THE BATTERED WIFE

"Mina!!!" screamed our neighbor as she approached me while I was towing the leash of the carabao. "You're really something, huh?"

"Why, Lily?" I'm wondering as I questioned her.

She rolled her eyes while she crossed her arms. "Duh? Don't get to innocence there. Everyone already knows you're about to marry Tranz Fernandez Ratcliffe! The sole heir of the Fernandez and Ratcliffe Groups of Companies! Does he already taste your oyster or what? Gosh! I didn't know that Tranz would notice you. What potion did you use, girl? Look at you. You look like an eggplant exposed to the sunlight. Gosh! Are you still a virgin, huh?"

What is she saying?

"I'm sorry, Lily, because I'm still working, eh." I pulled the carabao's rope, but she stopped me from walking again.

"Why don't you tell me." I really can't understand her. "Telling the truth won't harm you." I just stared at her. "Why? Don't you know what I'm talking about? Gosh! Stupid!" she whispered softly, but I still heard what she said. "What did you do to make Tranz fell in love with you? Why would he marry you?"

"Do you know him personally?"

"Of course, why not coconut. He used to be my customer at the club. We ate suman and bibingka twice. That's why I know that his is very, very big and very, very fat. I even choked when I ate him."

I'm not really affected by what she says, so I don't know why she's telling these things to me.

"When did you meet?" I just asked while walking again.

I need to feed this carabao if I don't want to spend my night here in the rice field.

"Before he met you. I thought we were forever's not enough, but when he met you, he has already forgotten about me." When I looked at her, she was sulking and seemed to be crying. "How much does your ring cost?"

I faced her again. Haist. We're in the mountains, but here she is, with her hanging tube and micro mini skirt.

"It's not my fault that he likes me, Lily. Tranz and I met when I was still in college. He flirted with me before, but I didn't entertain him, but when we met eight months ago, and he courted me formally, I said yes to since I like him too. There's nothing wrong with that, right?"

I don't know why I have to explain myself to her. I feel sorry for Lily, honestly. She's alone in life because her parents died years ago, and because of that, she wasn't able to attend school. She didn't have the time to study, that's why she has to work at the club.

"It's okay-no hurt feelings. Just be careful. I heard you're going to Manila after your wedding."

Lily was kind but too noisy sometimes.

"Thank you."

"Invite me to your wedding so that I can eat something delicious. Don't just me but all the villagers, invite them so we can eat something delicious. Is it okay?"

"All right."

"That's great. I'm leaving now. Good luck. Even though your boyfriend is delicious, I don't like him anymore. I don't like to be called mistress because I'm not that kind of girl. Babush."

I just smiled as I watched her walk away from me. I pulled the rope again to tie it to the tree. I'm the one doing this because my father had an accident and injured his foot.

It's also the reason why I have to marry Tranz.

Like what I told Lily, Tranz and I met at the university before. I was taking up HRM because I dreamt of working abroad. Tranz, on the other hand, took Business Administration.

We only had lunch together once, but after that, he started to bother me. I turned him down because back then, my study was my priority. I also didn't want to have a boyfriend since I was a scholar. He respected my decision.

I thought we would never meet again. But eight months ago, we met at the hotel where I worked. I was in a hurry at that time because I had to replace mom to watched over dad in the hospital. He offered a ride, and I never could decline his offer because it happened that there's no taxi around.

When my father got out of the hospital, we were in debt. Tranz offered something I couldn't turn down, mainly that my parent's land depended on it. He would pay for all our obligations as long as I give him a chance.

But that was all in the past because now, I really love Tranz so much. He's not difficult to love because he already has all the qualities you would want in a man.

After I finished my job here in the rice field, I went home to our hut.

I couldn't help but let out a deep sigh as I surveyed our hut. I still have a lot to fulfill in my life, but it looks like I won't be able to get it right away because Tranz and I are getting married. I wish that I would be able to fix this house for my parents at least.

I was about to get inside when someone covered my eyes.

"Hi, Love..." I heard a baritone voice, so I smiled.

