I was confused. What was Sophia doing with my husband's phone, in a place so noisy? I had called earlier to tell Michael to call Sophia to wish her a happy birthday, but I guess I was completely mistaken. As I noticed Sophia at the other end of the call, she ended it almost immediately, leaving me as confused as ever.
I thought Michael had gone on a business trip. Why were he and Sophia together, especially in a noisy place as I had heard when she picked up the call? I know Sophia was very fond of her cousin, my husband. There were times when both of them would stay in our matrimonial bedroom, talking and laughing, with me in the kitchen preparing dinner.
The bond between them was strong. Other times, Sophia would drop by the house to pick up something for my husband, something that I could have done since I was always at home. I remember times when they would hold hands so close, share long hugs, and bring up their faces so close as if they wanted to kiss or something.
I knew Sophia and if there was one person she would go all out for, it was her cousin. The fact that they were together wasn't surprising because of the bond and closeness they shared. But Michael had said he was going on a business trip, and it was shocking to know that he had not gone on a business trip but had traveled with his cousin.
My mind flashed back to the incident that happened earlier. I had seen my husband holding hands with a strange woman. I wasn't able to get a clearer back view of the woman since other people were trooping in and out. Maybe that wasn't my husband I saw. I wanted to convince myself otherwise, but deep down, I was sure it was my husband. I could smell Michael from a distance.
Maybe I was wrong. I need more explanations. Just as I concluded my thoughts, my phone rang. It was Sophia. "Hey Mabel, how're you doing? I missed your calls, I'm so sorry I was busy at the time," Sophia said all at once.
"It's okay Sophie. Happy birthday! I'm sorry I forgot all about your birthday," I replied, forgetting the apology speech I had rehearsed in my head earlier. Before Sophia could respond, I went on to ask, " Is Michael with you?" I was growing impatient.
"Oh! Yes, he is. It was a coincidence, you know. He was here on a business trip, and it happened that I was also holding my birthday party in the same city as he was. I invited him and his friends, and they all came. It's really fun here. I would have invited you, but I know you have a lot going on right now. It would only be selfish of me not to consider that."
My mind was at peace. Michael did not lie to me. I was grateful for Sophia's explanation. "Okay, Sophie. Have fun," I said as I ended the call. If it wasn't Michael I saw earlier, then who was it? That person would have to be Michael's twin because the resemblance was so strong. I have heard people say that we all have our look-alikes somewhere in the world. Maybe that was Michael's look-alike I saw.
I wished Sophia had invited me to her birthday party but the reason she gave made a lot of sense. If I were in her shoes, I wouldn't have invited me either. I had a lot going on in my life and in my marriage that needed fixing and a birthday party was the last thing on my mind. I wished her well and concluded in my heart that I would get her birthday present the following day.
Shortly later, I drifted to sleep only to feel a gentle tap on my right hand. It was Sophia. "I have found the mystery woman who wants to steal your husband and wreck your marriage."
"What?"
"Are you sure of this, Sophie?" I inquired.
"More than I've ever been all my life," Sophia replied.
"Get your car keys and follow me," Sophia said afterward.
I grabbed my car keys and followed Sophia out of my bedroom. I was grateful to have a sister figure like Sophia, for the fact that she went out all to investigate who my husband's secret lover was. Initially, she had thought her cousin was innocent in all of this, but my instincts kept screaming the opposite. I knew in my heart that Michael was cheating on me.
We got downstairs and headed for my car. I entered and Sophia sat on the passenger seat. I drove like my life depended on it. My marriage depended on it, and so I increased my speed. I asked Sophia for directions, and she told me to go straight to Brews and Café.
Brews and Café? Michael sure had guts! The fact that Michael had the temerity to bring his lover to one of our favorite places angered me. I couldn't believe it. Of all places to take his mistress, he chose Brews and Café. Wow! Immediately Sophia told me the location, I increased my speed even more not minding if it would put me in trouble or not.
We got to the venue and I halted. Sophia asked me to take a deep breath before going inside. There was no time for this. I wanted to see the woman so badly that I ignored Sophia. I got out of the car and Sophia followed. She was panicking, and I understood why she would panic. She was choosing me over her cousin, something she would ordinarily not do.
