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“I"ll fix you some coffee first. You might feel dozy and draggy in your trip.”
“No need. I"m getting late.” He said, turning down my offer without even glancing at me. He was too tied up, hustling over putting his polos and tux in order inside his black luggage bag. My senses just got me to sigh knowing that I couldn"t do anything to make him say yes.
Well, that"s the way he is. When he says he doesn"t want it, then it"s definitely a "no". I"m just a worried wife – my husband might feel under the weather during his trip, knowing that it will take long hours. Besides, he"s used to having some coffee in the morning first before leaving for work.
Then, I went near him to help him finish packing up his things for Barcelona. Just after a little while, Allen went inside the shower room, maybe to get some toiletries, while I continued collecting and drawing up more of his polos from the closet.
While tidying his things up, I couldn"t help but laugh to how it looked like - t"was very messy! It showed every signs of just hurling his clothes topsy-turvy. The others were folded, though, but very disorderly. He really doesn"t know how to do this neatly!
He"s being very stubborn! I told him earlier to just leave it all up to me because I know that he couldn"t do it properly, but he resisted. He wanted to do it himself. But, see? Now, all the work still end up on me.
I started to re-fold the clothes inside his luggage bag neatly because I know that the cab he called will be arriving anytime soon to pick him up. He decided to just take the taxi going to the airport as he"s not feeling like driving his car.
I screamed when he suddenly embraced me from behind. He caught me up bending over when I was reaching onto his leather shoes on the floor. I turned around to face him, only to see him without his polo s.h.i.+rt on.
Oh, I can"t believe this man! He was already dressed, and then he still took his polo s.h.i.+rt off! This will get him late. I wanted to fend him off because I knew exactly what he wants, but before I could even make a step backward, he has already gotten his hand inside my top.
He squeezed me on the waist gently which gave me a different kind of tingling sensation. Now, I feel like I got ants in my pants!
“S-stop, Allen. You will get late on your flight.” I reminded him as his hands inched my body and his chest collided on mine. Hey, I wasn"t wearing anything underneath! Instead of stopping, he lightly pushed me towards the closet.
“W-wait, your taxi will arrive anytime soon.” I reasoned out.
“Tsk, just one round!” He insisted.
I smirked. Just one round? That"s impossible. He doesn"t even stop until exhaustion consumes him.
He started to undo the first two b.u.t.tons of my top and was about to kiss me on the neck, but I pushed him away slightly and immediately grasped my top to stud it back.
“N-not now. You"re going to be late. Dad might get mad if you won"t get to the airport on time. We"ll do it once you get back home. I promise.”
He stepped back, and I know that he felt irate with me rejecting him, as I saw him frowning.
It irks him when I shoot him down, but that"s for his own good anyway. He might get late and I don"t want that to happen, especially this time that he and Dad will be flying to Barcelona together. It will not be a good impression if he arrives there last-minute.
He didn"t insist any further. Instead, he sternly reached onto his polo s.h.i.+rt on the bed, put it on, and headed to the bedroom door. I couldn"t do anything but shake my head. He must have been frustrated, so I followed him immediately before he could even go downstairs.
“Allen…” I called him as I reached on his hand to stop him.
He lowered his head to look at me and I looked down because his eyes looked fierce.
“Uhm… I-I"m sorry. It"s just that you might run late.” I added.
I lifted my head to see his reaction. We looked at each other for a while before he sighed and rolled his eyes on me.
“Okay, fine. Just don"t ever pose with that position again, as if you"re teasing, without even planning to get down on it. You left me hanging, unsatisfied, Vanessa.” He said blaming me, and then he continued to go downstairs to the living room.
My mouth just dropped open.
Don"t pose with that position? Was it because I"m bending over? My cheeks suddenly felt hot. I didn"t mean that! It wasn"t even my intent to tease him or anything, I was just bending over to reach onto his shoes. It was him who suddenly gave me a warm embrace.
I followed him downstairs. I planned to make it up to him and be a little extra clingy because I don"t want him to leave having a hard feeling, but on the second thought, I know where this could lead us. So, he better just live through it first.
“Vannie, I need your help.”
I immediately went near him and helped him put the folders scattered on the table in order.
I feel sorry for him, though, as he hasn"t gotten to take some rest yet. After we got home from Subic, he just took a nap for a while, and then he faced his laptop right after. I told him to get some sleep first, but he just won"t listen. Such a stubborn man. He even had the gut to get mad, telling me not to bother him as he needed to finish something he"ll use on his meeting in Bacelona. In turn, I also didn"t get enough sleep waiting for him to come to bed. I"m so sure he"ll be dozed off later.
“Van…” I looked at him when he called my name. I saw him putting on his laptop to his bag.
“Why?”
“Your promise, don"t forget.”
I was caught in the moment. What promise?
Ah… Maybe when I told him in Subic that I will stay away from Zian. Hmm… I thought I"ve heard enough from him on our way home last night, but it seems not to be the case. Then, I secretly smiled while he continued to fix his work folders.
