Relentlessly Yours [Completed]

Chapter 27

Nicola, Age Twenty Six
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Napatulala ako ng ilang sandali sa harapan ko. Nakatalikod siya sa akin pero hinding-hindi ko maipagkakamali ang postura ng katawan at ang kulay ng buhok niya. I can see the full sleeve tattoos on his left arms. My heart constricts with the knowledge that my name and favorite notes were somewhere along those intricate and beautifully inked art. The tattoos snaking and peeking from the collar of his black shirt gave him away, too.

It was him. Oh god, it really is him.

Parang napaso na binitiwan ko ang kurtina at kumurap-kurap ng ilang beses.

No. This can't be true. Someone please tell me this is just a sick nightmare!

Parang may kutsilyo na sumaksak sa dibdib ko. Pakiramdam ko ay malalagutan ako ng hininga sa sakit ng nararamdaman ko.

The doctor called her his fiance. He even acknowledged it by thanking her.

My god. Please, let this all be a sick joke. A prank. Whatever it is, please don't let this be real.

Lord, please. Let this be a nightmare. Huwag niyo namang gawin 'to sa akin, please...

As if actually seeing him wasn't enough. I racked my brain to think, still very much in denial.

Bumaling ang aking mga mata sa cellphone na hawak ko at nanginginig ang kamay na tinawagan ang number niya.

I closed my eyes and prayed. I prayed and prayed as I wait for my call to reach him. I prayed and prayed for him to answer and let me know that he was in still Morocco. That I was just hallucinating. That seeing him was just due to my drug-induced brain.

Binasag ng unang pag-ring ang pag-iisip at pagdarasal ko, at pakiramdam ko ay binuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig sa buong katawan. Because almost instantly, I heard his familiar ringtone from the other side of the curtain.

There really is no denying it this time. I can no longer gaslight myself into thinking that my Kai is not the same guy holding my client's hand.

I covered my mouth to conceal the sob that escaped my throat. Agad na pinatay ko ang tawag at napatuwad sa sakit ng puso at tiyan ko. But this time, hindi na iyon dahil sa kung anong food poisoning. Pakiramdam ko at masusuka ako sa sakit ng nararamdaman ko.

"Excuse me, I have to call someone. I'll meet you in your room," rinig kong sabi niya kay Alex at narinig ko din ang pagtayo at pag-alis niya.

Someone. I was that someone. I laid my heart on his feet every time and I was merely 'someone' to him.

Impit na napahikbi ulit ako.

How? How can he do this to me?

Babe. She called him babe. 'Yon din ba ang tawag niya kay Alex?

Was she the reason why he never answered my calls and ignored me all these years?

Masisiraan 'ata ako ng bait sa sakit ng nararamdaman ko.

"That's what you get for stealing what's mine," ang malamig na boses ni Alex sa kabilang kurtina.

Narinig ko ang pagbukas niya ng kurtina na naghihiwalay sa amin at wala sa loob na umangat at tingin ko at nakita siyang nangungutya na ngumiti sa estado ko.