A Promise on the Sand (Isla de Negros Series #2)

Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25
Lost

Kinakailangan ni Ayla na sumama kay Sancho. Besides, she had nowhere to go.

Sancho stopped the car. Nilamon ng katahimikan ang loob ng kotse nito. Her face was sore same as her arm. Nanlagkit ang kanyang mga pisngi sa ginawang pag-iiyak. Meanwhile, Sancho's lips were bleeding. Nagkaroon din ng pasa ang magkabilang pisngi nito.

"This is all my fault."

Napalingon siya sa binata nang basagin nito ang katahimikan. Nakatulala ito sa kawalan habang mahigpit ang pagkakahawak sa manibela ng kanyang kotse.

"I was irresponsible. Hindi ko man lang inisip ang mga magiging kahinanatnan ng lahat."

She nibbled her lip as she was trying not to cry again.

"Kasalanan ko rin."

Nilingon siya nito kasabay ng pagtingin niya sa kawalan.

"Hindi ko rin inisip ang mga mangyayari." She shrugged. "For fuck's sake, I have to admit I deserve this," she said laughing, tears streaming down her face.

Inabot nito ang kanyang kamay at pinisil 'yon.

"You still have me, Ayla. Hinding-hindi kita susukuan."

Napasinghot siya at nilingon ito.

"I'm sorry if they have to blame you again. Kahit pa sobrang tagal na n'on. Hindi lang pala ikaw. Gano'n din pala ang tingin nila sa akin... A criminal."

Kumirot ang puso niya sa katotohanang 'yon. Hindi lang isang malandi kundi isa ring kriminal...isang kahihiyan sa ngalan ng pamilya.

"Sshh, you didn't do anything. We didn't do anything. Her death was an accident. Aksidente ang lahat ng 'yon at walang dapat sisihin."

She sniffed and couldn't even agree with him. She knew that her parents blamed her for losing Avrielle but she didn't know that they tend to see her as a criminal. Someone who committed a crime. Isang taong kayang gumawa ng karumal-dumal na krimen gaya ng pagpatay.

Matapos ang mahabang katahimikan, napabuntong-hininga si Sancho.

"We can file a case against that girl who posted you in social media. We can consider that as cyberbullying."

Napailing siya at saka ito nilingon. "Hindi na kailangan."

"Ayla, she humiliated you."

"Pero totoo naman, 'di ba? Buntis ako, Sancho." Pinahiran niya ang mga luha. "Wala namang dahilan para tumanggi ako. T-totoo naman kasi."

He heaved a sigh. "Everything will pass. I'll help you cope."

Napayuko lamang siya habang pinipisil nito ang kanyang kamay. She lifted her head when she remembered something.

"How about your mom?"

Nilingon niya ito at pinakitaan siya nito ng matamis nitong ngiti.

"Mama, matagal na niyang gustong magkaapo. It's just that...she didn't expect that she would have her first from me," he said then chuckled.

She smiled, seemed the first time in that day. Alam na rin pala ng ina nito ang tungkol dito.

"She would love to meet you."

She raised a brow. "Really?" She smirked. "Her name's Vivian, right?"

Bahagya itong natawa. "Victoria."

She was stunned for a moment. Ngayon niya lang din naalala ang itsura nito mula sa litratong nakita niya noon sa bahay nila Sancho sa Sipalay. And in a split second, she felt something after hearing her name.