“Yes… I promise to stay away from Zian. You don"t have to wo–“
“WHAT?!”
I was startled when his voice suddenly went high.
“W-Why?” I frowned.
“That"s not what I"m talking about!”
“Uhm, then what?” I don"t know where to look at, my eyes couldn"t lock on one place.
His hands were on his waist and he rolled his eyes on me again. I bet he"s already annoyed as I couldn"t get what he meant. Then, he came close, held me on the elbow, and said, “You promised to… The one we"ll do, when I get back home.”
I couldn"t respond right away to what he said. I don"t know if I would laugh or what. I thought I forgot something I promised him, and it turns out to be THAT! He hasn"t even left yet, and he"s thinking about getting back home already. I just nodded in response to his reminder.
And then again, loneliness grew my sensation. I will miss this man, that"s for sure. One week seems to be so fast, but for me, that feels like a year. I"m not used to not having him around - there"ll be no one I"d sleep next to and no one I"ll have meals with.
What if I just allow him to get late on his flight? So he wouldn"t fly to Barcelona anymore, then he"ll just be staying here with me.
“What are you thinking?”
All these thoughts flushed out of my mind when he lifted my chin up. Then, I just shook my head to answer his question, but he stared at me like he really wanted to know what"s running in my mind.
I then held both of his hands and asked, “Allen, can"t I really just come with you?” I asked him fearlessly.
He avoided my eyes and I saw him frowning. “I thought we"ve already talked about this Vanessa? Are we having this conversation again?” He responded impatiently.
I looked down and said, “I know… But… I just want to come with you…”
“You can"t come. I can"t work properly if you will be there. How many times do I have to tell you that? I might always get late on my meetings. Do you know what I mean?”
“Promise, I won"t bother you. I won"t get you exhausted.”
“Tsk, you are very stubborn, Vanessa! We"ve had this talk for so many times! You stay here. I said I"ll be back after a week. Just wait for me here.”
I was literally like a child being scolded by her parents. I just heard the frustration from his voice again - he"s really on pins and needles when it comes to me.
I bit my lower lip and sat on the sofa just beside me. “Okay.” I answered in a low voice. “But can I come home to our place first? Or your place? I"ll stay there until you get back home. Besides, I don"t want to be alone here.”
He came close, brushed my hair with his hands, and to my surprise, he gently grabbed my arms and put them around his waist. Oh, I can feel his six pack abs underneath his ash gray polo s.h.i.+rt. I can"t help but smile. All the more that I don"t want him to leave. I pulled him closer to me. I know that I"ll be yearning for this sweet gestures from him.
It feels very depressing that we are just making it up to each other for the lost time when Dad needed him urgently at work. Wrong timing.
“No, just wait for me here. I won"t be gone for too long. I"ll be back as soon as possible. Listen to me, okay? I want you here when I get back home.” He calmly explained, but he still sounded bossy as usual.
I just nodded to comply with his order. What else can I do? He doesn"t want me to come with him, too, so I"m left with no choice, I will wait here until he comes back.
I embraced him even tighter and closed my eyes real hard as he played with my hair. I don"t know what"s with my hair that he always wanted to mess around with it.
We stayed in this position until his cab buzzed from outside. We let go of each other in unison. He hastily went upstairs to get his luggage bag while I picked up the folders that I organized earlier.
I went outside first, carrying his laptop and folders with me. Just after a while, he also went outside pulling on with him his black luggage bag. I watched him as he placed his things on the compartment of the taxi. Oh, I am feeling very anxious, he"s really leaving.
After he has loaded his things on the taxi, he hurriedly went in front of me. It was still dark as the sun has not risen yet, so I cannot see his face very clearly.
“I"m leaving.” He said, bidding goodbye.
My face drew a bittersweet smile. I"m almost about to cry. “Take care of yourself. Don"t forget to call me when you get there.”
“Okay…” He answered directly.
I thought he was already getting inside the taxi, but I was completely surprised when he grabbed my face and kissed me on the forehead.
It brought back the feeling of being a teenager. My cheeks felt hot – actually, it felt great! I waited for so long for him to do this. I"ve been wanting to feel his sincere kiss on my forehead before he leaves. Then, he moved his face a bit backward, but remained holding me on the cheeks. “Stay here, Vanessa.” He reminded, looking at me in the eyes. “Don"t you dare leave our house. I will get mad if you will.”
I nodded like a child.
“And don"t you ever think of meeting that a.s.sh*le. If he comes here, don"t let him in. Don"t entertain strangers, Van. Or else…”
“I know what to do, Allen. Don"t worry,” I a.s.sured him, and then I smiled.
He sighed. “Good.” He released me from his hold and stared at my whole body as if he was looking for something. “Where"s your phone?” He asked. I immediately checked the pockets of my PJs for the new cellphone he bought me last night. “Here…”
“Okay. Contact me if you need anything.”
I nodded and bluntly smiled at him. “Please also call me, so I won"t be worried.”
“I will call you when I"m not busy.”
