CHAPTER TEN
"DON'T go, please.." naiiyak na sambit ni Avamae kay Noah habang nasa hotel sila ng dalaga.
"Ava, sinamahan na kita dito sa hotel mo. You look fine now. Mauuna na ako." Ani Noah habang inaalis ang kamay sa pagkakahawak ni Avamae.
Avamae sniffed. "But i'm scared! Nakita mo naman ang ginawa ni Victoria sa akin diba? She embarrassed me in front of so many people." She cried.
Noah tsked. "Kung sana kasi hindi mo ginalit si Victoria, edi sana okay ka ngayon. I need to go to her. Maayos ka naman na." He turned his back on her.
Napatigil lang si Noah nang yakapin siya ni Avamae mula sa likod. "Don't leave me. Mas kailangan kita kaysa kay Victoria."
Binaklas ni Noah ang pagkakayakap sa kaniya ni Avamae at humarap dito. "Was it fun? Playing with me?"
Victoria is right. He's an attorney. He defends people pero ang sarili niya, hindi niya maprotektahan. Maybe it's time for a change.
Nawala ang lungkot sa mga mata ni Avamae at napalitan ng galit at pagkataray.
Her true color is showing..
"No. Hindi ako nagenjoy dahil ang boring mo. I'm not even at the fun part yet but that Victoria bitch ruined it all." She snapped.
"Diyan ka naman magaling. Playing with others' feelings." Noah tsked.
"Nagpalaro ka naman? You're too weak when it comes to your emotions, Noah." Ani Avamae.
Hindi na nagsalita si Noah bagkus ay umalis ng hotel room. Saktong pagkalabas niya ay tumunog ang phone niya.
He just received a message from an unregistered number.
"This is Damon. Something happened to Victoria. Ako na ang maguuwi sa kaniya."
Napakunot ang noo ni Noah. "What happened to her?" Kunot-noong tanong nito sa sarili bago nilagay ang phone sa pocket.
Noah heaved a deep sigh before running towards their suite. Dahil wala siyang perang dala, tinakbo niya ang distansiya mula sa hotel ni Avamae sa hotel nila.
When he reached the hotel, malakas na panalangin ang inalay ni Noah na sana hindi magwala ang asawa..
• • •
"THANK you, Damon." Sambit ni Victoria nang ihatid siya ni Damon sa hotel room niya.
She's just outside the suite habang nagpapaalam sa kasama.
Damon smiled. "Ingat ka sa susunod. Tell your husband to treat you properly next time." utos nito bago umalis.
Nananalaytay pa rin sa sistema ni Victoria ang kalasingan kaya nahihilong binuksan niya ang pintuan at pumasok.
She is trembling with fear. Kung hindi dumating si Damon kanina baka kung ano na ang ginawa sa kaniya ng mga lalakeng iyon.
She's shocked and scared. She have never felt this frightened her whole life!
Nanghihinang umupo si Victoria sa sofa habang patuloy na nanginginig sa takot hanggang sa biglang bumukas ang pinto ng suite at pumasok si Noah na pawang hinihingal.
"Victoria..." he uttered.
Kaagad na sumimangot si Victoria. "Where have you been?! Alam mo ba kung ano ang nangyari sa akin?" Naiiyak na sambit nito. She has puffy and red eyes. A sign that she had been crying.
Lumapit sa kaniya si Noah. He's standing in front of her. "I'm sorry.."
Victoria scoffed. "What are you sorry for?" She asked, tears are already forming.
"I wasn't there when you need me."
Victoria chuckled. "Nagpapatawa ka ba? Me? Needing you? I can handle myself, Noah. But earlier..." she suddenly sobbed because she's so drunk.
Victoria sniffed. "I-I was violated and..and..no one came for me...I was all alone.." She wailed.
Patuloy ang pagdaloy ng luha nito sa pisngi at pinupunasan naman niya ito.
"Victoria..."
Matalim ang matang tumingin si Victoria kay Noah. "Alam mo bang inexpect ko na dadating ka? I bet you were with Avamae calming her ass down! Siya ba ang asawa mo, ha? Ha?" Pinagbabato niya si Noah ng mga unan.
