Chapter 15

"You sometimes scare me when I look at you," Addie told me.

"What? Why?" I asked, a bit confused—probably because I wasn't really listening to what she was saying earlier. I was more focused on the calendar that was right in front of me. Patapos na kasi iyong pangalawang taon ng pagiging mayor ni Archie. This year needed to end perfectly. So far, wala namang naging malaking problema other than the usual gossip coming from the camp of the previous mayor. But that's no big deal. Most of our constituents were pleased with Archie as their mayor—well, mostly because of the giveaways I organized. After all, who doesn't love free things?

"You're like Abuela," she replied.

"I'll take that as a compliment," I said.

Natawa siya. "Of course you will."

"Why not?" sagot ko. "Look at our family," I continued. "If not for her, probably half the men in our family would be in jail for concubinage."

Muli siyang natawa. "Right..."

"Also, the future generation won't ever have to worry about money," I said, pertaining to the fact that there were lots of hidden accounts—probably some of those I'll never hear about in this lifetime. I mean, it's fine. I'll just have my own ill-gotten wealth. Ayoko rin naman ng utang na loob. Kahit pa sabihin na pamilya kami, I still hated when the people in our family would remind me of the fact that if not for them, I wouldn't be where I am.

"But why do I remind you of Abuela?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Just... how you're basically the one who's running the show."

"Just organizing some programs," I said.

Tumawa siya. "See? Humility doesn't really suit you. Sounds so fake. Made my skin crawl," she replied.

Natawa na rin ako. "I'm just practicing," I told her. "My role is Archie's dutiful wife."

"Who in reality is the one running the show," she replied.

I shrugged again. "You know I never really liked being in the spotlight—too many eyes on you," I said. "See what happened with your brother—"

She groaned. "Can we not discuss that?"

I chuckled. "You started it," I said.

"Whatever," she replied. "Are you done now? Can we go to lunch now?"

"Yes, of course," sabi ko habang nakatingin pa rin sa calendar. We just needed to do some more giveaways, of course, and attend some events. And we needed to organize another trip for the barangay captains. It doesn't hurt to remind them where their loyalty lies. Oh, and we also needed to meet with potential business investors. The more business in this municipality, the better for everyone. I didn't know why I had to remind Archie this. Hindi niya ata alam na tax mula sa business ang nagpapatakbo talaga sa lugar na 'to maliban sa budget mula sa national government.

"God, you really are like her," she commented one more time bago ako napairap at napatayo na mula sa kinauupuan ko.

Addie and I went to have a late lunch. We didn't discuss anything family or politics related—which meant that it was a very pleasant meal. Nagusap lang kami tungkol sa nangyari sa isang kakilala namin. We gossiped about her getting pregnant and having no idea about who the father is because apparently, she engaged in a group sex. That was actually a fun conversation.

It was already 5PM nang matapos kami ni Addie. Dumiretso na ako pauwi.

"Hi," I said when I saw that Archie's already home.

"How was Addie?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Same as always," I replied.

I always used to 'drag' Archie with me during Sunday brunch. I used the term drag because there always used to have resistance on his part. I mean, I did get it. My family could be very rude when they want to—at least not the in your face kind of rude, but the kind of rude that will make you feel very unwelcomed. Suffice to say, he did not want to attend the Sunday brunch.

But he's my husband.

He needed to come with me.

I used to bribe him like a kid para lang sumama sa akin. He used to pout, but after a while, he got used to it. Kahit ng lahat ng bagay, masasanay at masasanay ka rin kapag lagi mong ginagawa. And he did get closer to my cousins. He particularly liked Aspen and Psalm kaya naman naging mas madali na iyong pagsama ko sa kanya sa brunch.

"Still judgy?" he asked.

I looked at him. "I dare you to tell that to her face."

Tumawa siya. "Not in my wildest dreams," he replied. "Hey, we're on for Saturday, right?"

Tumingin ako sa kanya. "The lunch?"

He nodded. "Yes. Ano'ng dadalhin natin na regalo? I was thinking of buying dad's favorite whiskey."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Wait, it's your father's birthday?"

Kumunot din ang noo niya. "Yes," he replied. "Also, he's not just my father—he is your father-in-law."

I pursed my lips. "Right," I said.

I had been with Archie for quite a while for me not to know na sign 'to na malapit na siyang mainis sa akin. This was a sign that I needed to tread carefully now.

"We'll attend his birthday lunch this Saturday," he said.

Hindi ako nakasagot agad. I scheduled a business lunch with Mr. Sy. It was very hard to get a schedule with him. My assistant had to make lots of calls to make this possible.

I wanted to answer already. I knew what I should answer. But... it's just a birthday. What's so special about it? Tumatanda naman talaga ang lahat ng tao bawat taon. There's nothing extraordinary about it. But this meeting? This could be a game changer.

"May iba ba tayong pupuntahan?" he asked after a full minute passed at hindi pa rin ako nakakasagot.

Huminga ako nang malalim bago nagsimulang sumagot. "Lunch with Mr. Sy," I answered. "We can go there first then go to your dad's lunch," I offered as an alternative.

Hindi siya sumagot.

But the way his jaw clenched was answer enough.

"Had I known that it was your father's birthday, I wouldn't have scheduled this lunch."

