Somehow, the news that Den's going to get married did not surprise me anymore. Pero nang marinig ito nang personal galing sa kanyang ina, I felt like dying.
Hindi ko na maintindihan o marinig ang susunod nilang pinag-usapan. Ang alam ko ay gusto ko na lang umalis doon at magpakalayu-layo. I can't even drink the tea Den's fiancé offered me.
I just want to run away.
Matapos ang ilang minuto ay lumabas na rin kami. I excused myself and went inside my office. Gustuhin ko mang umiyak ay halos wala na akong mailabas.. I felt my whole body become numb.
Suddenly, my phone beeped and I saw Juana calling me. Tired, I answered the phone.
"Hello?" I answered.
("HELLO?! MAY GANA KA PANG MAGHELLO?!!")
Bahagya kong inilayo ang tainga ko sa cellphone. Parang masisira ang eardrums ko sa lalaking 'to.
"Nice to hear from you, too." I answered nonchalantly. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
("HINDI MO KAMI SINIPOT NI SHEENA KAGABI SA RESTAURANT!! AKALA NILA JOWA KO SIYA!") Maarteng sagot nito sa akin. Ngumisi ako sa kawalan.
"Sorry na. I cancelled all appointments. Busy lang ako. Sorry na. I have to go Juan." Tumawa ako. "I love you. See you soon!" sagot ko at ibinaba ang tawag.
I was about to sit down when I heard a familiar voice. "Who's Juan?"
Madilim ang bulto ni Den nang lumapit siya sa akin.
"Guests are not allowed inside this premise. You may leave from where you entered, Sir."
Akala ko ay aalis na ito. Instead, he locked the door and sat in front of me. Hindi ko siya nilingon at nagkunwaring nagtitipa ng kung ano sa aking laptop.
"Answer me first. Who's Juan?" he asked again.
"It's none of your business, Alden." I called him by his first name.
"My business is where you are concerned, Nicomaine."
Tinignan ko siya nang masama and I almost shivered at the intensity of his stare. Nauna akong bumawi ng tingin at napamura. Shit! Do not be affected, Dei! Do not be fooled.
"I am not your business to begin with. Umalis ka na. I have things to do."
"Fuck," he muttered a curse. "Ang dali mong paalisin ako. Were you that eager disposing me so you could play with your boytoys?"
I can't believe this guy. Mapakla akong tumawa at sinamaan siya ng tingin. "Wala kang pakialam kung may lalaki ako. Tapos na tayo. Matagal na tayong tapos."
"That's because you ended us, Dei! You called it off!"
"As far as I can remember, Alden, ikaw ang nagpadala ng annulment papers sa akin. You even had the guts to call your family lawyer to settle everything for you. Were you that eager to marry Anne Dalton?!" I spat back.
"Fuck!" he cursed again. "I told you I did not! How will I get rid of you when I am this crazy over you?!"
I sighed. Inilabas ko sa aking pedestal ang petition for separation na nakapangalan sa kanya. It has his name signed, even the date.
"If this is not sufficient enough, talk you your lawyer." Sagot ko at umalis na sa loob ng aking opisina.
I find it funny. Ang lakas ng loob niyang mag maang-maangan gayong siya naman ang may gusto nito. Tanga na lang ako kung babalik ako sa kanya.
This time, I am moving on. For real.
"Gusto kong mag-bar." I told Sheena and Juana. Nasa condo kami ngayon ni Sheena at nag-iinom. Sinabi ko sa kanila na ito ang pambawi ko. Ayaw ko nang i-kwento ang nangyari ngayong araw.
"Oo nga," Juana agreed. "Pagbalik ng Mommy at Daddy mo hindi na tayo makakapagnight-out."
"Kelan ba ang dating nila Dei?"
"Next month."
"Oh, ang bilis naman yata? Nag-enjoy naman kaya sina Tito at Tita?"
Tumango ako. "Enjoy na enjoy. Kasama nila ang apo nila eh." I muttered as I drank another bottle of beer.
"The wonder of Vincent." Humalakhak si Juana at humiga sa sofa ko.
