His Wife's Cry

Chapter 3

Third Person's Point of View

AYANA woke up early. Today is her day off from work. She and Manang Belen were eating their breakfast when Manang Belen opened a conversation. Gavin was not around because he’s in the company.

            “Why don’t you say to your parents the real relationship between you and Gavin?” Manang Belen looked at her with pity in her eyes. “You’re bearing so much pain, Ayana.”

            But again, she just smiled. “I don’t know what will happen to me if I choose to let go Gavin.” She puffed a breath. “You know how much I love him, right? So, please don’t tell to our parents how Gavin treats me.” She held Manang Belen’s hands. “I’m begging you. I don’t want to lose him.”

            Manang Belen sighed in defeat. “Alright but don’t love him too much. Too much love can hurt you.”

            Ayana felt her heart skip a beat. “But I’m willing to be hurt just to stay with Gavin’s side.”

                        After they eat, Ayana dressed because she’s going to buy groceries. She has had notice that they don’t have a stock of food anymore.

She was pushing her cart while picking the foods and the things that they need. It took hours before she finally finished buying the groceries and now about to go to the cashier when someone’s cart bumped hers.

Her lips slightly parted and her forehead creased. But annoyance faded away when she recognized the person who accidentally bumped her cart.

“Nice to see you here, Ayana.” Zandra greeted her joyfully. She’s Zandra Sophia Mendez, one of her classmates in college. Sophia was wearing a pink fitted dress with her chestnut brown curly hair. She’s still beautiful like before. “By the way, I’m sorry if I accidentally bumped your cart. I’m really sorry I didn’t notice you.” She apologetically said. “I’m actually in a hurry right now.”

 “It’s okay. No worries.” A dazzling smile furrowed on her face. “How are you? It’s been a while since we see each other.”

They both walk towards the cashier area and she let Sophia first in the line since she was in a hurry.

“I’m so fine!” Sophia exaggeratedly uttered. “And I’m actually getting married soon.”

She was surprised by what she heard. Her lips formed a small circle but smile after. “Really? When? I mean, who’s the lucky guy?” She excitedly asked.

Sophia smiled timidly at her and a blush crept her cheeks. “I can’t tell you right now. You’ll know soon. Don’t worry, you’re invited.”

“I’ll look forward to that.”

“By the way, how are you with Gavin? How’s the life of being a wife?” Sophia was teasing her and her cheeks painted red.

Sophia’s family was close with her family that’s why Sophia knows that she’s the wife of Gavin. But they don’t know the real status between Gavin and her. So, she needs to lie in front of everyone.

“Well, we’re doing fine. We’re good.” She haughtily said at Sophia.

 “Really, huh?” She doesn’t know if she’s just hallucinating or she really saw a mocking and sarcastic smile furrowed on Sophia’s lips. “Is Gavin really good to you and not treating you bad?” Sophia sighed in a mocking tone. 

The way Sophia speaks, it seems like she knows something between her and her husband. “Excuse me?” Her eyebrow quirks up.

Sophia’s expression changed. From insulting expression to a heartwarming smile. “Ah… I…” She was stuttering. “I mean... Umh…”

“Next.” The cashier uttered. Sophia doesn’t finish her sentence as she immediately went to the counter.

Her scrutinizing gaze was pointing at Sophia until she went out at the supermarket. Ayana just tilted her head and ignored the question that starting to form in her mind.

            She paid the groceries and drove home after. She helped Manang Belen to cook their lunch and after that, she went upstairs to clean Gavin’s room.

She borrowed the duplicate key from Manang Belen. She was the one who’s handling all the keys of the house. Gavin doesn’t want her to enter into his room, but little did he knows she’s the one who’s always cleaning his room whenever he’s not around.

Gavin was the type of guy that all his things were in a proper place. He’s so careful and he wants everything settled. That’s why she just changed his bed sheet; the curtain and she cleaned his toilet.

