IT'S BEEN three days since Jeva was released from the hospital and Champ is still treating her like a terminal cancer patient.
"Will you stop being paranoid?! I'm okay now, okay?" - she gestured her hand to her body, presenting herself that she's fine.
"Tell me the truth, Jeva Leyn. If you are still feeling dizzy I'll send you back to the hospital." - Jeva rolled her eyes so hard that she thinks her eyeballs went to the other universe.
"Ang OA mo naman eh. Okay na nga ako, di ba?" - marahas na napakamot ng ulo si Jeva. "Besides, tatlong araw na mula ng makalabas ako ng ospital." - she groaned.
"OA na kung OA. I don't care, I just don't want to see you unconscious again." - Nag-aalalang sabi ni Champ na mukhang natrauma nang makita niya ang asawa na biglang humandusay sa sahig at walang malay.
Noong una beses itong narinig ni Jeva ay kinikilig pa siya. But this is not the first time he said it. She already lost count.
"I won't go unconscious again."
"I doubt that." - umiiling na sabi ni Champ. "And please take your vitamins."
She is now taking a vitamin because she lacks iron the reason why she passed out.
"Tapos na po, sir." -she said mockingly while rolling her eyes.
Champ glared at her because she's not taking it seriously. "I'm serious, Jeva Leyn."
"I'm serious too, sweetheart." - ginaya ni Jeva ang endearment ni Champ sa kanya at ngumisi sya sa lalaki.
Champ was surprised when Jeva called him sweetheart. Kahit na pabiro itong sinabi ng babae ay kakaiba ang dulot nito sa kanya puso.
Isa lang ang sigurado siya, yun ay ang pagiging masaya ng kanyang puso.
Nawala ang ngiti ni Champ ng makitang parang baboy na kumakain ang kanyang asawa. Punong-puno ang bibig nito lumulubo na ang kanyang pisngi pero, sige pa rin ang pagsubo ng tinapay. She dipped the finger cut bread into the peanut butter jar. Konti nalang kasi ang peanut butter sa lalagyan nito.
At dahil paborito ni Jeva ang peanut butter, ayaw niyang may masayang.
Hindi pa ito nakuntento. She dipped her finger into it and licked her finger full of peanut butter.
Ngumiwi si Champ. "Ang kalat ha?" - he sarcastically said but Jeva seems not to care.
"Wahsdgsgetxynautab."
He softly hit her left hand that was placed on the table. "Don't speak when your mouth is full."
Jeva rolled her eyes and continued what she was doing.
"Don't you have work?" - she asked after she finished the whole bread.
Champ shook his head. "Nah. I cleared my whole 2 weeks schedule."
"Why would you do that?" - she asked again higgledy-piggledy.
"We're going out of town the next day, right? That's why."
Jeva's jaw dropped. Next day pa yun tapos tatlong araw lang sila doon. Why would he cleared two weeks schedule? Baliw ba siya?
"I'm not crazy, sweetheart."- Jeva eyes widened as she covered her mouth. Did she just speak her thoughts? "I just wanted to be with you."
Mabilis na tumayo at tumalikod si Jeva at naghugas na kamay. It just her excuse to hide her face. Dahil alam niyang pulang-pula yun.
Bakit ba basta-basta na lang siyang bumabanat? She asked herself biting her lips. Gusto niyang magtatalon-talon dahil sa labis na tuwa.
Is he already falling for me? She higgledy-piggledy asked herself. It was really a question for her because she was not doing anything.
Hindi pa talaga siya pormal na nag-umpisa sa "operation: making my husband fall in love with me" niya.
She glanced at her wrist watch. Holy shit! Mura niya nang marealize niya na malapit na pala siyang malate sa klase niya.
Dali-dali siyang tumakbo papunta sa kanyang kwarto para kunin ang bag niya.
Nagtataka naman si Champ sa inasal ng babae kaya sinundan niya ito. He stayed outside her room beside her room's door.
Jeva went out of her room fixing her hair with her fingers.
"Where do you think you're going?" - nakataas ang kilay ni Champ habang nakatingin sa kanya.
"To school." - She sarcastically answered. Saan pa ba siya tutungo?
"Kakalabas mo lang ng ospital, Leyn." - nag-aalalang sabi ng lalaki.
Jeva rolled her eyes. Argh! "I was already released from the hospital three days ago, sweetheart." - she said mockingly.
"But---"
"Don't be so overacting, sweetheart." - nakangiwing sabi niya. "Pwede na sana akong makalabas ng ospital the day after I was sent there pero I stayed there for five days dahil hindi ka pa rin mapakali because you think I may passed out again. That was okay because I know you are just worried." - she blurted out. NapakaOA na kasi ni Champ. Hindi naman siya cancer patient para tratuhin ng ganito.
