Say You Love Me

Chapter 10

NAKAHIGA lang si Kace buong maghapon. Sinubukan niyang lumabas at maglakad-lakad sa beach kaninang umaga ngunit madalas siyang maduwal at mahilo. Sabi ng nurse na nagbabantay sa kanya ay mayroon siyang morning sickness. Karaniwan daw iyon sa mga nagbubuntis.

She was two months pregnant.

Nang malaman ni Kace na nagdadalang-tao siya ay hindi niya alam kung anong iisipin. I'm going to have a baby.

Gusto niyang mapangiti at maiyak sa nararamdaman. There she was, carrying Zijhan's baby. Paano na lang kapag nalaman ito ni Zijhan? It would be a ruckus, she thought. If Mara's having a baby with him, malamang mas nanaisin nitong makasama si Mara at ang magiging baby nito. For all she knows, Zijhan is still inlove with Mara.

She thought she can raise the baby on her own. She was more than capable. Kung gusto man ni Zijhan na maging bahagi ng buhay ng magiging anak nito sa kanya, hindi niya ito pipigilan. He has all the right.

She decided to focus on her pregnancy instead. Mahigpit na bilin sa kanyan ni Vik na huwag nang magpa-stress sa mga iniisip niya. "It would not be healthy for you and the baby," naalala niyang wika nito sa kanya. Nangako itong bibisita ngayong araw. It was a Saturday and Vik promised she will spend the weekend with her. Isasama daw nito si Glen. Nang minsang mag-text ito sa kanya ay natuwa siya nang malaman na opisyal nang mag-nobyo si Vik at si Glen. She was happy for her friend.

Sinubukan ni Kace na umidlip muna sa pagbabakasakaling mawawala rin ang hilo niya pagkagising. Wala pa siyang isang oras na nakakatulog nang marinig na may kumakatok sa labas ng kuwarto niya. Dahan-dahan siyang bumangon at tinungo ang pintuan. It must be Vik and Glen.

Nagulat siya nang hindi ang mag-nobyo ang nabungaran niya. It was Zijhan. May hawak na naman itong bulaklak.

Biglang gustong sumabog ni Kace sa sobrang kabog ng kanyang dibdib. Zijhan still had the same handsome features, ngunit may bakas ng lungkot sa mga mukha nito. He also looked like he hasn't shaved. She can smell his usual scent. While looking at Zijhan, Kace realized that she missed him badly. Kace couldn't help but take deep breaths, tila siya nauubusan ng hininga ngayong nakikita niya si Zijhan.

"W-what are you doing here?" kunot-noong tanong niya.

Nanginginig na inabot nito sa kanya ang mga bulaklak na dala. "I've missed you," anas nito sa kanya.

Gusto niyang mapapalatak sa sinabi nito. Hindi niya alam kung maniniwala siya sa sinabi nito. "How's Mara?" tanong niya.

Nangingiti ito habang nakatingin sa kanya. "S-she's fine. She's a few months pregnant. Fred is with her now," sagot nito.

Nagugulahan siya sa sinabi nito. Fred is with Mara now? Paano ang baby nila ni Mara? "W-wait, Fred? They are back together? Paano kayo at 'yung baby?"

Tumango si Zijhan. "Yes, they're planning to get married post Mara's delivery. Ninong nga daw ako, eh." he smiled lightly.

"Isn't the baby yours?" takang-taka pa din si Kace. "Paanong magpapakasal sila kung—"

Hindi na natapos ni Kace ang itatanong dito nang bigla siyang halikan ni Zijhan. He was kissing her with so much longing. Nang lumayo ito sa mukha niya ay bahagya itong ngumiti. "Stop with the assumptions, love. Let me explain."

Dahil hindi siya masyadong makagalaw ay iginiya siya nito sa kama at iniupo. Saka ito nagsimulang magpaliwanag sa totoong nangyari nitong mga nakaraang linggo.

"While getting the Fred-Mara thing settled, I was trying to reach you. I wanted to explain things to you. I went to your condo after, but you were not there. You were not answering my calls and texts. Hindi mo alam kung gaano ako kinabahan. I thought I was going to lose you, I was going crazy! And then I thought about my only chance to ever finding you,"