The Bitch Has Changed

Chapter 17

Note: This is the revised version. Please do not confuse yourself with the comments on the comment section. Thank you.

Chapter 17

GUSTO KO YATANG umatras nang makitang si Clifford ang naghihintay sa akin at hindi si Symon. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi ko pa siya kayang makita. Hindi ko pa siya kayang makausap. Akmang aalis na ako nang bigla na lamang may humarang sa aking dadaanan.

"S-Symon..."

He sighed. "Where are you going?"

"I-I can't face him right now," I told Symon. I glanced at Clifford na mukhang hindi rin mapakali habang naghihintay. He kept on looking at his wristwatch and phone. "You told me you will tell me something. But why was Clifford here?"

"He is the person who will tell you what you need to know. If I told you that it's really Clifford, I know you won't meet him." Symon held me on my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes. "I know you are not ready yet, but Clifford has to leave the country this week. Do not prolong your agony. He's already here and he doesn't want to leave without making it up to you. Give this to him and to yourself, Luna."

Nilingon kong muli si Clifford na ngayon ay mukhang pinanghihinaan na ng loob. Mukhang hinihintay niya talaga ako.

"Will you go with me?" I asked Symon.

He gently shook his head and smiled. "I will just be outside. If you think you can't take it anymore, then tell Clifford and go to me. I am always here." He fixed my hair before resting his right hand on top of my head while the other was still on my left shoulder. "You owe yourself the explanation you have deprived yourself of hearing. It's for your peace of mind, not to clear someone's name. Do it for yourself, Luna. Listen to the things you need to hear first."

I clenched my fist as by doing that, it will give me strength. I nodded at Symon to tell him that I am ready and he finally let me go. I took a deep breath before walking towards Clifford who seems anxious if I am really going to meet him or not.

"Clifford," I called him.

Mabilis na nag-angat ng paningin si Clifford at tila ba ay gulat na gulat sa aking pagdating. Walang lumalabas na salita sa kanyang nakabukas na bibig. Ito yata ang unang pagkakataon na nakita ko siyang naging ganito. Sa ilang buwan naming nagkasama, palaging nakangiting Clifford ang nakikita ko.

"I-I'm sorry," he said then immediately stood to pull a chair for me. "Please, have a seat."

I smiled at him and said, "Thank you."

"Let us order first." Clifford smiled at me. "Do you want anything specifically?"

"No," I answered with a small smile. "Anything's fine."

Tumango lamang si Clifford tsaka pumunta sa counter para um-order. Pinakiramdaman ko ang aking sarili. Sobrang bilis pa rin ng tibok ng puso ko. Pumunta ako rito na walang kahit na anong alam sa kung anong pwede kong malaman mula kay Clifford. Kung para ba talaga 'yon sa ikapapanatag ng loob ko o makakasakit ng aking damdamin, walang nakakaalam.

Bumalik si Clifford dala-dala ang mga inumin na in-order nito. Mayroong tipid na ngiti sa mukha nito. Halatang-halata ang pag-aalala sa kanya dahil nasanay ako na palagi itong nakangiti at maaliwalas lamang ang aura.

Clifford offered me one of the drinks he ordered and I just thanked him. "Long time no talk?" He said with a small smile. Mukhang pinapakiramdaman din ako ni Clifford at mayroong bahagi sa akin na ayokong nagkakaganito siya.

"It's just almost two weeks. Hindi naman ganoon katagal," sagot ko sa kanya.

"Well, it is for me."