Before i called her name

There was heavy rain that day. I was holding a black umbrella while walking on the wet and muddy road.

One, two, three, four and on my fifth step the woman suddenly grabbed my umbrella. I was shocked when I saw her, but I was even more amazed when I saw her beauty. She seemed to capture my heart immediately when we first met. Because she's like an angel in heaven with a shining light in beauty.

"I love you," the word suddenly uttered in my mouth as I was still staring into her eyes.

"What?" She said in surprise.

My eyes widened when I realized the embarrassing thing I had said in front of her. So, I left my umbrella with her and ran away.

Two weeks later, our paths met again. Our teacher introduced her as a new student at our school. I couldn't believe that the woman who first made my heart beat would be my classmate.

Her name was Nadia and since that day her name has become famous throughout our campus. Almost every day, her lovers visit her in our classroom and offer different things. She almost surpassed a famous celebrity in the number of her supporters and fans.

Even though she looks like a star in the sky that is hard to catch, I am still ready to go up to heaven so that she can be mine.

Even this is very unlikely to happen.

The day I have been waiting for has come. To confess with her and tell her how I really felt, even though I know I don't belong to a goddess person like her.

So, I promised myself that whatever she said or whatever the outcome would be, I would sincerely accept.

"I... I want to tell you something, Nadia." My voice was trembling with extreme nervousness, and I couldn't look straight into her eyes.

"You? (She pointed at me) I remember you! Aren't you the man who left me an umbrella, then? Wait a minute."

I felt a little happy because she still remembers me, even though we only met for a while that day.

"Hey, your umbrella!" at once, she threw the umbrella at me.

"Don't you know what I dislike most of all? Carrying a heavy object in my bag and that umbrella of yours!" I was surprised at the reaction on her face. She didn't seem to like what I did. There I lost my self-confidence, so I just left and did not confess to her.

The next day, as I was walking in the hallway of our school, I was shocked when she suddenly appeared in front of me. She firmly placed one of her hands on the wall and blocked me. I endeavored to avoid her, but I backed away and leaned against the wall.

"What's wrong?" at the same time, I was swallowed deeply in extreme nervousness.

"You're Rohan Martinez, aren't you? You forgot to tell me something yesterday, but you suddenly left. What do you want to say?" She asked as I just bent down and avoided looking at her.

"Huh? Nothing. Nothing really!" I stammered to her, and she suddenly raised one of her arms at the same time she also put it on the wall and also brought her face close to mine.

"Do you like me? I'm asking you, do you like me?"

I suddenly looked up at her and noticed that her face was so close to mine that I could almost feel her breathing.

My heart was beating faster and faster. I was like a statue frozen in front of her and unable to speak. I also noticed that everyone around us was talking and looking at us. But it didn't seem like a big deal for her.

"All right. From now on, you can't look at any other woman except me. Because from now on, you're mine. Do you understand that?" Then she drew a smile on her lips, once pinched my cheek. Then she left while I was still stunned and couldn't believe what she had said.

Is she serious? Does she really like me, really?

But why? Why me? What did she like about a weirdo like me?

Since that day, we have been the epitome of gossip and temptation throughout campus.

There are people who laughed every time we pass by or there are people who tease, push me and there are also people who are disgusted or angry with my relationship with her.

Someone else uses the blackboard to write hurtful words about the two of us.

Or maybe someone is pasting a photo of the two of us somewhere, then they will only draw the part of my face. But all of that i endured and accepted. Although, they often say that I might have given her a potion or cast her a black spell.

I can't back down anymore because I already love her. I loved her so much the day she told me she loved me too. So even though it was hard, I stood by my love for her.

I'm delighted! This is my most memorable day ever.

I happily stretched out on the bed while hugging my pillow tightly.

I felt so relieved that day, I felt like I was floating in the clouds.

Is this how it feels when you are in love? It's just so much fun, and it feels good.

***

Many days, weeks, and months passed by, but we were still together and getting stronger. We don't usually argue or quarrel, but we always take each other's situation into consideration. Some even say that it is not normal in a relationship not to quarrel or argue often. But for me and for her, we are more comfortable in this kind of relationship. Quiet and indifferent to problems. That is why we love each other more.

Until the two of us talked about starting our family. And soon, the two of us were happily married in the church.

