The Endless Chase

Chapter 49

Chapter 49

I woke up the next day with Chio's arms wrapped around my waist. He was spooning me and a smile crept in my face as I remembered what happened last night.

Nilingon ko ang wall clock sa itaas ng pintuan para makita kung anong oras na. It was exactly six thirty in the morning and I could feel Chio's steady breathing telling me that he's still deeply asleep.

I slowly moved so that I could face him. Nang nakaharap na ako sa kanya ay nakita ko ang kanyang mukha na tahimik na natutulog. He seems to be dreaming since the edge of his lips is slightly curved up.

I was just quietly watching him peacefully sleep as his phone vibrated on the bedside table beside him. I was expecting him to wake up because of this, but, all he did was move a little. When he didn't budge anymore and his phone continued vibrating, I decided on answering it because it might be an important call.

I reached for his phone and when I saw the caller I.D., I slowly removed his hand around me and sat up, carefully wrapping the sheets around me.

Lianna calling...

I swiped the answer button and placed the phone on my ear. I suddenly felt hollow inside me.

"Hello, Chio honey. When are you coming back here? I miss you so much." Malanding boses ang bumungad sa akin. Tunog banyaga iyon kaya't nahinuha ko'ng hindi sa Pilipinas nagmula ang tawag.

"Who are you?" matigas kong tanong. Halos manginig na ang aking mga kamay kahit hindi pa ako sinasagot ng babae sa kabilang linya.

Well, her name is Lianna, but that's the end of what I know. I don't know if what I feel right now is anger or fear or frustration. Maybe, a tinge of every one of those.

"I'm Lianna. Are you his friend? Could you give him his phone?" she replied like I should know who she is. Like she's someone that I should have known by the time I answered the phone.

Sino ba itong babaeng 'to? Maliban sa napakaarte ng boses niya ay napakabossy kung makapagsalita.

"This is his GIRLFRIEND. He's still sleeping. WHO ARE YOU?" I emphasized the word girlfriend to make a point and asked her again who she is.

My heart raced because of the fear with what I might hear. But, this is what I want. Ilang araw na akong parang mababaliw kakaisip dahil sa mga emails na natanggap ko.

I heard a chuckle on the other line bago nagsalitang muli si Lianna. Even her name sounds like mine.

"That's funny. Are you telling me Chio is bedding different girls every week?"

Walang ano-ano ay ibinaba ko ang tawag. My fists clenched around the sheets as I tried to calm myself. Ayaw kong paniwalaan ang mga narinig ko ngunit nanggaling na mismo sa Lianna na iyon ang sagot sa tanong na gumugulo sa isip ko.

Chio is cheating on me. He's cheating on me when we're already engaged. When he already asked for my hand in marriage. Kailan niya pa ako niloloko? Was this his revenge for what I did to him? But...

Hindi ko na napigilan pa ang sarili ko nang tumulo na ng sunod-sunod ang mga luha ko.

Why do I have to know this after all that's happened to us last night? I feel so dumb and silly right now. I don't regret giving myself to him beacause I love him. What I feel right now is sadness because I thought that we're already okay.

That the past is all behind us and we're ready to forget about it.

But, why?

He could have just left me with the guilt of hurting him. He didn't have to turn the tables and have his revenge in the worst way possible.