Taming His Callous Heart (Part 2 of 3)

Chapter 9

She stayed in the car park of a shopping center. Mas pinili niya doon dahil bukod sa malayo na ito sa Empire Hotel ay hindi pa nawawalan ng tao. Her phone kept ringing, but she ignored. Desiry was right. She needs to ran away before it's too late.

Ilang minuto niyang pinakalma ang sarili bago muling tiningnan ang phone. It eventually stopped ringing.

A message from Ayder popped in.
'About the pictures, let me explain.' Napakunot noo siya. Paano nito nalaman ang tungkol doon?

Hinanap niya ang envelope sa bag pero wala na ito roon. Naiwan siguro niya ito sa suite sa kamamadali.

Ilang beses siyang huminga nang malalim bago nag-type ng reply. 'There is nothing to explain. Let's stop this!' A tear escaped her eye as she sent the message.

Wala pang isang minuto ay nagreply na ito. 'Is that it? Aira naman.'

'You believed everything in that envelope?' sunod nitong mensahe.

Her heart crumpled as she imagined Ayder's face, but there was no turning back. Tuluyan nang dumaloy ang masasaganang luha sa kanyang pisngi. Ayder had been sweet and nice, but it may only be a mask to hide his real intention.

'Yes. Please leave me alone,' she replied and took a deep breath. She gripped the steering wheel as she closed her eyes.

Ilang beses siyang huminga nang malalim bago iyon pinaandar. Hindi na muling tumunog ang cellphone niya.

Going home was the longest drive she ever made in her entire life. She was sleepless the whole night.

She wasn't ready to go to class the next day, but she had to.

Her heart pounded fast when she saw Ayder waiting for her beside the classroom door. May hawak itong palumpon ng bulaklak. Mukha itong walang tulog katulad niya. His hair was disheveled, and she wondered why he even looked more manly. She had to close her eyes for a moment just to keep her thoughts sane.

"Can I atleast explain my side of story?" he asked blocking her way. She had to breathe in some air to earn the courage to shake her head.

"Aira, please?" pakiusap nito nang tuluyan siyang pumasok sa loob ng classroom kasabay ng ilang classmates. She didn't look back. There should be nothing to regret about her decision. Ayaw niyang maging biktima nito.

Akala niya ay wala na ito pagkatapos ng klase niya pero nakita niya itong tumayo at nagpagpag ng suot na pantalon pagkakita sa kanya. He sat on the corridor waiting for her. Binilisan niya ang paglakad hanggang sa makarating sa sumunod na classroom.

Nakita niya ulit ito sa labas pagkatapos ng klase niya. He patiently waited for her on her every class. Nakisabay siya sa mga classmate nang break at lunch. Nakasunod lang din naman ito. Her classmates were even urging her to talk to him, but she had to be firm.

Pauwi na siya ng hapon nang magpang-abot sila sa parking area.

"Aira, please. Let's talk," he pleaded. Nalanta na ang ilang bulaklak sa bouquet na hawak nito mula umaga.

"There's nothing we should talk about. The evidences were clear, Ayder," mariin niyang bigkas. Ayder stared at her unable to utter anything.

"O baka naman gusto mong ipagkalat ko ang tungkol sa lihim mo?" taas-kilay niyang tanong rito pero parang nagsisi siya nang makita ang reaksiyon nito.

Ayder's forehead creased. He pursed his lips and inhaled deeply as he stared at her intently. Pakiramdam niya ay nanunuot ang mga titig nito. She felt some goosebumps on her nape when he smiled bitterly. He shook his head and took a step backward. He threw the bouquet in the trash can and went inside his car.