Enjoy!

~Athaia's POV

I know what I saw and I saw what I saw.

Zethary and Victoria were together. I've seen them. Holding each other's hand while walking fast towards the exit.

I'm still inside the car and can you believe it? I just saw them up close. Turning to the car next to ours.

Walang lingon-likod na sumakay silang dalawa at agad na humarurot ang kotse palayo.

Malakas ang kabog ng puso ko na para bang lalabas na sa aking dibdib. Sobrang sakit. Sobrang bigat at hindi ko ata kayang ipaliwanag ang galit na nararamdaman ko.

Then suddenly, what Victoria said earlier played in my head again.

'When you see me with Zethary, don't dare cut sights.'

Parang sirang plaka yun na nagpaulit-ulit sa isipan ko na kahit tinatawag na ako nina insan ay wala akong ibang naririnig. Nakatuon lang ako sa papalayong kotse.

At nang tuluyan na silang nawala ay dun lang ako napatingin sa unang direksyon.

My eyes heated up again but this time, I am braver to not cry.

Nanginginig ang kamay at tuhod ko pero nagawa ko paring lumipat sa driver's seat at paandarin ang kotse.

Without looking back, I drove and followed my husband's car. And where it leads me broke my heart. It's a five star hotel and they both entered a room.

Kitang-kita ko ang pagyapos sa kanya ni Victoria at wala man lang siyang ginawa! Ni hindi niya ako napansin na sinusundan sila!

And here I thought his words were true. I thought he really does love me even if we just met and we're just married in papers.

Because he told me! He said it's always been me!

Walang'ya siya! You shameless jerk, Freñier! I believed you! I believed you when I shouldn't!

My brothers are right, you deserve this sweet vengeance.

Napatakip ako ng bibig at pilit iniinda ang sakit. Alam ko kung bakit ganito, bakit nasasaktan ako na hindi naman nangyayari noon.

And I know what's happening inside that damn hotel room! Kanina lang binantaan ako ni Victoria. Hindi ko inakalang ngayon agad magagawa niyang akitin si Zethary.

O baka naman dati pa, Athaia? Hindi mo lang alam kasi naniwala ka sa kanya. At umasa ka.

Sa pangalawang pagkakataon sa araw na'to, may nalaglag na namang butil ng luha sa mata ko pero agad kong pinunasan.

I gripped my chest tightly and shut my eyes even tighter. I can feel my knees and fingers trembling but my eyes are wide open as I waited for the door to open again.

Nararamdaman ko na rin ang hapdi ng sarili kong palad dahil sa sugat na sarili kong gawa nang kumuyom ako.

Matalim ang mga mata ko at kung kutsilyo lang to ay baka pati ang pintuan ay naputol ko na.

Sobrang bilis ng taas-baba ng dibdib ko at naghahabol na rin ako ng hininga. Ilang minuto pa akong naghintay pero wala pa rin.

In the end, another set of hot tears left my eyes for a race. I admit, it hurts knowing what they're doing behind that door.

He fooled me good. I'm trying to control the hatred in my heart but as minutes passed, it just get bigger and bigger that I couldn't resist it anymore.

I bursted out. I screamed and I thought of breaking in. But I felt weak that I just behaved again.

Nanlulumo akong tumakbo paalis at dumiritso sa elevator pababa. At nang nasa parking lot na ay agad akong sumakay sa kotse at pinaharurot yun.

While driving, there are some bad scenes in my head. Picturing out what they're doing right now. And I can't help but grit my teeth in anger and hatred.

Parang bumalik ang dati. Yung galit ko nang malaman kong pinatay niya ang kakambal ko. It all came back.

***

At isang lugar lang ang nagawa kong puntahan. Sa pinaghalong galit, puot, at sakit. Pakiramdam ko hindi ko na kayang mag dalawang isip.

"Are you sure about this, Athaia? You wanna get even?" Ngising tanong sa'kin ni Eva habang nakaupo sa kanyang swivel chair dito sa loob ng office niya sa main laboratory namin.

Nanggagalaiti sa galit akong tumango ng walang alinlangan habang nakatayo at kuyom na kuyom ang mga kamao.

"I want him gone, Eva. I want this over this instant. He betrayed me. He fooled me." Bitterness is dripping from my mouth like acid.