Then she cried again. "I-I felt so weak and small...I was alone..Ako ang asawa mo, Noah. Although I hate you and you hate me too, can you please choose me over her? Pinaglaruan ka ng babaeng iyon pero sa huli siya pa rin pipiliin mo?" She sobbed.
"Masaya ba paglaruan kaya kahit ginagago ka na, okay lang sayo kasi masaya ka naman? Ha?" She whimpered.
As she rant out her feelings, Noah stayed silent.
"Sumagot ka nga! Bakit tumatahimik ka?" Victoria raged in anger.
Bumuntong hininga si Noah bago kumuha ng blanket at umupo sa tabi ni Victoria. He then wrapped the blanket around Victoria's body.
Noah soothed Victoria by gently tapping her shoulder and combing her hair using his hands. "Ssh, you're safe now. Cause I'm here."
At habang nakapikit ang mga mata, umingos si Victoria. "Psh, you're not even capable of protecting me. Mas matatakutin ka kaysa sa akin." Aniya sa inaantok na boses.
Noah sighed. Kahit pala lasing ang asawa, mataray pa rin ito.
"Matulog ka na. Huwag kang panira ng mood." Singhal ni Noah at pawang nakangiti nang natulog na nga si Victoria.
Tomorrow, when morning comes, panigurado ay serye-seryeng sermon ang makukuha niya mula kay Victoria. His wife will rage in anger and kailangan paghandaan na niya iyon.
Ano kayang pwede niyang gawin para pakalmahin bukas ang asawa?
• • •
UNTI-UNTING minulat ni Victoria ang mga mata. Her head is throbbing and she feels like throwing up.
Tatayo sana siya para maghilamos nang hindi siya makagalaw.
Inis na pinipilit niyang makatayo. Umagang-umaga masakit ang ulo niya kaya highblood siya.
When she felt a pair of arms around her body, nilingon niya kung kaninong kamay iyon and realized it was Noah's!
Magkatabi silang natulog buong gabi and it irritates her.
Victoria grind her teeth and glared at sleeping Noah. Inis na binatukan niya ito sa ulo dahilan para mahulog ang asawa.
A loud 'thump' was heard.
"Aray.." Noah uttered while massaging his head.
"You—" napatigil sa pagsasalita si Victoria nang maramdaman niyang naduduwal siya.
Dali dali siyang pumasok ng banyo at nagsuka. She's having her hangover.
At habang nagsusuka, unting bumabalik sa memorya niya ang nangyari kagabi.
A pair of men, touching her inappropriately and being saved by Damon instead of her husband...
Naghilamos at naggargle si Victoria bago padabog na binuksan ang pinto.
Naabutan niya si Noah na may kung anong binabasa sa phone. "What are you reading?" Mataray niyang tanong.
Hindi manlang siya tinignan. "An article on how to calm down your enraged wife."
Sa sinabi, kinuha ni Victoria ang pinakamalapit na unan at binato iyon kay Noah. "You useless husband! Alam mo ba kung ano ang nangyari sa akin kagabi? Isusumbong kita kay mommy!"
Iniilag ni Noah ang tinatapon niyang unan. "Paulit-ulit mong sinasabi ang nangyari sayo kagabi and I already feel guilty as it is!" Pabalik nitong sigaw.
"So sinisigawan mo na ako, ha? You have the guts to shout at me now? Tinuruan ka ba ni Avamae?" She continued throwingg pillows at Noah.
"Ano ako, bata na kailangan turuan?And i'm shouting because you won't listen!" Sigaw ulit ni Noah.
Binato ulit ni Victoria ang natitirang unan bago pagod na umupo sa couch. "I hate you, you know that." Aniya habang hinihilot ang sentido.
Noah sighed. "I know you hate me and you're mad and all, so," may kinuha ito sa pocket, "I got these." Pinakita nito ang dalawang ticket papuntang Disneyland Paris.
Kumunot ang noo ni Victoria. "Ano yan?"
Noah looked at her flatly. "It's a ticket to disneyland. Alam kong magagalit ka so I asked Aqua last night on what makes Victoria Salvador happy."
"And?" Victoria urged.
"She said that theme parks makes you happy. Kaya I booked two tickets online and printed it."
Tumaas ang kilay ni Victoria. "Whose money did you use?"
Napakamot ng batok si Noah at nagsalita, "that doesn't matter. Ang importante, magsasaya tayo buong araw at para mapatawad mo na ako.
