It's been few days and Kristene can feel that Vincien is being distant with her. Araw-araw itong late nang umuuwi and sometimes, he brought his paper works at home. Late na rin ito nakakatulog and knowing Vincien, he's keeping it to himself. That's Vincien's attitude since then.
But right now, she wanted to comfort her husband and maybe she can help with what Vincien is facing right now.
Maagang pinatulog ni Kristene ang kanilang mga anak bago sya bumalik sa kwarto nila ni Vincien. And just like the other nights that passed, Vincien is in his working table, working his ass off.
She walk towards Vincien and hugged him from behind while resting her chin on his shoulder.
"Mi Rey?"
Vincien looked at her through his shoulder. "Hmm?"
"You okay? You want me to help you?"
Vincien cupped her face and kissed her cheeks. "I can handle this Mi Amor."
"How about coffee? Do you want me to make you coffee? Even sandwich? Baka kasi nagugutom ka."
Vincien shooked his head as response before he averted his gaze on the pile of papers. "I'm okay Mi Amor. Don't worry."
But somehow, Kristene is feeling uneasy that's why, he sat on his lap and kissed him on the lips. She felt Vincien responding to her kisses but he suddenly stop and slightly pushed her.
"K not now please. I have a lot of things to do. I'm really sorry hmm?"
Pinagkatitigan nya ang kanyang asawa bago sya tumango at tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa hita nito. "If you need anything don't hesitate to tell me okay?"
Vincien smiled and nodded at her before going back to work.
Kristene lay down on the bed while looking at her husband's back. Still the same Vincien she knows. He doesn't want to tell what's happening at work if he can still handle it all by himself.
And instead of getting angry or pissed at her husband, she actually understands him. Just like how she choose to understand her husband few years ago while waiting for him to come back. Pinagkaiba lang ngayon, magkasama na sila. At hindi nya hahayaang magkahiwalay sila muli kahit kailan.
She can't sleep and still wait for her husband to finish doing those paper works til midnight. And when Vincien lay down on the bed beside her, she immediately hugged him and nuzzled his neck while gently nipping it.
Then Vincien groaned, "K not now please."
Napatigil si Kristene sa ginagawa nya at agad na nag-angat ng tingin kay Vincien na halatang aburido at iritado.
Her lips thinned while looking at her husband who's eyebrows are furrowed while his eyes were closed.
She took a very deep breath before she climbed off the bed and without notice, she went outside of their room and went straight to their children's room.
She can't help but to shed a tear. Yes she do understand her husband but somehow, she felt pain in her chest. Hindi naman sya perpekto o manhid. Nasasaktan pa rin sya kahit gaano nya naiintindihan ang sitwasyon.
And from there, she sobbed silently while lying down beside her daughter Vreen. She gently caress Vreen's hair, same as Vincent who is sleeping peacefully. She took a glance at Kriscien who is also sleeping soundly before she closed her eyes until she drifted to sleep.
Morning came. As soon as she opened her eyes, she was already in their bedroom. For sure Vincien carried me back here.
She glanced at her clock on the bedside table only to find out it's already 6:30 in the morning. Vincien is already taking a bath as of the moment so she hurriedly went downstairs to prepare breakfast for his husband and children.
She finished cooking breakfast at 7:30 AM and is already setting up the table when she saw Vincien like he's in a hurry. And when Vincien looked at her, she instantly smiled sweetly at him.
"Mi Rey, come breakfast is ready."
Vincien quickly walked towards her and kissed her on the forehead and on her lips. "I need to go K."
"Pero hindi ka pa nag-aagahan—"
"Sa office nalang ako kakain. I need to go now. Hindi ko maihahatid ang mga bata ngayon. I'm sorry Mi Amor." All that he said before he left.
She can't help but to smile bitterly. This is what her Mother told her before. Marriage is not as smooth sailing at it can be. We can experience waves along the way but what is important is how we overcome those waves that will come in our way.
You can do this Kristene. Ikaw pa ba? You've already went through a lot. Easy lang 'to ngayon sayo.
