Since Childhood

28: Multipurpose Secretary

"What?!" She asked with a furrowed brows.

"Are you happy? Defying me?!" I shout. My knuckles are clenching dahil sa sobrang galit.

You know that feeling when you got home from work. Pagod na pagod and you expect that you can eat when you got home then go peacefully to bed and call it a day pero pag kauwi mo ganito madadatnan mo? May kasama nga ako pero mas lalo ko lang naramdaman yung pag-iisa.

For a second I saw a glint of fear in her eyes pero nawala din agad. Or maybe there was really none.

"Well first of all, I am not your maid--"

"Yes you are not my maid because you are my motherfucking wife!" I can't control my range.

Sino ba namang hindi magagalit? Napakasimpleng bagay lang hindi nya magawa. Or rather, hindi nya ginawa. Sinasadya na lang kasi nya.

"So? Is being you wife an excuse to boss me around?"

"It's not bossing you around, Rhein! It is your obligation. Napakasimpleng bagay, Rhein! Napakasimple lang nang nirequest ko."

"Simple naman pala then why don't you do it yourself?!" She level her range to mine kaya imbes na mag lay-low ako, lalo lang akong nagalit sa kanya. "And it is not a request, Tim. It is an order!"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi nya. She's so cold. Napahirap nyang lapitan. She have a close heart and I no longer know how to open it for me.

"You know I used to think that whoever becomes your husband, he's so lucky. I'm wrong. I'm horrifyingly wrong." I put emphasis to my last words.

"Well sorry for you. Ikaw naman ang may gusto nito diba?"

Out of manipulating anger, I raised my hand and aimed to slap her. But in the mid air, napatigil ako. When I saw how she flinch and how she shut her eyes, I control my evil side. Tangis bagang kong ibinaba ang kamay ko then I stormed out of the house. I open the gate widely and then I hop into my car. Mabilis akong umalis ng hindi sinasara ang gate.

Bahala na sya kung isasara nya ang gate or she will be too lazy to do 'simple' things.

I went back to my office. Aside from the security guard and my secretary, hawak ko din ang susi ng building.

There is a sofa bed in my office and I never imagine, even in my wildest dream that I will spend a night on that small sofa bed.

I lock the building from inside. I rode the elevator going to my office. Nang nasa opisina na ako, saka ko lang naalala na hindi pa nga pala ako kumakain. My stomach is growling. My anger haven't subside.

"Tang*na!" I cursed under my breath. Mapapamura ka na lang talaga sa galit.

I order food and it arrived half hour later.

Bago ko pa pagkasyahin ang sarili ko sa sofa bed, I sent an email to my secretary. I told her to drop home before going to office. She has a key dahil minsan pagmay naiiwan ako sya na ang pinapakuha ko sa bahay. I told her to get me a pair of suits. After the message was sent, I slept. I forced myself to forgey my anger and just call this a fucking day.

On the next morning, I heard a knock on my office. Napakaaga pa for an office hour. It's just 7:27 in the morning. I stretch my body first then adjust my eyes to the daylight.

When I open the door, hindi ako nagkamali. It's Jane. May dala-dalang pair of suits na naka hanger pa.

"I brought two sir para may pamimilian ka." She informed immediately.

"Good. Very good." I praised. "What's on it?" tanong ko referring to the paper bag na iniaabot nya sakin.

"Toothpaste, toothbrush and mouthwash, sir."