THE SHATTERED WIFE

WEDDING RING

"Elijah's POV

"What is the meaning of this?" galit na inihagis ni Papa sa harapan namin ni Alexis ang Isang envelope. Kung ano man ang laman ng envelope ay hindi pa namin alam.

I know hes anger Is intended for Alexis dahil sa kaniya nakapukol ang kaniyang paningin.

Alexis was shaking beside me. Naguguluhan sa pangyayari. Ipinatawag kami ni Papa. Nakatayo kami sa kaniyang harapan. Kasama Niyang naupo sa couch ng living room ay aking aswang na madrasta.

Hindi na namin nagawang umupo dahil sa nanginginig na sa takot si Alexis sa aking tabi.

"You frustrate me, Alexis..sa lahat ng ayoko sa babae, ay taksil. I don't tolerate unfaithful partners. I don't want to see someone under my roof having an affair, lalo na at sa magkapatid pa!" hinampas ni Papa ang center table.

Napaigting si Alexis.

I was not able to speak. Kahit ako ay nagulat sa kaniyang paghampas sa mesa. I just arrived from my two day conference and sadly, ito kaagad ang bumungad sa akin.

Excited pa naman na sumalubong sa akin si Alexis. After our discussion regarding our situation, napagkasunduan namin na kilalanin ang Isat-isa. It is a healthy start for our relationship.

I bought her things like the one I brought Dina kapag galing ako sa trip. Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata ng inabot ko sa kaniya ang Isang maliit na box. Maybe she was already anticipating what was inside, hence the box design.

One for me and one for her. Our wedding ring.

Noong kinasal kami, we just signed the marriage certificate and the next day, dinala ko iyon sa civil registrar. Ganoon lang kasimple kapag may koneksyon ka. But I didn't buy a ring for her, nor did my father.

Hinintay ko na pumasok kami sa silid bago ko inabot sa kaniya ang importanteng bagay, at least importante sa Isang babaeng ikinasal ang wedding ring.

"Open it.." I said as I put my attaché case beside our lampshade table. She gasped when she saw the wedding ring. "It's beautiful.." her reaction amazed me. She sincerely likes the ring. "Oh, Elijah, thank you so much.." she put the ring on the edge of the bed and hugged me. I hug her back.

Her action took me by surprise. Hindi ko nakita ang reaksyon na ipinakita Niya sa aking girlfriend. Every time I bring an expensive gift for Dina, she will be delighted of course, but she embraces the gift not me. The gift comes first and then me. Nasanay na rin ako sa reaksyon ni Dina, wala sa isip ko na mas pinapahalagahan Niya ang mga material na bagay kaysa akin. I love her and I'm happy to see her happy. But seeing Alexis genuinely happy and truly appreciated the ring, I felt amazing. Masarap pala sa pakiramdam.

When she pulled out from our hug, she picked up the box from the bed, kinuha Niya mula sa maliit na box ang malaking singsing , "Akin na ang kamay mo.." nakangiting sabi Niya ng humarap siyang muli sa akin. I laughed when I figured out what she was trying to do.." Hindi ba dapat ako muna ang magsuot sa iyo ng singsing?" I raised my brow.

"Binigay mo sa akin ang box kaya akin na ito, at ako ang magdesisyon kung ano ang gagawin ko, hmn.." she playfully shook her head.

"Alright here it is.." nilapit ko sa kaniya ang aking kanang kamay . Hinawakan Niya ito, parang may kakaibang kuryente ang dumaloy sa aking katawan ng magdampi ang aming mga kamay. Ang lambot ng kaniyang palad.

"There..kasyang -kasya, parang sukat mo talaga ito ha, " she commented. I looked down at her, and she looked up at me. We stared and looked at each other.

Nakita ko ang pamumula ng kaniyang pisngi.

"N-nagpasukat ka nga ba ng daliri?" she asked me. Alam Kong naasiwa siya sa aking mga titig. I know that Alexis is beautiful, when I saw her on their balcony, walking towards me..I almost forgot that she's the girl I was about to marry. She looks young, ten years younger than me. Taglay Niya ang kagandahan na hindi mo pagsasawaang tingnan.

A round pixie face, long defined nose, beautiful brown eyes behind long lashes. A pouting KISSABLE lips and rosy cheeks. Kaya minsan kung nag ba blush siya, hindi mo mapapansin kung hindi mo titigan ng mabuti. She has natural rosy cheeks.

"Yes..I hope kasya din ang wedding ring mo. I only guess your size actually." I said a little bit nervous and I like to punch myself for feeling it that way. "I'm sorry, this is quite late..." I said.

"Let me.." kinuha ko ang singsing para sa kaniya ng akma niyang isuot sa kaniyang daliri.' I know the feeling, she got nervous and awkward.

Inabot Niya sa akin ang singsing. Inabot Niya ang kaniyang kanang kamay. Again a tingling sensation.. naramdaman ko na nanlamig ang kaniyang daliri ng isuot ko na ang wedding ring sa kaniya.

