HER HALF (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 24

Chapter 24

KALMADO ANG TAKBO ng sasakyan namin pauwi. Hindi ko alam kung saang tyempo ako magsasalita. Napakadilim na ng kalsada at tangin ilaw lang ng sasakyan namin ang source ng ilaw. Nasa akin ang jacket ni Achie na nakahanda pala da compartment ng sasakyan niya. Ito ang pangalawang beses na pagsakay ko sa bago niyang sasakyan. Ngayon ko nga lang din napansin na hindi pala ito ang sasakyan dati dahil na din sa kami na lang dalawa at mas makakapag-obserba ka kesa kanina na may mga batang nagdadaldalan sa gilid at sa likod.

"Are you sleepy? You can sleep right now, I'll wake you up once we get there." Umiling ako sa sinabi niya at tumango lang siya bago magpatuloy sa pagmamaneho.

"Since this is another chance that I can grab, I would like to, y'know, talk?" Napalingon ako sa kaniya. Kung tutuusin, talagang kailangan naming mag-usap dahil sa bilis ng pangyayari, hindi ko masyadong naintindihan ang mga rason niya bakit niya naisipang magplano ng gano'n kahirap kung iisipin.

"Sige, gusto ko ding marinig ang buong detalye. Magsalita ka lang, makikinig ako." Tiningnan niya ako at tumango bago ibinalik ang tingin sa daan.

"You know people tend to be protective to their loved ones when they found out na there's danger surrounding them. I was one of them when I also found out her reason. You know Vix had been doing everything to stay close to me right? We even almost marry each other-actually, if I did not execute that plan, I could have been stuck with her my whole lifetime which I totally disagree with my whole human being because I want to do that with you and no one else. You and only you." Nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya the whole time na nagsasalita siya. Nagpapapalit-palit ang tingin mula sa mga mata niyang tila kumikislap, sa bibig niya hanggang sa adams apple niya na nagtataas-baba kapag lumulunok o 'di kaya'y nagsasalita siya. Naroon lang din ako at nakahilig sa bintana ng kotse habang komportable sa jacket niya.

"I never see myself with other woman or my exes rather than you and you alone. I know it's maybe kinda cringe on your because I am suddenly so open about what I feel for you. What can I do? I've been gone for over a year so this is me grabbing every change that's in my plate." Nakahawak ang isa niyang kamay sa kaniyang ilong na tila ba pinipigilan niyang ngumiti o ano pero palpak naman. "Anyway continue to my explanation. You know Vix, she has this problem where I can't disclose due to respect and that's what her doctor requested. She was all over me, right? And I gotta do something or else I'll lose you and my parents because I think they like you more than me now that it hurts. Kidding aside, we planned everything, hired some low-key actress and actors since my Tito don't want her personnel to be involved in such a plan. So yes, I hired, used some connections. Planned everything, then we executed it successfully. We made others think that me and the kids did encounter an accident. You also ate the bait we prepared and I'm glad and at the same feel bad. But then when Mommy said that she gave you this necklace as a sign of me coming back, I was at ease at some point knowing na there will be a chance of me being with you after years-or yes, a year and months...." Palipat lipat ang mga mata ko at hindi ko na namalayang nakatulog na pala ako.

Nagising na lang ako nang makaramdam ako ng tapik sa braso at pisngi ko na siyang ikinamulat at ikinataranta ko. Kumalma lang agad ako nang makitang si Achie ang nasa harap ko. Kinusot ko ang mukha ko at akmang aayusin ang buhok ko nang mapansin kong nakataki na pala into ponytail kaya taka akong tumingin kay Achie

"I practiced on Caly's hair. I know it's not that perfect but it prevented your hair from being a hindrance to my nice view." Kibit-balikat nitong saad na may halong ngisi sa labi. "I also brought a couple of hair ties because you and Caly might need it. So yeah, hehe." Hindi ko napigilang matawa sa sinabi niya and at the same time, natuwa dahil sa iniisip niya din pala si Caly at ang efforts na ni-excert niya to do this a little messy ponytail.