Peace of the Heart (Cacher Series #1)

Kabanata 27

Kabanata 27

Strangers

We directly went to reception after that. Aldrin didn't even hesitate to go with me and keep me entertained all the time. Even when I couldn't keep a conversation and doesn't know how to work on one, he makes sure that I am comfortable. He has many things to be told and I did nothing but to listen, sometimes, I answer his questions and question him about his life. That's all that I can do... knowing that we are seated at the same table with Dana, Alcaeus, Raven and Eugene. The atmosphere is too hard to grasp. 

I know that I maintained myself to be prim and nonchalant but I can still see him staring sharply at his glass in my peripheral vision. He didn't even dare to listen at Dana's words. He is completely lost. His jaw clenched.

"You've been gone for years. How old are you now?" Aldrin asked that made me come back to my senses.

"I'm now twenty-six... turning twenty-seven this coming October."

His eyes grew bigger and he held my face to scan it rigorously. I was surprised because of his action. I roamed my eyes around and I saw Eugene and Raven looking at Alcaeus... that is now staring at us with his dagger eyes. Aldrin let go of my face because he noticed the conviviality wasn't there and dead.

"Are you now married?" He asked after that.

I quickly shook my head.

"Kids?"

"Wala rin," nahihiya at mahina kong sabi.

"Potential lover?"

Mas lalo akong umiling.

"Oh..." he glanced at Alcaeus fastly. "You are here for good?"

"No," I gave him a short-lived smile. "I'm just here to attend the wedding."

"You're not planning to continue everything here?"

I stared at my hands.

What things will I want to continue here? I don't even think that I still have a business on this place. After this, I am booking a plane ticket back to London.

"No. I have no things here to continue," I dismissed.

"What about him?" He asked slowly, not wanting to be heard.

But I am not naive. I knew from the very first time what he's been itching to know. And now this.

"We were done a long time ago. Besides, we're both happy now..." I answered confidently.

He chuckled.

"Suit yourself, Martiza."

Lori and Darrel entered the stage and he had to leave me because he is the photographer. I stayed quiet on our table minding my phone, but I can still feel their stares at me. No one even bother to talk.

Ako:

You are not answering the phone, Kuya.

He did not reply again.

I left our table, I didn't even mind on excusing myself. And now... I stared at myself on the mirror. I exhaled everything that I've been holding since I sat on that table. The door opened and Dana entered the powder room. I panicked, but she completely finished it by giving me a warm smile.

"It's nice seeing you again, Martiza," she smiled sincerely at me.

I smiled back.

"Salamat."

Tumango lang siya sa akin at dumireto na sa cubicle. Inayos ko lang saglit ang aking sarili at lumabas na rin. Nang makalabas ako ay agad kong nasilayan si Alcaeus na naghihintay habang ang kamay ay nasa bulsa. Nagtama ang aming mga mata ngunit ako ang naunang mag-iwas ng tingin. Tinalikuran ko na siya... kaya lang narinig ko ang boses niya... tinatawag ako.