Whispers of Avarice (Casa de Castillo 1)

Chapter 26

Cheat

"Taylah..." he uttered almost in a whisper. Naamoy ko ang alak mula sa hininga nito.

"Lasinggero ka talaga."

"Mahal mo ba ako? Mahal kasi kita," he slurred, his words slinking through the haze of his intoxication. Tinaas nito ang kamay niya at gumawa ng malalaking bilog. "Mahal na mahal na mahal."

"Umuwi na tayo," sabi ko at nilingon si Karsyn.

"Ako na bahala umalalay sa kan'ya," wika ni Karsyn na mukhang naiintindihan ang nais ko na mangyari.

Magkatabi kami ni Keanu sa backseat habang si Karsyn naman ang nagmamaneho. Mahimbing na ang pagtulog ni Keanu at nakasandal ito ngayon sa balikat ko. I couldn't help but experience remorse and sympathy. I knew I had hurt him, so I will try to make things better for him by giving him an explanation.

"Taylah..." he whispered.

"Hmm..."

"I love you... I really do."

I smiled softly, touched by his declaration even in his inebriated state. "I know," I replied, gently squeezing his hand. "And I love you too."

The next day, with a warm bowl of lugaw cooked by my Lola in hand, I made my way to Keanu's house. It was Karsyn who opened the gate for me. He mentioned that there were only three of them at home today, including Keanu and the gardener, as their parents were in a business meeting, and Kaniel had gone out.

"Keanu," I called out as I knocked on his door.

There was no response, so I decided to open the door myself. I found him lying on his bed, covered in a comforter. I walked over to him, placing the lugaw on the nightstand before sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I know you're upset," I began, reaching for the edge of the comforter. Slowly, I began to uncover him. "I don't love Gaston anymore. Whatever we had is in the past. You're my present, Keanu."

Marahang ibinaba ko ang comforter para makita ang mukha niya. Ngumiti ako nang magtagpo ang aming mga mata. Ikinubli niya ang kanyang tingin dahil sa ginawa ko, at ngayon ay nakanguso na habang nakatitig sa bintana.

"You mean it?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

I nodded, a smile playing on my lips. "Yes, Keanu. I mean it. You've always been there for me, through thick and thin. You're the one who truly understands me."

Lumingon ito sa akin, habang ako ay lumapit at inakap siya nang mahigpit. Ang mga kamay nito ay yumakap sa bewang ko. Nararamdaman ko ang mabilis na tibok ng puso nito dahil sa lapit ng aming mga katawan.

Keanu and I reconciled after I visited him at his house. It's been a few days since then, and now we're on good terms. It's a relief to have resolved our misunderstanding and to be back on the same page. Clarity washed over us like a soothing balm.

While I understood that conflicts and misunderstandings are not uncommon in relationships, I pledged to maintain open communication with Keanu at all times. I vowed never to repeat the mistakes I made with Gaston, ensuring that I would never leave Keanu in a state of uncertainty or doubt.

I stood up from my seat when I read Ida's message. I repeatedly read it because I couldn't believe it. It's been three years since she left the Philippines, and she hasn't returned since then. I blink my eyes countless times and read her message again.

Fraida Forbes:
Magbabakasyon ako sa Philippines!

Aethan Alcaraz:
ndi kami u2-u2 beh
tigil mo na 'yan