Destined to Reunite

Chapter 30

CAITLYN'S POV

After we talked last night, hinatid niya ako sa hotel room namin nila Juliana. It was past midnight when we rested in our designated hotel rooms. He also told me that he hasn't seen Natasha these past few weeks, it's a good sign because it looks like she's moving on. 

I hadn't seen her that much also, pero may mga araw na nakikita namin ang isa't isa and she looks normal than before. I've heard that she's receiving medical attention for her condition, that's good to hear. 

Napahikab ako habang bumaba ng hagdan. "Morning, guys!" Bati ko sa aking mga kapatid. 

I had few hours of sleep earlier, maaga kaming nagising ng mga kasama ko para makauwi kami sa sarili naming mga bahay to get ready. Nilingon nila ako at nginitian. "Morning. It's wash day, we can wear civilian." Sabi ni Kuya Hale saakin. 

"When did you get home?" Tanong saakin ni Kuya Calvin. 

I took a bite of my bread before answering. "Kaninang madaling araw."

"Oh. So, you slept for just a few hours? Rest when you can if you have time later ha." Paalala niya. 

Nag-thumbs ako while chewing on my food. "Can i go with you? I don't want to drive today." Sabi ko. 

"Then, let's just use my car and go together. I'll drive." Sabi ni Kuya Hale. 

I thanked them both and went to my room to change. Nang matapos ako ay kaagad na rin kami umalis para hindi sila malate sa agenda nila today. "Kuya, i'll text you later kapag natapos kami kaagad ha." Paalam ko nang makarating kami sa university. 

Tumango naman silang dalawa, i immediately went to our designated room. My jaw dropped when i saw my friends studying, nilapitan ko sila. "What's with you guys?" Tanong ko. 

Juliana shushed me, with her reading glasses on. "We're studying because it's finals already. We have to pass this semester!" Sabi niya. 

"We need to take this seriously!" Singit ni Kaizer, while Max is sitting beside him sleeping.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Sounds rare to you ha."

Joshua held my hand and pulled me to sit beside him. "We're having a group study, lower your voice." Sabi niya, but i can feel that he's a bit annoyed with me. 

I pouted and stood up, napatingin siya sakin. "Continue what you're doing. I'll also do my own business." Sabi ko at kaagad lumabas ng room para pumunta sa library. 

He called me twice but i ignored him. 

Nang makarating ako sa library ay nakahanap agad ako ng pwesto to study. Hindi na kasi masyadong marami ang mga students dito since malapit na rin matapos ang semester, i turned on some music on my inpods so that i wouldn't be interrupted by someone while studying.

I also set my phone into dnd mode para wala talagang istorbo sakin kahit saan.

___

I stretched out my arms when i was done reviewing all the subjects. A shadow grew behind my back and i looked up. It was Joshua, he was holding a paper bag.

He gave me a sign to go outside, niligpit ko kaagad yung mga gamit ko at lumabas. "What?" Bungad ko.

Binigay niya sakin yung paperbag. "You haven't check my messages? It's already past lunch time, hindi ka pa nakain." Sabi niya.

"Ah.." 

His eyebrows furrowed, he lowered his head and looked at me. "Are you upset?" Tanong niya. 

Umiwas ako ng tingin, getting ready to leave. "It's none of your business." Sagot ko at iniwan siya doon. 

Ilang beses niya akong tinawag, but i ignored him. Then, i suddenly remembered what Kuya Calvin said to me earlier. If i have spare time, i should sleep. I went on another way para magtungo sa kabilang library. I'm sure na walang masyadong tao talaga doon dahil medyo malayo 'yon sa building namin. 

The dim lighting and the scent of old books provided a sense of comfort, and within minutes, i drifted off to sleep.

JOSHUA'S POV

"Did you do something wrong? Why is she avoiding you?" Tanong sakin ni Kaizer.

"Who wouldn't be upset about what you did earlier, you almost got mad at her." Singit ni Max.

Napakamot ako sa aking batok at tinignan sila. "What should i do, then?" 

Napatingin ako nang biglang may tumapik sa balikat ko, it was Sky. "Go and talk to her privately. Nasa courting stage ka pa lang, may lover's quarrel agad kayo? That's quite bad tho." He joked. 

I laughed and took my phone to call her, but she couldn't be reached. I called her number a few times but it was still the same, then i started to get worried. "She can't be reached." Sabi ko. 

Concern started to creep into my mind, but i convinced myself she was probably just busy. However, after an hour passed with no response, my concern turned into a deep-seated worry. 

Binalikan ako nila Sky, kasama na nila si Charles. "Natawagan mo na?" Tanong ni Charles.

Umiling ako. "No. I checked the library she was in, but she wasn't there. I already called her friends pero sabi hindi nila kasama si Heidianne." Sagot ko.

"Joshua!"

Lumingon ako, it was Kaizer. Hingal na hingal siyang lumapit sakin bago siya magsalita. "I went to the old library sa kabilang building. And they told me that they had seen her being led out of the library by a man." Sabi niya.

Panic surged inside me when i heard it. Tristan made his move already, who had been watching her for a while. He probably saw the opportunity he had been waiting for.

"And they didn't stop them? Knowing that our sister got abducted by someone we don't know!" Sigaw ni Charles.

"Hale, calm down."

Without wasting a second, i took my car key in my pocket and jumped inside the car, driving through the streets with a singular focus—finding Heidianne before it was too late. I already dialed the police and explained the situation.

As i sped through the traffic, my eyes caught sight of a familiar car in the distance. My heart raced when i realized it was Tristan's car, weaving recklessly through the lanes. I clenched the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white, and floored the gas pedal, determined to catch up.