Yarrow Series #1: Chase (COMPLETED)

Prologue

"Cass," he's standing there as if he's waiting for me for a long time. I blinked a few times, making sure if I was seeing right. Napaawang ang labi ko nang masiguro kong siya nga talaga ito kasabay ng pagkirot ng puso ko.

Lumabas ako ng elevator at umaktong hindi apektado sa presensiya nito. Nang nasa tapat na ako ng office ko ay hinarap ko ito.

"Yes? As far as I know, office ko lang ang nasa floor na 'to. What brings you here, Mr. Dy? Do you have an appointment with me?" sabi ko dito. Kita ko ang pag awang ng labi nito na tila hindi makapaniwala sa narinig niya.

He shook his head, hesitantly. "No, but—"

"Alright, you can leave now." sabi ko dito at mabilis pumasok sa kabilang pinto kung nasaan ang conference hall. Nakita ko pa ang pag awang ng labi nito nang talikuran ko ito.

Hindi ko namalayang hindi na pala ako humihinga ng maayos. I took a deep breath and fixed my self. Get a hold on yourself, Cassie. Nag pokus na lang ako sa meeting namin. Napakaraming project na gagawin ng company at bumagsak lahat sa akin.

"Is there another engineer on this project?" tanong ko nang hindi ko na napigilan dahil halos ako lahat ang humahandle sa mga project! Madami namang engineer dito maliban sa akin.

"Yes, Engr. Cruzado. You must first approve it before he can begin working on the project. The engineer is a newcomer who will work alongside you on this huge project." sabi ng isang matandang board.

I just nodded.

Mabilis lang natapos ang meeting. Mabilis akong nagpaalam kay Lola nang matapos ito dahil madami pa akong gagawin.

Pagdating ko sa office ay pabagsak akong naupo sa swivel chair ko. Napahawak ako sa sintido at nilatag ang mga kailangang pirmahan at ayusin. Akmang tatawagan ko ang architect na kasama ko sa isang project nang bumukas ang pinto at niluwa ang pinakahuling taong gusto kong makita.

I sighed, frustratingly.

"Engineer, sorry po! Nagpipimilit po kasi siya." takot na sabi ni Alyssa. Binigyan ko ito ng ngiti at tinanguan senyales na iwanan niya kami.

Tumango naman ito at mabilis lumabas.

I crossed my arms and lazily looked at him, hinihintay ang sasabihin nito. Nang tahimik lang ito ng ilang minuto ay ako na ang nagsalita.

"What do you want?" tanong ko dito. Bumuntunghininga ito at akmang lalapit sa akin nang pigilan ko ito.

"Don't." mariin kong sabi.

Kita ko ang lungkot na dumaan sa mata nito at huminto naman ito.

"Cass, I'm sorry." sabi nito.

Dalawang salita. Dalawang salita na naglabalik lahat ng sakit na naidulot niya. Kung sana gano'n lang kadaling makalimot.

"Okay, anything else?" sabi ko.

Kita kong umigting ang panga nito at hindi makapaniwalang tumingin sa akin.

"I'm sorry for leaving you. Nagawa ko lang iyon dahil kapag hindi ko ginawa iyon ay hindi makakapasok ng school ang mga kapatid mo—"

I cut him off. "What on earth are you talking about? Get out. I didn't ask for your explanation." Inis na sabi ko rito. Is he nuts?

Kita ko mga emosyong pinipigilan niyang kumawala.

"I thought you love me?"

Hirap na sabi nito. I laughed mockingly. Seriously? What did he expect me to do when he left me without explaining himself? To go after him? I've had enough of him.

"Yeah, I loved you and I regret it," I told him.

I saw pain, regret, and anger in his eyes. Napailing na lang ako. Sumisikip ang dibdib ko habang nakatingin sa kaniya. Akala niya ba madali sa akin lahat ng nangyari? He's at fault!

"I'm sorry—"

I cut him off.

"Stop saying that, it doesn't change the fact that you still hurt me badly."

I gave him a blank stare. I despise him. I'm never going to beg or chase him down again. I lost myself, and he's not there when I need him most.

"I told you, my parents will destroy your family and your sisters can't go to school if that's happened, Cass."

I shook my head. Pilit kong tinatatagan ang sarili ko habang kaharap siya. I don't need his futile explanation! He chose to leave me and he doesn't trust me. I can handle my family! Sanay na akong mag-isa! Sanay na akong humarap sa mga problema pero hindi niya ako pinagkatiwalaan. Also, he cheated on me.

"Am I supposed to thank you? Thank you, then. Thank you for leaving me I found my self-worth. Thank you for leaving me I realized that you have no different from other men out there."

My heart is throbbing hurt. Galit ako sa lahat ng ginawa niya sa'kin, he leaves me but my fool heart still beating for him. I hate myself because I still love him after how many years!

"You're not here when I needed you the most. You're not here when I lost my important person in my life. You're not here to wipe my tears. I have nothing to lean on. I'm all alone, as always."

Mapait kong sabi sa kaniya. Pilit kong tinatatagan ang sarili. Don't cry in front of him, Cassie! He doesn't deserve you! Don't be fooled again, remember everything he did to you.

Pero ang tanging naalala ko ay ang masasaya naming ala-ala. Naalala ko lahat ng mga pinagdaanan namin kahit na ang sakit sakit ng dinulot niya sa akin. God, why are you so unfair? Why do I have to fell for him!

"Cass, please. I love you, I want you back. I never want to leave, I had no choice. Your family at stake. Don't you understand me?"

I looked at him full of anger, hurt, and regret in my eyes. I saw him wiped his tears. Don't you ever hold him, Cassie!

"I don't because you never explain before, what now? You want me back? Dream on, Jacob. What a jerk." galit na sabi ko dito at sumandal sa swivel chair ko. I press the intercom to call my secretary.

"Guide my visitors outside. I want him...leave."

"Yes, ma'am." sagot naman ni Alyssa.

Bumukas naman kaagad ang pinto ng office ko at nakita ko ang mga naka itim na bodyguard na papalapit sa kaniya.

He faced me.

"Cass, please. I just want you again, don't you love me anymore? I did everything for you, can't you see?"

I merely looked at him coldly.

"Get out. I don't want to see you ever again."

May dumaang sakit sa mga mata niya. Kulang na lang ang lumuhod siya sa harapan ko para lang mapatawad ko siya. Sorry can't wipe the pain I go through.

"I love you. Don't forget that, Cassie. I love you so much." iyon ang huling sinabi niya bago siya lumabas kasama ang mga bodyguards ko.

I smiled bitterly. If he could've let me decide for myself, it wouldn't happen. If he hadn't just...damn, everything would have been fine. A man like him, really. Wala talaga akong maaasahan.

***