***
“Ma"am Vannie? Ma"am, it"s ready for cooking.“ I gathered my senses when Edith knocked on the door of my room. I then turned my gaze on the closed door.
“Okay, Edith. I"ll come down now.” I yelled so that she can hear me clearly from inside my room.
I finished my coconut juice placed on top of the coffee table, and then looked at my watch, only to realize that I stayed for hours inside my room. I was supposed to read the magazines for a while, but I got lost in my own thoughts. I suddenly remembered the things we talked about before Allen left for Barcelona.
Our conservation went well back then. He promised me that he"ll be back in no time and I held on to that promise. Of course, he"s my husband, I will trust everything that he says even if it doesn"t go my way. If only I knew that this will happen, I shouldn"t have rejected him that time.
I should"ve made love to him. I should"ve just said yes and I will do everything I can to cope up with his pace so we can do it for several rounds, and then he"ll get exhausted, and then he"ll get late on his flight, and then he won"t go to Barcelona anymore - so I won"t feel lonely this way.
Ugh, and then I sighed two times. I tried patting my cheeks just to get rid of the sad thoughts running around my head. I don"t want to overthink anymore, I"m already tired.
I reached onto my gla.s.s of coconut juice and headed downstairs.
“Has the water already boiled?” I asked Edith, who was helping me cook, while I was putting my ap.r.o.n on.
“Yes, ma"am. It already did. The meat might have crushed already.” She teased.
I smirked. “Okay, then. Please hand me the onions and tomato.” I directed.
I"m here at my parents" place. I decided to stay here for a while. I feel like I"m going crazy waiting for my husband, crying. It has been 2 weeks and 4 days, but I haven"t received anything from him. In fact, I"m already losing hope. I"m getting tired waiting for a person who doesn"t even plan on coming back.
It makes me feel sad that he can"t even make time to at least call me. I regularly check my email thinking that he might be sending messages there, but no, there"s nothing from him, too. I can no longer count how many calls and messages I have left him, but I received not even a single reply.
I really don"t have any idea what"s going on anymore, if he"s even still alive or what. Until one night, I just found myself packing up. I just texted him and left a note on the fridge and on our room to let him know, in case, that I"ll be staying at Mom"s. I"m sure that he"ll get mad at me for leaving the house, but that"s his fault. I don"t wanna stay there anymore, it"ll drain the sanity inside me.
There"s also no one else here in the residence of the Perez"s but the maids. Dad"s still in Barcelona while Mom followed him there a couple of days ago because it looks like they will be having a done deal with their potential partners.
I want to feel completely happy for them, but it"s loneliness that comes out the more. All I can feel and think about is that Allen has no plans of coming back home - that he might have just left me realizing that he really can"t forgive me. I can"t help but feel hurt because I waited and hoped for our marriage to work out. He should"ve just said it to my face if he doesn"t want this anymore, so that I can just move on.
“Ma"am, I can already smell the sour taste of the Sinigang! Seems delicious, huh? For sure, our tummies wouldn"t get enough of it.” Edith excitedly exclaimed as I tasted the dish using the ladle.
I"m not sure if my cooking really smelled great or if she was just trying to make me feel better because she knows that I"m not doing well. She has also caught me crying a number of times and I have already said all kinds of excuses, too.
“Oh, here you go on laying it thick on me again.” I answered laughing.
“No, it"s not a bluff. From the smell, I can really tell it"s delicious.” She said and winked, and then I smirked again.
“Let me taste it now, and we"ll see.” She continued as she grabbed the ladle from my hand. I watched her as she blew and tasted the Sinigang slowly.
“Oh, ma"am Vannie! There can be no doubt! You now cook better than I do!” She complimented kindly.
I couldn"t help but laugh. “For real? Then, let"s put the veggies on so that we"ll be done in no time. I"m already feeling hungry, too.”
Edith and I are on good vibrations. I feel comfortable around her, maybe because she took care of me when I was young. She"s already a bit old, but she still kicks like a child - full of beans!
I was about to put on the veggies on the pot when I heard somebody called me. I looked at my back and saw Rica, Edith"s niece and also a maid in this house, who just came in troubled.
“What is it Rica? Is somebody outside?” I asked her frowning. I can hear a car noise outside as well.
“Yes, ma"am…
…It"s your husband.”
The ladle and plate almost slipped from my hands. My eyes bulged in shock and I couldn"t seem to move. My hands trembled, too. After I gathered myself, I placed the ladle and plate on the table first, fetched water from the fridge and poured some on the gla.s.s. My throat felt dry.
At last… He finally planned to come back home.
But why do I seem happy and excited now that he"s home, instead of feeling mad at him for not coming back for more than two weeks? I lightly fixed myself first, I brushed my hair with my fingers and removed the ap.r.o.n I was wearing.
“Edith, please take charge first. Just put on the veggies and then it"ll be done.” I asked Edith a favor which she immediately carried out. I took a deep breath and went outside to bid my husband welcome.
This man has a lot of explaining to do.
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