Starstruck Melody (Completed)

Chapter 16

My heart ached, a deep, twisting pain that made it hard to breathe. Hinawakan ko ang dibdib ko, pilit pinapakalma ang sarili habang binabasa ang detalye sa article na nakita ko. The betrayal I felt was overwhelming, kahit na hindi ko alam kung anong tunay na istorya.

Iba't ibang pictures ang nandoon which means they've been meeting each other a few times. Ang tanga-tanga ko.

Why didn't Xavier tell me? Why was he with Samantha? The questions raced through my mind, each one more painful than the last.

Nangininig ang kamay na ibinaba ko ang cellphone nang makaramdam ako ng pagkahilo at pilit nilabanan ang luha na gustong kumawala. I had to know the truth. I couldn't sit here and wonder, letting my mind create scenarios that might not even be real.

I quickly changed out of my pajamas and into a casual outfit, grabbing my keys and rushing out the door. Kailangan kong i-kompirma mismo sa sarili ko ang totoo. If the news was true or just another misunderstanding. Kasi kung totoo, hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pang harapin ulit si Xav pagkatapos.

The drive to the bar felt like an eternity, my heart pounding with each passing second. Nang makarating ako sa bar ay nagmamadali akong pumasok at inikot ang paningin sa loob.

I caught my breath when I spotted him in a corner booth, deep in conversation with Samantha. Parang pinipiga ang puso ko sa sakit nang makitang tumatawa si Samantha habang magkausap sila. May hawak itong papel at ilang dokumento sa nakapatong sa lamesa.  The sight of them together sent a sharp pain through my chest. So the news was true. He's really with Samantha. How could he do this to me?

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at mabigat ang hakbang na lumapit sa pwesto nila. I halted when Samantha met my gaze and plaster a grin on her face.

"Serena, you're here," she remarked.

Dahil doon ay umangat ang tingin ni Xav sa akin at gulat ang ekspresyon na tumayo.

"Bel, what are you doing here?" he asked, reaching for my arms. Kaagad kong iniwas 'yon sa hawak niya at dismayado ang mukha na sinalubong ang tingin niya.

"Gig, huh?" I said with sarcasm.

Xavier stepped closer, concern etched on his face. "Serena, it's not what it looks like. Samantha and I are here for something important."

Tears blurred my vision as I looked at him, struggling to find the words. "Something? Something you can't possibly tell me? Kaya ka nagsinungaling?"

He shook his head. "Serena, no. I wasn't able—"

"Stop with all your lies, Xav. I saw the pictures! This is not the first time you met with her. Hindi ba?" tanong ko sa kanya at sumulyap kay Samantha na pinapanood kaming dalawa.

She rolled her eyes at me. "Stop being a nagging girlfriend, Serena. It's not like we're doing something behind your back. Unless...gusto mo may gawin kami."

My mouth gaped open. I looked at her in disbelief as I shifted my gaze to her and Xav. Lumandas muli ang luha sa pisngi ko sa sakit na nararamdaman.

Nakita kong lumapit sa akin si Xav pero kaagad kong tinaas ang kamay ko para pigilan siya. "You know what? Magsama kayong dalawa!" I exclaimed and turned my back on them.

Narinig ko ang ilang beses na pagtawag ni Xavier sa akin pero hindi ko siya nilingon. Wala na akong pake kung pinagtitinginan kami ng mga tao sa bar. All I want right now is to run away from him.

"Please, Bel, can you just listen to me?" I heard him plead as he chased after me.

I was wiping my tears away while walking as fast as I could para lang hindi niya ako mahabol. I am so fed up with all of his lies and the media trying to break us apart. Well, great! Finally, they've done it.