Pulling the Wrong Strings

Chapter 20

We just waved our hands goodbye. Pagkapasok ko sa kotse, I feel so tired kaya napapikit ako nang masandal ko yung ulo ko sa may headrest ng shotgun seat.

"Do you want me to massage you later before we sleep, Magdalene?"

I just hmm-ed as an answer and I felt my husband's hand holding mine. Napangiti naman ako. But before I totally go to sleep, I remembered something.

"Damn. We forgot to fetch Camilla on your parents house. Come on, babe, please? Can you take a U-turn and drive to your parents house? I miss my baby."

"Can we just go there tomorrow morning, babe? I'm dead tired already. And besides, let me have you for myself even just for tonight."

I arched an eyebrow. "No. I want to sleep with my baby."

He only sighed and takes a U-turn.

Franco's POV

"I'm sorry I'm late. Naextend yung meeting bigla," she kissed me on the cheek before sitting on the chair in front of me.

"It's okay. I just arrived here." Kahit na magda-dalawang oras na ko dito.

"Are we gonna eat here or gusto mong sa unit ko na lang tayo kumain? I'll cook your favorite roast beef."

"Let's just eat here, Lianne. And I want to apologize because hindi na kita maihahatid. May pupuntahan pa kong iba."

"Saan naman?" Sabi niya habang nakatingin sa hawak hawak na menu. "It's already late, don't tell me you'll go clubbing again?"

I just smiled a little at her. She really knows me. Lianne and I have been together for almost five years now.

"Have you heard the news? They are back."

Nawala ang atensyon ko sa binabasa kong article sa phone ko. I know what she is talking about. Laman ng balita ang pagbabalik nilang dalawa dito kasama ang anak nila.

"Kaya ba wala ka na naman sa sarili, Franco? Because Natasha is back."

"Babe."

She is smiling while looking at me. Dumating na yung orders namin.

"Thank you," she said it sweetly to the server before looking at me "let's eat? Nagmamadali ka diba?"

Pinanood ko siyang kumain. I know, she is not stupid to not realize that I still have feelings for Natasha. I was so unfair to Lianne who is my girlfriend for almost five years now. Hindi ko alam paano ako makakabawi sakanya.

"I've changed my mind. Ihahatid na kita." Sabi ko sa kalagitnaan ng pagkain namin.

"No, thanks. Sa mansion ni Lolo P ako uuwi ngayon."

"Lianne."

"What? Hahaha don't worry about me. I'm fine. It's not like you should feel guilty because you still have feelings for her. Wala nang bago dun, Franco. And besides, we are only dating not because we love each other but only because we need each other's company."

I watched her get inside her car until it was gone from my sight. Sumakay na rin ako after sa kotse ko.

"As expected, you are here, dude."

Ininom ko muna yung laman ng baso ko bago ko nilingon ang pinanggalingan ng boses.

"How was the party?"

"Masaya. But I didn't see their child. Siguro iniwan muna nila sa parents ni Nathan ang bata."

I nodded my head. Sooner or later, makikita din naman namin 'yon. I think I should wait.

"Bakit nag-iinom ka na naman? Hindi ba kayo nagkita ni Lianne?"

"Wala lang. To unwind. Yeah, bago ako magpunta dito kasama ko siya. We ate dinner."

"Bakit ba hindi ka nagpunta sa birthday ni Ashton? Hinahanap ka nila."

"I'm not yet ready to see her."

It's okay. Duke is my friend. Alam niya lahat nang nangyayari sakin. Alam din niya kung gaano na ko katagal nagpapakatanga dahil kay Natasha. Siya lang ang nakakaalam kung kailan ako nagsimulang magkagusto sakanya hanggang sa mahalin siya.

"Franco pare, five years na lumipas. Wala pa rin bang pagbabago?"

Napangiti ako. "Wala. Katulad pa rin ng dati. Mahal na mahal ko pa rin siya."

Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na buntong hininga.

"Dude, kaibigan kita kaya gusto kong sumaya ka din at ayaw kitang saktan pero wala ka na talagang pag-asa sakanya. May girlfriend ka, Franco. Five years na din kayo. Tama na, kalimutan mo na si Natasha. May pamilya na sila ni Nathan, na siyang bestfriend mo."

Inisang lagok ko ang lamang alak ng baso na hawak hawak ko.

"Kung ganun lang kadali kalimutan siya edi sana matagal ko nang ginawa."