Series 01: Lucas Clemente

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

SINALUBONG si Lucas ng kanyang matalik na kaibigan, si Sebastian. Nagtanguhan lamang sila at bahagyang tinapik ng kaibigan ang kanyang balikat. Lucas forced a smile.

"Where is she?" he asked.

"In the room."

Kaagad siyang nagpaalam sa kaibigan at nilakbay ang daanan patungo sa silid ng dalaga. He's so excited to hug her tight. Nasasabik na siyang ibalita sa dalaga na maayos na ang lahat. Na nasolusyonan na niya ang nangyari.

Tahimik siyang umakyat sa hagdanan habang dala ang kanyang biniling pagkain para kay Xiana. A smile lifted his lips when he saw the door. May konting siwang ito kaya't rinig na rinig niya ang usapan sa loob.

"Dear, what are your plans now?"

Natigilan si Lucas. Mas pinili niyang manatili muna sa labas at makinig sa usapan ni Xiana at ng kanyang manager. They both look serious.

"I don't know." Xiana sighed. "I'm afraid. My mind's chaotic at the very moment, Mels. I'm scared."

"You love him, right?"

Mas lalong tinuon ni Lucas ang kanyang buong atensyon sa isasagot ni Xiana, palihim na humiling na sana ay may sukli ang pagmamahal niya para sa dalaga.

"Then what are you afraid of? You've watched the video and he said she's already his ex."

"I'm afraid because of that. He chose me, Melody. He cheated on his ex-fiancée just to be with me.  He chose his mistress. Now, can you tell me not to get scared? When the fact that he already cheated, he will surely do the same again."

For a moment, he felt like someone stabbed him in the chest. Pain invaded his whole being upon hearing those words from the woman he treasured the most. Humigpit ang kanyang kapit sa hawak na paperbag na may lamang pagkain.

Lucas squeezed his eyes shut before he decided to knock on the door. Kaagad na natigilan ang dalawa nang dahan-dahan niyang tinulak ang pinto. He forced a smile, especially at her manager.

"Uhm..." Tumayo si Melody at nginitian silang dalawa. "I guess you guys need to talk. And don't worry, dear, I'll handle everything concerning your career. Don't worry too much."

Tipid na ngumiti si Melody bago ito umalis ng silid ng dalaga. Xiana covered herself with a heavy duvet as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"I brought you some food."

"Kanina ka pa ba riyan?"

Halos sabay nilang wika. Lucas cleared his throat and nodded his head. "Yes, I am."

"Narinig mo usapan namin?" she asked and he nodded again. "Kung ganon, umalis ka na."

"Xiana," he chanted and took a deep breath. "Why do you always push me away?"

Hindi ito sumagot. Sa halip ay humiga ito. "Matutulog na ako."

He mentally groaned. Ganito ba talaga ka-lala ang pagbubuntis?

"We can't fix everything if we'll not talk about it, Xia."

"We're not fixing anything." Bumangon ang dalaga at sinamaan siya ng tingin. "Please, go home."

"I won't."

"Hibang ka ba?" Napapantastikuhan siyang tinignan ng dalaga. "Hindi mo ba nakikita ang mga damyos kapag naging tayo? Lucas, nawawalan ng tiwala ang mga tao ng Romblon sa 'yo. Nasisira ang pangalan mo, ang pangalan natin."

"And? What do you expect, Xiana? I already told you that I don't care if choosing you means ruining myself. Pinili kita at papanindigan kita."

"You heard I don't trust you, right? Narinig mo ang usapan namin ni Melody. Wala akong tiwala sa 'yo."