My Unexpected You (PUBLISHED UNDER IMMAC PPH)

Chapter 17: Ang Nagbabalik

        "Anak, pasensya ka na. Kung hindi ko sana iniwan si Jia kanina, hindi sana mangyayari ito," mangiyak-ngiyak na paliwanag ni Manang Belen kay Tyrone. Nagyuko ng ulo ang matanda bago muling bumalik sa kusina. Nasa mansyon siya. Doon siya dumiretso matapos niyang manggaling sa ospital. Hindi niya kayang uwian ang bahay ni Jia na wala ito roon. Nasanay na siyang lagi itong nakikita at malapit lang sa kanya.

        Naguguluhan niyang hinagod ang kanyang buhok bago siya nagbuga ng pagod na hininga. He's exhausted, tired, and scared.

        Natatakot siya na totohanin ni Json ang sinabi nitong kahit kailan, hindi na niya muling malalapitan si Jia.

        Nanghihina siyang naupo sa sofa. When he had learned that Jia went missing for some inexplicable reason, una niyang naisip na baka nagtatampo ito sa kanya dahil hindi siya nakapag-paalam dito kagabi nang maayos.

          Paano niya gagawin 'yon kung ora-orada silang pumunta sa Palawan ni Ashley upang hanapin ang boyfriend nitong surfer! Buti nga nasabihan pa niya si Manang Belen na samahan si Jia sa bahay nito at 'di siya makakauwi bago tuluyang na dead batt ang phone niya. Marami kasi siyang tinawagang tao— mga koneksyon para sa sasadyain nila ni Ashely sa Palawan.

           Ashley has been in love with a surfer living on an island in Palawan. Inamin 'yon ni Ashley nang magpaalam ito sa kanya na pansamantala muna itong maninirahan sa Paris after their engagement. At first he got angry. Who wouldn't? Ikakasal sila tapos may mahal itong iba! Nakakagago 'yon. Though hindi naman talaga puso ang nasaktan sa kanya kundi ang kanyang ego.

           Lumaki silang dalawa ni Ashley na laging pine-pair up ng mga magulang nila sa isa't-isa. Their fathers were best buddies at lagi silang nagkikitang dalawa sa mga espesyal na okasyon. When they were teens, they hated each other to the core. She's a brat and he's the annoying habitual joker. All of it changed when they went to college together. He didn't know what kind of a miracle it took but, they dated. On and off. Some days, he'd worship her. But most days, he wanted to wring her beautiful neck for being too bossy, too picky, and for being a brat. At some point, he really felt they truly loved each other. But, it was not enough for their relationship to survive. They were like puzzle pieces that just won't click.

        They agreed to date other people. And so he did. She did too, to the frustration of her parents especially her mother, Tita Lorraine. For Ashley's parents, he will always be the perfect husband material for their daughter. Even after his family faced a scandal that cost his father's life and left him living alone years ago. For the Wilsons, Ashley should marry him or not let her marry at all.

         Sa paglipas ng mga taon, Ashley became his constant and he too for Ashley. When women he'd dated dumped him for being an asshole, he'd run to Ashley. When she's a mess after breaking up with her series of jerk boyfriends, she'd run to him. Pero kapag nakahanap na naman sila ng bagong makakarelasyon, they'd go on their seperate ways again like nothing had happened. Not until they reached 30 and got tired of the game. They promised each other that at 33 and both of them are still not committed, they'd get married.

         And 33 happened to both of them months ago. So, they got engaged to the delight of her parents. He felt that maybe, he and Ashley were really meant for each other. He knew he needed to have a family he can call his own. He knew he needed to have a direction. So, he made all efforts to make their relationship work and set his heart into marrying Ashley. But, unexpectedly, he met Jia once again, the pretty and funny woman he had shared a special night with in Japan. And Jia gave him the biggest surprise of his life— she's pregnant with his baby.

        At first he was confused. He thought he was doomed! Who wouldn't? Ngayon pa na seryoso na siya na pakasalan si Ashley, malalaman niya na magkakaanak siya sa ibang babae. He was scared. Ayaw niyang masayang ang lahat ng efforts niya sa pagbuo ng relasyon niya kay Ashley. Mahal na niya si Ashley e. O mas tamang sabihin, akala niya mahal na niya talaga si Ashley.