CHAPTER 41

Welcome to hell, Cris thought as she pulled up her Toyota Vios into the driveway. She took a deep breath as she opened the door of her car. This past week, 63 Colombia has become hell for Cristina. She used to love her home, but now it was like a plague that she avoided. But, her life outside the house has also been hell. Contact with Bea has been a lost cause as she refused to return her messages. She knew Bea had told Liezel already since she too had dropped out of her radar altogether.

She pushed open the door and the vast living room greeted her. The cheerful yellow couch seemed drab to her now. The oriental furnishings that she lovingly placed were eyesores. As she climbed the stairs, she noticed activity in the Master’s Bedroom. What could Hansen be possibly be doing right now? She thought.

An instant later she saw it.

At the foot of the bed lay Hansen’s suitcase. A moment later, Hansen emerged from the bathroom with a pile clothes in hand.

“What’s the meaning of this?” She asked.

“I’m leaving.”

“To be with him?” Hansen placed the clothes onto the suitcase.

“Hansen, you’re taking things too fast.” Cris said as she dropped her bag at her dresser. “Maybe this is just a test.” Despite of everything going on, the thought of Hansen leaving her was still too much for her to bear.

“I’ve thought things over.” Hansen said as he went back into the bathroom.

“Hansen, please don’t leave me. We can work it out. I know we can.”

“Cris, throughout the years we’ve been married, I tried to be happy. I wanted to be happy for us, but I just can’t be.” Hansen said as he emerged from the bathroom one more time. “This is my chance for happiness and I want to take it.”

Cris rushed towards Hansen and hugged him. She knew it was a desperate plea.

“Hansen, I love you! I can forgive everything, put please don’t go.” Hansen removed Cris from his body. He bent over and closed his suitcase. He picked it up and proceeded towards the door of the bedroom. Cris followed him. She knew Louie will hear them fighting but she had to make her voice heard.

“You want to be with Van? To be what? His secret whore? That’s what you’ll be.” She screamed as Sen was going down the stairs. He stopped in his tracks and faced her

“I’d rather be his whore than your husband.”

Cris felt like she was stabbed in the heart. She had expected to hear everything, but the last line uttered by Sen, she was unprepared. She made a dash to the stairs.

“Papa!” Louie screamed as Sen reached the first floor. The little girl ran towards her father. “Where are you going?”

Sen picked up the little girl and embraced her.

“Papa will just be away for a while. Only for a little while.” He lied. He knew Louie would not be able to understand the situation just yet. He kissed his daughter in the forehead.

“Take care of Mama ok?” Louie nodded as he put her down. He then walked slowly towards the door.

“Sen!” Cris screamed as she reached the ground floor. “If you step out that door, you’ll have nothing to come back to.”

Hansen stopped, turned around and looked at his family. His eyes then wandered around the house. This house held so many secrets, it’s time one finally unravels he thought. With finality, he walked past the door and closed it shut.