47The whole area was silent when Wendell entered, but my eyes widened when I saw who entered next. Maddix with his dark aura. I can clearly see the anger and irritation in him. I stood up quickly, even though I was really dizzy. Damn! What is he doing here?Kinabahan ako dahil sa nadatnan niya. Nakaupo ako sa kandungan ng ibang lalake. Kinabahan ako, pero nawala rin kalaunan dahil naisip ko na walang kwenta ang kabang nararamdaman ko. Bakit ako kakabahan? It's not like he found me cheating on him.His jaw tightened as soon as he entered. I did everything to stand properly. He immediately gave me a dark look, as if he wanted me to see that he didn't really like what he saw. I do not know what to do. Bakit ganoon siya makatingin sa'kin ngayon?Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya at sinulyapan si Bella na ngayon ay hila-hila na ni Wendell palabas."Maddix? Akala ko ba magkasama kayo ng kapatid ko? Where's Kaye? And why are you here?" Zoren suddenly asked. Tumayo siya sa tabi ko.Kapatid. Ka
48It's my day off today; Bella knows that, which is why I woke up full of messages from her and Seji. I think Seji got my number from Bella. I wanted to go out, and of course I said yes because I had nothing else to do right now, and maybe if I refused, magsusungit nanaman siya sa'kin. Kasama rin si Seji kaya pati siya ay tudo kung tumawag. I can't help but wonder if Bella and Wendell had a fight last night. Wendell was really kind of angry when I caught a glimpse of him; he and Maddix were both angry when they entered the VIP room. It's acceptable for Wendell to be angry because he is Bella's fiance, and Bella says that there are no guys, but suddenly there are.I can't stop myself thinking about Maddix. Marami akong nasabi kagabi sa kanya, pero totoong gusto ko na huwag na niya akong pakealaman. Napatitig ako sa phone ko. 9 am na at ngayon lang ako hindi nakatanggap ng goodmorning kay Maddix. Hindi naman sa hinihintay ko, pero nasanay lang talaga ako. This is what I want right? K
49Pareho kaming napasulyap ni Bella kay Maddix nang padabog itong tumayo sa kinauupuan. Kitang-kita na subrang badtrip siya. He is ready to leave. "Damn it, Aliyah. Sundan mo," mariin na sambit ni Bella sa'kin at sinamahan pa ng pag"Huh? Bakit?" Takang tanong ko."Sinong susundan?" Walang alam na tanong ni Seji sa'min at kitang-kita ko na rin na subra na siyang naguguluhan, but we both didn't answer her question.Inis akong tinignan ni Bella. "Just—" Hindi natuloy ni Bella ang sasabihin nang nasa pintuan na si Maddix, pero inis na bumalik siya. Nakasimangot itong bumalik sa upuan niya. Nang sulyapan niya ako at mas lalo siyang sumimangot.Ano bang problema niya?"Sino bang tinitignan niyo?" Takang tanong nanaman ni Seji at tumingin sa likod niya. Umawang ang labi ni Seji at muling sumulyap sa'min."No way," gulat na sambit ni Seji. "Maddix Villaranza? Siya yun right?" Mahinang tanong niya na para bang gusto niyang manigurado kahit na kitang-kita na nga niya na siya iyon.I remained
50I stayed there for a few more minutes before going out. I don't want anyone to see us leaving there ng sabay! It was a comfort room for a girl, tapos lalabas siya? Ghad! Mababaliw ako kakaisip sa pwedeng isipin ng mga makakakita.When I came out, I saw him outside. I wanted to run away, but he was right outside the door, as if he knew I might think of running away.Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang sumama sa kanya, walang nagawa? Really, Aliyah? Aminin mo, gusto mo rin. Haist! Napabuntong hininga na lang ako sa naisip ko.I was silent while in his car. I don't know where we are going. He just kept glancing at me while driving.I glanced at him and remembered what he said. She doesn't have a fiancé. Is that true? But how did that happen? Kaye was with him then, and I remembered last night what Zoren asked; the question and what he said indicated that they were together.Mukhang napansin niya ang tingin ko sa kanya kaya sumulyap siya sa'kin. Napaiwas ako ng tingin at muling bumuntong
