Unreachable Zacharius

11

Chapter 11

Nagising ako dahil sa sinag ng araw na tumatama sa aking pisngi. Pilit kong dinilat ang namimigat kong mga mata. I was greeted by the familiar style of our bedroom's wall. Napaungol ako nang makaramdam ng matinding kirot sa aking sentido.

I forced myself to get up but my muscles wouldn't cooperate. Pumikit ako ng mariin habang iniisip kung paanong nakarating ako dito. Quickly, I recalled what happened last night. Naaalala kong kay Ethan ako huling kumapit, pero imposibleng makarating ako hanggang dito sa kuwarto kung siya ang naghatid sa akin.

Did Zach drive me home last night? Is he home? Kinapa ko ang katawan ko gamit ang kanang kamay. I'm still wearing the same dress that I wore last night. Bumuntong-hininga ako at pilit na itinuko ang mga siko sa gilid ng bathtub para makabangon. Ngunit naabala ang dapat sanang pag-ahon ko nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng kuwarto.

Zacharius, in his usual corporate suit and black slacks walked in.

"You're awake." He stated dryly.

Ilang beses akong kumurap at tumitig muna sa kanya bago ko tuluyang naiangat ang sarili sa kama. Hindi ako makatingin ng maayos sa kanya dahil nag-iinit ang pisngi ko sa mga salitang binitawan ko kagabi. But I also couldn't deny the light feeling in my chest with the thought that he's finally home.

O baka nagpalipas lang siya ng gabi at hindi nanaman magpapakita sa akin pagkatapos nito?

"G-Good morning." Nag-aalinlangan kong bati. "Asan si Ethan?" Maagap kong tanong, hindi makatingin ng diretso sa kanya.

His lips pursed while he's pushing the door close. "Would you rather have him here?" Tanong niyang nagpagulat sa akin.

I stiffened. Nilingon ko siya at nakita kong nakatitig lamang siya sa akin. Tilting his head, he looked at me darkly with his eyes filled with menace and mockery.

"H-Hindi naman. I am just asking." Nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

Lumapit siya. He handed me the towel. Kumalabog ng matindi ang dibdib ko, hindi ko na siya nilingon at mabilis na kinuha na lang sa twalya sa kamay niya.

"Is there something going on between you two?" He asked casually. Suminghap ako nang maamoy ko na talaga ang pamilyar niyang pabango. "If there is, I don't want you going public places with him. Unless the annulment's fixed, of course." He added with the same casual voice.

"You can have an affair with any other men, Amber. But make sure to keep it private. I don't want you going public with any bastards while we're in this fucked up marriage. Do you get me?"

Pumikit ako ng mariin. I get it. I am not dumb. Nag-aalala siyang baka madumihan ko ang pangalan niya sa lahat. I don't know why he's so worried about it when everyone knows we only got married for business.

Well, that's for him. I married him out of love.

"I never had and will never have something with anyone, Zach. I am already committed to you." I said firmly.

Binagsak ko ang mga mata ko sa mga daliri kong naglalaro. Gusto kong kuwestiyunin ang paglabas niya rin kagabi kasama ang ibang babae. Because I really don't understand how he's worried about his name but he goes out with any woman he likes wherever and whenever he wants. Tapos kapag ako, hindi pwedeng lumabas kasama ang kaibigan? I shook my head. I am aware of how our arguments escalate quickly so i'll just choose not to voice out my thoughts now.