Even If It Means A War (Chaotic Series #1)

Kabanata 30

Even If It Means A War

Kabanata 30

"If only I knew this would happen, we shouldn't have come home yet," Rall muttered softly while stroking the back of Roine. 

"Ayaw ko namang itago na lang si Roine. Anak pa rin siya ni Zame," I folded my knees and hugged them.

Nakasandal sa headboard si Rall habang nasa dibdib naman niya si Roine na bagsak na bagsak dahil sa pagod sa pamamasyal kanina. It's eleven in the evening. We both can't sleep.

"I don't want to see you struggling again. Yary, you know I have a real feelings for you. And I respect you a lot. I know you know it. At ang pinakaayaw ko sa lahat, nakikita kang nahihirapan at nasasaktan na naman."

"And I hurt you too," It was difficult for me to meet his eyes.

"I can handle myself. Mahal kita kaya tutulungan kita. I always have a good intention to you. I can endure anything as long as you're okay."

Ngumiti ako. "I really owe you a lot."

"You don't owe any single-"

"No. I owe you big time." I gave him a stern look.

Tumawa siya.

I really owe him a lot. I had committed a mistake towards him in the past, and it still weighs heavily on me. He likes me, and I took advantage of that. I used him before. I truly regret it. Hindi man niya alam, pero pinagsisihan ko 'yon.

I told him about the agreement I had with Zame. It wasn't a problem for him. He was just worried that my grandfather would find out about it. Iyon din naman ang iniisip ko pero dahil nakabukod naman kami ng bahay, kahit papaano ay maluwag makakilos.

I texted Zame early that I would bring Roine to him at one in the afternoon. I couldn't just leave Roine with Zame, so I told him that I would accompany them wherever he plans to take our child. Hindi siya lubusang kilala ni Roine kaya hahanapin ako ng anak namin.

I texted Rall that we're on our way. He left earlier than us, and he's at the office now.

Zame replied that he's already at the mall. We headed there with the new car I bought. It was the nearest mall, so the trip didn't take long.

"Roine, remember 'yung lalaking kinuwento mo sa akin na may magandang puti at itim na kabayo?" I glanced at my son sitting in the passenger seat.

Ngumuso siya at nag-isip siya. Even his lips perfectly resembled his father.

"Remember the horse you chased?" dagdag ko sa deskripsyon.

He nodded and took a bite of his Snickers. "I do."

"You'll meet him today. He wants to bond with you. Is that okay to you?" nginitian ko siya para munti-munting kumbinsihin.

"Is he a friend?"

He's your father.

"Yes. Bond with him, okay? He's kind and... fun to be with."

Tumango-tango si Roine at nag-thumbs up at kumindat. Natawa ako. Mabuti na lang at hindi na ako nahirapan pa. Mailap kasi siya sa mga taong hindi siya pamilyar at hindi niya kilala.

I parked the car as we reached the large parking lot. Hindi ko maiwasang alalahanin na madalas din kaming magkita ni Zame kapag nagde-date sa pinakamalayong mall.

Pumasok kami sa loob. Sa malayo, tanaw ko na ang nakapormang si Zame na naghihintay. My heart beats wildly when I saw him. Dahil matagal napako ang tingin ko sa kaniya, hindi ko namalayan na nasa tabi niya pala si Shell.