" The Cold Wife "

Cupid and Fat

“This is what you will do..” seryosong-seryoso nilelecturan si Monique ni Mr. dela Rosa na head ng finance department. Ngayong araw na kasi siya magsisimula sa trabaho niya and Mr. dela Rosa is giving her the instructions for do’s and don’ts in the department. Kung hindi lang daw ito nabusy kahapon, Mr. dela Rosa would already give her it yesterday.

She was attentively listening to their department head. Sa itsura palang kasi nito, matatakot ka talagang magkamali. Neil dela Rosa was very strict and she could say, perfectionist. Dapat daw lahat ng trabaho nila, sakto, dapat on or before deadline at walang mali. Mr. dela Rosa also told her that finance department is the most complicated department in the Torres Corp kaya mahirap daw magkamali.

Well, she was not that attentive though. Nag-iisip din kasi siya ng mga plano para ipaglapit si Mr. dela Rosa at si Elise. Para nga sa kanya, bagay na bagay ang dalawa. Neil dela Rosa was handsome and Elise Salvador too is beautiful. Tapos magkaiba pa ng ugali pa. Gaya nga ng mga naririnig niya, opposites attract. And Monique would also admit, kung wala lang siyang asawa, maybe she would have a crush on Mr. dela Rosa.

“Good morning Maam Salvador.” Parehas silang dalawa napahinto ni Mr. dela Rosa at napatingin sa kung sinong dumating.

Then Elise Salvador came to them, smiling. May dala-dala itong folder sa kanang kamay at pagkatapos ay nilapitan ang silang dalawa ni Mr. dela Rosa.

“Hi Monique!” Elise cheerfully greeted her, not noticing Mr. dela Rosa at her side.

Monique noticed Elise’ good mood then gave her a smile, “Hi! Good mood ka yata?” she asked, curious.

Elise smiled more. “Si Jelo, boyfriend ko. Sabay kami maglulunch mamaya.” Excited na sabi nito.

“Ganun ba? Papuntahin mo naman dito! Para makilala namin.” She enthusiastically answered. Kahit kahapon lang sila nagkakilala, medyo naging close na sila kasama na rin si Rocky.

But both of them stop when somebody clears his throat, si Mr. dela Rosa. “Ms. Salvador, this is not a gossip place. Nagbibigay pa ako ng instructions kay Mrs. Torres. At saka yung mga documents na pinapaayos sayo kahapon, nasaan na?” Mr. dela Rosa coldy said and Monique noticed his face became sour.

Elise rolled her eyes. “Here!” inabot nito kay Mr. dela Rosa ang folder saka tinanggap ito. “Nagpuyat ako para diyan, I hope you’re satisfied.” Then Elise turned at her, “Monique, good luck sa first day mo, basta kung kailangan mo ng tulong, just call me.” Elise winked. “Sige punta na ako sa office ko, enjoy.” Pagkatapos ay iniwan na siya nito kasama si Mr. dela Rosa.

Monique noticed when Elise mentioned her boyfriend, Mr. dela Rosa’s face became sour. Parang naging galit ang itsura nito nang sabihin sa kanila ni Elise ang lunch nito mamaya kasama ang boyfriend nito.

She even got more curious about them, especially their department head. Parang totoo nga ang sinasabi ng ilan na may hidden desire ito kay Elise but the woman was not oblivious about it.

But she has to find it out.

“Mrs. Torres, do you have any questions or clarifications regarding the rules and procedures here in the finance department?”

“May gusto ka ba kay Elise?” she suddenly blurted out.

Biglang nagdilim ang mukha nito, “What?”

“A-ah!” Monique suddenly came back to her senses. Sinabi ba niya yun? Siguro dahil sa kakaisip niya sa dalawa. But she was very curious, she needs to find it out. “Uhm, wala naman Sir dela Rosa. I mean, gusto mo rin bang makilala ang boyfriend ni Maam Salvador? Sabay daw kasi silang maglulunch mamaya. Sa kwento niya kasi sa kin, his boyfriend looked fine.” She reasoned. Gusto niyang malaman kung anong magiging reaksyon nito tungkol sa sinabi niya.

Mr. dela Rosa scowled. “I don’t have time for that useless fuss, Mrs. Torres. We’re here for work so I expect that to you. Even though you’re Mr. Torres’ wife, pantay-pantay pa rin tayo rito. Okay, if you don’t have any questions, then you may start now.” He sternly replied and walked out.

Monique smirked, watching their department head leaving her. |Confirmed|

Napansin naman niya ang paglapit ni Rocky sa kanya, it was their plan on matchmaking Elise and Mr. dela Rosa. Pumayag kasi si Rocky sa mga plano niya because even him too, was curious about Neil dela Rosa’s hidden feelings towards Elise. “Ano?”

