It Had to be You (Valdemar Series #2)

Kabanata 42

42 – Trust

Hindi ko alam ang dapat kong gawin nang mabasa ko ang mensaheng iyon. Agad kong kinunan ng litrato ang message at ipinadala kay Mathias. I nervously sat down and looked at the message again.

"The time is running. Tik tok.. Tik tok.."

What does this mean? Ito ba ang parehong numero sa mensaheng natanggap ko noong nakaraan? Or was this meant for someone else?

Mathias immediately replied to me that he will try to track the number. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag sa sinabi niya. Mabuti na lamang at mayroon siyang magagawa.

I inhaled deeply to prepare myself when I saw Ayden's car entering the garage. Ako ang mismong nagbukas ng pinto para salubungin siya. He smiled when he saw me. Agad niyang hinalikan ang noo ko nang makapasok sa bahay.

"How's your day?" I asked.

He sat down the couch to remove his shoe. "Tons of work. I had a meeting today with some share holders."

Tumango ako saka umupo sa tabi niya. He must be tired. Hindi yata ito ang oras para sabihin sa kaniya ang totoo. Ipagpaliban ko na lang kaya muna?

"How about you?" He asked.

I shrugged. "Work was fine.."

"And?" He raised his brow. "Seems like you want to tell me more."

Umawang ang labi ko. Why can't I keep a secret from him?! Bakit kilalang-kilala niya ako at alam na alam niya ang galaw ko? I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing.

"About the girl I mentioned to you.." kinagat ko ang labi ko. "The girl whom Joaquin is in love with.."

Nagsimula nang humampas nang malakas ang dibdib ko. Here I go. I am really telling him the truth now.

"Uh huh? What about her?"

He kissed my cheek and waited for my answer. I inhaled and exhaled deeply before speaking.

"S-she's me."

Nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. I looked down and felt ashamed. I feel like this is really my fault. Sana ay dumistansiya na ako noon pa. Lalo na nang umalis si Ayden at naiwan akong mag-isa.

"Don't meet with him anymore."

Agad siyang tumayo at naglakad palayo. I stood up to follow him upstairs. Hindi naman magiging solusyon ang pag-iwas na lamang. I can't do that to Joaquin. We need to talk.

"I can't do that, Ayden. Kailangan din naming mag-usap."

Patuloy akong sumunod sa kaniya sa pag-akyat ng hagdan. Kanina lamang ay nakangiti siya sa akin. He's not in the mood now. Siguro ay dahil pagod din naman siya galing trabaho. Sana pala ay hindi ko na lamamg itinuloy.

"What's there to talk about? His feelings for you?" He bitterly asked.

"Y-yes.." I sighed. "Ayden, the situation is messy. Kahit si Faye ay kailangan ko ring makausap."

Nang makapasok sa kuwarto ay tuluyan na niyang hinubad ang polo niya. I went inside to continue talking to him.

"I don't have a problem with Faye. Ang Joaquin na iyan ang problema ko."

"Ayden, Joaquin is my friend. I can't just leave him hanging. We need to talk." I explained.

Mariin niya akong tinignan. His jaw clenched with anger. Lalong humampas nang malakas ang puso ko sa tagusang tingin na iyon. My legs felt jelly.

"He's in love with you and you are married to me. Ayokong makipagkita sa ibang lalaki ang asawa ko."

I shut my eyes and covered my face with my palm. I am getting frustrated now. I don't know why he can't understand me. Kailangan naming mag-usap ni Joaquin.