I can't help but smirked evilly and bitterly.

"Sa bagay, gusto ko na rin 'to matapos para maayos na namin ni Ferrin ang gusot namin." I don't know what she meant by that but I don't have time to ask.

"This vengeance is long overdue, Eva. Fourteen years...yet we're still suffering while the Freñiers are enjoying their lives. I wanna end this,"

Mapait kong wika at lumapit sa kanya. Nakangiti niyang nilapag sa mesa ang kailangan ko at agad ko yung kinuha.

"All of them, Athaia. Leave no survivors, okay? And don't tell Ferrin. For sure he'll stop you."

And no one can stop me now. I want to be out of that mansion as soon as possible. Seeing my shameless and liar husband will suffocate me.

I want him out of the way...

"Ulit. Lahat sila, Athaia. Wala kang ititira kahit maids, maliwanag?" I nodded to Eva and left without bidding goodbye.

When I'm finally out of the laboratory, I took the things I needed from my pocket.

I looked at it for minutes, trying to find hesitation but I couldn't. Especially whenever I remembered that my husband is in another woman's arms tonight.

Kinuyom ko ng mahigpit na mahigpit sa kamay ko ang mga kakailanganin at pumikit ng mariin. Nagtatagis ang bagang ko at habol ko rin ang hininga.

Okay. This is it, Athaia. There's no room for errors so good luck. Happy graduation.

**

Nagliwaliw muna ako bago umuwi. Kailangan makauwi muna si Zeth bago ako para masunod ang akala niyang kasama ko si Insan.

Namili rin ako ng bagong make up at damit, kunwari ay nag shopping ngang talaga.

I won't let that man caught me in this mission. He assumes that we're in good terms so perhaps, I also need to pretend that we really are.

Kahit na ang gusto ko pag-uwi ay hambalusin siya ng takong ko at pagsisipain.

And that Victoria, I have no plans about her but I guess, she's somewhat deserving of such punishment.

Magkita lang talaga kami at talagang hindi na ako mananahimik lang.

Ako kaya 'to. Si Athaia Flores Alfaza! She can't just do me wrong and get away with it.

"Grazie," pasasalamat ko sa driver ng taxi'ng sinakyan ko at bumama. Mga ilang blocks pa ang layo ko sa mansion bago bumaba at naglakad na lang.

Awtumatik ang pagbukas ng gate dahil nakita ang mukha ko sa CCTV at kilala ako.

Papasok pa lang ako sa pinto nang agad sumalubong sa'kin ang dumuho kong asawa, iba na ang suot. Iba na? Haha, baka napunit na ni Victoria yung suot niya kanina sa sobrang kasabikan?

"Amore," nakangiti niya pa akong sinalubong at tinanggap ang mga dala ko sabay halik sa'king sentido.

Napapikit ako agad nang marahang lumapat sa balat ko ang labi niya. Pumipikit ako hindi dahil sa saya kundi para pakalmahin ang sarili ko.

I then remembered what I saw earlier and it's so hard to remain the smile on my face.

"How was it? Did you enjoyed the meet? Mukha kang pagod na pagod ah?" Tumawa siya ng marahan at agad pumalibot sa bewang at tiyan ko ang isa niyang kamay.

Now this is even harder. It feels like something's tearing my heart very slowly that I could feel how painful it is.

I can't get to smile now even if I try. Imbis ngumiti ay nagtagis ang bagang ko lalo na nang maalalang hinawakan niya rin naman si Victoria. Tapos ngayon ako naman ang hinahawakan niya.

Gusto kong tabigin ang kamay niya. Gusto ko siyang bulyawan. Ayukong hinahawakan niya ako matapos kong malaman ang katraidoran niya.

Para akong sinasakal.

"What's wrong?" Biglang nag-iba ang tuno ng boses niya at doon ako natauhan.

The hell?! Athaia, pretend! Act flawlessly! Pag ikaw mahalata...

"Wala. Masama lang ang pakiramdam ko, medyo masakit ang ulo ko eh." I forced myself to pout while holding my forehead.

He touched it too and feel if I'm sick or what. My heart races when he softly hugged me and gave me a gentle kiss in my head.

