NS 06: KISSED BY THE FIRE ✅ (To Be Published)

Chapter 24

Saglit na natingga ang utak ni Ramses sa narinig mula sa babaeng bisita. Did she just say divorce his wife? Kungsabagay, lumaki ito sa naiibang kultura at sistema. Ang kasal na sobra kung pahalagahan dito sa bansa, doon sa pinanggalingan nito ay kapiraso lamang ng papel na kumukupas. Isang kontratang limitado at natatapos.

"Your brother told me that you are going to be very busy because of the campaign period. I can help you. I will be your personal model and endorser," masigla nitong boluntaryo at kumapit sa braso niya.

Umiling siya at pilit iwinaksi ang kamay nito sa kanyang bisig. Tinunton niya ang hagdanan. Vhendice must be in the control room. Pupuntahan niya ang kapatid para kunin ang schedule niya at nang masimulan na siyang asikasuhin ang tambak na appointment na kanyang iniwan.

"Ram, hey! You butcher! Don't ignore me!" umaangal na atungal ng dalagang bumuntot sa kanya.

"Don't have time for you, George. If you wanted to stay, suit yourself."

"No! Talk to me, Ramses. You coward, you've always been like this!" may kalakip na iritasyon sa tono nito at nang hindi pa rin niya pinansin ay hinablot nito ang kanyang damit. Kung hindi niya ito nahawakan ay malamang nabulid ito pababa ng hagdanan nang dumulas ang isang paa nito sa pagmamadaling habulin siya.

"We have nothing to talk about, Ms. Clarkson." Maayos niya itong itinayo sa baitang. Kargo pa niya kung madisgrasya rito nang wala sa oras ang dalaga. Hindi na dapat ito pinapapasok ni Vhendice.

"I came to offer you a new negotiation, Ramses." She leaned closer.

"I have clearly stated my intention in the letter to break-off the marriage negotiation between us. What else do you need to hear? That I love my wife and I don't love you? Klaro na ba?" Binitawan niya itong nakaawang ang bibig at kumalat ang pula mula sa leeg nito paakyat sa mukha.

"I really don't get it why I like you so much, Ramses. You're nothing but a boring drift of wood. Sa tingin mo ba ay susuko na lang ako?" gigil nitong asik.

"Then I'll just have to make you give up. Same as before, remember?" Tinalikuran niyang muli ang babae.

Bagamat makulit ito at hinabol pa rin siya hanggang sa tapat ng pintuan ng kanyang silid. Kabisado niya kung gaano katigas ang ulo nito. Pagdating sa modelong ito walang lalaking magaling.

"Let's see if you can. A man who can't even kiss a woman on the lips," she taunted.

"Have you meet a real man, Georgina?" He turned to her again while holding the horn of the doorknob. "If you haven't, then let me introduce one to you right now. A real man would never let his lips be touched by anyone other than the girl holding his heart."

"I think your appeal has been accommodated, Ms. Clarkson. I'll escort you back to your car now," Vhendice's rough tone chimed in.

Tinanguan niya ang kapatid na papalapit at hindi na muling sinulyapan pa ang babaeng halos hingalin sa galit. Binuksan niya ang pintuan at pumasok ng kwarto. The hateful moment from outside instantly receded when his eyes found the picture on the sidetable. His and Melanie's picture. It was a twin frame and the other block is still empty.

Ibinaba niya sa kama ang pasan na bagpack at binuksan. Hinalungkat ang laman. Natagpuan niya sa loob ng case ng kanyang Macbook ang wedding picture nila ng asawa. Nilagay niya iyon sa bakanteng frame.

"Perfect," he smiled. Kinapa niya ang tumutunog na cellphone. "Babe?"

"Nakarating ka na?"

"Just got here few minutes ago. Ikaw, pauwi ka na?" Naupo siya sa gilid ng kama bitbit ang picture frame.