A Rose's Thorn

Part 7

"I know it was wrong to keep it all in but I wasn't ready. Siguro na-shock lang ako sa nangyari. You both knew how much Adrian and I loved each other." mapait kong tugon.

Ish held my hand and Anthony looked at me with understanding. Huminga ako ng malalim.

"Remember a few days before lumipad papuntang France si Adrian?"

They nodded in reply.

"I told you I was going to surprise him in his unit kasi nga he'll be away for two months. I brought some food and wine because I wanted it to be special pero ako ata ang na surprise pagbukas ko sa unit niya." They gestured to me to continue.

"Anyway, pumasok ako ng unit niya at dumeretso ng kitchen para ilapag yung dala ko ng may marinig ako." pagtuloy ko.

"The night before ng pagpunta ko, he told me na doon muna siya sa bahay nila magpapalipas ng gabi and that babalik siya sa unit niya in the afternoon nextday. I wasn't expecting him — or anyone else when I arrived." Nanikip ang sikmura ko. I swallowed back my tears bago ko itinuloy ang kwento.

"Hinanap ko yung pinagmulan ng ingay at napadpad ako sa harap ng banyo. I heard someone talking kaya lumapit ako and put my ears on the door."

Dahan dahan pumatak ang luha ko. "I heard him calling someone's name. Jasmine, he said. I thought maybe he's fantasizing lang pero may kasama siya. Jasmine was there too. She was moaning Adrian's name. They were going at it sa bathroom. " Tuloy-tuloy na ang pagtulo ng luha ko.

"Jasmine? Jasmine Reyes? President ng Department of Architecture? That Jasmine?" Tanong ni Ish.

Tumango ako.

Napasinghap si Ish. "That motherfucker!" She looked like she was about to kill someone.

"So the rumors about them were true?" tanong ni Anthony.

I nodded. "They've been spotted sa favorite spots namin ni Adrian."

She let out another string of curses habang napatiim-bagang naman si Anthony.

I sighed. "Kaya di ko agad sinabi sa inyo eh. Lalo na kay Ish. She's scary when she's mad."