"Nasobrahan ka ata, nilibot mo siguro ang buong mall. Hmmm, umakyat ka muna at tatawagin na lang kita mamaya. I'll cook,"

Malambing na wika niya at iginiya ako paakyat ng hagdan. Pilit na pilit kong ngumiti at ipakitang kinikilig ako kahit na parang may tumatarak sa puso ko sa sobrang sakit at galit at pout na nagsama-sama na.

How can he act so good that right now, even after knowing his betrayal, I still feel like he really cares for me and that what he told me is true.

But then again, I know better. Dati ay galit na galit din ako sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung paanong sa loob ng tatlo at kalahating buwan ay nagawa niya akong paniwalain.

I even hesitated because I thought he can be good! I regret believing this man's actions!

When we reached the master's bedroom, we entered and he put my things on the floor. While I immediately lay down on the bed, kasi nga diba? Masakit ulo ko.

"What are these? New clothes?" Tanong niya at nilapitan ako. He comb my hair softly, and the way he gently caress my forehead hurt me more.

How can you be so sweet when you're just fooling me, Zethary? You're so good.

"A-A gift for myself. I graduated," mahinang sagot ko dahil parang may nakabara sa'king lalamunan.

As much as I want him to stop caressing my hair, as much as I want to feel him even just for the last time.

And this is so fucking annoying! Ano, Athaia? Nagpapauto ka na naman? Kitang-kita mo ang panluluko niya sa'yo diba? You has proof! You saw! And now you're still wanting him? How awful. Poor child.

"Hmmm? So, you want gifts huh?" Malambing pa ring tanong niya at inayos pa ang kumot ko.

"Oo, bakit? Mayron ka?" Balik kong tanong para madistract.

"Syempre. Hindi kita makakaligtaan," he softly said and reached something under the bed, in the drawer of foods.

"Ano? Pagkain?" I joked, trying to distract myself from always noticing good things about him.

"Hmmm...kung pagkain, ipagluluto na lang kita. Iba naman kasi 'to. Para sa asawa ko." His last word lingered in my head. The way he said it he seemed so in love.

Ngayon ko lang na-realized na palagi ko pa lang napupuna ang mga simpling bagay na'to. Kahit noon, ayaw ko lang sabihin.

"Then what is it?"

"A personalized...."

"Music box," I finished his supposed sentence when I saw a small golden box.

Parang yung kaban na nilalagyan ng kayamanan ang itsura nito at talagang gawa sa ginto. Ang desinyo ay parang mga Greek symbols pa.

My lips parted in amusement. This looks so expensive and cute. It's just a small music box but it shouts great wealth.

"Wow...this is so expensive!"

Napa taas pa ang boses ko sa sobrang gulat at mangha. He helped me sit as I opened the box and it started playing the most soothing melody I've ever heard.

And while the keys are turning, I saw my own name spelled in silver and small diamond fragments. It shines even brighter because of the chandelier's light.

My fingers flied into my engraved name. So beautiful and it warm my heart.

"Enjoy listening, Amore. I'll be down. I'll cook you dinner." His voice almost got drown in the melody that when he held my jaw and turned it to him, I didn't get to complain. Even when he claimed my lips, I didn't.

When he let go, he smiled. While I'm looking at him like a lost child, seeking for my mother's comfort.

My jaw then clenched. Even if this thing was made of gold and diamonds, I will still won't forgive him. For lying, for fooling me.

I held the music box tightly as I resist myself from throwing it away. The anger again resurfaced and my young heart is breaking.

Ang bigat ng dibdib ko at naninikip na siya. Naghahabol na ako ng hininga sa sobrang pagpipigil ng galit.

Bakit ganun? Sa tuwing tinitignan ko siya sa mata, parang isang ilusyon lang yung nakita ko kanina. Bakit kahit huling-huli ko na siya, with my own two eyes, I can't seem to taint his image in my head.

This man is obviously fooling me by his actions and words! How dare him! He used actions to fool me! He played with me and my feelings because he knew how to play with me.

"I hate you, Zethary. I hate you! I hate you!" Sa sobrang galit ay hindi ko na napigilang ibato ang music box sa ere at tumama ito sa center table. It did not break but I saw the crack on the glass table.

The heck?!

