Kabanata 31
Never Beg
I was about to give up when I realized how hard I've been through in my life and I survived. Now I know, whatever the problem is, I know I can handle it.
"Ma'am, may phonecall po para sa inyo."
Nag-angat ako nang tingin sa isang katulong dahil sa sinabi nito. I'm in the middle of having a good time with Aztiel when the househelp bought the wireless phone to me.
"Thank you," saad ko 'saka ito umalis na.
"Maisha Granada, speaking," walang ka gatol-gatol na saad ko. Isang buntong hininga ang narinig ko sa kabilang linya na naging dahilan nang pagkunot ng noo ko.
"Who's th---."
"Maisha..."
Literal na natigil ang hininga ko nang marinig ang boses ni Alec sa kabilang linya. Ilang minuto ang lumipas bago ito ulit nagsalita at pumukaw sa diwa ko.
"Can we talk?" Tanong na nagpalamig ng buong katawan ko.
Talk for what? Di kaya...?
"About what, Captain?" Ilang minuto nang pananahimik ko. I tried so hard to have a formal tone. Thankfully, I did.
"We need to talk. Marami tayong dapat pag-usapan. I'll fetch you in your condo later, 6pm," diri-diritsong saad ni Alec sa akin. Not even giving me an option to say no. An irritation filled my senses when Alec ended the call.
How dare him! And how did he know my address anyway? Don't tell me he use his connections to find me!
Kakauwi lang namin kahapon galing sa bakasyon, tapos ito ang bubungad sa akin? Talaga bang nananadya ang panahon sa akin?
After four years, ngayon lang siya tatawag at makikipag-usap sa akin? Sa bagay, I cut all of my connection and contacts naman. I changed all of my bank numbers. I even buy a new condo unit kahit na 'di pa naman nakakapunta si Alec sa unit ko sa Pilipinas. But I know he has his way to find us.
At siguro naman, busy rin ito sa buhay may asawa. Tss!
Alas kwatro pa lang ay nakabihis na ako. Plano kong ihatid si Aztiel sa bahay nina Mommy't Daddy. Nandoon rin si Davin na nagpresentang ito ang magbabantay kay Aztiel.
"Are you sure you don't want to bring a bodyguard?" My mom was so protective to me since then.
"Nah uh... I can handle myself very well, Mom," nangingiting saad ko.
I waved to my son and kissed my mom's and brother's cheek bago ko pinaandar ang aking Renault Megane pabalik sa condo unit ko. Sa daan pa lang ay kung ano-ano na ang naiisip ko.
What if Alec want to get my son? Siguro naman, they have already their own kids by now. Alangan namang wala diba. And as if I will let him get Aztiel to me. I would never let him, even if it means my death for protecting my son, I will. With a heartbeat.
Sa isang Five Star hotel ako dinala ni Alec, which is, may ne-reserve na itong restaurant para sa amin. From the last time I saw him in Canada, he isn't as matured-looking than he is now. His arctic blue eyes screams how imposing he is. His thick eyebrows screaming of how powerful he is. All of him screams of how he commanded, and not to obey.
Nakasunod lang sa akin si Alec habang naglalakad kami patungo sa nakareserbang table. All of the people from the hotel's lobby, until here, in the restaurant ay napapabaling sa gawi namin. And their eyes would magnet on the man behind me. Standing straight and look devastating handsome snob.
Halos mapaigtad pa ako nang hawakan ni Alec ang beywang ko para igiya sa pag-upo. By just his simple touch, it already sent millions of voltage to my senses. It sent shiver down to my spine. No one could ever do that to me, aside from this man.
Pagkatapos ilatag ang main course sa mesa ay tahimik lang kaming kumain. Pahapyaw ko itong tinitingnan, pero salubong lang ang kilay nito at seryoso ang mukha habang kumakain.
The dessert was served, and it was 7:15 already. I decided to talked first, kasi kung si Alec pa ang hihintayin kong magsalita, baka amagin na kami dito!
"So... what is this all about?" taas-kilay at diritsahang tanong ko. Alec clenched his jaw and furrowed his eyebrows.
"Why did you leave?" tanong na nagpakunot ng noo ko. I laughed a bit without humor.
"And why not?" balik tanong ko rito, na mas lalong nagpa-igting ng panga ni Alec. Never did I feel scared with such expression. But now, it slowly changes my mind.
"I am asking you, Maisha. Don't be so sarcastic," walang ka gatol-gatol na saad ni Alec sa akin. I swallow hard, but that doesn't mean na mai-intimidate na ako sa kanya.
Hmmp! I twisted my lips.
"Dapat ay alam mo na ang mga sagot sa mga tanong mo, Alec. Noon pa man, dapat alam mo na. Why would I stay in Canada, when my family is here?"
Alec put down the wineglass he's holding. All of his attention was all on me now. And it makes me a bit uncomfortable.
"Then why did you leave me? When we both know that I always want to be with you."
I was speechless by what I've heard from Alec. Like he is fucking fooling around. Who would believe him, anyway? If he is getting married when he know that I am three months pregnant.
Was he thinking that I will pursue him, just because I am pregnant with his child? Well, he got it wrong! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself pursuing and pleading to someone just to be with me. No! Not me. I am Maisha Arachne Granada, and I will never beg to anyone, especially if it's because of a man!
"Why would not? I am not a kind of chasing-a-man woman, Captain." I smirked. "In fact, I wasn't born to beg anyone to stay. I will never beg."
Alec stared at me sharply. Ilang segundo iyon bago pumungay ang mga mata nitong nakatitig sa akin.
"But I can. And I will, Maisha. I can beg, and I will beg just to be with you. I'll do it willingly."
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