CHAPTER 26
1300 Words
AT THE ROOFTOP of the hospital, Joseph was standing beside the railing. The car’s honk could be heard from the highway. An ambulance could be heard from afar and on its way to the hospital. People are walking in and out of the hospital.
While this was happening, Joseph was listening to his mother’s scolding.
“Joseph Alejandro Auclair De Luca!”
Nailayo ni Joseph cellphone sa tainga dahil sa lakas ng boses ng kaniyang ina.
“What trouble did you cause? Did you covet that little girl? Did you force her?” Sunod-sunod na tanong ng ina. Then his mother added in a sad voice, “How pitiful she is to fall into your hands.”
“Mom, you sounded like I was a very bad man. Fine, I’m a bad man, but I know how to respect women,” Joseph said to his mother. Yes, he was defending himself against his mother.
Josephine, Joseph’s mother, breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought you did something to that girl. I was shocked to hear this news. You didn’t even tell us.”
“Mom, I wanted to explain earlier, but you didn’t let me. You kept on scolding me.” Reklamo ni Joseph. Huminga siya ng malalim.
“Then explain now, son,” wika naman ng ama ni Joseph.
“I love her, Mom, Dad. So, I hope that you will give your blessings to us,” said Joseph. “She is a nice woman, Mom.” Dagdag niya.
“But, Joseph, this is too sudden. Why did you marry her? You didn’t even tell us,” wika ni Josephine. As a mother, she felt disappointed.
“I’m sorry, Mom. But I just wanted to protect the woman I love,” seryosong saad ni Joseph. “If I don’t do this, other people might hurt her. I can’t forgive myself…” he sighed. “She was hurt and she lost her memories. Now, she doesn’t remember anything. Ako na lang ang pamilya niya. I will take care of her. Don’t worry, Mom and Dad. I won’t leave my responsibilities behind.”
Nagkatinginan ang magulang ni Joseph.
Alexandro smiled and spoke with his son. “Like what I have said, you will always have my support, son.”
Josephine sighed. “But—” napatigil siya sa pagsasalita nang hawakan ng asawa ang kaniyang kamay. Tumingin siya kay Alexandro at umiling ito kaya naman napabuntong hininga na lamang siya. “As long as your happy, mio figlio.”
Ngumiti si Joseph. “Thank you, Mom, and Dad.”
“Okay. Take care of your wife. Call us anytime.” Wika ni Alexandro.
“Yes, Dad.”
Alexandro ended the call.
Tinampal ni Josephine ang braso ng asawa. “Why did you stop me? Joseph was reckless!” she hissed.
Alexandro sighed. “I know, but just let him. He’s already old enough to decide what’s best for him. Cara, haven’t you noticed his voice earlier?”
“What about his voice?” Josephine asked.
“He sounded happy while talking about his wife. Though what he did was indeed a reckless move, I know he has his reason.” Alexandro was happy that his son finally met someone who could make him happy.
“What do you mean?”
Alexandro sighed. “As you know, Joseph didn’t agree to marry the heiress of the Esposito family. They sent their hitman to the Philippines and that hitman came back, and he was already inside the casket. Father was also furious about Joseph and sent his hitman to the Philippines. Later I found out that those hitmen were ordered to kill Joseph’s wife.”
“How despicable! They tried to kill an innocent girl.” Josephine clicked her tongue in annoyance.
“So, Joseph’s sudden marriage was to prevent my father from killing his wife. I think he really loved his wife. I never heard him speaking happily like that. Though he masked his voice with calmness and seriousness, I could still detect the soundness of happiness in his voice.”
Josephine smiled. “Now that you said it, I want to meet his wife.”
“Cara, don’t do anything against our daughter-in-law. Joseph might blame you.” Paalala ni Alexandro.
“I won’t do anything, don’t worry.” Napailing si Josephine. “But I do want to meet his wife.”
“Not now. You heard your son. His wife lost his memories. Just let him spend his time with his wife.” Alexandro said. “How about we visit Melbourne?”
“Vacation again?”
Tumango si Alexandro.
“Okay.”
Alexandro smiled and kissed his wife. Yes, they are still sweet even if they are already old.
IRIS WOKE UP and saw her husband sleeping on the sofa. Tumagilid siya ng higa saka pinagmasdan ang asawa niya. It felt like it was new to her to call Joseph her husband. Or this is just her because she lost her memories. She stared at her husband. She couldn’t deny it. Joseph was handsome. He was wearing a black T-shirt and jeans. The t-shirt hugged his muscles, making them bulge with each movement.
Hindi namalayan ni Iris na nakangiti na pala siya. Nagulat na lamang siya nang marinig niyang nagsalita si Joseph.
“Done checking your husband, Amore?” Joseph asked as he opened his eyes.
Nakaramdam ng hiya si Iris pero naalala niyang asawa niya pala ang kaharap niya. Ibig sabihin hindi na dapat siya makaramdam ng hiya. Bumangon siya saka matapang na hinarap si Joseph. “Yes.”
Joseph smiled at his wife’s braveness. Alam niyang nahihiya ito dahil namumula ito. But he couldn’t help it but to tease her. “And what did you find out, Amore?”
Kumunot ang nuo ni Iris. “Amore?” She suddenly felt happy hearing Joseph call her that endearment.
“Yes, my endearment to you. Amore means love.” paliwanag ni Joseph. “So, what did you find out, Amore mio?”
“You're handsome.”
Lumawak ang pagkangiti ni Joseph saka tumango. Tumayo siya saka lumapit kay Iris. Inilapit niya ang mukha kay Iris. Hinihintay niyang lumayo ito pero hindi ‘yon nangyari. Iris just raised her eyebrows at him, making him chuckle and pinched his wife’s cheek.
“Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
Umiling si Iris and answered differently. “I want to go home.”
Umayos ng tayo si Joseph. “But you’re not fully recovered yet.”
Iris pouted. “I want to go home.”
“But the doctor hasn’t allowed it yet, Amore.”
Naghalumikipkip siya. “I want to go home. Nagsasawa na ako dito sa hospital. See that?” Iris pointed to the four corners of the room. “Araw-araw ko na lang nakikita ‘yan.”
“Iris, don’t be stubborn—”
Humiga si Iris saka tumalikod kay Joseph.
Joseph was stunned. And yet here I thought I was already stubborn. So, my wife is more stubborn than me.
“Iris—”
“Don’t talk to me.”
Joseph sighed. Napangiti na lamang siya saka umupo sa gilid ng kinahihigaan ng asawa niya. Hinawakan niya ang balikat ni Iris. “I’ll talk to your doctor. I’ll try to ask if you could recover in our house.”
Mabilis na bumalikwas ng bangon si Iris. But she suddenly felt discomfort. Napahawak siya sa tapat ng kaniyang puso.
“Careful,” sabi ni Joseph.
“Really? You’re going to talk to the doctor.” Ngumiti si Iris saka yumakap sa asawa. “Thank you, hubby.”
Natigilan si Joseph pero napangiti na lamang siya at niyakap ang asawa. “Anything for my little wife.”
But unfortunately, it took one more week before Iris was finally discharged from the hospital.
- Writer