The two of us got along well as a couple. I always feel like I'm the luckiest guy in the world. Because the woman I only dreamed of then is now my wife. I have nothing else to ask for but to be with her until we're both older.

But, all of that is just a show. The time came when I did not expect that to happen in my married life.

The day of our special day, the seventh year anniversary of our marriage and togetherness. I left my office right away, so I could get home early,, and I was planning to surprise her that day. But I did not expect to be surprised by what I saw and heard.

When I got to the opposite side of our door, I immediately noticed a man's black shoes. It measures 6.5 and 25.5 in length, which is similar to the size of my foot, but I don't own that shoe. It came from another man.

I was suddenly felt anxious and very nervous.

Every step was equivalent to a drop of sweat from my forehead. I slowed my walk and made sure I didn't make any noise.

When I entered the door, I suddenly stopped and was surprised. I feel pain in my heart and clenched my fist tightly.

I feel like I want to scream and cry now, but I can't. Until I heard the two of them talking again.

I can't believe, is it really true I'm hearing from them now?

Does my wife really cheating on me?

The question suddenly came to my mind as I closed my eyes.

January 06, 2021; 2:05 am, I was stunned and found out that my wife wasn't at by my side.

Did she go to the bathroom? I asked myself.

I got out of bed when I felt a dryness in my throat. Then, I went downstairs for a while and went to the kitchen to drink some water. My left eye was still closed as I opened the refrigerator.

I immediately picked up the first pitcher I saw and removed the lid. I almost drank all of it with so much thirst. Until suddenly, I heard someone opened our door. I was so nervous that I immediately looked for a weapon that I could use to strike in case a thief broke into our house.

The knife was the first one caught my eye, but I couldn't kill human, so I just took a reed broom. I held it tightly as I slowly walked towards the living room. My whole body was scared and trembling, but I tried to be brave.

I courage to approach his direction. I heard his heavy footsteps and also saw his shadow from the door. As he's getting closer and closer to me, the tremor in my chest grew stronger. I hid in a corner and I planned to strike him hard on the head like the ones I saw in the movie.

One, two, three and at my fourth count, he suddenly stopped in front of me. He looked around the entire living room and seemed to be searching for someone. I thought it was my chance to hit him hard, so I attempted to knock him down, but i suddenly stop when I watched him from head to toe and back. I noticed he was wearing a black raincoat and his bottom was muddy. He was carrying a sharp object in his right hand.

What is that? Is that a knife? But it is too large if it is indeed one kind of knife.

I moved a little closer to take a closer look at the object he was holding in his right hand.

Wait? Is it a rake?

My eyes widened, and I recoiled when I confirmed it was indeed one of those types of rake. I also noticed that there seemed to be a leaked in that thing. So, I looked at it again and stared at it, until I covered my mouth when I discovered what was dripping from that object is a fresh blood.

B... Blood? I mean, did he kill first before he came here to my house? But why? What is his purpose to us? My voyage in my mind.

I was swallowed deeply in fear, but I still had to be brave for my wife If not, this maybe my last moment in this world.

I didn't miss another chance, so I immediately hit him hard on the head.

But he didn't seem to budge when I hit him. He just scratched her head and turned to me. I backed away and tried to hit him hard again, but to my surprise, he suddenly grabbed the reed broom I was holding. I could not move my two hands because he was stronger than me. He pulled on the reed broom, but I quickly let go of it.

I backed away again as I threw him everything I could find. Until he suddenly approached me and strangled me tightly in the neck. I try to fight him. I removed his hand that was holding my neck, but he tightened it even more, and I was slowly running out of air in my body.

A flower vase near the two of us suddenly was caught my attention. I tried to reach for it, then I slapped it in his face. He immediately let go of me and I kicked him with excessive force in his abdomen as he held his face.

I ran towards the stairs to climb on my wife and protect her upstairs. But to my great surprise, he suddenly pulled me out of my clothes and dragged me back to the living room. I took off the clothes I was wearing, so I could escape from him, but he also immediately caught up with me and pulled over my hair.

I groped around, hoping to find something to hit him. But I was stunned when I looked at his right hand. He was wearing black gloves, and he was holding a rake.

I looked at his face again, but I could see nothing but the black mask he was wearing covered on his mouth. I fell to the floor when he hit me on the head with that thing. Gradually my vision blurred and everything seemed to be spinning around me. I crawled up the stairs, but he pulled me to my feet again, back to the living room.

