Chapter Four

Kahit na nag-aalab ang mga mata nya habang nakatingin saakin ay nagawa ko pa ring umiwas ng tingin. His eyes are so scary and I don’t think I can look at those burning eyes any longer. But what did I do anyway? Bakit nagagalit nanaman siya saakin?

“Pinahiya mo ang kaibigan ko.” mariin na wika nya. His adams apple moved and he sounds really furious. "Bakit ba ang sungit mo sa lahat, Geneviève? You always act without thinking about other people's feelings. Gano'n ba talaga kasama ang ugali mo?"

Naramdam ako ng kirot dahil sa sinabi nya pero hindi ko 'yon pinahalata. I took a deep breath and looked at him. "As far as I know, you have a lot of friends. Huhulaan ko pa ba kung sino'ng kaibigan ang tinutukoy mo?" I said in a monotone, pretending not to know what he's talking about.

But what did he say? Pinahiya? Wala akong pinahiya. That friend of him approached me and I just ignored her. Gano'n naman talaga ang ginagawa ko sa ibang taong hindi ako interesado. That's how I treated him when he first met me so he should've know. And I also dislike her, wala ba akong karapatan na iwasan sya?

"Are you fvcking serious?" he snorted as his brows furrowed. "Angel was upset because of your rude personality. Kanina, hindi sya nagsasalita dahil hindi sya makapaniwala that someone treated her like that despite of her good intentions? Can't you be... kinder?" 

Oh. So that woman's name is Angel. A heavenly name only suits on her innocent appearance, but not on her monstrous personality. She's even worst than me, but I'm witter than her.

Napatingin lang ako sa kanya. Kinder? Does he really want me to treat that two-faced woman kindly? That woman who flirts with my husband? Can he hear what he's saying?

Dahil hindi ako nagsalita ay napailing-iling na lang sya. He laughed sarcastically. "Oh, that's bullshit. Kaylan ka ba naging mabait? All you know is how to ruin people, right?"

Mas lalo akong hindi nakapagsalita. Some words want to escape on my lips, but I didn't let those words escape because I know that I have a sharp tongue, at maling salita lang ay mas magpapagalit sa kanya. I feel exhausted because of school so I don't want to make this useless conversation. I want to rest and relax. 

I averted my eyes and sighed. "Oh, the woman in the library? You want me to treat her kindly? I didn't know that she's your friend. Alam mo naman na hindi ko pinapansin ang mga taong walang halaga. And I was busy. I don't have so much time to waste for her. If she hates me, then let her. I don't care. I don't like her, tho. And besides, your friends doesn't know that I'm your wife kaya hindi ko kaylangan makisama sa kanila."

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo nya. "You're unbelievable."

"I know." I uttered. "Now, can I go to my room? I'm tired." 

He didn't speak. Hindi ko na lang hinintay ang sagot nya at nagtungo sa kwarto. I entered my room and locked the door. Linagay ko ang dala-dala kong bag sa isang maliit na coffee table at saka ibinagsak ang sarili ko sa malaki at malambot kong kama. 

"I'm really tired." I whispered and closed my eyes. I'm tired of everything.

...

Dumating ang Sabado kung kaylan wala kaming pasok. Good thing that I'm already done on my school works so today is my free day. I would want to relax but I still have to go on the mall and buy some groceries for this house.

Maaga akong nagising para mag-grocery dahil ayoko'ng abutin ng tanghali. I'm planning to sleep all day after I buy groceries and eat lunch. I've been busy these days and I need a goddamn peaceful rest. Kung hindi, babagsak na talaga agad ang buong katawan ko. 

I took a bath and wore a simple blue dress that reached above my knees and a pair of white rubber shoes. Hindi na ako naglagay ng makeup dahil hindi naman ako magtatagal. I just sprayed cologne in myself and let my long hair flow on my shoulders.

Pagkatapos kong maghanda ay lumabas na ako ng kwarto at bumaba ng first floor. I saw Storm wearing a reading glass, while his eyes are fixed at a magazine. I know that he felt my presence but he didn't even gave me a glance.

