Jailed With You (Architect Series #4)

Chapter 21

"So, even before you two were together?"

We were sitting at a rectangular table in Charelle grandma's house. I was on the hot seat with these people. Shan's friends of course with Kael. Kanina pa nila ako tinatanong about sa amin ni Kael noon. They were really unaware between me and Kael.

For the ninth time, I shook my head again to Etyl. "We... uh... I don't know? We were separated during our college year. He flew to states too..."

"To study?" it was Joanna.

"And to escape," Kael added. "I flew to states to pursue Law. I can pursue it here if only I had a chance."

I bit my lower and lowered my gaze on my plate.

"Chance? Escape? Ay ano 'yon?"

"He was engaged to Ester Asuncion," sagot ko.

Lahat sila napanganga sa sinabi ko. Si Dhalal nagtagal ang tingin niya sa akin at halos hindi na kumurap.

"Okay ka lang ba?"

"Ah, Ester Asuncion ang nasa showbiz industry?" she asked nervously. Tumango ako sa kanya at napatingin din ang mga kaibigan niya sa kanya ng may pag-alalang nababakas sa kani-kanilang mukha. God, what's going on?

"But you two are cool now, Kael?"

"Yep, I heard she's pregnant though."

Dhalal smiled painfully. Oh shit! I almost forgot the news! I looked at her feeling sorry for bringing the girl up the conversation.

Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko ngayong iba na ang ihip ng hangin sa mesa namin. Tumingala ako kay Kael and he's also looking at Dhalal with confusing aura. Alam ko kung bakit ganito siya. Hindi naman siya nanunuod ng television if he does it was all about news and documentaries one. He hates wasting his time on nonsense.

Tumikhim si Shan at iniba ang usapan. She really did her best to brighten up the mood by asking.

"Kung gano'n ginawa mong dahilan ang pag-aaral sa ibang bansa para hindi-an ang kasunduan?"

"Kailangan kong umalis dahil 'yon ang kondisyon ni Mama at Papa sa pag-ayaw ko. Pinapili ako, e. Kailangan kong piliin 'yong puso ko."

"Law?"

"Lyka," nakangiting tugon ni Kael at bumaling sa akin, kumindat pa.

Natapos ang agahan namin nang puro pag-catch-up lang sa mga nangyari matapos ang college year namin. Hindi naman ganoon kasimple ang pinagdadaanan naming lahat, masaya akong naabot nila ang pagiging Architect.

Nang araw ding iyon umuwi kami ni Kael. Sa condo ko siya pansamantalang tumira dahil ayaw nitong umuwi kahit na ilang beses ko na siyang tinataboy. I comply my portforlio na kailangan kong ipasa sa kompanya ni Shan. I was in Alvarez Escapes before everything happened and I can't swallow my pride to just go back there after the criminal case. Hindi ko rin naman alam at nahihiya ako kay Shan pero kailangan kong magsimula muli sa sarili kong mga paa.

I quickly fixed myself nang makababa ako sa sasakyan ni Kael. Inihatid niya ako kahit hindi naman kailangan. Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko. Bumuntong-hininga ako nang tumingin siya sa akin gamit ang nag-alala niyang mukha. His hazel blue eyes pierced on me as if it tells me everything will be alright. I pursed my lips, nilalabanan ang mga tingin niya ngunit naputol iyon ng ilagay niya ang nalaglag na hair stroke sa likod ng aking tenga. Dinaga ang dibdib ko dahil sa ginawa niya. Whoa, that simple gesture can make my heart jumped!

"You don't need to go with me inside," I said in a low tone when he closed the door for me.

Dahil sa tangkad niya, kailangan ko pa siyang tingalain. "I want to, love. Let me, hmm?"