To Love Him Once More (USFIL Book 2) - REVAMPED

Chapter 9

LAXER

She slept for a couple of hours while I stayed by her side, waiting for her to wake up. "How long did I sleep?" agad ko siyang nilingon nang magising siya. "I'm sorry for the burden."

"Don't worry. I love taking care of you."

"I lost myself, again," she said with a heavy sigh. "I thought I was already healed from the trauma, but lately it keeps coming back." I looked away, knowing I was the trigger every time she suffered a panic attack. "I just couldn't stop it myself. I tried to calm down before the attacks happen—it was always too late. It's been hard lately."

"What caused that trauma?" I asked.

"I don't know."

Sa sagot niyang iyon ay nakuha ko agad na ayaw niyang sabihin sa akin. I had a clue, but I decided not to push it with her. I didn't want to trigger her again.

"I'm sure you're hungry by now. I had my personal chef cooked pasta for you," pag-iiba ko ng usapan upang hindi na rin niya gaanong isipin pa ang nangyari kanina.

"Thank you. I'm really hungry."

Napangiti ako, mas matagal ko siyang makakasama ngayong araw.

"After we eat, we can resume the questions I still have for you."

"Sure."

Nang magtungo kami sa hapagkainan ay nakahanda na ang lahat. Ngumiti sa akin si manang nang makita niyang muli si Zanya. I'm sure she missed her, so I let her watch over us while we ate. Niyaya ko siyang kumain subalit busog pa raw siya.

"You live here alone?"

"I was with my dad a month ago, but he went back to the U.S. to settle some things."

"And your mom?"

"You mean Kyron's mom too?"

"Oh, right. I forgot. You two are half-siblings."

"My parents are separated, although it was never publicized. My dad made sure to check on me from to time after Jearri's death. He was there for me. My mom checks on me too, but not as often as Dad. She has her own family now, so I don't blame her at all."

"I'm so sorry to hear that."

"It's okay, I've gotten used to it. It doesn't hurt me anymore like it used to."

Hindi na siya muling nag-usisa pa at tinapos na lang ang pagkain. "Did you like the food?"

"Yes, thank you for the food."

"If you want to check out my place, I can give you a tour."

"It's okay. I don't plan on staying long. I only have a few questions left, and once I finish the manuscript and get it published, I'll give you a copy. I'll include you in the acknowledgements as well."

Pakiramdam ko ay nagtatayo na siya ng harang sa aming dalawa. Ayos lang, gagawa ako ng paraan upang makita at makasama siya. Hinding-hindi ko na siya susukuan.

"Alright. By the way, your paintings are already displayed at AJD. If you want to check them out, just give me a call. How long will you be staying here?"

"One more week. Do you have another room where we can finish where we left off?"

"Let's go to the garden."

Naglakad kami patungo sa garden. Nagpahanda na rin ako ng snacks naming dalawa. Nagsimula na siyang magtanong agad kaya naman ay tumugon din ako.

"Shantal was a close friend of mine in the U.S. I didn't know she was the adoptive daughter of her biological father. I didn't expect her to develop feelings for me beyond friendship. I've always treated her like my younger sister. She requested to marry me while she was sick at the time. I thought agreeing to it would help her recover. I had to sacrifice my relationship with Jearri to save her, not realizing I was ruining my love in the process."