You Make Me Crazy. [JaDine]

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The usual, James' POV. Hehe enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-One

Place

Nadine was not in her usual self. She really looks bothered by something, and that bugs me.

Hindi ako sana'y na madalang itong magsalita. She's jolly, mahilig itong makipag-asaran kay Penelope. She likes talking, and I can't help but overthink. Just what is happening to her?

I wasn't able to attend the first day of the week, na-schedule naman noon ang photoshoot ko with a different clothing brand. I was able to get back to school Wednesday morning. It was supposed to be a nice day, makakasama ko na ulit siya after days of not seeing her. But seeing her at this state breaks my heart, hindi man lang niya magawang sabihin sa 'kin ang problema.

Just like what everyone else was doing, we let her be like that for now. Kahit kasi sina Tita walang nagawa, kahit si Penelope, and even her own daughter, Meridith. I was the last one to try and ask, laking pasalamat ko lang talaga sa Diyos na nag-open up siya. Kahit hindi agad, at least, she opened up.

She was hugging me so tightly, ramdam ko sa higpit ng yakap niya ang emosyong nararamdaman. She's hurting or probably something more than that.

"Sorry..."

"Shh... Shh... It's all right." I patted her back. It's fine. Wala namang problema kung hindi niya agad sabihin ang problema niya. We're just really worried about her, ayaw namin na ganito ang inaakto niya.

"Meridith needs to meet her father. Wala namang masama doon, Nadine. You could tell him the time when you're truly ready. 'Pag kaya mo na nahahayaan si Meridith na masama ang papa niya na wala ka. 'Pag kaya mo nang hayaan si Meridith na pumunta sa lugar nito. You have all the time, Nadine, you don't need to feel rushed and bothered. No one rushes you in things, no one is forcing you to quickly decide. You have all the time." I whispered.

Kumuyom ang kamao nito, grabbing my shirt tightly. Pinagpatuloy ko ang pag-aalo sa kanya. She needs to calm down, she needs to let this out.

*-*

"Okay ka na ba talaga?" I asked. Good thing the rain stopped, wala pa naman kaming dalang payong.

She smiled at me. "Yes, I am, thanks to you."

Napangiti na lang din ako. I should be the one to thank you. Salamat dahil nagtiwala ka sa akin, na sa akin ka mismo nagsabi ng problema mo, you don't know how that thought made me so much happy. Sobrang saya ko na hindi mo sinarili ang problema mo, you shared it with me and I'll do my best to be of help.

"Sorry nabasa ko ata 'yung polo mo."

Umiling ako sa kanya. "It's fine. Buti nga 'yon at nalabas mo 'yung nararamdaman mo." I held her hand tightly. "Nandito kami para sa 'yo, you don't need to hide anything." pinisil ko ang kamay niya bago ko ito pinakawalan. "I know you're tired, Tita's probably worried, ikaw na bahala mag-explain. See you tomorrow, Honey."

Lalayo na sana ako pero pinigilan ako nito. Her hands held my arms, making sure I was just right in front of her. "Alam kong pagod ka rin, sorry at pati ako kailangan mo pang isipin. Sorry kung pinag-alala ko kayo, I'll open up next time."

Umiling ako at niyakap siya sa kanyang bewang. My lips met her forehead, I pressed a light kiss there. "It's alright, walang kaso sa 'kin ang isipin ka. We're just really worried about you, hindi kasi talaga kami sanay na gano'n ka. But it's fine now, now that I know what's happening."

Inangat ko ang mukha nito para magtama ang tingin namin. "We're always here. Hindi ko kailangang sarilihin, okay? Nandito kami para damayan ka, samahan kayo ni Meridith. Just tell us when you're ready, hindi ka namin pipigilan. Your child is at the point where she need to meet her father, she's not getting any younger. Soon enough, she'll ask again. Alam ko masakit para sa 'yo, but it's her right, honey. Hindi ka naman niya iiwan."