How To Love You

Excerpt

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, some places, and incidents are just products of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any form and in any means without the permission of the author.

This story may contain mature themes. Read at your own risk.

Excerpt

It was already getting late. Hindi naman ganito ka-late umuuwi si Jared. Ngayon palang siguro. Usually he's already home by 7:00 PM or earlier.

"Mauna ka na sigurong kumain, Ria. Baka makasama sa 'yo kapag nalipasan ka ng gutom." Yaya Flor said as we were both waiting for Jared to arrive. Kanina pa.

Pabalik-balik na ang lakad ko sa living room ng bahay namin.

"Okay lang ako, 'Ya. Hindi pa rin naman ako gutom." I said as I checked my wristwatch again for the time.

"Ria-"

Pero natigilan kami nang marinig ang pagdating ng sasakyan sa labas.

Mabilis akong kumilos para salubungin siya. Pero bahagya rin natigilan nang makita ang ayos niya.

"Good evening," bati sa akin ng lalaking nag-uwi kay Jared sa bahay namin.

Bahagya ako nitong nginitian. "I'm Calvin, Red's friend." nagawa pa nitong magpakilala sa kabila ng paghihirap niya kay Jared na halatang lasing.

"You're his wife."

"Y-Yes," I answered at halos saluhin ang bigat ni Jared nang muntikan itong mahulog mula sa pagkakapasan sa balikat ni Calvin.

"Doray!" tawag ko sa dagdag pa na kasambahay.

Pinagtulungan naming madala si Jared sa master bedroom.

"He's heavy." Calvin heaved a sigh.

"Alexandria..." Jared started murmuring in his sleep. Lumapit ako sa kanya at dinaluhan siya.

"Sorry... I came home drunk... This will not gonna happen again... Please don't be mad..."

Hindi na ganoon kaklaro ang mga salita niya pero parang nakuha ko naman.

"Whipped," Calvin chuckled lowly.

Nagkatinginan kami. "Sa labas na kami," paalam niya kasunod ang mga kasambahay na naroon.

Naiwan kaming dalawa lang ni Jared sa loob ng kuwarto.

"Alexandria..." muli niyang tawag sa pangalan ko nang makalabas na ang mga tao.

Naupo ako sa gilid ng kama niya para mas marinig at maintindihan ang sinasabi niya.

"What is it?" I whispered to him.

His eyes were closed. He's really drunk.

Bakit naman kaya ito naglasing?

"Please... Give me a chance... I love you..."

Natigilan ako at napaatras sa sinabi niya. Unti-unting bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko.

Ganito ba talaga siya kapag lasing? Ang dami niyang sinasabi...

"I... I am trying... I am fucking doing my best... Just give me a damn chance... Just one chance... Fucking one chance..."

Nagmumura pa.

I looked at him... At his face. His eyes were still closed and he continued murmuring. Pero hindi na naging klaro ang mga sumunod niyang sinabi until he stopped.

I sighed...

If his drunk talk were true... Because they said that drunken words are sober thoughts.

Then...

How can I love him... If I was still in love with someone else...