Loving The Light [Cosmos Series#4]

Kabanata 13

"I'll see who's outside," I muttered when the door buzzed for the second time even before our lips met. Ako na ang kusang humiwalay at napamura sa isipan.

He nodded but he followed when I went back on his living room to open the door.

The door buzzed again as I opened it.

"Arche-" The woman stopped as she saw me.

"Astrid," I called when I recognized who's buzzing the doorbell.

A frown formed in her forehead. "You know me?"

"Hey!" Bati ni Archer na ngayon ay nasalikuran ko na.

"Pasok ka," sambit ni Archer matapos kong lakihan ang bukas ng pinto upang makapasok si Astrid. "Anyway, this is Auriese Gallardo," imporma niya sa kaharap habang ito'y nakakunot pa rin ang noo sa akin.

"Aurie, this is Astrid Devaughne, a friend."

My lips parted as I heard Archer. She's married? To a Devaughne? Bahagya pa 'kong napalingon kay Archer upang kumpirmahin kung nagbibiro ba siya. I smiled I bit after awhile when he formally introduced us. Ngunit sa aking kalooban ay nanghihingi pa ring ng kasagutan. Devaughne is not a usual surname. Iilan lang ang may ganoong apelyido at 'wag niyang sabihin na pinakasalan niya ang isa sa magkapatid na Devaughne, one of the Cosmos' rival?

"You know me," she repeated in a matter-of-fact tone. Tila ba hindi inintindi ang pagpapakilala ng kaibigan. Fuck, she's really married. Kay Vynz ba? O kay Hoax?

I calmly nodded, upang hindi ipahalata ang laman ng aking isipan. "Hmm, you're a model."

"Oh! Famous ka pala?" Sabat ni Archer na para bang inaasar lang ang kaibigan.

Astrid tsked.

"Anong masamang hangin ang nagdala sa'yo rito?" I felt Archer's hand rested on my back.

Bahagya ko pang nilingon iyon at pagbalik ng aking tingin sa harapan ay nahuli ko ang sulyap ni Astrid sa kamay ng kaibigan.

"I want to talk about my divorce but..." she trailed off as she glanced at me. Divorce! What the fuck.

"You have a visitor, some other time," she continued. "I'll go ahead," paalam niya at akmang tatalikod na nang mukhang may naalala.

She looked at me before her eyes darted at Archer. "I thought you're..." Pinutol niya ang sasabihin. The two looked at each other like their eyes are talking.

"Hhmm, that's her."

Napakunot ang aking noo sa makahulugang sambit ni Archer. Tila ba nagkaintindihan na sila ngunit hindi ko pa rin makuha ang kanilang pinaguusapan.

"Really?" I watched as Astrid's eyes widened before turning to me with a smile on her face.

"Astrid Dela Vega." Nakangiti niyang inilahad sa aking ang kanyang kamay.

I immediately accepted even I'm still a bit confused on her reaction. "Auriese Gallardo."

I heard Archer chuckling. "You're still a Devaughne."

Astrid's brow raised. "Magdidivorce na, remember?"

"Just ask Hoax to sign the divorce papers, it'll be faster."

Hoax Devaughne! Seriously? In those four years, I missed a lot, aren't I? Kailan ikinasal? Paano? At magdidivorce? Shit.

"I don't want to face him. Anyway, I'll really go ahead. Nice meeting you, Auriese."

She smiled at me before finally turning her back on us. Archer closed the door as I went back on the couch.

Matapos ay napatingin siya sa akin. I cleared my throat as I slightly avoided his gaze. Dahil para akong natutunaw sa mga titig niya.