The Price Of Love
It had been a long time since she'd been at a club. The light, the ambience, and the people were exhilirating. It made her feel alive again, like she was a normal teenager without a baby in her tummy and a cold billionaire husband who doesn't have an ounce of feelings for her. Except now, it's harder to move around with a huge five month-old fetus in her.She carelessly danced to the rythm of the song booming throughout the whole club. It was one of those moments she felt completely free. A couple of guys tried to go in front of her and dance with her but while checking her out, quickly took notice of her protruding belly. As soon as they see it, they start moving away from her. Natawa na lang si Yuka sa reaksyon nang mga lalaking iyon. Who would even be expecting a five month-old dancing on the dance floor? "Your mommy's little protector, aren't you." She rubbed her belly as she sat at the stool by the bar. She just didn't have as much energy as she used to. Dati kayang-kaya niya umabot hanggang 2am sa kakasayaw but now she could barely keep herself up. Her legs were already sore and she was beyond exhausted.She tapped on the counter to try to get the bartender's attention, "Paorder! Hello! Buntis ako, ako kaya ang unahin mo! Wala bang priority lane dito!" "You aren't even supposed to be here..." she heard a voice whisper into her ear. Napalingon siya sa gawi ng boses na iyon at nakita ang madilim na mukha ng asawa. For a second, she thought it was just her conscience talking to her or her inner common sense in the voice of her husband. She blinked, thinking she was just seeing things but when she opened her eyes, he was still there. Him and his stupid face frowing at her.She scoffed a little and turned her attention back to the server, "Orange juice, please!" Yvo had to find out where she was through her instagram account. The helps were the one who showed him her selfie from the app, luckily but threateningly her location was posted as well. She had some hundreds and thousands of followers seeing where she was at. It was careless and stupid but she had him where she wanted him. She was served a fancy glass of orange juice with a tiny umbrella."You're insane..." Yvo was calm but she could hear the contained annoyance in his tone, "What the hell were you thinking, going in this kind of place while you're pregnant with my child?"Umupo siya sa bakanteng stool chair sa tabi ni Yuka habang ito ay nakababa lang ang tingin sa baso ng orange juice na hawak. Her eyes were fixated on the orange umbrella, trying to ignore his entire existence just like he'd ignored her feelings when he failed to tell her that he was working with his ex-girlfriend. "Are you trying to put yourself in danger, posting your location for thousands of people to see? You know you're pregnant! Why do you have to do that? And why are you even here? This is not a place for pregnant women. Paano kung may mangyari diyan sa dinadala mo? There are drunk assholes and people smoking! You are so careless and... and stupid!" His voice was shaking with so much contained anger. "Puro na lang yung bata!" She looked him in the eye, meeting his with the same anger. "Huwag kang mag-alala apat buwan na lang, iiire ko na ito! Ikaw mag-alaga nito, ikaw naman yung responsable at mabait sa atin dalawa! Pinanagutan mo ako so I should just be grateful and shut the hell up, di ba?""When did I ever tell you that?" Asik nito pabalik sa kanya, "Hindi ka kahit kailan nakarinig ng ganyan sa akin? You are just difficult! You are too hard-headed, stubborn, and self-absorbed!""And you're a cold asshole! Wala kang pinagkaiba sa kaibigan mong walang bayag! You may not have physically abandoned me but you're abandoning me emotionally. Para akong nagpakasal sa bato!" A sob rose from her throat as her eyes burned with tears, "Akala ko kapag nakuha ko na lahat ng bagay na gusto ko magiging masaya na ako pero hindi pala. Hindi ko malapitan pamilya ko kasi nahihiya ako. I don't have any friends. I don't have anyone. I feel so alone... You're all I have but you don't even want anything to do with me. You don't even care about me."Agad naman lumambot ang matigas na ekspresyon sa mukha ni Yvo. His eyes softened and he lifted his hand to touch her face. She felt warmth she had never felt before as he held her. Wala siyang magawa kung hindi ang pumikot at damhin iyon. A gentle kiss on the forehead was all it took and her tears fell like waterfalls."I care about you, you know I do," he softly said and every word lingered like a soft light. Kinabig nito ang ulo niya papunta sa matipunong dibdib. She melted against him, "I'm sorry, Yuka. I'll try to be a better husband from now on, I promise.""Weh?" She lifted her head up to look at him.Kinabig ulit ni Yvo ang ulo nito pabalik sa dibdib. He liked the feeling of her against him. He liked being this vulnerable. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd used his emotions over his logical thoughts. His emotions muted everything surrounding him. It was just her, him, and the rapid thumping of his heart. "I swear, I'll do better." His hand snaked to hers and he entwined his fingers with her fingers. "You're not alone. I'll always be here. You have me and soon, we'll have a little one. I know I'm not expressive or warm enough... and I'm awkward at times, but I want you to know that I'll always be here for you. Do you understand?"Yuka nodded her head despite the tears. What she thought would ruin her life before had become something she'd been dreaming to hold now. Kumalas si Yvo sa pagkayakap at pinunasan ang mga luha niya. He took of his black cardigan and put it over her shoulders."Let's go home?" he gently asked, "You're tired, aren't you?""Mm-hmm..." She nodded her head.Inalalayan siya nito pababa ng mataas na upuan. They walked out of the club with their hands holding onto each other. Yvo felt free from himself in this little moments where he didn't hold back. He liked having her and he didn't want to lose her. He may not be sure yet what his real feelings for her yet but he craved her constant presence in his life; the comfort and stability she brings in life, the way she made his house feel like home...
