"Yes... wife."

Pinandilatan ko siya. "Don't call me wife in public!" How many times do I have to tell him that?

"I'll call you whatever I want," he said stubbornly, his smile fading away.

"Whatever. Where the hell is that dress para mabili na at nang makauwi ako?" Nagulat ako nang bigla niyang hilahin yung isa kong kamay na para bang may karapatan siyang hawakan ang kamay ko. "Why are you holding my hand?!" mataray kong tanong sa kanya.

He raised an eyebrow. "Is it a crime for a man to hold his wife's hand?"

"As if naman mahal kita." And don't look as if you're hurt by what I said. Dammit.

"Well that escalated quickly," he said.

I smiled smugly at him. Why is he looking so pained anyway? "Let go, Daniel." I tugged at our intertwined hands. He tugged back.

"If I let go of your hand, then I'll have nothing better to do than to kiss you here."

My eyes widened with his response. Wala na bang ikakapal ang apog niya? "You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me."

The asshole looked so serious. Tsk. I better not risk it. "Fine. Whatever."

He smiled at me saka marahan akong hinila. Ayon, ang ending, magka-holding hands kami habang naglalakad.

We went to this high end store and looked for the dress that he was talking about. I almost laughed at his face when I saw it. That's what he call sexy? He better have his eyes checked. Yung dress kasi, feeling ko balot na balot ako. Long-sleeved siya na parang fishnet yung style then tube yata yung nasa loob.

"Pretty, right?" he asked, smiling.

I rolled my eyes. "Akala ko ba sexy?"

Nawala yung ngiti niya. Napalitan 'yon ng grimness. "What did you expect? A plunging neckline? Bare back? Thigh-high slit? You think I'd let you wear something like that para pag-pyestahan ka ng mga manyak?"

"Oh please." As if he cares...

"Try it on. I'm sure you'll like it."

"Like hell I would." Para namang mapapagkatiwalaan ko yung taste niya. Pero sabagay, he married me but pfft—that's not exactly the best choice he made.

"Huhubaran pa ba kita dito? Sabihin mo lang."

"Fine! Magsusukat na!"

Dala ng inis, nasungitan ko tuloy yung attendant.

--

I hate to admit that I quite like it. It fits perfectly and it's not that slutty kind of sexy. Mukha pa ring classy at mayaman. Well, it should be. Ang mahal kaya!

"What does it look like?" he asked from outside.

"Sandali. Lalabas ako," sagot ko.

"'Wag! I don't want to see it. I wanted to be surprised for later..."

Di ako natutuwa sa sinabi niya. Even though there's a hint of excitement and happiness in his voice. No. I abhor it completely.

Kaya naman lumabas ako ng dressing room para asarin siya.

At ang adik, nakapikit.

"I told you not to come out," iritado nyang sabi. Yung mga saleslady, panay ang ngiti. Sweet daw. Masuka nga sila sa mga sinasabi nila! What's sweet with that? He looked stupid.

"Eh sa gusto kong lumabas eh."

"Magbihis ka na," sabi niya. Mariin pa ring nakapikit yung mga mata niya. Pumasok ulit ako ng dressing room and changed to my previous clothing saka ko ibinigay sa saleslady yung damit. She bagged it and he paid for it.

Next, we made a stop to a shoe store tapos siya na rin ang pumili ng sapatos. Para ngang ligayang-ligaya pa siya habang sinusukat 'yon sa paa ko. Di ko kagayang suyang-suya sa ginagawa niya.

I'm no Cinderella and he's not my Prince Charming. Not in this fairytale. No.

Hinatid niya ako sa bahay after that to prepare for our dinner.

--

Naaasar ako sa hitsura niya. Why does he have to look so dapper? Kung pangit lang 'to, ang daling iwanan e. Kung wala siyang hitsura, hindi magkakaganito ang buhay ko in the first place.

He smiled and looked at me appeciatively.

"See? It suits you," he declared, proud of himself for being right... yet again.

I rolled my eyes—a habit quickly forming. "Whatever."

He handed me the bouquet he's holding. Tinanggap ko 'yon. I'll throw it later on the trash pag-uwi ko. Di ko magagawa ngayon kasi nandito pa siya.

When the bouquet was out of his hand, he leaned and touched my cheek saka siya tumungo para halikan 'yon.

Saka siya bumulong...

"Happy 5th year anniversary."

Shit.