She gave him an evil grin, “Confirmed.”

She didn’t expect playing cupid was exciting.

---

“Hey babe!” Monique cheerfully greeted her husband when she came into his office. Tinext kasi siya nito na hindi makakasabay sa kanya si Nick ng lunch kasi may tinatapos pa raw itong document na ipapadala nito sa Walter Inc. 

That’s why she’s here in his husband’s office, bringing him food to eat. Sasabayan na lang niya itong maglunch sa office nito.

Nick who was busy currently typing on his laptop glanced at her, surprised, “Baby. Nandito ka pala.” He stood up and gave his wife a peck on her lips. “Why are you here?” he asked her, smiling while holding her waist.

Monique beamed. “I brought you food!” sabay taas ng dala-dala niyang mga pizza at drinks. May dala rin itong iba pang pagkain bukod sa pizza.

Nick kissed her again, “Thank God. Akala ko magskiskip na naman ako ng lunch dahil sa trabaho, buti nilang dito nagtratrabaho ang asawa ko.” He said, looking at her appreciatively.

“Of course. Ayokong pumayat ka! Sayang ang muscles at abs mo.” She stuck her tongue out.

Nick chuckled. “Okay, pero, babe, ang dami naman yata?”

Limang box ng pizza kasi ang dala-dala ni Monique tapos may hawak din itong paperbag at sa tingin niya, parang burgers at fries ang laman ‘non. Kasali na ang drinks na dala rin nito.

“Siyempre, sabay tayong kakain.” She innocently replied.

Nick raised an eyebrow, “Are you sure na mauubos natin ang lahat ng dala mo? Saka I don’t eat that much, babe. Sayang lang.”

Monique pinched his nose, “Baby, don’t worry. Mauubos natin, mauubos ko. Parang din kasi akong nagutom kanina sa trabaho. Mabilis akong napagod.” She answered him honestly. Totoo naman, ewan ba niya, kahit hindi naman masyado ganun kahirap ang ipinapagawa sa kanya sa finance dep, napagod agad siya at parang nagutom din siya. Well, these past few days, madali siyang napapagod tapos napaparami ang kain niya.

Nick still raising an eyebrow at her replied. “Then you’ll going to complain na tumataba ka na.” Naaalala pa rin ni Nick ang nangyari rito sa kanila sa bahay kaninang umaga.


***Flashback

“Nick!”

Kaagad pumunta si Nick sa kwarto nila kahit hindi pa siya natatapos sa pagluto ng breakfast nila nang biglang sumigaw si Monique. Then when he entered their room, he saw her frantically crying in front of the mirror.

Nilapitan niya kaagad ito at hinawakan ang magkabilang pisngi nito, he was so worried. “Baby,why are you crying? May problema ba? Tell me.” He tried to be calm although deep inside, nagpapanic na rin siya.

“Babe..” mas lalo itong naiyak sabay taas sa braso nito. “Look! Hindi kasya yung uniform ko. Bakit ganito? Diba kasya naman ‘to sa kin ‘nung nagpatahi tayo? Pero napunit siya pagdating sa braso ko, Nick.. Paano yan? Ngayon na ako magtratrabaho sa inyo.. Hindi pwedeng wala akong uniform.. Baka pagalitan ako..” sabi nito sa kanya habang umiiyak pa rin.

Nick sighed. Akala niya kung ano na. He was thinking so many worst things. Malapit pa naman din siyang magpanic. “It’s okay baby. Don’t cry.” He hugged her at mas lalo pa itong humagulhol sa dibdib niya. “Don’t worry, akong bahala. Hindi ka nila papagalitan, trust me.” He assured her while rubbing her back.

“Babe.. tumaba ako..” mas lalo pa itong umiyak. “Hindi na kasya sa kin ang uniform.. Tumaba ako Nick.. Hindi na ako sexy.. tabachoy na ako..”

Nick cupped her face, forcing himself not to laugh at his wife’s words. “Baby, look at me.” He seriously said kaya naman tumingin na ito sa kanya. She was still sobbing though. “Sexy ka pa rin. Hindi ka tabachoy. Saka kahit tumaba ka, sexy ka pa rin sa kin.”

Tumigil na ito sa pag-iyak dahil sa sinabi niya, “Really? ‘Di mo ko iiwan kapag nakakita ka ng mas sexy sa kin?”

Pinipigilan ni Nick na hindi matawa dahil sa mga sinasabi nito sa kanya kasi kung hindi baka magkaworldwar three. “Yes. Hindi kita iiwan. So, tahan na okay? I’m here.” Niyakap niya ulit ito.


