SELENE [BOOK 2]

CHAPTER 29

“Is there something wrong?” Steve asked me when he noticed me staring at the door. 

Binawi ko ang tingin ko doon at tiningnan si Steve. I smiled a little. “It's nothing,” I replied.

He nodded. “Kumain ka na ulit or do you want me to feed you?” malambing na sabi ni Steve.

I heard my brothers clear their throats. I can feel my cheeks burning. “A-Ako na Steve...” Nakakahiya nandito iyong mga kapatid ko.

I'm glad Steve didn't insist on it and just let me eat on my own. Umupo ito sa tabi ko.

I want to ask Steve about how Nico was there the night they rescued me. But I stopped myself from asking because they might misinterpret it, especially my brother's presence here. 

I continued eating while Steve was watching. He would give me water and wipe my lips if he noticed a ketchup on it. Alagang alaga ako nito.

Sumapit ang gabi at tanging si Steve na lang naiwan rito para bantayan ako dahil umuwi na sila kuya Juno at kuya Cali. It's already 10 pm when the doctor came for rounds. Steve was already asleep.

“Good evening, Ms. Selene.” Bati nito ng makita akong gising pa. Hindi ako agad nakasagot ng marinig ang baritonong boses nito. Naka off ang ilaw ng banda ko at tanging sa may pinto lang ang naka on na ilaw.

The doctor wearing a white coat walks towards me. I examined his built. It's familiar. And I was able to confirm that it was not a doctor when I smelled his perfume and our eyes met. 

I looked in Steve's direction to see if he noticed the door open, but he's sleeping peacefully on the sofa. He's tired, so I understand that he's in deep sleep. 

Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Nico na huminto sa harapan ko.

My brow furrowed. Why is he here and dressed like a doctor? Where's my doctor?!

“What are you doing here?” I asked him in a low voice. Hindi ito nagsalita at nakatitig lang sa akin.

“Nico,” mariing tawag ko sa pangalan niya.

I heard him let out a heavy sigh before he replied, “I just want to see you, Selene.”

Umiwas ako ng tingin sa narinig. “As you can see, I'm fine. You can leave now before Steve notices that you're here.”

“I'll not stay long. I just really want to know how you're doing. Your brothers are not giving me information about you, so I'm worried.” Nico said.

Natahimik kaming dalawa at walang nagsalita.

“Thank you,” I broke the silence between the two of us. I bravely looked at him straight into his eyes.

I can't find words to say aside from thank you. I don't know. I gulped when I didn't receive a response from him.

“Do... Do you love him already? I saw him kissed you earlier.” Nico asked me a question. I saw how hard it was for him to ask that.

I wasn't able to answer him. I fell silent. “You don't have to know,” was all my reply.

“I'll stop chasing you if you'll tell me that you're already in love with him. P-Pati si Lucas... Hayaan ko na sa iyo. K-Kahit... Kahit hindi na niya ako kilalalaning ama... Just say it in front of me,” Nico said calmly, which made me almost stop breathing.

Why am I suddenly like this? I can see how hard it was for him to say that. Is he letting go of us? If I say that I love Steve? Would he stop bothering me about our son, who he desperately wants to call him daddy? Want to meet?