Love Deferred

Chapter 42: Tough Decisions

Tanya's POV

Nagulat ako ng biglang napatawag si Steven. Whenever he calls with a frustrated or worried tone, it can only mean one thing--Daniela.

Makikipagkita daw sya ngayon coz he needs to talk.

Ano nanaman kayang nangyari sa kanila? I thought they're doing good since they made their relationship public. I don't think it's Charlie coz he's been quiet naman.

Haaayyyy...this is making me anxious.

"Tol!" Here he comes.

"O, tol... Anong problema this time?" Deretsong tanong ko. Bakit ko pa ba pahahabain?

"Yun agad? Wala man lang kamustahan? Namiss kaya kita."

"Sus! I know you my friend. Pero sige, I'll answer your question muna. So, yeah, I'm doing good, busy with work and my businesses. But one friend called me just awhile ago with a tone I know so well that whenever he sounds like that, he needs to talk to his friend and that's me. Yan! I answered your question. Now your turn. Spill."

Hingal pa ko matapos kong magsalita but my eyes are fixed on him waiting what for his response.

"Dani's going to New York." He bluntly said.

"Wait--what? W-why?"

"She got an offer. Broadway."

"So...p-paano kayo? Don't tell me you guys broke--"

"No! Mabilis na putol nya.

"We didn't break up." He sighed.

"So, anong problema?"

"Para kasing--para kasing--"

"Parang ano?" Medyo iritang tanong ko. Di kasi matapos tapos yung sasabihin nya. Nabibitin ako.

"N-natatakot ako." Napayuko sya matapos sabihin yon.

I think I know why. Natatakot siyang maulit yung dati.

"Na maulit yung dati?" Napatango naman sya sa tanong ko. So tama nga ako.

"How long?" Sunod na tanong ko.

"A year." Tipid na sagot nya.

We fell silent for a while both thinking what to say until I break the silence.

"Do you love her?"

"Sobra."

"Do you want to hold her back from the offer?" Natahimik muna sya bago sumagot.

"I want to, but I can't. The selfish part of me wants her to stay and I feel bad about that. But I can never and will never stop her from doing her passion, from reaching her dreams. I can't do that to her, tol. Masyado ko syang mahal para pigilan sya."

Hearing his response made me see a different side of Steven. I know he's a good person but I didn't know na ganito sya katinding magmahal. Ang swerte ni Daniela.

"How much do you trust her?"

"I don't know how much, tol. But I believe it's enough to believe na mahal nya ako at ako nalang talaga ang mahal nya. Ramdam ko yon. Besides, nasagot naman na ang lahat ng tanong ko about what happened nung nasa London sya."

Mukhang confident naman sya sa sagot nya.

"Okay... Ayun naman pala. So, anong gusto mong marinig ngayon?"