"Love..." When I mentioned the word love, he hugged me tightly. "Love, put me down!" I screamed when my feet raised from the ground.

He put me down and faced me to him.

"I'm glad I've heard you laughed. What's bothering you?"

"N-nothing." I lied.

He looked at our small hut. "I have a surprise for you before our wedding..."

The next day will be our wedding so most likely, tomorrow he will tell me what's the surprise he has for me.

"I'm so sorry, Miss. I didn't mean to hurt you," said the man who bumped into me.

I'm currently doing some shopping in the market when I bumped into this lad-a 30 or so perhaps with a prominent eyebrow, which was the first I noticed to him. My eyebrows furrowed when we met our gaze. I won't deny that the man in front of me is handsome, just like my future husband.

The only difference between the two is that this man has clean-cut hair while Tranz has long and wavy hair, making the latter more attractive.

"Miss, are you all right?" The man held my hand, so I snapped out. I removed the hand of the man who touched my hand.

"Watch where you're heading next time, okay? And please, don't normalize holding a stranger's hand," I hissed before leaving him and walked into the parking lot.

I'm here at the market because I bought a condiment for the steak for our dinner. It's a day before my wedding, so I'm making the most of the day with my family, especially Tranz and I will live in Manila.

Although it is sad to think that I will not be able to be with my parents right after the wedding, I am sure that they will be fine even without me.

What Tranz said about the surprise yesterday, I found out early this morning. The surprise is actually for my parents. The materials that Tranz bought for our house renovation arrived.

I called him earlier this morning. We only talked through the phone, which only lasted for how many minutes because he said he was going somewhere. He and his family are still in Manila, and they will arrive later because the wedding will be held here in our village.

Some of the villagers still raised their eyebrows when they see me, but I chose not to entertain their bad behavior because I didn't do anything terrible to them.

I even heard them saying that the only reason why I wanted to marry Tranz here is to boast that I'll be able to marry a rich man.

Yes. It's my choice to be married in this town not because of what they think, but because I dream of getting married in a place that witnessed my suffering and happiness even when I was young.

And I was too glad when Tranz agreed to it.

The thing is, it's not a big deal for Tranz to get married here, but for me, he gave a big part of my dream fulfillment.

"My gas! Daydreaming inside the sun?"

Inside?

Even though I didn't look behind my back, I knew that Lily was behind me because of her English.

"Oh, you're here too?" I asked. "Where are you going?"

She was carrying an empty backpack while carrying an umbrella in one hand. Behind her were the whistling men who followed her.

Some of them are saying awful words towards her, but she doesn't care about them.

"Well, I'm planning to buy some vegetables for my dinner, but." She rolled her eyes. "I would be the first to rot in here because of these dickheads behind me. That's very stupid of them!" She rolled her eyes again before glaring at my hand with her distasteful looks.

"There are vegetables in our yard, only if you want to. You can harvest some."

"Really?"

"Of course. That's not a big deal with my mother. I'm on my way home, so, want to come along?"

"Why? Do you have a car with you?"

"No. Let's ride a tricycle."

She nodded and looked at me from head to toe. "You have a wealthy future husband, but you don't have a car? Gosh!"

"You're the one who said that the rich one is my boyfriend. My boyfriend is rich and not me."

"Sus, you're still humble, eh. Oh, can I have dinner with your family tonight? Your dinner looks delicious."

She looked at my hand again before he grabbed the plastic I was carrying.

Lily has a life that no one would want to experience. She's been alone for quite some time. Fortunately, this woman is strong, so even though life is hard, she did not give up.

I turned to her because she's silent. It's very unusual of her because Lily is a talkative one.

"Are you okay?"

She turned to me, and since I was already staring at her, I saw how her sad face enlightened.

"Of course, I'm wonderful. I am happy every day. Why are you asking?"

"You look so sad."

