The Accused (A Series #1)

Chapter Thirty-One

Finneus Israel del Prago or Finno for most of the people in their place was her boss and at the same time her husband. They married each other after two years of being friends.

He was the one who lifted her up from the dirt of nothingness. He was there when she needed what was lacking of her. A friend. Care. Love. He bestowed her that and more. When she asked for nothing, he gave her something. And when she stopped hoping, he showered her more.

Finno offered her the job, and even if he offered her a higher rank than being a resort manager, she declined. It was too much for her.

Finno would always be her kind of sweet salvation. They found themselves in front of the altar after years of friendship without regret on her baggage. She had never been so sure on her life than the day she accepted his hand for marriage. And she could not ask for more looking at where that decision led them all.

Finno was very successful on his journey of proving to his family that he could be more than what they expected. Minsan nga lang talaga ay lumalabas ang pagiging siraulo nito. Talagang pinanganak nga talaga itong may sayad.

"Di mo ba talaga ako namiss?"

Nasa theater room silang dalawa ngayon ng mansion nanonood ng bagong movie na di na nila nadatnan sa sinehan since umalis ito ng bansa at isang buwa't kalahati ito nawala. Nakalingkis ito sa kanya kanina pa.

Nung dumating ito kahapon ay agad itong natulog. Di na nila ito nagising para maghapunan. Halatang pagod ito dahil tinanghali ito nang gising kinabukasan. Kung di pa siya ginulo ng anak ay di pa ito babangon.

"Ano ba sa tingin mo?"

"First to question, first to get answers. Sige na... kahit isang I miss you lang dyan, sated na 'tong mister mo," ungot nito.

Di niya ito pinansin at nagpatuloy lang sa panunuod. Nasa kalagitnaan na sila ng palabas at kanina pa siya nito ginagambala. Kung ayaw nitong manuod, edi wag basta siya, focus lang.

"Sige ka, pag di mo ako papansinin, bubuhatin kita sa kwarto."

She kept her mouth shut. Wala siyang pakialam dito.

"Ah ganun..." May pagbabanta na sa boses nito nang ilang minuto na ang lumipas at di pa rin siya umiimik.

"One... Two... hanggang three lang 'to. Pag ikaw di pa din ako pinansin—"

"Ano ba 'yan? Ba't parang di naman namamatay ang kalaban?" pagrereklamo niya sa palabas.

Nakita naman niya sa peripheral vision niya na nafufrustrate na si Finno. Pero kasi, mas importante ang pinapanood niya kaysa sa kaartehan ng asawa.

Akmang magsasalita na naman sana ito nang tumalon talon siya sa kinauupuan. Natrap ng bida ang kalaban! Mangha siyang napabaling kay Finno.

"Nakita mo yun? Ang astig ng ginamit niyang tricks! Parang ang—"

"That's it. Magfafile na akong annulment!"

Padabog nitong hinampas ang armrest ng sofa. An amused grin crept on her face. This big baby.

"Kaya mo?" hamon niya.

"Ano sa tingin mo?" Bakas ang pagtatampo sa boses nito. Inilihis pa nito ang tingin at katawan palayo sa kanya habang nakabusangot ang mukha.

Natawa siya sa inakto nito. Ito talaga ang mentor ni Aurine sa pagdadrama.

"I think..." She hanged her words sabay sundot sa tagiliran nito. Ang sarap lang asarin ng damulag. "Sa tingin ko..."

"Tinagalog mo lang. Hmp!" Parang bata nitong sambit. He even crossed his arms, still avoiding her eyes.

"Hmm... alam kong di mo kaya. Di mo magagawa."