Take Me Home (City Series #4)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

L

@lyliachen posted a new photo on instagram.

lyliachen happy 4th, my love! through ups and downs, thank you for being my constant ❤️ can't wait to see you!!
nathanzion happy 4th, baby! everyday grateful for the blessing that you are in my life. to forever :)

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"It was a nice movie naman, ano?" I said. "Sabi nina Louise super haba daw ng pila nung first day ng screening."

"Dapat 'di sila naki-sabay doon. Marami talaga nanunuod ng superhero movies kapag first week gano'n." Tumawa si Z at sumalampak sa sofa.

"You want some water, babe?" I asked him. "You seem pretty tired."

"Just all the traffic." He yawned. "Tapos backlogs."

Tumango ako at nilagay ang baso sa coffee table niya, just beside the flowers that he got me for our anniversary. I don't think he noticed it earlier, pero suot ko yung necklace na binigay niya sa akin noong high school pa kami.

He hasn't been noticing a lot of things.

He hasn't been doing a lot of things.

But I guess flowers are okay.

Flowers are enough.

Napatingin ako sa cellphone niyang biglang tumunog. He checked it, and pressed the lock button to close it again. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang isipin..

Who is he talking to?

Who would text him at this hour?

Is it her again?

Are they still talking? Is he keeping things from me again? Is he choosing to lie so I won't get angry?

"Sino 'yon?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Wala," he answered non-chalantly while placing his phone back into his pocket.

I chewed on my bottom lip, trying to suppress myself from saying anything. Because then it just turns into a fight. And I don't want to fight. I'm so sick of fighting all the time.

Tingin niya ata, gustong gusto kong nakikipag-away sa kaniya. But he doesn't understand that the only reason I'm doubting him is because he broke my trust. The trust we once had in our relationship.

Our once healthy relationship has turned into an endless series of fights and doubting and crying.

"What is it, love?" he asked. "What's wrong?"

"Who texted you?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. The silence between us was way too loud. I could already feel the tension rising up. I could already sense his frustration.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

"Ito nanaman? Smart ang nag-text, expired na daw load ko, oh." He sighed and brought out his phone again. Binuksan niya 'yon at tinapon sa coffee table. "Lia, hanggang kailan mo ba ako pagdududahan?"

I tried to hold back my tears, pero tumutulo na pala 'yon. Hindi ko na mapigilan.

Sobrang sakit pa rin pala talaga. Kahit na sabihin niyang hindi na sila nag-uusap. Kahit na nag-sorry na sa'yo yung babae. Kahit na anong gawin ng ibang tao, sobrang sakit pa rin. Nandito pa rin yung sakit.

"Ano? Gusto mong basahin lahat? Ayan na, Lia. Sa'yo na cellphone ko. Sa'yo na lahat. What do I have to do to make you trust me again?" He let out a breath. "Nakakapagod na 'to."