Always, In All Ways (Change Series #4)

Chapter 35

"Ano'ng sabi mo pagkatapos?"

I'm now here at Addie's house. After kong magpa-check up sa ospital ay nag-file ako ng kaso laban kay Ryan. Si Addie ang tinawagan ko para samahan ako. Kulang na lang ay patayin niya si Ryan nang malaman niya ang ginawa sa 'kin.

"I told him it's too late." I said while getting another tissue on the center table because I have a sneeze. Mahina ako sa ulan kaya ngayon, masama ang pakiramdam ko.

Nakaupo kami sa couch ni Addie, indian seat. I have a pillow above my legs while Addie is holding a chips. We're both facing each other.

"Ayaw mo na?"

"Ayaw ko na dapat. Tapos na kami, matagal na. Natanggap ko na 'yon."

Addie sighed, she got her beer on the center table and sipped it. "May rason siya, 'yung trauma niya, 'yung kagustuhan niyang protektahan ka pero sana man lang nagsabi siya, hindi 'yung nanghuhula ka, 'di ba?"

I nodded. "Pinili niyang hindi magpaliwanag. Gising na ako ngayon, Addie. Hindi na ako madadala ng mga salita niya."

We both looked outside when we heard the doorbell rang. Kaagad tumayo si Addie at tinignan 'yon.

"Ex mo,"

"Sino roon?" I asked while getting another tissue on the center table.

"Gio. Ano, kakausapin mo ba?"

I immediately looked at her. I thought for a few seconds before I stood up.

"Haharapin ko lang."

Tumango si Addie at bumalik sa upuan niya. Ako naman ay nagsimula nang lumakad palabas.

Huminto ako sa tapat ng gate. Kita ko si Gio dahil hanggang balikat ko lang ang gate ni Addie.

"Ano ba'ng ginagawa mo rito?" malamig na tanong ko.

"I bought you pizza, it's your favorite, right? I also bought you flowers." He raised both of his hands that are holding pizza and flowers.

"Hindi ko kailangan niyan." sabi ko at tumalikod na.

"Natalia,"

I took another step.

"Miss Verdadero,"

I ignored it and took another step.

"Love..."

I stopped.

I pinched my palm to remind myself that I should not let whatever he wants to happen.

I faced him and slowly walked towards him. "What did you just call me?"

He sighed heavily. "Love." he answered. "We never really broke up, right?" He smiled at me─a painful smile.

I scoffed. "Saan ka ba kumukuha ng kapal ng mukha, Gio?"

Muli siyang huminga nang malalim. "Usap naman tayo."

I shook my head. "Nakapag-usap na tayo."

"Natalia..." parang hinang-hina ang boses na sabi niya. "I want to talk to you about us."

"Gio..." I scoffed and looked at him. "Wala ng tayo, matagal na, 'di ba?"

"Natalia, huwag ganito. Give me a chance to prove myself to you this time."

Hindi na ako nagsalita nang biglang umulan. Narinig ko na lang ang mga hakbang sa likod ko at hindi ko na naramdaman ang mga patak ng ulan.

"Tara na, may sakit ka pa." Addie said while pulling me. She's holding an umbrella.