Broken Strings
Chapter 37

MELISSA QUIZON

“Reid, where are you? I sewed your pants.” I said as I looked for Reid in his room.

I walked out of Reid’s room. I heard a noise from somewhere so I followed it. The noise was coming from Wright’s room. I frowned when I saw the two talking seriously. I hid by the side of the door and listened to their conversation again.

“But, Daddy, are you and Mommy okay? Why aren’t you talking?” Reid’s innocent question.

Wright stopped tying his tie. “There are things you don’t understand yet, son.”

“Daddy, are you going to spend the night at work again? We won’t eat together again?” Reid’s voice seemed tinged with sadness.

Wright knelt in front of Reid for them to level. “I’ll be home early because I’ll miss you. I love you so much.”

Reid’s face lit up and he hugged Wright’s neck. I haven’t heard anything from them yet. I took a deep breath and dared to knock on the door.

They parted and looked at me. I lifted Reid’s pants that I had already sewn. Reid ran closer to me. “Thank you, Mommy! You’re the best!”

He left and closed the door.

“Does he already notice?” I asked.

It nib his lower l*p before speaking. “I don’t think so.”

“Okay. That’s all I want to hear.”

“You only listen to what you want to hear, Melissa.” He says earnestly.

“I won’t deny that fact, Wright,” I answer directly.

I turned around and was about to open the door when his arms wrapped around my waist. I sighed as he buried his face between my shoulder and neck.

“Wright!” I try to get out of his arms.

“I love your scent, Baby. It’s peaceful having you in my arms.” He murmured.

“Wright, p-please-“

“I wish I could melt your frozen heart.” He turned me around to face him. His eyes are sad. “But, let’s face the reality that I can’t. F*****g life.”

I swallowed a few times. I bit my lower l*p to keep it from shivering. Wright touched both my cheeks.

“I love you so much that I could die, Baby.”

“Stop-“

“I can’t stop loving you, Baby. And I won’t. My heart’s aching for you. You’re all I need.” My knees trembled at the kind of look he had.

“Wright, it’s okay that we’re just like this.” I managed to say.

“Is it going to end here?”

I averted my gaze. “A lot has happened, Wright.”

“And you can’t afford to forget all that?” There was resentment in its voice.

I swallowed. “Let’s go out. He’ll be late for class.”

“Melissa, this is my last draw.” His face dropped and our lips met.

His lips moved slowly. I felt its love. I tried not to close my eyes and savoured its sweet lips.

“Stop it, Wright,” I murmured.

He moves away and sighed as he opened his eyes. he took a deep breath and stared at me.

“Guess I need to accept the fact that I made you look like that, Melissa. Cold and heartless.” He said seriously and left the room.

I close my eyes when he slams the door shut. Probably that’s where he poured out his annoyance.

I took a deep breath and wiped the tears that flowed down my cheeks. After I organized myself I went out. I went down the stairs.

“Mommy’s already there. Come on, Daddy.” There’s Reid.

“Let’s go.” Wright held Reid’s hand and one of his hands was carrying Reid’s non-tow bag.

We are currently riding in Wright’s car and on our way to Reid’s school. No one speaks to the two of us, while Reid is busy playing with the new toy car that Wright also gave him. Wright turned on the stereo to make a little noise inside the car.

‘Kung hindi man tayo hanggang dulo, ‘wag mong kalimutan. Nandito lang ako, laging umaalalay. Hindi ako lalayo. Dahil ang tanging panalangin ko ay ikaw.

(Filipino song: Kundiman by Silent Sanctuary)

I let Wright hold my hand. I don’t have the strength to remove it anymore. I looked outside and observed every scene we passed.

I did nothing today but teach my students. My feet floated as I walked to our faculty to get ready to go home.

“Mel.” I looked at Ellyza. She bites her lower l*p. “Can we talk?”

I couldn’t control myself anymore and hugged her. “I missed you.”

I heard her laugh softly. “I missed you, too. Silly.”

I confronted her. “I’m sorry I-“

“Let’s not talk about what happened, Melissa. It’s all in the past.”She says softly. “So, everything’s fine?”

I hesitated to nod. “Y-Yes.”

“You don’t seem to be on your own before. You seem so bothered.” Worriedly she says. “Anyway, we’re just here, Melissa. We’re ready to help all the time.”

Ellyza and I talked for a few hours. I told them everything that had happened. They listened to every word I spoke. And as I recounted that I couldn’t help but get hurt. I got home early and just texted Wright that I couldn’t wait for him anymore.

I came out of the kitchen when I heard the door open. Reid ran over to me and I leaned over so he could reach my cheek.

“Mommy, you’re home early. Are you okay?” He touches my forehead. “You don’t have a fever.”

I took his hand and placed it on my cheek. “I’m fine. ‘Don’t worry.”

“I’ll show you something, Mommy!” He ran to where his bag was and took something. He turned his back in front of me and showed me a piece of tooth.

“Did you pull it out?” I was shocked.

The tooth next to the ‘fang’ as it is called has been removed. He opens his mouth and showed me the location of the tooth that has been removed.

“Earlier. It was suddenly removed. There’s a lot of b***d, Mommy. But I’m strong, I didn’t cry!”

I messed up his hair. “Put it under your pillow, you know a tooth fairy might visit you.”

“Can’t we just have Bumblebee? The fairy is too feminine.”

I laughed. “What has Bumblebee got to do with your teeth? Maybe he’s still rusty because of that.”

“Mommy.” He pouted.

From Reid’s shoulder, I saw Wright standing with his hands on his pants. I averted my gaze and quickly returned my attention to Reid.

After we ate we watched a movie that Reid chose. He was so happy while he and wright are goofing around. After a while, Reid falls to sleep in my lap, maybe because he was really tired from all of the school works.

“I’ll carry him.” He said.

He carried Reid. I turned off the television and followed him to Reid’s room. he carefully lowered the child to the middle of the bed and hugged him. He stroked Reid’s hair and kissed his forehead.

“I love you so much, my child. I love you so much.” He says passionately.

I entered my room because I didn’t want to see Wright’s expression again. I hate his expressive eyes. His warm voice and caring hands. I hate it.

I closed the door behind me and lay down on my bed. I was shocked when I felt someone caressing my hair. I didn’t stare, I first felt who it was.

“Baby,” Wright said weakly.

Moments later I heard it sob. My chest tightened.

“Damn, this is the last time I’ll hold you. I want to ravish you but I don’t want you to hate me.” What do you mean, Wright?

“I love you so much, Baby. You are my home. And it’s painful to see you cry every freaking time. I’m lifeless without you.” I felt his tears dripping down my cheek. I swallowed a few times to keep the sob I was holding back from coming out. “I did everything you want. I did everything, Baby. I’m sorry if I wasn’t enough, and will never be enough for you.”

Moments later his weight loss on my bed. I also heard his footsteps away. By the time the door slammed, I let out the sob I had been suppressing.

My tears flowed like a dam. I could almost catch my breath because of the tightness of my chest.

Oh, Wright.

Maybe so, this is enough for the two of us.