Always, In All Ways (Change Series #4)

"What's that, Ate?"

I don't know why can't I just remove this fucking bangle in my hand. Nasa akin na ang screw pero ilang minuto ko lang 'yon tinititigan habang naka-upo ako rito sa kama ko.

Binaba ko ang pouch at tumingin kay Maureen. "Hi, Maui. Give Ate a hug first." I opened my arms to her.

"Ate, nakita mo si Kuya Gio?" she asked after the hug, umupo siya sa tabi ko. "I heard Mom and Dad talked about him. Where is he now? Is he okay?"

"He's... okay." I smiled sadly. "And yes, I saw him."

Maui held my cheek. "Are you okay?"

I nodded and smiled. "Of course," I faked a laugh.

"Can I talk to him?"

"Hindi na muna, Maui. Huwag na."

She nodded understandingly. "Okay, Ate. Good night po. Sleep early." she said then she kissed my cheeks before going out of my room.

-

I was busy with my work today until Adrian suddenly appeared in front of the Nurse Station.

"Uy, long time no see!" I cheerfully said.

"Kakauwi ko lang from New York last week. Can I invite you for dinner tomorrow?" He smiled. He looked better. He looked more professional than before. Maybe, New York changed him a lot.

I nodded. "Sure, but I need to go back to work now, baka mapagalitan ako." I chuckled.

He chuckled, too. God, he became more handsome, I can say.

"See you tomorrow, Nat."

"Hoy, luma-love life ka ulit, ah." Nurse Mikee teased me. Kaming dalawa lang ang natira dahil nag-Canda si Jenny at doon siya naging nurse.

"Sus. Hindi, 'no."

"Kunwari ka pa, Nurse Nat. Bagay naman kayo noon. Ang gwapo, eh." She giggled. Natawa lang ako at napailing.

After work, I decided to go to Addie's house. Doon na lang ako matutulog since na-miss ko rin naman siya. We haven't saw each other for more than a week because I'm too preoccupied with the case.

"Hoy! Bakit hindi mo man lang sinasabi sa 'kin na nagkikita pala kayo ni Gio?! Kung hindi pa madulas si Calynn!" she shouted the moment I entered her house. Nakaupo siya sa couch at kumakain ng popcorn.

"Tungkol lang 'yon sa case."

Tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin. "Anong case?"

Huminga ako nang malalim bago umupo sa couch niya, umupo rin siya sa tabi ko. "'Yung case ko dati, nagkaroon ng suspect, si Gio ang prosecutor."

"What the─" nabulunan si Addie kaya inabutan ko siya ng tubig na nasa center table. "Bakit siya?"

"Sa kaniya raw binigay?"

"Pwede naman niyang tanggihan 'yon, 'di ba?" Napaisip siya. "Pwede nga ba?"

"Ewan ko sa kaniya. Basta ako, gusto ko lang makulong 'yung bumaril sa amin ni Maureen."

"Oh, hindi mo pa nakukuha 'yung screw?" Tinaas niya ang kamay ko. "Bakit suot mo pa 'yan?"

"Nakuha ko na... pero ayaw kong tanggalin."

Umiling si Addie. "Nat, pinapaasa mo lang ang sarili mo."

Huminga ako nang malalim at sumandal sa couch. "Hindi ko alam."

"Hindi ka man lang ba galit sa kaniya dahil iniwan ka niya? Ngayon parang okay lang sa 'yo lahat? Ganoon na lang 'yon?"

Umiling ako. "Hindi. Hindi ko alam, ayaw ko munang mag-isip." I stood up and went to her room to take some rest.