Life After the Loss

3

Dinner was silent. Nobody dared to speak. Only the sound of the utensils can be heard.

''Darlyne, I'm sorry.'' Luke held her hands. Darlyne just continued eating.

''C'mon, it's not that easy to forgive, nor it's not that easy to ask for forgiveness when you really are not sorry.''

''Dar---''

''Some other time, Luke. You see, we're eating.''

''Shouldn't we discuss it here? This is the right place, Mom.'' Angelyne intervened.

''How intelligent of you, my little girl. But no, your dad and I would settle this, but not now.''

Silence reigned once more.

BLAG!

A slam from the door disturbed the silent dinner. Drake, Darlyne's older brother stormed in with those raging eyes.

''Brother, why the sudden---'' he pulled Luke out of the table and punched him right in the face.

''You have been wedded for three years yet I hear the same story! Why are you so bitter on my sister, huh?''

''Who---''

''Your girl, Angelyne. Haven't you realized? She must've been real hurt to have called me! She's just three and what? Does she really deserve to hear your everyday fights? Don't you think it's too traumatic for her?''

''Hey Drake, you're hurting my Dad!'' Angelyne cried. The three of them looked at the poor child.

Drake softened. ''You two, settle this with yourselves. For the meantime, I'm taking Angelyne to protect her from the both of you.''

''But Drake---''

''No buts Darlyne. Until both of you learn your lesson, I'm keeping the child. Go pack some clothes Angelyne.'' the kid ran to pack off some clothes.

''And the two of you,'' Drake continued, ''settle this. And I don't want to hear a fight over nonsense the next time. Hear me?''

....

The couple were left alone.

''Oh great. Since when have I brought any family to help settle our marital issues, huh, Darlyne?'' Luke retorted.

''I didn't call him. You heard him, right? Our daughter called.''

''Oh yeah? YOUR daughter called him? Oh great, she must've been that intelligent, huh? Calling your family, using the telephone when in fact, no one has ever taught her. Hmm, I wonder.''

''First of all, she is OUR daughter, a legitimate child of yours, that is, according to the law. Secondly, how did you know that she wasn't taught on how to use the telephone, when you are not always here? And third, what do you think of me? A liar?''

''Yes, you are a liar. Hell of a great liar, Darlyne. The thing that you told your family that I am the father of Angelyne, is a great proof.''

''You son of a ---''

''Bitch, huh? Well, gladly, you're worse than a bitch!''

Darlyne burst into tears.

''I'm sorry, okay? But, still, you agreed to marry me!''

''Which is the biggest mistake I have made so far!''

Slap.

''Darlyne, I think we should separate. All these senseless fights---''

''No Luke! Please..'' she knelt in front of him. ''Dear, no..''

''No? But we're just hurting each other! And I have to be rude to you at times for you to know your mistakes!''