A Separation

Prologue

Annulled.

Yes, that was the word that came to Nadine's mind when she scribbled her signature on the dotted line.

Today, she was single again.

Today, she got her freedom back.

Today, she no longer had to pretend to be the oblivious wife that everyone pitied.

Today, she finally left the man who once brought her joy and laughter.

Today, she would step down from the role of Mrs James Reid.

Nadine looked up from the documents, the documents that freed her from a marriage that had no more love when the lawyer gave a small cough.

"I guess that is all." Their lawyer, Mr Cruz announced, a tone of finality oozing out that short sentence. "From now on, you are no longer husband and wife."

Nadine turned to her right and looked at the man who was still her husband minutes ago. The one whom she had loved and lived with for the past five years.

Their eyes met. In his eyes, she sees an emotion that she can't place. In hers, he sees and remembers how they used to shine at the sight of him.

James Reid was the first to look away. He gave a swift glance over the divorce papers they had just endorsed and stood up, smoothing his attire in the process.

"Thank you then, Atty Cruz." He gave a slight bow to the man who was both his senior and solicitor.

Nadine took this as her signal to leave. Hurriedly, she stood up, then headed towards the door that would bring her out of this office. The air felt too stale, too oppressing all of a sudden.

"Naddie!" She heard her ex-husband call out when she was waiting for the lift and instinctively turned towards the voice.

"Yes?" Nadine asked gently, like how she always did.

"Where are you heading to? I could give you a lift." James reminded himself of a 22-year-old him, the him that shyly asked her the same thing, 9 years ago.

"Oh, it's ok. Yassi will be picking me up. Sa palagay ko nasa baba na yun kaya bumalik ka na lang dun." Nadine rejected his offer kindly as the 'ding' of the lift sounded.

James didn't like the tone she used, and the fact that she was calling him 'James' again. Through the course of them together for the past 9 years, he has always been 'Love'.

The lift brought them to the ground level. No further conversation was made until they made their way to the parking bay, where Yassi's red Volkswagen Beetle was waiting for her.

Nadine turned to look at him for one last time. "Una na ako James." She gave him a slight bow. "Don't worry, uuwi ako mamaya para hakutin yung mga gamit ko."

With a final smile and nod, she went into her friend's car and left.

With that, Nadine left him, no longer his wife.

James felt a dull ache in his brain and his heart, surprising himself as he saw the car drove off.

With a shake of his head, he made his way to his own vehicle.

Wasn't the annulment what they had both wanted from this marriage that had no more love? If so, why was he feeling like that?