Regrets In The End [Completed]

Chapter eight

"Anak, ano bang nangyari? Pwede bang sabihin mo sa'min bakit wala ka sa anniversary event nf flower shop ninyo?" nag-aalalang tanong ng mommy niya. "Bigla ka na lang nawala na kailangan naming tumawag ng pulis. Buti na lang maraming kakilala si Stan kaya pinahalughog namin ang buong Maynila pero wala ka. Saan ka ba nanggaling?"

"Si Pa?" tanong niya habang humihikbi. "Nasan siya?"

"He went out para icheck ang ilang hospitals dito. Baka kasi dinala ka daw doon ng walang malay. Kaya hindi macheck ang identity. I'll call him to say you're home. Halika. Maupo ka muna!" Hinila siya ng ina sa malaking couch sa sala.

Sumunod ng tahimik si Stan sa katapat na couch. Tahimik lamang ito habang pinagmamasdan siya. How dare he! Siya ang may kasalanan. Napakawalanghiya niya at nagpakita pa siya.

"Ma, I just needed some time alone. I'm sorry kung 'di ko kayo nasabihan... I was just too... caught up with many things. 'Di ko lang nakayanan ang stress."

"Anak, you could have told us..."

"Ma, I'm not in a good place right now. Kaya kung pwede lang po... gusto ko na sanang ibreak ang engagement namin ni Stan."

Nagulat ang ina niya sa tinuran niya at ganoon din si Stan. His fists balled up, in frustration. "Bethieshka, nagpapatawa ka ba?" may halong galit sa boses ni Stan.

"Ma, I have to go up and rest. Mag-usap na lang tayo kapag nakaalis na si Stan."

"I'm not leaving," mariing sabi ni Stan. "Mag-usap tayo."

Bakas sa mukha ng ina ang pagtataka. Ngunit nararamdaman niyang may nangyari sa pagitan ng dalawa but she chose to keep quiet.

"I'm tired, Stan. Please go home."

"No." Tumingin ito sa ina niya. "Tita, is it okay if you give us some privacy?"

Tumango ito ngunit hindi maalis ang pagtataka sa mukha niya. "You can rest and talk in Tishka's room."

Hindi siya makapaniwala sa kakapalan ng mukha ni Stan Lagdameo. Napakademonyo talaga nito. Walang anu-anong tumayo siya at tumaas papunta sa kwarto niya ng hindi hinihintay ang binata. Ngunit naramdaman niyang sumunod ito sa kanya pataas. Even his footsteps irritate her now.

She opened her room door and dropped her clutch bag on her dresser. She heard Stan close the door and move behind her. Hindi niya ito pinansin.

She entered her walk-in closet, picked a new, crisp white shirt in a drawer, undressed gracefully not minding the man behind her. She went to the adjoining bathroom to wash her hands and face.

"Don't pretend like I'm not here."

She breathed deeply at hinarap ito. "I know what you want. Don't worry. I won't taint your name. Maghihiwalay tayo ng landas and I won't speak of your affair with that bitch to my parents nor your parents. Just please get out now." At tinalikuran na niya ulit ito.

"I want us married."

Nagulat siya sa sinabi nito. "Why? I figured you'd like that slut better than me, your fiancé."

"She's just a past time, you know that."

"I don't tolerate past times and affairs, Mr. Lagdameo. Maghanap ka ng ibang maloloko mo."

"Our families are long-time friends. They're expecting this marriage more than any other thing. Let's not disappoint them."

"Ang sabihin mo, kailangan lang ng pamilya ninyo ang lupain ng pamilya ko. That's why you need me. For the future of your business."

He grew silent. "That may be a plus. But the truth is our parents really would feel safe if we end up together.  And I know I can take care of you more than anyone else out there." May halong inis sa boses nito na parang alam nitong si Ashton ang kasama niya.

"I don't like you anymore. And you never cared for me ever, Stan. Don't you know that? Please let's not kid ourselves. I know you don't wanna be married to me deep inside. I can talk to my parents. You can talk to yours. They'll understand."

"No, we will stay engaged. Whether you like it or not." Galit na ito ngayon.

She went out of the bathroom to her walk-in closet to get a fresh new pair of shorts. Her legs have been dying from wearing skinny jeans all throughout the trip.

She changed in front of him, not minding the roving eyes of the man behind him.

"You have a nice ass."

"I know," she confidently said. "Too bad you won't have them your way."

"Oh," he remarked. "Who said I couldn't?" And he groped her ass' left cheek.

She was startled by the gesture and moved away. "Bastos."

"I know you're tired from your long trip. You can go to rest now. My words are final." At tumalikod na ito para lumabas, not waiting for her to respond. "And stop seeing Ashton. Remember that you are still my fiance."

Her mouth flew open. Paano nito nalaman na si Ashton ang kasama niya?

Mariing sinara ni Stan ang pinto ng kwarto niya.