Gabriella felt disoriented about her new environment. It was too quiet! She missed the sound of an airplane taking off and touching down the runway. She missed the home where she lived for how many years with Jason.

Although living in the province was slow-paced, the day when Jason promised to come has finally arrived. As soon as she woke up, she immediately dialed his number to confirm his arrival.

“Honey, are you on the way to San Miguel now?” She was so excited to call her husband that she forgot to wear a brassiere before going out from her room. She saw Jefferson sweeping the fallen leaves from the trees in their front yard. He waved at her and she did the same.

“Didn’t you get my message that I’m not coming today?” Gabriella wondered why his voice sounds like he was annoyed at something or someone.

“I didn’t get any. But hon, you promised that you would come today. Why did you change your mind?” She asked him.

“Am I not allowed to change my mind?” His answer sent an alarm to Gabriella that something was really wrong. So she decided to end their conversation and just hang up. She paced back and forth, completely forgetting that Jefferson was just nearby, sweeping the front yard.

She was disappointed and sad at the same time. Gabriella felt that Jason has purposely canceled his trip to San Miguel to avoid seeing her. But on what ground?

“Good morning, Gabby.” Jefferson greeted the woman who's the reason why he didn’t sleep well last night. He saw her talking on the phone and he guessed that it was his uncle. The call didn’t even last for a minute, and he saw Gabby frowning as soon as she pocketed her phone.

“Hello, Jeff. That's nice of you to get rid of the fallen leaves in our yard.” She didn’t greet him but started a conversation instead.

“He’s not coming?” Even if she won't tell him, he already knew. His uncle has no plan of ever coming home to San Miguel. He felt pity towards Gabriella. She's a good woman, and he couldn’t comprehend why Jason would abandon her. He felt bad when she tried to fake a smile.

“Yes, “she replied without looking at Jefferson.

“So? You know where he is. Just go to him,” he advised.

“Right. I should just go to him since he's not coming. But what about Kelly?” She missed her husband so much! Lately, he rarely sent her a text message and he won't even call!

“Don’t worry, we're here to watch over your daughter. What time would you like to leave?”

“Thank you, Jeff. Let me take a bath first then we'll leave.” Excitedly, she went inside and prepared to leave in less than thirty minutes.

As soon as Gabby went inside, he discarded the broom and looked for Anabel to inform her that Gabby's leaving.

As soon as everything was ready, Jeff took Gabriella to town. In less than twenty minutes, they were already in the parking area of jeepneys bound to the nearest port. “Thank you, Jeff. I will keep in touch, okay?

“Sure. Just let me know when you need my services that is, coming here to pick you up.” He couldn’t explain why he felt sad as she was saying goodbye. He shook his head and reminded himself that he has no right to feel this way.

“Of course. Who else should I call if not you? So bye for now, see you soon.” She tapped on his shoulders to say goodbye.

The travel time going to the port of Getafe was less than an hour. As soon as she got off from the jeepney, she hailed a motorcycle for hire that would take her to the ticketing outlet to purchase her ticket going to Bankal.

She paid one hundred and seventy pesos to the cashier, wrote her name on the passengers' list and lastly, she paid the terminal fee that cost five pesos only. Since the ferry was docked just a few hundred meters from the ticketing outlet, she chose to walk the remaining distance.

Gabriella handed her ticket to the person-in-charge and get on board the ferry. She chose the window seat for fresh air. While waiting for other passengers, she bought two hardboiled eggs and ate them with salt. After eating, she put on her headset and listened to love songs saved on her phone.

It was quarter to twelve when the ferry arrived in Cordova port. As soon as she get off, she walked fast towards the parking area for the taxi. The noon heat was burning her skin so she wanted to be home as soon as possible.

She got inside the cab and instructed the driver where to go. “There's a McDonald's drive-thru near here, I think I should just buy lunch from there.” The driver didn’t answer and just nod his head.

When she got her order of chicken and fries, they were on their way home to Bankal. In less than ten minutes, she was already in front of their house. It was so silent like there's no one home. She fetched the extra key, hidden above the window and inserted it into the doorknob.

“Honey?” She called out to him as she was inside. No one answered. Pouting her lips, she put their food for lunch on the table and went upstairs. The door to their bedroom was not locked so she didn’t have to wake him up in order to gain entry. Slowly, she opened the door and her head peeked inside. She let out a sigh of relief when she found him sleeping in bed. He must be so tired that he didn’t even notice the slight movement inside their room.

She changed her clothes into something comfortable and slip inside the comforter Jason used. Then, she hugged him from behind. “Hon?” She whispered into his ear and he moved.

Disoriented, Jason was shocked to find his wife lying beside him. But honestly, he was happy to see her. This morning, he really wanted to go home, to see her, and their daughter. He knew that she was disappointed when he told her the bad news about not going to the province but what else can he do? He can't be softhearted now if he wanted his plan to succeed. “Why are you here?”

Wtf? Gabby was aghast at his question. It's too far from what she expected to hear from him. Instead of being happy that she visited him, he seemed to be annoyed to see her. “What do you mean? Am I no longer allowed to come home? I missed you hon, but you didn’t keep your promise to visit us in San Miguel! What did you expect me to do?” If she was disappointed after his phone call this morning, she felt much worse upon seeing his reaction. It was clear as daylight that he was not happy to see her. Disheartened, she got up and leave him.

She went to the other bedroom and stayed there until her heavy heart has lightened a little bit. Lying in bed, trying to analyze everything between them, she could only think of the reason behind his abrupt change. Another woman? No, it couldn’t be! She dismissed the possibility that he might have another woman.

But, she can't help but imagine Jason to be in the arms of another woman and it pierced her heart. Hot tears abundantly flowed from her eyes and she can't stop crying. Believe it or not, as Gabriella was crying all her disappointment and sadness, it suddenly rained heavily. She found it funny and hilarious, that her current situation was just like in a movie.

Gabriella was expecting Jason to follow her but it didn’t happen until she was too tired to cry anymore. She lies down for a bit and closed her eyes.

When she woke up, it was already three o'clock in the afternoon, and he didn’t really bother to talk to her. Composing herself, she went back to their room. Jason was no longer sleeping and the room was empty. She changed her clothes, picked-up her bad, and slowly made her way down to the living room, where Jason was just watching television. Hi, eyes were glued on the television and didn’t even bother to ask if she had eaten already.

“You're leaving?” He asked when she saw Gabriella with her backpack.

“Yeah. Why should I stay?”

“Alright. I'll take you to the port.” They still have an hour before the last trip going to Getafe. “I’ll just call my nephew to – “

“Don’t bother. I can manage,” she cut him off and it shocked Jason that she's not behaving herself now. Fine! If he doesn’t want her anymore….then she won't force herself onto him. She's not a parasite, okay?

On their way to the port, both of them chose to be silent. When she arrived at the port, she bought her ticket and waved goodbye to Jason. She felt like crying once more because Jason didn’t even bother to kiss her goodbye.

Trying hard not to solicit any unwanted attention, she walked purposely to the ferry. As soon as she was seated, she texted Jefferson that she's on the way to San Miguel. After an hour, her phone rang and it was Jeff who called. “Yes, Jeff?”