Tears Of An Angel

Chapter 33

Chapter 33: "Dying to know, afraid to find out."

Jerome and I had lunch then went to meet his brother. Kakauwi lang ng kuya niya from States. Kasama niya din ang kanyang asawa na si ate Lucy. She was very nice and friendly. Hindi rin sila pumayag na hindi kami doon mag-dinner kaya nagtagal kami.

"Ikaw ba, Je, kailan ka magse-settle down?" I asked while he was driving me back home.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe after you've settled down?" he said, chuckling.

I blushed. "Seryoso nga. Matagal na rin kayo."

"Well, she still has a lot of plans." He breathed out. "So maybe, I have to wait a bit more."

"You're really in love with her."

"Ain't she lucky?" biro niya.

I chuckled softly. "Lucky indeed."

"But what about you and Vince? You guys are practically living in together."

I looked out of the window. "I don't know. Wala siyang sinasabi. All I know is that I love him so much and I'll stay with him for as long as he wants me to."

He sighed. "Why don't you tell him the truth?"

"What for? We're okay now. I don't wanna ruin it by telling him about what happened to me."

"Are you sure it's gonna ruin it.. Or fix it?"

Tumingin ako sa kanya. Knowing the truth would hurt him, and that was the last thing I'd want. Madaming madadamay kapag nalaman niya ang totoo. Kasama na ang mommy niya. Ayokong magkagulo ng dahil lang sa akin. Huminga ako ng malalim at tumingin sa dinadaanan namin.

He parked outside our house. Nagpasalamat ako sa kanya at inalis ang seatbelt.

"Chels, just think about it," seryosong sabi niya.

I just gave him and a small smile. Pumasok na rin ako agad. Sinalubong ako ni yaya Bebs pagpasok ko.

"Nak, bakit ngayon ka lang? Kakaalis lang ni Vince. Kanina pa siya naghihintay dito."

Nanlamig ako sa narinig. I almost hurt myself for forgetting to send him a message! Kaagad kong hinagilap ang phone ko para tawagan siya. Pero ring lang ng ring. He wasn't answering my calls. Nanlalambot na napaupo ako sa sofa.

"Yaya Bebs, pupuntahan ko po si Vince."

"Ha? Aba eh gabi na. Dito ka na lang matulog."

"Hindi po, ya. Baka magtampo sa akin si Vince."

Habang pasakay ng taxi na pinatawag ko ay sinusubukan ko pa rin siyang tawagin. I almost heaved out a sigh of relief when he answered my call.

(Hello?)

I almost dropped my phone. I felt my heart constrict with pain. It wasn't Vince.

"L-Lisette.."

I had dark circles under my eyes since I didn't get enough sleep waiting for Vince. I waited in vain. He didn't come home, and he was with Lisette. Hindi ako pinatulog ng selos at sakit na nararamdaman ko.

How could I sleep knowing they were together. The poignant scenarios in my head didn't help either. Nasasaktan ako, but leaving was never an option.