Visual of Elysian (Abstract Series #2)

Chapter 23

I sighed deeply and remained my sight locked on the pentecostal church ahead of me. Nakaupo ako sa bench habang walang lakas na nakatitig doon. I shifted my gaze to the side when another set of tears streamed down my face.

Alas otso na. Madilim. Katulad ng mundo ko ngayon. Hindi ko kayang umuwi ng ganito. Sigurado akong kung makikita ko si Aid, mas lalo lang akong iiyak.

I caressed my stomach, savoring the reality that life already thrives there. Wala akong magagawa. Hindi ko alam kung paano magpapatuloy. I really had no idea how to take care of the baby. However, the mere thought of aborting this child made my heart bleed.

Napatingin ako sa phone ko nang tumunog ito. Humihikbi kong binuksan ang bagong mensahe.

From Kaiden Uriel:

Where are you? I cooked your favorite.

I buried my face when my weeps grew louder. Some passers-by gave me a curious look, surely wondering what was wrong with me. I clenched my eyes firmly as the pain inside me shackled my serotonin.

Another text came.

From Kaiden Uriel:

Are you still mad at me? Can you come home now? I have good news.

I bit my lower lip when another text followed.

From Kaiden Uriel:

Wala ka sa campus. Nasaan ka? Sunduin kita. Tell me the address.

Finally, I summoned the courage to reply. I can't see the screen well because of the continuous tears pooling in my eyes. My hands were also twitching, making it much more difficult to type.

To Kaiden Uriel:

It's okau i'll gp home noe

Hindi maayos ang pagkakatype pero pinadala ko pa rin ang mensahe para hindi na siya mag-alala. I struggled to my feet and made the decision to confront him. He should be aware of this so that we can plan our future steps. I'm sure he genuinely loves me. May tiwala ako sa amin.

Nang makauwi ako sa condo, agad akong sinalubong ni Aid na suot pa ang apron. When I saw his little smile, my heart throbbed in sadness. Magiging masaya kaya siya kung malaman niyang buntis ako? O magagalit? Malulungkot? I don't even know. That made me scared.

I sat down on the couch while he remained standing. Nilingon ko siya at binigyan ng pagod na ngiti.

"Sian, let's talk. I really want to fix this. Wala talaga akong kinalaman sa engagement natin, okay? Believe me," he begged, kneeling in front of me.

I stared at him before nodding. Mas hinigpitan niya ang hawak sa kamay ko.

"Naniniwala ako sa 'yo," sincere kong saad na nagbigay ginhawa sa mukha niya.

"Thank you, Sian," he said, leaning down to plant a kiss on my forehead. "Let's eat. I cooked tinolang manok," dagdag niya nang hindi ako umimik.

"What's the good news?" diretsa kong saad. Gusto ko lang ng starter para hindi ako masyadong kabahan sa pag-amin ko.

"Mamaya na. Kumain muna tayo," he excitedly said, pulling me.

Nawawala ng kaunti ang kaba ko habang kumakain kami. Panay kwento siya sa akin, kahit sa mga maliit na bagay. Nakangiti lang ako habang nakikinig sa kanya.

When we finished our dinner, he insisted on doing the dishes. Hindi ako nakipagtalo dahil ewan, sobrang pagod ako ngayon.

I continued muttering and rehearsing phrases I could use to tell him while I sat on the sofa waiting for him.