CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Pagod na pagod na ako
HINDI naalis sa isipan ni Vhal ang mga salitang sinabi ni Natalie. He knew that it wasn't just from a jetlag. It's about them.
"Mr.Valerian Fernandez?" Ani ng press pero hindi niya narinig.
"Vhal!" Gladys snapped her fingers then eyed him.
"Oh, pardon?" He went back to his senses and looked at the press.
"There were speculation that you'll be leaving the world of racing, is it true?" Napatingin siya kay Natalie na nasa tabi niya. Hindi man lang siya nito tinitignan pabalik.
Bago pa siya makasagot ay nagkagulo ang mga press nang may dumating na isa pang racer. Mula sa malayo ay nakita nila na isa itong lalaki na nakasuot ng aviators, leather jacket and leather boots.
Napakunot ang noo ni Natalie at Vhal nang makita kung sino ito. "Declan?"
Tumingin ito sa kanila ngunit hindi nagpakita ng kahit anong expresyon sa mukha. Umupo ito sa tabi ng racer galing Moscow.
"Mr. Declan Alfonso!" Naguunahan ang mga press na mainterview siya. "This would be your first time competing in this tournament, is it true that you just had--"
Hindi na nito pinatapos ang press at kinuha ang microphone. "I didn't use any connections. I'm here because of my passion like Calypso over there" napasinghap si Natalie nang banggitin nito ang pangalan niya.
Napakunot ang noo ni Vhal. Anong nangyayari sa kanila?
"As you all know, Calypso or also known as Natalie Cuevas's passion to be in this competition inspired me most. She didn't just want this, this is her dream" Tila nakaramdam na ng iba si Vhal sa sinasabi ni Declan.
No, it wasn't just sarcasm. It's more than that.
Pagkatapos ng press conference ay lumapit si Declan sa kanila. "So, you're back together?"
Nakayuko si Natalie dito at hindi makatingin. "You must be very happy, Vhal. You have everything" tugon naman nito sa stepbrother.
"Congratulations, Natalie. You're almost...there" Bulong nito sa dalaga pagkuwa'y umalis na.
Naiwan na si Natalie at Vhal doon nang lumapit si Gladys. "Natalie?"
"Gladys" niyakap nila ang isa't isa.
"I'm so glad to see you again" Gladys said at nagkatinginan sila ni Vhal. "Anyway, tsaka na tayo magkwentuhan at kailangan na namin bumalik sa hotel. Goodnight"
"Goodnight" Bati nilang dalawa.
Nagkaroon na naman ng katahimikan sa pagitan nila. Natalie's hand were shivering, she's keeping something from him.
"Natalie, what's that all about?" Hindi siya sinagot ni Natalie bagkus ay lumakad na papalayo.
He followed her until they reached their room.
"Why were they letting the racers to share a room when they could afford to rent one for each?" pagiiba ng topic ni Natalie.
"Because out there, you need someone to trust. Hindi pupuwedeng wala kang kakampi sa loob ng field dahil kung wala, you'll be dead" Vhal answered from experience. "Now you answer me" lumapit ito sa kanya.
"Anong nangyari sa inyo ni Declan?" He authoritatively asked. "I knew him, Natalie. So what happened"
"Natalie, I'm sorry for your lost" an arm wrapped around her shoulder. How she wished that it was Vhal but it wasn't, its his stepbrother Declan. "I'm always here for you"
