The Songs Of Us

Chapter 16

Dale went back to their table matapos ayusin amg sarili. Bago umupo ay tiningnan niya si Cora na tahimik na kumakain ng inorder nitong pagkain. There was also an awkward silence. Si Ellyze ang hindi nakatiis at nagtanong.

"What did you two talk about?" she asked curiously.

"Babe, I think it's none of our business." si Macky na tinangkang pigilan ang nobya.

"What? I'm just asking." baling nito sa nobyo. "Why? is it something you two can't share with us?" kunot noong tanong nito bago pinaglipat lipat ang tingin sa kanila ni Cora.

Napalunok si Dale. She knew that time will come at kailangan niyang sabihin sa mga kaibigan ang totoo. And it hurts her dahil alam niyang magagalit ang mga ito sa kanya for keeping them in the dark. She took a deep breath bago nilingon si Cora na matiim na nakatitig sa kanya. Pakiwari niya ay hinahamon siya nitong sabihin sa mga kaibigan ang totoo.

"G-guys. Ahmm..." she started in a low voice. "There is something I need to tell you. The t-truth is-is..." she's having a hard time na sabihin sa mga ito ang totoo, at pigil na rin ang luha niya. Her throat is starting to hurt dahil sa pinipigil na iyak. And Cora seemed to notice her expression kaya binalot ito ng matinding takot. "The truth is t-that I-I'm-"

"She will be back in the states next week right after the wedding." si Cora iyon na ikinalingon niya dito. She can't believe na pinagtatakpan siya nito, but frustration is evident in Cora's face.

"What?!" halos sabay sabay na bulalas ng mga kaibigan nila maliban kay Edward na biglang naningkit ang mga bata habang patuloy sa pagkain, si sussen naman ay bakas ang pagtataka sa mukha but didn't react.

"I thought you will be staying here for good?" si Kirsten na bakas amg lungkot at pagkalito sa tinig.

"Ahmm.. T-there's an urgent matter that I need to settle." di makatingin ng deretxo na sagot niya.

"What urgent matter? Is it about Conner?" si Ellyze.

"N-"

"Yes." bago pa siya makasagot ay narinig niyang biglang sagot ni Cora.

Napatingin siya dito at sinenyasan siya nitong makisakay sa sinasabi nito. She couldn't react at napayuko nalang.

"What is it? Kababalik mo lang at gusto ka na niya agad pabalik? Is he that selfish?" may bahid ng inis na sunod sunid na tanong naman ni Jinri.

"It's not like that Jinny." hindi makakuha ng maayos na sagot na sabi niya.

"Then what is it? 10 years Dale. He's with you for the past 10 years. Kami ngayon mo nga lang nakasama ulit then bigla ka na namang babalik doon? Is he that inconsiderate?" inis ng bulalas ni Jinri.

"Please don't blame this to Conner. He's been very very good to me." nakikiusap na hinawakan niya amg kamay ni Jinri. Her eyes asking for understanding.

"Just let her do what she wants." nanigas amg buong katawan niya mg sa kaunaunahang pagkakataon ay nagsalita si Edward. "You have no right to demand for her time. So just let it go and let her leave." matigas na pahayag nito. She couldn't even look at him, bumitaw siya sa pagkakahawak sa kamay ni Jinri at umayos ng upo bago tipid na ngumiti habang nakayuko.

"T-thank you f-for understanding Ed." sabi niya bago pilit na tiningnan ito. She couldn't read his mind dahil blangko amg expression nito. He is not looking at her.

"No need. I just don't want them to waste their breath trying not to make you leave because its all useless." sabi nito sa malamig na tinig. "Just like what happened 10 years ago." maya maya ay dagdag nito.

Every word he utters ay parang patalim na tumutusok sa puso ni Dale. Pigil na rin ang luha sa kanyang mga mata, and their friends noticed the pain that she's trying hard not to show.

"Pare." si Marco.

"That's unfair Edward." si Cora na hindi napigilan ang sarili. "You don't know her reason for leaving 10 years ago, you have no right to tell her that!" may galit sa tinig na sabi nito.

"And you know? Do you know her reason?" Edward asked expressionless.

"Y-"

"That's enough Cora. Please? I know it's my fault." mabilis na agap niya sa sasabihin ni Cora. Tiningnan niya ito mg may pakiusap, bago binalingan amg mga kaharap. "I know I've hurt you guys for leaving so suddenly 10 years ago. And I am very sorry, I'm still sorry because even now I can't tell you why I left." bakas amg sakit at lungkot sa tinig niya.

"That's bullshit!" si Edward na bakas na ang pigil na galit sa tinig.

"Ed, honey. Please calm down." napapatitig siya kay Sussen na hinawakan sa braso si Edward para pakalmahin.

It pained her so much ng makita niya amg paglambot ng expression sa mukha ni Edward sa gesture na iyon ng Babae.

"I'm sorry." baling nito kay Sussen. "Will you excuse me for a while? I need to get some air." paalam nito sa dalaga at ng tumango ang isa ay tumayo si Edward at umalis sa mesa na hindi man lang tumitungin sa kanya.

"I'l talk to him." si Marco while excusing himself. "Niko come with me." yaya nito kay Niko na agad nmang tumayo mula sa kinauupuan.

Ng makaalis ang dalawa ay binalingan sila ni sussen bago matipid na ngumiti.

"I apologise for Edward's behaviour. He's been stressed out from work recently." hingi nito mg paumanhin. "Dale, I hope you're not mad at him." dagdag nito na nakatingin sa knya.

She forced a smile bago sumagot. "It's ok. I understand."

"I may not know what happened 10 years ago, but I'm sure it affects Edward so much based from his reaction." sabi nito matapos uminom ng tubig. "I hope you won't take that against him."

"Don't worry. Dale is not like that." si Kirsten na bahagyang tumaas ang kilay sa sinabi ni Sussen.

"Really? That's a relief, though I'm really interested in knowing what she's like." sabi nito na nakangiti at derektang nakatingin kay Dale.

"Why?" si Jinri.

Nakibit ito ng mga balikat bago sumagot. "Nothing. It's just that Dale seems to be a very interesting person. I'd like to be friends with you." sabi nito na nakangiti sa knya.

She smiled back. Matipid.

"O-of course." sagot niya.

"Great! I'm happy that we're friends now. I know you're a composer. If it's not too much to ask, I'd like you to compose a song for my wedding?" excitement was in Sussen's voice.

She was shocked uoon hearing that. Also her friends.

"W-wedding?" she asked, her lips trembling.

"Yes. I'm sure Edward would be thrilled." she replied happily not realizing the effect of her words to Dale.

She's hurting so bad that she felt numb.
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