And with that, she went to their children's room and wake them up to eat breakfast. Papasok pa kasi ang mga ito sa school kaya kailangan nyang asikasuhin na ang mga bata bago sya pumasok sa opisina.
_____________
And just like the other days that passed, still Vincien is getting busier everyday. And right now, Kristene is getting pissed so she just ignored her husband for the time being.
She even sleep early and didn't bother to prepare breakfast for him the next day like she always did. But she never heard a single word from Vincien like everything is fine with him.
But now, it's getting into her. So she woke up early, prepared breakfast before taking care of their children.
Matapos nyang asikasuhin ang mga bata, pumunta sya sa kwarto nila ni Vincien at nagtama ang tingin nilang dalawa.
"Breakfast is ready. Pwede ka nang kumain. But if you don't want to just leave it there."
"Mi Amor—"
"We'll be leaving now. Ihahatid ko na sa school ang kambal, and ihahatid ko na rin si Kriscien kina Mom."
Sabi nya sa kanyang asawa bago nya ito tinalikuran at dumiretso ng labas sa kwarto. Narinig nyang tinatawag sya ni Vincien pero hindi na sya nag-abala pang tumigil o lumingon.
Nagdire-diretso sya sa garahe at pinasakay doon ang kanilang mga anak at agad din syang umalis ng bahay.
_________________
"Mag-aral ng mabuti Vreen and Vincent okay?" Paalala nya sa kanyang kambal nang maihatid nya ito sa school habang buhat nya si Kriscien.
"Yes po Mommy. But..."
She looked at Vincent questioningly, "But?"
"Are you and Daddy okay Mommy? Hindi na po kasi kayo sweet sa isa't-isa these past few days."
She can't help but to smile at her son. Ito ang pinaka-observant sa kambal. Malakas din ang pakiramdam nito at ito ang patunay.
She cupped Vincent's face and kissed him on the cheeks. "Daddy is just busy okay? Don't worry. For now, focus on studying alright?"
Vincent smiled and kissed her on the lips. "Yes Mommy. Take care. I love you!"
"You too baby. I love you!"
"Mommy!" Vreen exclaimed while walking towards her and dropped soft kisses on her lips. "Ingat po kayo ni Kriscien Mommy! And I love you!"
"I love you too Vreen. You two, wait for me later after your classes alright?"
Tumango naman ang kambal sa kanya bago humalik sa bunso nilang kapatid na si Kriscien.
At nang tuluyan nang makapasok ang kanyang mga anak, agad syang dumiretso sa bahay ng magulang nya para ihatid si Kriscien.
"Hey anak! Oh!!! Hello Mi Princesa!" Bati sa kanila ng kanyang ina nang makarating sila sa bahay. Agad na kinuha ng kanyang ina si Kriscien sa kanya bago sya nito titigan.
"Anyway Mom, I'll be going now. Marami akong kailangang tapusin sa office—"
"Stay here for today anak." Her father said while walking towards her.
She kissed her parents on the cheeks before answering her Father. "Dad as much as I want to, marami akong deadlines na dapat tapusin."
Her Father shook his head. "Dito ka na muna ngayong araw." Looks like her Father is firm with his decision so she have no choice but to nod.
She went straight to the balcony on the second floor when she heard a familiar voice.
"Hey Babe."
She turned to him and smiled, "Hey to you too Babe. What brought you here?"
Dylan walked towards her and kissed her on the forehead before answering, "Your sister sent me here and she said to make her sister, which happens to be my best friend, feel better."
How did my sister knew that I'm not okay anyway? Must be Mom and Dad.
Napakunot ang noo nya sa sinabi ni Dylan, "What are you saying?" She said as she tried to act innocent.
Dylan flicked her forehead, "What happened? You seemed sad. I can clearly see it in your eyes."
Then she heaved out a deep sigh. "I'm fine. Just a little problematic. Don't worry." No use of hiding it when my eyes and emotions says it all.
"If you're okay, you won't be shedding a tear on your eyes."
At doon nya naramdaman na namumuo na ang luha sa kanyang mga mata at kalaunan, isa-isa itong nagsituluan.
