Life is playful and unpredictable. You must learn how to dance a little. -jazlykdat

Aubrey

Nang mapatulog ang anak ay napagpasyahan niyang hanapin ang asawa. Pababa siya ng hagdan nang makitang nakaupo ito sa bar counter kausap ang ina. Agad niyang nilapitan ang dalawa.

Alam niyang may problema si Vander at may kinalaman iyon sa nangyari kanina sa supermarket.

Her mother-in-law smiled upon seeing her. Tumango ito at ngumiti bago tumayo at iwanan silang dalawa.

Huminga siya ng malalim bago nilapitan ang asawa. Niyakap niya ito at hinalikan sa batok.

"Akyat na tayo?" malambing niyang bulong sa tainga nito.

Vander turned around and looked at her. Napalunok siya. Ngumiti naman ito bago siya hinapit sa baywang at hinalikan sa noo.

Napayakap siya rito.

"You have nothing to worry about Charlie. We separated a long time ago." She told him.

Napangiti naman ito.

"I know. I am sorry for ignoring you this afternoon. Everything should be part of the past now." He mumbled as he hugged her tighter.

"I love you, Vander." She murmured burying her face on his chest.

"When I started managing the hotel, I also started planning on putting up a branch in Dubai." Kuwento nito.

She felt him inhaling deeply before kissing her head.

"Akala ko kasi dati nandoon ka pa. I was so stupid. Ni hindi man lang ako nag-imbestiga muna kung nandoon ka pa." He added. Napatingala siya sa asawa. Ngumiti naman ito ng tipid bago siya hinagkan sa noo. Her heart pounded so fast.

"Ayokong aminin sa lahat na nagkamali ako kaya pinanindigan ko na lang. Everybody thinks I did nothing."

So, he planned to chase her?

"Paano kasi nag-uumpisa pa lang ako, palpak na agad. I was afraid to fail again kaya hindi na ako nag-attempt ulit." Dagdag nito. She could see a glint of regret on his brown eyes. Mayroon talagang inferiority complex ang asawa noon. Mas lalo niyang isiniksik ang sarili sa asawa.

"Then, I figured if I'd take care of our kids well. You'll be happy when you come back." He said holding her tighter.

"You're the sweetest, Vander and don't ever forget you've been a good father. Kung ano man ang nangyari noon, kalimutan na natin. Let's start all over." She said to appease him.

"Yes we will, I love you, Aubrey." He whispered in her ear. They stayed tucked in each other's arms for a while before they went back to their room.

She smiled as she stares at her husband sleeping soundly. Napagigitnaan nila si Deshima. Nakayakap pa ang asawa sa anak nila. Her heart's full of joy. Parang ang hirap paniwalaan na magiging okay sila ng ganito pagkatapos ng lahat ng sakit na napagdaanan nila. Life could be really so unpredictable and playful. Sana lang huwag na ulit silang paglaruan ng pagkakataon. They've suffered enough.

----

She planned to surprise Vander at his office. Gusto niyang siya naman ang gumawa ngayon ng effort.

Nag-takeout siya ng pagkain, bago nagtungo sa opisina ng asawa para sabay silang mag-lunch. She ordered his favorite beef menu and broccoli salad.

Napangiti ng alanganin si Marlene nang makita siyang papasok ng opisina. Napakunot-noo siya pero binati niya pa rin ito.

"Where's Vander?" she asked.

"Nag-lunch out na ate," tugon naman nito. Kaya pala ganoon ang reaksyon nito kanina.

"May lunch meeting ba?" tanong na lamang niya. She looked at her watch. It's only 11:08AM. Inagahan na nga niya ang pagpunta, na-late pa rin pala siya pero ayos lang naman dahil alam naman niya kung gaano kalaki ang business na hawak ng asawa niya.

"Wala pong naka-schedule, ate pero nagpa-reserve siya kaninang umaga ng table for two sa VLF Empire Hotel." She answered unsure.

Table for two?

Did Vander plan to take her for lunch kaya maaga itong umalis para masundo siya?

She smiled inwardly.

She left the food to Marlene and headed to the hotel. Siya na lang ang pupunta doon. She also texted Vander while she's on her way there. Tinanong niya lang kung nasaan na ito.

She was already at the entrance when she received Vander's reply.

"I'm out for lunch," was his reply. Napakunot-noo siya.

Kung hindi para sa kanilang dalawa, para kanino ang reservation nito?

Her heart started pounding fast. Bigla siyang kinabahan pero ibinaling na lamang niya ang atensyon sa iba.

"Table for how many persons, ma'am?" tanong ng receptionist sa kanya pagpasok niya ng restaurant.

"Vander Lewis Filan's reservation please." She said smiling. The girl looked at her and then to her monitor.

"Pardon, ma'am?" The girl muttered.

"Vander Lewis Filan's table," she repeated. The girl did not respond.

Inis niyang inilabas ang ID mula sa hawak na purse.

