Kabanata 16
Happy
Horace Kale look more mature than the last five years. He looks more dangerously handsome. His thick eyebrows are frowning while looking directly into my eyes. The reason why my heart beats wildly like I was in some marathon.
Isang tikhim ang pinakawalan ko at nag-iwas agad ako ng tingin dito. I'm struggling for words, but thankfully, I composed some.
"G-good evening..."
Tanging nasabi ko lang. While Race shifted his weight and licks his lips. Staring at mine too. Nakatingin tuloy ako rito. The long silence between us is giving me an awkward feeling... and at peace at the same time. How ironic.
"How are you, Luienne?"
His husky cold voice gave chills to my bone. Parang mas gusto ko na yatang humilata at magtalukbong ng kumot dahil sa lamig ng boses nito. Ang pagbangit nito sa pangalan ko ay parang hindi ko gugustuhing marinig. Why I felt a pang of pain when he called my name?
"I-I'm... good."
Stuttering and shaking voice, I gulped and tried to calm my f*ckingcking self down! What the hell is happening to me!
"H-How about... you? It's been a years..." Nagawa ko pang magtanong kahit na pilit ko nang pinapakalma ang sarili ko.
Ang lakas nga rin naman ng loob mong magtanong Wren Luienne Montaños!
Race swallow hard as he looks at me. "I'm... doing good, so far."
Yon lang at muli na namang naghari ang katahimikan sa pagitan namin. Gustuhin ko mang magsalita pero wala naman akong naisip na sabihin. I want to be civil to him, but how can I kung kahit makita ko lang ito, my world will spin upside down.
"I'm happy to see you again."
Napa-angat ako nang tingin kay Race dahil sa sinabi. Pero nanatili akong tahimik. Tanging ang marahas na kabog lang ng dibdib ko ang nag-iingay sa pagitan ng puso at isip ko.
"And... I'm happy to see you smiling, even if it's because of... someone else."
Natahimik ako. Hindi magawang gumana ng isip ko dahil sa narinig. What does he mean?
"Uh... I'll go ahead. It's getting late."
Race's lips parted apart before he lick it again. His reddish lips is now look more red because of how many times he licked it. Maliit na tango lang ang ginawa nito bago ako tuluyang pumasok sa loob ng bahay.
Wala sa sariling naupo ako sa kama. Thinking of so many things. Sa ilang taon ko sa Australia never ko nang naisip pa si Race at si Challi sa kadahilanang na pe-pressure at mas inuna ko ang mga obligasyon na dapat ay ama ko ang gumagawa. But I don't have any choice but to accept it all. My father is not in a good state because of my mom's death. Kaya paano ko pa maiisip ang sarili sa dami ng obligasyon na naka-atang sa akin. If it wasn't because of Cleo, maybe, just maybe, I am still in my own grave now. Walang ibang makapitan kun'di ang sarili at ang amang nagkasakit.
It was ended a hard years for me. But Cleo was always there for me. Supporting and helping me with all. I am so thankful for having a man like Cleo. He never failed to make me feel that I'm needed. That I'm worth to keep. That I am such a blessing for him.
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GorgeousYooo 🍀