Chapter 6

-(JACE RAJIV PHILEMON POV)-

-⁠ᄒ⁠ᴥ⁠ᄒ⁠-

As I was packing my stuff in my room, someone opened the door, causing me to look at whoever it was.

“What are you doing?” Jescel asked and closed the door immediately.

“I’m packing, isn’t it obvious?” I asked ominously before zipping the suitcase.

"Saan ka naman pupunta?" Tanong nito muli. "Mabibisto na tayo ni Lal, what are we gonna do?” 

“Ako ang bahala, ang gawin mo na lang ay manahimik ka.” Sagot ko rito at saka lumabas ng kwarto.

“Pero anong gagawin ko kung magtanong siya tungkol sa babaeng yun? Ayokong mawala si Gelal sa akin.” Giit nito as she followed me.

“Kaya nga ako ang gagawa ng paraan. Manahimik ka dito sa bahay and act like nothing happened.” Sagot ko nang harapin ko ito.

She didn't respond and just nodded at me, lowering her head before heading to their bedroom.

I sighed, frustration taking over dahil hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko sa puntong ito. 

I guess I have to do it… for our sake…

-(DEAN ALVAREZ POV)-

-10:30-

"Binago mo na naman ang ayos ng bahay ko.” Giit ni Emy nang makapasok kami sa bahay.

“Bahay natin, babe. Natin.” I corrected at saka sinara ang pinto.

Kakauwi lang namin galing hospital, mabuti na lang din ay nakapagluto ako ng makakain nito bago ko siya iuwi rito.

“Something smells good.” Wika nito at saka binitawan ang kanyang handbag sa sofa.

 

Ngumisi ako at saka nilagay ang mga gamit sa sahig bago ito hilahin patungong dining area.

“Nagluto ako ng paborito mo, afritada.” Panimula ko rito at naghila ng isang upuan para sa kanya.

“Salamat.” Sagot nito at saka umupo sa upuan.

“Gusto mo ba ng iced coffee?” Tanong ko rito habang nakatayo sa kanyang tabi.

“Sure, iced coffee sounds great.” Sagot niya na siyang ginawa ko naman.

Habang nagtitimpla ako ng maiinom nito sa kusina, dinig ko ang paggalaw ng mga kubyertos na siyang nagbibigay alam sa akin na kumakain na ito.

"Babe, kumakain ka na?" Tanong ko, making sure if I was right.

"Oo." Sagot niya. "Ipagsandok na ba kita?" Tanong niya naman.

Ngunit hindi na ako sumagot rito at itinuloy ko ang pagtitimpla ng kan’yang inumin, heading back at the dining area at saka nilapag ang baso sa tabi ng kanyang plato.

“Salamat.” Giit nito at saka ngumiti ng bahagya.

“You’re welcome, kumain ka ng marami.” Sagot ko at saka umupo sa tabi niya.

"This is good." She complimented bago sumubo muli.

I smiled a little. "I'm glad you liked it." Sagot ko bago ito sabayan sa pagkain.

"Should I dye my hair ash grey or jet black?" She asked out of the blue.

I thought about it for a moment, unable to decide which hair colour suits her better, continuing to eat my food hanggang sa matapos ako bago sumagot sa kanyang tanong.

"To answer your question…" I started nang nakainom na ako ng tubig. "I prefer you add highlights at the end of your hair. Since you have natural dark red hair, I suggest you just add some highlights to make it more fiery." Sagot ko rito, twirling some of her hair around my finger.

"You think it will outshine?" She asked. "Bagay kaya sakin?"

"If nagdadalawang isip ka, you can dye your hair burgundy or wine red. Or let it stay that way." Sagot ko, giving her some options to decide.

She bit her lower lip before taking a spoonful of food in her mouth. "Maybe I should put some highlights, maybe it'll suit me." Sagot nito as she ate.

I nodded. "Okay, sabihin mo lang kung kailan at anong oras ka pupunta ng salon para masamahan kita.." I answered, looking at the time.

"Oo pala, hindi ka papasok ng trabaho?" She asked, curiosity lingered around her words.

"Papasok, magpapaalam na nga sana ako eh." Sagot ko naman before kissing her cheek.

"Ingat ka ah…" Sambit nito ng kunin ko ang dapat na dalhin papunta sa trabaho.

I looked at her one last time. "I love you." Sagot ko, opening the front door and heading out.

"I love you!" She shouted from the inside nang maisara ko ang pinto. 

Walking down the steps, I went to my car and drove off for work, I was still anxious to leave her alone, but a part of me was saying that she’ll be alright.

Sana nga…

-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO-FRANCISCO POV)-

~ರ⁠_⁠ರ~

(Okay, stay safe and take care Cory.)

My mind was still on its own abyss as I continuously thought about the call, and was still wondering if it was just a prank or if it’s something else.

But it’s been a year, it’s impossible for him to call.

What if it really is him?

