With You

Chapter 23: With You

Chapter 23: With You

Vienna

"Why are you crying?" he asked me.

Sinubukan ko pang umiling sa kaniya pero parang ang sikip na talaga ng dibdib ko ngayon. I looked up at him with uncontrollable tears in my eyes. Napalunok din ako. "Harri..." I called his name...

His eyes widened at the name I just called him. It's been a long time since I last called him in his nickname...

"Yes... what is it?"

"I'm sorry..." I said in a faint voice and as I already cried...

I remember what I told myself before. That I will not fall in love with Harrison...

Pero ang hirap naman na hindi siya magustuhan at mahalin... Lalo na kung pinapakita naman niya sa akin at pinaparamdam din na may halaga ako sa kaniya...

Umiling ako. "And what did you just said? That I'd leave you? Why would I do that?" I can now feel my frustration so suddenly after that...

He looked at me. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. At lalo pa akong umiling sa kaniya at humingi muli ng tawad. "I'm sorry..."

"Stop apologizing..." Nagpatuloy lang siya sa pagpunas din ng mga luha ko. He was helping me wipe off my overflowing tears.

"I... won't leave..." I said. Pagkatapos ay nag-angat muli ako ng tingin sa kaniya.

He also met my gaze. And then he let out a bit of a sigh. "It's alright, Vienna..." aniya.

Muli na naman kaming nagkatinginang dalawa sa mga mata ng isa't isa...

"We're only married because of our contract..." He shook his head. "And you don't have to stay with me still just because you're afraid I might do something to your family..." He looked at me with guilty eyes.

Umiling din naman ako sa kaniya. Pero naunahan niya ako sa pagsasalita niya muli. "I already gave you my word... haven't I? I won't bother you or your family anymore, Vienna..." he said.

I remained looking at him. And somehow I already believe him... Because his words were full of reassurance for me...

Sinabi na nga naman niya sa'kin dati pa na hindi na niya itutuloy ang binalak niya lang noon na pabagsakin ang family business namin dahil kay Papa...

At sinabi niyang dahil iyon sa akin... Kaya hindi na niya itutuloy pa...

Unti-unti akong tumango sa kaniya. At nagyuko ako ng ulo. "But that's not it..." I quietly said.

"What is it..." he gently asked me, too.

Muli akong nag-angat ng mga mata ko sa kaniya. "It's not true... the rumors..." I shook my head. At pakiramdam ko ay muli na naman akong maiiyak. Lalo na kapag naisip ko na baka naniwala siya sa mga sinasabi ng ibang tao tungkol sa akin at sa isang empleyado niya.

"Do you believe what they say?" I asked him.

Nakatingin din siya sa akin. Pagkatapos ay muli rin siyang umiling. "It doesn't matter..." aniya.

"Why... It does! It does matter, Harrison. Do you believe it to be the truth? Do you doubt me now..." humina rin ang boses ko sa sumunod ko na tanong sa kaniya. Dahil... ako man mismo ay nagduda rin sa kaniya at sa mga pakay niya sa akin at sa pamilya ko...

Umiling naman siya sa'kin. "I only mean to say, that, you can do what you want, Vienna... And be with who you want, who can make you happy and smile..." he said.

Umawang naman ang labi ko sa mga sinasabi niya. Pagkatapos ay unti-unti akong napailing sa kaniya. "Why... Why are you talking like that, Harrison... We're still married!" I said and as if to remind him of that...