"I stay at home for almost three days now kasi ayaw mong mabinat ako. Actually, the truth is parang magkakasakit ulit ako dahil nababagot na ako dito sa bahay." - she said honestly.
Napayuko si Champ sa sinabi ng kanyang asawa. Was he being too much? "Are you getting bored on me?"
Natigilan naman si Jeva sa tanong ng lalaki. "Of course, not!" - how can she get bored? When she always wanted his attention. Sumobra nga lang.
"But, I was already absent for a week. I can't miss too much. Tapos aabsent pa ako sa susunod na mga araw dahil sa anniversary natin." - now, she's questioning herself if she could pass this sem.
Nanlumo naman si Champ. He cleared his schedule because he wanted to make it up to his wife pero hindi naman pala niya ito makakasama.
"I'll go now. Baka matagalan ako sa pag-uwi pupunta pa ako sa Palawan."
Nanlaki ang mata ni Champ at mariing tiningnan ang babae. "Anong gagawin mo dun? Baka mabinat ka. Bakit ka naman pupunta doon. Pupunta naman tayo sa Siargao sa susunod na araw. Bakit---"
"WAIT!" - she cuts him. Naguguluhan siya sa mga pinagsasabi ng lalaki. Hindi niya alam kung saan na ito napunta.
"I am not leaving the town."
"But you said---"
"Palawan express. Magpapadala ako ng pera dun sa binilhan ko ng book. Payment first yun eh."
Namula naman sa hiya si Champ habang si Jeva naman ay halos mawalan na ng hininga sa kakatawa. Champ glared at her. Bakit ba kasi hindi nito sinabi na sa Palawan Express lang ito pupunta? At bakit ba kasi nagconclude agad siya na sa PALAWAN nga ito pupunta?
Tawa pa rin ng tawa si Jeva. "Anyways, I have to go. Don't miss me too much." - she tiptoed and kissed his cheek.
Jeva ran towards the door and left Champ dumbfounded.
INIS NA INIS si Champ sa sarili niya dahil sa kanyang kabobohan sa harap ng asawa.
He went to his room and changed his clothes to corporate attire. He decided to go to the company.
"Good morning, sir."
"Good morning, Sir President."
"Good morning, Sir Vlad."
"Good morning, Mr. Quiroz."
"Good morning, Mr. President."
His employees greeted him but he's really not in a good state.
"Good morning, Sir. Akala ko po hindi kayo papa---" hindi niya pinatapos ang kanyang sekretarya.
"Call the board we'll have a meeting." - he said before going straight to the conference room.
He squeezed his eyes as he leaned his back on the swivel chair.
Moments later, the board members came in.
"Good morning, Mr. President." - they greeted him in chorus.
He gestured in hand towards the seats. "Take a seat."
He is a completely different person whenever he is at the company he is strict and composed.
The board members seated.
"Para saan po ang agarang meeting na ito?" - Henry asked.
"Actually, this is not a meeting but an announcement." - agad namang nagtinginan ang mga board sa isa't isa.
"And this is about?" - curious na tanong ni Melody, ang nag iisang babaeng board member.
"This is about the CEO." - their mouth formed 'O'.
Since, the Kim retired and appointed Vladimir as the President of the company. They said that they'll have a new CEO but they haven't met him or her even once since the title was transferred to him or her.
"She will be handling the company starting next week." - Next week, because he is sure by then his wife already has a good rest from the vacation.
"She? So, she's a girl?" - Nakangiwing sabi ni Melody. "Baka naman walang kaalam-alam yan sa kompanya." - dagdag pa nito.
"If if she's a girl doesn't mean she's not worthy of the position. Bakit ikaw? Babae ka rin naman. Bakit ka kasali sa board?" - parang natinik naman ang lalamunan ni Melody dahil sa sinabi ng boss niya. Champ doesn't like anyone belittling his wife. Umiinit ang ulo niya.
"I'm sorry, sir." - she immediately apologized. She clearly knew that she had the smallest share in the company.
"You should learn to respect those who are in the authority." - galit na sabi ni Champ. "Get out." - he ordered before he threw them through the window.
None of them stood up. They think that the President only ordered Melody to go out.
Champ harshly massages his temple. "ALL OF YOU GET OUT!" - he wailed at them.
The board members startled when their boss suddenly yelled at them. He may be strict but he never yelled at them. This was the first time.
Mabilis naman silang nagsitayuan at umalis sa conference room.
Fuck! No one should ever dare to bad-mouthed nor bully my wife. Akala niya mawawala na ang inis niya kapag pumunta siya dito mas lalo lang pala siyang nawala sa mood.
He went to his office. "Bring all the papers I should sign for the whole week." - he ordered his secretary before going inside.
