Steal thy heart (PUBLISHED BY BOOKWARE)

Chapter 35

Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o magwawala ako dito.

"Do you want coffee? Anything?" I offered.

Umiling lang siya. Pero pakiramdam ko nabuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig sa ginawa niya. "You aren't blaming this on me, right?"

"Can you please not do this now, Caleb?" her words were as frostbitten as her eyes when she looked up at me. "Don't make this about you."

Natameme ako. "You're right, I'm sorry." nanahimik na lang ako at hinayaan siyang ignorahin ako. Maya maya ay hindi rin ako nakatiis at tumayo ako upang kausapin na lang si Scor. This bastard's isn't much to talk to but I'd much rather chat with this dick instead of getting my ass ignored.

"'Sup with the girlfriend?" he nodded towards Natalie who's busy trying to tune out everyone. It's so unlike her to be this quiet. Mas gugustuhin ko pa na magtatarang siya o magwala siya o kahit ano! Kesa hindi siya kumikibo. It scares me. I don't know what she's thinking!

"I don't know, man." slumped against the wall of the precint. "She doesn't want to talk to me. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung galit ba siya sa'kin o ano!"

"Maybe she's just contemplating whether to hang you by your balls or stick your dick in an incinerator?" he said it straight face while toying with his carkeys.

I looked at him pointedly. "That was really helpful, dude."

"You're welcome." Nagkibit balikat si Scor. "What can I say? Women should really come with an instruction manual."

I have to agree with him in that. Just when I thought I've finally figured Natalie out, things will get out of hand and I would prove myself wrong. I couldn't blame her though. Ang akin lang, kung sa tingin niya ay kasalanan ko ito eh di sana sigawan niya ako! Hell, I would even let her punch me or kick me if it makes her feel better. It's so unfair that she had to give me the silent treatment! Men would like to be confronted upfront! Not like this.. Like she's silently plotting my murder or something.

Tumunog ang telepono ni Scor kaya agad akong napabaling sa kanya. "Okay, good job. Bring 'em up here."

I looked at him expectantly.

"They found the twins." he clapped me behind my shoulder.

---

Matapos naming makahinga ng maluwag matapos matagpuan ang dalawang bata sa isang parke malapit sa eskwelahan ay nagdesisyon na kaming umuwi. Apparently, the kidnappers were trapped because of the checkpoints and got nowhere to go unless they let go of the captives. Matalino ang mga bata dahil agad lumapit ang mga ito sa nagpapatrolyang pulis who quickly coordinated with Scor's agents.

Although ipinakiusap ko parin sa kanila na ipagpatuloy ang paghahanap sa mga kumidnap sa mga bata. I still want to know who's behind this shit. Kahit pa malakas ang pakiramdam kong may kinalaman nga si lolo sa pangyayaring ito. Ava called me up before we leave the precint at sinabi niyang may nakakita kay Honesto na may kausap na mga di kilalang tao na lumulan sa isang itim na van. Nanikip ang dibdib ko sa nalaman ko. I didn't know lolo would resort to something so vile like kidnapping two innocent kids. This is unbelievable!

Magtutuos kami mamaya. Pinaplano ko na ang mga sasabihin ko sa kanya but for the mean time, si Natalie muna ang aasikasuhin ko. We have a lot to talk about.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" untag ko kay Natalie na nakaupo sa passenger seat ng sasakyan ko. Kanina pa siya walang kibo kahit pa nakita na namin ang mga kapatid niya. She still wouldn't talk to me. "Do you want to stop over somewhere? Do you want to eat?"

"I want us to break up."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Excuse me? I don't think I heard that right."

Bumuga siya ng hangin na animo'y nawawalan na siya ng pasensya. "Maghiwalay na lang tayo, Caleb."