A Chance Encounter

CHAPTER 15

A WEEK LATER…

Audrey opened the penthouse door and walked inside. Dahan-dahan ang bawat paglakad niya upang hindi marinig ang yabag niya. The light in the living room was off, but the light in the kitchen was open. Hindi niya alam kung tulog na si Emerson o hindi pa.

“Bakit ngayon ka lang?”

Napasinghap si Audrey sa gulat nang may biglang nagsalita sa madilim na salas. The light in the living room suddenly opened, revealing Emerson sitting on the sofa and looking at her.

Napayuko si Audrey. She will be scolded for sure.

Tumayo si Emerson saka lumapit kay Audrey.

Audrey looked at Emerson. She suddenly covered her head with her hand when she saw Emerson lift his hand. “Don’t hit me.”

Natigilan naman si Emerson. “I won’t hit you, Baby Girl. I would never do that.” He was disheartened that his wife would actually think that he would hit her. At nakasangga pa ang kamay sa ulo nito.

Audrey removed her hand from her head and looked at Emerson. “If you won’t hit me, why did you raise your hand?”

“Tatanggalin ko lang ang dumi sa buhok mo.” Sagot ni Emerson saka tinanggal ang dumi sa buhok ni Audrey. “Baby, I would never hit you. I will never do that.”

“Talaga?”

Ngumiti si Emerson. “You’re my wife. As your husband, I will respect and care for you. Women should be cared for and loved, not to be beaten as a man’s wish.”

Hindi alam ni Audrey pero napangiti siya.

Pero biglang sumeryoso ang anyo ni Emerson. “Why are you home late?”

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Audrey saka painosenteng ngumiti.

“Did you go out to have fun?”

Mabilis na umiling si Audrey at nagpaliwanag. “No. I went to Mia’s house to finish our activity for tomorrow.”

Napatango si Emerson. “Have you eaten?”

Audrey shakes her head. Inaaya siyang kumain ni Mia pero nagmamadali kasi siyang umuwi. Lowbatt ang phone niya kaya naman hindi siya nakapagpadala ng mensahe kay Emerson.

“Come on. I’ll prepare your dinner.”

“Hindi ka galit?” tanong ni Audrey habang nakasunod kay Emerson patungong kusina.

Umiling si Emerson. “I’m not mad because you are late. But I’m mad because you didn’t tell me you were coming home late. Baby, I’m not supervising or monitoring you. Pero kung may gagawin ka man, please, tell me, so I won’t get worried.”

Medyo nagulat si Audrey. “You’re worried about me.”

“Hindi ba halata?” Balik ni Emerson.

Natahimik naman si Audrey.

“I have called all my bodyguards to find you. I can’t get through your phone. Next time, if I can’t pick you up, I’ll ask Mark.” Sabi ni Emerson at hinanda ang hapunan ni Audrey.

“I can go home on my own. I’m not a child.” Umupo si Audrey.

“Even though you are not a child, you are my wife, Audrey. Mag-aalala ako sa ‘yo.” Seryosong sabi ni Emerson at inilagay sa harapan ng asawa ang hinanda niyang hapunan nito.

“Have you eaten?” Audrey asked.

“I did. May dinner meeting ako kanina.”

Napatango si Audrey saka nagsimula ng kumain. Umupo naman si Emerson sa tabi ng asawa saka pinanood ito habang kumakain.

Audrey suddenly felt awkward. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“You’re beautiful.”

Napaubo si Audrey saka nag-iwas ng tingin.

“Did they often hit you before? That’s why you were on guard against me earlier,” said Emerson. He propped his head using his hand, looking at his wife.

Napatigil si Audrey sa pagsubo. “It was an unpleasant memory. I don’t want to recall it.”

Napatango si Emerson. “Since you don’t want to tell me, I won’t force you.”

“Salamat.” Isang tipid na ngiti ang kumalawa sa labi ni Audrey.

Emerson caressed his wife’s hair and smiled.

“You should rest first. Halatang pagod ka,” sabi ni Audrey.

Emerson stood. “Pagod ka nga ako. Magpapahinga na ako.”

Tumango si Audrey. Sinundan niya ng tingin si Emerson habang palabas ito ng ksuina. Kapagkuwan napahawak siya sa kaniyang ulo. Parang nararamdaman niya pa rin ang kamay ni Emerson na humaplos sa ulo niya. The way that Emerson caressed her head earlier carries affection. Hindi niya alam kung imahinasyon niya lang ‘yon o ano.

Audrey let out a small sigh. “Ano ba ‘tong pinag-iisip ko?” tanong niya sa sarili saka napailing. Pilit niyang winala ang mga iniisip niya at nagpatuloy na lamang sa pagkain.

Nang matapos si Audrey na kumain, hinugasan niya ang pinagkainan saka pinatay ang ilaw sa kusina at pumasok sa kwarto nila ni Emerson. Pagpasok niya sa master’s bedroom, nakita niyang natutulog na si Emerson. Naging maingat ang bawat galaw niya upang hindi magising si Emerson.

