End of the Day (Mystique Trilogy 1) (COMPLETED)

Chapter 34

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR 

"Aalis ka na? Hindi mo na isu-supervise 'yung project na 'to?" Iñigo asked me while helping me gather my things in the office. I didn't know what to reply so I kept my mouth shut. Hindi pa 'ko nagpapaalam nang maayos sa kanila kaya 'di ko alam kung kanino niya nalaman ang balita na aalis ako. "Elle, uso magsalita. Kanina mo pa hindi sinasagot ang mga tanong ko. I feel hurt na," he added and acted like he's in pain.

Binato ko siya ng isang crumpled paper at natawa. "Baliw, babalik naman ako. Let's just say that I need an alone time."

He didn't say another thing after I answered his question. Yesterday was the wake of my father. Konti lang ang dumating, including my close friends and my brother. I didn't cry much yesterday because I know my father's in good hands now. Napatawad ko na siya, matagal na, kahit na hindi pa siya humihingi ng tawad sa 'ming magkapatid. After all, he's still my father, without him, I'm not me today. Darren's been talking to me, assuring me that everything's going to be okay, and it worked. I don't think that without him doing that, I wouldn't be as okay as I am now.

"Kailan ka babalik?" He asked.

"After two months," I answered and smiled at him.

Biglang nag-ring ang cellphone ni Iñigo at noong nakita niya kung sino 'yon ay biglang lumiwanag ang mukha niya at napangiti. Noong isang araw ko lang nalaman na may long-term girlfriend pala 'tong si Iñigo at hindi niya lang sinasabi dahil "bawal" daw. He said that he'll try to make a way to make the two of them "possible" in the eyes of many. I didn't understand what he meant by that but I'm happy that he's happy with his relationship.

Nang matapos kami ay pumunta na kami sa labas at nakita kong naghihintay na si Darren doon. Ngayon din ang alis niya papunta sa Italy kaya nakasuot na siya ng white button down dress shirt at black coat. Parehong airport lang naman ang pupuntahan namin kaya naisipan na rin naming magsabay. Ate Janine is inside the car, probably texting my brother while waiting for us. Kuya didn't come here because he has a surgery to perform, but he promised to text me as soon as he finishes.

I saw Darren's smile as soon as he saw me. He thanked Iñigo for helping me. Darren talked to Kael and ordered him to update us regarding the project weekly. Hindi naman na nagkaroon ng 'opinion' o 'sabi' si Kael noong nalaman niya na aalis ako, tanging "Ingat ka" ang nasabi niya sa 'kin kaninang umaga. Maayos naman na ang relasyon naming dalawa. Matapos noong araw na nagising ako sa unit niya ay medyo gumaan na rin ang atmosphere sa pagitan naming dalawa. Kung dati ay halos iwasan namin ang isa't isa, ngayon ay kabaligtaran na.

"Elle? Can I talk to you?" I turned around and saw Cedric standing in front of me. "Saglit lang."

I looked at Darren and mouthed him to wait and pulled Cedric away from everyone. Kael's eyes immediately saw us but he just shrugged before talking to Iñigo. When Cedric and I got into a place more private, I said, "Okay, what do you want to tell me?"

Cedric kind of intimidated me, to be honest. Even though I've met him before, I still sense some 'mystery' on this guy. He's silent and always serious. Minsan, bigla na lang siyang nakatingin sa amin ni Kael lalo na kapag nag-uusap kami.

"I just want to tell you that I'm sorry if ever I offended you by being intimidating around you. Uh, the reason why I kept eyeing you and my cousin is because I had seen how much he had longed for you, you know? Ibig kong sabihin ay noong gabing natapos kayo, pinapunta niya 'ko sa room niya at sabi niya sa akin ay hindi niya na uli mapapatawad ang sarili niya kapag sinabi niya 'yung rason niya at hindi mo siya napatawad," sabi niya at malungkot na ngumiti.

Napaawang ang labi ko at napalingon sa direksyon ni Kael. Nakakunot pa rin ang noo niya sa amin ni Cedric pero nang bumalik ang atensyon ko kay Cedric ay natatawa siya habang nakatingin sa pinsan niya.