Pursue Her Heart

CHAPTER 15

NAKANGALUMBABA si Mia sa sariling lamesa habang nakatitig sa kawalan. Naglalakbay ang kaniyang isipan sa ibang mundo.

“Anong nangyayari sa ‘yo?” tanong ni Audrey sa kaniya nang madatnan siya nito na parang biyernes santo ang mukha.

Umiling lang naman si Mia. Kapagkuwan nakita niya ang pulang marka sa leeg ni Audrey. She knew what it was but didn’t tease Audrey. Wala rin siya sa mood makipag-asaran sa kaibigan.

“I’m not in the mood.”

“Halata nga, eh.” Sabi ni Audrey at bahagya pang natawa.

Napayukyok si Mia sa lamesa.

“So, how are you and Austin?” Audrey asked. There was a hint of tease in her voice.

Mia sighed and shook her head. “Don’t ask me. It was complicated. I mean, I’m complicated.” Because she was having internal conflict within herself.

“He’s pursuing you?” Audrey asked.

Mia sighed again. “Don’t ask.”

Nagtaas naman ng kamay si Audrey. “Okay. I won’t ask anymore.”

Nag-angat ng tingin si Mia saka napatingin sa kaibigan.

Audrey looked radiant. Halatang wala itong dinadalang problema sa asawa nito. They were right. A radiant wife was a reflection of her husband. Mabuti pa ang kaibigan niya nakapag-asawa ng mabait.

Muling nangalumbaba si Mia at napatitig sa kawalan.

“Natapos mo na ang final project natin?” tanong ni Audrey.

Mia nodded. “Yep. How about you?”

Umiling si Audrey saka ngumiti. “Hindi pa.”

Natawa ng mahina si Mia. “Tapusin mo na para makapagpokus ka sa pagre-review. Malapit na ang finals natin.”

Napasimangot si Audrey. She wanted to review, but her husband always disturbed her, always affecting her sleep at night, but she couldn’t complain because she liked it. Napailing na lamang siya. These past few days, her thoughts have been filled with her husband. She should focus on her studies so she won’t fail. That would be embarrassing if she fails her subject.

Habang si Mia naman ay muling yumukyok sa sariling lamesa. Nang dumating ang professor nila saka lamang siya umayos ng upo at nakinig.

Mia was not really in the mood because of Austin. Yes, she blames Austin for what is happening to her right now. Hindi niya alam pero bakit ito ang laging laman ng isipan niya? She’s been busy these past few days diverting her attention, but still, Austin lingered in her mind.

Mabuti na lang at hindi tumatawag sa kaniya ang binata o di kaya ay nagte-text.

Austin was on a business trip. Isang linggo na niya itong hindi nakikita. Akala niya noong una makakabuti ‘yon para sa kaniya pero hindi niya akalain na ito na ang laman ng isipan niya nitong mga nakaraang araw.

After the lecture, Mia closed her eyes and leaned on the backrest of her chair. Suddenly, Austin’s image appeared in her mind.

Nagmulat ng mata si Mia. “This is not good for me. Why is he in my mind all the time?” tanong niya sa sarili. She rubbed her chin, looking for an answer to her question.

Malalim na napabuntong hininga si Mia. It’s been a week. She still couldn’t think of what to respond to her mother about what they talked about. Pero kailangan pa ba niyang pag-isipan ang tungkol doon. Even if she doesn’t think about it, it will still happen.

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Mia saka nahilot ang sentido. This is for gratitude. Yes, it’s for gratitude.

Days passed… It’s become peaceful for Mia. She focused her attention on her projects and studies. And finally, the final exam was over. Since it was Christmas, vacation was on for students and teachers.

Inabala ni Mia ang sarili sa pagpipinta at ang paggawa ng thesis niya para palipasin niya ang mga araw. Dahil sa susunod na taon, kailangan niyang mag-on-the-job training para maka-graduate siya. She also needs to finish her thesis.

“Anak, may bisita ka.”

Napatigil si Mia sa pagta-type ng laptop saka napatingin sa may pintuan. Nakatayo roon ang kaniyang ina. “Sino po?” tanong niya. Wala naman siyang inaasahang bisita niya para sa araw na ‘to.

“Si Audrey.”

Bahagyang nagulat si Mia. Tinanggal niya ang suot na salamin. “Si Audrey po?” tanong niya sa naninigurong boses. Ang alam niya nasa bahay ito ng magulang ng asawa nito. She didn’t expect that Audrey would come to her.

“Oo, si Audrey. Lalabas yata kayong dalawa.”

“Sige po. Lalabas ako.”

Tumango si Camila saka umalis na.

Lumabas naman si Mia sa kwarto at bumaba sa living room. She saw Audrey in the living room talking with her brother.

“Aud?”

Audrey looked at her. “Hi. Labas tayo?”