Teresa, his secretary, immediately grab all the folders. Takot si Teresa sa kanyang boss dahil sobrang strikto nito. Ibang-iba kapag nasa TV o sa interview. Kaya hindi na siya nagtataka kung bakit wala pang karelasyon ang boss nya.
"Ito na po lahat, sir." - she said as she put all the folders on his table.
Aalis na sana si Teresa nang tawagin sya ng boss nya. "Ano po yun, sir?"
"What do you think is the best gift for a girl?" - he is planning to give Jeva an anniversary gift.
Napanganga naman si Teresa tanong boss nya. Is he secretly dating? OMG! She wanted to scream in happiness. At last! She may be afraid of his boss but she is a fan of him who only wishes for his happiness.
"Teresa?" - tawag ni Champ sa tulalang sekretarya.
"Ah, ano sir. Hindi rin ako sure, eh." - napakamot siya sa ulo niya. "Siguro, kung special someone pwede po necklace or singsing with flowers pero kung kakilala niyo lang po pwede po bag or purse."
Vladimir nods his head. "Special someone po ba, sir?" - she grinned at her boss.
He tried to hide his blush by glaring at his secretary. "Are you being paid to gossip?"
"Ah, eh. Sabi ko nga po hindi na ako magtatanong." - she gave him a fake smile as she walk in a slow motion while taking big steps. Ngumiwi si Champ. Parang tanga ang kanyang secretary.
Kung hindi lang ito masipag na magtrabaho at mapagkakatiwalaan ay matagal niya na itong sinesante.
Champ focused himself on the papers. Kung hindi pa siya tinawagan ng kanyang sekretarya para mananghalian ay hindi niya mapapansin kung anong oras na. Then he suddenly remembered his wife.
He called Jeva's driver.
"Hello, sir." - he greeted him.
"Where are you?"
"Ay sir, susunduin ko na po si ma'am. Patapos na po yung klase niya ngayon." - magalang na saad ng driver sa kanya. It was Mang Kanor, a 45 years old single dad.
"I'll be the one to fetch her." - he said. "Pumunta ka dito sa opisina. Magpapalit tayo ng sasakyan."
"Okay, sir."
The call ended.
Champ was right back then. His wife's car became trending as his possession. Nakahinga pa rin siya ng maluwag dahil ang akala ng mga tao ay isa ito sa mga sasakyan niya na hindi niya madalas na ginagamit.
When his wife knew about the issue, she became livid because she can no longer use her favorite car but she still chose to understand Champ that he just did that for her. Na minsan nagiging tanga siya pagdating sa asawa niya.
Ang ginagamit ni Mang Kanor sa paghatid-sundo sa kanyang asawa ay isang Geely Azkarra.
Hindi nagtagal ay nakipagkita si Champ kay Mang Kanor sa parking lot ng kompanya nila. They exchanged their keys. Jeva's driver will send his Porsche Boxster back to their house.
"Sir, hindi ko po ito matatanggap. Sobra na po ito. Malaki naman po ang sweldo ko buwan-buwan at sobrang gaan lang po ng trabaho ko." - Champ gave Mang Kanor five thousand pesos to buy his children food for lunch.
"I caused you trouble today. Accept that. Just think it's a bonus." - giit niya.
"Pero sir, binigyan niyo na po ako ng bonus noong kayo rin po ang sumundo kay ma'am sa trabaho nya. Sobra sobra na po ito." - tanggi pa rin ni Mang Kanor.
"You were doing a great job."
"Pero simple lang po ang trabaho ko."
"There is no simple job when it comes to my wife and her safety." - the driver knew about his relationship with Jeva. Noong una ay nagulat pa ito dahil hindi lubos maisip ng lalaki na ang isang sikat na artista ay may asawa na pala.
Champ trusted this man not to speak about them and he also trusted his wife's safety in going to where she wanted to go. Afterall, he's been working in his family for a very long time.
Aside from being Jeva's driver he wanted Mang Kanor to tell him if there is some other guy who's close to his wife aside from her friends.
"Okay, sir." - sagot nito pero nag-aalangan pa ring tanggapin ang perang inabot nito sa kanya.
Mas naunang umalis si Champ kaysa kay Mang Kanor. Dumeretso siya sa skwelahan ng asawa.
He saw her waiting on the waiting shed together with a man. Champ gritted his teeth when he saw her wife laughing at the man.
When Jeva notices the car, she immediately bids goodbye to someone she's talking with.
Agad siyang sumakay sa backseat.
"The last time I checked I am not your driver." -masungit na sabi ni Champ sa asawa.
Nagulat naman si Jeva nang makilala ang kung sino ang nagmamaneho sa sasakyan.
She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Ack! I can't breath." - mabilis namang binitawan ni Jeva ang asawa niya.
Agad siyang lumipat sa passenger seat na hindi lumabas ng sasakyan.