He called in sick today. Something he had never done in quite a long time. His work had been his lifeline and he clung to it desperately. It was what had dominated his life for a very long time... not until her and the little one. Ngayon niya naranasan kung paano ma-excite umalis ng trabaho nang maaga just to see at in the waiting room of the OB-GYN office, to shop for things for the baby, to meet up with the interior designer for their baby's room. The little one got him wrapped around its fetus finger. And the mother was as beguiling as the little one.Yvo wiped off the sweat from his forehead with the small towel that was hanging on his shoulder. He woke up early for a quick workout. Last night, his pregnant wife had already fallen asleep in his car on their way home. She was so tired he had to carry her up to their room and he himself had falled asleep while cuddled to her. Nang magising siya kaninang umaga ay mahimbing pa din ang tulog nito. He promised he'd do better this time, he'd be a better husband to her. Yuka deserves someone who's there for her physically and emotionally. He was responsible for her. He was the one who put her in this situation. Siya naman ang unang may gustong ituloy ang pagbubuntis nito. She wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for him. The least he could do was to make things easier for his wife.May plano na siya kung saan niya dadalhin si Yuka mamaya. They never really had a proper date so he thought he'd take her out today. He excitedly went back to their room so he could take a shower and check up on his wife. "Di ba nakita mo na yung ex niya?" Yuka asked, spreading cream cheese on her sourdough bread with a tray of table right in front of her, sat up on her bed with her back against the headboard. She had already developed a comfortable relationship with the helps. Paano ba naman ang mga ito lang din ang nakakasama niya kapag umaalis si Yvo papuntang trabaho.
"Oo, ma'am. Nagpupunta naman siya dito paminsan-minsan dati." Sagot ni Minerva.Umarko ang kilay ni Yuka sa katulong na kumportableng nakadantay ang kalahating ng katawan sa paanan ng kanyang kama. "Hoy, gaga ka! Ako lang ang Ma'am mo!" Bulyaw niya dito, "Isa pang marining kong tawagin mong ma'am iyon sisingilin kita sa mga inutang mong bag sa akin!" "Sorry naman, ma'am. Iyon lang kasi ang nakasanayan ko." "Mabait ba siya?" Patuloy na usisa ni Yuka."Tahimik lang. Hindi naman namin nakaka-chikahan katulad mo." Kibit-balikat na sabi naman ni Jolina na nakaupo naman sa gilid ng kanyang kama. "Maayos naman makitungo." Sabi ni Minerva.Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Yuka, "Bakit ako? Hindi ba ako maayos makitungo?""Ay, syempre, ma'am! Ikaw ang the best!" Humagikgik si Jolina."Dapat lang! Ang kakapal naman ng mukha niyo kung hindi ako. Ilang buwan na yung utang niyo sa akin, di na nababawas sa sweldo niyo saka may freebies pa kayong mga lipstick at lipgloss!" She said as she bit off her bagel. Yvo stood outside the door, overhearing some of their conversation through the crack of the door left slightly ajar. He could tell how comfortable the helps already were with Yuka, most of them had been with him for years and never had this kind of conversation before. He knew them but all their interactions were courteous and professional. Yuka really had her way with people. She had a glib tongue and he had learned to both love and hate it.He made sure to give a warning knock before he peeked his head inside the room. Nataranta naman umayos ang mga kasambahay at napatayo nang makita siya ng mga ito."Hi..." He quietly said. Yuka flickered her eyes toward Yvo, her face glowing up as she saw him. There was that smile again and the cute squint her eyes does along with it. He timidly walked into their room, nodding at the two women her wife were with and giving them a polite smile.Yuka looked at the two ladies with her, "O, ano tinatayo-tayo niyo diyan? Chichika pa kayo? Nandito na ang sir niyo baka gusto niyo na magsilayas."
