Limelight Series 1: Secrets

Chapter 22

Oras ang nakalipas at medyo gumaan na ang pakiramdam ko at nakapagpahinga na rin ako nang maayos. Napatingin ako sa labas ng bintana ng room ko, gabi na pala.

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at nag-inat ng katawan. I still need to talk to Harold.

"You have to talk to Harold. He told me earlier that he will leave the house immediately since that's what you want and he thinks that he is causing trouble to our family," ate said before closing the door.

Napatingin ako sa pinto nang may kumatok doon.

"Yes?"

"Ma'am Veronica, hindi po matutuloy ang flight ninyo. May bagyo raw po, e. Cancelled daw po ang flight. Nasa balita na po," sabi ni yaya nang bahagya itong sumilip sa pinto.

"Yes, yaya. I won't leave the country anymore. Just don't tell this to anyone, okay?"

Ngumiti at tumango sa akin si yaya at nagpaalam na ito na bababa na.

Nag-ayos muna ako nang kaunti bago lumabas ng kwarto. Napatigil ako nang hindi sa kalayuan, may naririnig akong nag-uusap.

"I don't know if Veronica will still leave the country. Your flight was also cancelled. Does that mean that you'll stay here until the storm is gone?"

"I have no choice, Tasha. I might get in an accident if I leave the house. By the look of the road, it's slippery."

"Yeah, right. Just stay here. She wouldn't mind."

I knew it was Harold and Ate Tasha. Sumilip ako nang kaunti upang makita kung saan sila banda nag-uusap.

Nakasarado ang pinto ng veranda at nakapasok ang mga upuan sa loob ng bahay. I saw them sitting next to the door and talking to each other.

Lumapit ako sa kinauupuan nila at tumayo sa harap ng mga ito.

I fake a cough. "Excuse me."

"Veronica! You're awake!"

"Yes, ate! I'm awake! Now, if you excuse us, can we talk for a moment? I mean, can I talk to Harold, just a second."

Tumayo si ate. "Nah, you have all the time to talk to him. Take your time, Nica. Hope you get to fix your problems with him." Bulong ni ate nang makapantay ako nito.

Tiningan ko nang may pagtataka si Harold nang bigla itong tumayo at lumapit sa akin.

"Sit here."

Here goes my heart again. Inalalayan ako nitong makaupo sa kaninang inuupuan ni ate. Nang makaupo ako nang maayos, umupo ulit ito sa kaninang inuupuan.

"So, what do you want to talk about?"

Tiningnan ko ito sa mga mata nito.

"I want you to be honest with me. Do . . . you want this baby?"

Mabilis itong tumango. "Yes, I want that baby."

"But you told me that you want me to abort it."

Napatigil ito pero hindi naaalis ang mga mata nitong nakatingin sa mga mata ko.

"I-I want that baby. And . . . I'm very, very sorry for what I've said. It's not my intention to say that. It's just that I'm at the peak of my career. I can't lose it."

"How about now?"

"I left."

Napataas ang kilay ko sa sinabi nito. Alam ko kung gaano nito kamahal ang career nito at talagang tinago pa sa akin.

"I contacted Chris and told him to fix my papers because I will leave the industry."

"Why would you leave?"