'There.." we both laugh ng magkasya ang singsing sa kaniyang daliri.

"Amazing.." it looks good on you. " I said.

"Because, this ring obviously is expensive." she widened her eyes." It's beautiful. A diamond 24 carat wedding ring. This is too much, Elijah. Thank you for this, really." hindi matapos tapos ang pasalamat ni Alexis .

"Don't mention it. "I chuckled.

"Isn't it natural for a groom to buy a wedding ring for his bride? "I raised my brow. "It's quite late though.."

"It's never been too late and I love it." she brought her right hand to my face. Hinawakan ko ang kaniyang kamay.

"A-Alexis.."

"E-Elijah.."

S@bay pa naming binanggit ang aming pangalan. And just like that...we were lost for words. We kept on staring at each other and before we knew it, magkalapit na ang aming mukha. Alam namin kung saan hahantong ang aming pagtitigan. Hinawakan ko ang magkabilang bahagi ng kaniyang mukha. She slowly closed her eyes.

A knock on the door brought us to our senses. Agad na napadilat si Alexis. We pulled from each other's arms. I felt frustrated and as I looked at her, I could see that she was frustrated too.

However, . She was quick to walk towards the door and opened it.

Si Marie, Isa sa aming kasambahay.

"Sir, pinatawag po kayo ni Don Miguel.." bumaling ang tingin Niya Kay Alexis.

"Kasama kayo, ma'am.." she smiled at Alexis.

"Pakisabi Kay Papa susunod na kami.."

"Okay sir, nasa living room po sila ni Donya Vangie.." sabi ng maid sabay sarado sa pintuan.

"Hindi pa ba kayo nagkita ng Papa?" My eyes flicker when Alexis called my father the way I called him. Her calling my father Papa is pleasant to hear. It suits her.

"Hindi pa..come now.." I said smiling.

'Hmn, maybe it is something about his offer to me to work in the company.." Alexis warmly smiled. Halatang excited siya na magtrabaho.

As we walked to the hallway, I teased her about working under me. I could see a blushed creeping on her cheeks. The reflection from the chandeliers makes her skin glow like an illuminating sunset.

In the living room, we were shocked to find out that my father was furious to Alexis. I have no idea why. Before I left two days ago for the conference trip. My father offered my wife to work in the company. He was sincere and sweet to Alexis, but now...

"Ano ba ang laman ng envelope na iyan Papa? Bakit galit ka Kay Alexis.." I was angry to hear him saying unfaithful partner, and he did mention Benji. Now, what did the idiot do this time?

"You asked her.." nanggalaite sa galit ang aking ama. "I thought iba ka sa mga babae na nakilala ko .." he paused. Sapo ang kaniyang ulo, umiling siya.

"Why don't you pick the envelope Alexis, buksan mo at sagutin ang tanong ni Miguel." the woman beside my father sneered.

Kinuha ko ang envelope at binigay Kay Alexis. Kitang-kita ko sa mukha ni Alexis ang pagtataka. Bagama't nagtataka, binuksan Niya ang envelope at napasinghap sa kaniyang nakita. She covers her mouth in stunned silence. Nabitiwan Niya ang envelope at nagkalat sa sahig ang mga larawan Niya at ni Benji. Inside the envelope is a pair of red lingerie.

Pinulot ko Isa-isa ang mga larawan.

It was taken in the hallway. They were talking, ang ibang kuha ay nakahawak ang kamay ni Benji Kay Alexis.

Other pictures were taken from the balcony. Benjii was hugging Alexis from behind.

May Isang picture pa akong nakita, sa hallway..they were kissing!

Alexis was crying..

"Elijah please, it's not what it looks like.." umiling na umiiyak ito sa aking harapan. She's not looking at my father, nor the woman beside my father. But she was looking only for me.

Of course, I know about her feelings towards Benji..

It just never occurred to me that she would betray my trust. We had a deal.

Maliban pa sa pinag-usapan namin na bawal siyang magkaroon ng relasyon sa iba habang kasal kami ay napagkasunduan na namin na bigyan namin ng chance na makilala ang aming mga sarili.

'And what does it look like!? galit na sabat ni Vangie. "Ano ba ang ginagawa ng mga larawang iyan sa silid ng aking anak? Ano ba ang ginagawa ng lingerie mo sa kama ng aking anak? You're such a disgrace.!" Asik ni Vangie.

"I don't know..I don't know.." Alexis was pleading at me. From the look on her face, she wanted to reach out to me.."

"Liar! Impossible naman na basta na lang makarating ang underwear mo sa kama ng aking anak , kung hindi mo siya tinukso, hindi ka na nahiya sa asawa mo! And they're brother for God's sake!"

"I swear, nothing happened, please Elijah.."

"Silent!" my father shouted.

"Answer me, Alexis. And I want an honest answer, sa iyo ba ang lingerie na iyan?" kunot noong tanong ni Papa.

Yumuko si Alexis at umiling. Hilam na ang kaniyang mukha sa luha.

"Sumagot ka.." Singhal ng aking ama.

"Y-yes ."