It Had to be You (Valdemar Series #2)

Kabanata 30

30 – Betrayal

"I'll drive Amethyst's car. Sumunod ka na lang sa amin, Daniel."

Amethyst threw her keys to Joaquin. Ako naman ay tahimik lang habang nag-uusap sina Ayden at Faye. I am pretty sure that Am told Daniel where we are.

Binuksan ni Daniel ang pinto ng kotse ni Amethyst saka inalalayan siya papasok. Faye didn't drink that much. She stayed chill and entered the car. Tumango lamang si Daniel sa kanila bago pumasok sa sariling kotse. Ayden's face was so serious that I am getting nervous now.

Nahihilo akong pumasok sa kotse ko. He's holding my purse and my key is there. Sigurado namang hindi niya ako papayagang magmaneho dahil nakainom ako.

I cleared my throat and glanced at the window when the driver's door opened. Gusto kong umiwas hangga't kaya ko ngunit nananaig naman sa akin ang kagustuhang makapag-usap kaming dalawa nang hindi na ako naguguluhan. Is everything just for recogniton? For acknowledgement?

I feel so immature for overthinking this matter! Maybe Atlas was making up things. Maybe it isn't for acknowledgement.

I ran my fingers down my hair. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko at hindi tinignan ang nagmamanehong si Ayden. Mommy's words were still on my mind. What if she's right?

Malakas pa rin ang kalabog ng dibdib ko dahil sa patuloy niyang paglingon sa akin. He looks really pissed. Igting ang kaniyang panga at mahigpit ang hawak sa manibela. He's mad and he's not hiding it.

"Akala ko ay mag-uusap tayo?"

I broke the silence. I couldn't really handle the awkwardness. Mas mabuti pang pag-usapan na namin ito ngayon.

"You're drunk." Malamig niyang tugon.

I shut my eyes. "I am not."

Isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan niya saka bumaling ulit sa akin na bumalik agad sa daan. Gusto kong mag-usap kami ngayon. Kahit pa sabihing lasing ako, gusto kong ngayon.

"Are you gonna shout at me for drinking?" Walang buhay kong tanong.

He clenched his jaw. "No. I am going to ask you the reason why you drank."

I smiled a little and looked at the road. It's because of him and mom. It's because of his brother. It's because of our sudden engagement. It's because of my immaturity and the feelings that I can't handle.

"I wanted to have fun." Mahina kong sabi.

Itinigil niya ang sasakyan sa gilid ng kalsada. Matapos iyon ay bumaling siya sa akin. Alam kong galit siya pero hinahabaan niya lang ang pasensiya niyang huwag akong pagsabihan. He gently held my hand and looked at me intently.

"What is it?" He silently asked.

I shook my head and looked away. "Nothing. I said I wanted to have fun."

"You can't lie to me.." Mariin niyang sabi. "I am your bestfriend. I know you–"

Is it still just bestfriends until now? Naghahalikan, may singsing, may hawak ng kamay. Is this still being bestfriends to him?

"Do you love me?" I cut him off.

Natigilan siya sa tanong ko. Bumaling ako sa kaniya saka bumaba ang tingin sa kamay niyang nakahawak sa akin. My heart was racing. Hindi ko na alam kung paano ko ito mapapakalma.

"Mahal mo ba ako, Ayden?"

Nanginig ang boses ko. His lips parted and his silence made my heart broke. Bakit parang ang hirap hirap sagutin ng tanong ko?