Swan of Snowy Trails (Book 2 of Swan Trilogy)

Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Café and the Last Day

I was promised a day with Nick and he gave it with a lot of effort.

Nang natapos ang training ko, nandiyan agad siya para mag-abot ng pagkain at makasama ako sa pagpahinga. Sa lunch namin, magkatabi kami habang nagkekwentuhan tungkol sa mga palabas at libro na nabasa namin.

Sa akin lang siya nakatuon buong oras na magkasama kami, asking questions about my life, family, and friends as if he was reading a book.

I indulged all of his questions pero kapag nagtatanong naman ako tungkol sa kanya, tipid lang siya sumagot, he just adds more questions about me.

In the afternoon, we played chess on his room while surrounded with chocolates and slice of colorful cakes on our table.

There are times he let me win to make me feel better about the game but I know he can beat me. I've seen him play with the oldest Royal who was a chess veteran and he still won.

The old man asked for a rematch that time and lost for the second and third round. Ever since then, he never played with Nick again.

It got to a point where we are just sitting there and talking hanggang sa may naalala ako tungkol sa kanya na matagal niya nang hindi binabanggit sa amin. Ako naman ang magtatanong sa kanya.

"Kumusta kayo ni Philia?"

Namilog ang mata niya na para bang nabuhayan siya nang marinig niya ang pangalan na iyon but then his eyes fell into sadness.

"She's not responding to me. Alam kong alam niyang pinakasalan niya ako sa'yo pero iba ang iniisip niya..." Nick bit his lower lip while looking down on the chess board. "Akala niya pinalitan ko siya."

"Nakausap mo ba siya bago tayo kinasal?"

Nick sighed and shook his head. "They didn't allow me to leave. Kahit sinubukan ko nang lumusot, nahahanap pa rin nila ako at napapagalitan lang din ang mga butlers ko. Sila ang sumasalo ng kasalanan ko kaya tumigil na ako dahil may ibang tao na nadadamay."

Inisip ko ito nang mabuti. Buong araw naman magkasama kami ni Nick, he accomodate to my  needs and attention, he may have enjoyed my company since we laugh in most of our conversatioin, pero alam ko kung ano ang magpapasaya sa kanya talaga.

"Punta tayo sa Lionheart City." Suhestiyon ko. "Makipagkita ka sa girlfriend mo roon at ipaliwanag mo sa kanya ang sitwasyon niyo."

His eyes widened in anticipation, hopeful to see her. "Will she believe me? I'm sure she's angry and devastated right now. She might think I've cheated on her."

I held his hand and reassured him with a smile. "I honestly don't know but talking to her will put a bridge between your gap."

Huminga siya nang malalim at tumango-tango na para bang kinukumbinsi niya rin ang kanyang sarili.

"Pwede ko siyang kausapin. I'll apologize for the whole situation that left a rift in your relationship." Dugtong ko pa.

"No, I'll do it myself. I'm the one who's in love with that braided girl."

"I'll ask the palace that I want to go to the city with you." Sabi ko. "Gagala na lang ako habang nakikipaglandian ka sa girlfriend mo."

Patalikod na sana ako para makapaghanda nang hinawakan niya ang braso ko. Napatingin ako sa kanya at binigyan ako ni Nick ng matamis niyang ngiti.

"Thank you, Charlotte."

I smiled back. "Sus! Wala lang 'yon!"

"Sa totoo lang, inaasahan ko na magkaka-mental breakdown ka na lang isang araw at itutulak mo kaming lahat palayo sa'yo, na baka sisihin at magalit ka sa'min dahil napilitan ka sa kasal na hindi mo ginusto." Pag-amin ni Nick na ikinakunot ng noo ko. Grabe naman ang hinalang iyan!