Three strikes you're out. (KathNiel FanFic)

CHAPTER 29 TSYO

*Kath's POV*

I stared at her for a few minutes. Pakiramdam ko, kilala ko siya. I don't exactly know how or where, pero I have this strange feeling.

She smiled at me warmly, para siyang Victoria's Secret Model. Nakakaconscious. I fixed my hair slightly as I moved closer to her.

"Pasensya ka na talaga sakin Kath ha? I didn't see you coming kasi I was a bit distracted dun sa ginagawa ng bartender. I hope you don't hate me." she spoke sweetly.

Ang hinhin hinhin niya. Para siyang yung mga babae na sikat na sikat sa school, yung mga babaeng tipong cheerleader at boyfriend ang basketball captain.

I shook my head at the thought. I laughed lightly.  "Oo naman. Ako nga ang clumsy ko din ehh, di ako tumitingin sa dinadaanan ko."

She giggled a bit and motioned for the waiter to order a drink. Kahit yung waiter namamangha sa kanya. Grabe naman to, dyosa lang? "So, wala kang kasama?" she asked me.

I shook my head.  "Wala. Ako lang." I replied shortly. Napataas ang kilay niya.

"Hmm, why is that? I mean, you're so pretty. Wala ka bang boyfriend?" she asked politely. Napangiti lang ako.

"W-well..hmm..boyfriend? Meron..ata." I spoke. Ang tanga ng sagot mo Kath. I mentally slapped my face for that.

Natawa lang siya.  "Meron...ata? Di ka sure?" she asked as she sipped her drink. I sighed heavily.

"Ang gulo kasi ehh. Di pa niya ko tinatanong if I want to be his girlfriend, pero..pero I think he cares about me." I reply. She shrugged and leaned back.

"Alam mo, ganyan din kami dati ni Cedric, fiancee ko. Sobrang inaavoid ko ang commitment, ayokong ma-attach sa mga lalaki lalo na matapos yung nangyari sakin." she spoke mysteriously.

My heart started to beat slightly faster. Ano kayang nangyari? Yun kaya yung dahilan kung bakit siya nakawheel chair? Pwede kaya akong magtanong? Ano ka ba Kath, ang chismosa mo naman pag ganun.

I was startled by a giggle beside me. Napatingin ako sa tabi ko at nakita kong natatawa sakin si Lexie. I raised an eyebrow. "Bakit?"

"Halatang halata sa mukha mo na gusto mong tanungin kung ano nangyari sakin. Your face says it all." she piped. Napayuko ako sa hiya.

She shrugged.  "I was raped." sinabi niya, na parang wala lang. Na parang sinasabi lang yung bagong chismis sa showbiz at kung sino na nagkakadevelopan sa pbb.

My eyes widened. Napakagat ako sa labi ko.  "I-i...I am so sorry. You didn't need to say i-" she cut me off.

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko,and she smiled genuinely.  "Don't be. Hindi naman ikaw ang may kasalanan. It was no one's fault. And it was a long time ago, yun yung dahilan kung bakit it took me a lot of time to trust men again and that's also the reason why I'm crippled..." she trailed off.

Halos maiyak ako sa kinauupuan ko. Grabe. Nangyari lahat sa kanya yun? Kung sakin nangyari lahat ng mga yun, I couldn't even imagine what I'd do. Siguro patay na sa mata ko lahat ng tao, pero tignan mo siya. Maayos, masaya.

"...pero dumating si Cedric. And he brought me back. He gave me a reason to live. Kaya ako maayos ngayon, dahil sa kanya." She told me. Kitang kita ko sa mga mata niya yung pagmamahal at yung saya.

She's so admirable. Napakabuti at ganda niya inside and out. Hindi ko namalayan ang ginagawa ko, I suddenly hugged her tightly and she hugged back.

She pulled back and looked me right in the eye.  "Kath, if the guy you care about makes you feel alive like Cedric does to me, he's worth it. Promise."