APRIL HIDDEN AGENDA (CALENDAR GIRLS SERIES #4)

PROLOGUE

“You’re leaving?” Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Vandryck habang nag-aayos ng mga gamit na kakailanganin ko sa pag-alis.

I just nodded at him. “My father wants me to go with him. So, I don’t have a choice but to leave.”

He let out a heavy sigh before walking towards me. Napabuga na lang ako nang hangin nang maramdaman ko ang mga braso niyang niyayakap ako. “Don’t, April. Don’t leave us. Our baby needs you. I don’t want him to grow old without you.”

Instead of letting him, I pushed him away from me. “Seriously, Drey? I can’t imagine myself building a family. Even with you. Makakasira ‘yon sa trabaho ko, pwede ba.”

Pain acrossed in his eyes so, I immediately averted my eyes. Ito ang katotohanan na hindi ko matatanggap. Ayaw kong magka-anak sa kahit na sino dahil hindi ko pinangarap ‘yon. Bukod do’n, napakamalas niya kung malapit sa panganib ang magiging Ina niya.

“Why can’t you just accept the fact that we’re having a baby?" Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. “Ganoon ba kadali sa ‘yong iwan ang isang walang kamuwang muwang na bata? Have you lost your mind, April? It’s your fucking baby for fuck’s sake! Galing mismo sa sinapupunan mo.”

“Don’t shout!” I hissed. “I know what I’m doing, Vandryck! Hindi mo ako kailangang utusan sa mga bagay na dapat kong gawin. It’s my own decision, and you can’t stop me from doing this!”

His fingers run through his hair in frustration. How dare him to tell those things on me! Hindi ba pwedeng hayaan niya na lang ako umalis para sa ikabubuti ng bata?

“Look, April—”

I cut him off. “No. Just let me leave, Drey. I’m doing this for your Son. No need to—”

Nag-tiim ang bag-ang niya. “Our Son, April.”

“Fine.” I sighed in defeat before looking straight into his eyes. “I’m doing this for our Son. Mabubuhay naman siguro ang bata kung wala ako, ‘di ba?"

Bahagyang umawang ang labi niya at hindi makapaniwalang napatitig sa ‘kin. “Are you for real?”

I simply nodded. “Iyon ang tama, Vandryck. Gusto ko lang din sanang humingi ng pabor sa ‘yo.”

He didn’t respond, he’s just staring at me.

I gulped. “Gusto kong... sabihin mo sa kaniya na patay na ang Nanay niya bago siya ipanganak.” He stunned in shock but I continue. “Huwag na ‘wag mo akong ipapakilala sa kaniya, Vandryck. Don’t ever tell him about me. I don’t want him to get disappointed, knowing that her Mother is an—"

“Shut it! Fuck.” Bahagya akong napaigtad sa biglaan niyang pagsigaw. “I already told you! Just leave your goddamn work and let’s leave peacefully! Somewhere far from here, April.” He was pleading. “Don’t you want that?”

Sinubukan niyang hawakan ang balikat ko pero kaagad akong umiwas. Kailangan kong gawin ‘to dahil hindi lang ako ang mapapahawak, pati na rin ang inosenteng bata.

I took a deep breath and smile at him, but it didn’t reach to my eyes. “Are you blind or numb? I... I never loved you, V-Vandryck. I just used—you.” Bahagyang pumiyok ang boses ko pero ipinagsawalang bahala ko na lamang.