Starstruck Melody (Completed)

Chapter 30

Following Tita Ara's advice, I went to Thunderbird Resort where she have checked in. Dala-dala ang maleta kung nasaan ang mga gamit ko ay bumaba ako ng taxi. Nakita kong nag aantay si Tita sa akin sa entrance ng resort.

Nang mahagip niya ako ay kaagad siyang lumapit sa akin. May bahid ng pag aalala sa mata nito kaya hindi ko napigilan ang maiyak. A lone tear fell down on my cheek along with my sobs.

Naramdaman kong niyakap ako ni Tita Ara kaya binitawan ko ang maleta at yumakap rin sa kanya. "Shh, it's gonna be okay."

Umiling ako. Hindi ako magiging okay. "H-He left..." my voice broke. Sa tuwing sinusubukan kong magsalita ay hikbi ang lumalabas sa bibig kaya hindi na ako nagsalita pa.

"Pumasok muna tayo sa loob, your make up is ruined," aniya at hinila ako. Nagpatianod ako sa kanya habang hawak ko ang aking maleta.

I don't have the energy to talk but my mind kept drifting back to Xavier's sudden departure.

"Hindi mo pa rin ba matawagan?" tanong ni Tita nang makapasok kami sa kwarto.

Malalim akong huminga at umupo sa gilid ng kama. My fingers playing nervously with the hem of my dress. "I-I just don't understand...why did he left without saying anything? W-We were supposed to have a shoot here, but now I can't even get a hold of him. I-It doesn't make any sense, Tita. Ayos pa kami kagabi. Tapos..." I trailed off.

Tita Ara reached out for my hand and patted it reassuringly. "I'm sure there's a good reason for it. Malay mo...meron pala siyang importanteng gagawin na hindi niya kayang sabihin sayo. Right?"

I shook my head in disagreement. "But he wouldn't just disappear like that. It's not like him, Tita," sabi ko at sumulyap sa kanya.

She was so busy looking at her phone. Ngiting-ngiti pa ito kaya sigurado akong hindi niya narinig ang sinabi ko. "Kausap niyo ba si Doc Luis, Tita?" tanong ko.

Dahil doon ay nakuha ko ang atensyon niya. Sunod-sunod siyang tumango sa akin. "Ha? Ah, oo! Si Luis kachat ko. May...importante lang siyang sinabi."

I doubtedly stared at her. She's acting weird right now. Hindi ko alam kung anong tinatago niya sa akin but, I hope it's not about Xav.

"Gusto mo ba maglakad-lakad muna?" tanong niya at tumayo.

I looked at her. "Why?"

Pilit itong ngumiti sa akin. "What do you mean why? Para lang ano...makalimutan mo saglit. Saka nandiyan si Direk sa baba. Gusto ka niya makausap," sagot ni Tita Ara sa akin.

"Okay."

Naglakad ako papunta sa vanity mirror at inayos ang sarili ko. Nag retouch lang ako saglit dahil kumalat na ang make up ko kakaiyak kanina.

As we walked, I tried to push away the nagging doubts. The gardens were beautiful, meticulously maintained with vibrant flowers and lush greenery. But even the beauty around me couldn't fully distract me from the worry gnawing at my heart. I still can't give myself any reason why he left.

Tumigil ako sa paglalakad. Hindi mapigilan ang sariling mag isip ulit. "Tita Ara," I called, my voice trembling slightly, "do you think... do you think he could be having second thoughts about us? About everything? Baka hindi pa talaga siya handa para sa amin."

Huminto rin si Tita para harapin ako. Seryoso ang mukha nito. "Serena, kahit ilang buwan lang kayo nagkasama no'n ni Xavier ay nakilala ko na kung anong klaseng tao siya. That boy is head over heels for you. I don't believe for a second that he's having second thoughts."

"P-Pero bakit siya umalis? Why did he accept the role kung mawawala pala siya?"

Tita Ara hesitated for a moment, then gave me a small, secretive smile. "Sometimes, people go to great lengths to create something special. Maybe Xavier has something up his sleeve that he's not ready to reveal yet."