Nag-a-anniversary pa pala kami? Huh, I totally forgot. No, actually, I don't even know we have one. Nag-celebrate ba kami last year? 'Di ko maalala.

"Anniversary natin?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"Talaga? Sorry. I actually don't remember us having one."

His smile faded. Saka siya nag-iwas ng tingin at napalunok. "We went to Paris last year. Milan—two years ago. We cruised on the Aegean Sea before that and then on the first we..." His voice trailed off, maybe trying to remember what happened on the first.

Or maybe he just couldn't say it to my face. On our first wedding anniversary, he took me to the Bahamas for our honeymoon. He didn't know back then that I heard him colluding with his father to get his grandfather's inheritance through me. I remember begrudgingly fulfilling my obligations as a wife and maybe he was gentle and patient with me back then, but I couldn't remember any of that because I was so busy hating him.

Since that vacation, lalo ng lumayo ang loob ko sa kanya. I even filed a TRO against him. Syempre pa, it was lifted immediately because of his strong connections pero simula noon, siya na mismo ang hindi lumalapit.

"O ano? Tatayo na lang ba tayo dito? I'm starving," reklamo ko.

His face lifted and he gave me a quick smile saka ako inakay pasakay ng kotse. We went inside at sumiksik ako sa pinakasulok. I wanted to be away from him as much as possible.

He sighed, revved the engine and drove to the restaurant.

We were met there by the two handsome owners—namely, Kent and France. They were not in their usual chef's uniform. They were wearing tuxes. They personally led us to the special table they reserved for us, complete with the rose petals, candles and wedding singers. Yuck.

"Here's your gargouillou," Kent announced then winked at me. My my... he's still a flirt even with married women. Narinig kong tumikhim si Daniel.

"Thanks, Kent," I said to Kent and flashed him my sweetest smile. Then I glanced at Daniel and saw his jaw clench. Galing lang. Galing mag-portray ng jealousy.

We ate the food and waited for the next order.

"White tuna poached in olive oil," Kent announced as he and France served the food. All smiles na naman siya sa 'kin. Grabe, ang ganda ko talaga.

"Thanks again, Kent."

"Anytime, Meg," he replied with a wink.

Tumikhim na naman si Daniel. Honestly, why does he have to clear his throat everytime?

"Why are you flirting with him?" he snapped.

"Flirting? I was just being friendly. Alangan namang simangutan ko yung tao kung nakangiti naman sa akin?"

"You shouldn't be like that with any other guy. People might start to spread rumors about you."

We continued to eat in silence. After a while, bumalik na sina Kent and France with another dish.

"Sea bream, citrus fruits, caramelized ventrèche," pakilala ni Kent sa pagkain.

"I'll take that, Kent," Daniel commanded. Nagkatinginan ang mag-pinsan and then I saw France nodding to Kent. Nagpalit na sila ng pwesto. Si Kent ang nag-serve kay Daniel at si France naman sa 'kin.

"Thanks, France," I smiled at him. He just smiled back.

That's the obvious difference between the two—si Kent all out flirt habang si France—timid at restrained. After serving, they left us again to eat.

--

A little while later, they came back with another dish.

After that came the dessert.

Then they handed us another bottle of red wine. "Oh cool. Another wine," I said. I'm not really pleased with it. We've had red wine already during the meal but they are giving us another for token.

"Thanks France... and Kent," Daniel said.

"No worries, Daniel."

After finishing the meal, they escorted us out of the restaurant. I saw them wave from the car window. Kent even blew me a kiss. Ang landi niya talaga.

Daniel looked at me disapprovingly while I was trying my best not to hide the smile on my face. Bakit ba? E sa gusto kong makipaglandian. Gwapo si Kent. Di man kasing yaman ni Daniel, mayaman pa rin ito.

Saka gwapo. "Ang gwapo ni Kent, 'no?" Oops. I said it out loud.

"Dammit. I don't want to hear you talking about that guy."

"Why not? He's cute."

"Shit."

"Stop talking foul. Kakakain mo lang. Baka masuka ka niyan."

He gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white. "Pwede bang makisama ka naman? Kahit ngayong anniversary lang natin?" he pleaded.

"Why bother with these anniversaries? Sinasayang mo lang ang pamana ng lolo mo sa 'yo," I said.

I stole a glance at him and felt his aura darken. Nakakuyom yung palad niya at nagtitiim ang bagang niya. Boy, he looked so angry.

"I'll take you home," I heard him say.