I couldn't fight back or even get up because he kept kicking me in different parts of my body. The last thing I remember is, he was climbing the stairs before I completely lost consciousness.

The next morning, when I woke up, I found myself in my room.

Nadia! She was the first person who enter in my mind. So, I immediately got out of bed to look for her.

"Nadia, Nadia! my wife!" I shouted as I looked for her across our room and hurried down the stairs.

"Nad!-" I just stopped when I found her in the kitchen and busy cooking our breakfast.

"Oh why hon? Are you looking for me? Do you need anything?"

I didn't know what to say to her. I just approached her and touched her cheek.

"Why? What's the matter, my love? Didn't you have a good dream last night?"

It was as if a thorn had been pulled out of my chest as I stared into her eyes and confirmed that it wasn't just a dream.

I am thankful because nothing bad happened between the two of us and the whole incident last night was just a dream of mine.

I just invited her to eat breakfast and did not tell her about my dream. I chose not to ruin her good day or make her shaken with fear. So, I decided to hide it from her.

I just acted like I normally do. But no matter how hard I try to forget what happened, it still doesn't seem to disappear from my mind. I feel, everything really happened and not just a dream.

I suddenly noticed that there was a bandage attached to one of my fingers.

When did I apply this bandage? And where did I get the wound on my finger? I wonder from my mind.

"Hon!"

I didn't realize that she had kept calling me earlier.

My mind was still wandering about what happened from the dream.

"Huh? So-sorry, dear. I think I'm still a little sleepy." I told her and just ignored that finger of mine.

"But, dear, what time is it? Aren't you late in to your work? "

"Huh?"

I glanced at our wall clock for a moment and hurried to the bathroom to get ready to go to my work. I almost forgot that I had a job, and i also forgot to pick up the things I needed to prepare.

"Honey, I'll just leave what you're going to wear in front of your door, okay?"

"Thanks dear!" I told her, as I hurried to shampoo my hair.

"Ouch!" I shout out loud when I felt the pain in my back. But I just ignored it and resumed my shower.

In less than half an hour, I was finished. I immediately picked up the white polo that my wife had prepared at the door earlier. Then I got dressed and hurriedly combed my hair, then I took my sling leather bag and slung it over my shoulder.

"Dear I'm leaving!" I shouted as I went downstairs. I noticed she was not in the living room as well as the kitchen.

Where did she go?

I walked around every corner of the house, but I still couldn't find her.

"Honey, I'm leaving! "

I was still wondering because no one was answering. So, I thought of going to the yard and hoping that I would just see her there and watering her plants.

"Honey, I'm leaving."

As soon as I opened the door, I also saw that she wasn't there. So, I thought I'd just go back inside, but suddenly something caught my attention. I noticed that a pot of her plant was tilted, so I approached it to fix it. But it still tilts and just keeps falling.

I also realized that the reason it tilted was because of the convex ground it was on. I removed the pot for a moment, then stepped on the ground to make it sink to the bottom. However I still wonder why the bulge still doesn't go away, and there seems to be something hard underneath it.

I looked at it carefully, and I'm sure it wasn't just large rocks buried there because the ground seemed to be dug up and re-buried. I wonder what is hidden in that land. So, I immediately looked for a usable excavator there. But I was surprised when Nadia suddenly appeared in front of me.

"Honey, you're just here. I thought you left." She said and seemed to grab my attention there on the ground.

"Where are you from? I've been looking for you for a while." I just told her. I put my arm on her shoulder and invited her into the house, even though I was still peeking at the ground.

Since that day, I have been suspicious of my wife.

What secret is she keeping from me?

I whispered in my mind. I felt like she was hiding something from me that she didn't want me to know.

***

FLASH NEWS

"News just come in. A man was found in a deep ravine, said to be in his thirties and wearing a black raincoat. He sustained multiple scars on various parts of his body, and his bones were shattered. Authorities are still investigating the identity of the victim and say it could be a homicide or another case of murder, as they saw a deep wound from the head. It is also suspicious of them that its shoe pair still being sought by the authorities, it is said that it could serve as evidence in the said crime or refer to the incident."