What if… he’s really not dead?

What if he’s alive?

“Stop this nonsense, Emerald. Your ex husband is dead, stop being delulu.” I said to myself as my fingers ran through my hair.

Letting out a sigh, I decided to let it go, convincing myself that it was just a prank call and just focused on cleaning the house and washing the dishes instead of overthinking things.

-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-

-12:40-

"Pare, nasaan ka?” Tanong ni Kaji nang masagot ko ang tawag.

Kasalukuyan akong nasa condo ko, at mabuti na lang talaga ay hindi ko sinabi ito sa kanila. Kung hindi, pupuntahan nila ako.

Ayoko rin muna silang kausapin, pakiramdam ko marami silang tinatagong sikreto na dapat kong malaman. 

Sino ba ako bago ako maaksidente? Ano ang buhay ko noon? Sino ang kasintahan ko noon? Anong nangyari?

“Lal.” Wika muli ni Kaji nang hindi ako sumagot rito.

“Nasa park ako.” I plainly answered as I hid the truth.

“Puntahan kita.” Sagot nito ngunit ako’y umiling.

“No, baka masuntok kita.” Pananakot ko bago sumimsim sa alak na hawak ko.

Narinig kong tumawa ito sa kabilang linya, my hand holding the glass as tight as it can.

“Kahit bugbugin mo pa ako, pupuntahan kita, pre. Bakit ka ba kasi umalis?” Tanong naman niya.

“I wanna be alone.” Sagot ko at saka binaba ang tawag, throwing the phone on the coffee table.

Pakiramdam ko ako’y itinakwil nila dahil sa tinatago ng mga ito. Bakit ba kasi ayaw nilang sabihin ang totoo? 

Putting the glass down, kinuha ko ang envelope na nasa loob ng bag, opening it once more just to stare at the woman’s name.

Emerald Corlyn Bustos Verdanio…

Corlyn… bakit parang narinig ko na ang pangalan na ito?

(Just call me… Cory.)

“Impossible, iba ang Cory sa pangalan na Corlyn.” I said to myself as I read the contents.

Date of birth: August 15, 2001

“She’s 9 years younger than me…” I whispered to myself before putting the certificate back onto the envelope.

(Pinakasalan mo siya dahil sa perang maiiwan niya..)

(That woman’s dead, Lal..)

As if on cue, someone called once more, seeing the caller ID named ‘Love’ had me wondering once again.

Is she really dead? 

If she’s dead, why would she call, right?

What if… Cory was my dead wife’s name?

The thought that lingered in my mind had me picking the phone up real quick, answering it as I set my thoughts aside.

“Hey, Cory. How are you?” I asked as soon as I answered.

“I-I’m fine, just a bit sad.” She answered.

Oh her sweet angelic voice, how I would sacrifice myself just so I can hear it everyday…

“Why are you sad?” I asked curiously.

“My husband died a year ago, and I was remembering my memories with him.” Sagot naman niya muli.

“Oh, my deepest condolences for you.” Sagot ko naman pabalik bago tumayo at magtungo sa aking kwarto.

“It’s okay, I’ve moved on. I already accepted his death.” Giit naman niya. “How about you? How are you?” 

“I’m good.” I lied. “Everything’s great.”

“Okay, it’s good to hear-” Pinutol ko ang kanyang sasabihin nang may itanong ako rito.

“Can I ask you, Cory?” Tanong ko as I scratched the skin on the edge of my thumb.

“S-Sure, ask away.” Sagot niya.

“What’s your real name?” Tanong ko na naging dahilan upang tumahimik ito.

I gave her a moment as I waited, probably because she was anxious about saying her name to me, since I was just a stranger to her.

“Hello, Cory?” Tanong ko muli nang hindi na ito sumagot pa.

“I’m sorry, I was just cleaning my room.” Sagot nito sa akin.

“Oh, it’s okay.” Sagot ko pabalik. “It looks like I’m disturbing you.” 

“No, not at all. Ako ang unang tumawag eh.” Sagot nito.

“Mabuti naman.” Giit ko rito at saka umupo sa gilid ng kama, grabbing my laptop on top of the nightstand.

“So, about my name… gusto mong malaman?” Tanong niya.

“I do, I wanna know your name.” Sagot ko. “We haven’t-” Naputol ang aking sasabihin nang sumagot ito.

“My name’s Emerald, Emerald Corlyn.” She answered which made my heart drop.

Emerald Corlyn…

(Anong folder ito, Sil? Why do I have this on my desktop?)

(Sir, hindi ko alam,  pero yan ang pangalan ng asawa mo…)

(Asawa?)

(Yes, your wife’s name was Emerald, nakalimutan mo na po ba, Sir?)

‘Emerald’

(Here is the marriage certificate, Sir) 

(Who’s this?)

(That’s your wife’s name, Emerald Corlyn Verdanio)

I understand now…

This woman… is my wife…