Romans & histoires Our Bittersweet Marriage

nakangiti niyang bati noon habang hinuhubad ang kaniyang coat. "Gusto lang kitang makita agad," sasagot si Astrid bago yayakapin siya nang mahigpit, parang isang paru-paro na walang ibang gustong puntahan kundi ang kaniyang mga bisig. They would embrace, they would kiss, and they would walk all the way back to the bedroom. Those were some of the few happy days in their long five-year marriage. But these fleeting passions gradually faded away. It's all his fault.

Kinuha niya ang tasa ng mainit na tsokolate at umupo sa sopa, marahan itong hinigop habang ninamnam ang nakamamanghang tanawin ng dagat. “Marriage is sacred. It shouldn’t be futile. Sometimes it’s necessary and worth it to fight for marriage.” Naalala niyang sabi ni Annie. “There is no perfect person, no perfect life, and so do love and marriage.” Gano’n din ang sabi ng nanay. Sumilay sa labi ang malumanay niyang ngiti. “Right, he is my husband. If I, his wife, won’t listen and believe him, then who will?”

he never heard Wynter’s bestfriend having a husband. “She’s married?” Mikhail asked, sounded disappointed. Tumango si Wynter. “She’s pregnant. And no, she’s not married. She doesn’t want to get married.” Pagsagot niya sa tanong ni Mikhail. Ngumiti lang si Mikhail. “Oh.” He reacted. PAGKATAPOS ilipat ni Wynter ang mga mahahalagang gamit niya sa bahay ni Cassiuz, nakapasok na siya sa Sweet Unique Café. Ah, she missed her café. It’s good to be back at work.

“You’re mine, Ingrid. And I’ll fvcking protect you no matter what. I love you.” Napapikit ako ng mariin ng may luha at pawis na na magkahalong tumulo na sa pisngi ko. Hinila ko siya palapit at mahigpit na niyakap. Parang gusto ko pang namnamin ang moment na 'to. Natatakot ako sa posibilidad na mangyayari next. I've realized that marriage comes with its fair share of challenges, but we're really starting to build a stronger connection. It seems like the company's issue, the entertainment news, and our family situation aren't really making things any easier. I just wanted to really enjoy this moment. “Then don’t stop proving it, Leonhardt. Don’t stop.”

“Hayaan na natin, nangyari na diba? Wala na tayong magagawa. I will live my life like there’s no you in my life and you will live your life as well like there’s no me happened in your life. In the first place, di naman talaga tayo nagmamahalan nang maikasal tayo. It’s pure business. We both benefit with it. Lets just end our contract.” “No, please hon. Don’t do this.” sabi niya at niyakap ako. “Let me go, Henry. Wala na tayong pag-uusapan pa. This marriage is a piece of trash. We both made mistake. Hindi na ‘to maaayos.” “Listen so you can understand!”

"Alam ko ang pakiramdam ng ayawan at hindi mabigyan ng pagmamahal ng magulang Sir Felix, kaya hinding-hindi ko yun ipaparanas sa magiging anak ko. Kahit katulad ko ay bunga rin siya ng isang gabing pagkakamali, hindi-hindi niya mararanasang pagpasa-pasahan o ituring na karma o kasalanan." —————— "You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. Veronica Kim at Felix Cortezano, ngayon kayo ay ganap ng mag-asawa." Napuno ng masigabong palakpakan ang buong simbahan, kasabay ng walang humpay na pagtunog ng iba't-ibang flash ng camera. And just like that, in the blink of an eye, I married my boss.

Because of his sudden outburst, napatingin sa amin ‘yong mga magulang, at sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. “Kahiya ‘to.” Napasapo ako sa noo ko at pumamewang ako. “I’m not a rehab center. Alam ko ‘yon, Kris. Hindi naman ako nag-eexpect na magiging lovey-dovey couple kami, or something, And most importantly, hindi ko ineexpect na magbabago siya for me. Alam na alam ko ‘yon.” Bulong ko rito. “This is a marriage of convenience, Kris. If I marry him, I can permanently get rid of the Bellanovas off my back.” Sumimangot si Kris, and he grabbed the tablet para sa e-charts niya. He put in his code, at pumunta kami kay Baby Rio.

Literal na sarili lang namin ang dala-dala namin. “Marriage is a profound commitment, one that transcends fleeting emotions, circumstances, and moods. Its success is rooted in the unwavering loyalty and devotion of two individuals, bound together by the vows they exchanged on their wedding day. As you embark on this journey together, remember that your union is a beautiful fusion of two unique and extraordinary individuals. Acknowledge and cherish each other's distinctness, respect each other's thoughts and ideas, and strive to live each day with intention, gratitude, and love, that you may share it, forever.” nakikinig lang kami ni Stefan. Tinitingnan ko siya at masasabi kong san maging tah

sabi ni Felicity, diretso at kalmado, “once the novelty wears off, marriage will eventually turn into a mess.” Napatingin siya sa malayo, hawak ang hamburger pero parang wala sa pagkain ang isip. “Alam mo kung bakit ko nasabi ’yan? Kasi nakita ko mismo sina Charlotte at Robert. From passionate love to marriage.” Bahagyang ngumiti si Felicity, pero puno ng pait ang mga mata. “They were so sweet back then. Every time na mababanggit ni Charlotte si Robert, her eyes lit up na para bang siya na talaga ang Prince Charming niya. Yung tipong kahit sampung kabayo, hindi mo sila mapaghihiwalay.”

Napataas ang isang kilay nang lalaki na napasimsim sa maligamgam na tubig, "Well then, hindi mo naman kailangang bumawi dahil pakiramdam ko naman ay hindi talaga tayo nag mamahalan. We're just married by papers not by hearts." Tila ba binaril ngayon sa puso si Pearlyn sa kanyang narinig. Married by papers? Gusto nyang mag wala ngayon—nag kukumawala na ang kanyang puso sa hinagpis. So, ano sila ni Carmela? Married by hearts? Ang sakit!