Separated

Chapter 9

Alden was due home at around 9 that night.

Maine was busy preparing their bedroom. She had dimmed the lights, set up candles on the console table, which she will light later on, she took a nice long bath and was currently sporting a silk teddy under her robe.

This was her third attempt at trying to get Alden to... well, you know. She's been home for over a month and he hasn't even kissed her.

She first tried this after her visit to the psychologist. When they got to bed that night, she started moving closer and got to kiss his jaw, but he abruptly got up and said, "I forgot to brush my teeth pala! Wait lang balik ako. Tulog ka na if you want." He brushed his teeth for over an hour, she was already asleep when he got out.

Next, she tried to kiss him in the morning. She noticed his body responding, so she attempted to straddle him, but that same moment he moved and she landed on the floor. "Are you okay?" He woke up, worried. "Did you hit your head? I'll bring you to the hospital. Meng? Meng?"

But tonight is her night, Maine promised herself.

"Kaya ko 'to. Kaya ko 'to!" She said to no one in particular, trying to calm herself, but her heart started beating wildly when she heard Alden pull up.

"Maine? Babe? Where are you?" He called out.

"Bedroom!"

When he got there, he gulped. "H-hi, Baby. What's going on?"

"Hi," she said, tentatively.

"Menggay..." Alden started.

"Yes, Rj?"

"Ang dilim. Pwede bang buksan ang ilaw? Tsaka bakit may kandila? Delikado yan." He started turning on the lights and blowing out the candles.

She threw a pillow at him. "Nakakairita ka naman eh!"

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Anong what's wrong?! Nung umalis ba ako dito naging manhid ka na? Bahala ka nga." She stomped like a child and headed to their bathroom to change.

Alden followed and gave her a back hug. "Huy, wag ka na magalit."

"Ikaw kasi nakakainis ka."

"Ikaw lang naman iniisip ko. Baka nabibigla ka."

"Anong nabibigla? Sobrang ready na nga eh, ikaw diyan yung maarte. If you don't want to sleep with me, fine! Wag. Hmph. I don't want to na din. Pawis ka pa naman. Baho."

He chuckled. "Konting pawis lang. Ikaw kasi, sinalubong mo ako nang ganyan..." She stayed quiet but he noticed she was blushing. "Baho ba ako? Tara shower tayo?"

They both took the next week off from work.

***

"Good afternoon, Doc." Alden greeted the psychologist before turning to his wife. "Sorry, I'm late, Baby." He says, kissing her on the lips. "Nagtagal yung shoot." Then he rubs his nose against her. "You look nice today. How was the meeting?"

"Okay naman. We should discuss it later, they want me to do a teleserye in the morning." She informed him. "I missed you today."

They were leaning in for another kiss when the psychologist cleared her throat. "Are you ready to start your session?"

Mr. and Mrs. Faulkerson came in again today, still keeping their appointment but they mentioned that they would want to reduce their visits in the coming months, choosing to spend more time together but promise each other to be back in case they feel like they need some help. Their hands are clasped the entire session and Mr. Faulkerson seems impatient to end our consult so he can get his wife alone. They are visibly closer than before physically– more intimate.

I guess they figured it out after all.