And my anger won't just stop there, sa sobrang galit ay naisipan ko pang pumunta sa closet niya at pinaghahampas ang mga na-hanger niyang damit sa mismong closet at pader habang nagsisisigaw.

"Ahh!"

I kicked his shoe rack made up of steel. Even his accessories! I throw it all and made chaos inside his closet.

Until I hit my arm in the sharp thing and it bleed. But the pain of my wound is not enough to make me cry, my anger does.

"You...are such a jerk," nasabi ko na lang at napaupo sa nagkalat niyang mga gamit.

Hindi na makilala ang buong closet niya at parang dinaanan ng bagyo at tsunami.

Napapikit ako at inalala ang mga kabaitan niya sa'kin. But in the end, a tear escaped my eyes. I didn't bother wiping it and just hug my bended knees.

I sobbed when I remembered everything I saw. It hurts, aaminin ko na. Masakit at sobrang nakakagalit.

Habang nakayuko ay unti-unti na akong hinihila ng pag tulog. Pagod ako. Pero talagang sasampalin ko ang lalaking yun mamaya.

**

Dahil sa pangangalay ay nagising ako at agad napalibot ang aking tingin sa walk in closet na kanina'y parang dinaanan ng bagyong Yolanda, pero ngayon ay tila walang nangyari at malinis na.

Malinaw pa nga sa isipan ko ang pagsabog ko dito kanina at ang pang-gugulo ko pero paanong malinis na?!

The heck?!

Agad akong napabalikwas at napansin kong nakaupo na ako sa isang malambot na comforter. Nakabenda na rin ang braso kong nasugatan kanina.

At paglingon ko sa kinatatayuan ng shoe rack ay nandun naman si Zethary, nakapaa at nakapantalon at naka polo lang.

Seryuso ang mukha niya at nagtatagis ang panga habang inaayos pabalik ang mga sapatos niya.

Then suddenly I went conscious of the situation and I realized what I've just done.

What, Athaia?! You just bursted out when you're supposed to be pretending?!

Now, ano na lang ang sasabihin niya? Na galit ka? Tapos magtatanong siya at mabubuking ka na!

Halos lumuwa yung mata ko sa kakaisip ng idadahilan sakali. Sakto namang napalingon siya sa'kin sabay lapag ng panghuli niyang sapin sa paa.

Pakiramdam ko nanuyo bigla ang lalamunan ko at parang gusto ko na lang magmagic-magic. Kunware nawalan ako ng malay!

Wow, Athaia?!

Napaupo ako ulit sa comforter at niyakap ang mga magkadikit kong tuhod sa'king dibdib.

"Moglie...." Tawag niya agad at lumuhod sa harapan ko. Seryuso pa rin ang mukha at sa tindi ng kaba sa'king dibdib ay naluluha ako.

"What's wrong?" Dagdag niya. Sobrang seryuso at diritsong-diritso ang tingin sa'kin. Malamang ay galit siya at naguguluhan ngayon.

Siguro kung hindi lang 'to magaling magpigil ay kanina niya pa ako nabulyawan. And how dare he! Don't he dare too! Because first and foremost, the reason is him and his mistress!

Maybe I told him before that he can have mistresses as much as he wanted but...that changed when he said he loves me!

Damn it!

Hindi ako sumagot at nagtagis din ang panga. Inalala ko ang galit ko na dahilan ng kapalpakang 'to. Ang sakit, pagkadismaya, galit at puot na nagpapalakas sa loob ko. Inalala ko rin ang plano ko at ang pagpapanggap.

"Anong problema natin? Akala ko ba okay tayo? Bakit ka nagwala?" Sunod-sunod niyang tanong at akmang hahaplusin ang pisngi ko pero agad kong tinabig ang kamay niya.

His eyes widened while mine glared at him. He seemed to be so shocked that he has to blink, too.

Nanlilisik ang mga matang tinignan ko siya habang nagpipigil na magbuhat ng kamay. Habang nakatingin sa mga mata niyang naguguluhan pero nanunuyo ay para akong nanghihina.

Kumikirot ang dibdib ko sa isiping paano ako nagagalit sa kanya ng ganito ka tindi dahil sa pambababae niya o mas tamang sabihing panluluko niya sa'kin. Samantalang ako rin naman ay may tinatago.

