Chapter 19

"Mrs. Ferrer..."

Nang marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses ay mabilis akong napalingon. A huge grin broke on my face when I saw Malik, together with his daughter, Tamara, heading towards us.

"Malik!"

I leaped and greeted them with a huge, warm hug. I heard Malik chuckle, and Tamara complaining that I'm squeezing the two of them. Misty eyes filled with tears, I leaned away and smiled some more to them.

"You came..."

"Of course. Alam mo bang hindi ako mapakali nang marinig ko ang balita? Kailangan kitang makita na... buhay. Pinag-alala mo kami, sobra."

I smiled at them. His kind words towards me is making my heart ache. Who would've thought that I'd be good friends with the son of a Datu who had been once my husband?

"Ayos na ako, Malik..." to prove my point, I did a little twirl to show off my rosemilk silk dress. I wore this particular dress tonight in celebration of Zoey's birthday. Maraming tao ang narito ngayon para sa kaniyang kaarawan. I've seen artists and other musicians just by strolling around, arm in arm with my husband, Zeus.

"You look great tonight, Naia."

"Thank you, Malik."

"Nasaan si Zeus?"

Nilibot ko ang paningin at nakita ang asawang nakatingin pala sa aming dalawa. He's darkly staring at the two of us while sipping what appears to be a pineapple juice. It doesn't really suit him. He's a wine enthusiast and loves pirate drinks. But I appreciated the fact that ever since we got married, I've never seen him touch a bottle of alcohol. Him collecting expensive wine is just for aesthetics. Tumupad siya sa pangako niyang hindi na siya iinom kapag kasal na kaming dalawa.

"Come here, Tamara..." I held out my hand to the little girl. She looks wonderful in her purple hijab and white abaya. "I'm sure Zeus is glad to see you again."

Mapaklang tumawa si Malik. "I'm not so sure about that."

Inignora ko ang sinabi ni Malik at nilapitan si Zeus. Inilapag niya ang hawak na baso at tinanguan si Malik nang tuluyan na kaming makalapit sa table kung saan siya nakaupo.

"Kumusta?" magalang na tanong ni Malik sa kaniya.

"I'm fine. Thanks for asking."

Tumango ulit si Malik at hinila ang upuan. He sat across us with Tamara sitting next to him.

"Buti naman at nakapunta ka."

"I couldn't say no to Naia..."

His lips just went into a thin line. Zeus' only response is a short nod.

Earlier this morning, we argued about coming to this party. Ang gusto ni Zeus ay sa bahay lang ako, nagpapahinga. Ilang linggo na din simula nang ma-discharge ako mula sa hospital. Gustong-gusto ko nang makita ulit si Zoey at sa dinami-dami ng birthday niya na hindi ako nakadalo, gusto ko ding bumawi sa kaibigan.

"You can only come to the party in one condition... once I see you looking tired, we're heading home straight. No buts!"

Napailing na lamang ako nang maalala ang sinabi ni Zeus. He's been so over-protected ever since but since we got married, he won't even take his eyes off me. Minsan, nag-aalala na ako sa sobrang pag-aalala niya sa akin.

"Don't worry much about it, Parvana. You can't imagine how he feels, performing in front of thousands of people while you're undergoing surgery and fighting for your life."

Tipid na ngiti at tango ang isinagot ko kay Zoey. I need to understand him. I know I must've put him in so much pain and trouble. The best thing I could do is make sure he doesn't worry much about me. That I'm fine. For real.

Hinanap ko ang kaibigan sa dagat ng mga tao. We left Malik at the table with his daughter when a friend came upon and asked to be escorted. Pinangakuan ko namang babalikan din si Malik pagkatapos kong personal na mabati si Zoey.

"Zoey!"

Nakita ko siyang nakikipag-usap sa matangkad na lalaking pamilyar ang mukha. The guy with green orbs and black hair. He murmured something under his breath before walking away. Seryoso din naman ang mukha ni Zoey at tumango siya bago kami binalingan. Nang lingunin ko si Zeus ay nagdidilim na naman ang paningin niya.

"Happy birthday..."

"Thank you!" she said in her sugary tone and an extra-wide smile that made me worry. Sometimes my best friend would pretend that she's okay just to make sure that no one worries about her.

