Contract And Marriage

Sarina

The next day, I woke up early as usual. My family would not be shocked if I woke up even before the sun started peeking because I was used to that routine when I was still living here with them. My body clock didn’t change much, especially since my duty as a nurse in Manila is always early in the morning, and that didn’t change even after I became Maximus’ private nurse.

They are already at the table having breakfast while my nieces and nephews are still asleep. That’s okay because they are kids and still need more sleep. “Good morning,” I greeted them. My brother quickly stood up and put a plate on me. “Don’t do that for me, Brother. Your wife is the one you should be taking good care of so she won’t have a hard time. Imagine if she hit her head and had her eyes open?”

“It’s so early, Sarina, and you’re teasing me already,” he replied, and I’m thankful he doesn’t look offended. I already took care of her first, of course. And don’t stop me from doing this to you because, in the meantime, this is what I can offer to you, Mom and Dad, who continue to support my family.”

“How is your work, dear?” asked Father, making me turn to him.

“It’s fine.” They still don’t know about my marriage, and I don’t intend to let them know because it won’t last long anyway. I also don’t want to stress or worry them, which I knew would happen if they found out about my marriage’s setup. They will only end up blaming themselves, which I don’t want to happen.

“By the way, Sarina. Jason also came back yesterday. He went to Manila, and we don’t know why. But from what I heard, it appears he wants to follow you there,” said my brother.

“Sarina, did you two meet there?” Mom asked curiously. When I looked at the others, I found them looking the same.

“You know what? It’s early in the morning, and you have already started to gossip. I didn’t want to think about him anymore since he was also not the reason for my visit here. Let’s not give anyone something to think about me and Jason getting back together.” They don’t know about my marriage, so I understand if they are curious about my feelings for my ex-boyfriend. But I also didn’t want to give them the idea that I wanted us to be together again.

“I’m just asking,” said my brother, and I saw my sister-in-law smiling, which made me roll my eyes because they didn’t look like they believed me.

“Sarina,” said my father, “if Jason wants to get back with you, will you still accept him?” I was speechless. Although my ex and I talked and said he would wait for me, I’m still not hoping he would do that. I am no longer a clean woman and don’t see myself worthy of him anymore since the purity that I want to offer to the man I love was already taken by Maximus. At the same time, he was only framed by Abigail.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“You don’t have to answer your father now, dear,” mother said. I smiled at her before turning to my father.

“For now, my answer will be no. I’m committed to something and have a contract for now, so I don’t want to think about that.”

“Whatever you decide, your mother and brother and I will support you. I know that I have done a great sin to our family, especially to your mother, and that you are suffering, but I promise that I will do everything to recover and help you.” Our conversation this morning was too emotional. I took a deep breath and said,

“Don’t worry about that. What’s important right now is that we can breathe easily. We will eventually pay off the debt, and let’s put aside my relationship first; it will happen in time.” After that, we continued eating happily, and then I called Maximus around seven in the morning because I was sure he was awake. I had to go into my room to ensure no one could hear our conversation.

“You’re early,” he said.

“As always.”

“You’re not busy?”

“I’m not doing anything yet, but later I’m going to Virac to buy some things because there are only a few options here in our town’s market. Why did you ask?”

“Nothing; I just didn’t want to bother you and your time with your family.” Should I believe him? If I know he was still with that bitch, or worse, they sleep together!

“Who are you with now?”

“Huh? No one.”

“No one?” I asked again. He sounded like he was hiding something.

“No one. If you consider Lisa to be with me, she is with me now. You know she’s always here every morning.”

“Your Grandma isn’t there yet?”

“She went to a friend; you know she likes to socialize with all her friends.” That old woman was annoying. She knew Maximus was in a difficult situation, yet she chose to go to her friends. What if something happened to him right after Lisa left the condo? “Why did you ask? Do you think I have someone else here? Are you jealous that Midori might be here?”

“I’m not jealous, and it’s up to you if you want to be with your ex. If I know, she’s already there. He and your grandmother will never miss the opportunity when they knew I was away.”

“She’s not here.”

“Are you sure? She didn’t go there yesterday?”

“Well, she did.”

“And yet you said no.”

“But she’s not here today, so I’m not with her. There is no reason for you to be jealous.”

“I’m not jealous. I would not have left you alone if I was feeling that way about you, knowing Midori and your grandmother are continuing to take you away from me.”

“Say no more if you’re really not jealous,” he said angrily. Does he even have the right to get mad now though he was with that bitch last night?

“Okay then, bye; I still need to go to town.” I didn’t wait for him to speak anymore and ended the call. As I hung up my phone, my mother entered my room, looking curious.

“Why do you sound like you have an enemy? Who are you talking to?”

“Nothing Mom. Ah, my brother and I are going to Virac to do some shopping.” Then, I led her out of my room.

My brother and I went to Virac. It’s amazing to see how drastically the town has changed. There are many shops and fast food chains. Grocery stores and other shops accept debit and credit cards. Maybe in a few more years, our island will be more progressive.

We got home by noon. We bought a lot, and there was no problem. Even though there was UV Express there, we still didn’t have to mix in with the crowd because we had our tricycle.

I totally forgot about Maximus and my annoyance at him because my friends visited me after lunch and stayed long. We talked about how they were and how I’d been in Manila. They even told me about Jason and Abigail.

Abigail is also the daughter of a well-known politician but lives in another town. That’s why almost everyone on the island also knows their family; his father is often the vice governor of Jason’s father, or should I say, of Jason’s family because their family is the only one that always wins the governorship on the island of Catanduanes. Our island is a bastion of the Satudez because of their goodwill. They also have many businesses where the islanders are given good jobs.

It was almost dark when my friends decided to go home, so I went to my bedroom and took my phone to call Maximus again. I didn’t want him to think anything, especially when I saw a lot of miscall notifications. It was ringing, and I was waiting for him to answer when my mother knocked and got in. “Dear, someone is looking for you,” she said, making me crease my forehead because people here don’t usually go out at this hour.

“Alright, Mom,” I said, following her to our small living room. I forgot about the cell phone in my hand, which I didn’t notice was now on my side, so I didn’t know that Maximus had already answered.

“Good evening, Sarina,” Jason greeted, smiling.

“Jason!” I said in shock. What is he doing here?