Kabanata 3
1118 Words
Apat araw na ang nakalipas simula noong puntahan siya ng lawyer ni Raphael tungkol sa pag-dissolve ng marriage nila. Apat na araw na rin ang nakalipas ng magmakaawa siya dito noong pumunta siya sa kompanya nito at apat na araw na na umaasa pa din siya na baka pwede pang ayusin ang nasira sa kanila.
She remembers every word he told her. Masakit na hindi siya ang pinili nito. Masakit na pinili nitong bumitaw kaysa ayusin ang lahat. Masakit. Sobra. To the point na gusto niya na lang mawala. To the point na humihingi na siya ng tulong sa taas para alisin ang malaking sugat na patuloy na lumalaki at bumubutas sa puso niya.
Nanghihina s’yang tumayo ay pumasok sa banyo. Nangangayayat siya. Malalaki ang eyebags at namumutla. It was evident that she’s suffering mentally and emotionally.
She’s not okay and she doubt if she will be okay again. Mending a broken heart is hard lalo na at sobrang na-attach siya sa taong iyon.
Tinalian niya ang buhok at naghilamos. She wipes her face and went back to their room— no, it’s not their room anymore. Wala na ‘yong kasama niya matulog.
A beep caught her attention and she saw her phone lighting up. She grabbed it and saw a text message of her lawyer that she was already in front of her house.
Yes. She already contacted a lawyer for her annulment papers. Kung ito ang gusto ni Raphael gagawin niya dahil mahal na mahal niya ito. She’s willing to let go of him. But just because she’s letting go doesn’t mean she wanted too. Kung ito lang ang tanging magagawa niya para maging masaya ulit si Raphael she’ll do it even if it means she’s not the woman he wished to be with.
Bumaba siya ng kwarto at pinagbuksan ng pinto ang lawyer.
“Attorney Mercedes,” bati niya at ngumiti ng hindi umaabot sa mata.
Attorney Mercedes saw the pain on Mrs. Navarro’s face and she felt a pang of sympathy. When she reviewed their case she found that they were together for a long year. Nakakalungkot lang dahil nauwi ito sa hiwalayan.
She greeted her back and they went inside Elena’s house.
“Gusto niyo ba ng maiinom?”
“Oh? No, Mrs. Navarro. I’m still full,” tanggi ni Attorney Mercedes. Napatango naman si Elena at umupo sa harap nito.
“Is there any changes you want for this paper settlement bago natin ipasa civil court?” They will pass this to the civil court kung saan idadaan ang pagpawalang bisa ng kasal ng mga ito.
“Wala. It won’t change everything.”
“Okay, then.” Attorney Mercedes pushed the papers on Elena and gave her a pen.
Nanginginig na inabot ni Elena ang ballpen at papel. She bit her lips to suppress the sob coming from her mouth.
A look of concern flashed in the Attorney's eyes but it quickly faded. Magiging mahirap ang pag-dssolve ng marriage na ‘to kung mayroong batang involve but it’s not.
Nothing hurts more than watching someone you love, love someone else.
Elena tightly closes her eyes and a tear falls down on her cheeks.
'She needs to do this kasi alam n’yang wala na talaga. Dito na matatapos ang pag-ibig nila ni Raphael.'
Elena finally signed the papers.
Kinuha ni Attorney Mercedes ang papel at tumingin sa dalaga.
“Will you continue staying here?” Ang bahay na ito ay naka-pangalan kay Elena it was stated on the paper she signed.
“I’m not. I don’t want to torture myself living here.” Sasaktan niya lang ang sarili kung mananatili siya sa bahay na ito.
“Then...”
“I’ll leave.” It’s better for her to leave.
Attorney Mercedes stood up and said, “I will go now, Ma'am Elena.”
“Okay. I’ll see you out.”
Elena sighed and closes the door. Should she need to tell this to her parents? No. She doesn’t want to disturb them. Alam n’yang mahina na ang magulang at ayaw n’yang madagdagan ang iniisip nito. Alaala niya na botong-boto ito kay Raphael. Ano na lang kaya ang magiging reaksyon nila kapag nalaman nila ito?
She shook her head and went upstairs. She needs to pack. It’s better to leave as soon as possible.
An hour later, Elena checked the time. Gabi na. She needs to cook tutal tapos naman na s’yang mag-impake. Bukas na bukas din aalis na siya sa bahay na ‘to.
-----
“Sir, narito po si Attorney De Guzman.”
Napatigil si Raphael sa ginagawa at tumingin sa pinto.
“Papasukin mo.”
The door opened, and the man went inside with his briefcase as usual.
“Attorney,” he greeted and gestured to the man to take a seat.
The man gladly took a seat.
“Ma’am Elena already signed the papers.” Nagkita kasi sila ni Attorney Mercedes dahil sila ang pupunta sa korte para maipasa ang annulment paper sa civil court at malagdaan ng decree and dalawa.
Raphael stopped and his eyes flashed in unfathomable emotion before he sat down in front of the man.
“Good. May specific ba s’yang sinabi o may pinabago?”
“Wala, Mr. Navarro.”
Naaawa si Attorney De Guzman kay Elena. Raphael cheated and for him it was a great disappointment. Pero wala naman siya sa sitwasyon nito kaya tatahimik na lang siya. He’s out of their business.
Wala? Raphael narrowed his eyes. Pinirmahan nito agad at wala itong binago?
Mas mabuti nga na mapadali agad ang paghihiwalayan nila. He’s now a free man and free to do everything with Chantal.
“When are you going to the court?” he asked.
“Sa Linggo.” Since the two were able to agree on all matters relating to arrangement of assets and finances, then it is normally possible to avoid having to go to court. Nakapag-file na din naman ito ng petition to formally dissolve marriage.
“Okay.”
Attorney don’t know what Raphael is thinking kaya nag-discuss na lang siya about sa settlement and babayaran nito.
-----
Elena woke up and stares at the ceiling for a minute before sitting up. Inayos niya ang higaan at pumasok sa banyo para maligo at mag-ayos.
She dressed up and put on makeup to conceal the dark circle of her eyes.
No one knows how much she cried that night.
Kinuha niya ang maleta at ready na sana s’yang lumabas nang mahagip ng mata niya ang litrato nilang dalawa ni Raphael. She reached it and for the last time she smiled at the man.
'Goodbye, Raphael.' Then, she flipped it back and went out.
Today, the butterflies on her stomach died.
- Writer