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang lalaking palayo. Nang balingan ko si Zeus ulit ay nakita kong sinusundan na niya ang lalaki. Zoey was about to protest but I grabbed her arm.

"Ayos lang, Zoey." I said, trying to convince the both of us. "I'm sure gusto lang siyang kausapin ni Zeus. Mukha naman siyang mabuting tao."

She bit her lower lip and nodded. Bakas pa rin sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala. Binitawan ko ang kamay ni Zoey at kinuha mula sa purse ko ang jewelry box. I gave it to her with a hesitant smile.

"I hope you like it..."

"Kahit ano pa 'to, Parvana, basta galing sa iyo, magugustuhan ko..." she said sincerely and for the first time this evening, flashed a genuine smile on her pretty face. Niyakap ako ni Zoey. "Thank you..."

Some of her friends rushed over her so I excused myself to look for Zeus. Sa terrace ko siya huling nakita kaya doon din ako nagpunta. Malayo pa man ay naririnig ko na ang malalalalim na boses na nag-uusap.

"She's doing okay now, man. If you have nothing good to do, might as well leave her alone..."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa narinig. I took few more steps and in the mercy of the dancing shadows from the lights inside, I saw the emerald eyes of the man Zoey was talking to earlier. He looks so pissed right now.

"And what do you care? Diba may asawa ka na?"

"Zoey is a precious friend."

"And?"

"And I'm going to punch your fucking face if you hurt her again."

A dry laugh escaped from his throat. Nakakaloko niyang tiningnan si Zeus. "Hurt her? She's the one who cheated on me!"

"Then why'd you show up again? Huh?"

This time, he couldn't answer anymore. Galit lang siyang nakatingin kay Zeus. They are both tall, and manning up against each other. Parehong nakakamatay ang mga titig nilang dalawa. When it's obvious that no one is backing down, I decided to step into the light and interfere.

Si Zeus ang unang lumingon sa akin. Hindi pa rin humuhupa ang galit sa mga mata niya. I smiled gently at my husband.

"Is everything okay, Zeus?"

He quickly dropped his death glare and just glanced at the man in front of him. Tipid siyang umiling.

"Nothing. I'm just having a friendly chat with Andreus."

"Oh."

"Let's go, Naia..." he said in a firm voice, grabbing my waist and leading me away from the terrace. When we were out within earshot, I quickly turned to him.

"Sigurado kang ayos ka lang?"

"Ayos lang." he sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Zeus..."

"I'm just worried of Zoey."

"Andreus looks like a nice young man to me." I said in a gentle voice to convince him that no one's going to hurt his best friend. "Zoey's already a mother, Zeus. I'm sure she can make decisions by her own."

"Yes, I know." Tuluyan nang nawala ang galit sa mukha niya at medyo lumambing na din ang tono ng kaniyang boses. "Ayaw ko lang na may ibang gago na namang manakit sa kaniya. Iyakin pa naman yun."

We both chuckled at his statement as we waded our way back to the table. Malik is already talking politics to a new friend he made when we arrived while Tamara is playing with her food. Mahina kong sinita ang bata at pinunasan ang kaniyang bibig bago siya pinainom ng tubig. Zeus is staring at me while I'm doing it, kung kaya't nginitian ko siya.

Nang maibaba ko na si Tamara at binalingan na siya ng kaniyang ama ay saka ko naman binalingan si Zeus. Nararamdaman ko ang mainit niyang kamay na naglalakbay sa sarili kong braso. His hand reached my chin, then traced my jawline, as it traveled up and rested on the edges of my hijab.

Nagulat ako nang bigla nalang niyang ibinagsak ang kaniyang ulo sa aking balikat. Despite the hijab and the turtleneck dress that I am wearing, I could still feel his hot breath fanning on my neck. Pati si Malik ay napatingin sa amin sa biglang ginawa ni Zeus.

"Z-Zeus..."

"I want to go home..." he said like a child.

I chuckled. "Hindi pa nga nagsisimula ang party eh."

Mas lalo lang niyang ipinagsiksikan ang kaniyang ulo sa balikat at leeg ko. He scooted closer and wrapped my waist with his other arm.