"Mag-gro-grocery ako." I said to let him know. I know that he's not going to look at me so I didn't bother wait for his answer. Pumunta ako sa labas at tiningnan kung nasa labas na ang driver ko, pero wala sya do'n. I'm sure that I told him to come dahil kaylangan ko ng driver kaya nagtataka ako kung bakit wala pa sya. He usually comes early. Kaylangan ko talaga ng driver dahil hindi ako marunong mag-drive. 

I took my phone out of my bag and dialed my driver's number. Ilang ring lang ay sinagot na nito ang tawag.

"Hello Manong, where are you na po?" I asked in a polite way. 

"Naku Ma'am, sorry po! 'Yung asawa ko kasi manganganak na. Biglaan po kaya 'di ko nasabi sainyo. Nandito po ako sa ospital kaya hindi ako nakakapunta." he replied in panic.

Napaawang ang labi ko. "Ah sige po. Ayos lang po." I glanced at Storm. I was surprised because he was looking at me, but he immediately looked away when my eyes turned at him. "You'll have a day off for 2 weeks. Focus on caring about your wife and new baby. Congratulations." wika ko. My driver thanked me and I ended the call.

Bumagsak ang balikat ko matapos ang tawag. I woke up early thinking that I will be able to go shopping for groceries early, pero hindi pala. But I'm not complaining because I understand my driver's situation. He is a very kind and honest person and he's been working for me for a long time so I truly respect him.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Naglakad ako papunta kay Storm at humarap sa kanya. He's still sitting in the couch and reading the same magazine. His brows creased when he noticed that I'm standing in front of him. Tumingin sya saakin at tinaasan ako ng kilay.

"What?" he asked in annoyance. 

"Drive for me. Pupunta ako sa mall para makapag-shopping ng groceries. My driver is in a very important situation right now so he can't make it today."

Mas lalong bumakas ang inis sa mukha nya pero hindi ko 'yon pinansin. I continued looking at him without any expression in my face. 

"Tsk. And you're bothering me?"

"Kapag hindi ako nakapag-shopping ng groceries, ano kakainin natin? Should I remind you that the two of us are living in a same house so what I need is you need too. Hindi mo naman kaylangan sumama saakin sa loob ng mall, you can stay inside the car while waiting for me."

"Hindi ba pwedeng mag-commute ka na lang?" inis nyang anas. He really don't want to come with me.

"I don't feel safe with that." walang gana kong sabi. I tried to commute before but something terrible happened to me. I feel afraid dahil baka maulit pa 'yon. "Samahan mo na ako." 

"Ayoko." aniya at muling sumandal sa couch. He adjusted his glasses and starting reading the magazine again.

I felt a little pissed but I didn't show it to him. Muli kong kinuha ang phone ko at dinial ang number ni Mommy Stara, Storm's mother. His mother and I have a good relationship so I always take that as an advantage when it comes to things like this. 

"Hello, Gen?" 

"Mommy Stara..." I started and Storm's eyes automatically turned at me. Nanlalaki ang mga mata nya habang nakatingin saakin. I acted like I didn't see him. Instead, I pressed the loud speaker so he can hear his mother as well.

"Why did you call jiha? Tungkol nanaman ba ito sa asawa mo?" tanong nya. Nagsalubong agad ang kilay ni Storm.

"Yes po." I replied. Mas lalo akong pinanlakihan ng mata ni Storm. He's staring at me as if he's telling me that if I speak one more word, he'll kill me. 

I'm having fun doing this. Storm always acts furious to me pero kapag ang nanay nya na ang pag-uusapan, wala na syang magagawa. He's a mama's boy and he never disobey his mother.

"Eh kasi po Mommy si Storm..."

"Fine! I'll come with you." mariin nyang bulong. "Ibaba mo na 'yan. I'll do what you want." mahina nyang sabi habang ginagalaw ang kamay nya para senyasan ako bumaba. Satisfaction glimmered in my eyes. 

I know this will work.

"Ano'ng meron kay Storm?" tanong ng kabilang linya. Halatang natataranta ang lalaking nasa harapan ko dahil baka may sabihin akong hindi maganda tungkol sa kanya. He don't want his mother mad.

