Goodbye Lullaby (COMPLETED)

Chapter 17

And the thrill of the chase moves in mysterious ways
So in case, I'm mistaken, I
Just wanna hear you say, "You got me, baby
Are you mine?"
-
R U Mine? by Arctic Monkeys

***

Parang hinahabol ang puso ko sa sobrang bilis ng tibok nito. Ngunit kaakibat din no'n ay sakit. I didn't know what to say. Nagawa niya na nga kaya bakit niya pa tinatanggi?

"How would you explain the fucking IG story that I saw, then, huh? Magsisinungaling ka ulit?"

His jaw ticked. "I wasn't on a date—"

"Liar!"

He grew frustrated each passing second. Palaging kinakagat ang ibabang labi, napapatingin sa taas at bumubuntonghininga.

"Babe, please, listen! If it was, then I had a date with my mom! Siya ang kasama ko and we just bumped into Shierra and her friend. We didn't even hang out or watch a movie like what you're implying! I don't know what you saw, but I swear I was with my mom the whole time! Kakauwi lang namin kaya hindi ako nakapagpalit ng damit nung tumawag ka. And I'm sorry I forgot to text. Please, Psyche."

I shook my head. Talagang idadamay niya pati si Tita? "I don't believe you. We're done here, umalis ka na."

"No! I have photos with my mom today. Please, let me show you," then he reached for his back pocket. My face went grim when he visibly panicked. Nanlalambot ako habang nakikita siyang pumipikit ng mariin at tila desperado na.

He showed no phone.

And my heart ached more.

At the back of my head, I was still hoping he was telling the truth. My mind was fucking running in circles. I was really blinded with the thought that he really did leave and cheat not just on me, but on our promise to each other, too. It hurt seeing him almost begging me to listen, but I'm done with it.

"I left my phone at home, b-but I'll send it to you! Or you can come with me... ipapakita ko sa 'yo. 'Wag lang ganito, mahal ko."

"I said I'd think about us! Ayaw ko na, Eros, kaya tumigil na tayo—" I stopped when he shook his head and suddenly turned to leave.

Fuck.

It's like my whole life flashed before my eyes. I fucking stilled and held my breath. My eyes became blurry with another set of tears preparing to fall again. Mabilis akong bumaba sa counter at sinundan siya.

"I-I'm not done talking!"

I saw him sighing and continued walking, now finally passing through the double doors. Inis kong pinunasan ang luhang nakatakas na naman. Yes, I wanted him to leave, but...

"Ano ba?!" I sobbed and that's only when he stopped and faced me. His bloodshot eyes visibly softened when he saw me crying by the door. I probably looked like a mess in my peignoir now, but I didn't care. It's just him, afterall.

"I'll get my phone quickly. Babalik ako, Psyche. Mabilis lang," his voice was strained.

"B-But I said—"

"No. I won't listen. Galit ka lang kaya mo nasasabi 'yon. I'll be back. Uminom ka ng tubig."

Pagkatapos ay umalis na siya. Kasabay ng pagdurog ng puso ko. Now I didn't know what I was crying for. Dahil ba tapos na kami, o dahil nasasaktan din ako para sa mga nasabi ko, o dahil sa takot nung bigla na lang siyang tumalikod?

Now that I've calmed down a bit, narealize ko na baka nagsasabi nga siya ng totoo. That... he was with Tita and he's going to show me proofs of that.