51"What happened?" Bella asked weakly as Maddix finally left. Seji is watching me; she's just quiet. Alam ko na nagtataka at nagugulat na siya, but I'm thankful that she didn't ask anything right now.Napatitig ako sa dinaan ni Maddix sa pag-alis niya. Seryoso ba siya? Mariin ang kagat ko sa labi at malalim na bumuntong hininga. Shempre, Aliyah. Seryoso siya!They were in a boutique, and Maddix took me there. After that, Maddix didn't talk anymore; he didn't even glance. I want to cry. That's what I want, na mawalan siya sa'kin ng pakealam, but to think that he's willing to ignore me makes me want to cry. He loves me. He really does. Now, the one question in my mind was answered a while ago: Kung bakit hindi niya ako dinawit at sinumbong sa pulis? He loves me. Ayaw niyang masira ako kaya mas gugustuhin niyang siya ang masira. Mali nanaman ako. Bakit iniisip niya pa rin ang kapakanan ko? Bakit kailangan niya akong mahalin ng ganoon? I don't deserve that."Can we go home, Bella? I'm s
52"Wala pa raw. Hindi pa siya umuuwi." My shoulders dropped when I heard that from Bella. I'm talking to her via video call.Ilang araw na talaga na wala akong balita kay Maddix. He really serious. "I think he really wants to give you time just like you want. Hayaan mo na muna siya. Kasal na namin next week, I'm sure he will be there," Bella tried to assure me."What if makahanap nga talaga siya ng iba?" Tanong ko, pero narinig ko ang tawa ng nasa tabi niya. I think it's Wendell."Try Maddix Villaranza, Aliyah," I heard Wendell voice, hanggang sa magpakita ito sa sa tabi ni Bella."Kunting lambing lang doon, kakaripas yun pabalik sayo," he said.Napanguso ako."Yeah, right, Aliyah. Galingan mo na lang," si Bella naman iyon at sinabayan pa niya ng pagkindat, then she said the kama, pero walang tunog.I shook my head but also smiled. I said my goodbyes to them because I had some work to finish. Next week will be Bella's wedding, so I have to finish my other work, especially since I as
53He's annoying! What's that? He really wants me to allow Zoren to court me? Wala. Binalayaan ko nga, pero wala pa rin. He didn't come home. He didn't show him to me. I frowned, leaning my head against the window of Verd's car. We are going to Tagaytay right now for Bella's wedding. My cousin and I used the same car, except for Bella, because she was there first with her parents.Hindi ko mapigilang iuntog ang ulo ko ng mahina sa bintana ng kotse ni Verd."He'll definitely be going tomorrow for Bella's wedding. Stop being dramatic, Liyah. Kasalanan mo rin naman yan," said Jero, who was next to me. I looked at him, annoyed."Being dramatic? It's been 2 weeks at mahigit, Jero! And yes, inaamin ko na na kasalanan ko, pero bakit natitiis niya ako?" Parang batang tanong ko.Nagkatinginin si Verd at Xian at sabay pang napa-iling."I really can't imagine myself being in love. It's disgusting," Verd said at nagkunwaring parang naduduwal pa kaya inis na inihagis sa kanya ang yakap-yakap kong
54The awkwardness of the surroundings prevailed. I blinked and couldn't help but look at Maddix. Naging hilaw ang ngiti niya, pero nakatingin pa rin kay Tito. Tito is now staring at me, kunot na rin ang noo niya at napasulyap kay Maddix, mukhang ngayon lang napansin ni Tito na mas umikli ang buhok nito kaya sumulyap ukut siya sa'kin. Pinanlalakihan na niya ako ng mata.Xian and Verd are now giving me a bad look. I heard Bella laughing next to me. Napatikhim ako at binitawan ang kutsara ko."I-I mean, si Xian po ang may pangit ang hairstyle," mabilis na sambit ko.Nabilaukan si Xian sa sinabi ko dahil umiinom ito nang sabihin ko iyon. Tinuro niya ang sarili."Bakit ako?" Bulong nito na kahit hindi ko narinig ay nabasa ko labi niya. Hindi napigilan ni Jero tawanan si Xian. Pekeng tawa ang binigay ni Tito Peter at saka sinulyapan si Maddix."Si Xian pala," natatawang sambit pa niya, pero rinig na rinig na pilit na tawa iyon."Tumigil na nga kayo. Come here, Maddix. Sumabay ka na sa'min