"Ma'am, we'll just add a chair. We were not informed there'd be three of you. We were told to reserve a table for two only. Our apologies, ma'am." She said. Tinanguan na lamang niya ang receptionist.

A waiter ushered her inside. Iginiya siya nito sa isang private dining room. Bahagya itong yumuko bago siya iniwan sa may pintuan.

With a nervous heart, she slowly opened the door.

She was greeted by Vander's laughter. Kaharap nito si Sienna na ngiting-ngiti rin. They did not even bother to see who opened the door. Maybe they think it was another waiter. May waiter din kasi na nagse-serve sa mga ito.

"That was funny," Vander muttered smiling. She felt jealous. Parang gusto niyang lumabas na lang pero masyado namang immature kapag ganoon. She needs to ask first before concluding anything. Ayaw niyang magselos nang wala namang basehan.

Nag-reply naman si Vander sa text niya. If this woman was more important to him, then he would've not bothered sending her a message while having lunch with her.

"Vander," she called out softly as she approached their table. Napamaang ang dalawa sa kanya.

She smiled. "I went to your office. I was told that you're here." She mumbled. She tried to hide her nervousness.

"Why? Is there an emergency?" Vander stood up. The girl remained silent while watching them.

"Yes," She smiled. Lumapit siya sa asawa.

"This," she muttered. She tiptoed and kissed him quickly. Vander held her waist. Ayaw sana niyang tapusin ang halikan nila pero napatikhim si Sienna. When she looked at her, napahawak ito sa batok at napatingin sa ibang direksyon.

"You missed me?" Vander asked smiling.

His smile turned into a chuckle when she nodded.

"That's sweet." He commented.

"Sienna, I think Aubrey and I need to go," baling nito sa babae. Ngumiti naman ang babae.

"Yeah, you two should get a room," she answered with a smirk.

She didn't look back when Vander immediately took her hand and walked out.

Vander was grinning ear to ear as he takes the keycard of the hotel room from the hotel staff. Inakbayan siya nito at agad iginiya sa elevator.

"Hindi pa ako kumain," saad niya sa asawa. Iba na naman kasi ang ngiti nito. Kitang-kita niya mula sa repleksyon nito sa pinto ng elevator.

"We'll order once we get inside the suite." He smiled. Huminga siya ng malalim.

"Hindi ka lang napagbigyan kagabi, pinuntahan mo na ako," he added chuckling. He pinned her on the elevator wall. Solo kasi nila sa loob.

"Tumigil ka nga. Buti nga pumunta ako sa opisina mo. May ka-lunch date ka pala," nakasimangot niyang saad rito.

"What? Sienna's a friend and we just had lunch." Natatawa nitong sagot.

"I wasn't told. Bakit kasi kailangan mo pang makipagkita sa kanya? Hindi ba tapos na ang therapy mo?" She pouted.

"Well, for the last two years, I got used to talk to her about everything. Sort of a habit." Vander smiled.

"A habit can become addiction." She muttered averting her gaze.

"Are you jealous of her?" He asked smiling widely. He kissed the tip of her nose.

Napatango siya. Kahit na kantiyawan siya nito. She has to let him know how she feels.

"I'm not comfortable thinking that my husband's having lunch with a beautiful woman." She admitted honestly.

"Mas maganda ka naman sa kanya." natatawa nitong saad. Umayos ito ng tayo. Nakarating na kasi sila sa palapag kung saan sila pupunta.

"Huwag mo nga akong bolahin," tugon niya sa asawa.

"I swear, you are far more beautiful than her." He said seriously. He swiped the keycard and leads her inside.

"If it would make you feel comfortable then I won't talk to her again," he said as they sat on the couch.

Vander stared seriously at her.

"Totoo?" tanong niya rito.

"Yeah. I'd do everything so that we'll have that happy marriage we've been deprived off for so many years." He said sincerely. That remark made her insides jumped. Napangiti siya. Hindi niya napigilan ang sariling kumandong at humalik sa labi nito.

Vander returned her kisses as he caressed her back. She started feeling hot. Kaya naman mas lalo niyang idinikit ang katawan rito. She only stopped when Vander chuckled.

"Akala ko ba gutom ka?" natatawa nitong tanong.

"It can wait. Bakit mo kasi ako dinala dito sa hotel?" she said smirking. She nuzzled his neck.

"Whoah, easy, heart!" He said chuckling. Humawak pa ito sa siko niya para pigilan siyang yumakap.

"KJ!" she said pouting. Umayos siya ng upo sa tabi nito. Natatawa naman nitong inabot ang telepono at nag-order ng pagkain.

When he was finished ordering, he looked at her and smiled.

"You need to eat. Medyo mahaba-haba ito. I am going to free my afternoon sched." He winked.

Napatawa na lang siya. Knowing Vander's caliber, it will be a blast. She'll probably need a lot of energy.

\_(*o*)_/