A Chance Encounter

CHAPTER 22

AS EMERSON and Audrey emerged at the party, they caught the attention of Emerson’s colleagues. Sa party na ‘yon naroon rin ang ilang kaibigan ni Emerson na nakilala ni Audrey sa araw ng kasal nila ngunit hindi na niya maalala ang mga pangalan ng mga ito. Ayon kay Emerson kilalang businessman rin ang mga kaibigan nito. It’s just that she’s not interested in knowing those things, so she doesn’t know them.

Humigpit ang kapit ni Audrey sa braso ni Emerson nang maramdaman niya ang tingin ng mga tao sa paligid nila.

Emerson looked at his wife. Tinanggal niya ang kamay ni Audrey na nakakapit sa braso niya at inilagay niya ang isang braso sa beywang nito.

Napasulyap naman si Audrey sa kamay ni Emerson na nakahawak sa beywang niya.

Emerson smiled. “It’s okay. Just stay beside me.”

Tumango si Audrey.

“Let’s go.”

A waiter from the party guided them to their table. While Audrey was sitting beside Emerson, may napansin siya. Ilang babae ang nasa party ang napapatingin kay Emerson. Hindi na nagtaka si Audrey kung bakit. Emerson’s appearance was enough to get someone’s attention, especially women. Pero wala sa mga ito ang atensiyon ni Emerson kundi na kay Audrey.

“Bakit ganiyan ka makatingin sa akin?” tanong ni Audrey.

Ngumiti si Emerson. “I just want to look at you.”

“But they were looking at you,” Audrey said. Pasimple niyang tinignan ang mga babaeng nakatingin kay Emerson.

Inilapit ni Emerson ang mukha kay Audrey. “I don’t care about them, Baby. I only care about you.”

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Audrey. Mabuti na lang at medyo madilim, hindi halata ang pamumula ng mukha niya.

Emerson smiled.

“Mr. Montenegro, nice to see you here.” A business colleague approached Emerson.

Tumayo naman si Emerson saka binati ang bagong dating.

Later, some businessmen also came and introduced themselves to Emerson. Emerson took that opportunity to introduce his wife to his colleagues. Alam niyang may ibang motibo ang ibang negosyante na lumalapit sa kaniya lalo na at ipinapakilala sa kaniya ang anak ng mga ito.

“Does this happen every time you go out to a party?” Audrey asked when she saw a businessman introduce his daughter to Emerson.

Tumikhim si Emerson saka tumango.

Kumunot ang noo ni Audrey saka tinaasan ng kilay si Emerson.

“They did, but I didn’t pay attention to them. Trust me, Baby.”

Umismid lang si Audrey saka tumingin sa may stage nang may nagsalita doon. It was the 25th wedding anniversary and the old couple renewed their vows. Habang nakatingin si Audrey kay stage habang nagrerenew ng vows ang mag-asawa, napaisip siya. It is rare for a couple to achieve this marriage for years in their life.

Kapagkuwan napatingin si Audrey kay Emerson. Sila kaya? Maabot rin kaya nila ang ganitong bilang ng taon ng pagiging mag-asawa nila?

After the couple renewed their vows, they went off the stage and greeted their guest.

“Mr. Montenegro, I’m glad you came.” Masayang saad ni Mr. Garcia.

“Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Garcia.”

“This must be your wife,” said Mrs. Garcia while looking at Audrey. “You’re so beautiful, hija.”

Emerson smiled. “Yes, she is my wife.” Ipinalibot ni Emerson ang braso sa beywang ni Audrey.

Audrey politely nodded her head.

“Look at how proud our friend was,” said Jeff, chuckling.

Austin shakes his head. “Inggit ka lang.”

“Uy, hindi ah.”

Umingos si Austin. “Deny pa more.” Aniya. Sumimsim siya ng alak sa hawak niyang wine glass.

“Hindi nga.” Jeff defended himself.

Austin clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“But honestly, after Emerson got married, he was becoming more and more human now,” said Jeff.

“Sige, iparining mo ‘yan kay Emerson. Tignan natin kung sikatan ka pa ng bukas.” Ani Austin habang naiiling.

Jeff immediately zipped his mouth.

Nakahinga naman ng maluwang si Austin dahil sa waka tumahimik na ang katabi niya.

AUDREY wasn’t used to going to a party and wasn’t used to socializing. Pero habang nasa wedding anniversary siya ni Mr. and Mrs. Garcia, na-realized niya na iba talaga ang mundo ng mga mayayaman.

“Hi.”

Bahagyang nagulat si Audrey nang biglang sumulpot sa tabi niya si Jeff. Ang matalik na kaibigan ni Emerson. Jeff said he and Emerson were best friends, but when she asked Emerson, he told her that they were not best friends. Hindi niya maintindihan ang dalawa kaya hinayaan na lamang niya ang mga ito.

Audrey just nodded her head at Jeff.

“Waiting for Emerson?” tanong ni Jeff.

Tumango si Audrey. “Kinuha niya lamang ang sasakyan.”

Napatango si Jeff. “He really can’t stay for a long time in a party like this.”

Napatingin si Audrey kay Jeff. “Anong ibig mong sabihin?”

