My Boyfriend is a Freak (Published under Pop Fiction)

53: Mira

"Chase, sabi ko naman sa'yo, susunduin ako ni Vren. Pwede mo na akong iwan," I told my college friend in my most reasonable tone. Tapos na ang conference na dinaluhan naming dalawa, at nagpupumilit ang mokong na ihatid ako pauwi.

"Are you sure he's coming? Kalahating oras ka nang naghihintay rito," sagot ni Chase sa akin.

"Na-traffic lang siguro 'yon." I waved a careless hand. Sa isip-isip ko ay nagawa ko ngang hintayin noon si Vren nang mahigit isang taon. An hour of waiting is nothing in comparison.

"Fine. If you don't want me driving you home, hindi na lang ako aalis dito hangga't wala pa ang sundo mo."

I sighed. "Bahala ka na nga sa buhay mo. Napakakulit mo talaga."

Tumawa naman siya. "Ako pa rin ba ang pinakamakulit na nilalang na kilala mo?"

It's my turn to laugh. "Oo. Wala ka pa ring ipinagbago."

It was at the point when a black car halted in front of us. Its driver's side window retracted, revealing Vren.

"And I'm out," Chase muttered, just enough for me to hear. "Ingat kayo pauwi, Mira."

"Ikaw rin," I replied, giving him a small smile. "Salamat sa pagsama sa akin habang naghihintay."

"No problem. I'll see you around." Ibinalik ni Chase ang ngiti ko bago siya naglakad palayo.

Vren, who had just climbed out of his car, was frowning slightly as he watched the retreating figure of Chase. "What's that guy doing here? Did he attend the conference, too?"

"Yup. At sinamahan niya ako habang naghihintay sa'yo. Baka raw kasi mapaano ako kapag wala akong kasama," I explained. "What took you so long, Mr. Montevilla?"

"Sorry. The traffic's terrible," he said in an apologetic tone. "You ready to go home?"

"Tara," pagsang-ayon ko. Hawak-kamay naming tinungo ang kanyang kotse.

"Kumusta nga pala ang lakad niyo ni Myron kahapon?" I asked my boyfriend once we're inside his car. "Nakalimutan kong itanong sa'yo."

"It was fun. I discovered that your brother's got a knack for playing the guitar," he replied with a grin. "Unfortunately, I had to leave My with the rest of Grey Light," he added, his expression turning serious. "I had to deal with an emergency."

"Bakit, anong nangyari?" I asked as the car sped away from the conference's venue. "Work-related ba 'yan?"

"Nah." Vren shook his head, his eyes on the road ahead of us. "You won't believe this, but Bella ran away from the hospital yesterday. I had to help with the search."

"Ano kamo — tumakas mula sa ospital ang ex mo?" gulat na tanong ko.

"Yup," pagkumpirma niya. "Her parents almost lost their minds. It was Tita Ivana and I who found her, about to hail a taxi to bring her back to AMMC. The whole situation was insane."

"I have a lot of questions in my mind right now," I said, still gobsmacked. "Bukod sa kung paano siya nakalabas ng ospital kahit halos hindi na siya makabangon dahil sa sobrang panghihina, bakit niya naman ginawa 'yon? Sinabi ba sa inyo ni Bella kung ano ang dahilan ng pagtakas niya?"

Umiling naman si Vren. "She's really secretive about the whole thing, and that's what's bothering me most. What do you think could be her reason for running away like that?"

Napaisip naman ako. "Maybe a friend needed her help or something?"

"Do you seriously think someone who's terribly sick and could barely move without help would really risk her life just to help a friend? That's ridiculous."