The two bowed their head, embarrassed by his presence more than her unrefined way of talking to them, as they walked past him and out of the room."Ba't di ka pumasok?" she couldn't help the smile on her face. Kibit-balikat ang isinagot ni Yvo, "I thought I'd take you out today.""Mmm..." she nodded her head, even with lips pressed together she still couldn't keep herself from smiling. "Kung gusto mo lang naman," he was quick to say as he didn't want to impose. "It's alright if you have other plans today.""Wala!" She quickly responded afraid the opportunity would disappear into thin air if she did not immediately answer, "Wala, no! Ano'ng gagawin ko dito? Makikipag-chikahan sa mga maid? Sawang-sawa na nga ako sa mga mukha 'nun!""Great! I'm just going to take a shower." Paalam niya."Alright, take your time. Huwag mo masyadong galingan, ah.""Galingan ang alin?" he asked."Ang pagbawi mo sa akin baka lalo ako mainlove sayo." She chortled.
Yvo had taken her to his yacht. The interior was as luxurious as the exterior of it. The outside of it was black with wood detailing and it had the same theme on the inside. She had been in yachts before, her sister married into a billionaire family, but she'd never really had time to appreciate it like this. Nakakatungtong lang naman siya noon sa mga yate kapag may party, ngayon ay asawa niya pa ang may ari nito.They were in the middle of this huge body of water. Everything was calm and quiet. It was happy stillness. A beautiful calm. It was just Yvo and her. Kung may kailangan sila, she'd only have to press a button and the butler would be there to attend to their needs.They had simple, light food and then went to sit at the front of the yacht. "Di ba ang mga yate may pangalan?" She broke the silence between them. Yvo put down the book he was reading beside him, "Yes.""What is the name of this beauty?" She curiosuly asked."It's... it's right at the side of the boat." he quietly said."Hindi ko nga napansin. Ano ba pangalan nito?" She pressed.Napapikit si Yvo at naiiling, "The name's stupid.""Ano nga?" Hindi pa niya alam ngunit natatawa na agad si Yuka sa reaksyon nito."Wet dream." There was a visible cringe on his features.Humalagapak ng tawa si Yuka, "Yan ang naisip mong pangalan para dito? Seryoso ka? Kung ano'ng kina-sosyal ng yate mo, ganon din kina-balahura ng pangalan?""It was not my idea, it was Coco and Tate-" pareho silang natahimik nang mabanggit ang pangalan nito. It was like a forbidden word that must never be uttered. It turned both their emotions in haywire. Napahaplos si Yuka sa tiyan niya at nag-angat ng tingin. The sky was slowly taking up a golden color, throwing its golden rays to the water. The city buildings looked so tiny from where they were. It was just him, her, and the baby. And God, how she wanted to keep it that way. Ayaw niya nang isipin o papasukin sa mundo nila ang kahit sino o ano man. Yvo turned his head to see her stroking her belly. He slowly smiled and reached her belly, fondly rubbing it. He felt a sense of wanting to protect her and the baby. Almost like a sense of possessiveness. This baby was his. They were his. She smiled at him as she rested her hand on top of his. And then she crawled to him. Isiniksik niya ang sarili sa pagitan nang mga hita nang lalaki at isinandal ang likod sa dibdib nito. Siya din ang nagpulupot ng mga bisig nito sa kanya at ipinatong ang mga palad ng lalaki sa ibabaw ng tiyan niya. She sunk against him, breathing in his familiar scent and savoring the comfort of his hard chest. "Si daddy mo 'yan, baby." kinausap niya ang tiyan habang hinahaplos ito gamit ang kamay ni Yvo.He enjoyed the feeling of her bump against his palms, he enjoyed her warmth, and the way she smelled. Light and clean. "Yvo..." She uttered."Hm?" "Mahal mo pa ba siya?" she quietly asked. Hindi agad siya nakasagot. He was not expecting that question at all. It took awhile for him to process and another while para kapain ang emosyon niya."Okay lang naman sa akin. Di ako magagalit, promise. I just want your honesty..." there was sadness in her tone. "I don't have the same feelings for her as I did before," he answered."Ano'ng ibig sabihin 'nun?" She asked with child-like curiosity in her tone, "May feelings ka pa din pero di na ganon ka-intense?""We've had a good relationship but now it's over. I've gotten over and she did, too. Wala kang dapat ipag-alala. We work at different departments. I can't just dismiss her, I need a valid reason to do so. Pero gagawin ko ang lahat huwag ka lang mag-isip ng kung anu-ano. I promise, I will stay faithful to this marriage.""Stay faithful to us. Huwag sa kasal natin. Sa akin at sa kanya..." she held his had tightly against her belly, "Please huwag kang maiinlove ulit sa kanya."He shook his head, "I'm not going to fall in love with her.""Promise?" Lumabi si Yuka."I promise, okay?" he gently reassured her."Kung maiinlove ka ulit sana sa akin na," she softly said.
