THE SHATTERED WIFE

WAITING FOR YOU

Elijah's POV

As I park my Bentley Continental, I can't help but wonder about my brother's reaction now that Alexis is married to me. Nagkita na kaya sila?

Pagkatapos Kong mabasa ang mensahe ni Papa ay hindi ko maiwasan ang mapaisip kung kayang panindigan ni Alexis ang mga sinasabi ko noong hindi pa kami kasal. I wonder kung mapagkatiwalaan ba siya, knowing that she has a crush on Benji.

I was aware of my brother's behavior too, he was a player. He likes to hangout with girls, hot girls, kaya nagtataka ako na hindi Niya pinatulan si Alexis. I don't believe that he didn't notice such beauty.

"Elijah.." napalingon ako sa driveway ng marinig ko ang tinig ni Alexis. I almost raised my brow as I saw her standing and seems to wait for me? She looks like a teenager in her white crop top with a high waisted denim shorts. She paired it with a sneakers. My eyes are glued to her beautiful and long shapely legs. I blinked my eyes to stop from staring at her.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

She seemed to get nervous. "I mean, do you have something to tell me? Or are you waiting for someone?" I asked seriously. She could have waited for the delivery man, as she said her mother were going to send her dress. Pero, sa oras na ito? It's almost dark. I can see the orange horizon.

"I, am waiting...for you.." she glanced away. Nakita ko ang kaniyang pamumula.

I was silent. She could have waited for me in our bedroom and not in the driveway of the courtyard. And I don't believe that she was really waiting for me like a loving wife that waits for her faithful husband. No, I don't believe that crap. Silly.

Something was off. And if her fidgety fingers were any guide, she seems afraid.

"Oh, thank you...I should have prepared a bouquet of flowers." I winked at her. I joke the awkwardness of our situation. Seeing that her pink cheeks has turned into red, I added. "Do you have something to tell me or you are not comfortable inside without me?"

She smiled and nodded. "It's almost time for dinner, I'm not comfortable facing your family, alone." she said. Hindi pa naman kami kumain na kasabay sina Papa at ang kaniyang asawa. Pero dumating na si Benji, I thought she was comfortable with the man beside him, instead of me around.

"I see. Come with me." Inabot ko ang kaniyang kamay.

I heard her gasped when I touch her hand. " Do you mind?" agad ko namang tanong. " No, I don't mind." she replied.

"Nabigla lang ako, that's all." she added. Hindi na nawala ang pamumula ng kaniyang mukha. Hawak kamay kaming dalawa ng pumasok sa loob ng Manor.

"Bakit nanlalamig ka?" I asked her. " Are you feeling cold?" I glanced at her.

"I'm fine. Must be the weather.' she said. Is she kidding? It's April. Nasa kasagsagan ng init ang bansang Pilipinas. I made no comments about it. Nararamdaman ko na nahihiya siya sa kaniyang ginawang paghintay sa akin. I could feel it. Hindi kaya may kaugnayan si Benji sa kaniyang nararamdaman ngayon?

Nasa kalagitnaan na kami ng hagdan ng, "Alexis.."

We both turned around and stare at my brother's burning gaze.

" Where have you been? I've been looking at you." he said coldly. Beside me, I could feel Alexis flinched. I am right. it was Benji . Siya ang dahilan kung bakit siya nasa labas naghihintay sa akin. Hindi sumagot si Alexis.

"Hello, brother.." I greeted at him. The jerk ignores me. Umakyat siya ng hagdan.

"Why are you looking for my wife?" I asked.

"Cut the crap, Elijah." he raised his tone.

" It's obvious that you have a hidden agenda as to why you marry her! You can't fool me. Don't you ever dare call her your wife." he said angrily. I could see prominent veins in his forehead.

Sa aking tabi, humigpit ang hawak ni Alexis sa aking kamay. My other hand is holding my attaché case. I couldn't wait to punch Benji for raising his tone to me.

"Why, are you so angry?" I said as calm as I can muster. I don't want Alexis to get more fidgety. Lalo na ng nasa harapan na namin si Benji. He was standing one step lower.

"Leave us, Elijah...I want to talk to Alexis." he said coldly. His eyes was glued to our clasped hands. Tiim bagang siyang nakatingin sa aming kamay. This man is paranoid. Bakit galit na galit siya? Nagseselos ba siya? Is he jealous? As far as I know, hindi Niya pinansin si Alexis.

