CORMAC [TDH - IV]

Chapter 27

IMARI NOELLE

Ilang araw na akong tulala matapos ang mga nangyari no'ng gabing 'yon. I can't even begin to reminisce the exact moment because everytime I do, I start blaming myself. No amount of comforting words could lessen the heaviness of my heart.

Yakov has been there with me, he never left my side from that moment on, he never talked shit at me, he never opened up about what happened. He was just there making sure that I feel his presence.

My phone rang and Yakov was kind enough to hand the phone to me. I saw Xavvy's name on the screen. It took me seconds before I chose to answer her call.

"Imari Noelle!" she exclaimed on the other line. "Imari Noelle Raymundo! Tell me you're not in Monaco! Tell me you're not with Yakov Cormac!"

I gulped. My heart started beating fast and I caressed it using my left hand as I started feeling nervous. I took a glance at Yakov but he was already staring at me.

"X-xavvy," I stuttered. At this point, Xavvy would quickly pick up everything.

"Oh my God!" she exaggerated. "Totoo ba 'to?!"

"O-oo." nahihiya kong sagot. "Sorry if hindi ko sinabi." nanghihina kong tugon.

"My gosh! I can't believe you right now, Noelle!" she said.

"Sor—" I was about to apologize but she cut me off.

"Tell me, are you in a relationship with him?! It's impossible naman na kasama mo siya at wala lang kayo! Ano ka, aliping saguiguilid?"

"Medyo kumplikado, Xav." sagot ko nalang.

"Tell her." Yakov said with a hint of seriousness in his voice.

"Hala! Magkatabi kayo ngayon?"

"Magkatabi kami." naiilang kong sagot.

"Okay, I get it. Boyfriend mo siya! Omg! I'm so proud of you, bff! Totoo talaga ang balita! Yayaman na tayo!" aniya.

"Baliw ka! Tawagan nalang kita mamaya, ha? Okay lang ba? Medyo busy kasi kami ngayon eh." alibi ko kahit wala naman talaga akong ginagawa kun'di ang magmukmok dito sa kwarto namin ni Yakov.

I badly want to talk to my bestfriend but now is not the perfect time. I need to pull myself together before I talk to anybody, atleast I know that I wouldn't mess up.

"My love," he softly uttered. "Are you hungry?"

"Medyo." maikling sagot ko. Agad namang tinawagan ni Yakov ang mga tauhan niya at inutusan silang ipaghanda kami ng pagkain.

Tumayo ako para tignan ang sariling repleksyon sa salamin. Ilang minuto akong nakatitig sa sarili ko nang biglang nakaramdam ako ng matinding pangingitim ng paningin ko. Nanlamig ako bigla at parang umikot ang mundo ko.

"Imari!" Yakov went to catch me before I fall in the cold floor.

Nakaramdam ako ng matinding pagsusuka kung kaya't hindi ko na namalayang nasukahan ko na pala si Yakov.

Nagsimula akong mag-panic at umiyak dahil sa nangyayari sa'kin, it's my first time to experience this and I know that this has something to do with what happened days ago.