Behind Closed Doors (COMPLETED)

Forty

#BCD40 Chapter Forty

SETTING UP A MEETING with Justice isn't something that Artemis can do easily after the incident happened. He blocked her in all ways he can, kaya hindi niya ito magawang kausapin para humingi ng oras para makapag-usap silang dalawa.

So she had to spend five days of doing nothing inside their house. Hindi siya lumabas para gumala, hindi siya pumasok sa trabaho, at hindi rin siya nagpakita sa mga kaibigan. She was giving herself some time to think. To rationalize and weigh her decision.

Yesterday, she had a talk to Nova's parents, and they still told her the same words she received the last time she talked to them — to stay out of Nova's life. Artemis didn't argue and just respected their request. Kahit pa gusto niyang makita at makausap man lang si Nova, hindi niya pinilit dahil ayaw niyang mas lalong lumala pa ang galit ng mga Gonzales sa kanya at sa pamilya niya.

Sa mga magulang din ni Nova nalaman ni Artemis na hanggang sa mga araw na 'yon ay hindi pa rin umuuwi si Justice ng Pilipinas. He was still there, trying to pursue Nova. Na kahit na anong pilit ng dalaga na pauwiin ito dahil wala na itong mahihintay pa ay hindi pa rin iniiwan ng lalaki ang dati nitong kasintahan.

Artemis was bitterly amused about Justice's willingness to take Nova back. In fact, she felt pity for herself on believing that Justice can love her more than he loves her best friend. Kung matagal na niyang iminulat ang mga mata sa katotohanang hindi niya mapapalitan si Nova sa puso ng binata, sana ay wala nang ganoong sakit ang natamo nilang tatlo. Kung sana ay mas ginamit niya ang utak kaysa sa kanyang pusong uhaw na uhaw sa pagmamahal ni Justice...

Pero huli na ang lahat para manghinayang pa siya. All she could do now is to learn from her mistakes and then choose what is the right thing to do after.

Bumukas ang pinto ng kanyang kwarto at sumungaw roon ang ulo ng kanyang kakambal. Apollo was smiling at her so she smiled back.

"The company called to inform me that they will terminate Architect Navarro's contract in ASDG this Friday," he said. "Pupunta ako roon ngayon para sa meeting. Gusto mong sumama?"

She rose up from her bed and looked at her twin. "Uuwi raw ba siya to fix it?"

"He's not answering my calls. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang balak ng punyetang 'yon."

"Please lessen your Tagalog curses when you're in front of me, Apollo."

Apollo blinked his eyes and acted innocent. Umirap siya saka tumayo. Tuluyan namang pumasok ang binata sa kwarto.

"Ayaw mo talagang umalis papuntang New York nang hindi kinakausap 'yon?" tanong ni Apollo na parang ayaw talagang banggitin ang pangalan ni Justice. "Parang naging linta na nga 'yon kay Nova simula noong nalaman niyang gising na siya, eh. Sa tingin mo bibigyan ka pa ng time n'on? Hindi 'yon lilipad pabalik ng Pilipinas para lang sa 'yo."

Artemis muted her twin and continued picking up her clothes. Rinig niyang bumagsak ang katawan ng kakambal sa kanyang kama na kaaayos lang niya at mukhang magugulo na naman.

"Mag-move on ka na lang kasi. Wala ng closure-closure."

"I'm not going to talk to him for closure," she replied. Inangat niya ang itim na tube top at tinapat iyon sa puting coat. "I told you, I'm doing this for Nova."

"Who's clearly doesn't give a shit on what are you doing for her. If you're too much concern about Nova, gawin mo na lang 'yong hiling ng parents niya. Huwag mo na lang guluhin ang buhay nila," singit ni Apollo. "May sarili kang buhay, Artemis. Unahin mo rin ang sarili mo."