A Sweet Lies

Kabanata-1

SEPTEMBER Mariegold (SM) had envisioned a sun-drenched bistro, filled with laughter. Instead, a heavy gloom hung over Le Petit Jardin. 

Her carefully chosen outfit felt suddenly out of place, the vibrant colors clashing with the stark expressions on Ava's face.  Her own smile tightened, a knot of unease forming in her stomach as she noticed the way Ava avoided her gaze.

Alalang-alala, tinanong ni SM si Ava, "Ayos ka lang?"

Ava's words landed like a punch to the gut: "SM, keep an eye on your husband."

Napahinto ang paghinga ni SM. Ang amoy ng lavender, na karaniwang nakakarelaks, ay nakakasakal na ngayon. Ang kanyang ngiti ay naglaho, napalitan ng pagkagat ng kanyang labi.

The clinking of glasses, once a cheerful melody, now grated on SM's ears.  The warm, inviting glow of the bistro lamps seemed to dim, casting long, harsh shadows.  Ava's words hung in the air, heavy and sharp, each syllable a blow.  The laughter of other diners faded, replaced by a tense silence that pressed down on SM like a physical weight.

"Ava...  ganito ba talaga? Isang taon na, tapos sasalubungin mo ako ng ganito?"  Ang sakit ay naririnig sa boses ni SM, ang pagtataka ay napalitan ng matinding pagkadismaya.

Malamig na sumilay ang ngisi ni Ava.  "Huli na ang lahat kung hindi ka kikilos," anito, ang boses ay parang bulong ng kamatayan.  "Gumising ka na."

A jolt of icy fear shot through SM, a primal instinct warring with a surge of anger. Was Ava right?  The thought was a physical blow, a sickening twist in her gut.  This wasn't just gossip; this was a threat, a premonition hanging heavy in the air.

"Saan... saan mo narinig iyan?!" Ang perpektong mundo ni SM ay biglang gumuho, dinurog ng isang katotohanang hindi niya kayang tanggapin.

Ava's gaze remained fixed on some distant point, her eyes shadowed and dark.  "Open your eyes, Riri," she said, her voice a chilling whisper, a low rumble that vibrated with foreboding.  "See the cliff edge you're teetering on before you fall into the abyss."

SM's eyes widened, disbelief battling a rising terror. The warmth of her cappuccino mocked her, failing to melt the icy dread that seized her. No, she thought, desperate denial surging. It can't be true. But Ava's words, a poisoned seed, had taken root, their tendrils twisting through her meticulously constructed reality.

"You're saying Gabriel…?" The words caught in her throat, a strangled whisper.  Her perfect life, so meticulously crafted, crumbled before the horrifying weight of that possibility.

Dismayado ang mga matang pinanood ni Ava si SM.  "Wala nang silbi ang pagtanggi mo, Riri," malamig na sabi niya. "Napakalakas ng ebidensya.  Magising ka na."

SM's anger exploded, a fierce counterpoint to Ava's chilling accusation.  "Don't you dare speak to me like that!" she shouted, her voice sharp and brittle, a desperate defense against the encroaching fear.  "You have no right! You're twisting things, making assumptions!"

Umagos ang galit ni SM, namumula ang mukha, nanginginig ang kamay.  Si Ava naman, nakaupo lang nang mahinahon, ang mga mata'y malamig at titig na titig kay SM.  "Riri," kalmadong sabi niya, "walang magbabago."

SM's thoughts were a chaotic storm, mirroring her outward fury.  He wouldn't do this to me! It's a lie!  But Ava's calm was jarring, a cold, clear wellspring in the midst of the tempest.  Why is she so calm?  The contrast was a stark, unsettling highlight of the chasm that had opened between them.

""Kilala ko ang asawa ko!"  mariing sabi ni SM, ang mga luha'y nagbabadyang tumulo. "Nakita ko, nadama ko, naranasan ko ang kabaitan, katapatan, at pagmamahal niya.  Siya ang aking pinakamatalik na kaibigan, ang aking lakas.  At kahit anong paninira ang maririnig ko, hinding-hindi iyon magbabago."

Ava's patience snapped.  Her chair scraped back as she stood, her hands slamming down on the table with a force that made the cutlery jump.  "Open your eyes!" she cried, her face etched with a mixture of anger and pain.  "Don't let his charm obscure the truth!"

SM's head shot up.  "I saw it," she declared, her voice a steel blade slicing through the air.  "Your accusations are pathetic lies, and I will not be silenced."

Gumapang ang panghihina sa mga balikat ni Ava.  "Sinubukan ko," daing niya, ang boses na parang hangin na unti-unting namamatay.  "Sana'y makita mo ang katotohanan... bago ka hagupitin ng sakit," usal niya.  Katahimikan na lamang ang sumunod.

What did she mean? 

The question clawed at Riri's mind, sharp and insistent.A chill wind, seemingly summoned by Ava's departure, snaked through the bistro, extinguishing the flickering candle on Riri's table.  She watched the shadow lengthen, swallowing the afternoon sun, a dark premonition mirroring the growing unease in her gut.  Riri's breath hitched;  she picked up her napkin, crumpling it unconsciously in her hand. The cheerful chatter of other diners faded, replaced by a heavy silence, the weight of Ava's accusation pressing down on her like a physical hand.