"LC, sorry po talaga," Ronald repeatedly apologized to me when I reached the tambayan. "LC, hindi ko po sinasadya..."
I knew he meant no harm but I couldn't help but feel pissed. "Sa susunod, h'wag na lang kayong magsalita kapag nandito ang asawa ko kasi kung anu-ano pang nasasabi ninyo. Pagsisimulan pa namin ng away," I calmly said even when I was raging inside.
My brods all bowed their heads.
"LC, pwede naman kaming mag-explain..."
"Gary, okay na. Ako na ang bahala. Take over the meeting. Pag-usapan ninyo 'yung mga bagay na kaya ninyong i-resolve nang kayo lang. Take note of those which need my attention. I will review them tomorrow."
"Okay po, LC."
"Alis muna ako. May klase rin ako mayamaya."
"Okay po. Pasensya na po, LC."
I tried calling Green as soon as I left the tambayan but she had turned her phone off. I combed BA's library hoping that I'd find her there but I didn't.
Tingnan mo kaya sa bahay n'yo at baka naman umuwi s'ya...
I glanced at my watch. I had less than an hour before my class but I knew that the longer I leave Gianna to stew in anger, the more furious she'd get.
When I reached home, I was surprised to find the house empty. "Saan ka na naman ba nagpunta, Mrs. Yu?" I asked out loud before checking the printout of our class schedules that we had both pinned on the refrigerator's door.
"Pasado alas diez pa lang 'tapos 2:30 PM pa next class mo..."
I drove back to the campus and drove around the Sunken Garden to see if my wife was sitting on one of the benches.
Saan pumupunta si Mrs. Yu kapag galit? I thought to myself.
But we've never had a major row these past two years. And whatever misunderstanding we've had, it never reached the point where she left home to blow off some steam.
I was tempted not to attend my 11:30 AM class but I knew that she wouldn't like it. I decided to swamp her with text messages instead.
Mrs. Yu, nasaan ka? Mag-usap naman tayo, please.
Mrs. Yu, pwede naman kasing pag-usapan, eh. Paano maaayos kung ayaw mo akong kausapin?
H'wag mo naman akong patayan ng telepono. Nag-aalala na ako sa'yo.
Pumasok ako sa klase ko kasi alam kong magagalit ka kapag nag-absent ako. 'Ayan, ha, I am being a good husband kahit masyado mo akong pinag-aalala.
Lalabs, sabay tayo mag-lunch.
Lalabs...
Lalabs, alam kong may mali ako pero hindi ako nambabae at kahit kailan hinding-hindi ako mambababae. Nasaan ka na ba?
Lalabs, pakinggan mo rin naman ako. H'wag mo namang pairalin 'yung init ng ulo mo. If you'll only listen to me, I am sure mawawala 'yang galit mo.
Mrs. Yu...miss na kita.
Mrs. Yu, hindi na ako makapag-concentrate sa klase ko kasi alam kong galit ka at gusto kitang makausap. Paano na lang ang future natin kung hindi ako makaka-graduate on time? Paano na lang 'yung plano natin na gumawa ng maraming babies?
"Mr. Yu?" I heard my professor call out my name and guiltily looked up from my phone.
"Yes, Sir?"
"Would you care to join us in our discussion? Or would you rather continue e-learning from your mobile?"