Audrey took a shower before she went to bed.

Hindi pa siya agad dinalaw ng antok. Nakatitig lamang siya sa kisame. Kapagkuwan tumagilid siya ng higa paharap kay Emerson. Emerson did the same. And now they were facing each other, but Emerson was already asleep.

Napatitig si Audrey kay Emerson. They have a seven-year age gap. That was a big gap between them, but she could feel that sometimes Emerson was treating her like a child.

She has been living with Emerson for a week now. Sa loob ng isang linggo na ‘yon parang nagkaroon siya ng kapayapaan sa buhay niya. Parang naramdaman niya ang kalayaan niya na hindi niya naramdaman noong nasa bahay pa lamang siya ng kaniyang magulang.

Hindi na rin siya dinalaw ng bangungot. She slept peacefully.

She felt freedom and ease. And that was because of Emerson.

Smiling, Audrey closes her eyes and sleeps.

Sa kalagitnaan ng pagtulog ni Emerson, nagising siya nang maramdaman niyang may pumatong sa hita at dibdib niya. Nagmulat siya ng mata at tinignan kung ano ang pumatong sa kaniya. It was his wife whose arms were on his chest and her thighs were on his thighs. He just smiled and closed his eyes again to sleep.

When he wakes up the next morning, nakayakap na siya sa asawa niya. Emerson didn’t want his wife to feel uncomfortable, so he slowly unclasped his embrace of his wife, even though he still wanted to stay in that position for more time. Before he did that, he kissed his wife on her forehead and left the bed.

After doing his morning routine, he went to the kitchen to prepare their breakfast. Tamad siyang tao pagdating sa pagluluto kahit marunong niya. Pero kung para sa asawa niya, malamang hindi siya tatamarin.

While making breakfast, his phone rang. It was his mother. He answered his mother’s call and put the call on the loudspeaker.

“Good morning, Mom.” Bati Emerson sa ina.

“Hmmm…” Emma hummed. “Mukhang maganda ang gising mo, ah.”

Emerson chuckled. “Talaga, Mommy. Ang aga po. Napatawag kayo? Did something happen?”

“Wala naman, anak. Gusto ko lang kamustahin si Audrey?”

Emerson rolled his eyes. “Mom, I’m your son.” Paalala niya sa ina.

“Alam ko, anak, hindi mo na kailangang ipalala sa akin pero ang daughter-in-law ko ang gusto kong kamustahin. I want to know if she was being bullied by you. I’m telling you, Emerson. I’m going to skin you alive if you dare to bully Audrey.” Banta ni Emma sa anak.

“Oo na po.” Napailing na lamang si Emerson. “Don’t worry, Mom, I won’t bully your precious daughter-in-law.” Nagkaroon lang ng mabait na manugang ang nanay niya, parnag hindi na siya nito kilala. Pero masaya naman siya dahil gustong-gusto ng kaniyang ina ang asawa niya. That was the most important thing.

“Where is Audrey? I want to make sure.”

“Natutulog pa siya, Mommy.” Tugon ni Emerson na hindi na-realized kung ano ang kaniyang sinabi.

“Oh, pinagod mo naman yata, anak?” natatawang saad ni Emma.

“Mom!” Emerson whined and shook his head. “Don’t mention that part. It’s private.”

Emma laughed. “Bakit parang nahihiya ka? You’re a big boy now—”

“Mom, I’m a man, not a boy. Bye, Mom. I’m still preparing for my wife’s breakfast.” Emerson quickly ended the call.

Napailing na lamang siya dahil sa kaniyang ina. Minsan talaga, mapang-asar rin ito. No wonder, sometimes, his father will get pissed. Pero hindi pa niya nakitang nagalit ang ama sa kaniyang ina. His father respects his mother so much.

“I’LL BE LATER AGAIN to go home later,” sabi ni Audrey nang ihatid siya ni Emerson sa University.

Emerson looked at his wife. “Part-time job again?”

Umiling si Audrey. “Malapit na kasi ang midterm exam namin. I need to study, so I have to go to the library.”

“I’ll pick you up later.”

“No need. Umuwi ka na lang para makapagpahinga ka. Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko.”

Emerson smiled. “You’re concerned about me, Baby?”

Bahagyang natigilan si Audrey. “N-no.”

“Really?”

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Audrey.

“Tulak ng bibig, kabig ng dibdib.” Sabi ni Emerson. “Basta susunduin kita. Hindi ako panatag na uuwi kang mag-isa lalo na at gabi pa.”

Hindi na nakipag-argumento si Audrey at nagmamadaling bumaba ng kotse. Patakbo siyang pumasok sa loob ng school gate. Kapagkuwan napahawak siya sa tapat ng kaniyang puso. These past few days, her heart seems weird.

At hindi niya alam kung mabuti ito para sa kaniya o hindi.

I hope it’s for the good.