Chasing Sanity (Chase Series #1)

Chapter 14

HINDI nagawang sundan ni Charlie si Kelly kanina. Kaya naman namomroblema siya ngayon kung saan niya ito hahanapin. Pumatak na ang hatinggabi at nalibot na niya ang lahat ng lugar na pwedeng puntahan ni Kelly—kahit maging si Monica pa—pero hindi nila siya nahanap.

Wala tuloy siyang ibang nagawa kundi ang bumyahe na muna pauwi sa kanilang tahanan at manalanging sana'y ligtas at nasa maayos na kalagayan ang babaeng pinakamamahal niya.

Kaya naman laking gulat niya nang bumungad sa kaniya ang dalawang malalaking maletang nakalagay malapit sa front door pagpasok niya sa bahay. Agad din naman niyang nakita si Kelly na nakatayo malapit sa bintana. He knew she was looking out the window, kahit medyo nakatalikod ito sa kaniya.

His heart sank upon realizing the meaning of those two luggages.

He walked up to her.

"Kelly, ano 'to? Anong ibig sabihin nito?" he asked bitterly.

She turned to see him but did not show any emotion. She didn't utter a single word either.

"Talagang sineseryoso mo? Talagang hihiwalayan mo na 'ko? Iiwan mo na 'ko? Aalis ka na?"

Her brows shot up as she folded her arms on her chest. "Sinong nagsabing aalis ako? Ikaw ang umalis dahil ikaw ang may kasalanan! Pinag-empake na kita. Nakakahiya naman sa 'yo!" she thundered with her piercing eyes.

"No, Kelly," walang atubiling tugon niya. "Hindi ako pumapayag diyan. Walang aalis sa bahay na 'to. Hindi ako at mas lalong hindi ikaw. Mag-uusap tayo at aayusin natin 'to."

Umismid lang si Kelly at nag-iwas ng tingin.

"Kelly, I'm sorry," he sincerely apologized. "Nagkamali ako. Naging selfish ako. Mas inuna ko ang gusto ko kaysa ang nararamdaman mo. I own up to my mistake. Kaya sige lang, magalit ka sa 'kin. Pero, please, huwag mo namang tuldukan ang lahat dahil lang dito. Please, bigyan mo naman ako ng chance na mabago at mag-improve. I am far from  being a perfect husband but I want to be a good one."

"Ang sakit no'n, ah," sambit ni Kelly. Bigla na lang ding may pumatak na luha mula sa kaniyang mga mata pero mabilis niya itong pinahid.

He blinked and exhaled. "I know, love. I'm sorry," he softly said and finally brought her into his arms. Hindi naman na nagprotesta ang asawa niya, pero hindi rin naman ito yumakap. "I'm really sorry, love. I promise, hindi na mauulit 'yon."

"Nasaktan ako, Charlie. Pakiramdam ko niloko ulit ako, eh."

He began caressing her back. "Sorry I made you feel that way, love. It was never my intention. Hinding-hindi ko gugustuhing saktan ka. Mahal na mahal kita, eh."

She pulled away from the embrace and looked him in the eye. Her expression relaxed this time. She even blinked like a little kid who didn't know what to say.

As for him, he couldn't help but to smile—even just a little—as he laid his eyes on her again. He took a step closer and gently touched her face. And his world stopped when his fingertips touched her baby-like skin. That moment unexpectedly became a breathtaking one for him. "Kelly, I promise that I will always be faithful and loyal to you. I will never cheat on you. Ipinapangako ko rin na simula ngayon, sasabihin ko na ang lahat sa 'yo. Wala na akong ililihim sa 'yo. From now on, there will be no secrets nor lies in this marriage," he gently told her.

"Charlie, huwag mo 'kong sasaktan, ha?" she said, almost cracking her voice.

"Hindi, love. Hindi kita sasaktan."

"Kasi kapag sinaktan mo 'ko, hindi ko na kakayanin pa. Baka bumigay na ako. Bugbog na bugbog na ako sa sakit. Baka ikamatay ko na . . ."

He hugged her again when he saw how she was about to sob. "Shhh, don't worry, love. I promise, I won't purposely hurt you," he said as he planted baby kisses on top of her head.