Since Gavin doesn’t want her to go near him, that’s the last thing she could do for her husband besides loving him.

Gavin’s cabinet was slightly open and it caught her attention. She went there and the moment she opens it, a black small box was the first thing she saw. Her jaw literally dropped. A pink pear-cut diamond ring was inside the box. It was not just a simple ring but one of the most expensive rings in the world.

‘Why Gavin has that ring? It’s not their wedding ring.’

Thinking that ring was meant for someone else makes her heart ripped into million pieces. It seems like the woman who’ll receive the ring was very special to her husband and of course, it wasn’t her.

She took a deep breath before she left the room. She went downstairs and ignored the twinge of jealousy.

But she can’t put it aside.

His husband is in love with someone else. Is he going to propose with the girl he really loves? Is he going to divorce her?

No. It can’t be. She can’t live without Gavin anymore.

She widened her moist eyes and blinked to remove the sourness in them. She couldn’t cry, at least now.

She entered the kitchen and leaned on the table. She was startled when Manang grabbed her arms and lifted up the sleeves of her T-shirt.

Manang Belen’s eyes widened when she saw her arms full of wounds and contusions. She probably got those when Gavin gripped her arms last night and his nails cause wounds on her arms. Her lips slightly parted and she looked away.

“This is what I’m saying, Ayana! Gavin is hurting you not only emotionally but also physically! Are you happy with these wounds?!” Manang Belen burst out her anger.

Ayana understood why Manang Belen acts that way. She’s just concerned.

“It’s not that hurt.” Ayana lied. Of course, it was hurt but it does actually nothing compare her heart’s bruise.

Manang Belen squeezed her arms that made her scream in pain.

“Ouch!” She walked backward away from Manang Belen.

“It’s not that hurt, huh? Look at your arms. It’s almost purple!” Manang Belen massaged her temple. “I don’t know what I should do to you. You’re torturing yourself.”

She walked towards Manang Belen again and hugged her slightly. “I’m okay. I really am.”

“For me, Gavin and you are my children. And seeing the two of you hurting one another makes me feel useless.” Little teardrops from Manang Belen’s eyes. “I can’t even help the two of you to solve your problems.”

Ayana wiped Manang Belen’s tears away. “You’re not useless, Manang. You did great for us. But this is between me and my husband. I know everything will be alright. Gavin will love me back.” She was so determined. She’s hopeful.

“Ayana—” She cuts Manang Belen off.

“He will love me. I know, he will.” She tried her hardest smile just then. She had cried enough.

They were about to continue what they’re doing when Gavin entered the kitchen. She looks baffled. Why Gavin is so early today?

“Why you’re early, Gavin?” Manang Belen asked.

Gavin’s face was blank and there’s no emotion written in his eyes. “I want to rest.” He coldly said. Gavin glanced at her arms. She rolled down her sleeves to hide her wounds.

“Is that so? Go to your room now and I’ll call you when the food is ready.” Manang Belen smiled at her husband but Gavin remained emotionless and his eyes were settled at her.

She’s not comfortable with his stare that’s why she turned around. Nervous was covering her body when Gavin walked towards her. He held her arm and slowly pulled her to face him. 

“Go to your room now, Gavin. Please.” Even Manang Belen felt the tension between them.

They were staring at each other and different electricity running down in her chest. But she quickly looked away when pain flashed in her eyes. She tried to escape from his touch, but Gavin was stronger compared to her.

“Let me go.” She said nonchalantly but Gavin was just staring at her. “Are you deaf? I said, let go of me.”

“What if I don’t want to?” He said seriously.

“What do you want?” She’s confused. Why did Gavin want to touch her all of a sudden? He doesn’t even want to lay his fingers on her before.

There’re no words coming from his mouth instead, he lifted her sleeves like what Manang Belen did earlier. She was startled and gasped. Gavin stared at her wounded arms. She tried to escape from him but he won’t let her. He touched her wounds carefully and different heat was covering her body. She’s burning because of his touch.