"I'm doing my best to understand him. But right now, it's getting into me. Hindi ko maiwasang mainis. I know it's wrong but—"
"No it's not." Dylan cut her off that made her frown.
"What?"
"Tao ka lang Babe. Hindi ka perpekto kaya walang mali kung makaramdam ka ng ganyan. And if Vincien is getting into your nerves, then so be it."
Somehow, Dylan makes sense. Tao lang naman talaga sya. Nakakaramdam din sya ng inis at galit kahit gaano pa nya naiintindihan si Vincien. And she's thankful that someone can understand where she's coming from.
Nag-usap pa sila ni Dylan ng ilang minuto bago ito nag-paalam sa kanya dahil may meeting pa ito ngayong umaga.
"Thanks for coming Babe."
Dylan gently tap her cheeks before he spoke. "No worries. Anyway, iyon lang talaga ang ipinunta ko dito. If you need anything don't hesitate to call me or your sister. I have a meeting with your husband today. Gusto mo ba suntukin ko ang asawa mo?"
Mahina syang natawa at pinalo nya ito sa balikat. "Siraulo. Sige na umalis ka na. Salamat sa pagpunta dito."
At nang makaalis si Dylan, nagpakawala sya ng malalim na hininga at hindi nya alam na naroon na pala ang kanyang ina.
"You okay baby?" Her Mother asked.
"Yes Mom. I'm fine." Then her gaze went on Seff, who's walking towards her.
"Hey Seff!" She smiled when Seff hugged her.
"Hello Ate K." Seff greeted then giggled.
"Mom, look at Seff. Grabe kung makabungisngis. Bakit kasi si Alexandra ang pinaglihian mo noong pinagbubuntis mo sya?"
Her Mother chuckled, "Tuwang-tuwa kasi ako sa batang iyon tuwing bumubungisngis." Maya-maya pa ay sumeryos ang mukha ng kanyang ina. "But anyway anak, tell me if something is bothering you. Even if you don't say it, I can see it in your eyes." Then her Mother held her hand. "You're my daughter so I can tell if you're okay or not. And as how I can see you right now, somehow you're really not okay."
At hindi na nya napigilan ang sarili at napaiyak sa harapan ng kanyang ina at batang kapatid. "Am I a bad wife? Nainis ako kay Vincien Mom. It's almost a week and I'm doing my best to understand him but I can't help but to feel pissed at the same time."
Then her Mother gently caressed her hair. "Anak, remember when I told you that relationships are not smooth sailing as it can be? You'll experience challenges along the way but what is important is how you will both handle it. Kung tutuusin, mababaw lang ang problema nyo ni Vincien anak. So don't sulk and give your best as a loving and understanding wife to your husband. Napapag-usapan lahat ng problema anak. If Vincien doesn't want to tell you, leave him be. But tell him also what you feel so he would know what's the right thing he should do. It's a matter of realization anak."
And from there, she gently hugged her Mother from her back and rested her chin on her Mother's shoulder. Tama lahat ng sinabi ng kanyang ina. Hindi sya dapat magmukmok tulad ngayon at patunayan nyang isa syang mapagmahal na asawa at mahaba ang pasensya.
Yes. She needs to have a long patience. Marami pang problema ang pwedeng dumating sa kanila pero isa lang ang dapat nilang gawin. Ang intindihin ang isa't-isa at huwag sumuko.
______________
"Mrs. Santillan! Good afternoon!" Bati sa kanya ng sekretarya ni Vincien nang makarating sya sa kompanya ng kanyang asawa.
"Hi Caleb. Nandyan ba si Vincien?"
"Naku Ma'am Kristene, nasa loob pa ng conference room."
"Did he ate lunch already?"
"Hindi pa po."
She took a glance on her phone's clock only to find out it's already quarter to two in the afternoon.
"Halos isang linggo nang busy si Sir Vincien at hindi nakakakain ng maayos. Nagka-problema kasi sa kompanya. May malaking halaga ng pera na nawala pero naresolba naman na. Then right now, may ka-deal sila ni Sir Dylan na malaking investor."