"Okay, wait for us in the living room. Magbibihis lang ako. " I said.

"No, don't bother. Magbihis ka kung gusto mo, bitiwan mo ang kamay ni Alexis, Iwan mo siya dito. Siya lang ang kailangan Kong makausap hindi ikaw. " Benji insisted.

Wala akong baho ng alak na nalanghap sa kaniya kaya sigurado ako na hindi siya lasing. Alam Niya ang kaniyang ginagawa.

Sinulyapan ko si Alexis, hindi ko mabasa ang kaniyang expression. Pero pinisil Niya ang aking kamay. The message is clear, ayaw niyang makausap mag-isa si Benji. Kahit ako ay nagtaka, bakat kaya? Magkababata sila, magkaibigan.

"Well, everything you have to say to Alexis, you can say it to the both of us." I said with finality in my voice.

"You, son of a--"

I almost fall down as the moron suddenly grabbed my shoulder. Napatili si Alexis dahil sa pagkabigla. I let go of her hand Instantly para hindi na siya madamay pa. Nabitiwan ko ang dala Kong attaché case.

" Benji!" May father is shouting below the stairs.

"What are you doing?" galit na tanong Niya Kay Benji. Binitiwan Niya ang aking balikat. If only I'm alone, I could easily kicked his butt. But Alexis is with me.

"Stay away from your brother and your brother's wife. Come down, I have something to say to you. Elijah, pagkatapos mong magpalit ng damit , bumaba na kaagad kayo for our family dinner.

Umuusok pa rin ang ilong ni Benji na nakatingin sa akin. "Hindi pa tayo tapos.." he said to my wife, who are trembling in front of me.

Nagmamadaling bumaba ng hagdan si Benji at sumunod Kay Papa sa study room.

"Okay ka lang ba?* tanong ko Kay Alexis pagkatapos Kong mapulot ang aking attache case at bumalik sa hagdan upang magpatuloy sa pag-akyat.

Tumango si Alexis.

"Ano ba ang nangyayari sa inyong dalawa?"

Nagkibit balikat si Alexis, Pero hindi siya nagsalita.

"Never mind.." Sabi ko sa kaniya at nagpatuloy na kami sa pag-akyat.

Hindi ko siya pipilitin Kong ayaw niyang magsalita tungkol sa kanilang dalawa ni Benji. Obviously, may nangyayari na ayaw niyang sabihin, at base sa paglapit Niya sa akin, siguro hindi maganda ang kinalabasan ng kanilang pagkikita. At hindi ko rin alam kung ano man ang real score na namagitan sa kanilang dalawa.

Ang alam ko ay may gusto si Alexis Kay Benji.

Si Benji ay player at hindi kuntento sa iisang babae.

Winaksi ko sa aking isipan ang pag-iisip tungkol sa kanilang dalawa. May sarili akong alalahanin na gumugulo sa isipan ko. Ito ay tungkol sa maayos na pagtrabaho sa kumpanya at sa paghilom sa aking nasaktan na puso.

Pagdating namin sa sllid ay umupo si Alexis sa gilid ng kama. I'll settle in the couch. Napansin ko na ninerbyos pa rin siya.

"Ginugulo ka ba ni Benji?"

"Huh?" nagulat pa si ALEXIs sa tanong ko.

"You can tell me what happened.." tinanggal ko ang aking necktie at coat. "Iyon, kung gusto mong sabihin.." nagkibit balikat ako. " Pero, kung ayaw mong I share, I don't mind at all." I told her matter of fact. Alam Niya kung saan siya lulugar. Basta ba huwag siyang magkamali na dungisan ang pangalan ko. Hanggat hindi ko pa alam at hanggat hindi ko pa naintindihan ang kahahantungan ng kasal ko Kay Alexis.

Hanggang ngayon, naririnig ko pa ang sinasabi ni Papa. " Trust me iho, this is for your own good."

Anong kabutihan ang maiduddulot ng kasal ko Kay Alexis?

"Nothing to worry about.." marinig Kong sagot Niya. "May pinag-usapan lang kami ngunit hindi kami masyadong nagkaunawaan. Nothing to worry about." Saad ni Alexis.

Dahil wala siyang balak na ipagtapat sa akin ang nangyari ay tumango na lamang ako. " Okay.." tipid Kong sagot sa kaniya. " Let's go downstairs, naghihintay na sila sa dining room."