The Devirginizer's Lady (COMPLETED) (TDL SERIES #1)

Chapter 45

Chapter Forty Five

"Before I Go"

Mula nung gabing iyon ay nalaman kong lumubha na nga ang sakit ni Mishael.

They're now talking about the possibility of cancer.

Lung cancer.

Ilang araw ang nakalipas at nakauwi na si Eleven mula Singapore. Agad na pinuntahan niya ako sa aking clinic during lunch break.

"Hey sexy dentist." Pumasok siya ng clinic at may marami siyang dalang pasalubong. Mga gifts na dresses, shoes, jewelry, pagkain.

"Eleven, anong mga ito?"

"It's all for you." Aniya. He chuckled. "Did I go overboard again?"

"Oo! Ang mamahalin pa ng mga ito. Baliw ka talaga!"

"I just couldn't help myself. I was just gonna buy you a dress and some food, but I wanted to buy everything for you." Aniya. "And I'm not gonna take no for an answer. Take everything."

We walked to a local restaurant nearby para sabay kaming mag lunch. Dati, tuwing lunch either pupuntahan ako ni Mishael at sabay kami o ako ang pupunta sa kanyang office.

Mishael...

Birthday niya ngayon. At may maliit na party mamayang gabi sa kanilang bahay. Mishael never liked big parties.

Ginagawa na naman niya ulit ang mga ginagawa niya dati. Tinatago na naman ulit ni Mishael ang kanyang sakit. Hindi niya sinasabing pusibleng mayroon siyang cancer. He's just waiting for the results.

"How were you doing while I was gone?"

Bumalik ako sa aking huwisyo nang nagsalita si Eleven. He was sitting across me. Naghihintay na lamang kami sa aming order.

"Ah... okay lang naman."

"Malalim ang iniisip mo. Is there a problem? What's on your mind?"

Bumuntong hininga ako.

"Si Mishael." Sagot ko. "His condition is getting worse."

Tahimik lang si Eleven at naghintay lang ng sasabihin ko pa.

"Eleven, it's complicated right now between me and Mishael. Tama ka... It was the right decision to take our time. Kasi 'pag naging tayo pagkatapos nung nangyari natin sa La Union, alam kong masasaktan na naman kita dahil importante din sa akin si Mishael at hindi ko siya kayang iwan."

"So are you saying you're choosing him?"

"No..." sagot ko. I stared at my glass of water. Huminga ako ng malalim. "I'm not choosing anyone. I don't think now is the right time to think about myself. I don't want to be selfish. Gusto ko lang... I'll be there for both Mishael and for you. Kahit bilang kaibigan muna. It's just better this way. Diba? Hindi ko kayo mapapaasa o masasaktan."

Nagtama ang aming mga mata. His gaze pierced through my soul. Malalim ang kanyang tingin. I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

He leaned back and looked at his hand on the table. Umigting ang kanyang panga.

Unti-unti siyang tumango.

"I understand." Aniya. "You've matured so much, Ath. I think I'm falling for you even more if that's even possible. Damn..."

I blushed. Kinagat ko ang aking labi.

"I've waited since elementary school. Walang problema sa akin ang maghintay pa sa iyo. Give me a decade to wait for you and I'll be ready to wait a century."