Pero at least hindi ko siya sinabihang mahal ko siya! Na siya lang! I never lied the way he does! That's the difference.

"Athaia, bakit? A-Anong nagawa ko? Bakit ka nagagalit bigla? We just parted w-ways...." He held my knee and swallowed hard.

Napatingin ako sa kamay niyang nasa kanang tuhod ko. Malambot ang hawak niya at mainit. Gusto kong alisin pero hindi ko magawa dahil baka pag gumalaw ako ay biglang malaglag ang luhang pinakapini-pinigilan ko. Pero mas lalong nadadagdagan ang galit ko.

"Are we still good, Amore? What's the matter? What's causing you anger?"

He added and even held my jaw softly, like as if he doesn't want to anger me more.

Umirap ako at binawi ang ulo ko pero hinuli niya pa rin ang pisngi ako't hinarap sa kanya. Ikinunot ko ang nuo ko't pinakitang mas nagagalit lang ako.

He shook his head, eyes shaking while licking his bottom lip.

"Tell me what's wrong, Athaia? Tell me why you seemed to be so mad. What did I do? Why are you mad?"

Tanong niya ulit pero hindi ako sumagot. Sapilitan ko pang tinanggal ang kamay niya sa'kin at galit na tinulak siya.

Pero hindi ko man lang siya nagalaw.

"Athaia," he said darkly like as if he's losing his patience to its finest.

"Don't ask me why!" I yelled. I have no choice but to take care the anger in my heart. This is after all the source of my strength when I feel like giving in.

"I have to. I have to know why and how, Athaia. Why did you turn this way all of the sudden? Why are you so mad all of the sudden? What's the matter? What did I do?" Pamimilit niyang tanong pero nagtatagis na bagang lang ang ginanti ko.

When he tried to touch me again, I pushed him away. This time, more stronger.

"Don't touch me!"

"Athaia," he muttered dangerously serious, "You can't be mad just because of a shallow reason, you can't tell me to just don't ask. I need to know the reason behind this. Kasi bigla-bigla na lang."

"Dapat kasi alam mo, Zethary!" Nagagalit na talagang sigaw ko at akmang tatayo para lumabas na lang dahil baka ano pang masabi at magawa ko nang tumayo rin siya at hinila ako pabalik, paupo dun sa comforter.

"Athaia," he warned. I glared at him and his brows formed in one line this time. "I don't know what you're talking about. How would I know? Kanina okay pa tayo pero ngayon, galit ka na. Ni hindi ko maisip ang dahilan kahit na anong pag-iisip ko pa." Kung kanina ay nagtitimpi pa siya, ngayon mukhang agresibong-angresibo na siyang malaman ang dahilan.

Nagpuyos ako sa galit at bumilis ang aking paghinga. The picture of him and Victoria while doing the nasty played in my head again. The reason why my anger doubled and all I want now is to hurt him. Make him feel the pain and teach him a lesson.

There's no way I would tell him why! Bahala kang mabaliw, Freñier!

"How dare you ask. How dare you deny! And how dare you trying to make me believe to your lies! Do you think I'll believe you again?! Hindi na!"

"Athaia, what the fuc—what are you talking about?" Tumayo na ako pero hinarangan niya ang daraanan ko kaya napatigil kaming dalawa.

Sa galit at puot ay tinulak ko siya ng sobrang lakas pero para siyang bato. Hindi nagagalaw.

"Sige, mag maang-maangan ka pa! Diyan ka naman magaling!"

"Athaia,"

"Don't touch me! At isipin mong mabuti ang kasalanan mo hanggang mabaliw ka!"

"Athaia,"

"Step aside! Now!" I shouted with all my strength. With authority but he remained in his feet. He didn't move and couldn't say something. Realizing that I just shouted at him.

Sumama bigla ang tingin niya sa'kin kaya napaatras ako sa gulat nang makita ang pinaghalong sakit at galit sa kanyang mukha.

Panay ang tagis ng bagang niya at totoong nakakatakot tignan. Hindi ko inaasahang matatakot ako dahil lang sa madilim niyang mukha.

"You can't shout and yell at me like I'm just your slave. Maybe you're mad, yes. Perhaps you don't love me the same but...don't hurt me, Athaia. For once—even just for once, try to respect me. Try to look at me with respect. I'm still your husband and older than you."