Bigla naman nakonsensya si Kristene dahil sa inasal nya sa kanyang asawa. Dapat talaga, inintindi nya si Vincien at hindi sya nagpadala sa inis.
Pero anong magagawa ko? Sa lagay ko ngayon, hindi ko maiwasan.
"Anyway, can you give this to him as soon as he gets out of the conference room?"
Agad naman ngumiti at tumango sa kanya si Caleb. "Yes Ma'am Kristene."
"Thank you pero kanina ka pa." Sabi nya dito sabay irap. "Drop the Ma'am, please lang Caleb. Naaalibadbaran ako. Anyway, How's your wife and your child?"
Caleb chuckled. "They're fine Kristene."
"Bakit ba kasi nagtatrabaho ka pa dito Caleb? I thought you wanted to be a Police again?"
"I'm still thinking of it thoroughly. Ngayon pang kakapanganak pa lang ni Eli, I want to give my full attention to her and our child."
She nodded at Caleb and smiled. "Sa bagay, tama ka. Masarap talaga sa pakiramdam kapag buo ang pamilya at walang kahating kahit anuman sa atensyon sa kanila."
And that's what Kristene wanted to give to her children. A complete and happy family.
______________
Vincien went out of the conference room at four in the afternoon. It was a tiresome day but closing the deal with one of his big investor of the company is worth it.
Ilang araw nyang pinagpuyatan ito at alam nyang nagkukulang na sya sa kanyang asawa.
He was so afraid when Kristene walked out on him for the first time. He felt guilty all of a sudden so he followed his wife on their children's room. When he saw her crying, that pains him more. So he choose to hide the problem he's facing.
And this morning, his wife walked out on him for the second time and it scaring him already. He knew right then and there that Kristene is angry at him.
Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit halos wala na syang lakas ngayon habang naglalakad pabalik sa kanyang opisina.
At dahil na rin nag-aalala sya kay Kristene, tinawagan nya kaninang umaga ang magulang nito maski si Krislene at Dylan para i-check kung ayos lang ba si Kristene. Isa sa pinaka-iniiwasan nya ay ang malungkot ang pinakamamahal nya kaya't agad nyang kinausap ang mga ito pagka-alis na pagkaalis palang ni Kristene sa bahay nila.
Papasok na sana sya sa kanyang opisina nang tawagin sya ng kanyang sekretarya. "Sir Vincien!"
"Yes Caleb?"
"Here Sir." Sabi nito sabay abot sa kanya ng isang paper bag na ikinakunot ng noo nya.
"O—kay. What's this?"
Then Caleb smiled. "Pinabibigay ng asawa mo. Dumating sya dito kaninang mga alas-dos ng hapon."
Bigla syang ginanahan nang malamang bigay ito ng kanyang asawa at agad nyang sinipat kung ano ang laman ng paper bag. And he can't help but to smile. Nawala ang pagod nya dahil mukhang ipinagluto sya ng kanyang asawa.
See how he's inlove with his beloved wife? Ito palang nakakaramdam na sya ng saya sa kanyang puso.
"Thanks Caleb. And drop the Sir. Mas matanda ka sa akin ng apat na taon. Besides, ikaw yata ang dapat ko tawaging Sir."
Then again Caleb chuckled. "Parehas na parehas kayo ng asawa mo. And don't call me Sir. Naaalibadbaran ako."
"Okay then Police Liuetenant Alcazar." Asar nya sa sekretaryang kaibigan kaya't napailing nalang ito.
As soon as he stepped inside of his office, isa-isa nyang inilabas ang pagkain na sigurado syang niluto ni Kristene para sa kanya. And when he saw a sticky note on one of the tupperware lid, he immediately picked it up and read it.
V,
Eat well please. Niluto ko lahat ng paborito mo. And please, if you already have time, let's talk alright? Take care my husband.
Te extraño. Te Amo mucho Mi Rey.
— K
Ang kaninang pagod, pangamba at bigat sa puso na nararamdaman nya, ay tuluyan nang naglaho na parang bula. He actually felt energized as of the moment.
