Aldeheid

Chapter 3

Invitation
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Yesterday, at the town's feast, Aldeheid swore that it would be her last meeting with someone she barely knows. But today, she was jolted awake by a letter from the town's top official.

Napatitig nalang siya sa mukha ng lalaking nakita niya kahapon. She knows who this guy was and she hates how she's facing him again. Umangat ulit ang mata niya nang marinig itong tumikhim at maglahad ng kamay sa harapan niya.

"I am Callum and I was ordered to take you to the Malcolm's mansion." pagpapakilala nito kaya maayos na tinanggap niya ang palad at binigyan ito ng ngiti.

"Hi Callum, I'm Aldeheid. It's a pleasure of being served by the town's beta." ani Aldeheid bago nagyuko sa harapan nito kagaya ng nasaksihan niya sa mga taongbayan kahapon.

When she brought her stand back, she was greeted by Callum's creased head, as if he did not like what she did. Ikinahinto niya iyon at nabuhayan ng kaba sa dibdib.

Callum immediately noticed Aldeheid's response in his unintentional action. Mabilis siyang napamura sa sarili niya nang makita ang takot na puminta sa mata nito. He didn't know that his self-control is scary in her eyes. Gusto niya lang namang pigilan ang sariling yakapin ang dalaga nang malanghap niya ang amoy nito, ngunit hindi niya inasahang iba ang magiging epekto nito sa dalaga.

Upang bawiin iyon ay mabilis na umangat ang magkabilang sulok ng kaniyang labi atsaka kinindatan ang dalaga. Aldeheid's face flushed, both brows arched. Her little expressions easily found their place in Callum's heart.

"You don't have to be so formal in front of me. I'm just a beta, a cute and carefree one." natutuwa pahayag ni Callum.

Aldeheid could only nod slowly before her small giggles escaped from her mouth. And God knows how much it melted Callum's heart. "Okay..."

Acting like his heart wasn't going crazy, Callum guided Aldeheid out of the Gleen's house. Maingat niya itong ipinasok sa kotse niya bago umikot sa kabila. Pinakiramdam niya lang si Aldeheid nang magsimula siyang magmaneho habang natutukso siyang kausapin ito.

Callum was never a quiet man and being with somebody who's shy is an advantage for him to use his extroverted asset. Pero para bang umurong ang kaniyang dila na ngayo'y katabi niya na ang dalagang noon paman niya gustong lapitan.

His grip tightened on the steering wheel before he mustered up the courage to talk to Aldeheid. But before he could even open his mouth, naunahan na siya ng dalaga.

"How was your wife? Nagkaroon ba siya ng sugat? And how about your baby? Is she growing well inside her mum's tummy?" Aldeheid innocently asked, with her eyes wide and a small smile.

Ang nakaurong na dila ni Callum ay halos malunok niya na sa nakakatindig balahabong tanong ng dalaga. He could only stare at the road while his mind was all wife and baby.

Aldeheid waited and the more seconds she waited the more she felt rejected. She should be happy that this guy beside her was the one doing her job for herself. Ngunit bakit siya nakaramdam ng pagkalungkot? Shouldn't it be glad she must feel?

"Aldeheid..."

She flinched upon hearing Callum's voice called her name. Despite the lack of emotion from Callum's tone, it sent her heart jitters.

Mabilis niya itong nilingon at pinagkurapan ng mga mata. "Y-yes?"

Callum instantly snapped his neck towards her when he felt her muscles tensed and heartbeats per milliseconds. For the second time, he scolded himself. Ito na naman siya at ang misinterpretasyon ng dalaga.