The Accused (A Series #1)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Trigger Warning: Suicidal Ideation

Kinabukasan, maaga siyang naghanda. Taliwas sa pagbati ni Finno sa kanya nung gabi, ay di siya nakatulog ng maayaos. She guessed she only had four hours of sleep kahit na maaga pa naman nung magdesisyon siyang matulog.

She was bothered and afraid as to what would happen today. In the end, she settled with the plan. Whatever his decision would be, she'd take it from there.

"You're early," nabungaran niya ang asawa na nakatayo sa labas ng bahay nila habang sumisimsim ng kape. Medyo nagulat pa siya sa presensya nito but what did she know, her husband was an early riser. At di na din naman na ganoon kaaga. It was past before eight o'clock.

"Yeah. Better than later at baka 'di ko maabutan. Good morning," she greeted and she went to him and kissed his cheek. "I'll be going."

When she was nearing the resort, 'di niya alam kung paano iibsan ang kaba na nararamdaman lalo pa at nagmamaneho siya. She could not help in thinking as to how and what would he react.

But knowing Calev, he was always ahead of knowing things thus, she was afraid that he might have preknowledge of what she was about to say. But whatever, she'd tell him her truth anyway.

Nang dumating, dumiretso siya sa front desk to ask for Calev's cabin. Nang nalaman niya ay agad siyang umalis doon at naglakad patungo sa kinaroroonan ng cabin nito.

Habang papalit ay mas lalong 'di magkamayaw ang kabog ng dibdib niya. Nakailang hinto siya para pakalmahin ang sarili bago nakadating sa harap ng kuwarto nito. Nung akmang kakatok na siya ay agad siyang tumalikod.

She could not do it. But then she was quick to remind herself. It was not just for her freedom from her past, it was for her children, Aurine and Cevin.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes momentarily, clearing her mind off of the great streak of cowardice. No, she'd be better this time.

When she turned herself to the door again, 'di na siya nagdalawang isip na katukin ito. She just knocked three times at nadinig niya na agad ang yabag ng mga paa nito. She swallowed an invisible lump in her throat and brave herself for what was coming next.

When the door opened, at agad niyang nabungaran ito na medyo nagulat pa sa presensya niya, ay agad siyang nagsalita.

"Let's talk."

Nakita niya ang bahagyang pagbukas ng bibig nito dahil sa sinabi niya. Nakatitig lang ito sa kanya habang hawak pa rin ang door knob ng pintuan. Ayaw na niyang mag-aksaya ng panahon kaya tumalima na siya.

Nadinig naman na siguro nito ang sinabi niya kaya di na niya kailangang ulitin. All he had to do was to follow her. She confirmed it that he did when she heard the hasty closing of the door and the rustling steps after her.

Tahimik lang itong nakasunod sa kanya hanggang sa nakaabot sila sa kung saan balak niyang makipag-usap. She decided that they'll talk somewhere private.

Dinala niya ito sa dulo ng resort kung saan konti lang ang napapadpad. At dahil maaga pa, wala pang mga tao doon. She sat on the block bench facing the sea. Diretso lang ang tingin niya sa dagat at hinihintay na umupo rin ang kasama. Kaso, nakailang hampas na ang alon ay nakatayo pa rin ito.

Inis niya itong tiningala't tinaasan ng kilay. Hindi niya alam bakit bigla siyang nainis.

"What?"

He looked taken aback with her stance. Hindi niya alam kung nag-iinarte lang ito o ano dahil mukhang natakot ito sa pagtaas niya ng kilay at tono ng kanyang pananalita.