Hindi pa rin siya sumagot.

I just looked at him.

I refused to let this day go nang hindi namin 'to naaayos. The thing with Archie was, he could really hold a grudge. Kapag hindi namin 'to naayos, dadalhin niya 'to hanggang pagkamatay niya.

Sometimes, it's exhausting to be married to him. He's too emotional.

"Don't even try to lie to me," he said. "I know you. You know everything."

"Well, I don't know everyone's birthday."

He scoffed. "Mukha ba akong tanga, Nadia?" he asked with a sharp tone. He's pissed, almost angry. "Your assistant has everyone's birthday—at least everyone you deem important. I know you send everyone flowers and whatever the fuck you send them kapag birthday nila. But what? My dad's birthday isn't important for you kaya hindi mo alam? O alam mo pero wala ka lang pakielam? Which is it?"

I pursed my lips together.

All this for a birthday?

Kung gusto ko ng sakit ng ulo, sana pala ay nakipagdebate na lang ako kay Addie tungkol sa pulitika at sa pamilya namin.

"Fine," I said. "I'll cancel with Mr. Sy—"

Mabilis siyang umiling. "No need," he replied. "Go on that lunch and I'll go to my father's birthday."

"Archie—"

"Please," he said, cutting me off. "For once, let me decide on what I want to do," he continued before he got up, grabbed his keys, and walked away.

What on earth did just happen?

* * *

Hindi umuwi si Archie nung gabing 'yon. I asked his security kung saan siya nagpalipas ng gabi and he said na nasa munisipyo lang naman daw si Archie. That's fine. He just needed to cool off. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagalit siya. It's fine to be pissed, but I didn't understand why he had to be mad. I already offered to cancel the lunch with Mr. Sy. Hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang gusto niyang gawin ko.

Pagdating ko sa munisipyo ay nakita ko si Rosie. We helped her finish her last semester in school and right after that, Archie employed her as an assistant. I heard nothing but good things about her—as far as Archie's included. He has a weirdly soft spot for this girl.

"Where's Archie?" I asked.

"Nasa loob po, Ma'am," she replied.

"With someone?"

Umiling siya. "Wala naman pong ka-meeting."

"Great," I said as I started to walk, pero agad na napakunot ang noo ko nang humarang siya sa harapan ko. "What are you doing?" I asked while she was standing in front of me.

She looked at me with an uncomfortable expression on her face. "Ma'am..." she began. "Sorry po... Sabi po kasi ni Arch—" she continued that made my brow arch. Since when did she go from Mayor Gallego to Arch?

"Excuse me?" I asked.

"Bawal daw pong magpapasok."

"Bawal magpapasok o bawal akong pumasok?" I asked using my clipped tone. She looked at me with that same expression that told me that it was my presence that wasn't welcomed.

"Move," I said.

"Ma'am—"

"I said move," I added.

She sighed with resignation as she got out of my way. Agad akong naglakad papasok sa opisina ni Archie. I opened the door and the first word that I heard was—

"Rosie," he said with a gleeful tone at nawala iyong ngiti sa mukha niya nang makita niya ako.

"Sorry to disappoint," I said.

Inilagay niya iyong dalawang kamay niya sa lamesa. "What do you want?" he asked like it was such a chore to talk to me, his wife.

"I don't like fighting," I said.

"Since when?" he asked.

"Can you please stop with the tone?"

"What tone?"

Tumitig ako sa kanya. I did not have time for this—I did not have energy for this. I had been working non-stop para lang maging mabango ang pangalan niya. Did he seriously think na basta na lang dumadating iyong mga donasyon dito? O iyong mga business investment? Opportunity?

I never asked for a thank you, but being appreciated would be nice.

"I cancelled with Mr. Sy," I said.

"I never asked you to did that."

"Well, you gave me no choice when you walked away last night."

"I just wanted a good sleep."

"And you couldn't do that in our bed?"

"No," he quickly said.

"Oh, so it's more comfortable here?"

Tumingin siya sa akin. "Are you stalking me?"

"Stalking?" I asked. "You're talking to me like I am not your wife."

"Oh... are you? Because most times, you feel more like my manager."

I briefly closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I bit my tongue because I knew that if I continue to engage in this conversation, walang magandang mangyayari.

"I will see you tonight," I told him.

Hindi siya sumagot.

"Tonight, Archie, or I will have your security drag you back home."

Natawa siya. "There she is..." he said as he leaned back on his swivel chair and clasped his hands together. "There is my controlling wife."

Muli akong huminga nang malalim. "I don't know what is it with you today, but I did not come here to fight," I told him.

"Yes, we never fight because all we really talk about is politics and how I'll be president one day."

"Well, don't you want to be president one day?" Hindi siya nakasagot. "You do, don't you?" I said. I looked at him with an empty expression on my face. "Yet I never once got a thank you coming from you."

Muli akong tumingin sa kanya.

"I will see you later for dinner," I said as I prepared to leave. I saw that he still had a lot of things he wanted to tell me, but this was not the place to argue—not when there were lots of ears listening.

Paglabas ko ay agad kong nakita si Rosie. With the expression on her face, I knew that she heard the conversation.

"Next time, I'd appreciate some privacy while I'm talking with my husband," I told her as I walked past her. 

**

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