Marrying Mr. Stranger

Chapter 30

WE safely arrived at the hospital and were quick to find Claire's private room.

She looks okay but tiredness in her eyes are visible. So different from the Claire I met yesterday.

Is she seriously sick?

Nag-alangan akong pumasok kaya nanatili lang ako sa may pinto habang dumirecho naman si Anton sa paglapit dito. The moment he got near to her, she immediately sought Anton's hand for comfort.

"How did you know I'm here? Thank you for coming. Ang sama ng pakiramdam ko kanina." Claire's voice cracked. Her tone is soft and her eyes are glistening, staring at Anton.

"The nurse took your phone and called me. She said you fainted at the hospital's hallway so they took you in. Were you here for your check up?"

Why would the nurse particularly call Anton, though?

"Yeah." She responded like almost a whisper. Dumirecho ang tingin nito sa'kin.

Biglang umayos ako ng tayo.

"Oh, Damarah's here too. She's worried about you." Anton said.

"Anton, can I have a moment with Damarah please? I want to talk to her. You know it's been a while. And I miss my sister." Anito sa tila nanghahapong boses.

Does she really miss me? We met yesterday too.

"Of course. I'll just step outside and talk to the doctor." At lumabas na ito.

I took a few steps to go near her ngunit pagkalapat na pagkalapat ng pinto sa paglabas ni Anton, biglang nag-iba ang awra sa mukha ni Claire.

"I'm pregnant." Walang patumpik-tumpik nitong sabi.

Natigil ako sa paglapit dito at natutop ang bibig.

Don't tell me...

"If you're thinking that Anton is the father, then you're not wrong. Alam na rin niya ang sitwasyon ko."

Hindi ko maitago ang pagkabigla. Nanginig ang buo kong katawan.

How? How did this happen? My husband impregnated another woman! He's cheating on me!

But I can't blame him. We're never really a couple in the first place. We're just married on paper.

"I'm telling you this in case nagdadalawang-isip ka pa rin na sabihin sa pamilya natin bukas ang tungkol sa annulment." Anito.

Tumpak! Kahit na alam kong kailangan kong pakawalan si Anton, nag-aalangan pa rin akong tapusin ang aming relasyon. There's still a part of me that wanted to hold onto our marriage.

Ngayon, nagkaroon na ako ng mas malalim na dahilan para gawin ang dapat.

"And please, don't tell everyone about my case yet. Bukas ko na sasabihin kina Daddy ang lahat." Anito na tila nagmamakaawa ang boses.

Ang bigat-bigat ng pakiramdam ko na tila nadaganan ng malaking bato ang puso ko. Nangilid ang luha ko sa mga mata ngunit mabilis kong pinahid ang mga iyon.

"Don't worry, Claire. Anton is all yours. Di ko naman gugustuhing lumaking walang ama ang magiging pamangkin ko. And he loves you. Why should I be stopping him?" Isang pekeng ngiti ang namutawi sa aking mga labi.

I know how hard it is growing up without a father who loves and cares for you. I don't want another innocent life to live what I've gone through.

"Salamat, Damarah." Her face was relieved.

"Sige, aalis nako. Pakisabi na lang kay Anton na mauna na 'ko."

Mabilis ang aking mga hakbang na lumabas ng kwarto nito. Di ko na napigilan ang sunud-sunod na pag-agos ng aking mga luha.