Stefan's POVSix years felt damn longer waiting for a person that doesn't want to be found. Kahit sinubukan ko nalang na kalimutan ang lahat, hindi ko kaya. Lagi kong naiisip kung anong nangyari sa kanya. Ang huling balita na narinig ko ay namatay daw ang anak nila ni Lance dahil sa lahat ng nangyari.
Monique is a damn strong woman. Pero alam ko na hindi kinaya ng puso niya yung nangyari. And I feel sorry too for making them believe na namatay ako. I'm sure, she blamed herself for it. That's why the moment I heard the news na bumalik na siya, nag-decide na rin akong bumalik. I want to help her.
I want to be by her side.
"Nagkita na ba kayo ni Riya?" Tanong ni Aldrian habang nagda-drive.
I asked him to drive me papunta sa clinic na pinatayo ko para naman makita niya at malaman kung saan ako pupuntahan.
"Hindi pa. But soon." I answered.
Tumango lang siya. Natahimik kami pareho. Alam ko na hindi pa rin sila makapaniwala. Alam ko na marami pa rin siyang tanong kahit na naikwento ko na lahat sa kanila ni Shan ang nangyari.
"When did you two got married?" Biglang tanong ko.
Not to break the ice but I am curious about them. I mean, Shan was my girlfriend at that time and Aldrian was my best friend. I'm not mad na sila yung nagkatuluyan. I just want to know how it happened.
I'm actually happy for them.
"Two years ago. It just happened." Tipid na sagot niya.
I can sense na medyo awkward siya pag-usapan yung about sa kanila. Hindi ko na rin siguro pipilitin para hindi nalang siya maging uncomfortable. Ang importante naman, masaya sila.
"Any news about the gang?" I subtly changed the topic.
He let out a big sigh before tightening his grip on the steering wheel, "I pulled myself out of their shadows. Hindi ko na masikmura na makisama sa kanila. At hindi ko na rin ininvolve yung sarili ko."
I understand where he is coming from. Aldrian was traumatized by everything, just like everyone else. And it didn't help that I faked my death just to hide. Everyone mourned for me, but here I am, still alive. I can imagine the disappointment in Monique's face pag nalaman na niya lahat.
"I'm really sorry, Aldrian. I really am. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako makakabawi sa inyo."
"You don't have to. Knowing that you're alive is already enough."
***
We arrived at my clinic shortly after that conversation. I asked Aldrian to come and stay for a while. Tahimik kami pareho pero okay lang. Naiinitindihan ko.
"Stefan, are you aware that Lance and Riya are back together?"
I frowned. Back together?
"What do you mean?"
"We actually saw them sa isang restaurant the other day. Kasama yung anak nila and some relatives I guess."
How? Nagkabalikan sila ng ganun ganun lang? I thought Monique will never let Lance know.
"Really? Nakita ba niya kayo?" I asked.
"I don't think so. There was a commotion eh. But I'm sure na sila yung nakita ko."
Not that I'm still hoping for Monique's heart, but I really can't believe na magkakabalikan pa sila. After everything.
"Aldrian, I need to see her. I need---"
BINABASA MO ANG
Loved By A Gangster: Healed by Time (Book 3)
RomanceSix years is enough for Lance to accept how things turn out for him and for Cahriya. The love is still there but he already moved on. He already accepted the fact that Cahriya is no longer coming back to him. Now, it's his turn to be happy. Isang ta...