Victoria scoffed. "You want me to forgive you but you used my money to buy tickets?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya.
Noah shrugged. "I don't have money."
Victoria rolled her eyes. "Just to be clear, I don't enjoy theme parks."
Noah smiled inwardly. "Si Aqua na ang nagsabi. Alam mo bang kinuwento niya sa akin na lagi kang pumupunta ng theme parks sa lahat ng bansang pinupuntahan mo?"
Victoria breathed deeply to calm herself. Kakausapin niya talaga ng masinsinan si Aqua.
"Shut up, nerdy. I'm gonna take a bath." Sambit niya.
Noah frowned. "Pero matagal kang maligo. Ako muna."
Victoria winced. "No! Gusto ko ako lang gagamit ng bathroom so you use another banyo."
"Saan naman ako makikiligo?" Reklamo ni Noah.
Victoria shrugged. "I don't know. Diskarte mo na yon."
Sumimangot lang si Noah bago pasimpleng kinuha ang damit at tumakbo papasok ng bathroom.
"Hey!" Victoria shouted nang sinaraduhan siya ni Noah ng pinto.
"Noah!" She thundered.
"Sobra sa isang oras kung maliligo ka. Kaya ako muna ang maliligo."
Victoria trembled. "Just..just make sure the bathroom is clean after you use it." Nagaalalang sambit niya dahil ayaw niya sa maduming bathroom.
"Yes, ma'am." Tugon naman ni Noah na nagpatuloy na sa pagliligo.
• • •
"THIS IS IT?" Victoria grunted.
Nasa loob na sila ng Disneyland Paris and Victoria isn't making any excitement noise at all.
Napakamot sa batok si Noah. "We'll go for some rides, of course."
Umingos si Victoria. "I don't want to. I rather sleep." Sambit niya pero ang totoo, she's so excited that she might jump and squeal.
But of course, Victoria has her pride. Ayaw niyang ipahalata sa asawa na masaya at excited siya.
She visited France for ten times and in that ten times, sinisiguro niya na pumupunta siya ng disneyland para magsaya.
Tama si Aqua, theme parks makes her happy. Hindi lang niya pinapakita sa asawa dahil galit pa siya rito.
"Okay, so first, are you hungry?" Tanong sa kaniya ni Noah habang naghahanap ng makakainan.
Sumimangot si Victoria. "Mukha ba akong gutom?" Masungit niyang tanong.
Noah tsked. "How about an ice cream? Mainit pa naman."
She glanced at a nearby ice cream stall and gulped. "Okay, just one cone." pagpayag niya.
Nang makabili sila, Noah asked, "is this your first time visiting disneyland?"
Victoria wanted to shake her head no but instead she nodded. "Yup. First time ko."
Noah looked at her suspiciously. "Pero diba nakapunta ka na dito ng ilang beses na?" Pangungulit nito.
She grunted. "Eh sa ayoko nga sa mga theme parks. This is for kids." Reklamo niya.
Noah just shrugged at tinignan ang phone kung saan mayroon siyang mga listahan ng pupuntahan. "Okay,
Let's go to Lancelot carousel. Mukhang masaya don." Aniya at naglakad patungo sa east.
Agad na humadlang si Victoria. "The carousel is this way!" Sigaw niya at tinuturo ang kabilang dulo.
Noah grinned. "Akala ko ba first time mo dito? How did you know where the carousel is? Wala naman tayong mapang dala."
Sumimangot si Victoria. "Fine! I've visited this place for ten times."
"So you love theme parks?" Tanong muli ni Noah.
Victoria nodded. "Yeah. Wala lang ako sa mood ngayon. I'm mad at you."
Umingos lang si Noah at hinawakan ang kamay niya at giniya papunta sa carousel. Hey, don't touch me!" Nandidiring sambit ni Victoria.
Pero hindi natinag si Noah at patuloy ma hinawakan ang kamay ng asawa hamggang sa makarating sila ng carousel at nakasakay. Magkatabi ang sinasakyan nilang kabayo. Noah was grinning from ear to ear at halatang excited habang si Victoria ay walang reaksyon. Pinipigilan kasi niya ang tuwa niya. She wants to show Noah that she's mad.