"And so? You've seen Zoey. Nakuha na niya ang regalo mo. Umuwi na tayo... please?"

Muli ay isang tawa ang pinakawalan ko. I am trying my best to not get intoxicated by his manly scent and the way he's making lazy circles on my thighs is making me sleepy. I bit my lower lip and cleared my throat.

"Hindi pa tayo pwedeng umuwi, Zeus. Tapusin natin 'tong party."

He made a noncommittal grunt that earned a look from Malik's new friend. Pati ang iilan sa mga bisita ay napapatingin din sa amin ni Zeus. If I saw him drinking earlier, I would've suspected that he's drunk. But he's not. He already stopped drinking and I don't see any reason right now that would break his promise to me.

I swallowed a gasp when I felt his warm hand resting on the side of my stomach. Nakasiksik si Zeus sa akin, ang kalahati ng kaniyang katawan ay halos nakadagan na sa akin kung kaya't mula sa kahit anong anggulo, walang nakakakita ng malilikot niyang mga kamay. Pwera nalang kung talagang lalapitan kami at susuriin kung anong kababalaghan na ang ginagawa namin dito.

"Zeus... behave!"

He chuckled darkly. "You getting mad at me is turning me on."

Namula ang mga pisngi ko sa sinabi niya. I quickly stole a glance from Malik, to ensure that he hasn't heard a word he said. Mukhang wala naman siyang narinig. Kinalabit ulit ako ni Zeus upang kunin ang atensyon ko. I turned to him with a fake scowl on my face.

"Tumigil ka..."

A naughty smirk appeared on his lips. Namumungay ang mga mata niyang nakatingin sa akin.

"Eh kung ayaw kong tumigil?"

I pursed my lips, trying to make an excuse, but I couldn't come up with any. Zeus, impatient as he is, spoke again.

"There are so many things that I want to do with you..." he whispered again in a raspy voice that makes it appear as if he's drunk. Pero hindi. Ganito lang talaga ang gaspang ng kaniyang boses. Parang nakainom na inaantok sa malalim na timbre.

And it doesn't really help that he's whispering sexy things to me right now. Kung anu-ano ang pumapasok sa isipan ko. For a plain girl who lived most of her life in modest, his words is sending my heart into a fatal race.

"How about we go out for a bit? Have some fresh air?" I suggested instead. Nakikita ko talaga sa mga pilyo niyang mata na wala siyang intensyong makipaghalubilo sa mga tao rito. Some of his friends tried to spark a conversation with him earlier when we arrived, but he all dismissed them with his disinterest.

"Good idea."

Mabilis na tumayo si Zeus at nilahad ang kaniyang kamay sa akin. I smiled and let him pull me up. Nagpaalam kami kay Malik na aalis ulit. We both headed towards the empty terrace hand in hand.

The wind is cold and damp. Despite the thin rain, we both found comfort in this isolated place now that we've blocked the noise from the inside.

Sinuyod ni Zeus ang paligid na para bang may hinahanap. Pagkatapos ay hinubad niya ang suot na coat at ipinatong ito sa balikat ko, despite my protest. I am warm in my dress and my hijab. Siya ang giginawin kapag binigay niya sa akin ang coat niya!

"Huwag matigas ang ulo, Naia..." he said in a calm voice. "I told you earlier, remember? Once I see you looking tired or sick, we're heading home straight."

Ngumuso ako at parang batang ipinagkrus ang mga kamay sa dibdib. I followed him as he dragged a chair and wiped the raindrops away, before occupying it. He patted his firm thighs as an invitation.

"I'm going to sit there?"

"Yes."

"Zeus!"

"Come on, Naia. You're my wife. Let them see what they're supposed to see..."

Nagdadalawang isip pa ako kung susundin ko ba ang sinabi niya. The determination in his eyes made it sparkle. And he's looking so tempting tonight that no sane woman would say no to him. Especially not his wife.

"Fine."

Sa huli ay nagpahila ako sa kaniya at bumagsak sa mga hita niya. He pulled me closer and rested his chin on my shoulders, before he locked his hands around my stomach.

"This is better." He murmured.

I nodded in agreement as I watched the fine drizzle of rain pour from the sky. Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa maugat niyang mga kamay. With the tip of my fingers, I traced his calloused hands gently. Bahagya ko siyang nilingon.

