Below The Tide (Charity Series #1)

• Thirty Three •

Betina Tiara

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Wala akong naging pagda-dalawang isip na sagutin si Zen para maging opisyal na boyfriend ko. Wala akong ibang maramdaman kung 'di galak sa puso ko dahil alam ko sa sarili kong tiwala ako sa kan'ya, mahal ko siya at ramdam kong mahal n'ya ako-- makailang ulit n'ya nang binaggit 'yan at naniniwala ako ro'n.

Siguro... okay lang naman 'di ba? Okay lang naman maging masaya para sa sarili ko? Kung hindi man kami ni Zen ang nakatakda sa huli, handa akong tanggapin 'yun at wala akong magiging pagsisisi.

As I said, I bet my happiness on him.

Handa na sana akong matulog nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko sa gilid, si Claudius ang tumatawag.

"Yes?"

"I heard that you left Zen’s house."

Sumandal ako sa headrest at napangiti nang maalala ang nangyari kanina, "Yeah, it was a comfortable trip thanks to you."

"I’m glad to hear that. Did you mention the cat food commercial to him?"

"Well... of course he declined."

"...I knew it," I heard him sigh, "If that’s what he wants then I don’t care anymore."

Ngayong kausap ko si Claudius, naaalala ko 'yung mga sinabi ni Zen tungkol dito at sa kuya n'ya. Nasa iisang grupo lang sila pero hindi sila magkasundo. Sa apat na taon... sigurado sanay na sanay na ang ilan sa kanila.

"Let me hear your afterthoughts," he spoke again, "How is Zen doing?"

"He became a bit emotional, we talked about his past with his parents and... I feel bad about that. Though I will not say anything, still, I think he’s a strong independent guy." I said truthfully, "I understand him more... you know, our past were both miserable."

"Strong independent narcissistic inflexible guy... yeah."

Inflexible... tama siya ro'n. But Zen has a personal reason why.

"I will no longer interfere with Zen’s work. To provide some advice to Zen as a member of the CVA, I think it is unfair for him to discriminate against me without a particular reason," he uttered seriously on the line.

Malamang ay ang tinutukoy n'ya ay ang sagutan nila kanina sa chatroom, dumagdag pa na tinanggihan muli ni Zen ang pangungulit ni Claudius tungkol sa alok n'ya.

I lightly shook my head, "Claudius, Zen has his own reas---"

"If he is jealous of my fortunate background, then I only hope he stops feeling inferior."

"Hindi ‘yun gano’n... listen, he has his own reasons for his attitude so please... don’t be so offended. Don’t fight, okay?"

Nanahimik ang linya. Bumuga ako sa hangin at muling nagsalita.

"Try to understand him more, Claudius. There’s a reason why he’s like that. You’re both in the same organization. I wanted to explain to you in detail but I’m not in the position for that so please..."

Hindi ko alam kung galit siya o ano dahil gano'n pa rin naman ang boses n'ya, seryoso-- at normal na sa kan'ya 'yun. Pero nag-aalala lang ako at baka tuluyan na silang mag-away kahit na dati pa silang ganito, but we’ll never know... ayokong magkaroon ng kaaway si Zen. So I wish... someday, there will be a chance where they can both talk and settle this.

Lalo na ngayong in a relationship na kami ni Zen, gusto kong maging maayos ang paligid n'ya. I even thought of wanting him to talk to his family, too.