***End of Flashback

“Babe, a happy wife means a happy life kaya don’t worry, mauubos ko talaga ‘to.” She assured him.

Bumuntong hininga na lang si Nick, indicating he surrendered, “Okay, as you say so.” 

---

“Rocks, Monique!” napatigil sina Monique at Rocky nang biglang lumapit sa kanila si Elise. Kasama kasi ngayon ni Monique si Rocky dahil nagpapatulong siya sa document na ibinigay sa kanya ni Mr. dela Rosa na hindi niya maintindihan.

“O, bakit?” naguguluhang tanong ni Rocky dito.

“Si Jelo..” panimula nito na parang excited.

“Nabangga?! Oh my god!” sabi ni Rocky at kaagad naman siyang binatukan ni Elise. Hindi tuloy maiwasan ni Monique na matawa dahil dito.

“Gaga! Hindi!” she rolled her eyes. “Nagpropose siya sa kin.”

“WHAT?!” parehas sina Monique at Rocky na napasigaw. Hindi rin maiwasan ni Monique na magulat. May plano pa nga silang dalawa ni Rocky na ipaglapit ito kay Mr. dela Rosa pero bigla-bigla na lang nito sasabihin sa kanila na nagpropose na ang boyfriend nito.

“Hoy bruha, ang aga naman yata! Diba seven months pa lang kayo?” tanong naman ni Rocky dito na halatang hindi pa rin nakakarecover dahil sa announcement nito.

“Ah, oo.. pero..”

“Pero ano? Nag-oo ka kaagad?” mataray na sabi ni Rocky dito.

“Uhm, ano.. ano pa bang tipikal na sinasagot ng mga babae kapag nagpropose ang boyfriend nila?” Elise answered sheepishly.

“Ms. Salvador.”

Parehas silang napahintong tatlo sa pag-uusap nila at nagulat nang makita si Mr. dela Rosa sa harapan nila. His aura was dark and cold.

“S-Sir.. b-bakit?” Elise’ voice was trembling. Parang natakot ito dahil sa presensiya nito.

“Approved na ang document. Okay na ang revision mo. “ sabi nito sabay abot kay Elise sa hawak nitong folder. “I-file mo na lang yan alphabetically.”

Elise quickly nodded. “Ah, sige sir.” Pagkatapos ay tinalikuran na nito sila.

“Ms. Salvador.”

Nilingon nitong muli si Mr. dela Rosa, “Yes, s-sir?”

“C-cong.. Congrats kasi ikakasal ka na.” Monique noticed the hurt from Mr. dela Rosa’s eyes.

“Uhm, t-thank you Sir.. S-sige, pupunta na po ako sa office ko.” Pagkatapos ay tuluyan na nga sila nitong iniwan.

Monique clearly noticed na nasaktan si Mr. dela Rosa. Siguro, narinig nito ang pinag-uusapan nila, na nagpropose ang boyfriend ni Elisa sa kanya and they’re going to be married.

Ilang segundo rin ay iniwan na rin sila Monique ni Mr. dela Rosa.

“Ouch.” Malanding tugon ni Rocky pagkatapos. “Too late na si Sir dela Rosa, Nique, pa’no yan? Parang wala ng pag-asa itong pagiging kupida natin!”

Monique didn’t answer. She was in a very deep thought.

---

“Mrs. Torres, bakit nandito ka pa?” tanong ni Mr. dela Rosa kay Monique nang pumasok ulit siya sa finance department. Aminado siyang lagpas 5:30pm na. 5pm kasi sila mag-oout sa trabaho pero dahil nakalimutan niya ang wallet na nilagay lang niya sa table niya kaya binalikan niya iyon sa department.

Wala na ring katao-tao sa loob ng department.

“Ah, ikaw pala, Sir. Nakalimutan ko lang kasi yung wallet ko, kukunin ko lang sana.” She immediately answered.

“Ganun ba? Okay.” Mr. dela Rosa replied, rather poker-face at nilagpasan lang siya nito. Sa pagkakaalam niya, mag-oovertime ito ngayon sa trabaho. But she noticed his right hand, may dala-dala itong dalawang alak, specifically, two Black Label wine.

Maglalasing ito?

She quickly dialed Rocky’s number.

---

“Babe, I’m home.” Dumating na rin si Nick sa bahay nila, dala-dala ang scallops na ipinabili sa kanya ni Monique. Nag-overtime kasi siya sa trabaho at pagkatapos, dumaan pa siya sa palengke para lang ibili ang request nito. He was home at 9:10pm. Pinauwi na kasi niya ng una ang asawa dahil sa overtime niya ngayon.

