Husband Series #1: The Unwanted Husband

Chapter 8: Embarassment

    — Rowan —

    “Oh, 'musta lakad mo?” tanong ni Stevan pagkapasok ko sa office ko.

    Dito muna ako pumunta dahil may trabaho pa ako. Si Jolie rin, may work pa kaya mamaya ko na lang siya kakausapin.

    “I just witnessed something really important,” I responded.

    He sat on the chair in front of my table. He gave me a questioning look.

    “Spill the tea, man!”

    “No.” Umiling ako. “Maybe, next time.”

    I don’t want to tell it to anyone for now. Mas okay kung si Jolie ang una kong pagsasabihan. Hope she’ll believe me.

    Stevan tsked. He even rolled his eyes. Tumango rin siya at nanahimik na lang. Kilala naman na niya ‘ko, alam niya kapag hindi ako nagsasabi agad.

    Tumambay lang si Stevan sa opisina ko habang nagtatrabaho ako. Hinayaan ko lang siya dahil hindi naman siya nakakaistorbo. He was just playing an online game. Tapos na rin naman daw siya sa mga gagawin niya.

    I rested my back after finishing the paper works. I stretched my arms before picking up my phone to call Tita Jonah.

    After three rings, she answered the call. “Hello, Rowan. Why?”

    “Saan ang workplace ni Jolie?” tanong ko.

    Siya na lang ang tatanungin ko dahil siguradong hindi ako sasagutin nang matino ni Jolie.

    “Ah, bakit?”

    Napangiwi ako. Anong bakit?

    Kailangan pa ba itanong ‘yon? I’m her daughter’s husband for Pete’s sake.

    “I should know. Tsaka anong oras ang uwi niya? Susunduin ko rin siya.”

    “Okay, ime-message ko na lang sa ‘yo ang address,” sagot niya na ikinatango-tango ko.

    “Thanks, Tita. Take care.”

    “Wow, manunundo. Hindi ka kaya pagtabuyan niyon?” natatawang tanong agad ni Stevan pagkababa ko ng cellphone.

    I hissed. “Shut up, man.” Sinilip ko ang oras sa wrist watch ko. “Let’s go. May board meeting pa tayo.”

    Sabay kaming tumayo at naglakad palabas. Marami pa siyang sinasabi tungkol kay Jolie habang papunta na kami sa meeting office.

    Baka raw ipahiya na naman ako ni Jolie, kung ano-ano na namang masasakit na salita ang sabihin, at ayun nga, pagtabuyan.

    But who cares? Ayokong isipin ‘yan. Stevan is always that person who thinks of negativity. I wanted to uppercut him, for real.

    I focused on the board meeting despite thinking of what will happen later. I want to blame Stevan for making me overthink, darn.

    What will be Jolie’s reaction when she find out that her boyfriend is cheating on her? Will she leave him or what?

    Gusto kong maghiwalay sila pero hindi ko naman in-expect na cheating pala ang magiging dahilan.

    “As I was saying, our sales should be—” I suddenly stopped speaking when I heard the two board members whispering.

    May pinag-uusapan habang nagsasalita ako, ha? The audacity.

    “Will you please leave,” I commanded them.