7: Divorce

Magmamadaling araw na ng marating namin ang norteng bahagi ng syudad, sa Isabela. Luther parked the car.

Ramdam ni Riva ang mabibigat na lakad ni Luther nang ito’y lumabas upang pagbuksan siya ng pinto. Doon niya lang napansin na nakasuot ito ng pang-opisina. Pero bago pa man siya umalis ng condo ay nakapang-bahay pa si Luther—isang maluwag na shirt at sweatpants ang suot. But now, he’s wearing a fitted collared long-sleeve; a couple buttons were freely open, dahilan upang makita ni Riva ang basa at pawis na dibdib.

“Bakla ba talaga 'to?” utas ni Riva sa sarili habang hindi makapaniwalang pinagmamasdan ang binata. “He’s fucking hot for a gay!”

Sa pagtitig ni Riva sa dibdib nito ay hindi na niya namalayang napagbuksan na pala siya ng pinto.

“What? Gonna stare there all night?” maldito nitong sabi Luther habang ang isang kilay ay nakataas. There was sarcasm in his tone, and Riva could sense that Luther was still upset. The tension in the air was thick enough to slice with a knife.

Napalunok si Riva.

Inisa-isa niyang damputin ang mga gamit ngunit pinigilan siya ni Luther.

“Just leave it there,” pigil nito, sabay sulyap sa kanya, “...unless you have a plan to go somewhere… to meet someone?” sabi nito na wari’y may kahulugan, isang mapanuyang tono na tila sumasaksak sa loob ng dibdib ni Riva. Huminga na lamang siya ng malalim at hindi sumagot.

Riva closed the door and followed Luther inside. It was a simple restaurant at first glance—plain walls, old tables, a quiet radio playing a slow love song from the early 2000s. But they serve the best noodles for cold days, and tonight, the breeze was colder than usual.

“We probably need ice cream rather than noodles. Pampalamig sa mainit-init na ulo,” sambit ni Riva sa sarili habang sinusundan si Luther sa loob.

Makintab sa linis ang lugar kahit maliit lang ito. The floors were spotless, the kitchen counter gleamed under the yellow light, and there was a faint aroma of lemongrass and soy. With only a few people dining, Riva felt somehow peaceful and safe. Maybe it was because of the greeny and nature-wired atmosphere—there were small indoor plants hanging near the windows—or is it because of a person who always makes her feel that everything will be alright, if she’s by his side?

Luther, now at the counter, paid through check. Wala siyang dalang perang papel, at dahil regular na siya rito, sanay na ang cashier na ito ang bayad ng binata.

“Oi si Sir, may magandang kasama. Jowa niyo ho?” the lady cashier teased the young man. And Luther couldn’t help but follow her gaze at the woman sitting across the counter. Riva, in her ordinary outfit—an oversized cardigan and washed jeans—pouts. Nang magtama ang tingin nila ay agad na umiwas ng tingin si Riva, still guilty of what she did earlier that day.

“No,” Luther gave the check, “...asawa ko.”

Bumalik si Luther sa inuupuan. He noticed the chapped lips of Riva. Her dry lips caused a wave of concern mixed with irritation to Luther. Mas lalo nagmaktol ang isip nito.

“She should’ve eaten before meeting that man! Now I might not control myself kissing those dehydrated lips!” pagmamaktol nito sa sarili.

Riva noticed Luther’s furrowed brows. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes were darting between her lips and the table.

Bawat minuto na kasama niya ang binata ay hindi niya mapigilang mainis sa hindi malamang dahilan. As if what she did earlier was a mortal sin. As if talking to her ex, a man she once called her own, meant betrayal.

“Ano…” Riva broke the silence, voice small. Luther didn’t raise an eye to look at her. He was focused on pouring them both a glass of water. “Kanina—”

“Drink first. You look exhausted and pale as fuck.” Luther, who didn’t know how to speak nicely, hurt Riva for a second. That tone was a bit unusual to hear from Luther. Sanay na si Riva sa ganitong pananalita, pero ngayon, she was hurt for some reason. Maybe because it came from him. Maybe because she was already too emotionally tired.

Riva bit her lips, and Luther noticed how it affected her a bit. She looked like she wanted to cry but was trying to hold it back.

“You didn’t eat when you left,” Luther started, still looking at his glass. “I thought you were going to your new job. But… I guess…” He stopped midway, looking hurt. “...Just eat.” Sakto namang dumating ang waiter dala ang kanilang order.

Ang inorder nila ay mainit na beef mami na may manipis na hiniwang brisket, nilagang itlog, fresh bokchoy, at garlik oil na nakalutang sa ibabaw. May kasamang side dish na lumpiang shanghai at dalawang bottled water. Tinernuhan ito ng simpleng banana turon bilang dessert.

“Teka! Nag bayad ka na ba? Meron pa ako ditong five-hundred—.”

“It’s paid already. Eat.” Pagputol nito’t utos.

Sa kalagitnaan ng pagkain nila ay napansin ni Riva ang relong suot ni Luther. It was a Louis Moinet Meteoris na meron din si Gael. It was surely an expensive thing that only the elite do buy. Pero nakapagtataka kung bakit meron si Luther neto gayong sakto lang naman ang trabaho ng binata bilang software engineer sa isang local firm.

Luther noticed Riva’s attention traveled to his watch.

“A gift from a rich friend. Don’t mind it.” Tumango naman si Riva bilang sagot, pero hindi maiwasang makaramdam ng kakaibang kuryosidad.

“Earlier…” panimula ni Riva, inipon ang tapang sa lalamunan. “I’m sorry…” Luther met Riva’s sincere gaze.

“Alam kong our marriage is just contractual, a set-up, and a false act. Pero sa tingin ko, may karapatan ka pa ring malaman ang mga bagay na nangyayari sa loob at labas ng pamamagitan namin ni Gael. We’re not in love, but we’re tied by law…” Ngumiwi si Luther, trying to hide the stab in his chest.

“I went there not to reconcile with Gael, but to personally tell him that we’re over. Maniwala ka man sa hindi, iyon ang pakay ko. I’d hire an attorney to compensate as I’ve breached the contract, when clause B states 'Both parties must avoid interaction with former romantic partners that could compromise the authenticity of the marital agreement in public or private engagements.’” makahulugang sabi ni Riva.

Luther was celebrating inside. Alam niyang hindi ganoon ang babae. Only that asshole Gael is trying to get her for the sake of whatever reason—ego? pride? regret? Parang nabunutan ng tinik si Luther.

“Only hire an attorney if you want a real marriage.” Pabulong na sabi ni Luther bago tumikhim at ibinalik ang baso sa lamesa.

“May sinasabi ka?” Riva asked, but only murmurs were heard. Umiling naman si Luther.

Reaching the parking lot, the cold air welcomed them again. The silence between them was no longer awkward—it was loaded, but with something else. Maybe it was understanding. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the quiet before the real storm.

As Riva opened the car door, her phone buzzed. A new message from her Tita Fatima.

“Maghihiwalay na kami ng Tatay mo.”