"Me? Sad? Is it obvious?" She sighed. "I just don't like how those guys treated me. Duh? What are they thinking of me? Even though I'm working at the bar, I also have a dream!" I was glad for what she said. I'm too pleased that she has a dream. "Tse! Don't smile like you saw Santa Claus wearing a T-back!"

"It's not like that." She took something from the bag he was carrying. It's bottled water, and she gave me one.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"So, what's your dream?" I smiled as I opened the plastic bottle.

"I dream of being a mistress." Because of her answer and I was drinking the water she gave me, I almost blew the water inside my mouth into her.

"What?!" I asked in a loud voice.

"Tss! Shocked?"

"I thought you didn't want to be a hooker? You just said that yesterday, ah?"

"Duh? Can't my dream change? I know that I'm beautiful, but I'm only human, so my ambition changes."

I can't believe what she said, but I can't believe the determination in her voice as if the decision she made in life is final.

"What? You have a strange ambition. Is there nothing more in your life?" I couldn't hide the sarcasm in my voice.

"Duh? I'm Magdalena, so it means I'm wings are low. Don't worry, okay, because I have no intention of hooking your boyfriend."

I was just nodded and decided not to speak.

Who am I to judge her?

Maybe she was just kidding.

When we got home, I immediately prepared our dinner. I arrived home with Lily. She even helped me cook the pasta and beefsteak.

It was exactly seven o'clock when we finished cooking.

I was about to call my father when Lily held my hand.

"Where's your ring, Mina?"

I was instantly shocked by her question because the truth is, I lost the ring this morning.

I looked for it, but I couldn't find it.

"You lost it, right?"

I didn't know what to say.

Though the cold night breeze entered our hut, I found myself sweating.

I don't want anyone to know that the ring was missing because I don't wish Tranz to know about it. I didn't even tell my parents.

Lily reached into her pocket and placed in my palm the ring I had been looking for!

"W-where did you find it?"

"In your yard early this morning. I came here before I went to the market. You are lucky that I was the one who saw it-" She didn't finish what she was going to say when I hugged her.

"Thank you, Lily. I don't know what to do if it wasn't for you."

"Duh? It's okay, no? What am I going to do with that, anyway?" She patted me on the back. "Don't be too close because we might change faces." I heard her tsked. "Hey, Mina, if you'd be able to remove your cunt, you might have lost that too!"

"Thanks for the food!" Lily shouted after burping. "It's so delicious! I'm full, but I wanted to eat more and more."

"We're glad to know that you liked the food, child," Mina's father said to Lily.

"Of course, because it's not only delicious, it's free too." She stood up. My family and I had finished eating. "I'll do the dishes, Mina."

"Nah. I can handle it."

"Duh? Tomorrow is your big day, so just relax, okay? I don't want Aunt Magda and Uncle Berto to do the dishes, so let's cut this nonsense because I still have to go somewhere else."

"Where are you going?" I helped her to clean the table.

"Someone hired me in town to make the groom happy-Holy Moley! What is it, Mina?"

"My God, be merciful!" Mom even rushed to us out of surprise.

"Why, Tita?"

"That's a bad vision! If the bride breaks something before her wedding day, it won't be promising for her married life!"

When Lily laughed, mom and dad looked at her. I remained calm and stared at the broken plate.

I was surprised when Lily answered me honestly, but I knew Tranz couldn't do what I had in mind!

I know that she's talking is not Tranz...

"Auntie, calm down. Those superstitions aren't true. The rich will break a bottle of champagne on their wedding, but they have a good life." Lily patted my shoulder. "Hey, Mina, don't overthink. You'd better go to bed early, so you don't look like a zombie tomorrow." She even pushed me out of our kitchen.

I went into my room and called Tranz.

I called him twice. His phone is just kept on ringing but he didn't answer his phone. I called him once again, but to my dismay, I could no longer contact his number.

Calm down, Mina.

That's right. I need to calm down because negativity won't help me. Tranz and I aren't married yet, but here I am, doubting him. What more if we're officially husband and wife?

I need to think rationally.

I need to practice myself to trust Tranz so that there will be no rift between us.

