It Had to be You (Valdemar Series #2)

Kabanata 49

Kumirot ang puso ko. That's what he said on Faye's wedding night. Na gusto niyang patunayan ang sarili niya noon pa.

"Ang sabi niya'y mahirap abutin ang babaeng mahal niya. He wanted to be recognized as a Valdemar to be deserving for that girl. I know it's you."

Kinagat ko ang labi ko saka binalingan ang kuwarto na pinasukan nila. There was a glass window so I can see him. Tumatawa siya habang kausap ang kuya niya.

I thought he wanted me for recognition? I never realized that he wanted the recognition for me. Hindi kailanman sumagi sa isip ko na gusto niyang kilalanin bilang Valdemar para maging karapat-dapat.

"Ako ang kakanta sa kasal ninyo, ah?"

Bumalik ang tingin ko sa kaniya. I smiled and nodded. I haven't heard her voice, pero kung gusto niyang kumanta, ayos lang sa akin. She can sing as long as she wants to.

Nang matapos mag-usap ang magkapatid ay naunang lumabas si Ayden sa kuwarto. I can't help but to stare at him and think about what Elianna told me. He smiled and walked towards me to kiss my forehead. Nakita kong ngumiti si Elianna saka ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa niya.

We decided to head to bed after dinner. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi pa rin ako makatulog kahit na halos tatlong oras na akong nakahiga. Ayden's even snoring, at nakasiksik na naman sa akin. And now I don't know if I'm his pillow or his wife. Again.

Dahan-dahan akong bumangon at inialis ang braso at binti niya sa akin. I stood up and carefully opened the door. Nang makalabas ako ay dahan-dahan kong isinara iyon saka naglakad patungo sa kusina. There's a lot of food in the fridge but I didn't like any.

I sighed and drank water. Halos mapatalon ang puso ko nang mayroong kamay na dumausdos sa baywang ko. He placed his chin on my shoulder and yawned.

"Why are you up?" I asked.

He shook his head and yawned again. "Just checking out."

Mahina akong natawa dahil sa bahid ng antok sa boses niya. Hindi na dapat siya bumangon pa. I'm just drinking water.

"Can't sleep?"

I smiled and turned to him. Lalong naging singkit ang mga mata niya dahil kagigising pa lamang at inaantok pa. I put my arms on his shoulders and raised my brows.

"Elianna told me something."

He pursed his lips. "What about it?"

"She said you were talking to her about the girl you liked."

"And?"

Ngumuso ako saka dinama ang malapad niyang kamay sa baywang ko. He kissed my temple and looked at me again.

"Tinatanong mo siya noon kung paano magiging karapat-dapat."

His lips parted with what I said. Umiwas siya ng tingin ngunit agad kong hinawakan ang pisngi niya upang tumingin muli sa akin.

"I thought you wanted me for recognition."

"I wanted the recognition for you." He corrected.

"I thought you never really loved me."

I misunderstood everything. Kahit na tapos na ang lahat ng tungkol sa pagtataksil niya noon na hindi niya ginawa, at ang kay Joanna ay marami pa rin akong mga bagay na nalalaman. Everything is getting clearer now.

"I loved only you from the start." He whispered.

"Napaka babaw ng pagmamahal ko sa 'yo noon. I was immature to even listen and talk."