Tila ba sinampal niya sa mukha ko ang lahat ng kapangahasang ginawa at nagawa ko mula noon. Kulang na lang sabihin niyang wala akong utang na loob at walang galang.

Bumilis ang aking paghinga at napahiya. I feel like, he just slapped me with the truth that I can't boss him because he's the boss.

Ilang beses akong napalunok at nagtatagis ang pangang napakuyom habang nag-iinit ang mga mata.

Seryuso naman siya at maiging-maigi akong pinagmamasdan. Tila ba tinatantiya ang mga reaksyon ko at kilos.

Galit na galit ako. Pakiramdam ko nga kung pwede lang umusok ang ilong at tenga ko ay nangyari na.

Siguro nga naging walang galang na ako. But I don't care! I don't want to care even a bit!

"Respect should be earned. Hindi binibigay lang," matigas kong saad at lumunok. Seryuso siya at matalim ang tingin sa'kin. Ngayon lang ata humilagpos ng ganito ang pasensiya niya.

"I'm not asking for it, I'm demanding. Because I do respect you...I know I shouldn't say this but, please be matured in mind. Stop acting like a child," muling saad niyang mas nagpabilis sa aking paghinga at mas lalong nagpahiya sa'kin.

Parang gusto ko atang umalma sa sinabi niya pero hindi ko magawa kasi, na-realized kong tama siya at sapol na sapol ako dun.

My jaw clenched tightly. He hit the right spot but still, I'm mad and what he said just angered me more!

"We agreed to be good, Athaia. And I thought we really are...slowly, but what happened? Tell me my mistake, if I have, so I can explain. Because no matter how hard I think of it, I don't remember. I remembered nothing and I don't know how to figure it out,"

He said with frustration. My chest is still tight. It's fucking tight and hurting. How could this man hurt me like this just by his words? It hurts more than seeing his betrayal.

"You should know your fault, Freñier. You should know it! Because I won't ever tell you!"

Sigaw ko at agad tumalikod dahil hindi ko na kayang pigilan ang aking mga luha. Masikip ang dibdib ko at parang naiipit pero hindi ko hinayaang may hikbing makatakas din.

Kung bakit kasi agad akong naiiyak kapag sobrang galit eh.

Hinayaan ko lang na malaglag ang mga luha ko at hinintay siyang umalis. Pero bago yun ay narinig ko muna siyang malalim na nagbuntong hininga at nagsalita.

"Come down later....when you're fine then eat."

He said coldly before he left like an air. I was left alone again. And this time, I'm free enough to let it out. To burst out and as much as I want to ruin his things again, I didn't.

I didn't went down to eat dinner. Instead I slept early after taking a bath. When I woke up, he's nowhere to be found.

Tumayo na lang ako at akmang pupuntang banyo nang makita ang isang gray steel tray na puno ng pagkain sa bed side.

Huminga ako ng malalim. Okay. Nag-away kami, but he's still so sweet huh? Still caring about me?

Pumunta na lang ako ng banyo at naghilamos saka nag sipilyo. At paglabas ay kumain na. Habang kumakain ay tumunog ang cellphone ko.

When I looked at it, I saw Eva's name on the screen. Agad ko yung sinagot.

"Eva? Good morning."

"Buongiorno, Athaia. Come hai dormito?" How was your sleep?

She asked gleefully. And it's odd. She used to greet me but not this way. Like she's too excited.

"Vabbene. Napatawag ka?" Okay. Tanong ko habang kumakain at kunot ang nuo dahil naririnig kong panay ang tawa niya sa kabilang linya.

"Hmmm...." Bigla siyang natahimik at ilang segundong walang imik. And what she said after almost make me choke. "Kakamustahin ko lang sana ang bangkay ng mga Freñiers."

"What?! Eva?!" Hiyaw ko agad.

I never expected her question. Kaya nagulat ako.

"What? Why? Don't tell me you didn't pull it yet?"

"Then I won't tell you."

"Athaia! Perché?" Why? "When would you do it then?" Napairap ako sa hangin. Masyado yata siyang nagmamadali? Ni hindi pa nga ako nakakababa.

"Why are you so excited, Eva? Why are you in rush?"

