I received an effective wake-up call this morning registering Traveler's number. But it wasn't his voice I heard talking on the other end. It was Traveler's guiding star, Bituin. His wife. THE One.
"Hello, Mae?"
"Oh! Hi!"
"Hi Mae. This is Bituin..."
"Hi Bituin," I replied eagerly. Of course I know who she is though it was my first time to hear her voice. I was happy to finally hear her voice. She sounded nice. I have heard little about her and their kid and from those tidbits I know she's really nice.
"This is Traveler's wife... er... soon-to-be ex-wife..."
Shocked. Clueless. I was, until I heard her side. My name is being dragged into a crime that I was not aware of. Only thing is-- I have broken no law. Her point, I have to take into consideration though.
From her side, it was assumed that I (might) have crossed a border and is now threatening peace and order in their territory. Something that I fully understand.
But why me, when I was just passing by?
Traveler and I met through D. And together with FC and D, we clicked because of our common interest in photography and arts.
As a polite gesture, limited but essential details such as (marital) status and the nature of job each of one has were laid down to probably set boundaries and avoid future conflicts.
Traveler was the glue that holds our small group together although he is based in the U.S..
He'd travel from one country to another every time duty calls for it. Fortunately for him, his beloved country, the Philippines, is included on his list of destinations. He's here for business twice or thrice a year. He makes sure that we all get-together for breakfast or dinner whenever he could squeeze us in to his busy schedule-- that would usually mean a very short notice on our side (like he'd call around 6am for a 7am breakfast).
The last time that I saw him was in March when we had dinner with FC (and his wife) and D. The next time, supposed to be, would be on Wednesday as he's given me a heads up last week that he's with a colleague that he wanted me to meet.
We have a Filipino saying, Kapag may usok, may apoy (if there's a smoke, there's a fire). But I would swear over my aching muscles that there is nothing between me and Traveler.
If there's such THE OTHER ONE in Traveler's life, then I have no idea. I don't think I even have the right to know.
Traveler and I do not spend much time together whenever he's here in the country as we both live busy lives. And except for our casual talks, I wouldn't dare ask him about his OTHER activities. So other than the information that he would share to us voluntarily, I know nothing else. But this I can assure Bituin and everyone at that, as God is my witness, I AM NOT the OTHER one, if ever there is (other) one.
I don't think I need to accessorize my words to stand by it. There is no case. Whatever is going on between them, I have no idea, and I don't think I should get near the heated iron. For now, allow me to say, kapag may usok, wag (muna) pumasok (if there's a smoke, then do not go inside).
I gave my promise to Bituin that I would never see Traveler again so she could have peace of mind.
I am ditching no friendship here but (hopefully) helping to cultivate a relationship to have its roots dig deeper and strongly rooted to the ground. I am praying for them. I have faith that this is just a hiccup on their marriage.
And me? Well, it is not the first time that I was wrongly accused of such crime--- my uncommitted crime. But going through such thing has now pushed me to assess my being single and carefree. I have no control over other people's feelings and their right to form their own opinion of me but I have a control over mine. I can choose to be mad but I won't. I can't. Simply because I feel for her and I know the truth and I stand by my principle.
I could be THE ONE in my soul mate's life but never THE OTHER ONE for someone else's man.
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I am Mae German. 32 years old. Born in Mangatarem, province of Pangasinan. I was taught and trained by 
The Writer Within