"May gusto sana akong itanong..."

"What is it?"

"Yung sa concert..." panimula ko, nangangapa pa rin sa mga salitang dapat sabihin. He hasn't mentioned anything about it and I'm afraid it would be a sensitive topic for him but I still wanted to know. "Nung araw na isinugod ako sa ospital..."

Bigla nalang humigpit ang kaniyang yakap sa akin. I could feel his body tensing, but his voice remained calm.

"Yes. What about it?"

"Napaisip lang ako sa sinabi ni Zoey... when I sent you away to attend and perform on stage while I am undergoing surgery."

Ilang segundong katahimikan ang naging sagot niya sa akin, bago ako nakarinig ng malalalim na buntong-hininga.

"You want to know what happened?"

"I want to know how you feel... how I made you feel that day. You must've felt really terrible..." parang batang ibinagsak ko ang tingin sa sahig.

"Nakakagago ang sakit."

I bit my lower lip. Unti-unti nang lumuluwang ang kaniyang yakap sa akin. His hands started playing with mine and interlinking our fingers together.

"I played my music with a broken heart, Naia. Habang kumakanta ako, wala akong ibang iniisip kundi ikaw... ikaw na nasa ospital at ako na nagc-concert. Nakaka-putangina. I never felt to weak and powerless at that time. Gusto ko nalang ibato ang gitara ko at magwala."

My heart sank upon hearing his words. I tried to move but he was quick to grab my arm and tighten his embrace again.

"But you said you're going to come back, and I held unto your words. I know you're not going to break your promise. But still... the fucking possibilities and the fear that I might lose you... it nearly drove me insane."

"But I'm back, right?" nakangiti ko na ngayong wika sa kaniya. "I'm back and I will never disappear again."

"You better not."

I chuckled. "Seryoso, Zeus. Hindi na ako aaalis o mawawala. I'm in good health now. Allah has brought me back to you and I ought to make the most of this second chance. In this second life that I'm going to spend with you."

"Hmm..."

"I want to be a mother, Zeus. I want to have kids and build a family with you."

"Relax, baby. We'll get to that, eventually."

I giggled. "And I'll be the one to name our children. Marami na akong naiisip. I want ancient names from the tales that Mama-jan has read to me as a child."

"Akala ko ba dalawa lang ang gusto mong anak?"

"Well..." I trailed off and glanced at him with smiling eyes. "We can't really know how many children Allah would bless us, right?"

He smirked and started shaking his head, as if I said something amusing. Napanguso ako.

"Tama ako, diba?"

"Yes, baby... you're right."

To prove his point, he rewarded me with a kiss on the cheeks. Napapikit ako nang maramdaman ang mainit niyang labi na mabilis din namang nawala. Like a spoiled child, my eyes demanded for more. Ang tanging ginawa lang niya ay itaas ang kilay at ilayo ang mukha. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Getting spoiled here, aren't we?" he murmured before surrendering to my demands and granting me another kiss again.

A satisfied smile appeared on my lips. "Aren't you getting sick of me, yet?"

"Not at all."

"Hindi talaga?"

"Hinding-hindi."

"I'm glad."

Then, we were embraced by the comfortable silence, just hugging and feeling each other's heartbeats. The last few weeks have been very critical for me. Being in the hospital for almost a month made me feel a bit suffocated and depressed. But now I am here, breathing damp air and smelling the scent of sweet flowers with Zeus, it made me feel more relieved. And satisfied.

I couldn't have a glimpse of his beautiful face, as it would have comforted me to bliss, but feeling his arms wrapped around me securely and his breathing next to my ears made me feel alive. Away from the machine and needles and the smell of disinfectant, this is what I call a life. A blissful life.

"Mr. and Mrs. Ferrer...?"

I turned and saw a waitress looking nervous as she stepped into the lights.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you, but you're called on stage. The program is about to start, Mr. and Mrs. Ferrer."

I smiled at her to reassure that it's okay and that she's not disturbing anything. Magalang naman siyang tumango at umalis na rin.

Mr. and Mrs. Ferrer...

The words rang inside of my head as my heart exploded in joy.

Ah, that was truly a delight to my ears.