Bound To You

CHAPTER 21

I heaved a sigh and shook my head in disbelief.

"What are you doing here?" I asked sternly.

Nakangiti pa rin siya habang nakatitig sakin.

"Ashley? Paano ka nakapasok?" tanong ni Tita Brenda.

She bit her lips then looked down. "Uh.."

Tita sighed then dialed her assistant. "Mary, didn't I told you not to accept anyone until I finished talking with my nephew?" she asked "Okay. Next time, make sure no one can slipped here"

Napabalik ang tingin ko kay Ashley na hanggang ngayon nakayuko pa rin. I cannot believe her.

"Im busy Ashley. Di ba sinabi ko sayo kahapon na wag ka ng mag-abala pang dumaan dito?" Tita said sternly. "This should be the last. You can leave now" she added.

But Ashley didn't moved nor didn't look at us either. I heard Tita Brenda sighed so I looked at her and frowned.

"Do something" she said.

I took a deep breath then stood on my feet. I walked to the door but stopped as I held the doorknob.

"Let's go" I said without looking behind then opened the door and exited Tita's office.

I heard a loud footsteps behind me but I did not bother to know if it's her. If she follows, good. If not, still good.

"Trystan wait!" she called.

So, she followed afterall. Tss.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" tanong niya.

I stopped and faced her. "Go everywhere you want, just don't go near me" I said then walked again.

I stepped inside my car and revved the engine. I sighed. Now what will I do? Tss.

"Search" said Tita Brenda over the line.

"Right. But how should I start? I don't know anything about her"

"You know her full name?" she asked.

"Yes"

"Then, start there. If you just tell this to your Dad, it will be easy" she said.

I sighed.

"Tita.. I'll tell him if I can no longer handle this"

"Okay. I trust you"

I ended the call.

Sa school ako dumaretso.

"Bro, akala ko hindi ka papasok?" tanong ni Raven.

"Hindi nga. Magreresearch lang ako" sagot ko.

He scowled at me "Research? Saan?"

"About Ashley. Bro, she's complicated than I thought" I groaned.

Tinapik niya yung balikat ko at umiling. "Buti na lang talaga hindi naging ganyan kalakas ang sex appeal ko" sabi nito.

"Tss. Nice" I shook my head.

Tinawanan niya lang ako saka nagpaalam na papasok na. Dumaretso ako sa Dean's office.

"Yes? How may I help you?" tanong ng isang middle aged man when I opened the door.

I smiled at him "Good morning sir. Kayo po ba si Mr. Ricaport?" tanong ko.

Umangat ang kilay niya at tiningnan ako ng matalim.

"I am. Anong kailangan mo?" he asked, not bothering to tell me to take a seat.

"Im sorry to ask this, but are you the father of Ashley Ricaport?"

I saw his jaw clenched the moment I said Ashley's name. He stared at me again as if studying me then his eyes went back to what he was doing when I entered his office.

"No. Makakaalis ka na" he finally said.

I frowned then stood up. I don't need to be told twice kaya umalis na lang ako. Talagang mahihirapan ako nito. I know I heard it right when my professor asked Ashley if he's her father, so, why did he said that he's not?

I sighed.

I hit the road not knowing where to go, then I looked at my rearview mirror and I saw the familiar red car. I shook my head. How could you stalk someone who's stalking you? Tss.

Nagdrive lang ako habang nag-iisip then I stopped the car at the park. Tumingin ulit ako sa rearview mirror at tumigil din yung pulang kotse sa di kalayuan. I took a deep breath. I finally decided to talk to her and convince her to visit the Psychiatrist.

Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya habang papalapit ako sa pulang kotse na sinasakyan niya. I narrowed my eyes and I can clearly see she looked pale as she stared back at me. Lumapit ako sa driver's seat at kinatok yung bintana para palabasin siya.

"Trystan.." she mumbled.

I tilted my head and stared at her. She really looked innocent. I shoved my hands on my pockets. "Sumama ka sakin" I said.

Her eyes went zero as she gasped. Hindi ko na siya hinintay magsalita at nauna na kong sumakay sa kotse ko. Nagbusina ako ng hindi pa rin siya sumusunod.

"Seatbelt" I said while I started the engine.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" tanong niya pero hindi ako sumagot.

I dialed Tita Brenda and told her my decision. She immediately sent the hospital name and told me she already appointed me to her psychiatrist friend. Advantage of having a connections.

"P-psychiatrist?" tanong ni Ashley pagkatapos ng tawag.

I glanced at her for a second then focused my eyes on the road. "We'll have you check" I casually said.

"B-bakit? Wala akong sakit" mahinang sabi niya.

I frowned. It makes me wonder how can she do that, to act innocent. Si Pamela nga, kahit inosente yun, hindi naman halata. Tss.

"Trystan, please, wag mo kong dalhin dun" she pleaded and I think she's about to cry.

"They'll just ask you questions." I calmly said.

She sniffed kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. I sighed when I saw her crying. Damn, I do not know how to handle a crying lady. Tss.
"Hey.." I said when I stopped the car. Tumingin ako sa kanya pero patuloy lang siya sa pag-iyak. I shook my head then ruffled my hair. "Stop" I said.

She shook her head profusely. "Ayoko Trystan, natatakot ako" she cried.

My forehead creased and I bit my lips as I watched her sobbing. I felt like something hit the soft spot in my heart. I reached for her face and wiped the tears continously streaming down on her cheeks. Napatigil siya sa pag-iyak sa ginawa ko at tumitig siya sakin. Mas lalo siyang nagmukhang inosente with those puffy eyes and reddened face. She looked so lost.

"We'll just have you check. All you need to do is answer all the questions then we'll leave"

"Pero.."

"Sasamahan kita" I assured her.

And thank God finally, she nodded. Pakiramdam ko nabunutan ako ng tinik kaya napangiti ako sa kanya.

"Don't cry again" I said then started the engine.

***★***

Please read "If im not in love" and do not forget to leave a comment. The faster I received a comment here and there, the faster I'll update. I spilled my rule for inspiration and motivation purposes dahil to be honest, nawawalan ako ng gana magsulat. Lift me up again guys. Thank you 😘