Bay of Strangers (Manila Girls #2)

Kabanata 47

Kabanata 47

Alright

It took me weeks to think about River's question. Gusto niyang manligaw sa akin, at hindi pa ako sumasagot kung pumapayag ako.

Of course, I like that we're close again. Gusto kong kasama siya... At sa kaloob-looban ko, alam kong naroon pa rin ang pagmamahal sa kanya. Pero hindi ko puwedeng agaran pilitin ang sarili at mapadalos-dalos sa desisyon. He's still doing his best to earn my trust again, and he's succeeding. I just hope that it won't be too much if he started to court me.

"Hindi kita minamadali, Kamalei. Naiintindihan ko kung kailangan mo pa ng oras."

"I'll be patiently waiting." He assured me.

I asked Rush if it's okay to feel this way. Nagtanong din ako kay Dra. Laxamana at Dra. Idala. They all answered that it's my mind's response and a bit of self defense, because I got hurt pretty badly before-and my body and my mind don't want that to happen again.

Naiintindihan naman ni River na kailangan ko ng oras at panahon. Mahirap magtiwala muli, pero sinisikap ko dahil unti-unti nararamdaman ko naman ang pagsisikap ni River na makabawi at higitan pa kung ano ang deserve ko.

Pagtapos ng dalawang linggo na pananahimik, nagpasya na makipagkita si Fitcher at Tammara sa akin. Rush can't come with me because he has a special assignment in Sierra Madre, so I decided to bring River with me.

Sitting down in front of the two strongest and unpredictable people I know felt like I'm waiting for a catastrophe to arrive. Bracing myself for the damages and impact, only to realize that I am in no match with them, especially that I know they can make their way out of this situation.

Hindi rin ako masisisi na malaki na ang pagdududa ko sa kanilang dalawa. Hindi lang dahil may trust issue ako, kundi dahil na rin sa may dahilan kung bakit nawala ang tiwala ko sa kanila.

"Bakit kayo nawala?" Tanong ko kay Fitcher at Tammara.

Iyon ang unang-unang lumabas sa bibig ko.

Nanatiling nakayuko si Tammara, hindi man lang ako tinitignan.

"Guilty, huh?"

"Lei," Awat ni Fitcher.

Marahas akong bumaling sa kanya.

"I trusted you both! At sa panahong kailangang-kailangan ko kayo, nawala kayo!"

Hinawakan ni River ang siko ko, pinapaalahanan na kumalma ako. Nakita ko ang pagtingin ni Fitcher doon at pag-ismid. Para bang nakakuha pa siya ng amusement dahil doon.

"Kayo na?" Tanong ni Fitcher.

Just as I expected! He's Fitcher Ortega and as long as it's entertaining and pleasurable for him, he'll stick his nose into it.

I guess my misery before wasn't as entertaining to him now.

O baka naman kasi pinilit siya nitong si Tammara?

I can accuse them and I have so many things to say, and here is my cousin-asking if I am already in a relationship with River!

"Hindi 'yan ang usapan! Don't change the subject!"

"Then what do you want to hear, Lei?"

"I want the truth. Anong kinalaman niyo sa lahat ng ito."

"I'm not part of this, Lei." Tammara sighed. Nilingon ko siya. Nang makita ang matalim kong tingin ay napayuko muli siya. "B-believe me..."

"Parang mahirap atang gawin 'yon sa ngayon." Sagot ko naman.

"I swear," Her voice cracked. "I'm t-telling the truth, Lei."