Wretched Choices

Chapter 39

#WretchedChoicesWP

Chapter 39
Swing

My mind had completely gone haywired as my thoughts were in a strong conflict with each other. It didn't help that my heart's also stirring up my mind, making it even more complicated for me.

At that point, I was so thankful that I managed to return home safe and sound, when I was miles away. I couldn't keep in track of the number of times I lost my focus on the road. Everytime my mind wandered, I gripped on my steering wheel as hard as I could and opened my eyes wide.

After our small talk, Hope stayed at the mall where we met. Mayroon din pala silang alis ngayon ni Marga kaya nauna na akong umuwi.

It was obvious that Hope was bothered from our conversation. Her eyes were filled with curiosity. Gusto niyang malaman ang mga bagay na tumatakbo sa isipan ko. Hindi ko nga lang kayang maibigay sa kanya 'yon. Though I had one prominent thought—the exact same thought was the reason why the others were blurry to me. And I had no idea if it was a good thing or not.

The house unusually felt quiet the moment I got in. Hindi ko alam kung nang dahil lang ba 'yon sa nararamdaman ko ngayon, o talagang tahimik lang ngayon ang bahay. But the quietness, made my heart feel heavier.

I clutched my chest as I tried to calm down and keep myself steady. Before I experience a breakdown, I immediately brisk walked to the room where I knew I'd feel peace and tranquility. Badly needing my grandmother's present, I hastily opened the door to her room which surprised her private nurse.

Dumako ang mga mata ko sa kama. Nang hindi mamataan si lola ay muli kong binalik ang mga mata ko sa kanyang nurse.

"Nasaan si lola?" tanong ko at hindi ko maalis ang bigat sa aking tono ng pagsasalita.

"Dumating kanina si Sir Archer. Nandoon sila ngayon sa terasa," sagot niya at ipinakita sa akin ang hinahanda niyang shot para kay lola. "I was preparing her shots."

Absentmindedly, I nodded.

Archer didn't tell me that he'd be coming today, and I didn't know why I was feeling so nervous. I just needed to act normal and cool. Not wanting to be suspected of being wary, I forced a smile on my face.

"Sige. Puntahan ko sila at ako na ang magbabalik kay lola rito." Tiningnan ko ang orasan na may magara at komplikadong disenyo sa ibabaw ng kama. "She needs to take the shot by five, right?"

The nurse nodded as an answer. Isang ngiti na lang ang ibinigay ko at lumabas na ako ng silid.

Napahinto ako nang makarating ako sa paanan ng hagdanan at tiningala kung gaano kataas ang aakyatin para lamang makarating sa ikalawang palapag. I had no idea how Archer helped my grandmother climb the stairs. To think that my grandmother needed to be seated in her wheelchair because she couldn't stand or walk on her own without wobbling, there was only one option—most probably, he carried her on their way up. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung paano rin naakyat ni Archer ang wheelchair ni lola. Iniisip ko pa lang ay parang napakahirap na.

Tahimik at walang salita akong umakyat ng hagdanan at tinungo ang terasa. I immediately saw my grandmother and Archer's backs. They were looking at all the estates situated in our subdivision. Maganda rin kasi ang lupa ng bahay. Halos nasa huling bloke na ito kaya maganda ang tanawin, kahit papaano, sa ikalawang palapag.

"Sinasabi ko na't mayroon kang gusto sa apo ko eh!"

My grandmother heartily chuckled as her voice resonated.

I stopped on tracks and stared at them. Archer probably told her about his feelings for me, and there was no doubt that it made her happy. I knew she treated Archer now like her own grandson. Ganoon siya naging kalapit at kakumportable kay Archer.