In the heart of a night, while Amiver was studying, a sudden ring of the doorbell broke the silence."
"Ding-dong," the doorbell sounded.
Amiver stood up and approached the door to open it.
"Denmark! "Amiver was shocked to see him, who almost stumbled as she opened the door.
Denmark was drunk and having difficulty walking , together with him was his friend Kevin.
"Sorry, Amiver. Denmark got drunk and couldn't go home, so I brought him here" as Kevin explained to Amiver.
Amiver let out a sigh
"It's okay, I'll take care of him," She replied.
Kevin said his goodbyes, when making sure that Denmark had safely entered their house.
"I'm okay," Denmark slurred in his drunken voice, attempting to free himself from Amiver's grasp, even though he was on the verge of stumbling without support
Despite the difficulty, She made an effort to help Denmark enter the room. They had separate rooms even though they were already married.
"Can you let go of me?" Denmark pushed her as they were about to enter the room. Amiver stumbled onto the floor, but she stood up and supported Denmark again.
"We're almost at your room," she softly said, enduring the pain in his lower back from Denmark's push. She also had to bear Denmark's weight as she guided him further inside.
Once they entered the room and managed to lay Denmark down, Amiver let out a sigh of relief. She removed Denmark's shoes and socks. Then, she changed Denmark into a pair of shorts, but when it came to taking off the denim polo shirt, Amiver struggled a bit. She needed to lift Denmark to remove the shirt, so she decided to let the polo shirt stay on Denmark's body.
She then took lukewarm water and a towel, using them to gently pat Denmark's arms and forehead dry.
Amiver placed the towel and gazed at her sleeping husband, who had always been handsome with thick eyebrows, a sharp nose, and red lips that were so inviting. She swallowed hard at the thought; she had longed to kiss her husband.
However, they had never done so.Her husband doesn't love her, and he only married her out of obligation.Even so, Amiver hopes that one day her husband will learn to love her.
They got married five years ago. She was only 16 when she married him, while he was 17. Denmark was against marrying her, especially since he had a girlfriend who happened to be Amiver's classmate in Highschool.However, due to his parents' insistence, Denmark had no choice but to marry Amiver.
They didn't live together immediately after getting married, as they were still minors. However, after a year, Denmark's parents bought them a large house for them to live together on their own.
During their five years of marriage, Denmark rarely comes home to the house where they used to live.. They hardly spoke to each other like a normal married couple. There were no anniversary celebrations or even birthday celebrations for him or her.
He would come home once a month, and when he did, Amiver would hurriedly attend to him, but he never ate the food she cooked.She didn't receive any acknowledgment or attention from him, as if he intentionally ignored her.
Even after enduring five years of this, Denmark still hasn't loved her. She endured everything and did her best to be a good wife, but his treatment towards her never changed.
Amiver couldn't help but wonder; she wasn't unattractive, in fact, she was often chosen to represent her school in beauty contests, and she usually won.
Even in college, she was known as the "beauty and brains" of the College of Architecture and consistently excelled in her class. Many also pursued her, but since she was already married before starting college, she never entertained them. In terms of personality, Amiver isn't arrogant either. That's why she feels saddened that despite enduring their time together with Denmark, he still can't see her.
However, Amiver's mother constantly advised her to endure everything and reminded her not to give up on Denmark . She believed that as long as Amiver displayed her kindness and remained a devoted wife to Denmark, he would eventually come to love her.
Unfortunately, her mother passed away last year due to breast cancer, leaving her alone in life, with Denmark as her only remaining family.
As she had expected, she received no sympathy from Denmark during the time of mourning for her mother. He didn't even bother to visit her mother's final resting place.
Amiver's mother loved Denmark and took care of him since he was a child like a second mother, but he didn't even show sympathy or seem to care when she passed away.
Her mother began serving the Marquez family when she was a young woman. Despite the Marquez family's status as one of the wealthiest and most influential families in the Philippines, they were known for their down-to-earth and unpretentious nature. When her mother became pregnant and the man responsible did not take responsibility, the Marquez couple assisted in raising her.
The Marquez couple helped raise her as if she were their own flesh and blood, and they wanted her to call them "mami" and "dadi" just as Denmark did. Whatever Denmark had, the Marquez couple also provided for her. Amiver was also enrolled in the same prestigious and expensive school where Denmark was studying.
Amiver holds great respect for Denmark's parents. They are kind to her and her mother, and she feels a deep sense of gratitude for their generosity. This gratitude shapes her behavior and attitude towards them.
Amiver's thoughts were abruptly interrupted when Denmark stirred slightly. She breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that he was still asleep, albeit heavily intoxicated.
She couldn't help but smile and took the opportunity to gaze at him for a while. She gently stroked his cheek.
She remembered how much she admired Denmark when they were kids. They often played together in the garden and at school. He was also very kind to her and her mother, who served as her nanny during those times.
In the school where they both studied grade school, he would often visit her classroom to check on her. She was frequently bullied by her wealthier classmates because they considered her just the child of a maid and believed she didn't belong at their school. And during those times, Denmark became her defender. At such a young age, he learned to stand up for her against her classmates just to protect her.
During their high school years, she discontinued referring to him as "kuya," and this decision didn't sit well with Denmark.
"She remembered when they had an argument about her decision to stop calling him "kuya."
"Why do I have to call you 'kuya' anyway? We only have a one-year age gap, and besides, we're not even siblings," she retorted with a stern expression when Denmark scolded her.
"You know what? You're really stubborn. Even with just a one-year gap, I'm still older than you, remember that, and you should respect me," he replied with a haughty tone.He walked away, clearly irritated.
They didn't speak to each other for several days during their disagreement. However, Denmark couldn't bear the silent treatment, so he was the first to approach and make amends.
Okay, fine. I agree not to call me ''kuya' for now, but on one condition," he said, looking at her.
Amiver nodded in agreement.
"Promise me you won't tell my parents about my failed subjects, my cutting classes at my girlfriend, Cathee," he added.
Amiver paused and contemplated Denmark's condition. She had always been advised by Denmark's parents to watch over him in school and report any misbehavior, so she hesitated at the condition he had given her
Hmm, I don't want to. I'll still tell your mom about your failed subjects and girlfriend because they'll find out anyway. When the time comes, I'll be the one in trouble," she playfully responded.
Denmark often skipped classes and went on dates with his girlfriend, Cathee. He also struggled with several subjects, leading to constant frustration from his father, who was disappointed in his only child.
Amiver wiped away his tears, knowing that their closeness might not be restored.
As she was about to stand up, Denmark suddenly held her hand. Amiver was surprised, looking at Denmark who was awake and staring at her intensely.
"Don't leave," he said softly.
Amiver stared back at Denmark, then she slowly got up and followed Denmark's instruction to sit at the edge of the bed.
Just a while ago, Denmark could barely walk due to drunkenness, but now it seemed like his drunkenness had disappeared remarkably fast.
"Are you okay now? Do you want some water?" Amiver asked, breaking the silence as she looked at Denmark.