Jeff smiled. “Let me tell you. In the business world, there are many cunning foxes and schemers. Inside,” he pointed inside the event, “there are many pretentious people. Your husband can’t stand it. Emerson was a ruthless businessman, but he didn’t hurt innocent people. You can assure that, Mrs. Montenegro.”

Of course, she knew that. Ilang na niyang kasama si Emerson sa iisang bubong. Kahit papaano nakilala na niya ang ugali nito. Kapagkuwan kumunot ang noo ni Audrey. “So, are you a cunning fox too?” tanong niya.

Natawa si Austin na nakarining sa tanong ng asawa ni Emerson habang naglalakad siya palapit sa mga ito.

Natahimik naman si Jeff dahil sa tanong ni Audrey.

Austin tapped Jeff’s shoulder. “That’s what you get when you talk too much.”

Napailing si Jeff. “I dug my own grave.”

Austin chuckled and nodded his head to Audrey. “Are you okay?” he asked with concern when he saw Audrey’s grimacing.

Umiling lang si Audrey. “I’m fine.” Aniya kahit masakit ang paa niya. She wasn’t used of wearing heels, kaya naman madaling sumakit ang paa niya.

“Mrs. Montenegro.”

Napatingin si Audrey sa kaibigan ni Emerson.

“You’re the only woman whom Emerson showed care.”

Audrey didn’t believe it. “He had a fiancée before.”

Tumango si Austin. “He had but didn’t show care like he does for you right now. I saw how he looked at you inside earlier. It was full of affection. So, I hope you won’t hurt Emerson in the future,” Deretsahan niyang saad.

Siniko ni Jeff si Austin. “Be careful with your words.”

Austin ignored Jeff.

Hindi sumagot si Audrey pero tumango lang siya. She didn’t promise because she didn’t know what the future holds. Kapagkuwan napatingin siya sa paparating na kotse. Kusang gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi niya nang tumigil ang sasakyan sa harapan niya at bumaba si Emerson.

Emerson was holding a fluffy slipper and crouched down in front of his wife. Alam niyang masakit ang paa nito dahil sa pagsuot nito ng heels kaya naman naglagay siya ng tsinelas sa kotse niya.

Habang si Audrey naman ay nagulat. Hindi niya inaasahan na gagawin ito ni Emerson sa mismong harapan ng mga kaibigan nito. She stared at her husband. Wala siyang makitang pagpapanggap rito at mukhang hindi ito nahihiya.

Emerson removed Audrey’s heels and replaced them with the fluffy slippers he had brought.

Nagkatinginan naman si Austin at Jeff.

Jeff grinned. “Our friend right here was hooked up.”

“Well, he wasn't like you, who only cares about your business,” Austin said, roasting Jeff.

Jeff clicked his tongue.

“Let’s go.” Binuksan ni Emerson ang pinto ng kotse at pinapasok ang asawa. After his wife got into the car, he gently closed the door and faced his friends. “The contract will be sent to you later."

Austin nodded. "Thanks, man.”

Emerson smiled and walked towards the driver's seat. After getting into the car, he buckled up his seatbelt and looked at his wife. Nang makita niyang nakasuot na ang seatbelt nito, pinaandar na niya ang makina ng kotse at umalis na sila.

Napabuntong hininga naman si Jeff habang nakasunod ng tingin sa papalayong kotse ng kaibigan. "Naging tao na talaga siya. Ikinasal lang siya hindi na niya kilala ang kaibigan niya. He even knows how to smile now."

Austin rolled his eyes. “Dati naman siyang tao. Ikaw ‘tong hindi yata tao. Let’s go.” Inakbayan niya si Jeff. “You drive my car.”

Kinuha ni Jeff ang hawak ni Austin na susi. “Let’s go. I want to rest now. I’ll sleep in your condo.”

“Alam mo mukhang kailangan mo ng maghanap ng girlfriend mo para hindi ka na nakikitulog kahit kani-kanino.” Sabi ni Austin na naiiling.

Jeff always crashes into his condo to eat, drink and sleep. Mabuti na lang at mag-isa rin siya sa condo niya kaya walang problema dahil minsan si Jeff na rin ang naggo-grocery which saves him money.

WHEN EMERSON AND AUDREY arrived in the parking lot, he saw his wife had fallen asleep. Napailing na lamang siya saka maingat itong pinangko upang hindi ito magising. This was not the first time his wife had fallen asleep in the car.

Pagdating niya sa loob ng penthouse, he deposited his wife in the bed and put the quilt on her. Kapagkuwan hindi siya nakalayo kay Audrey nang ipalibot nito ang braso sa leeg niya.

“Audrey…”

“Hmm…” Audrey just hummed. “Good night.” Then her arms dropped.

Emerson chuckled. He stared at his wife and gently caressed her face using his thumb. “Baby…”

Biglang hinuli ni Audrey ang kamay ni Emerson. “Don’t leave…”

Emerson smiled. “I won’t leave,” Aniya.

Audrey’s breath became even, showing that she was relaxed.

Hawak ni Audrey ang kamay ni Emerson kaya naman hindi makagalaw ang huli. Umupo na lamang siya sa gilid ng kama at pinanood ang asawa niya habang natutulog ito hanggang sa hindi niya namalayan na pati siya nakatulog na rin.

But when he woke up the next morning, masakit ang katawan niya. Pero ayos lang basta nakatulog ng maayos ang asawa niya. His wife’s comfort was his priority.