IKAW LANG ANG MAMAHALIN (ASHRALD)

Chapter 23A

"Babe? Are you alright?" Tanong ni Gerald habang kumakain sila ng dinner sa bahay. "Ha?" Sarah was surprised. "Is there something bothering you?" Hinawakan niya ang buhok ni Sarah. "Ah. Wala wala. I'm okay." "Are you sure? Parang ang uneasy mo kasi eh and you look tensed?"

"You don't have to know anything about this Gerald. I can handle this on my own. Makikipagkita ako kay Rayver. Maguusap lang kami and that's it. Baka lalo lang lumaki ito kapag nalaman mo pa."

Sarah changed her mood. Ayaw niyang mag-alala si Gerald. "Babe, there's nothing to be worried about. Medyo mabigat lang ang ulo ko, yun lang." "Okay. After this you drink pain reliever then pahinga ng maaga." Sarah nodded. "Ge, tomorrow pala may department meeting kami after work, so medyo gagabihin ako ha."

"Ah okay. Sunduin kita after ng meeting niyo?" "No no. I'll bring my car. I'm not sure din what time kami matatapos eh. Don't worry." She smiled and held his hand.

"Ma'am Sarah. You have a call Mr. Cruz." Sarah sighed in distress. "Okay transfer mo na. Uhmm wait, Joy, If you receive any call for me, pakisabi na lang na I am in a meeting okay. Kahit sino pa ang tumawag. I mean kahit sino." "Okay Ma'am Sarah."

"Hello." Sarah answered the call.

"Sarah? I'm on my way to your office. I'm there in half an hour." Dead line.

Hindi na nakapagsalita si Sarah. "Oh God, please kayo na po ang bahala." She closed her eyes and hoped that she is doing the right thing.

"Doc Anderson, there's a call for you, line 3 please." "Okay. Thank you."

Gerald answered, "Doc Anderson."

"Gerald?" A man's voice on the other line said.

"Yes?"

"Rayver here. How are you Doc?" Gerald was surprised. "Rayver?"

"Yes. Alam kong kilala mo pa ako. Hindi naman ako nawala, umalis lang ako sandali." Rayver said.

"What do you want?" Gerald said firmly. "I just want to ask if Sarah told you anything?"

Gerald was silent. "Ah, so hindi niya sinabi sayo na magkikita kami today, after her work?"

"Ano? Makikipagkita si Sarah sayo?" Gerald exclaimed.

"Yup. I'm on my way na nga to her office eh. I have to go Doc." Rayver hung up.

Gerald was in total shock. "Si Rayver ba talaga yon?" Naalala niya ang kakaibang mood ni Sarah kagabi and the department meeting she informed. Nagduda na siya. He checked the time, 5:23 pm. He immediately called Sarah's cellphone pero naka-off ito. He picked-up his landline and called her office.

"Can I speak to Sarah please its urgent." "Sorry sir, she is in a meeting right now." Sagot ng receptionist.

"Asawa niya ito. Its very important that I speak to her now." Tinigasan ni Gerald ang boses niya.

"Sorry po talaga sir hindi po kasi siya nagpapaistorbo sa meeting eh."

Gerald immediately cut the line. He went out of the hospital then to his car. "I want to know, Sarah. I trust you completely. Please don't dissappoint me." Pinahahurot ni Gerald ang kotse papunta sa office ni Sarah. Nang makarating siya, nagpark siya sa hindi kalayuan at nakikita pa rin niya kung sino ang mga lumalabas ng building. Kinakabahan siya. He checked the time, 5:47 pm. "Sarah, alam kong hindi ka makikipagkita sa kanya. Hindi mo gagawin sa akin ito." He was still trying to call Sarah's cellphone pero naka-off pa rin ito.

Gerald was staring at the entrance of the building. Nakita niya agad si Sarah lumabas, then stood just right at the door. Mukhang may inaantay ito. Hindi mapakali si Gerald sa kotse. He opened the car door and went down, he will go to her. But in just a few seconds, may kotse na nagpark sa harapan ng building. Kitang kita ni Gerald si Rayver, nakababa ang window ng kotse nito. Lumapit si Sarah at mabilis na sumakay ng sasakyan at umandar agad ito papalayo.