-Reporter

"Just stay by my side, baby. Why are you in such a hurry to leave? " Patrice said to Rohan, simultaneously hugging him tightly behind his back as he hurriedly put on his pair of shoes.

"My wife knows when I come in and come home from work. And she might suspect us when I come home late again." When he said that, he immediately got up from the bed and put on his white polo shirt.

"But we have been like this for over the years. And you promised me before that you would divorce your wife." She suddenly kissed him on the lips as her two arms rested on his shoulders.

"Didn't I tell you before to just wait, and we will also have a freedom together." Rohan replied to her. Suddenly, the girl's face frowned, and she sat down on her bed.

"You're always like that! But you do nothing and until now, you are still afraid to divorce with her!" She said angrily. The gentleman ignored her and just went to the front door.

"I'll just call you later." He was about to walk out the door when the girl spoke again.

"By the time you walk out of that door, expect you won't be able to come back here again because it's all over with us."

He let go of the door lock for a moment and turned to her.

"Baby," he approached her and sat on the bed while coaxing the sulking girl.

"I'm serious about you, so if you're just going to make me your past-time, we'd better just separate." After saying that, she suddenly stood up and went to the window.

Rohan followed her and hugged her back.

"I'm sorry if I take too long to fulfill my promises to you. Give me two more weeks, so I can think of an easier way to divorce with her. It would be a pity if I just left her without getting any inheritance from her, right?" He whispered and kissed her on the neck. After the girl heard what he said, she turned to him and touched both cheeks of the gentleman.

"You know how much I trust you and because I love you so much. So, I can't afford to share your time with her, I just want you to be with me all the time." She said and suddenly Rohan kisses her on the lips and Patrice immediately responded to her kiss to him.

They both turned around and swapped positions as they hurriedly undressed each other.

He laid the girl on the bed and kissed her again from the neck down to her private part.

Meanwhile, he did not realize that his cellphone was ringing, and his wife Nadia was calling him.

"I love you," The girl whisper in his ear that makes him smiled.

"I love you more, Patrice." The response to her.

***

(The other woman's POV)

"I miss you. I had no right to like you, but I reached out and took you anyway. And now look at what happened to you, you're endeavoring to seduce a vampire."

From the book Twilight, written by S. Meyer.

If Bella did fall for a vampire like Edward Cullen, I in turn as a BS Culinary graduate and from a religious family fell for a married man.

We started our being strangers, of course. Until I thought of applying to a Filipino-cuisine restaurant.

"I'm Patrice Gabrielle, twenty-three years old." I was so nervous about those moments. I was restless and my sweat was dripping from my forehead.

"Do you want water?"

I looked up at the speaker and looked at the bottle of water he was offering me.

"Thank you." My voice was shaking, and i immediately drank the water.

I heard him smirk, so i looked at him again. As a result, the nervousness in my chest seemed to disappear but my heartbeat was speeding up.

I thought to myself, why do i feel so comfortable with him?

It also crossed my mind that he might be the person destined for me?

I almost thought that if i flirt with him, would he like me back?

Later, i was also hired for the job i applied for as an assistant manager. Furthermore, i found out that the man who offered me water during the interview was Mr. Rohan Martinez, the owner of this restaurant.

Not only that, i also heard that he is married. And take note, he is not just a husband but a devoted husband to his wife.

So, it is not surprising that everyone was jealous of them, and i was one of them.

I was disappointed when i found out about him. I went to the convent and repeatedly apologized because i had wrongly fallen in love with a married man. So, i chose to avoid him and set out to erase him from my mind and feelings.

I met his wife and i can tell her beauty prevails in the light of day. Her aura was clear, and she seemed more beautiful, especially up close. You can really see in their eyes how much they love each other. They are things, and there is no denying that they are an example of the perfect couple.

That's also why i feel jealousy, resentment, and sadness in myself. I know this is not how i should feel.

But it was as if someone was forcing me to take his heart and take him away from his wife.

Until a day came that i feared would happen.

December 2017. Our team building was held at a beach resort, while sir. Rohan booked in a luxury hotel for the temporary accommodation of the entire staff.

He came with us alone. To be clear, he came with us without his wife. Yes, you read it right.

He simply said that his wife was not feeling well. So, she decided to stay at their house.

"Patrice, Just sit here in the front."

I was surprised when he suddenly called me and made me sit next to him, and i sat next to him all the time beside in his car.