"Because you need to hurry up! Athaia, your husband is such a dangerous man! And he's really cheating! I just saw him with Victoria Scotland, in the mall! And they're kissing like a real couple! Eating breakfast!"

Gigil na gigil niyang balita at halos sumigaw na. At nang marinig ang kanyang balita ay biglang lumuwag ang hawak ko sa kutsara kaya nabitawan ko'to at nahulog sa pinggan.

My jaw tightened as I put the phone down. My eyes went to the food. And now I felt disgusted. I did ate the food he made.

"...Athaia, you do it tonight." I heard Eva said.

Walang emosyon akong tumayo at pilit kinalma ang sarili. Hindi ako napaiyak, oo. Pero naninikip na naman ang dibdib ko.

I don't know why this is happening to me, it doesn't before but why now? It seems so hard to accept that he's.... fooling me.

I let the hours passed like a blow of the wind. And when the night comes, I've prepared everything I need for the stunt that I'll pull.

Nasa pinto na ako at naghihintay sa pag-uwi niya. Ni Zethary, ang asawa kong mahal na mahal daw ako.

Potang'na niya. Ako pa talaga ang niluko? Then let me show him the consequence of his mistakes.

"A-Athaia? What are you doing there?" Habang nakayuko at yakap ang mga tuhod ay narinig ko ang boses niya.

Ni hindi ko namalayang nakauwi na pala siya at nandito na ngang talaga. Ilang minuto kong pinagmasdang maigi ang mukha niya.

Mula sa maitim niyang buhok, sa makapal niyang kilay na palaging una kong nakikita. Sa mga malalalim ngunit kayumanggi niyang mata na nakakalula tignan, sa matangos niyang ilong at sa manipis pero mapula niyang labi.

Sadyang napaka-gwapo talaga niya. Sayang at hindi ko man lang siya malahian.

Say what?! Lahi, huh?

"Athaia. Why are you here? It's cold."

Muli kong narinig ang malalim at barituno niyang boses kaya napabalik ako sa kasalukuyan.

Gabi na, pero ngayon lang siya. Halos buong araw ko siyang hindi nakita, yun pala nambababae.

"Hinintay kita," puno ng pagpapanggap kong sabi at pilit na pilit na ngumiti kahit na parang mauuwi pa ata sa ngiwi at irap ang lahat.

Tumayo ako. Lumapit siya ng hindi inaalis ang tingin sa'kin. Malakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko habang papalapit siya.

"Waiting? For me?" Ulit niya at mas tinignan pa ako ng maigi. Mas lalo namang lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko sa paraan ng pagtitig niya.

Malamang ay dahil sa kaba.

"Hindi na dapat pa, Athaia. Pumasok ka na sa loob. Malamig dito," malamig din niyang sabi at nilampasan ako.

Halos mangatal ako sa ginawa niya. How dare him! Nagawa niya akong lampasan. Malamang ay dahil sa Victoria na yun. At siguro rin ay dahil sa hindi niya naman talaga ako mahal.

Kaya tama lang pala lahat. Sorry ka na lang, Zethary. Ikaw din naman ang dahilan ng paghihiganti ko eh. Una, pinatay mo ang kakambal ko. Pangalawa, pinatay ng mga magulang mo ang magulang ko. At pangatlo, sinaktan mo ako. So maybe, this is just fair.

Napakuyom na lang ako ng kamao bago sumunod. Nasa hapag na siya at nasa kabesira. Inaayos na rin ng mga maids ang hapag at maya-maya pa ay nagsidatingan na rin sina Brendel, Stynx, Alexen, Gray at Coother at lahat kami ay naupo na sa hapag para kumain.

Nanlalamig naman ang mga kamay ko at nanginginig ang mga tuhod at paa. Parang ngayon lang ata rumihostro sa'kin kung gaano kadelikado 'tong gagawin.

At ito ang unang pagkakataon. Athaia, are you ready? Can you really do it?

"F-Freya, M-Margarita...k-kumain na kayo k-kasabay namin,"

Nauutal at kinakabahang saad ko. Para akong nabibingi sa lakas at bilis ng kabog ng dibdib ko. Sa sobrang kaba, takot at kung anu-ano pa. Parang hindi ko pa ata kaya. Last minute, I changed my mind.

Hindi ko kaya.

***

End of this chapter.