Contract And Marriage

Sarina

Three days later, I went to my hometown on the island of Catanduanes. If there’s something that changed in my life after marrying Maximus, it’s that I got on a plane to go home and be in the province within an hour. By land, it will take me about 18 hours and will take longer if the bus I booked is the old one.

My mother was waiting for me in front of our little house with my brother and sister-in-law and my two lovely and smart nieces.

“Sarina!” my mother exclaimed. She looked very happy when she saw me so I smiled and hugged her. “I miss you so much, my dear daughter. Look, even our neighbors couldn’t wait to see you either,” she bragged, making me feel uneasy.

“What are you talking about?” I replied, feeling ashamed. My mother has always been proud of me, so I didn’t try to do things that might disappoint her. It’s the only thing I can do for all the hardship she had to go through during my school days. It was also the reason why I studied so hard and finished college.

“Nothing to feel ashamed about, dear; you know they are just happy for you.” I know that, and I can only say one thing about our neighbors: even though life is difficult for them, they also made sure to help my mother whenever she tried to ask them for help. May it be financial, with the amount they can only afford, or simple condiments we lack at home. I turned around and noticed our neighbor looking at me, smiling. So, I bowed a little and smiled at them before I told my family to get inside the house.

“‘Dad,’ I greeted my father when we came in, and he came out of their bedroom.

“Why didn’t you call? We could have picked you up in the port,” he continued. “God bless you,” he said after I kissed his hand. I nodded and then faced my big brother and his wife and children. I didn’t want to bother them with things like picking me up somewhere or sending me to leave. We are a family of crybabies, and we tend to cry even at the slightest thing that concerns our family.

“How are you, brother?” I asked, smiling. There’s a part of me that makes me feel annoyed with him, but he is still my big brother who loves me. So, whatever he does, there’s nothing I can do but support him. He graduated college, and our parents, especially my mother, were hopeful that he would somehow help our family before he got married. But he got his girlfriend pregnant, so we had to marry them off.

“The same, still living with our parents because I don’t have a job.” Since his marriage with my sister-in-law and they had kids, jobs were hard to find for him. He can’t get permanent, and something happens at home when he does. So, he decided to look for a job where he could still look after his family and our parents. But things weren’t easy in our small town, and the jobs were not as good as in the capital, so he was at home, jobless most of the time, just like now.

I took a deep breath, feeling sorry for his wife, who suddenly turned her head and said, “There’s nothing to worry about living with them. Mom and Dad are old, and they also need someone to look after them. Just don’t give them a headache, especially your wife. She’s so beautiful, and she wasted that for you.”

“No, it’s nothing like that,” said my sister-in-law shyly.

“Don’t defend him. If he doesn’t have a job, let him help you care for your children.” My sister-in-law smiled and nodded.

“How are my beloved and beautiful nieces?” Of course, my attention was on the little angels I’m sure my parents were happy to be with before I pulled them to our small sofa. They looked healthy, so I thought they were not being neglected.

“We’re good, beautiful aunt nurse!” They said at the same time.

“My nieces are so beautiful and smart, just like me,” was my happy response, which made everyone laugh.

“Okay, rest first, so you’ll have the energy to stay up late tonight,” Mom said. I laughed because she knew I had no passion for dancing in the plaza. Even when I was young, I didn’t waste time there.

“I’m not sleepy, mom,” I said. That’s true because I took a plane.

I was awake the whole day talking to my mother and some of our neighbors, who are also distant relatives. In the province, almost everyone knows each other. Just mention the last name, and they will tell you their descendants.

When night came, and it was time to sleep, I entered my small room after I freshened up. I met some friends nearby and was glad they were still the same sweet and happy people. I was about to lie down when I heard the sound of my cell phone, and my eyes widened as I remembered Maximus instructing me to call him as soon as I arrived here. Shit! I’m sure he’s already furious since I had not held my cell phone since morning.

I quickly grabbed my bag and took out my cell phone, which was ringing. “Hello,” I said as I pressed the answer button.

“You finally answer!” Maximus said angrily, making me roll my eyes internally. Although I had already anticipated his reaction, I still couldn’t help but feel annoyed whenever he acted like that.

“I’ve been caught up with my family the whole day, and I’m about to sleep now. If you have something to say, say it.” I’m not angry, and I even feel guilty. It’s just because of his tone that I can’t help but talk that way. However, I understood his reaction because I knew I was at fault. Ah, maybe I’m just not in the mood to understand him.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“Since you’re away, do you have the guts to talk to me and dismiss me like that?” he asked, and I could already imagine what he looked like at that moment.

“I know I had to call you earlier, and I’m sorry I forgot. I was just feeling overwhelmed seeing my family because I miss them so much.” I took a deep breath, hoping he would understand, too.

“You could just say that, and I would understand. Not the way you talked to me earlier, as if I were not your husband.” His voice was so soothing, and I couldn’t help but smile, too. Maybe I was tired from the whole day of going around the town, too, so I immediately snorted at him.

“Thank you for your understanding, but if you want to talk, it’s okay; I’ll just go to bed. If I can’t answer, it only means I fell asleep.”

“It’s okay, Sarina. Go to sleep. I was just worried because you didn’t call. I thought maybe something bad happened to you.” I was touched by what he said and a little shocked. But I didn’t want to make it obvious, so I just joked with him.

“Maybe you’re just worried that you won’t be able to fuck me anymore, that’s why you’re like that.” I heard him laugh. I smirk, thinking I was right.

“It’s nothing like that. Even though I’m dead crazy about you, and I’ll make sure you’ll get fucked when you get home because of the fucking days that I won’t be able to take you, I was even more worried when you didn’t call or text earlier. Other than that, you’re not answering my calls. I was already planning to go there with Aries if he had not told me the next flight there would be on Friday.”

Is that how worried he was? Wow, I didn’t know he could feel that way towards me. Yes, we fuck, and I am his wife, but I can’t set aside the truth that we are in a contractual marriage. “I’m sorry again,” I apologize. “I promise to make it up to you when I come back. I will let you fuck me endlessly. Is that good enough?” He laughed again, and I couldn’t stop smiling. Even though our conversation seems dirty, I don’t feel disgusted. Maybe it’s because he’s my husband, and I shouldn’t be shy in such a conversation if it’s just the two of us.

“Alright, go to sleep; you’ll be tired again the next day. I know how the people from the provinces celebrate the festival, so I understand you.”

“Thank you, Maximus. Goodnight!” I said willingly.

“Goodnight,” he said, and I hadn’t taken the cell phone off my ear because I was waiting for him to be the first to press the end button, so I heard a woman in the background saying,

“Babe, who are you talking to?” That bitch has no shame! Maximus, just try to touch her, and you’ll find what you’re looking for.