--

Back at the house, we were still on no-speaking terms. Di naman ako makababa ng sasakyan agad-agad. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit parang nag-aantay ako ng permiso niya bago ako lumabas ng kotse. Maybe it was because I don't want to cross him when he's angry. He's so scary. Siya na mismo ang lumalayo kapag sobrang galit siya kasi ayaw niyang makasakit.

"I'll go ahead," lakas-loob kong sabi. I began unbuckling the seatbelt when he spoke.

"Did I say you can go?"

I rolled my eyes and cursed mentally. "So ano'ng gusto mong gawin natin? Tumitig sa daan magdamag? Inaantok na ako. I want to sleep." I was about to open the door when he suddenly grabbed my hand, making me jerk at such a small contact.

"Hindi pa kita pinapababa."

"I-I have to..." Get out of the car as soon as possible. I even stuttered for Christ's sake!

"Not yet," mariin nyang sabi.

My eyes widened in horror as I saw his face inched slowly towards mine. Napapikit na lang ako. Contrary to what I was expecting, marahan lang ang paghalik niya, as if taking his time... leisurely.

Nakakalasing.

I was even mildly surprised when he ended it so abruptly.

"Now you may go."

With trembling hands, I opened the door. I was about to step down when I heard him speak again.

"Well, aren't you really going to invite me in?"

Makailang ulit akong napalunok sa tanong niya.

I know where this is going. And I don't want it to happen but it seemed so inevitable. Hawak-hawak pa rin niya ang kamay ko pero maluwag naman. I can go whenever I want to. It's as if he's giving me a choice.

To invite or not to invite? Either way, I know I'll regret it. Curse these choices.

Sighing, I tugged my hand away from him saka ako tuluyang bumaba. Narinig ko rin yung mahina niyang buntong-hininga. I was about to close the car's door when I finally spoke. I might regret this later but right now, this is what I really want to do.

"Halika sa loob." Automatically, his face lit up like a lightbulb. Ngumiti siya nang pagkalapad-lapad saka nagmadaling lumabas ng kotse. He's excited, I can tell. Kahit naman sabihin kong magja-jak-en-poy lang kami sa loob, I know he would still hope for something else. "Magkakape ka lang ha. Inuulit ko, magkakape ka lang. After that, umalis ka na kaagad."

"Okay," he answered with a shrug.

Bago kami pumasok, kinuha niya muna yung wine sa kotse niya. Kumunot bigla ang noo ko. Sabi ko magkakape tapos alak ang dala?

"Sabi ko magkakape, di ba? Bakit dala-dala mo 'yang wine?" mataray kong tanong sa kanya.

"Sayang naman kasi kung hindi natin iinumin 'to."

"Save it for something else."

"But I want to drink it tonight... please?" He made this puppy-eyed look na talaga namang nakakasuka. Akala niya cute 'yon? Maybe for a five year old. "Please Meg? Kahit ngayon man lang, makisama ka naman," pangongonsensya niya.

Nabuhay naman ang konsensya ko. Asar.

"Fine," I said in resignation. Bahala na si Batman.

"Thaks, Meg," he said with a smile. Siya na rin ang nagbukas ng pintuan para sa 'kin.

He placed the bottle of wine on the table saka kumuha ng dalawang burgundy glass na nakasabit sa taas. He popped the bottle open and filled the two glass with wine. Tapos iniabot niya sa 'kin yung isa.

"I'm not drinking it," I said.

He looked at me sternly. "Please." It was not a request. It's a demanding request. Like he's not giving me any choice but there's still the illusion of choice. I rolled my eyes and grunted. Damn that tone of voice. I always feel like I'm being reprimanded.

I took the glass from his hand and sipped the wine. Well, in fairness, masarap naman. I sipped some more. Hmmm... nakakaadik a. Iba yung lasa nito sa ininom namin kanina. This is sweeter.

Ayun, di ko namalayan na naubos ko na pala. I handed the glass to him, mentally commanding him to pour some more. He happily obliged naman.

"Masarap, 'no?"

Biglang naningkit ang mata ko. "Nilalasing mo ba 'ko?"

"Baka nilalasing mo ang sarili mo," he replied, his eyes dancing merrily. Yung nagti-twinkle. Sagwa. Kinuha ko yung glass sa kanya and chugged the wine down with a few gulps. "Hinay-hinay naman, Meg," saway niya sa 'kin.