I lay down and tried to sleep, but to no avail, my mind is not helping.

I heard Lily say goodbye to my parents, so I got up and went outside.

What are you doing, Mina?

I just realized what I'm doing when the cold air touched my skin.

What am I thinking?

Am I this desperate to know the truth, so I didn't realize that I was about to follow Lily?

I entered the house again and went straight to my room.

I was too glad that my parents didn't notice me because they would surely ask why I went outside.

I picked up my cell phone and called Tranz again, but his number couldn't be contacted, so I sat on the pallet of my bed.

I braced myself while crouching on my knees.

My body is shaking, and I have difficulty on breathing.

My heartbeats intensified as I heard the hands of the clock relentlessly in action.

I stood up and walked to the window, and looked out at Lily's house.

I saw her leaving her house, so my suspicions intensified.

I stared at the girl until she disappeared from my sight.

"Aww!" I shouted loudly while looking at my nail that's bleeding because I have bitten it unintentionally.

I left the room and went straight to the bathroom to wash my bleeding finger.

I'm squeezing my wounded finger with all my strength while crying.

I could not accept to myself what was in my imagination.

Tranz and Lily, naked while having sex!

No, Tranz! Please!

I took off my clothes and took a shower.

I let the water flow and let my tears flowed.

It hurts to think Tranz is betraying me at these times.

I want to rip my heart because the pain is so insane.

I got down on my knees and cried to my heart content.

When I felt better, I finished my shower.

After getting dressed, I called Tranz again, but he was still unattended, so I just went to bed.

My nervousness did not go away even after a few hours.

It's ten o'clock, but I still can't sleep.

I'm still waiting for Tranz's call.

I know it may sound absurd, but I'm afraid that he's having a good time now with Lily, especially since it's late at night.

It was about midnight when I heard the sound of a car, so I hurried to get up and peek out the window.

It made me smile to recognize the black Crosswind owned by Tranz, but immediately, my smile ceased when I saw Lily get out of her car.

How could you do this to me, Love?

When my cellphone rang, I picked it up and answered.

"Hello, Love ..." Tranz's voice was hoarse.

I cleared my throat so I could speak properly. "L-Love."

"Did I wake you up? I want to see you right now. I want to kiss you because I missed you so much."

I bit my lower lip so that my crying would not make a sound.

"The bride and groom cannot meet on the night of their wedding because the wedding may not go well." I added a cheerful laugh, and I wanted to applaud myself because I was good at hiding how I felt.

"What do you want me to do when we live under one roof, Love?"

Just be honest, Tranz, I'll forgive you for what you did tonight, I silently promised myself.

"I want us to have three children, Love," I replied. "I'm an only child, so I want to have three children so our children can play." A long silence interferes between the two of us. "Love?"

"Am I going to be selfish if I want you to take care of me first - me alone. I want to spend even if a few years with you so we can catch up the day we that we're not together."

"Don't you want to have a child?"

"I don't want us to have children, Mina."

"T-Tranz ..."

"I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow. I can't wait to see how beautiful my bride is while walking in the aisle. I love you so much ..."

"I love you too, Love ..."

I automatically cut off the call.

I remained standing until Tranz's car disappeared from my sight.

"WHAT'S THIS?" My eyes widened, looking at the pregnancy pills that Tranz gave me.

He smiled at me and caressed my cheek. "I want you to take that pills every day, Love, to prevent you from giving birth."

I can't believe what he's saying!

Tranz and I just married yesterday, and we are here in the mansion he bought in South Ridge Village.

Just a few minutes after we arrived at his fancy house, he immediately gave me these pills!

And what's frustrating? I guess I was the only bride that didn't have sex with her husband on the wedding night!

He avoided me last night as if I had a contagious disease!

And now this?! He's giving me contraceptive pills the day after our wedding?!

"What's the matter with you?" I tried my best not to shout at him because I didn't want us to fight because we had only been married for over a day.

"I want you to remain sexy as fuck, Love..." He winked at me before he answered his ringing cellphone.