I cleared my throat. "I just want to ask what he's favorite food po? I want to cook something for him kasi may free time po ako ngayong araw." pagsisinungaling ko. I already know all his favorite foods.

"Ah gano'n ba?" Storm's Mom chuckled. Nagsimula na nyang sabihin ang iba't ibang gustong putahe ni Storm. I acted like I'm listening. 

"Maraming salamat po, Ma." tumingin ako kay Storm. Nakasandal na sya sa couch at masamang nakatingin saakin. "Sige po, ibaba ko na ang tawag." I said and ended the call. I put my phone on my bag and gazed at him.

"Tara na." wika ko at nauna nang lumabas ng bahay. 

"Tsk. Kainis naman. Palagi na lang gusto mo ang nasusunod." mahina nyang asik. Hindi ko pinansin 'yon at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad palabas ng bahay.

Ako na ang naunang pumasok sa kotse. Sa backseat ako sumakay dahil alam kong ayaw nya naman akong makatabi. Linibot ko ang paningin ko sa buong kotse nya. Malinis at maayos. Naamoy ko rin dito ang pabango nya. Ngayon lang ako nakasakay sa kotseng ito dahil meron naman akong sariling driver at kotse na nagagamit.

Binuksan ni Storm ang car door ng driver's seat at sumilip sa'kin. Kunot-noo nya akong tiningnan. "Bakit nand'yan ka? Ginawa mo pa talaga akong driver mo?" inis nyang ani.

"Saan ako uupo? Sa bubong?" I asked, confused. Bakit ba kasi naiinis nanaman sya? Madudumihan ba ang kotse nya kapag umupo ako dito? He's always heat-headed kahit minsan ay alam ko namang walang masama sa ginagawa ko.

"Tangina, dito ka sa front seat. Mag-mu-mukha akong driver mo nyan." sabi nya at tuluyang pumasok sa kotse.

I blinked enumerable times because of confusion. Is he telling me to sit in the front seat? Ayoko na magalit sya kaya naman hindi na ako nagtagal. Lumipat ako sa front seat at muling tumingin sa kanya. He didn't speak. Ibig sabihin 'yon nga ang ibig-sabihin nya.

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa. He started driving without saying anything. Napuno kami ng katahimikan. Sumandal na lang ako habang nakatutok sa bintana.

Hindi nagtagal ay nakarating na rin kami. Mabilis lang kami nakarating dahil malapit lang naman ang mall sa subdivision namin. Pagkatapos nyang ma-park ang kotse ay agad kong tinanggal ang seatbelt ko at tumingin sa kanya.

"Wait for me here."

"No." he insisted kaya natigilan ako. "Paghihintayin mo ako dito? Ano'ng gagawin ko dito? I'll come with you. Staying here inside the car is boring."

"Pero paano kung may makakita saating magkasama?"

Tumingin sya saakin dahil sa tanong ko. Napako ang tingin namin sa isa't isa. I don't know why my heart skipped a beat at this moment. Siguro ay dahil minsan ko lang matitigan ng diretso ang mga mata nya. And his eyes hits different this time. Naiinis sya pero hindi galit ang mga mata nya.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked. Hindi ko rin kasi alam kung may ibig-sabihin ang mga tingin nya.

He gasped and blinked his eyes as he looked away. Tinanggal nya ang seatbelt nya at lumabas ng kotse. Nakasuot sya ng asul na jacket na may hood, and he used his jacket's hood to slightly cover his face.

Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya nang puno ng pagtataka. He also gazed at me and raised his eyebrow. "What? Tititigan mo lang ako?"

Napaiwas ako ng tingin. Bago pa maubos ang pasensya nya ay lumabas na ako ng kotse. Nauna syang naglakad papasok ng mall habang nakabulsa ang kamay nya. 

Sasamahan nya ba talaga ako?

Umiling-iling ako. I admit that I feel happy pero alam ko rin naman na walang ibig-sabihin 'yon. It's not like he wants to be with me. I forced him to come with me so that's why he's with me now.

Pero hanggang kaylan? Hanggang kaylan ko ba sya pipilitin?