I opened the door of Brews and Café, my eyes traveling everywhere almost at once. I couldn't find Michael. Was this a mistake? I turned to Sophia, who was also looking for my husband. "There he is," she said. I looked at where she had pointed. Lo and behold, Michael was indeed with a woman. I could only see her back.
With anger welling up in my chest, I approached the table where they were seated. Michael saw me and did not look surprised. That angered me the most. I moved to challenge him, asking him what I did to deserve the way he treated me. I saw the smirk on his face, one that depicted self-satisfaction. It was as if he had planned all of that so that I would be forced to sign the divorce papers.
"Is this your way of forcing me to sign the damn papers, huh?" I asked Michael but he gave no reply. "I would never give you what you want, not until you repay me for all the years I slaved for you!" I retorted. I realized I had not even gotten a look at the mistress he chose over me.
I turned my face to see Becky, the receptionist who worked at Urban Holdings.
"Becky?" My eyes grew wide with shock. "You are the one behind all this?" I couldn't believe my eyes. I practically got Becky the job she prided herself in through my influence, and here she was trying to sabotage my marriage.
Becky was not showing any form of remorse. She wasn't sorry nor did she apologize for causing all the hurt I've felt these past weeks. "What are you waiting for? Beat the hell out of her," I heard Sophia's voice behind me.
Without thinking twice, I carried Becky up and dropped her on the table. The table came crashing down with Becky on it. I went on top of her, landing her multiple punches, not minding the scene I was creating. Just then, Michael's phone started to ring. Provoked by the ringtone, I looked up, grabbed the phone from Michael, and threw it away.
Just then, I woke up and realized Michael's alarm had been ringing and that was what I had thrown away. A dream! I was relieved to know that everything I had experienced wasn't real. It gave me a beacon of hope, knowing that there might not be a mystery woman after all.
I was feeling sick and nauseous. I lazily dragged myself to the bathroom to puke. I wish I had someone who would give me the special treatment some men give to their wives when pregnant. My case was different, not what I had imagined. I cleaned up and went back to the bedroom to take care of the mess I had created from the broken alarm clock. Since I was going to go to the store to get Sophia a birthday present, I would as well get another one for Michael.
As I went downstairs to fix myself breakfast, I remembered I had to call Tina to find out how her son was doing. Tina's voice sounded a lot better than yesterday. She asked what plans I had for the day and I told her. She asked if I could come around later and I agreed. I had nowhere to go apart from the store, since I was a complete homemaker.
I finished breakfast not long after, showered, and headed out. I got to the store and picked a designer bag for Sophia. Sophia had great tastes and I knew just what she'd like, unlike me, who loved to keep it simple most of the time. I remembered the alarm clock I had broken and rushed to its section to get a perfect replacement. I made the payment and drove straight to Tina's.
I got to Tina's place a few minutes later. She greeted me with a warm hug. The smile on her face was as bright as the day, and I was happy to see her in such a mood. She wanted to get my opinion on a new guy she'd been seeing for quite a while. " I'm sorry to bring this up, knowing what you're going through, Mabel. I wanted to hear my best friend's opinion. What do you think about him?" Tina asked, feeling a bit sorry for me.
"It's okay, bestie. Feel free to tell me whatever it is you want. I'm going through a hard time in my marriage, not like I'm dying or something," I chided. I was happy that Tina had found love again, after what she had been through the last few years. She deserved the best life had to offer. Also, her son would have someone to call dad, which had been a thing of worry to Tina. I encouraged her to go for the guy, as long as she was happy. Her happiness was all that mattered to me.
Tina had told me countless times how her son had wanted to know who his father was, especially when he would see other kids at school with their dads or during Father's Day celebrations. Every time her son asked, she had to remind him that she was both his mom and dad.
Tina and I spoke for a long time before I decided that it was time to take my leave. I promised to visit her again, since I was always bored and needed to take my mind off things. I got home and noticed that Michael's car was parked in the garage. Was he back?
I was curious to know what had brought my husband earlier than planned. I got inside the living room and met no one. Surely he must be upstairs having a nap or maybe just resting from his trip.
I went upstairs to the entrance of our bedroom and heard Michael talking over the phone. I was going to twist the doorknob, letting myself into the room, but the next words I heard from my husband's mouth sent shivers down my spine.
I froze for a minute.