Stand by Me (Dauntless Series Spin-off #1)

Chapter 14

"Have you seen Newt?"

Agad akong napalingon kay Tobias nang marinig ko ang boses niya. Tahimik akong nagkakape sa balcony. Newt excused himself. He didn't tell me what for and I didn't bother asking him about it.

"Lumabas lang saglit." I replied before sipping on my coffee again. Tumango si Tobias. Akala ko tapos na siya, na babalik na siya sa taas or hahanapin ang kapatid niya pero nang maupo siya sa tapat ko, napaayos ako ng upo at tumikhim ng bahagya.

I look like a witness in a hearing. I'm so tense! I have no idea what his deal is, but it seems like he is looking into his brother's secret. And I should act normally because I'm in big trouble if this goes on and I allow him get to me. He'll learn about my relationship with Newt.

Not that we're involved in any scandalous activity. He's not currently in a committed relationship, as I have already confirmed. But we live in a conservative, religious society where premarital sex is frowned upon. Me screwing a man who isn't even my boyfriend would put me in a humiliating situation.

"May problema ba?" tanong ko dahil hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita. Hindi ko alam kung paano siya iaapproach. Hindi rin naman kami close. Nagkakausap lang kami kapag tungkol kay Verona or kapag dumadalaw siya rito. Kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ang pakay niya sa akin bukod sa paghahanap niya kay Newt.

"As you already know, I proposed to Verona a few weeks ago..." panimula niya.

Right! I was so paranoid that I didn't even think about that. The lump on my throat has been relieved and I can now breathe properly.

"Go on,"

"We promised to arrange our wedding after a year, once she graduates. I'm thought of some wedding destination we can write on our list before her father died. But I put it off for the mean time in respect for Tito Ramses."

"I'm sensing a hesitation on your sentence, Tobias."

Bumuntong hininga siya. "I'm just worried that she might not want to pursue our marriage after all that's happened."

Mukhang matagal niya na itong pinag-iisipan. Hindi ko alam kung paano siya iaassure sa bagay na wala naman akong ideya. Hindi pa kami nakakapag-usap ni Verona. She's not in the right headspace right now and forcing her to talk about her feelings when she's not opening up in the first place would only put her in distress. The least I can do is cheer her up and check on her from time to time.

"Just give her time. Hindi rin maganda iyong mga nangyari. And I'm sure her agreeing to marry you was not an impulsive decision. She already expected it even before you asked her to marry you."

Mukha namang naliwanagan si Tobias doon. I didn't think he'd ever doubt Verona's love for him. They've both been separated but still found their way back to each other again. They were made for each other. But I guess even the most perfect love stories has it doubts sometimes.

"Talk to her about it, but not too soon. Let her heal first."

"I will. Thank you, Clementine."

"No problem."

"Anong nangyayari?" 

Sabay kaming nag-angat ng tingin ni Tobias sa biglang sumulpot na si Newt. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata dahil medyo out of character ang tono ng tanong niya. May pagkapossessive. 

"May tinanong lang ako kay Clementine."

"What is it?"

"Labas ka na do'n, brother." tumayo na si Tobias at tinapik ang balikat ni Newt. He then glanced at me before leaving. "Balik na ako sa taas. Thanks for the advice again."

I nodded then smiled. Newt's brows furrowed even more.

"You two are suspicious."

"Tamang hinala ka lang."