Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 63

Under the rain

"A-Arik..."

"How will you explain this, Celeste? I was actually trying to defend you to Hannah because she's been saying this for days, that you were in a secret relationship with that jerk. Pinagtatanggol kita tapos ito ang malalaman ko?" he said in disbelief.

Pati ako ay hindi rin makapaniwala sa mga sinabi niya. Inaasahan ko pa naman na hindi siya maniniwala kaagad sa bagay na ito dahil kilala niya ako, e. He knows me better than myself. Bakit biglang nag iba na?

Sinubukan kong pakalmahin ang sarili ko kahit na nalulunod na ako sa sitwasyon. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay niya dahil gusto ko sanang hawakan iyon, ngunit ramdam kong ayaw niya.

"Arik, no. I told you that wasn't me. Those pictures were just manipulated and edited. I can't do that. You know me—"

"I don't know you."

I was stunned. My mouth hung open as I looked at him.
"W-what?"

"I don't know you. I can't even remember you. The feeling I was having lately, especially during that time you were hospitalized, was just out of pity. I don't know you, Celeste. I can't remember a thing about you. I don't even know what to believe anymore," he said without pause, shaking my world.

"What are you saying? Sabi mo okay ka? Sabi mo nagpanggap ka lang habang magkasama kayo ni Yumi, di ba? Sabi mo naaalala mo kami?"

He scoffed and shook his head. Ibang Arik ang nasa harapan ko ngayon. Ibang-iba. His expression hardened, and his eyes became blank.

"No. You are the biggest confusion in my life right now, Celeste. And it's so disappointing and sickening... seeing those disgusting photos of you with another man. It's like you're just proving what other people have been telling me about you," he said it with finality.

Tiningnan niya pa ako mula ulo hanggang paa bago tuluyang umalis.

I stood frozen in my spot. Triple ang kahihiyang nararamdaman ko ngayon dahil may ibang taong nakarinig at nakakita ng mga nangyari, especially this bitch.

I heard Hannah's annoying laughter, so I turned my gaze towards her.

"That's what you get for trying to ruin my plans. Poor you," she said and was about to leave, so I quickly grabbed her hair.

"Aw! What the fuck!"

Hindi ko binitiwan ang buhok niya at hinila siya pabalik sa harapan ko nang buong lakas.

"Get off me, bitch!"

"Siguraduhin mo lang na masisira mo kami ni Arik at magtagumpay ka sa mga plano mo. Because if you don't, I will fucking ruin your face and bring you back to the mental facility where you truly belong," I threatened her firmly and let her go forcefully.

Iniwanan ko siyang nakasubsob sa couch na naroon at sinubukan pang habulin si Arik.

I quickly looked for Arik in the hallway because I was sure he hadn't left the building yet, but he wasn't there anymore. Narinig ko pa ang pagtawag sakin nina Rusty at Kim.

I was almost running out of strength when I reached the parking lot, dialing Arik's number. He wasn't answering his phone. It just kept ringing until it became out of coverage. He turned off his phone. That's how much he hated talking to me.

Sa huli ay nagdesisyon akong umuwi na dahil baka doon siya dumiretso. The rain still wouldn't stop, and it seemed to be getting stronger. The sky was also darkening because of the raging storm. I was on the verge of crying while driving, so I tried my best to hold it in.

I didn't want to lose hope. Maybe he's just confused, that's why he said those things. I would understand if that's the case. If it's true that he really can't remember us and he's sick for real this time, I'll accept it. I'll help him remember the things he forgot.

I was so willing to do that. But then again, I found myself picking up the pieces of my heart while watching them under the rain, looking like they were about to kiss each other.

Arik was holding her waist and looking at her with so much compassion.

Nakarating na rito sa Hannah kaagad?

My hands holding the steering wheel started to tremble again while trying to process what was happening in front of me.

Napasinghap ako nang tuluyan nang lumapat ang labi ni Hannah sa labi ni Arik. It crashed my whole world. It broke my broken heart over and over again.

Until my cell phone suddenly rang, and I absentmindedly answered it.

"U-uh..."

"Celeste? Where are you? Did you leave the building?" It was Rusty.

I tried calming myself down again. Arik and Hannah finally entered his house, where we live together, soaking wet from the rain. Nagsimulang umandar ang utak ko.

"Celeste? Are you crying? Shit. Where are you? I'll come to get you." Rusty's voice was still in the background, trying to get my attention.

I choked up. I pressed my lips tightly, but my sobs only grew louder.

"U-uh... I left, Rust. I..." I failed to utter the words in my head because they were filled with dirty imaginings. "S-should I go inside?"

"What? Can you tell me where the hell you are, please? I'm coming to get you, Ce. It's raining. Where are you? Come on."

"I-I'm in front of his house... I saw them kissing and went inside the house where we live. S-should I go inside, Rusty? W-what will I find if I go in now?" I stuttered and finally broke down

"W-what do you think they're doing? I-I really want to go inside, but I'm scared... I'm scared."

Rusty muttered some curses.

"Celeste, listen. Don't go inside. Wait for me there outside. Pupuntahan kita. Do not go inside, hm? Hintayin mo na lang ako, please."

Imbes na sagutin siya ay pinatay ko na ang tawag. I got out of the car without any thought. The rain poured heavily on me, along with the freezing wind. I walked straight towards the gate but automatically stopped when I realized what I was about to do.

Suddenly, fear completely overtook me. I ended up sitting on the pavement, quietly crying, almost feeling my heart being torn apart.

I wanted to hate myself for doing this. This isn't who I am. When we were in Spain, Mom taught me many things just so I wouldn't revert back to being weak. But then here I am, under the rain, waiting for them to finish, too afraid to face the situation.

Ang tanging nasa isip ko lang ngayon ay hindi ko kaya ito. The moment I see firsthand what might be happening inside, it will quickly consume me.

"Celeste! Damn it!"

I lifted my gaze to the man who scooped me up, and it was Rusty doing his best to lift me. He was getting wet in the rain too.

"I told you to wait for me, pero 'di ko naman sinabing dito sa labas! What were you thinking?" he yelled at me, making me cry even harder.

He seemed surprised and quickly held my face gently.

"I'm sorry for shouting at you. Magkakasakit ka sa ginagawa mo. Hey, listen to me..." He trailed off and lifted my face to look at him.

His long hair fell over his shoulders, and his eyes were full of pleading.

"You don't need to do this. You don't get to do this to yourself just because of him. You still have Ariah. Stop doing this to yourself. You're also broken, so stop trying to make someone whole just because they are broke. It's not your fault. Please. Stop punishing yourself like this," he said gently and softly, like a plea.

I bit my lower lip and slowly held onto his hand that was gripping mine. "I-I... Rusty..."

"Hush now. I'm here. You have me. Come on. Let's leave this place. I got you, okay? I got you," he assured me, and gently lifted me. I allowed myself to bury my face in his neck and cry.

"Hindi kita iiwan..." Rusty whispered, and I could feel his firm kiss on my head.