Serendipity
By Joanne Marie Combong-Pijuan

Unfaithful

When Connie Sumner (played by Diane Lane), a seemingly happy housewife who had everything (a good and good-looking husband, a wonderful son, and a beautiful house in suburban New York), fell for the irresistible French charms of Paul Martel (Olivier Martinez) in the 2002 movie “Unfaithful” (based on the 1969 Claude Chabrol film `La Femme Infidel); the question that was probably most likely asked by the viewing public was “Why?” as well as, “Who in the hell would cheat on a husband that looks like Richard Gere?” (probably a wife who bumps into a guy who looks like Olivier Martinez?… although personally, I'm a little bit torn between the French hottie and the handsome American – you choose).

Indeed, why? Why would someone who seemed to have everything, plunge into a steamy, raunchy affair with a complete stranger (again, never mind that the stranger looked like Olivier)? Or, I guess the more appropriate question is; why would anyone cheat on their partners? And this question was exactly what I asked myself when someone told me about this couple who separated just recently. Apparently, the wife did an ala-Diane Lane/Connie Sumner caper and the poor husband (who obviously does not look anything like Gere) found out about it.

I really don't care much for gossip like this, but it's interesting to note how women always condemn men about their adulterous natures when the truth is, men and women are alike. We're all capable of cheating on our husbands and wives. The only difference is that when women do the cheating, everyone reacts so violently. But when men do it, we all yawn in boredom and say, “What else is new?”

And so, going back to the Diane Lane-wannabe, I'm curious as to what could possibly have made her become the city's local ‘la femme infidel'? Was it because the husband could not give her enough money to buy more Louis Viutton knock-offs (what's with women and fake French everything?) and bleaching cream for her face (she has that pallid, blanched, Kabuki-look); or was it because one windy day in this city of love, just like Lane's character, she also bumped into a Martinez look-alike, scraped her knee, and was swept off her pudgy feet?

Seriously though, I don't know what her reasons are and honestly, I don't care what she does to her life. But for purposes of this article and my topic for the day, I'm as curious as everyone else why she did it or why anyone does it for that matter – especially when there are children involved (somehow the act becomes atrociously unforgivable when kids enter the picture).

For me though, any form of cheating will always be a deal breaker. I've had my share of it in the past (both as the cheater and the one who was cheated on), when I was young, single, and stupid, and believe me; everything always ends up disastrously. There's just no other way. But I don't want to judge anyone, because we all have our reasons for doing the things that we do.

As what I always say to my friends when they ask me if they should do or not do something (and I also apply this to everything in my life):“If you're conscience won't be able to handle it, then don't do it, or you'll just end up regretting it for the rest of your life.”

By the way, before I was even able to finish this article, a friend called up and told me the Lane-Gere-wannabe couple just kissed and made up. Can you believe that? I think the next question that we have to ask ourselves should be (drum roll, please): Will we be able to forgive our partners after they've cheated on us?

Oh well, all I can say is, thank God the husband never had the chance to bash his wife's ex-lover's head (ala Richard Gere when he found out about the affair) to a pulp. And unlike the movie, at least we know the ending to their story.

Oy!