Chapter 5

Bianca felt disoriented about her new environment. It was too quiet! She missed the sound of an airplane taking off and touching down on the runway. She missed the home where she lived for how many years with Gabriel.

Although living in the province was slow-paced, the day Gabriel promised to come has finally arrived. As soon as she woke up, she immediately dialed his number to confirm his arrival.

“Honey, are you on the way to Clayland now?” She was so excited to call her husband that she forgot to wear a bra before going out of her room. She saw Justin sweeping the fallen leaves from the trees in their front yard. He waved at her, and she did the same.

“Didn’t you get my message that I’m not coming today?” Bianca wondered why his voice sounded like he was annoyed at something or someone.

“I didn’t get any. But, hon, you promised that you would come today. Why did you change your mind?” She asked him.

“Am I not allowed to change my mind?” His answer sent an alarm to Bianca that something was really wrong. So she decided to end their conversation and just hang up. She paced back and forth, completely forgetting that Justin was just nearby, sweeping the front yard.

She was disappointed and sad at the same time. Bianca felt that Gabriel had purposely canceled his trip to Clayland to avoid seeing her. But on what ground?

“Good morning, Bianca.” Justin greeted the woman who’s the reason why he didn’t sleep well last night. He saw her talking on the phone, and he guessed that it was his uncle. The call didn’t even last for a minute, and he saw Bianca frowning as soon as she pocketed her phone.

“Hello, Justin. That’s nice of you to get rid of the fallen leaves in our yard.” She didn’t greet him but started a conversation instead.

“He’s not coming?” Even if she won’t tell him, he already knew. His uncle has no plan of ever coming home to Clayland. He felt pity for Bianca. She’s a good woman, and he couldn’t comprehend why Gabriel would abandon her. He felt bad when she tried to fake a smile.

“Yes, “she replied without looking at Justin.

“So? You know where he is. Just go to him,” he advised.

“Right. I should just go to him since he’s not coming. But what about Kelly?” She missed her husband so much! Lately, he has rarely sent her a text message, and he won’t even call!

“Don’t worry, we’re here to watch over your daughter. What time would you like to leave?”

“Thank you, Justin. Let me take a bath first, then we’ll leave.” Excitedly, she went inside and prepared to leave in less than thirty minutes.

As soon as Bianca went inside, he discarded the broom and looked for Anabel to inform her that Bianca was leaving.

As soon as everything was ready, Justin took Bianca to town. In less than twenty minutes, they were already in the parking area of jeepneys bound for the nearest port. “Thank you, Justin. I will keep in touch, okay?

“Sure. Just let me know when you need my services, that is, coming here to pick you up.” He couldn’t explain why he felt sad as she was saying goodbye. He shook his head and reminded himself that he had no right to feel this way.

“Of course. Who else should I call if not you? So bye for now; see you soon.” She tapped on his shoulders to say goodbye.

The travel time going to the port of Getafe was less than an hour. As soon as she got off the jeepney, she hailed a motorcycle for hire that would take her to the ticket outlet to purchase her ticket going to Claybourne.

She paid one hundred and seventy pesos to the cashier, wrote her name on the passengers’ list, and lastly, she paid the terminal fee, which cost five pesos only. Since the ferry was docked just a few hundred meters from the ticket outlet, she chose to walk the remaining distance.

Bianca handed her ticket to the person in charge and got on board the ferry. She chose the window seat for fresh air. While waiting for other passengers, she bought two hardboiled eggs and ate them with salt. After eating, she put on her headset and listened to love songs saved on her phone.

It was a quarter to twelve when the ferry arrived in Cordova port. As soon as she got off, she walked quickly towards the parking area for the taxi. The noon heat was burning her skin, so she wanted to be home as soon as possible.

She got inside the cab and instructed the driver where to go. “There’s a McDonald’s drive-thru near here; I think I should just buy lunch from there.” The driver didn’t answer and just nodded his head.

When she got her order of chicken and fries, they were on their way home to Claybourne. In less than ten minutes, she was already in front of their house. It was so silent, like no one was home. She fetched the extra key, hidden above the window, and inserted it into the doorknob.

“Honey?” She called out to him from inside. No one answered. Pouting her lips, she put their food for lunch on the table and went upstairs. The door to their bedroom was not locked, so she didn’t have to wake him up in order to gain entry. Slowly, she opened the door, and her head peered inside. She let out a sigh of relief when she found him sleeping in bed. He must be so tired that he didn’t even notice the slight movement inside their room.

She changed her clothes into something comfortable and slipped inside the comforter Gabriel used. Then she hugged him from behind. “Hon?” She whispered into his ear, and he moved.

Disoriented, Gabriel was shocked to find his wife lying beside him. But honestly, he was happy to see her. This morning, he really wanted to go home to see her and their daughter. He knew that she was disappointed when he told her the bad news about not going to the province, but what else can he do? He can’t be softhearted now if he wants his plan to succeed. “Why are you here?”

Wtf? Bianca was aghast at his question. It’s too far from what she expected to hear from him. Instead of being happy that she visited him, he seemed to be annoyed to see her. “What do you mean? Am I no longer allowed to come home? I missed you, hon, but you didn’t keep your promise to visit us in Clayland! What did you expect me to do?” If she was disappointed after his phone call this morning, she felt much worse upon seeing his reaction. It was clear as day that he was not happy to see her. Disheartened, she got up and left him.

She went to the other bedroom and stayed there until her heavy heart had lightened a little bit. Lying in bed, trying to analyze everything between them, she could only think of the reason behind his abrupt change. Another woman? No, it couldn’t be! She dismissed the possibility that he might have another woman.

But she can’t help but imagine Gabriel in the arms of another woman, and it pierces her heart. Her eyes were filled with hot tears, and she couldn’t stop crying. Believe it or not, as Bianca was crying out all her disappointment and sadness, it suddenly rained heavily. She found it funny and hilarious that her current situation was just like in a movie.

Bianca was expecting Gabriel to follow her, but it didn’t happen until she was too tired to cry anymore. She lays down for a bit and closes her eyes.

When she woke up, it was already three o’clock in the afternoon, and he didn’t really bother to talk to her. After composing herself, she went back to their room. Gabriel was no longer sleeping, and the room was empty. She changed her clothes, picked up her bag, and slowly made her way down to the living room, where Gabriel was just watching television. His eyes were glued to the television and he didn’t even bother to ask if she had eaten already.

“You’re leaving?” He asked when she saw Bianca with her backpack.

“Yeah. “Why should I stay?”

“Alright. I’ll take you to the port.” They still have an hour before the last trip going to Getafe. “I’ll just call my nephew—”

“Don’t bother. I can manage,” she cut him off, and it shocked Gabriel that she’s not behaving herself now. Fine! If he doesn’t want her anymore, then she won’t force herself on him. She’s not a parasite, okay?

On their way to the port, both of them chose to be silent. When she arrived at the port, she bought her ticket and waved goodbye to Gabriel. She felt like crying once more because Gabriel didn’t even bother to kiss her goodbye.

Trying hard not to solicit any unwanted attention, she walked purposefully to the ferry. As soon as she was seated, she texted Justin that she was on her way to Clayland. After an hour, her phone rang, and it was Justin who called. “Yes, Justin?”