"Hey, tumawa ka nga. Or atleast smile." Utos sa kaniya ni Moah habang hindi pa umaandar ang carousel.
She looked at Noah flatly. "Wala naman nakakaexcite dito."
"Did you know that frowning can give you wrinkles? Bahala ka, tatanda ka nang maaga." Pananakot sa kaniya ni Noah.
Of course, she doesn't want to age early! Kaya naman pilit siyang ngumiti.
Nang umandar na ang carousel humihiyaw si Noah at halatang tuwang-tuwa. Victoria wanted to squeal in excitement too but her pride wouldn't let her.
She's mad at Noah and by the end of the day, it will stay that way.
Victoria cleared her throat. "This is fun for you?" Sigaw niya sa malumanay na boses para marinig ng asawa.
Tawa lang ang naging tugon ni Noah sa kaniya at patuloy sa paghiyaw. Nang matapos ang ride, dumaong naman sila sa Phantom Manor. Isang haunted house ng Disneyland Paris.
Umirap si Victoria sa hangin nang mahigpit siyang hinawakan ni Noah sa braso habang papasok sila ng haunted house.
She went here ten times already before and hindi naman siya natakot. Hindi niya lang alam kay Noah. Baka matakot ito.
"We can leave if you're scared—and don't touch me, will you? I don't want anyone touching me." Mataray niyang sabi.
Noah cleared his throat. "I'm not scared. Baka lang kasi mawala ka—aah!" He shouted.
May isang malakas na tunog ng bell ang narinig sa kwaro dahilan para magulat si Noah.
Victoia teasingly grinned. "What's that again? You're not scared?"
"Nagulat lang ako." Mabagal ito maglakad at pinapakiramdam ang paligid.
Nakahawak pa rin siya sa braso ni Victoria. "Hey! Don't touch me!" Tulak niya sa asawa.
When Noah let go of her arm, hindi na niya naramdaman ang presensiya nito. At dahil madilim ang paligid, hindi niya makita kung nasaan si Noah.
"Noah! Where are you?" Sigaw ni Victoria habang hinahanap ang asawa.
"Victoria!" She heard a faint voice.
Sinundan niya ang boses. Thankfully, she found Noah.
Hinawakan niya ang kamay nito para igiya sa exit nang humarap si Noah sa kaniya and he actually flinched and shouted as if he was scared!
"Ano ba, it's just me!" Satsat ni Victoria at pabirong pinalo si Noah.
"Natakot ako sa mukha mo eh. Bakit di mo naisipang magracket dito sa haunted house? Siguradong marami ang matatakot sayo." Noah teased.
Inis na binatukan ni Victoria si Noah at nauna nang naglakad. Noah immediately paced up and clinged unto Victoria's expensive shirt.
"Baka magusot ang shirt ko! Mas mahal pa yan sa buhay mo." Reklamo niya.
Umingos lang si Noah and until they reached the haunted house's attic, nakahawak pa rin si Noah sa shirt ni Victoria.
Victoria just rolled her eyes. She's starting to get bored. Hindi siya nagugulat sa mga jumpscares pero ang kasama niya, panay ang sigaw.
When a 'ghost bride' appeared, Noah immediately shouted and literally jumped. "AH! Alis na tayo dito. Shit. Shit. Shit." he said, panicking while dragging Victoria away towards the exit.
Nang makalabas sila ng haunted house, doon lang nakahinga nang maluwag si Noah. "Finally, I can breathe."
Victoria snorted. "Matatakutin ka pala? You're such a coward. Hindi ka na nahiya sa akin? Ako ang babae and ako pa ang hindi natakot."
Sumimangot si Noah. "We all have our weaknesses."
Umingos lang si Victoria. "I'm hungry. I want to eat."
Tumango si Noah. "Pero ikaw magbayad. Wala akong perang dala." Napakamot ito sa batok.
Victoria rolled her eyes. "Ikaw nagyaya sa akim dito tapos hindi ka nagdadala ng pera?"
"You're the rich one. Pay for my food."
"Fine. But I'm still mad at you."
Victoria and Noah then ate lunch and continued exploring the whole theme park. Sinakyan nila ang dumbo the flying elephant at indiana jones and the temple of peril. They also visited various spots such as the adventure isle, Alice's curious labrynth where they entered a confusing maze and the dragon's lair. Marami pa silang pinuntahan at sinakyan.
