The Princess and Her Knight (WHIPPED SERIES #1) (Completed)

Chapter 21

Family

Hindi ko magawang tingnan si Jake after the encounter with my brother. Alam ko namang nagulat siya pero hindi ko akalain na hindi na ulit kami mag-uusap tungkol sa bagay na iyon. There will be more unexpected moments in our lives na dapat ay paghandaan din namin. Nakakatakot lang talaga. Because we both know we don't know what lies before us.

"You don't have work today?"

Tanong ko kinabukasan nang makita siya sa sala, nagka-kape. Naka-pyjama at maluwang na sleeveless shirt. He looked at me and smiled.

"Nah. I was wondering if we can go out of town.." he said. Iyong typical na boses niya ang gamit ngunit tila naalibadbaran ko iyong pangamba.

"Are you feeling anxious? Hindi mo naman kailangan mag-alala."

He sighed and nodded. "I know. I know. Besides, hindi natin alam baka bukas makalawa ay makaalala ka na at iwan mo na ako."

Napabuga ako ng hangin sa kaniyang sinabi at hinawakan ang kaniyang kamay. "You are a very special friend to me, J. If you're worried na baka kalimutan kita ay hindi ko gagawin iyon."

"I am slowly feeling weaker each passing day, Cat. Hindi ko alam na masyado na akong nagiging dependent sa iyo." He tried to get away from me but stopped when I held his hand tighter. I was about to open my mouth when he continued. "Alam kong napapansin mo iyon. I don't even know how you were able to bear with it. Unti-unti, nare-realize ko na hindi na ako ito. And it's not healthy for the both of us, Cat. I don't think it is.."

"I was also dependent on you when I was lost, J. You were there to save me when I was hopeless. Hindi ko kailanman ipagpapalit ang pagtatagpo natin sa kahit anuman."

He cried after that.

This was the second time I saw him cry. The first was when he continuously mourned for his dead wife. And then when he met me, the darkness suddenly filled with light, aniya. Just like how I felt when I was lost in the dark. Hindi maalala kung sino o kung ano ako. Despite his mourning, he still welcomed me in his house with arms wide open.

And he thinks being dependent on me is a bad thing. I knew back then he was being a good citizen but his love showed. He was passionate about everything that he does and he never failed to amaze me. Nasabi ko nga nang minsan sa sarili ko na hindi siya mahirap mahalin. He was flawless. He is everything a woman would ever desire. Walang palya sa lahat ng bagay. Pero siguro nga totoo iyong kasabihan: a man can get attracted to thousands of woman but will only love once.

Napangiti ako sa alaalang dumalaw sa akin. It was one of the usual nights when I decided to go for a swim. Hindi pa nakakauwi si Jake noon dahil nag overtime siya. Urgent matter which includes dealing with his in-laws.

I was in my two-piece when he came to the pool. Suot ang kaniyang usual three-piece suit ay nilapitan niya ako. Hinubad ang coat saka ako hinalikan sa noo.

"Tapos ka na?"

"Hmm," tumango ako saka bahagya siyang tiningala para tingnan. "May problema ba?"

"I missed her so much," he whispered on my head. Idinantay niya ang coat sa aking balikat saka ako niyakap. "So damn much it hurts."

Patuloy ko siyang pinakinggan. His painful memories with her coming back must have been triggered because of seeing his in-laws. Hindi ko na rin tinanong kasi alam ko naman na kailangan niya lang ng makikinig sa kaniya.

"I lost her because I was never enough, Cat. I wasn't able to save her kahit na alam ko naman na kaya ko." He swallowed. Ramdam ko ang hapdi sa bawat salitang lumalabas sa kaniyang bibig.