Wife's Benefits

Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Wife's Benefits ~

   I was in the restaurant, waiting for Dale to arrive. Up until now, naiisip ko pa rin ang mga sinabi ni Micah kagabi, pati na rin ang naging desisyon ni Allison. Si Micah ang pinili niya kaysa akin. Hindi ko lubusang maisip kung nagkulang ba ako kay Allison sa pagiging ina sa kanya. Pero siguro nga marami akong pagkukulang sa anak ko, kaya unti-unting lumalayo ang loob niya sa akin. Ano'ng kailangan kong gawin para makumbinsi siya?

                "Kanina mo pa ba ako hinihintay?", I heard a familiar voice behind my back.

                I turned my face to see who it was. Tama nga ang naisip ko, it was Dale.

                "No, hindi naman masyado", I replied.

                "Are you ready? Where's Allison?", nagpalingon-lingon siya sa paligid at pati na rin sa ilalim ng table.

                "She ain't here", I replied again, my voice was like an iced look across my face.

                "She's not coming with us? What did you bring?"

                "I brought nothing but myself... Dale..."

                "So, are you coming with me now?"

                "Dale...."

                "What?"

                "I'm not coming with you. I can't for now. Gusto kong magkaayos muna kami ng anak ko.".

                "Then makipag-ayos ka na. If she doesn't want to come with you, then leave her to Micah. We don't need her, we'll make ours".

                "Dale", I yelled, angrily. "Do you hear what you're saying? Allison is my daughter and I'm not coming with you without her. If you really love me, you should also love my daughter".

                "Of course, I do love her. I'm sorry", he said smiling. ~ "Alright, I'll give you time. Sabihin mo na lang kapag ready na kayong sumama sa akin. You know I'm always here for you".

                "Thank you".

                He smiled at me and held my hand.

                Umuwi na ako sa bahay and I found Allison at the table doing her assignments. Lumapit ako sa kanya para tulungan siya.

                "Allison, what are you doing?", tanong ko.

                "Assignments", sagot niya nang hindi man lang tumitingin sa akin.

                "Do you need some help?"

                "I don't.. need your help", bigla siyang tumayo at iniligpit ang mga gamit niya.

                Umakyat siya sa itaas at sinundan ko kung saan siya pupunta. Pumasok siya sa kwarto namin ni Micah at dumerecho sa study room kung nasaan si Micah. Hindi na ako pumasok sa loob ng study room. Nasa labas lang ako ng pintuan at pinakinggan ang pag-uusap nila.

                "Princess, why you're here?", narinig kong tanong ni Micah.

                "Daddy, I need your help. Can you help me do my assignments?", sabi naman ni Allison.