Victoria really wanted to rest but Noah insisted on going on rides hanggat hindi siya ngumingiti o tumatawa. Paano naman siya tatawa at ngingiti kung ang kasama niya, maypagkaduwag?
Nang mapagod ang dalawa, they decided to rest on a nearby bench. Sakto namang biglang nagkukumpulan ang mga tao sa gitna.
"Ano meron?" Noah asked.
Victoria leaned in on the bench. "The parade is starting."
Nakakunot ang noong tumingin si Noah sa asawa. "Parade? What parade?"
"A parade where disney princes and princesses walk for hours." Tugon niya.
Noah grinned and stood up. "Saan ka pupunta?" Masungit na tanong ni Victoria sa asawa.
"I'm going to watch the parade." He grinned excitedly.
Victoria cringed. "For a 26 years old, you're too childish."
"Bakit? You enjoy theme parks too,
right? Does that makes you childish?" Depensa ni Noah.
Victoria flipped her hair. "Whatever. Just go."
But Noah being Noah, he grabbed Victoria's arms. Nakipagsiksikan sila sa maraming tao para mapunta sa harap.
"Are you okay? I mean, there's a lot of people." Tanong ni Victoria nang maalalang takot pala si Noah sa maraming tao at crowded na lugar.
Instead of answering her question, Noah asked, "are you having fun? Answer me honestly."
Victoria scoffed. "No. You're boring kasama." She answered.
Tumawa lang si Noah habang himihintay nila ang pagdating ng mga disney princesses.
Noah knew some of them because he watched them with Aeign before.
He was taking pictures while the parade is ongoing and Victoria silently chuckled.
Who would thought that a nerdy like Noah is actually a child at heart?
Sanay na siya sa mga ganitong bagay dahil nakakapunta naman siya dito anytime. But Noah, he can't afford this kind of experience while growing up.
Palihim na kinuha ni Victoria ang phone at pinicturan si Noah. Pandagdag blackmail sa asawa kung nagkataon.
Saktong tumigil sa kanila ang mga disney princesses at parang may hinahanap sa audience.
The woman dressing up as princess Belle suddenly gazed her eyes towards them.
At ang magaling niyang asawa, tinuro pa siya! The woman dressed up as princess belle walked towards her and took her hand.
"You're the famous model, Victoria Salvador, right?" Pabulong na tanong nito.
Victoroa casually flipped her hair. "Of course, I am."
The woman smiled and took her to the center. Then Noah shouted, "she's the queen!"
Sa narinig, Victoria can't help but smile. She is the queen. No one shall take that title from her.
Sinuotan siya ng crown sa ulo ng mga prinsesa at hindi nakatakas sa pandinig ni Victoria ang bulungan ng mga tao.
"She's so pretty."
"That's Victoria Salvador!"
"I didn't know she's this pretty in real life!"
Victoria smiled inwardly. She really loves hearimg opinions about her. The good ones.
One from the audience shouted, "she needs a prince!"
The audience agreed kaya nagsimulang maghanap ng prince mula sa audience ang mga prinsesa.
Victoria smirked. It's time to get revenge on Noah!
Tinuro niya ang gawi ni Noah pero natigilan nang wala na doon ang binata. Nilibot niya ng tingin ang paligid. She can't see him.
"We found you a prince!" The woman dressed as Princess Anna uttered.
Hindi niya iyon pinansin. Patuloy ang paghanap niya sa asawa hanggang sa makita niya ito sa bench ma imuupuan nila kanina na pawang hinihingal at hawak ang dibdib.
She immediately took the crown and gave it to the princesses. Nagmamadaling umalis siya at pinuntahan si Noah.
"What happened?" She asked as soon as she reached the bench.
Noah didn't answer but he replied with a smile. "I'm fine." He's sweating bullets. His hands are trembling and tensed.
"What's happening to you?" She asked once again.
Again, hindi siya sinagot ni Noah. He's rapidly catching his breath slightly panicking.
"I'll call for help." She suggested. Akmang tatawag ng emergency nang hawakan ni Noah ang kamay niya.
"I'm fine. I just...I panicked a little."
