A Promise on the Sand (Isla de Negros Series #2)

Chapter 43

CHAPTER 43
Crush

"I'm missing you already. Sana hindi na lang ako umuwi," aniya at napanguso.

She heard Sancho chuckled at the end of the line of their phone call.

"Sino ba ang may sabi sa 'yo na umuwi ka? I told you already. You can stay as long as you want."

Pinagmasdan niya ang mga kuko bago gumulong sa kama para palitan ang posisyon ng kanyang pagkakahiga.

"Of course. Hindi pa naman tayo 'yung literal na pamilya talaga na bumubukod na, eh."

"If you don't call it a family, then what do you call ours?"

She was silenced by his question, followed by a smile.

"Ayla, we are. And it's actually a good thing living under the same roof together with Selene so she can get used of your presence. And it's better now that you're already starting to build your relationship with her. And right at this moment, she can also already start living the life with a complete family."

Natunaw naman ang puso niya sa mga sinabi nitong salita. Parang kailan lang, ayaw na ayaw na nitong mangialam pa siya sa pamilyang nabuo na nila. But now, he was insisting that she was part of it. That they wouldn't be complete without her. Like a piece of a perfect puzzle, she was the last piece.

"Miss mo lang ako, eh. Paano ba naman ngayon wala ka nang katabi," biro niya rito.

"I'm serious."

Halata nga sa boses nito na seryoso ito sa kanyang mga sinabi. Napangiti lang siyang muli at napabuga ng mlalaim na hininga.

"I just can't believe this is happening right now."

"Why?"

Napailing siya kahit alam niyang hindi naman nito makikita 'yon.

"You know, the first time we met after four years, I can still remember that time. How you didn't like me to be part of your family."

It took him seconds to respond.

"That was all before. You don't expect me to invite you over to join after all what we've been through."

Hindi siya sumagot. Alam naman kasi niyang may punto ito.

"Wala pa akong ideya n'on sa mga nangyari. All I had was pride, because even though I already forgave you, hindi rin naman nawawala agad 'yung galit na nararamdaman ko."

And she couldn't blame him. He had the right to be mad at her as much as he wanted. She deserved all of that. Kulang pa nga siguro ang lahat ng 'yon.

"And I was so selfish that time. I didn't want you to be part of Selene's life."

Malamya siyang napangiti. "I know. And I understand why did you do that. You just wanted to protect her." Napabuntong-hinga siya pagkatapos.

She didn't receive any reponse from him, so she continued to talk.

"You also said na masaya na kayo nang kayo lang."

"And we became happier now that we're complete. I'm happy that her life is already complete."

Hindi niya mapigilang mapangiti.

"I was selfish enough for four years. At ayaw kong ipagdamot kay Selene 'yung buhay na deserve niya. She was actually often get bullied because she thought her whole life she didn't have a mother."

That saddened her. Hindi niya alam ngunit pakiramdam niya ay kasalanan niya rin kung bakit 'yon nangyari.

"I just feel like doing what I have to do. To let her know you. And for you to be part of her life."