When Carlos called her up pagdating ng kanilang order, she was still staring at the ceiling, pero she had decided on his proposal na.
Maari ito na ang simula ng kanyang bagong adventure, so bahala na kung masasaktan man siya sa huli. She had already married him, that is a start kaya lubus-lubusin na niya dahil baka pagkatapos rin naman nito ay bablik rin naman siya sa dati niyang buhay. Ang buhay kung saan siya ay tahimik lang na nagtatrabaho at wala namang nagkaka-interes sa kanya.
Oo, inaamin niya, talagang flattered siya sa pagtingin ng asawa at hindi na rin niyang maitatago na may nararamdaman rin naman siya dito. She is physically attracted as well.
Mula ng sila ay nagsama sa iisang bubong, she had been addicted to his scent. Especially tuwing umaga when they leave and when he arrives kung gabi. Ito ang kanyang palatandaan of her husband’s presence. Kaya siguro maraming babaeng nahuhumaling dito, dinaan sa men’s perfume. And for sure, signature scent ito and exclusively made for him in their perfumery.
Ngayon, she can still smell him in her room.
Niyakap muna ni Cornelia ang kanyang unan as if to affirm her feelings bago bumangon to join her husband sa hapagkainan.
He pulled up a seat for her pagdating niya sa mesa and he proceeded to sit across her then.
“ I have beef broccoli, braised spare ribs at fried chicken ordered, which do you want? I’ll fix your plate” sabi nito.
“Ako na Carlos, I only have migraine, I can still serve myself” sagot niya.
“Are you sure?” tanong nito.
“Oo nga” sabi niya dito habang kumukuha na ng pagkain.
Si Carlos naman ay nakabantay lang muna sa kanya at halos di umalis ang mga mata nito sa pagmanman ng kanyang bawat galaw.
“Ano ba Carlos? Huwag mo naman akong tingnan ng ganyan. Na coconcious ako. Baka hindi na ako makakain niyan mamaya,’ medyo pabirong sabi niya dito habang nakayuko at di makatingin sa asawa.
Napangiti si Carlos. Medyo pilyong ngiti. Alam niyang nasa isipan nito ang kanyang mga sinabi kanina.
“ I’m not breaking any rules naman siguro kung pagmasdan kita?” sabi ni Carlos. “And I didn’t remember any clause sa kontrata natin na nagsasabi na bawal kitang tingnan?’ dagdag pa niya.
“Kumain ka na nga…” saway niya sa asawa na ngayon ay katinginan niya. “ Eto oh,” kumuha siya ng fried chicken upang ilagay sa plato nito. “ Kainin mo na yan at baka gutom lang yan.” Biro niya ditto.
“ I’m not kidding.” Medyo seryosong pagpatuloy ni Carlos. Alam niya ngayon na medyo tumatalab rin ang kanyang diskarte sa asawa kaya he is giving his all on wooing her. Tutal, they have a year together naman and if he will be having any relationship on the course of that period, it might as well be with his wife.
He had discerned na this is the first time that he is having an almost long-term relationship and they are somewhat committed to be with each other. Even though it was not their decision, he had somehow adjusted to the fact that nandito na ito and he should just make the best out of it. At dahil na rin sa kanyang atraksiyon sa asawa that he had found this arrangement medyo favorable na rin.
Ewan ba niya pero hindi naman siya ganito noon. Baka nagmature na nga siya.
Before, he does not like any female crowding his space. Kaya in Europe , he got his own penthouse and he does not bring any of his dates or girlfriends there. Kahit nga minsan pumunta dun or bumisita ang mama niya whenever she goes shopping, naiirita siyang makita yung mga kalat na shopping bags ni Natalia and he feels relieved kapag umuwi na ito.
Ngayon, pareho kanina, he was glad to see his wife’s stuffs haphazardly occupying the living room. At kahit minsan parang nagiging working table na yung dining area nila sa mga gamit nito na naiiwan kapag magtatrabaho siya dito tuwing gabi, ay okay lang din sa kaniya. Her presence is almost a refreshing change sa kanyang buhay.
Minsan, he observed that Cornelia can be like a whirlwind lalo na kapag nagmamadali ito at naayos nito ang kanyang mga kalat in time. Nawawala ang pagiging mahinhin nito. Pero minsan din, she can be still and silent. Merong mga sandali na kapag hinahatid niya ito sa trabaho na hindi ito nagsasalita habang nasa kotse at nakatingin lang sa malayo na parang ang lalim ng iniisip. At he doesn’t find it uncomfortable naman, in a way it is the exact opposite nga. Na a-amaze siya na he can be in comfortable silence with someone, with his wife.
When he is at work, minsan napapatigil siya at bigla niyang maaalala ang asawa. Parang hinahanap niya ang presence nito, kaya nga kapag siya ay umuuwi he instantly try to find markers na andiyan na rin si Cornelia.
He is indeed totally attracted to her. Totally!
BINABASA MO ANG
Ever After Contract
RomanceA merger between two families. Unknown to them, Carlos and Cornelia are the subject of an agreement made by their grandfathers a long time ago when they were still babies. The agreement includes a merger clause which requires them to get ma...
