His Cold Cruel Heart (Complete)

27: Claw Machine

Nick tightly closed his eyes as his palm clutched on the keychain. Hindi pa rin mawala sa isipan niya ang mukha ni Harri noong nakaraang gabi. He can still remember her confused face when she was sitting at the back of his car.

He's been doing his best to forget her. But the more he tries to forget Harri, the more he falls deeply for her. Mahirap kalimutan ang isang taong gumagawa ng paraan para maalala mo.

What in the hell is the keychain for? Why is she giving it to him now? Why now?

The double date? Why is she trying to set him up with Aisha?

Nakarinig siya ng katok sa pintuan. Pagbukas niya sa kanyang mga mata ay nakita niyang nakatayo sa bukas na pinto si Lydia.

Mabilis niyang itinago sa drawer ang keychain.

"Yes?"

"I know you said you don't want to be disturbed pero kanina pa tumatawag si lola Viv. She called me like ten times in the past hour."

Bago pa makasagot si Nick ay tumunog ang cellphone niya. He can see lola Viv's name on the screen. Hindi niya ito pinansin.

"The next time she calls, tell her I'll call her back."

"She left a message."

"What did she say?" Tanong niya habang nakatingin sa kanyang cellphone.

"She told me to tell you about the family dinner."

"Damn it," bulong ni Nick. He's tired of hearing about the family dinner. "Thank you, Lydia. I'll call her later."

"Okay po, sir."

Papalabas na si Lydia mula sa kanyang office nang maalala niya ang sinabi ni Harri sa kanya.

"Um...Lydia?"

Muli itong humarap sa kanya.

"Can you come inside for a minute?"

Pumasok si Lydia at naupo. Nagtataka ang mukha nito.

"Have you thought about what Harriet asked you?"

Bumuka ang bibig ni Lydia pagkatapos ay muling sumara.

"Ayoko sanang makialam but I promised Harriet to talk to you."

Napakamot sa kanyang ulo si Lydia.

"Nag-away ba kayo?" Tanong ni Nick.

"Hindi naman po. Kaya lang..." Tumigil si Lydia sa pagsasalita at hinawakan ang malaking tiyan. "I don't think it's appropriate for a very pregnant woman to be a bridesmaid."

"How far along are you?"

"Six months."

"You'll be fine. The wedding is seven months from now. Talk to her unless you don't want to go."

Tumango si Lydia.

"Thank you, sir Nick. Kakausapin ko po si Harri," sabi nito at tumayo na.

Pagkalabas ni Lydia sa office niya ay muling tumunog ang cellphone niya. It's lola Viv again. Wala na siyang ibang magagawa kundi sagutin ito.

"Lola Viv! Napatawag ka?"

"I've been calling you for 700 times tapos 'yan lang ang sasabihin mo?"

He rolled his eyes. Papagalitan na naman siya nito.

"What happened to you? Iniiwasan mo ba ako?"

"No, lola. I was just....I was just so busy," sagot niya. Wala siyang ibang maisip na dahilan.