagot. Muntikan ko nang isa-isahin ang mga hospital dito para i-check kung nandun ka—"