The Shackled Wife

Scandal 11 - In which the husband calls a doctor

Scandal 11 – In which the husband calls a doctor

Dinilat ni Anton ang kanyang mata at nakitang nakaupo si Alicia sa may reclining chair at natutulog. Bakit nandito pa ang sekretarya niya? Tinignan niya ang oras at nalaman na alas-kwatro na ng umaga.

Umupo siya at sumandal sa headrest ng kama niya. Masakit parin ang ulo niya pero nawawala na ito ng kunti. “Alicia.” Pagtawag niya sa sekretarya niya.

Gumalaw si Alicia at dinalat ang mga mata, agad itong napatayo at inayos yung pagkasuot ng salamin nito. “Sir.”

“Bakit nandito ka pa?” tanong niya dito. He knew the answer, his secretary bless her heart had always been there for him no matter what even when sometimes he was downright cruel she stayed. She cared for him whenever he was sick. He knew that. He had no one in life save his mother and Cassandra, and those two weren’t always there.

His mother lived at the former mansion of the mayor who gave him the scholarship. He bought the house as a gift for his mother. The mayor and his family had migrated to US after having lost the election.

Ilang beses na rin niyang sinubukan dati na patirahin ang mga Mathias sa isa sa mga bahay na pinagawa niya pero dahil nga mga Mathias sila ay mga ma-pride ang mga ito. They were self-righteous that parents of Cassandra. They didn’t like to associate themselves with someone who is clearly in contact with their daughter.

 Pero dahil din sa inay ay tinigil na ni Anton ang pagkumbinsi sa mga ito na lumipat. She too couldn't take their self-righteousness, they had acted as if they had not sired Cassandra and of course, Linda Magdayao considered Cassandra as her own daughter after all she’d done for Anton.

And then there’s Cassandra, she couldn’t always come in his aide after all she married the biggest jerk. James checked her every moves, she was on a tight leash.

So really there was no one. Except Alicia. She had always been here.

“Magpahinga ka muna sa isa sa mga guest room tas pag gising mo ulit ay kumain ka muna ng almusal at tapos ay magpahatid ka nalang sa driver.” Sabi niya dito, dahil madaling araw palang ay ayaw na niya munang gisingin yung driver para lang ihatid si Alicia at isa pa mukhang pagod na pagod si Alcia.

“Sige po sir.” Mahinhin na sabi ni Alicia. “May kailangan po pa ba kayo?”

 

Umiling si Anton at nginitian si Alicia. “I’m fine.” Sabi niya.

 

Tumango si Alicia at naglakad na papunta sa pinto. Tumingin ulit ito kay Anton bago binuksan ang pinto, ngumiti ito at sinabing “Good night sir.”

“Thank you Alicia.” Anton said. He knew he could always count on his secretary. When she left he shut his eyes, truth was his head was pounding. He just didn't want to worry Alicia anymore.

***

Nagising si Cassandra na masama ang pakiramdam, tumakbo agad siya sa bathroom, knelt down by the toilet bowl and puked her heart out. God her stomach was churning. Pagkatapos niyang magsuka ay tumayo na siya at nag-toothbrush.