Elegi Of Rose

They arrived in the Indos and were immediately greeted by the hot glare of the sun. By the time they stepped out of the airport, Roy's light shirt was already drenched in sweat and his face had turned red-both with the hot weather and his annoyance towards his new wife who by the way was enjoying every angle of his contorted face.

"You don't have a ride?" he asked incredulously when she said they had to get a taxi.

"No," she answered, tipping her head up to look for any taxi guy.

"I thought you already planned this?" he asked irritably. Oh-oh, the hot weather was not really helping to ease down his temper.

"I don't plan little details such as a ride."

"For your information, lady, little details such as a ride will greatly help," he turned to look down at her, his eyes squinting from the sun.

"And for your information, it's my second time here and I know exactly where I'm going," she rolled her eyes behind her sunglasses.

"And where is that exactly?"

"Somewhere," she answered.

His eyes narrowed suspiciously, "Somewhere where exactly?"

"Ugh! Stop questioning everything! You let me handle this, okay?"

He scowled at her, "How can I when it's clear that you don't exactly know where to go next?"

"I know where to go next! Just shut up!" she exclaimed, raising her hand to call the attention of someone behind him. "Grab our bags and hold tight on your valuables," she told him, taking as much of her suitcase with her to meet the cab driver.

"Unbelievable!" he said through his teeth.

"Believe it!" she shouted over her shoulder. "Get going, Roy, we don't have all the time in the world."

"Easy for you to say when I'm carrying your suitcases," he snapped. "Why do you need so many clothes anyway?"

"They're not clothes, sweetheart. They're my equipment, so handle those suitcases with care."

"Like I actually care..."

"Hey! I mean it. You won't like what I'd do if my paints are all ruined when I open them later," she warned before climbing inside the cab.

He and the Filipino driver struggled with the suitcases to haul in the trunk for a few minutes. When they were done, he opened the door and bent down, "Scoot over," he ordered.

"I didn't hear please," she said with defiance.

"Like hell," he straightened and slammed the door beside her, strode to the other side and climbed in.

"How wise," she uttered.

"Shut up, darling," he said sarcastically. How funny they said random endearments to each other when they were having a banter which was always. Sweat was dripping down his temple, running down his flushed cheeks now and Ayu fought the reflex to wipe it off. "I'm in a really bad mood as it is and I'm trying real hard not to commit battery right now," he continued through clenched teeth.

She feigned horror, "I can't believe that you would actually think of such a thing!"

"Stop that act, will you? I won't lay one finger to hurt you. Your dad made sure of that."

"Ah... the contract. You think I should be thankful for it?"

He quickly turned his head to look at her, "Is this all about the damn contract? It is, isn't it?"

"Of course it is! I won't be here stuck with you if it weren't for that blasted contract," she exclaimed.

"Where you two going?" the Filipino driver spoke rather hesitantly, afraid to break their argument.

"You're not the one stuck here with me. It's me who is stuck here with you. That's different," Roy said without hearing the man.

"I don't want to hear any more of your logical babbles," Ayu said and turned away from him to face the driver, "Shangri-La Hotel, please."

"Okay," the driver said and started the engine, happy to finally leave and roll the meter.

*****

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Ayu led her husband to the main lobby of the Shangri-la Hotel, suitcases and all. The cool air-conditioned air greeted them and she relished it for a second.

A beautiful Filipina girl smiled at her when she reached the counter. "Welcome to Shari-la Hotel, how may I help you, ma'am?"

She gave the lady a friendly smile and said, "I reserved a room of two separate beds." She said it with enough emphasis.

"Can I have your name please?" the lady looked at her computer.

"Ayu Suar," she answered.

"Suar?" Roy asked beside her. He smelled of sun and heat and his shirt was as drenched as ever.

"Yes, Suar. I made the reservations before I married you," she said hastily. She noted the frown on the Filipina's face. "What's wrong?" "Ms. Ayu Suar made reservations for a Double Bedroom room."

"What does that mean?"

"It's a double room, ma'am."

"Can you elaborate?" she asked again. She didn't really like the sound of a Double Bedroom room.

"I guess that means we have to share a bed, honey," Roy whispered beside her before the lady could open her mouth.