Kumunot ang noo ni Mia saka binigyan si Audrey ng nanunuring tingin. “Anong nakain mo at gusto mong lumabas?” tanong niya saka umupo sa mahabang sofa.

Ngumiti si Audrey saka ipinakita ang hawak na black card.

Natawa ng mahina si Mia. “Let’s go.” Aniya. She’s been busy painting and doing her thesis these past few days. It’s time to go out and have fun. “Palit lang ako.”

“Sige.”

Mia looked at her brother. “Don’t talk nonsense to Audrey.”

Tumango si Charles.

Bumalik si Mia sa kwarto saka nagpalit ng damit. Pagkatapos niyang nagpalit ng damit, kinuha niya ang sling bag. Inilagay niya doon ang cellphone, wallet at panyo niya. Then she stormed out of her room.

Mabuti na lang at may dalang sasakyan si Audrey at may driver rin ito kaya hindi kailangan ni Mia ang magmaneho.

When they arrived at the mall, pumasok sila sa mga store na naroon. It’s shopping time.

Audrey was in a good mood. Mia could tell. Pero lagi naman na masaya ang kaibigan simula ng mag-asawa ito. But she’s happy for Audrey. Nakikita na niya ang masayang ngiti sa mukha nito na hindi niya nakikita noon.

“How about you try this?” Mia asked as she showed a sexy pair of pajamas to Audrey.

Audrey blushed.

Napailing na lang si Mia. “You’re already married for many months. You’re still blushing.”

Sinamaan ni Audrey ng tingin si Mia. “You can’t blame me. I’m still new to these kinds of things.”

Nagtaas ng kamay si Mia. She didn’t want to pry on Audrey’s privacy, so she didn’t say anything about it. Iniba na laman niya ang usapan nila.

Ilan pang store ang pinasukan nila. Kapagkuwan nakapasok sila sa isang boutique kung saan may nakakuha ng atensiyon ni Mia. It was a set of neckties. Naalala niya agad si Austin.

Napailing si Mia sa mismong sarili. Si Austin na naman ang naalala niya. Wala na bang iba?

“Para kay Austin?” tanong ni Audrey na may nakapaskil na ngiti sa labi nito.

Mia forced a smile. “Hindi.” Aniya. Taliwas sa totoo niyang plano. She planned to buy a set of neckties as her gift for Austin.

Audrey nudged to Mia. “Asus. Kunwari ka pa. Si Austin lang naman ang alam kong dine-date mo ngayon.”

Hindi sumagot si Mia at hinayaan na lamang ang kaibigan na asarin siya. Ngayon lang na ganito si Audrey. Dati na hindi naman ito nang-aasar. But it seemed that Audrey was happy and free doing it, so she lets her.

After shopping, they went to a restaurant to eat lunch. Habang kumakain sila, tumawag ang asawa ni Audrey.

Tahimik lang si Mia saka napatingin sa cellphone nang tumunog ito. She took her phone and saw who messaged her. It was Austin, asking how she was. Her heart beats fast.

“I’m really done.” Naiiling na sabi ni Mia sa sarili.

Hindi sana siya magre-reply pero muling nagpadala ng mensahe ang binata.

‘Anong pasalubong ang gusto mo?’

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Mia saka nag-reply. ‘Expensive chocolate chip cookies.’

Natawa si Mia sa sarili. She expected Austin to complain but he didn’t. Instead… ‘Gaano kamahal?’

‘It’s up to you.’

‘Alright. Bibili ako kapag uuwi na ako.’

Nagbibiro lang naman siya pero hindi niya akalain na seseryosohin ito ni Austin. Napailing na lamang si Mia saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

“You looked happy,” Audrey commented, looking at her friend.

“Ah?” Mia was confused.

“I said you looked happy.”

Natigilan si Mia. “I looked happy.”

“Ang tamis ng ngiti mo. Tell me, sinong nagpangiti sa ‘yo ng ganiyan katamis?”

Umiling si Mia sabay iwas ng tingin. “Wala.”

Natawa si Audrey. “Liar.”

Uminom ng tubig si Mia. Hindi na siya nagsalita dahil kahit i-deny niya, alam na ni Audrey ang totoo.

“Fine. I’ll just pretend I didn’t know anything.” Sabi ni Audrey. Umirap pa ito sa hangin saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

Nakahinga naman ng maluwang si Mia. Tumingin siya sa labas ng restaurant. It was already December. Even if she distanced herself from Austin, a part of her was hoping that she would see him on Christmas Day.

Hindi niya rin maintindihan ang sarili niya. Kalahati ng pagkatao niya, gusto niyang dumistansiya kay Austin, to avoid future troubles. Pero kalahati rin ng pagkatao niya, gusto niyang mapalapit kay Austin.

Ano ba talaga?

But am I doing the right thing? Should I distance myself, or will I just accept my fate with Austin?

Because even if she distanced herself from Austin, from the very beginning, they were already engaged.