After You (Rewriting Fate Series #1)

Kabanata 12

Mahinahong naglalakad si Shaun na walang kamalay-malay sa mga nararamdaman ko. Gustong-gusto kong magwala dahil sa paglilihim niya sa akin.

Of all people, I trusted him despite of what Stanley had done to me five years ago.

Sana pala ay hindi na ako nagtiwala pa.

Marahan kong binawi ang kamay mula sa pagkakahawak niya. Natigilan siya sa paglalakad at tiningnan ako. He's wearing a questioning look and I think he should know my thoughts by now.

"Ba't hindi mo sinabi sa akin?" hindi ko matago ang pagkairita. He kept his eyes closed.. Little by little he bowed down and tempted to hold my hand however I refused it.

"I.. The doctor won't allow me to tell you such things. It could trigger your stress levels, it slows your improvement from coma, Loise.." sa totoo lang ay nasasaktan ako. Ang daming pagkakataon na pwedeng sabihin niya sa akin pero ba't ganito? Hinding hindi ko maiisip ang sarili kong kalagayan sa ganitong sitwasyon. Karapatan kong malaman ang totoo.

I nodded slowly as a response.

Pinalis ko ang luhang lumandas na naman sa aking pisngi. Kung kanina ay kaya kong tahakin ang kalsada mag-isa.. ngayon ay parang nawawalan na ako ng lakas.

"Ibabalik mo ba ako sa ospital?" I acted casual as if nothing had happened. To think that I was betrayed at this moment would be damn useless. It's not like shouting and blaming demons would bring back my past anyway.. All I need to do now is find my parents.

"No.. We're heading to my house," nakakunot ang nuo kong bumaling sa kanya. Ano na namang binabalak nito?

"Ba't doon? May bahay naman ako--"

"Mag-aaruga, meron?" kusang umatras ang mga salita na gusto kong sabihin. Tama. Wala akong makakasama sa bahay.

Ang tanga ko nga naman talaga.

"Tapos doon meron? Tumigil ka nga. I'm not your obligation so stop dictating me--"

"I'm not dictating you.." muli ay pinikit niya ang kanyang mga mata. He's trying his very best to calm down at this point where all I could throw to him are tantrums and disappointments.

"Why can't you just hate me?" hindi ko namalayang naibuga ko pala ang pinakamalaking bukol palabas sa lalamunan. The biggest question I've been dying to ask him.

His actions are confusing me..

"Because I'm feeling the opposite," he gently grabbed my hands and continued walking.

Shaun, this man.. Why is he giving me this thrill? Why do I feel this thrill? Bakit habang tumatagal napapalapit ang loob ko sa taong 'to? I'm bursting with emotions so much that it hurts me. I hope he knows what he's doing.

We took a cab and soothed the familiar road. It's heading to Sto. Niño. Dito sila nakatira?

We stopped in front of a peaceful village. The houses are different. Sari-sari stores are everywhere. Children are busy playing with their phones and speakers.

Shaun speaks through his eyes.. and when his eyes met mine I knew he would ask me how I feel.

I nodded in response without intending to know what my answer should be.

Lumiko kami sa kanang bahagi ng kantong pinasukan namin kanina. Then we reached a simple bungalow, well-furnished and semi-painted. He opened the steel gate for me and I stepped inside.

I let him lead the way.

A Husky approached us at the doorstep.

"She's Dyan," binuhat ni Shaun ang alaga saka pinihit ang pinto.