He called in sick today. Something he had never done in quite a long time. His work had been his lifeline and he clung to it desperately. It was what had dominated his life for a very long time... not until her and the little one. Ngayon niya naranasan kung paano ma-excite umalis ng trabaho nang maaga just to see at in the waiting room of the OB-GYN office, to shop for things for the baby, to meet up with the interior designer for their baby's room. The little one got him wrapped around its fetus finger. And the mother was as beguiling as the little one.Yvo wiped off the sweat from his forehead with the small towel that was hanging on his shoulder. He woke up early for a quick workout. Last night, his pregnant wife had already fallen asleep in his car on their way home. She was so tired he had to carry her up to their room and he himself had falled asleep while cuddled to her. Nang magising siya kaninang umaga ay mahimbing pa din ang tulog nito. He promised he'd do better this time, he'd be a better husband to her. Yuka deserves someone who's there for her physically and emotionally. He was responsible for her. He was the one who put her in this situation. Siya naman ang unang may gustong ituloy ang pagbubuntis nito. She wouldn't be in this situation if it weren't for him. The least he could do was to make things easier for his wife.May plano na siya kung saan niya dadalhin si Yuka mamaya. They never really had a proper date so he thought he'd take her out today. He excitedly went back to their room so he could take a shower and check up on his wife. "Di ba nakita mo na yung ex niya?" Yuka asked, spreading cream cheese on her sourdough bread with a tray of table right in front of her, sat up on her bed with her back against the headboard. She had already developed a comfortable relationship with the helps. Paano ba naman ang mga ito lang din ang nakakasama niya kapag umaalis si Yvo papuntang trabaho.
"Oo, ma'am. Nagpupunta naman siya dito paminsan-minsan dati." Sagot ni Minerva.Umarko ang kilay ni Yuka sa katulong na kumportableng nakadantay ang kalahating ng katawan sa paanan ng kanyang kama. "Hoy, gaga ka! Ako lang ang Ma'am mo!" Bulyaw niya dito, "Isa pang marining kong tawagin mong ma'am iyon sisingilin kita sa mga inutang mong bag sa akin!" "Sorry naman, ma'am. Iyon lang kasi ang nakasanayan ko." "Mabait ba siya?" Patuloy na usisa ni Yuka."Tahimik lang. Hindi naman namin nakaka-chikahan katulad mo." Kibit-balikat na sabi naman ni Jolina na nakaupo naman sa gilid ng kanyang kama. "Maayos naman makitungo." Sabi ni Minerva.Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ni Yuka, "Bakit ako? Hindi ba ako maayos makitungo?""Ay, syempre, ma'am! Ikaw ang the best!" Humagikgik si Jolina."Dapat lang! Ang kakapal naman ng mukha niyo kung hindi ako. Ilang buwan na yung utang niyo sa akin, di na nababawas sa sweldo niyo saka may freebies pa kayong mga lipstick at lipgloss!" She said as she bit off her bagel. Yvo stood outside the door, overhearing some of their conversation through the crack of the door left slightly ajar. He could tell how comfortable the helps already were with Yuka, most of them had been with him for years and never had this kind of conversation before. He knew them but all their interactions were courteous and professional. Yuka really had her way with people. She had a glib tongue and he had learned to both love and hate it.He made sure to give a warning knock before he peeked his head inside the room. Nataranta naman umayos ang mga kasambahay at napatayo nang makita siya ng mga ito."Hi..." He quietly said. Yuka flickered her eyes toward Yvo, her face glowing up as she saw him. There was that smile again and the cute squint her eyes does along with it. He timidly walked into their room, nodding at the two women her wife were with and giving them a polite smile.Yuka looked at the two ladies with her, "O, ano tinatayo-tayo niyo diyan? Chichika pa kayo? Nandito na ang sir niyo baka gusto niyo na magsilayas."
