Kabanata 7: A Sudden Visit

"May I know your name?" I already turned my back at him when I heard him asked that, causing me to face him again.

"By the way, I'm Dylan. I am a new investors here at Rodriguez company," inilahad niya ang kaniyang kanan na kamay habang nagpapakilala sa akin.

"Oh, so you are one of my husband's new co-worker then. I am her wife, Dianna," I also introduced myself with a soft smile, shaking his hand lightly.

"Wow! I am a bit disappointed. I thought you are my soulmate already." Sandali na napa-awang ang aking labi, ngunit kalaunan ay natawa na lamang sa kaniyang sinabi.

"Just kidding! It's really good to meet the beautiful wife of our boss." He flashed me another charming smile which made me blush lightly.

"Thank you, I must admit, you are quite handsome yourself." He let go off my hand and chuckled.

"Well, I have to thank you for the compliment. I mean, I have always heard that you're quite the beauty. You know, kilala ko rin ang ama mo. He's an amazing CEO of one your company somewhere in New York, right?" Tumango ako at saka napatingin sa suot ko na relo, at saka ko na alala ang totoo na rason ko kung bakit ako nandito.

"I am sorry, Dylan Rios. But I need to go on my husband's office. Ang totoo niyan ay nandito ako dahil gusto ko siyang i-surpresa, since it's my birthday and I want to celebrate that day with him." Umangat ang kaniyang kaliwa na kilay, na tila ba may mali sa aking nasabi.

"Hmm, sounds ironic, huh? It's your birthday but you are the one surprising him." Ang ngiti sa aking labi ay unti-unti na nabura ng mapagtanto ko na tama siya.

"Alright, hindi ko na aaksayahin pa ang oras mo. Halata rin na nagmamadali ka. I hope to see you again, Mrs. Rodriguez?" he said politely. He seems so kind and friendly.

"Same to you, Mr. Rios." After bidding goodbye, I headed toward Lucas' office. But before I could enter, his secretary signed me not to.

"Sorry, Ma'am. Wait for a while, tatawagan ko lang po si Sir. Lucas at itatanong sa kaniya kung pwede na siyang tumanggap ng bisita."

"But I am her wife, why would you need to do that first?" Nagtataka na tanong ko sa kaniya, may pagka-iritable sa tono ng aking boses.

"I-I know, Ma'am. But Sir. Lucas told me before, not to let anyone except them—" My brows furrowed in confusion.

"Wait, ano ang sinabi mo? May iba ba na kasama si Lucas? May meeting ba siya?"

"I mean, him... My apologies, Ma'am. Kinakabahan lang po ako." I stared at her as she picked her phone now and call Lucas.

"Ma'am, pwede na raw po kayo pumasok." Bago ko ihakbang ang aking mga paa ay sinulyapan ko siyang muli. Nang makapasok na ako sa loob ng opisina ni Lucas ay naabutan ko na tutok na naman siya sa harap ng kaniyang laptop habang kunot ang kaniyang noo.

"Hi honey! Surprised! Kahit na alam mo naman ng nandito ako. Iyon naman kasing secretary mo ay hindi ako pinapasok kaagad. Siguro ay bago iyon dito, hindi yata alam na ako ang asawa mo." Ibinaba ko ang mga dala ko na pagkain.

"Dianna, what are you doing here?" tanong niya, bago naman siya makapagsalita muli ay mabalis ko na siyang binigyan ng halik sa kaniyang labi.

"Considering how busy you are at work, I thought we could celebrate a bit here." He seemed hesitant when I pulled away from him, looking into his eyes while biting my lower lips nervously.

"C-Can we, please?" I added quickly seeing his hesitation.

"If you don't want, it's fine. Don't force yourself. I-"

"No, come on. Let's eat." Nang sabihin niya ito ay lumawak ang ngisi sa aking labi. Hindi na siya nag-alinlangan pa na tumayo at saka tinulungan ako na ayusin ang mga pagkain.

I thought I will feel better by doing this, but I was unable to avoid but notice that Lucas seemed distracted and distant when we seated down to dine. Bumagsak ang aking balikat dahil tila mas gusto niya pa kaharap ang tambak na dokumento sa kaniyang lamesa kaysa sa akin.

"Mm, masarap ba?" I tried to asked him with a tone of hopefulness in hopes of cheering him up.

"Yeah..." Hindi man lang siya naga-angat ng tingin sa akin, sa halip ay sa plato niya lamang, like I am just a display here.

My excitement turned to despair as the minutes went by. I had expected an event to remember with my husband, but it felt more like an unwanted interruption in his hectic day.

Sinubukan kong itago ang aking pagkabigo, ngunit sa kabila ng aking na pagsisikap na hindi maramdaman ang pangamba at kawalan ng tiwala na namumuo sa aking puso sa mga nakaraang linggo ay lumalim. Hindi ko malaman kung normal pa nga ba talaga ang lahat sa amin o isa na itong simula sa pagkasira ng aming pagsasama.

"You seemed not happy that I am here, Lucas," I stated with a matter of fact. I wasn't planning to say all those things out loud. But once it escaped my mouth, there was no turning back.

"I'm just really surprised that you are going here, Dianna. Hindi mo man lang ako tinawagan na pupuntahan mo ako rito. Paano na lang pala kung nasa importante ako na meeting? Ano, ipapahiya mo ako?" The way he emphasized 'important meeting' made it sound like it was more important than me coming over.

"But you're just here, Lucas. Typing on your laptop. I just...want your little time to spend with me," I muttered softly. Hindi ko na nakaya pa na tingnan siya sa kaniyang mga mata, dahil sa natatakot ako na makita ang kaniyang reaksyon. Makalipas naman ang ilang segundo na katahimikan ay nagsalita siyang muli.

"Fine. But next time I hope that you'll tell me about it beforehand, alright?" Tumango ako at saka pinilit na ngumiti.

I had expected a happy birthday celebration, but it had become an anxious one, leaving me with more questions than answers concerning the condition of our marriage. I could tell that something wasn't right, and as I left him in his office, I couldn't help but worry whether our relationship was losing some of the joy we had once experienced together.

After thinking it for an hour, a notification from one of my social media account pop-up on my phone. It's a friend request from Dylan Rios. I accepted it the same time a message from him appears on my phone's screen.

"I forgot, greeting you directly. Happy birthday, Mrs. Rodriguez!" Binasa ko ang kaniyang mensahe at isang malungkot na ngiti ang gumuhit sa akin labi.