A Hiraeth Dilemma (T.R.A.V.E.L SERIES # 3)

Chapter 36

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"He's mad." Sabi ni Cohen kaya di ko maiwasang kabahan.

We're now both eating dinner, natuloy kami sa date namin. Naalala ko na naman tuloy si Aziel, he really looks mad.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

Medyo napatulala ako dahil hindi ko alam ang sasabihin. Mabuti at nagsalita si Cohen.

"At a nearby restaurant." Nakangiti nitong sabi.

Hindi ko naiwasang kabahan nang lingunin siya ni Aziel as if he's mocking him. He then brought his sharp glance to me.

I got out of the car agad para makausap siya. It's disrespectful if I won't. They then closed the door of the car. Si Cohen ay napa step backwards, giving us privacy. I know he's confused but he don't want to interrupt us.

"Bakit mo siya tinititigan, Ellie!" Sabi ni Aziel, para itong nagmamaktol kaya napakunot noo ako.

"We're going now." Sabi ko dito, not wanting to talk to him more.

Bakit siya umaastang ganito? Meron na siyang iba ah. Ayaw niya na sakin, ayaw niya ng bumalik kami sa dati. Hindi naman pwedeng siya lang ang maka move on!

"What?" Hindi maka paniwalang sabi nito.

"We're gonna have dinner." Sabi ko at napa buntong hininga bago nilingon si Cohen. "Cohen, tara na."

"Seryoso ka ba, Ellie?" Naguguluhan at hindi maka paniwalang sabi nito. Kinunutan ko siya ng noo.

"Bakit hindi?" Naguguluhang tanong ko.

"Really?" Ulit pa nito kaya mas naguluhan lang ako.

"You know what? I don't understand you. Aalis na kami, we'll be late." Sabi ko at nilingon ulit si Cohen na ngayon ay ready na pumasok sa driver's seat.

"Ellie naman!" Sabi nito, mukhang galit pero nagmamaktol na ewan.

I just raised him a brow bago pumasok sa loob ng kotse. Nag drive na paalis si Cohen.

I can still see him in the side mirror, he looks serious while his gaze is following this car.

Natauhan ako ng iabot sakin ni Cohen ang isang wine glass.

"I guess he's indeed mad." Sabi ko.

"Kaya pala you look distracted." Naguluhan naman ako sa sinabi niya.

"What do you mean?"

"You're open to me but at the same time you're not, Ellie. You look lost and is always thinking of something. Siya ba ang dahilan?" Natahimik ako dahil sa sinabi nito.

Am I that obvious? Hindi ko kasi mawala sa isip ko si Aziel. I sometimes feel guilty going out with him pero pag naiisip ko namang walang kami ni Aziel ay medyo gumagaan ang loob ko at the same time, nasasaktan.

"I guess." Sabi ko dito pero napatitig lang siya.

"You're not sure?"

"Malay mo pasyente." Sagot ko na ikinatawa niya ng mahina. He then shook his head.

"I doubt it." Sabi nito kaya napaiwas ako ng tingin.

"He's my ex. We broke up almost three years ago." Sabi ko dito, he just listened. "He moved on, I didn't. I want him back but I think meron na siyang iba."

"That's why you agreed to this?" Sabi nito bago uminom sa hawak niyang wine. Napatingin ako sa kanya at napatitig.

"Yes, I wanna move on because I don't know how." Napakagat labi ako at napa buntong hininga.