Doon lang napagtanto ni Victoria kung ano ang nangyayari sa asawa. "Panick attack?" She asked.
Noah slightly nodded and continued catching his breath. Makalipas ang ilang segundo, he starting tearing up and mumbling words.
"Hey, what's happening? Why are you crying?" Tanong ni Victoria.
Pinagtitinginan sila ng mga tao pero wala siyang pake! They can stare all they want. She doesn't mind.
Noah sobbed. "Hey..." Victoria whispered while carressing Noah's back.
What happened? Wala namang kakaiba para umiyak si Noah?
Victoria squatted and tried to look at Noah's face. Malumanay siyang nagsalita. "Noah, can you hear me?" She asked.
When Noah nodded, she spoke, "I want you to repeat the words I'm going to say." Sambit niya.
"I am doing great." Victoria consoled.
"Repeat it, Noah. I am doing great." Ulit niya.
Noah sniffed and quietly said, "I am doing great."
Victoria smiled. "You are doing great, Noah. Now take a deep breath and repeat those words again."
Victoria is not a psychologist or something so she's trying herself to calm Noah down by giving him positive messages.
"I am doing great." Noah repeated it for three times.
This time, Noah looked at her. "I am doing great?" He asked.
Victoria nodded. "Yes. You are doing great."
Noah took a deep breath and continuously repeated the words. Nang kumalma na siya, Victoria asked. "What happened?"
Noah shrugged. "I don't know. This happens sometimes. Bigla nalang ako nagkakaganito."
Kumunot ang noo ni Victoria. "How do you calm down?"
"I cry it all out until I fall asleep. Or I count from 1 to 100 just to calm myself down."
Nagkibit balikat si Victoria. "Well good thing you're calm now." Puna niya.
"Yeah..." Noah replied.
Hinila naman ni Victoria ang kamay ni Noah at dinala sa kumg saan. "What's wrong?" Noah asked.
"We're gonna see the fireworks." Victoria excitingly said.
"You seem excited. Compared to earlier. Napagod ka na bang magpanggap?" He teased to lighten up the atmosphere. He doesn't want to come out as weak in Victoria's perspective.
Inungusan siya ng asawa. "Shut up. I was pretending because I was mad at you."
Noah laughed at habang hinihintay ang fireworks, he confessed, "actually, hindi ko nalaman kay Aqua na mahilig ka sa theme parks. I found it out myself."
Gulat na napatingin sa kaniya si Victoria. "What?! Then how did you know?"
"You had an itinerary planned, right? I accidentally saw it on your phone. Nabasa ko na kasama doon ang Disneyland. You even labeled it as 'My Favorite Tourist Spot. MUST GO.'"
Natahimik si Victoria. Oo nga pala, noong binlackmail siya ni Noah na isusumbong siya sa mommy niya kapag hindi siya gumawa ng itinerary, she really included Disneyland on her list.
Bahagyang natulak si Noah ng kung sino kaya nagkadikit ang mga balikat nila. Nandidiring umiwas si Victoria at pinagpag ang balikat na dumikit kay Noah.
"Ang arte mo." Puna ni Noah.
"Talaga!" Victoria exclaimed while impatiently waiting for the fireworks.
The two were silent as they wait for the display kaya naman humarap si Noah kay Victoria at nagsalita. "Hey—"
Noah stopped talking when someone pushed him again dahilan para ngayon ay lumapat ang labi niya sa labi ni Victoria!
With wide eyes and red cheeks, Victoria gulped. This caught her off guard.
As the two kiss, the fireworks display started at the same time.
The loud noise and colorful lights of the fireworks did not stop the two from kissing. Walang gumagalaw. Magkalapat lang ang labi nila hanggang sa lumayo si Victoria at malakas na sinampal si Noah sa pisngi.
"Why did you kiss me?!" She asked, fuming in anger.
Noah defensed, "hindi kita hinalikan! May tumulak sa akin kaya aksidente kong nahalikan ang labi mo—"
"Argh!!" Galit na sigaw ni Victoria habang pinupunasan ang labi at matalim ang matang nakatingin sa kaniya.
Noah's plan was to be forgiven by Victoria before the day ends. Pero mukhang mas lalong nadagdagan ang inis sa kaniya ng asawa dahil sa nangyari.
They are each other's first kiss after all.