The two bowed their head, embarrassed by his presence more than her unrefined way of talking to them, as they walked past him and out of the room."Ba't di ka pumasok?" she couldn't help the smile on her face. Kibit-balikat ang isinagot ni Yvo, "I thought I'd take you out today.""Mmm..." she nodded her head, even with lips pressed together she still couldn't keep herself from smiling. "Kung gusto mo lang naman," he was quick to say as he didn't want to impose. "It's alright if you have other plans today.""Wala!" She quickly responded afraid the opportunity would disappear into thin air if she did not immediately answer, "Wala, no! Ano'ng gagawin ko dito? Makikipag-chikahan sa mga maid? Sawang-sawa na nga ako sa mga mukha 'nun!""Great! I'm just going to take a shower." Paalam niya."Alright, take your time. Huwag mo masyadong galingan, ah.""Galingan ang alin?" he asked."Ang pagbawi mo sa akin baka lalo ako mainlove sayo." She chortled.
Yvo had taken her to his yacht. The interior was as luxurious as the exterior of it. The outside of it was black with wood detailing and it had the same theme on the inside. She had been in yachts before, her sister married into a billionaire family, but she'd never really had time to appreciate it like this. Nakakatungtong lang naman siya noon sa mga yate kapag may party, ngayon ay asawa niya pa ang may ari nito.They were in the middle of this huge body of water. Everything was calm and quiet. It was happy stillness. A beautiful calm. It was just Yvo and her. Kung may kailangan sila, she'd only have to press a button and the butler would be there to attend to their needs.They had simple, light food and then went to sit at the front of the yacht. "Di ba ang mga yate may pangalan?" She broke the silence between them. Yvo put down the book he was reading beside him, "Yes.""What is the name of this beauty?" She curiosuly asked."It's... it's right at the side of the boat." he quietly said."Hindi ko nga napansin. Ano ba pangalan nito?" She pressed.Napapikit si Yvo at naiiling, "The name's stupid.""Ano nga?" Hindi pa niya alam ngunit natatawa na agad si Yuka sa reaksyon nito."Wet dream." There was a visible cringe on his features.Humalagapak ng tawa si Yuka, "Yan ang naisip mong pangalan para dito? Seryoso ka? Kung ano'ng kina-sosyal ng yate mo, ganon din kina-balahura ng pangalan?""It was not my idea, it was Coco and Tate-" pareho silang natahimik nang mabanggit ang pangalan nito. It was like a forbidden word that must never be uttered. It turned both their emotions in haywire. Napahaplos si Yuka sa tiyan niya at nag-angat ng tingin. The sky was slowly taking up a golden color, throwing its golden rays to the water. The city buildings looked so tiny from where they were. It was just him, her, and the baby. And God, how she wanted to keep it that way. Ayaw niya nang isipin o papasukin sa mundo nila ang kahit sino o ano man. Yvo turned his head to see her stroking her belly. He slowly smiled and reached her belly, fondly rubbing it. He felt a sense of wanting to protect her and the baby. Almost like a sense of possessiveness. This baby was his. They were his. She smiled at him as she rested her hand on top of his. And then she crawled to him. Isiniksik niya ang sarili sa pagitan nang mga hita nang lalaki at isinandal ang likod sa dibdib nito. Siya din ang nagpulupot ng mga bisig nito sa kanya at ipinatong ang mga palad ng lalaki sa ibabaw ng tiyan niya. She sunk against him, breathing in his familiar scent and savoring the comfort of his hard chest. "Si daddy mo 'yan, baby." kinausap niya ang tiyan habang hinahaplos ito gamit ang kamay ni Yvo.He enjoyed the feeling of her bump against his palms, he enjoyed her warmth, and the way she smelled. Light and clean. "Yvo..." She uttered."Hm?" "Mahal mo pa ba siya?" she quietly asked. Hindi agad siya nakasagot. He was not expecting that question at all. It took awhile for him to process and another while para kapain ang emosyon niya."Okay lang naman sa akin. Di ako magagalit, promise. I just want your honesty..." there was sadness in her tone. "I don't have the same feelings for her as I did before," he answered."Ano'ng ibig sabihin 'nun?" She asked with child-like curiosity in her tone, "May feelings ka pa din pero di na ganon ka-intense?""We've had a good relationship but now it's over. I've gotten over and she did, too. Wala kang dapat ipag-alala. We work at different departments. I can't just dismiss her, I need a valid reason to do so. Pero gagawin ko ang lahat huwag ka lang mag-isip ng kung anu-ano. I promise, I will stay faithful to this marriage.""Stay faithful to us. Huwag sa kasal natin. Sa akin at sa kanya..." she held his had tightly against her belly, "Please huwag kang maiinlove ulit sa kanya."He shook his head, "I'm not going to fall in love with her.""Promise?" Lumabi si Yuka."I promise, okay?" he gently reassured her."Kung maiinlove ka ulit sana sa akin na," she softly said.
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