Unreachable Zacharius

10

Chapter 10

It's been five days since Zach left. Makailang beses na akong pumunta sa opisina niya ngunit hanggang sa lounge lang ako dahil ayaw akong papasukin ng bagong niyang sekretarya.

The secretary was nice and I understand that she's only following orders from Zach. Pero hindi ko maiwasang mainis dahil obvious na obvious na iniiwasan ako ng asawa ko. And he's not coming home to me! Natatakot akong baka totohanin niya ang sinabi niyang uuwi lang siya kapag successful na ang pagpapa-file niya ng annulment.

"C'mon, Ylena, you've had enough. Iuuwi na kita." Ethan said softly while i'm busy finishing my glass of vodka.

Ibinaba ko ang baso at marahang sumandal sa kaniyang balikat. He looked down on me and wiped the sides of my lips gently with his thumb. I bit down on my lower lip to stop my tears.

"I'll drive you back to your condo, okay?" Sobrang malumanay ng pagkakasabi niya niyon. 

"I want to drink more..." I huffed. "Dito muna ako. Ayoko sa condo." Kinusot ko ang aking mga mata at umayos ng upo.

Nagsalin akong muli ng alak sa baso. I was about to drink it but Ethan stole it away from my hand. Napabuga na lang ako ng hangin at napasandal sa inuupuan. Nahihilo ako.

"Lasing ka na. Iuuwi na kita." He said firmly.

"But I still want to celebrate Ethan! I just had a first call from one of the most successful agencies in the country and now, I am part of it. Dapat masaya ako, diba?" I let out a fake laugh. 

It was so sudden. Noong isang araw ay nakatanggap ako ng email mula sa isang malaking agency na lakas-loob kong inapplyan, pinapakiusapan akong dumalo sa kanilang regular 'open castings' and unexpectedly, the agents loved my way of presenting myself. I did everything to flag up to them that I know what I am doing. At kahapon lamang ay nagulat ako nang makatanggap ng tawag galing mismo sa owner ng agency.

We met in person and I was in awe when she told me that she was friends with my Aunt Sela. According to her, my aunt was once a 'Queen Bee' of their agency and she immediately noticed my resemblance with her. Pero nilinaw niya sa aking kinukuha niya ako hindi dahil sa pagkakaibigan nila ng aking tita kundi dahil maganda ang background ko sa pagmomodelo.

At least, may nangyaring maganda sa nakalipas na limang araw. 

"Ako pa lolokohin mo? You're obviously not okay, Ylena. Iuuwi na kita." He furrowed his eyebrows, folding his arms as he looked at me skeptically.

"Kaya nga maglalasing ako, Ethan. Hindi nga kasi ako okay!" I said, now frustrated with him. 

Inagaw ko ang baso sa kamay niya at mabilis iyong nilagok. Kung gusto niyang umuwi, umuwi na siya. I am staying here until i'm wasted. Bahala na kung anong mangyari. I must be out of my mind. Nagpapakatanga sa isang lalaking wala namang pakealam sa akin. This is not me. I want the old Amber Ylena back. I miss the bratty and carefree me. 

"Amber..." Ethan said softly. He took my hand and squeezed it in his. "Hindi pa siya umuuwi?" He asked softly.

Marahan akong tumango, pinipigilang maiyak dahil ayokong magmukhang kawawa.

"H-Hindi pa nga siya umuuwi," Sabi ko pagkalapag sa baso, parang batang nagsusumbong sa magulang. "And... he said he will only come back after he file our annulment."

Ethan sighed and flashed a smile. Tuluyan na akong naiyak at napayakap ng mahigpit sa leeg niya. 

"Sshhh, it's okay." Mahinahong pag-alo sa akin ni Ethan ngunit sigurado akong minumura niya na ngayon sa isip ang asawa ko.