It Had to be You (Valdemar Series #2)

Kabanata 45

45 – Coward

Daniel stayed with me throughout the night in the hospital. Kahit na sinabi na sa aking na sa maayos na kalagayan na si Ayden ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako mapakali. I know he's doing okay, I just can't help but to worry. Pakiramdam ko ay dapat naroroon ako at binabantayan siya. Ngunit alam ko ring hindi ako papayagan ni Daniel ano mang pilit ko.

I nodded at him when he told me I have a visitor. Agad akong nagulat nang malaman kong bumisita siya sa akin. I didn't want to accept her but Daniel convinced me.

"H-hi, Asia.."

Huminga ako nang malalim saka iniayos ang upo ko sa kama. I glanced at her and continued fixing my blanket. Hindi pa rin tinatanggal ang IV sa akin.

"What are you doing here, Danica?"

Hinila niya ang isang upuan saka ngumiti. I frowned at her behavior. Is she here because she pity me? 'Cause I don't need it.

"Ah..I just wanted to visit you.." kinagat niya ang labi niya. "I b-brought fruits!"

I simply nodded. "Salamat."

Inilapag niya ang basket ng prutas sa bedside. I raised my brows when she smiled at me again. Ilang buwan na rin ang nakalipas simula nang huli kaming magkitang dalawa. I believe it was on that resort before I got married if I am not mistaken.

"I'm sorry about what happened.." she looked down.

I shrugged and rested my back. What does she want? Nagpapaawa ba ito?

"I'm still alive. Nothing to be sorry about."

Tumango siya saka ngumiti ulit. A dead silence surrounded us. Bumuntong-hininga ako at binasag iyon. I want to rest. Kung wala na siyang siyang ibang pakay pa ay maaari na siyang umalis.

"Diretsahin mo na nga ako.." I directly said. "Bakit ka naririto?"

"Asia, I.." she inhaled a deep breath. "I want to apologize to you."

Nagsimulang humampas ang dibdib ko. Apology? Siya, hihingi ng tawad? Is she sick or dying?

"For what?"

"Ayden and I.. That night.."

Nawala ang gitla sa noo ko nang sabihin niya iyon. I looked away. That memory left a deep scar in me. I don't know if I am ready to talk about it with her.

I saw her started tearing up. Kumirot ang puso ko sa naging emosyon niya.

"Some of his friends called him that night, and I was friends with them so I k-knew.." she sniffed. "I was in love with him, I wanted to take the chance.."

I clenched my jaw and looked down when my tears started forming too. When will it stop hurting? When will I forget that stupid night?

"So you kissed him while he's drunk." Walang buhay kong sabi.

Umiling siya. "He wasn't drunk."

A lone tear fell from my eye. Hindi siya lasing? Ibig sabihin ang pangalawang halik ay ginawa niya nang na sa katinuan? He wanted it?

"So he did.." I gulped out of pain. "Voluntarily kissed you."

"N-no.."

Another set of tears fall from her eyes. Her eyes looked weary. It was very guilty and ashamed. I feel like she's scared to tell the truth but she's forcing it.

"I drugged him.." agad niyang sabi.

My lips parted. "You did what?"

"He wasn't drinking that night because he was waiting for your text. And I gave him a water w-with a drug in it.."