She felt stronger hypnosis from his touch. Just staring Gavin’s eyes, melted her heart little by little.

Suddenly, Gavin dragged her upstairs. His hand tightened around her right arm as he pulled her towards his room.

“What are you going to do to her, Gavin?!” Manang said worriedly.

But instead of answering Manang Belen, Gavin slammed the door and locked it. She was now in Gavin’s room. Just the two of them alone.

He pushed her against the wall and held her face gently to meet his eyes. He whispered words and is breathing nearly on her lips.

“You’re really stupid, Ayana.” She gasped for air when Gavin tried to leaned himself on her more.

Gavin stared her lips. Before she expects something, Gavin grabbed her again and gently pushed her on his bed to sit down. She placed both hands on her chest, trying to stop her heart to feel different emotions that make her weak.

Gavin started removing his clothes until he’s just wearing his boxer. Even though she tried harder not to look at her husband’s body but she lost. She can’t help herself but  admire the perfect build of her husband’s body.

She can see Gavin’s smirking.

“What do you want to happen?” She asked nervously.

“What do you want to happen with this one room, with one bed and,” he smirked, “just the two of us inside here?”

“Stop this s**t, Gavin.” She was trembling. She doesn’t have any idea what Gavin planning to do to her.

That’s what she wants, right? But not now. Gavin is not still in love with her. She can’t give herself with him now.

Gavin looked around inside his room. “You cleaned my room again.”

Her eyes widened. “How… how did—”

“I asked the maids to know who’s the intruder that keeps entering inside my room.” He spoke very naturally as if the person in front of him was not his wife.

“I’m not an intruder. I am your wife.” She emphasized her last word.

“Yes, you are. But just only in the papers.” Gavin sardonically chuckled. “You can’t own me because of those f*****g papers.”

Her nose felt a little sore and her eyes stung hard. She controlled herself so as to not to let the tears float to her eyes. As if a thunder high from the sky struck her, she felt dazed and almost vomited.

Before she could speak, Gavin went to the toilet and went back in front of her again. He was holding a first aid kit. He sat down next to her. He rolled up her sleeves and stared at her arms.

Her heart was ready to explode the moment Gavin touched her skin. She was about to pull her arms away from him when Gavin started to treat her wounds.

“Don’t move.” His tone was way too serious; it made her immediately feel panicked.

Gavin was treating her wounds. Is she imagining things again or is it really happening?

She just stared at him. Her feelings came rushing back like a tidal wave. That’s the awaited moment for her and it was happening now. Could they just stay like that? Could Gavin treat her the way he treats her before?

“Ouch.” She complained when Gavin unintentionally press his fingers on her wounds deeply. She didn’t hear any word from him but he continued to clean her bruises with gentle now.

“Why are you doing this?” The tightness caught in her throat. But of course, she’s aware there’s a reason why Gavin was doing that.

Gavin stopped. He let go of her arm. “Get out.” He’s greeting his teeth as he pointed the direction of his door.

She can’t move. The real Gavin was back. Her breath became uneven. Her heartbeat thundered.

“But Gavin—”

“I said get out,” Gavin said in a dangerously low voice.

She stands up and walked towards the door as her heart was being ripped again. She was now outside in his room but her feet automatically stop when Gavin’s voice lingered on her ears.

“I forgot to tell you,” Gavin’s voice hanged in the air. She turned around to face him and a sarcastic smile furrowed on his face. “Our parents will visit us soon. I treated your wounds for it to heal fast and not to leave any evidence that I’ve hurt you.” Gavin smirked. “I think I should say that. So, you won’t be hopeful again.” Gavin slammed the door in her face.

Her shoulder and hands were shuddering. Her chest was throbbing. The pain doesn’t transient. It continued left wounds inside her. She wailed while remembering how fool she was.

She smiled. As she always does, she wiped her tears and continued to love Gavin again.

“Thank you for the pain.”