Present Time...
A week before the accident...

Billy

I was feeling great today as I am on leave since me and Sarah have a scheduled meeting with Ylona for our wedding preparations. We agreed to meet again this time at the restaurant so we can also have our lunch there.

We were in the middle of our conversation when I felt my phone vibrated inside my jeans' pocket. I discretely pulled it out and secretly swiped right to open the message.

1 Message Received

From Noel,

Where are you, Babe? Let's meet up today! I miss you so much!

I winced inwardly as I remembered how clingy and annoying Nathalie can be. I don't even know what tempted me to cheat on Sarah when she's nothing but sweet, faithful and kind to me.

"Na-iimagine ko na ang magiging itsura ng reception niyo! I'm excited!" Ylona exclaimed and Sarah joined her as they erupted into giggles. "Sana all talaga!"

We engaged ourselves in a conversation about Sarah's wedding dress and the gowns of the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

I was busy holding and caressing Sarah's hand when I felt another vibration in my jeans' pocket and this time, I decided to ignore it. It kept on vibrating that I have to excuse myself to them and went to the restroom.

As soon as I stepped inside, I hastily pulled out my cellphone. I groaned when I saw that it was still Nathalie.

I swiped right and answered her call.

"Hello? Ano na naman ba!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing in the restroom.

Some men have thrown me annoying glances that I have to bow down and apologize to them.

"Asan ka ba kasi? Kanina pa ako tumatawag! Hindi mo sinasagot kahit text ko!" Nathalie yelled back.

"Wala ka ng pakialam kung nasaan ako! Quit calling me!" I snapped and was about to hang up when she said something that made me pissed off.

"Paano ka nakasisiguro na 'yang babaeng kasama mo ay talagang faithful sa'yo? Tingnan mo ang messenger mo para hindi ka nagmumukhang tanga sa kanya!" Nathalie hollered and hung up.

I heaved a deep breath and connected my phone to mobile data. To shut her up, I opened my Facebook messenger and saw what Nathalie meant.

There were about five photos of Nathalie with different men. Some I have known since college since we were in the same university and the recent ones were from work and one was a completely different guy.

First picture shows Sarah sharing a funny moment with Rainier who is her colleague in the Voyager Airlines. Second was Sarah and Jeremy talking over lunch in a restaurant not too far from their friends.

Third photo was of Sarah with Tyrell's brother, Tyler, as they shared what seemed to be a comfy time together at the mall on their way to the cinema. Fourth photo was of her and someone inside the airport who handed her a box of chocolates while their colleagues teased them. 

The last photo which got me annoyed was of Sarah and Preston. The guy is back. And he was hugging her so tightly that they seemed oblivious to everyone around them.

My forehead frowned immediately and I turned off my mobile data in an instant. I went to the sink and washed my face in frustration. I pulled out my handkerchief and dried my face as I stared at the mirror.

Really? Of all people, magagawa nya sa akin yun?

All the while, I thought she's faithful to me! But it seems like I was wrong!

I returned to our table with a grim look on my face. Sarah might have noticed it because she was the one who told Ylona that we have 'other' place to go to today which the latter agreed upon. Shortly, we went our separate ways while me and Sarah went to the car.

I was breathing in and out hoping to relax myself as I don't want to scare her. I want her to tell me what's going on.

After a few minutes on the road, I turned on the radio and let it erase the tension inside the car. It was a mistake to put my cellphone on the holder in front as Nathalie began to irritate me again.

It was a smart move that I gave her a different name on my cellphone to avoid arguments with Sarah.

"Uh, hindi mo ba sasagutin?" Sarah asked and I remained silent.

"Love, si Noel oh, tumatawag." She said again when I didn't respond he with my  eyes still on the road.

"Yaan mo yan. Alam naman nilang naka-leave ako ngayon." Billy said in exasperation.

"Aba, Love. May sarili kang clinic and paano nila malalamang naka-leave ka eh hindi naman kayo magkasama palagi?" She pointed out and stared at me in confusion.

I shook my head as I remembered this was also her words the first time she noticed who was calling a few weeks back.

I kept myself busy while driving and when the phone still kept on ringing, I frustratingly picked it up and brought it to my ear. I have left again my earpods so I have no choice but to press it on my ear.

"Look. Nagmamaneho ako. Mamaya na tayo mag-usap!" He exclaimed and hung up. He blew out some air and returned the phone to the phone holder.

"Oks ka lang, Love? Hindi mo naman siguro kailangang sigawan sya ng ganoon." I asked with concern.

"Quit being too nice, Sarah!" I couldn't take her act anymore so I hollered at her.

When we reached the gate of her house, I halted the car and reached for her hand. Like what I always do.

I met her eyes and apologized, "I'm so sorry, Love, with the way I acted earlier. It was stupid of me to be that way. Nasigawan na naman kita." I sighed in disappointment.

She rubbed my hands and squeezed it before she uttered her words, "it's alright, Love. Baka pagod ka lang. Have a rest, okay? You need it."

I nodded and I brought my lips to hers. We began kissing and we broke apart, I rested my forehead on hers and looked straight into her eyes, "I love you always, Sarah. Don't ever forget that."

"I love you too, Billy." She said with her genuine voice and smiled at me.

I pulled away and opened the car door.

"Drive safely, Love." She said and I nodded before I took off.

✉✉✉

Demanding si Noel ha!

👀👀👀