Chased by El Lewis Vesper Esquivel

Chapter 44

I tried to divert my attention the whole day. Tumulong ako sa gawaing bahay at nakinig sa mga payo ni Lola Soledad sa pagbubuntis ko. I just wish she would be there for me pero wala pang kasiguraduhan ang lahat.

Now that I am not needed in the case, hindi ko alam kung babalik na ba kami ng Paris o mananatili dito sa Pilipinas, but truthfully speaking, I badly wanted to stay here. Gusto kong makasama si Lola at ate Myrna kapag nanganak na ako.

She didn't ask any questions about El but she seemed so hesitant whenever she looked at me. Habang si Joaquin at Ervine ay parehong wala maghapon sa pagbisita nila kani-kanilang mga pamilya. At ako naman ay takot na lumabas na mag-isa lalo na nang lumabas ang balita tungkol sa pagbubuntis ko at sa nangyari sa resto.

I wanted to visit my parents too, pero hindi ko maiwasan na makaramdam ng takot. Kaya hindi ko rin alam.

The next morning, I did the same thing but this time I can't help but look at our entrance from time to time. Who knows baka bigla ulit siyang magpunta? I also kept glancing at the gate through the window all throughout the day.

"May inaabangan ka ba, Iha?" I was startled when I heard Lola beside me.

Kaagad kong sinara ang kurtina at humarap sa kanya. "W-wala po...inaabangan ko lang po si Joaquin."

I swallowed hard and avoided her gaze. Pakiramdam ko nahuli ako sa aktong gumagawa ng krimen.

"Hindi ka ba nila sinabihan na gagabihin na sila?" Nagtataka niyang tanong.

I awkwardly laughed at her. Of course, I knew about it.

"Gusto mo tawagan ko na sila-"

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. I waved my hands in front of her, dismissing her idea.

"Naku, huwag na po...ngayon lang po ulit sila makakabisita sa mga pamilya nila."

She then looked at me with concern.

At iyon lang ang ginawa ko maghapon, pero ni anino niya wala akong nakita. And I can't help but feel irritated about it.

So ano, ganun-ganun na lang iyon? Alam niyang buntis ako at anak niya ang dinadala ko tapos wala man lang dalaw? Sure, papaalisun ko rin naman siya kapag nagpakita siya sa akin but he needs to exert effort, do I even need to spell it out to him?

After dinner, I decided to sit on the balcony of my room...who knows he might decide to suddenly visit at night? At makikita ko siya kaagad dahil kitang-kita ko ang entrance mula dito.

But after cups and cups of ice cream and strawberries, I had no avail, I only saw three cars pass by and he isn't one of them. Nakakairita.

I was sulky all night long thinking about that idea, and how bad it is that my baby didn't even kick after he disappeared.

The next morning, I even felt more irritated. We had our breakfast together at the pool at kumpleto kami ngayon.

I munched my food with force and my eyes kept looking at the two in front of me, irritated at the situation. Kating-kati akong magtanong tungkol sa kanya pero ayokong lumabas na desperada.

I came here in the country without thinking and even considered having a peaceful conversation with El and here I am...thinking about his whereabouts all night and day long since yesterday.

Maybe my head is broken because why the hell am I suddenly craving for his presence?! This is insane. This is making me weird and insane.

"Have you seen the new neighbours? The house in front of us is already sold and kalilipat lang ata ng bagong may-ari." Ervine suddenly interjected.