Tied to a Cervantes

Chapter 28

I took a deep breath when pain instantly hit the organ inside my chest. But this time, it was painfully bad that I had to lean against the counter for support because my breathing went unsteady. It also didn't help when I felt a throbbing pain on my temple. I tried massaging it including my forehead hoping to ease the pain but it was no use. It was making me dizzy even more. Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa counter nang maramdamang tila umiikot na ang paningin ko.

I quickly pulled one of the dining chairs and leaned against its back. Kumulo na ang iniinit kong tsaa pero nanatili pa rin akong nakaupo. My body felt tired all of a sudden and just the thought of standing up exhausts me even more. The dizziness and discomfort were slowly fading but I still didn't feel good. My breathing wasn't steady yet and I knew I had to sit for a little bit more.

Maybe I just need to rest. I slowly opened my eyes at that thought. Feeling somehow good, I went upstairs, not minding my ginger tea, then took a shower before changing into some shorts and plain shirt. I was moving slow I noticed. Matapos magpalit at mag-ayos ay humiga agad ako sa kama. The moment I felt the soft mattress, my eyes instantly closed.

When I woke up, I was hoping that Cervantes was already home but to my dismay, he wasn't. I tried calling him but his phone just kept on ringing. Was he that busy? Kaya ba hindi niya masagot ang tawag ko? Disappointed, I placed my phone down. Hindi ko na lang muli siya tinawagan pagkatapos noon because I was hoping that maybe after he'll see it, he'll ring me but it didn't happen. The whole time I was waiting for him, I received nothing. Even until evening came.

I just sighed and walked out of my closet after changing now into a satin night dress ready for sleep. Contemplating whether I should call Cervantes again or not, I sat on the edge of the bed. I dialed his number in the end, but just like earlier he wasn't answering. I unbelievably stared at my phone. Damn.

Is this it? Hindi man lang ba kami mag-uusap ngayon? I waited for him the whole day yet it will all boil down with me lost in the dark. Sana man lang tumawag siya o magtext para alam ko kung maayos lang ba siya. If he doesn't wanna tell where he is then atleast magtext man lang siya na hindi siya makakauwi or magagabihan siya para hindi iyong nag-aalala 'yong tao. Hindi naman iyon ganon kahirap. Hindi ko lang kasi mapigilang isipin that this was the second time around he left without a word, a call nor a simple text. I mean, how hard is it to spare a minute and send a message?

Hindi ko namalayang nakatulugan ko na pala ang pag-iisip. Naalimpungatan na lang ako nang maramdamang tila may humahaplos sa pisngi ko. When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the person I've been waiting for since this morning. My heart beat loudly on its own. He stopped caressing my cheek and just stared at me straight in the eyes.

"I think I wake you up." His gentle yet manly voice resonated in our silent room. That's when I realized I missed him badly. He was in a white polo. Its sleeves were rolled up until his elbow. I stared at his handsome face and noticed that he didn't look weary nor stressed at all, but I can see in his eyes both uncertainty and doubt. I bit my inner cheek. Am I the reason behind it? Because I can still vividly remember his pained look and how he plead not to let him go.

We were just looking at each other's eyes, and I knew we were trying to figure out what's running in each other's mind. I decided to broke the silence. "Where have you been?" I softly asked. It was a genuine question and he knew what I meant. I was expecting him to give me an answer but I didn't imagine that what he will say next would shatter my heart into pieces.

"I'll take a shower." He kissed the top of my head before heading to the bathroom.

I was left shocked and speechless that I was rendered immobile. I cannot help but tightly grip the bedsheet and feel my heart bleeding inside. After waiting for how many hours, that's what I would get in response? That hurts. Did he purposely evade my question? Kasi nakakagago lang.