Hidden Behind the Stars (Celestial Series #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY

Agad na pinindot ni Emerald ang palapag paakyat sa floor na kinaroroonan ng unit niya pagdating namin sa building kung saan nakatira si Zyrelle. Lumabas na kami at tinahak ang daan papunta sa unit ni Zyrelle nang huminto ito sa ikalabinsiyam na palapag. Tumigil sa tapat ng unit si Emerald at tumingin sa akin.

"Should I accompany you?"

I smiled at her. "You don't have to. It's between us."

She nodded. "Okay."

I clicked the doorbell. Ilang ulit bago bumukas ang pinto at tumambad sa akin ang bagong gising na si Zyrelle.

"What are you doing here?" bungad niyang tanong. His hair was a little messy, eyes are tantalizing in a way that it reminded me how busy he was. "Gabi na."

"We should talk," sagot ko sa kanya.

"About what?"

My eyes grew wide in disbelief. "About everything, of course!"

Sumilip siya sa likod ko at nakita si Emerald na nakatayo. He opened the door wider and invited me in. Nagsuot siya ng t-shirt at sinuklay ang buhok gamit ang kamay. He gestured the couch for me to sit, but I remained in my position, standing, controlling every emotion inside me. Hinubad ko ang sumbrero at salamin at isinabit ang mga ito sa sling bag ko.

Nagtataka siyang tumingin sa akin. Umupo na lang siya sa sandalan ng sofa. Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa bag ko.

"Did you really mean it?" I asked. "The articles, were they really from you? Because I don't believe you could say such thing."

"Didn't you watch my interview?"

"Magtatanong ba ako kung nakita ko?"

"Kaya nga tinatanong ko para masiguro ko," sagot niya. "Do you want to watch it?"

"Would something change if I watch the video where the words came directly from your mouth?" Pumiyok ako habang nagsasalita. "Don't you care if I would get hurt?"

He didn't answer me. His eyes lingered on my face. I gulped the lump in my throat, my fist balled in anger.

"If I will make our relationship official, would that change something?"

Natahimik siya. Ilang sandali bago siya umiling. "None, because I didn't even court you in the first place."

I gasped. "But you told me you love me! Was that a lie? Anong tingin mo sa akin, Zyrelle?"

"I did, but I didn't tell you I am courting you."

I gritted my teeth and a slap landed on his face. Agad na namula ang bakat ng kamay ko sa kanyang maputing pisngi na tinatamaan ng liwanag sa uluhan namin. Hinawakan niya ang kanyang pisngi. Binabasa ng luha ang pisngi ko, pero hindi na sakit ang nangingibabaw ngayon sa akin kun' 'di galit.

"Hindi ako naniniwala, Zyrelle. Bawiin mo 'yan!"

"Ang alin?"

"Ang sinabi mo!" utos ko. "Paano mong nagawang sabihin 'yan sa 'kin ng gan'yan kadali? Was that a command from your manager? Kailangan mo na akong alisin sa buhay mo para mas magtagumpay kayo kasama si Viona? Anong dahilan ba't nasabi mo 'yon? Bawiin mo!"

"I won't take back my words because it is true."

"Zyrelle! Hindi totoo 'yon, 'di ba? Please, sabihin mo!" pagmamakaawa ko. "Sinasaktan mo na ako."

Walang buhay ang kanyang mga matang tumitig sa akin. "Believe what I said, Sweetie."

Napanganga ako, naluluha pa rin. "Are you still the same Zyrelle I knew?"