“Clark…” I whispered as the tupperware fell to the ground. I walked a little bit closer just to make sure that the man who was mixing the cement was Clark.
“Clark! Hurry up!” the man who I think is the foreman shouted to him.
My tears rolled onto my cheeks after I heard what the foreman said. I slowly took a step backward and then ran away. I looked for a bus and went inside. After paying the fair fee, I looked outside the window. My tears started to flow. I wiped it away but it seems it was like a river that never stops falling.
Why did he lie to me? In one month? And what is he doing there? Did his mom know already about me? Did his mom know that I am a prostitute? Don’t tell me he suffered like that because of me?
I broke into tears as I stared outside the window. When I was finally in our village, I got out of the bus and walked straight inside our house. I went to my room and sat on the bed. I slowly hugged my knees as I was thinking about what happened during my one month of medication.
I cried when I got no answer. All I need to do is to talk to him just to know the truth.
I wiped away my tears when I heard a knock. The door opened and I saw Bel.
“Just got home! I took half-day just to-Angela?” She immediately approached me when she noticed I’m in tears. She sat next to me and then caressed my hair.
“What happened? Do you feel hurt? Where?” she asked in a worried voice.
“Wait! I am going to get your medici-”
“Bel…” I called.
She stopped in attempting to stand up. She looked in my direction.
“How long…” I asked while looking at her eyes intently.
Her forehead automatically furrowed.
“What do you mean, Ange-”
“How long Clark didn’t work in his office?” I asked in tears.
I thought she had no idea about what was happening with Clark but seeing her reaction makes me think she knew what was happening to the latter.
She gulped and approached me carefully.
“Angela-”
“Just answer me, Bel,” I interrupted and moved away when she was about to hold my hand.
Her eyes started to become teary as she stared at my face. My action speaks that I already have a hint of what’s happening inside the house.
“Angela I think it’s much better if you hear the answer from Clark,” she answered in a weak voice.
I broke into tears after I heard what Bel said.
So, my guess is true.
“We’re here!”
We heard Maymay and Kokoy say in unison outside the room. I quickly wiped away my tears. The door soon opened and we saw my both siblings with a smile on their faces.
They approached us just to kiss our cheek, then they changed clothes and quickly went outside to play.
Without uttering a word, I walked and left the room.
I started to cook food for dinner. Bel followed me into the kitchen.
“Angela…” she called. I didn’t bother to take a glance in her direction. I kept my eye on the pan, frying the fish.
“Angela come on,” she urged but still, I ignored her.
When I was finally done cooking, I prepared it on the dining table.
“I’m home…”
I stopped what I was doing when I heard Clark’s voice.
I quickly went to the front door just to see him standing wearing a business suit. I cried again.
Why did he keep on pretending he was working in his office?
His tired face of him turned into worrying when he saw me crying.
“What’s the problem, Angel-”
“Clark!” I exclaimed in worry and quickly approached him after he fell on the floor.
****
“I’m sorry Angela if we keep this a secret from you,” Bel sincerely apologized. I put the cold towel on Clark’s forehead. He’s burning. He has a high fever.
Tears rolled on my cheeks after I learned the truth that Clark was disowned by his mom and took away his wealth. And also, I learned he works two jobs. A labor in a construction firm in the morning, then a waiter in the coffee shop at night. I learned he was waiting for me to fall asleep before he went to his night shift work.
Bel said Clark works two jobs because the salary he received from construction wasn’t enough for our daily needs. Most especially with my medication. He took two separate jobs just to ensure I won’t miss therapy sessions with my psychologist before.
Guilt was eating my heart. I felt it was my fault why his mother disowned him. I felt it was my fault why he never works in his company. I felt it was my fault for why he needed to take two jobs. I felt it was my fault why he lost weight and now has a high fever.
Bel held my hand and squeezed it lightly. I looked in her direction.
“I know you feel guilty but Clark does it willingly-”
I stood up and approached the closet. I changed my clothes.
“Angela…” Bel uttered.
“Where are you going?” she asked curiously when she saw me tidying up myself.
“To his mom,” I answered bravely while not breaking my stare into her eyes. I saw her gulp.
I quickly left the room and she followed me.
“Angela! Are you out of your mind?!” she exclaimed then held my arm just to refrain me from walking outside the house.
I gazed back again at her. With a serious facial expression on my face, I slowly removed her hand on my arm.
When she saw how determined I am, she let me walk outside the house.
I saw Maymay and Kokoy playing in the neighbor’s garden.
“Big sister!” Maymay called my attention and waved the doll that Clark gave to her as a present before.
I just smiled at her and entered the bus. I chose to sit at the back and stared outside the window.
I wish the decision forming inside my head is for the better. I couldn’t stand the idea that Clark was working to death just for me. I couldn’t take the thought that he was disowned by his mother. The things that he was doing right now were far away from what he used to be.
“I’ll do this for you, Clark,” I whispered as the tears fell on my cheeks.