Nang makaupo na siya ay inayos niya ang kanyang palda.
"Sabi ko naman kasi sayo wag mo agad akong mamiss." - she teased him while the other rolled his eyes.
"Masaya ka?" - masungit na turan nito sa kanya.
Napanganga naman si Jeva sa inasal ng lalaki para kasi itong isang tiyahin na nagmemenopause. Anong problema nito?
"Problema mo?"
"Wala." - walang ganang sagot nito. He started the car and drove. "Where to?"
"Palawan." - she answered. "Palawan express." - she cleared. Baka sa Palawan talaga siya ihahatid ng lalaki may pagkashunga pa naman ito.
"Was it fun?" - he suddenly asked from nowhere.
Jeva's forehead creased. "What are you talking about?"
Nagmamaang-maangan pa. Nakita ko naman. He bitterly said to himself. "Was it fun talking to someone while showing too much skin?"
Nalukot na naman ang mukha ni Jeva sa pinagsasabi ng asawa niya. She immediately checked herself. She's wearing a bloody red one-sided off-shoulder fitted crop top paired with a black not-so-short skirt.
"Hindi ka pa ba sanay sa awrahan ko?" - she asked him in disbelief. She always wears different kinds of crop tops paired with different kinds of skirts ending two-three inches above the knee.
Champ tsked and rolled his eyes. He was okay with her OOTDs before pero, nung kalaunan gusto niyang takpan ng kumot ang katawan ng babae. Gusto niya itong ipagdamot sa lahat na pwede makakita sa kanya. But he can't be that strict to her knowing that he still doesn't want their relationship to come out.
"Whatever. Who was that guy?" - he asked. He admitted that the guy she was talking to a while ago was handsome but not as handsome as he is. Conceited. But he clearly knew that, that guy could level him.
"Oh? That was Alyxisz. Hummer's friend. Napadaan lang yun doon."
Napakunot naman ang kanyang noo. "And who is this Hummer?"
"Mari's cousin." - nagtataka man ay sinasagot pa rin ang mga tanong ng lalaki. Bakit ba ang daming tanong nito?
Bakit ba ang daming kakilalang lalaki ng babaeng to? Naiinis na tanong ni Vladimir sa sarili.
Different kinds of why's running inside their head.
"Hindi mo ba kilala si Hummer?"
"No." - pero hindi niya alam kung bakit tuwing naririnig niya ang pangalan ng lalaki ay gusto niya itong balian ng leeg. "Who is he?"
"Hummer Zheng from China's most popular boy band called Layf and the successor of Zheng Hospitals" - mas lalong uminit ang ulo ni Champ ng makilala ito.
Hummer is one of his friends that is also a cassanova. He wanted to keep his wife away from his friend, especially to those who are manwhore.
"Tss."
He wanted to say to her that she should avoid Hummer. Pero wala namang siyang karapatan lalo't alam niyang unfair ito sa asawa dahil hindi niya pa kayang ihayag ang kanilang relasyon.
Saglit na bumaba ng kotse si Jeva para magpadala ng pera via Palawan Express agad din naman siyang bumalik.
"Where to?"
Jeva shrugged. "I don't know."
"Did you eat lunch?"
"Not ye--"
"What the fuck, Jeva Leyn?! Bakit hindi ka pa naglalunch?! Malapit ng mag 1 pm. Sweetheart naman, gusto mo bang maospital ulit?" -nagulat naman si Jeva sa pabigla-biglang sigaw nito at bigla ring lumambot. May manic disorder ba ang lalaking ito?
He tsked. "Where do you want to eat?"
She hummed. "Kina Nanay Maria."
Champ rolled his eyes. "I mean real food, Jeva Leyn."
"Bakit may fake bang pagkain?" - she sarcastically asked.
"Jeva Leyn." - he called her with a warning tone.
"Fine. Ikaw na ang mag isip kung saan tayo kakain. Surprise me. Make sure na mabubusog ako."
JEVA scoffed when Champ drove the car back to their house. Ang akala niya ay dadalhin siya nito sa paboritong restaurant ng lalaki pero inuwi lang pala siya nito.
"Wow naman. Surprise na surprise talaga ako." - she sarcastically said and rolled her eyes. "Never pa akong nakapunta dito." - she make face.
She tsked. "Akala ko pa naman. Dadalhin mo ako sa isang restaurant." - hindi niya alam kung ano ang itatawag sa lalaki pero isa lang alam niya, naiinis siya rito.
"I wanted to eat a home dish. You'll cook for me."
Agad namang nabilaukan sa sarili niyang laway si Jeva. Masaya siya dahil gusto ng lalaki na kumain ng lutuin niya. But what troubles her is that she is only good with pasta not with viand.
I'm doomed. We're doomed. Good luck to our stomachs.