VERONICA (Montero Series # 4)

Chapter 23 : Time To Start

Chapter 23

Veronica

"I need to leave. Just leave that container at the store," Chris said and stood up.

I looked at him asking to be rescued. Ayokong tingnan si Elijah but Chris just patted my shoulder, giving me a reassuring look saka siya umalis.

Humugot muna ako ng malalim na buntong hininga bago tumayo at lumingon.

Hindi ko naiwasang tumingin kay Elijah kahit ayoko siyang tingnan. I terribly missed him at ang gusto ko sanang gawin ngayon ay ang takbuhin ang pagitan namin para siya yakapin pero hindi ko iyon ginawa. I did try hard to force my feet to stay at my place at ang ikuyom ang mga kamay ko para hindi mapatakbo sa kanya.

Kahit na may nalaman ako tungkol sa kanya that didn't make me love him less.

" Bring her at her room, Bebang," tiim bagang niyang sabi, malamig akong tiningnan bago siya umalis at iniwan kaming dalawa ni Bebang doon.

I didn't expect that.

Kasi kapag ganito he would confront me at pagsasabihan ako, hindi ganitong malamig lang niya akong titingnan.

" Iyan kasi sobrang pinag-alala mo iyong tao. Hindi mo ba alam na nasa meeting siya sa mga contractors na taga Thailand na flight na sana bukas pabalik sa bansa nila pero kinancel niya para lumipad agad dito kasi hindi ka sumasagot. Tapos nandito kalang pala may iba pang kasamang lalaki. Hay ewan ko sa'yo Veronica. Halika na nga galit na galit na rin ang daddy mo ako pa ang napagbuntungan niyang katigasan ng ulo mo," hinigit niya ang kamay ko at hinila ako palabas.

On the way to my room nadatnan namin si Marcus sa hallway.

He heaved out at napatingin sa dala kong paper bag. It seems like he was frustrated pero hindi naman galit. "In case you'd still like to eat I hide your food at the cupboard on top of the fridge. I can't stay any longer dahil nandito na ang magaling mong fiance."

" Salamat," I mouthed.

He nodded and left.

Humigit ako ng mas malalim na hininga bago kami pumasok ni Bebang sa PVIP suit ko.

Naabutan namin si Mommy at Daddy pero wala doon si Elijah.

Napalunok si Dad nang matingnan ako halatang nagpipigil na magalit sa'kin.

Mom caressed his shoulder. " It's okay , honey. Our daughter is here."

Bumuntong hininga si daddy bago nagsalita. " I'm going to leave. Ikaw na ang bahala sa anak mo Elena," sabi niyang hindi tumingin sa'kin then he kissed mom's head and left.

" Sweetheart, hayaan mo muna ang daddy mo, masyado lang iyong nag-alala. Halika na sa loob. Naghihintay na sa'yo ang nurse at ang pagkain mo," si mommy at inakay ako papasok sa kwarto ko.

Hindi ko alam kung matatahimik akong wala doon si Elijah o hindi.

Saan siya nagpunta? Umalis narin ba siya?

ELijah

I made sure I have drawn enough air into my lungs to calm down. I tried to relax my clench fist. I was so worried as hell about what happened to Nica, only to expect this--her casually talking to that man? Sneaking out from her hospital room and eating a food that guy prepared for her? He only wanted to befriend her? Was it what?

Hugging her, kissing her was what I wanted to do earlier, she doesn't have any idea what it feels like to miss her and worry about her all the time.

Even that time when I have not yet confessed she have no idea how this feels, to try to hide what I wanted to do.