Deceiving The Star [Cosmos Series#3]

Kabanata 24

Napahinto ako sa aking tinatatayuan at napatitig sa madilim na kalangitan. A smile slowly crept in my mouth when I saw the stars dominating the whole skies.

Humalukipkip ako at nanatiling nakatitig sa kalangitan. I suddenly moved out of surprise when someone snatched my arm.

Napasinghap ako nang makita ang pamilyar na bulto ni Hoax.

"Let me go," Mariing sambit ko.

He tilted his head as his hand landed on my back. "Let's talk first."

"Wala tayong dapat pagusapan." I thought he'll just let me go because I already signed the papers yet he's here.

He gently pulled my back, urging me to come with him. "Just this once, Astrid. Listen to me."

I heaved a deep sighed. "What else do you want? I already s-signed the papers--fuck," I whispered a curse when my voice trembled. "I don't want to hear anything from you."

"Just a minute, Strid," Namumungay ang mga matang sambit niya.

"I said no!" I shrieked. My chest heaved up and down as I tilted my head. "Can't you understand? Leave me alone! Give me space!"

Mariin siyang pumikit bago ako tinitigan. Sa huli ay napabuntong hinunga at napatango. "Alright, I won't bother you. I'll wait until you're ready to listen. You know where to find me. I'll wait, Astrid."

"Astrid!" Agad akong napalingon sa kausap dahil sa tawag na iyon.

"Huh?" Baling ko kay Archer. Then I realized I'm too preoccupied. I remember it again. That was our last talk. Even until now, it still feels the same. But I won't let him fool me again.

He tsked as he sipped on his coffee. "You're not listening."

"Sorry, what is it?" I attentively asked.

"As I was saying, there's still no progress. I'm sorry."

I drew an audible breath and whispered. "Damn it."

Mariin akong napapikit at pilit na ikinalma ang sarili. "My parents' divorce was approved three months after they filed it. I filed my divorce exactly a year and a half from now yet--" I heaved a deep sighed, as if it'll calm me down. "You'll tell me there's still no progress in it?"

Mukha ngang magkakabalikan na sila Mommy, tapos 'yung divorce ko hindi pa rin maaprubahan. They got divorce because of what my father did. He sent Kuya to an orphanage. Habang ang alam ni Mommy at ni Tito Julius ay namatay ang anak nila. Ang hindi alam ni Daddy ay kinuha ni Tita Amira si Kuya at iyon ang pinalabas na anak nilang dalawa.

At first, I can't look at my mother directly on her eyes because I thought she cheated. But Daddy explained that Mom didn't cheat on her. Mommy's already pregnant with Kuya when she met my Dad.

A few months after their divorce, I saw them in a restaurant. I can still remember how shocked they are when I appeared in front of them. Then last week, Mommy gave me a hint about them getting married again.

I still don't get why they got divorced when it's obvious that they still have feelings for each other. Maybe Mom's too furious about what Dad did. Sana pinahupa na lang niya 'yung galit niya. Anyway, I have nothing against them if they got back together.

"It'll be fast if your husband will cooperate." Iyon ang ilang ulit ng sinasabi sa akin ni Archer.

That means I have to talk to him, I can't do that. Hoax saying he'll wait for me, was the last time we talk. I can still remember when Mirae and Vynz had their church wedding, hindi ako mapakali dahil alam kong naroon si Hoax. I thought he'll talk to me and I don't want that to happen. I don't want anything about him and Mia. Wala akong balita sa relasyon nila. One thing is for sure, they're still not married and I can imagine Mia's frustration because of that.