At si Kristene lang ang may kayang gumawa nito sa kanya. What am I thinking that I opt not to tell Kristene about my problems?
Na-realize nanaman nyang mali sya sa pagkakataong ito. Mali na maglihim sa kanyang asawa. Oo at kaya nyang resolbahin ito sa sarili nya but he needs his beloved wife to give him courage.
Don't repeat the same mistakes again Vincien. Hahayaan mo bang mapagod ang asawa mo kakaintindi sayo?
Of course not!
And with that, he immediately called his Mother-in-law and seconds later, she answered his call.
"Yes Vincien anak?"
"Ma, is my wife still there?"
"Yes. She's here with the kids."
"Don't let them leave Ma. And can I ask a favor?"
"Sure Hijo, what is it?"
"Can you take care of our children for tonight? I want to make it up to my wife. Please Ma?"
Then he heard Kristene's Mother chuckle. "Iyon lang pala Hijo. Sure! Matutuwa pa si Kristoff nito dahil dito matutulog ang mga apo namin. May makakalaro na si Seff."
"Thanks Ma."
"No worries Vincien anak. Take care and drive safe later."
And after the call ended, he focused himself on eating the food that Kristene prepared for him.
My wife, I'll make it up to you. Wait for me.
_______________
Kristene and their children, together with his little brother Seff, are busy playing on the playroom when Vincien came. Immediately, the kids stood up and ran towards Vincien.
"Daddy!" Vreen and Vincent exclaimed.
"Dada!" Kriscien uttered that made Kristene laughed.
"My babies! Daddy is here!" At sinalubong ni Vincien ang kanilang mga anak ng mahigpit na yakap at halik.
"Kuya V!" Seff uttered that made Vincien chuckled.
"Hello Seff!" Then Vincien messed Seff's hair. "Good boy ka ba sa mga pamangkin mo?"
Seff nodded then giggled that made them laughed. "Syempre naman po Kuya V."
"That's good! Thanks for being a great Tito to them." Vincien told Seff and Seff just giggled that made them chuckle.
Seff is so adorable, indeed.
"Daddy! Good thing that you're here already, we saw Mommy crying kanina po." Vreen said that made Vincien look at her in awe.
Napakagat nalang ng ibabang labi si Kristene dahil nakita pala sya ng kanyang mga anak na umiiyak kanina matapos nilang mag-usap muli ng kanyang ina. Sobrang emotional naman kasi nya.
"Vreen, Vincent, Kriscien, dito muna kayo matutulog tonight kay Lola at Lolo together with your Tito Seff okay? And I promise, tomorrow after your school, we'll go shopping with your Tito Seff. Ayos ba 'yon?"
Vreen and Vincent grinned happily at him.
"Yes Daddy!"
"Okay na okay po Daddy!"
"Alright, so for now, Mommy and Daddy will go now. Mag-uusap pa kasi kami ni Mommy nyo."
Then Vincent spoke, "Really Daddy? You'll gonna be sweet again with Mommy?"
Vincien blinked several times while looking at his son, flabbergasted.
"Because Mommy is sad these past few days. I miss you and Mommy being sweet together." Vincent added.
"Yes Daddy. I even miss seeing you two lovey-dovey with each other. You know, kissing—"
"Stop right there Vreen." Pigil ni Kristene sa mga sasabihin pa nito.
Then Vreen grinned while showing a peace sign. "Sorry Mommy."
Napailing nalang si Kristene at nang magtama ang tingin nila ni Vincien, naging abnormal nanaman ang puso nya. Para nanaman syang teenager ngayon.
And only Vincien can do this to her.
Pagkatapos nilang ibilin ang kanilang mga anak sa magulang ni Kristene, agad din silang umuwi sa kanilang bahay.
And as soon as they step inside their house, Vincien cupped Kristene's face using both hands and kissed her fervently. And when they ran out of breath, Vincien stared lovingly at his wife.
"Mi Amor."
"Hmm?"