Nakita naman ni Nick ito sa living room na nanunuod ng TV. Kumunot ang noo niya. His wife was watching sports, soccer to be exact.

“You’re watching sports?” nilapitan niya ito.

“Oh, babe.” Monique stood up and tiptoed him for a kiss. “Nandito ka na pala. How are you?”

He smiled at her. “I’m fine. Nabili ko na pala yung baked scallops na nirequest mo.” Inabot niya rito ang dala niya.

Monique accepted it and beamed at him, “Talaga? Salamat!”

“Anytime, wife.” He grinned but was confused when glancing at the TV again. “You’re watching sports?” He knew his wife was not fond of watching sports, even soccer.

Monique nodded attentively, “Yep! Ang ganda palang panuorin ng soccer. Popcorn, gusto mo?” she offered him the bowl of popcorn she was eating. Napansin din naman ni Nick ang center table na punong-puno ng mga wrappers ng iba’t-ibang junk foods.

“You’re eating a lot again.” He commented.

“Well, yes! Ang sarap kasing kumain ng marami, babe. Parang ngang hindi pa ako nabubusog e. Kaya nagpabili ako ng scallops sayo para maiba naman ang lasa.” Sabi naman nito.

“You know, you’re becoming weird.” Nick told her bluntly. These past few months, okay naman ito pero simula yata last week, naweweirduhan na talaga siya sa ikinikilos ng asawa niya. Weirder especially when she started watching sports.

He noticed his wife’s eyes became teary. Parang naiiyak ito, “Hmm.. b-baka.. gusto mong sabihing mataba na ako.” Tuluyan na nga itong naiyak.

“H-hey, baby, no, I don’t mean that.. don’t cry..” niyakap niya kaagad ito.

“Babe, hindi naman ako mataba e..” she said, burying her face to his chest while still sobbing.

Hinaplos-haplos ni Nick ang likod nito. “Of course not. You’re not fat. Trust me. Hush now.” He assured her kaya naman tumigil na ito sa pag-iyak. Sometimes, nasanay na siya sa mga whines nito sa kanya.

Then a minute later, while still hugging each other.

“Nick?”

“Yes?”

“Gusto kong kumain tayo ng siopao. Pwede ba?”

---

“Sir dela Rosa?” tawag ni Elise nang bumalik ulit siya sa finance department. Tinawagan kasi siya kanina ni Rocky na pinapapunta raw siya ni Mr. dela Rosa sa opisina nito, may ipapagawa raw ito sa kanya.

“Sir?” tawag ni Elise ulit dito pero wala pa ring sumasagot. Naisipan naman niyang puntahan ito sa opisina nito. Nang makarating na siya, she knocked the door three times pero wala pa rin.

“Walang tao? Pero bukas naman ang ilaw ng office niya ah.” She was confused. Bukas kasi ang ilaw ng office ni Neil.

Nang sinubukan ni Elise na buksan ang pinto ng office nito, she succeed. Pumasok na siya sa loob.

“S-Sir?” medyo nagulat si Elise nang makita si Neil na naglalasing habang nakaupo sa swivel chair nito. He looked wasted. MAgulung-magulo rin ang ayos ng table nito.

Mukhang napansin naman siya ni Mr. dela Rosa. Kumunot ang noo nito nang makita siya. “E-Elise? Why are you here?” halata rito na lasing na ito.

“S-sabi kasi ni—“

Hindi siya natapos nang bigla itong tumayo at nilapitan siya, “M-maybe, susumbatan mo na naman ako.” He said, pointing at her. He looked very drunk. She could even smell the alcohol he has been drinking heavily.

“Na insensitive ako, heartless.. at kung ano pa..” he bitterly added and gulped another glass of wine he was holding.

“Elise.. I.. I’m so sorry.. k-kung naging ganun ako sayo.. hindi naman tayo ganito noon diba?”

Elise didn’t know what to say. Oo, hindi naman talaga sila ganun sa isa’t-isa ni Neil dati. If she remembered it, they were friends before, bago pa sila naging executive at department head pero nag-iba ang lahat ng kumalat na nagkaboyfriend siya, si Jelo. Neil became harsh to her.

“Sorry.. s-siguro, hindi ko lang kasi natanggap na may b-boyfriend ka na..” he gulped another glass and looked straightly into her eyes. He looked very hurt. “N-na.. iba ang gusto mo at h-hindi ako.”

Elise was surprised at Neil’s confession. |He means..|

“T-tapos ngayon.. ikakasal ka na.. Shit.. I feel hell, Elise..” bigla ay nawalan ito ng malay at napayakap ito sa kanya.

“N-Neil!” she panicked.

“Elise.. I feel hell..” he continued. “I.. feel hell.. because I love you.”