"One more," I said, handing him back the glass. He took the glass from my hand but instead of pouring the wine in, he just put it on the table and looked at me.

No. Actually, STARE was the right word.

"Meg, can we talk?" he finally asked.

"What about?" tanong ko. Unti-unti na yatang tumatama yung alak sa 'kin. Nahilo ako bigla kaya naupo ako sa isang stool.

"About you living away from me..."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Napag-usapan na natin 'to di ba? I won't file an annulment as long as we don't live in the same house."

"Pero hanggang kailan?"

"Until you let me go, Daniel. And do not look disheartened. Hindi na bebenta sa 'kin

'yang arte mo."

He sighed. "After all these years, you still hate me that much?"

"Tinatanong pa ba 'yan?"

"Hindi mo pa ba ako mapapatawad, Meg?"

I smiled at him, happy to see tears form on the corners of his eyes. Hindi na ako naniniwala diyan. Nauto na ako once, di na ako magpapauto ulit.

"Siguro on your death bed, I'll be able to forgive you. So pray something bad happens to you, malay mo gumana," buong pang-uuyam kong sabi sa kanya.

He breathed in sharply. Hinimas niya ng kamay ang bibig, all the while looking at everything else but me. "WOW," malakas nyang sabi. "Ganyan ka ba kasama?"

I smiled smugly. "Sino ba'ng may kasalanan kung bakit ako nagkaganito?"

"I don't know why I even—nevermind. I'm sure hindi ka rin naman maniniwala."

"C'mon. Try me. Malay mo mauto mo ako just this once," panghahamon ko sa kanya.

Napabuntong-hininga siya nang malalim. Then he gripped the wine glass on his hand, took it to his mouth and consumed the content in two big gulps. Then he threw it so hard, it smashed on the wall. I cringed a little pero hindi ko ipinahalata.

"Mahal kita, Meg."

Dead silence followed. At nang di ko na kinaya, I let it all out. "HAHAHAHA! THAT'S IT?" To mock him further, I clapped my hands slowly. I saw his jaw clench at humugot siya ulit ng malalim na hininga. "Bukod sa joke na 'yan, ano pa'ng alam mo?"

"Dammit, Meg!" He angrily shoved the bottle to the wall. Ayon, basag.

Sayang.

"Shit happens, Daniel."

"Bullshit!"

"Yeah, that too." I nodded, as if it were a statement that needed my agreement.

Nagulat ako nang bigla niyang hawakan ang tigkabilang braso ko at niyugyog niya 'ko nang pagkalakas-lakas. My heart hammered against my chest as I saw his eyes darken with anger.

"Alam mo bang gustong-gusto na kitang saktan ha?" mariin nyang tanong. Never ko pa siyang nakitang ganyan.

Yung galit na galit.

"Gusto mo 'kong saktan? Sige gawin mo! Gusto mo 'kong sampalin? Sige—" I gripped his hand off my arms saka ko inihaya sa mukha ko. "Gawin mo!"

He pulled his hand back. Tuluyan niya akong binitiwan. And what I saw next pulled at my heart—though I hate to admit it.

Tears.

"Alam mo namang hindi ko kaya," he said in a cracked voice, he wasn't looking at me but I can easily see the pain on his eyes.

To rub more salt to the wound, I walked to the main door and opened it wide. "Umuwi ka na." Napatingala na lang siya. Saka nagpahid ng luha. Naglakad siya palapit sa 'kin and I stepped aside to give him way. Pero nagulat ako bigla nang yumakap siya sa 'kin. "Daniel."

"Sorry... one last hug?"

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. One last?

"W-What do you mean?"

"Mukhang wala nang pag-asa Meg. I'm letting you go now," he said between his sobs.

"O-Okay."

He kissed my forehead. "Basta... yung sinabi ko sa 'yo... totoo 'yon."

"Sige."

He let me go. Wow... para akong nabunutan ng tinik. Mawawala na siya sa buhay ko. Ang saya lang! He stepped out of the house, went inside his car, and drove away. Nang makaalis na siya, isinara ko na ang pintuan at nagsimulang linisin ang kalat niya.

Winalis ko yung basag na baso at bote saka itinapon sa basurahan. Lasing na nga yata ako, nanlalabo na kasi ang paningin ko.

Next stop, I went to the bathroom to remove my makeup and what I saw truly shocked me. Gulo-gulo ang buhok ko. My cheeks were red. I blinked to see my reflection better and I was horrified to see tears in my eyes.