"I love you so much. Forgive me for not being transparent with you with regards to work. You know me K. As long as I can resolve it, I keep it to myself but now I realized that I need to tell you everything. You know why?"
"Why?"
"It's because you're the source of my strength. Keeping it to myself means being brave enough but I realized that I need to be transparent to you and that's what keeps me strong. And one more thing, I don't want to repeat the same mistakes I did before. I know you always understand me but I also know that there's always a limit to that. At ayoko nang hayaan pang mapagod ka sa kakaintindi sa akin. Ayoko rin na magalit ka sa akin. It makes me insane. Kanina lang na kitang-kita ko kung gaano ka kagalit sa akin nanghihina na ako. Ayoko na mangyari ulit 'yon. So please forgive me Mi Amor."
Kristene cupped his face with both hands and claimed his lips once again before she spoke, "It's okay Mi Rey. I understand. I know it's always your personality even before but please, let me help you ease the burden. I can carry it for you too Mi Rey. Trust me alright? Both of us can make it through. I'm always here for you, always remember that. And I'll always be your loving and understanding wife. I love you V."
Vincien kissed her forehead before pressing his lips against hers. "And I love you so much K. Yes, from now on I'll do the right thing, always. Just don't get angry at me anymore. Hindi ko na kaya K. Please?"
Kristene smiled sweetly as her beloved husband. "I'm not angry V okay? Don't worry."
"Oh wait! I have something for you."
Vincien quickly walked towards the kitchen. On the other hand, she sat on the living room couch while waiting for Vincien to come back.
At nang makabalik si Vincien, may dala itong isang party size na pizza at dalawang frappe, her favorite.
"Suhol yan V?" Asar nya sa kanyang asawa.
Vincien grinned at her, "Yes Mi Amor. I know you can't resists your favorite food so, yes suhol 'to. Is it working though?"
Kristene chuckled, "Yes. It's working. You really know how to make me feel better. But..."
Vincien frowned and crouched down in front of her as he held her hand and intertwined it with his. "Why Mi Amor?"
"I can't eat the pizza right now. Kainin nyo nalang ng mga bata 'yan bukas."
And his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why? Busog ka ba? Hindi mo ba nagustuhan?"
Kristene immediately shooked her head. , "Of course, nagustuhan ko. But, it's not like that."
"Or maybe you want to eat something different? Tell me K. Do you want beef steak? Kare-kare? Carbonara? I can cook it for you tonight."
Kristene can't help but to smile at his husband. He's being extra sweet right now.
"Yes I want to eat something different."
"What is it? Tell me so I can cook it for you. Make it quick so we can make love later."
Napakurap-kurap si Kristene dahil sa sinabi ni Vincien. Kaya naman pala iniwan nya ang mga bata sa kanyang mga magulang. Gustong bumawi ng kanyang asawa sa kanya.
And that includes love making.
And who am I to say no? But there's one thing that she needs to tell her husband.
"Well, I want my favorite food as of the moment."
Vincien, who is confused asked, "What is it Mi Amor?"
"Buffalo Wings."
Vincien froze upon hearing what Kristene have just said because it only means one thing...
"Y-you... you're—"
Kristene held his face and dropped a soft kiss on his lips before she spoke, "Yes V. I am. That's why I got easily annoyed with you. It's not because I don't understand you but my hormones are talking. So forgive me for getting pissed at you—"
At naputol ang sinasabi nya nang sapuhin muli ni Vincien ang kanyang mukha at halikan ng mariin sa labi.
And right there and then, Vincien kissed her senseless until they're out of breath.
"F-for real?" He asked just to make sure. Hindi pa rin kasi sya makapaniwala at halos walang pagsidlan ang saya na nararamdaman nya.
Kristene chuckled, "Yes. I'm pregnant with our fourth child V."
And from that moment, words could not express what Vincien is feeling right now. Wala na syang mahihiling pa, kumpleto at masayang pamilya, at asawa na walang sawang umiintindi at nagmamahal sa kanya ng walang hinihinging kapalit.
I'm really blessed to have Kristene Rae Santillan in my life. My beloved wife.