The pleasure and relief of feeling to be with the person you love and seeing him or her up close, i will never forget that.

Especially when he become my partner in a game that my co-workers came up. At first, it seemed like we were awkward from each other. Maybe it's because we don't talk or pay attention very often.

But because we were both desperate to win that game we got even more excited and gradually, there was a closure between the two of us.

I almost jumped, grabbed his hand and hugged him when i found out we both won the game. However, of course, i immediately walked away and avoided him. Bcause someone might notice that i like him. After playing, i sat down for a while to rest.

I was surprised when he approached me. He smiled, then he took my hand. He encouraged me to join some games again. I was shocked when he took my hand. I was happy and smiled at what he did. So, i also held him tightly in his hand and i just followed what he wanted to happen. He turned to me and i felt a spark as we both stared at each other.

In those moments, i sense that he likes me too. And there i had the courage to continue my love for him.

The night had come, and our bodies were almost tired of playing. So, we just thought of playing while sitting. And spin the bottle is what they thought they would play.

Where when the snout of the bottle hits you, they will ask you unexpected questions. And if you want to avoid answering it, they have some commands or instructions that you must follow.

"Ma'am, Patrice!" they shouted when the bottle hit me.

"Pass!" I jokingly told them that they were all disappointed.

"Don't be like that ma'am, Patrice! there is nothing like that in this game!" they complained, so i was forced to join.

"Okay, come on! Just don't make me suffer with the questions you ask me, huh?"

I felt suddenly nervous.

"Ma'am! i have a question for you." Lana raised her hand.

"Yes Lana."

"Do you have a boyfriend?" She asked while those next to her were still pushing her and like children being in love. It actually took me a while to answer her, so they could hang up. But i noticed that they were really looking forward to my answer.

"Honestly? Hmm... i haven't had a boyfriend yet." After they heard what I said, their eyes seemed to widen, and they couldn't believe it.

"Seriously? Aren't you really kidding, ma'am? That's nice of you, you haven't had a boyfriend yet?" Leon told me, the gay flirtation of dining.

I didn't answer and just smiled at them. I'm ashamed to admit that i'm really nbsb or no boyfriend since birth.

"Ma'am, i have a question for you!" Jana asked me next. Our pretty cashier at the restaurant.

"All right, Jana. What's that?"

"I just noticed from a while ago that you seem to be getting better. I just thought that maybe someone is beating your heart now." When she said that, they all laughed, and i felt my face turn red with embarrassment.

"Ma'am, Patrice is already in love to someone else!" shouted the other.

I just head down and drank a beer.

"Look at her, she's blushing!" mockery of Jana next to me, then they all laughed again.

"Hey, you've already stopped. I will ask you ma'am, Patrice." I was suddenly taken aback by the beer i was drinking when i heard Leon's voice.

I was even more nervous because i had a hunch that he knew i liked Sir. Rohan.

"Ma'am, light on or off?" at his first question, i was immediately swallowed.

"Huh? Do i still have to answer that?" i stammered to him.

"Of course, you have to answer my question to you. So, what's your answer? The light is on or off?"

"All right, on?" then suddenly they shouted.

"Ssh, be quiet. Next question ma'am, chocolate or sex? "

"Huh? Wait, choco-" he didn't let me finish speaking, and he immediately changed the question.

"Next question, Hotel or motel?"

Whatever he asks me, i always feel like i'm on a hot seat.

"Hotel?" then they shouted again.

"Is it exciting, ma'am? This is the next question. Is he muscular or handsome?"

"Handsome." My quick answer.

"Or did you hear that? Ma'am Patrice's type is said to be handsome, so the ambitious frogs who like her, just search for someone like you. Next, ma'am, is it romantic or funny?" He asked again.

"Funny."

"Narrow eyes or fish eyes? I mean, the eyes this big like mine? "

"Narrow eyes." I smiled.

"We're on the last question, ma'am Patrice."

It wasn't over yet, i thought he was done asking me questions. There is one more last.

"If you were a song, what song title would describe you?"

At that point, i was a bit taken aback by what he asked. I looked for a moment to my right, where Sir. Rohan was. I can't help but admire him every time i see him happily smiling and laughing. It was also there that i thought of one of T. Swift's songs that i always listen to on my cellphone.

"A Lover." My response to him.