Since Childhood

31: Warm Embrace

[Daniela's Point of View]

"No. Ayoko nga!" I answered toward Fatima's idea. Seducing my husband? Why on earth would I do that?

That's the dumbest and craziest idea I ever heard in my entire existence.

"Akala ko ba ayaw mo na maagaw ang asawa mo ng iba?"

"Ayoko nga. Pero may iba namang paraan to make him stay."

"And what are those possible reason, huh? Marunong ka ba magluto? Marunong ka maglinis ng bahay? Kaya mo bang iprioritize ang asawa mo rather than your career? At ano naman kung akitin mo sya? You have all the rights because he's your husband and you are his wife. You need to open up with him. Show him that you are into him. Kalimutan mo na kasi yang pride mo, Rhein. Hindi ka matutulungan ng  pride sa progress ng marriage nyong mag-asawa."

"What if hindi gumana?"

"Instead of answering that, ipapaalala ko na lang sayo yung mga sinabi mo noon. Before, you said that if destiny will let you become Tim's wife, you will make him happy, you'll take care of him. Ikaw ang magiging the best wife ever existed. Asan na yung Rhein na yon?"

"I don't know. Kaya ko ba?"

"Of course! Sa lahat ng one-sided and unrequited love story na alam ko, you are one exceptional. Hindi lahat ng one-sided love nabibigyan ng opportunity to marry their love. And in your case, Tim was the person behind the marriage. Take it as an advantage. Listen to me, Rhein. Kaya mo yan. Gusto ko na maranasan mo ang buhay may asawa the way I'm enjoying it."

Seduce my husband? Is that a good idea? Will I win his heart if I do so? Pero it's not bad to try 'di ba? Mag-asawa naman kami eh. And it's normal to couple.

"H-how? Papaano ko sisimulan?"

Fatima smirked.

*           *           *

It's Saturday and I plan to visit Timothy at his workplace. Fatima is right. Hindi ako marunong magluto, hindi ako mahilig gumagawa ng gawaing bahay, kahit paglalaba ay inaasa ko noon kay nanay Belinda. It was all mom's fault for spoiling me. Ang kakulangan ko on those matters will really make Tim displeased. Because I lack the ability to maintain the house, babawi na lang ako sa ibang bagay.

"I highly suggest na puntahan mo sya sa trabaho nya without his notice. Bring something. It can be food or maybe ask him out."

Naaalala ko na naman ang advice ni Fatima. She's got more experience in married life kaya sinusunod ko sya.

Our previous nights, Tim and I never had even a brief interaction. As in walang wala. Kinakabahan nga ako na bigla na lang ako dadating eh. I'm hoping this plan to work. Kapag hindi, hindi ko na talaga alam ang next kong gagawin.

I don't know where Tim works kaya sinadya ko pa si tito-- I mean si Papa Joe. He told me the exact address and it leads me to a quite tall building that look stunningly beautiful and proud.

May dala-dala akong miryenda since its already three in the afternoon. We used to be very fond of banana products kagaya ng babanaque, banana chips, sometimes may katambal pa na kamoteque. I bought it down the street and I plan on sharing it with him. Nakapaper bag pa sila at pinalagay ko sa plastic container.

"You can do this, Daniela." I mumbled to myself saka ako lumabas ng sasakyan.

After closing the car behind me, I look up at the building. Doon nagta-trabaho si Tim? Saan kayang floor? Ni hindi ko nga alam ang position and department nya. Nasa isip ko na yun pero nakalimutan ko pang itanong kay papa.

The main door of the building is high-end and sensory. I'm about to push it open pero kusa itong nagbukas kaya pumasok na ako. The main hall has a small living room set up. May mga sofa, small table at may TV. At the very front desk, may dalawang babae na in-charge.

"Hi, good afternoon." I greeted the women in the front desk.

"Hi, ma'am. How can we help you? Are you planning to sell a property or you're looking for one? Either one of the two, you came at the right place, ma'am." Mabilis na introduction ng babae.

"Ahh, no. I'm sorry. Hindi ako magbebente nor bibili ng property. I'm here for Timothy Avila?" I told her my purpose of coming in.

"Si sir Avila po ba? Do you have an appointment ma'am?"

I was confused to her reply. Appointment? For what? Do I need to set appointment for meeting their employee?

"I'm sorry, kailangan ba talaga ng appointment?"

"Yes, ma'am.  Hindi po kasi basta-basta nagpapapasok ang President sa office nya unless it's an investor or family-related, or may appointment nga. At saka ma'am, wala po si sir ngayon dito eh."

Lalo akong nalito ng sabihin nyang "President" si Tim. Bit my curiosity diverted me into another matter.

"Nasan daw sya?" I manage to ask with a smile.

"Lumabas po ma'am around one thirty o'clock kasama po ang secretary nya. Hindi pa po sola bumabalik since then."

"H-huh? Silang dalawa lang ba?" My eyes blinked rapidly because the information made me panicking.

"I'm sorry ma'am pero hanggang don lang po ang information na pwede kong ilabas. But... how are you related po ba kay sir Avila?"

"Wala. Forget it. Napag utusan lang ako. Thank you for your information." I smiled at her then I hurriedly left the building.

I didn't notice my tears until it began falling.

I was crying the whole time while driving back home. At the road, I come accross with children who are homeless. I stopped the car in front of their spot and then I gave them the foods that I bought for Tim and I. One of the kids noticed the redness of my eyes kaya naman sinabi nyang if I'm crying and having a hard time, I  shall be strong. They thank me and then they happily share the food.

I stopped crying only when I reached our house. I keep on reminding myself that it is I who Tim knotted the tie with. Ako ang pinakasalan nya and I will do anything to make this work. I have to make this work. Kakalimutan ko na ang pride, my anger. I will bury them all if that's what it takea to make him fully mine.

It was the internet that helped me cook dinner. Bukod sa pagpiprito, paglalaga, pagpapakulo at pagsasaing ay wala na akong ibang alam na lutuin. I don't know how was I able to pull it off but nakagawa ako ng adobo and chop suey.

Right after cooking, I waited on the kitchen. Nakaupo ako sa upuan. Because of tiredness, I rested my head on top of my arms in the table. I do not have plan on drifting off to sleep but I did kakahintay.

When I woke up, there was a pair of strong and warm arms that is carrying me. I look at the man na bumubuhat sa akin. He was no other than but my husband. Gently, he put me down on the sofa sa salas.

He must have notice that I'm awake because he asked, "bat sa kusina ka natutulog? What if you catch a cold?"

The concern in his eyes is definitely different fron what I've found out today. Bumalik na naman sa isip ko yung sakit nung nalaman kong magkasama sila nung sekretarya nya.

My tears started streaming. Tinakpan ko ang mukha ko using my both hands but my body started shaking involuntarily.

"What's wrong? Are you okay? May nangyari ba?" I can sense how worried he is.

Instead of answering him, umiyak lang ako. Not too long after his last question, I felt the warm embrace again. He is hugging me gently. Tapos ay bumulong sya.

"Shhh. It's okay, Rhein. I'm here. Always."