The Art of Loving a Beast (La Fortuna Series #4)

Kabanata 6

Parang mas namroblema pa ako sa susuotin ko para sa party ni Tita Sylvie kesa sa quiz ko kinaumagahan. We were well-off, but my Tito and Tita were on a whole another level. Empleyado lang ang mga magulang ko, samantalang sila ang may-ari ng isa sa pinakamalaking shipping line sa Asya.

My parents were never the flashy type. Kung tutuusin ay mas pipiliin nilang mamuhay ng tahimik, away from the glitz and glamour of my Tito and Tita's circle. But since they were our closest family, we had no choice but to mingle, accept, and adapt to their way of life.  

Natapos ang quiz namin sa Chem 33 na confident naman ako sa aking mga sagot. Magkaiba ang schedule at prof namin ni Fiona sa subject na 'to kaya kanina pa siyang 2 PM natapos. She had an appointment with her dermatologist, so she had to leave earlier than me today. Usually kasi, sabay kaming naghihintay ng sundo.

Palabas na ako sa room namin nang makita ko si Stefan na naghihintay sa labas ng pintuan. I sighed. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa malampasan ko siya. He immediately followed me even though I already told him last time not to do that. 

"Celia, wait!"

Masikip sa hallway pero dahil maliit ako, madali lang para sa aking makahanap ng lulusutan. Stefan's physique was more like skinny-fit, but he did have wide shoulders. Marami tuloy siyang nababangga sa daan.

"Aray!" I heard a student complain behind me.

"Sorry! Sorry!"

The urge to stop and wait for him was strong, pero nagpatuloy pa rin ako sa paglalakad. 

"Ugh, stop pushing!"

"I'm sorry! Sorry talaga!" Then I heard a commotion. Parang may nahulog na mga libro at ballpen. "Sorry. Wait. Teka lang, Celia!"

Naaawa na ako sa kanya kaya noong nakalabas sa hallway ay dumiretso ako sa isa sa mga benches malapit lang doon. I sat there and waited for him to see me. Hindi nagtagal ay hinihingal na siyang dumating sa harap ko.

"Celia, please, can we talk? Kahit limang minuto lang, oh?"

Huminga ako ng malalim at tumango. "Okay. Upo ka..."

Parang nabuhayan siya dahil sa sinabi kong 'yon. He smiled widely and sat on the bench in front of me. Medyo magulo na 'yong malalambot niyang buhok. I wanted to comb it with my fingers like I used to, but that was out of the picture now. 

I didn't even know this would be such a big deal for me. Yes, I liked him, but a part of me also knew that my attraction for him wasn't that serious. Alam kong hindi iyon ang aking pinakasukdulan. It was like being satisfied with my grades but knowing I could do better. I was happy with him, but I could be happier.

He licked his lower lip and sighed. Ginulo niya ang kanyang buhok at bigong-bigo na ako ngayong tinignan. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nakaplaster na reaction sa mukha ko ngayon, pero kalmado naman ang pakiramdam ko. He meant a lot to me... but I was also surprisingly okay with cutting cords with him.

"I know you're mad at me, but I promise I can explain."

I pursed my lips a bit. Ano pang kailangan niyang i-explain e nasabi niya na lahat sa 'kin sa text the day after that wedding? He admitted to cheating on me. Tama si Zadkiel at nagcheck-in nga sila ni Sharon sa isang motel para mag-sex!

Instead of interrupting him, I let him have his moment. Mahinahon ko siyang tinignan.

"Yes, Sharon and I had sex. Alam kong gago ako para gawin 'yon sa 'yo, pero lasing ako, Celia. Please, maniwala ka sa 'kin! Hindi ko 'yon ginusto!"

I gritted my teeth. "Hindi ginusto? Fiona saw you flirting with her noong nasa chapel pa lang kayo, Stefan. You weren't drunk then. Just say it. You cheated on me!" Medyo tumaas na ang boses ko sa pagkakataong ito.