Kabanata 25
Tear-stained Face
"Ano ba ang sinabi ni Challi kay Daddy at pinapunta ka rito? I told her that I'm with my friends already," I gritted my teeth in piss.
Nasa Sebu's Haven kami ngayon at tinitingnan ang development ng project na ito. Ako lang dapat ang pupunta, but Race use his words on me. Like he is also the owner of this project dahil baka nakakalimutan kong isa itong collaboration between his company and ours.
"Wala siyang sinabi, Luienne. Ako ang nagsabi sa Daddy mo na pupunta ako rito para macheck rin ang area at mga tao ko."
"I can do it on my own!" giit ko, naiinis parin. "I can just sent the report to you."
"I can do it, too, Wren Luienne. And I won't let you come here alone, surrounded by men!"
I want to laugh sarcastically, but the anger in Race eyes made me shut my mouth. Ilang minuto ring naghari ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa bago ako naglakad palayo.
I hate this. I hate this feeling na nasasaktan ako dahil feeling ko nag-aalala talaga siya sa akin. But on the other side, I know that he's just doing this because of my father. And my cousin will be his wife soon, at pinapaasa ko lang ang sarili ko. Sa isiping iyon palang, parang sinasakal na ako.
He's just concern because he thinking that I am the same girl before. Fragile and so vulnerable, not knowing that I changed a lot. I can protect myself, because in the past years, no one was able to do that for me. I need to stand alone, dahil kung hindi sino nalang ang gagawa no'n para sa nag-iisang taong natitira nalang sa akin. I need to be strong or else malulugmok kaming dalawa ni Daddy.
"Alam mo, Wren, ang ganda-ganda mo. Pero ba't ba wala kang boyfie?" nakapangalumbabang tanong ni July sa akin habang nakaupo kami sa high chair sa may island counter. Kaharap namin ang isang bote ng red label at tatlong bote ng wine na ubos na ang laman. Nasa garden ang boys at doon nag-iinuman kasama ang ilang guards at house boy dito sa rest house. I wanted to laugh at her but I just can't.
"Don't tell me ayaw mo paring palitan si Cleo? Not that I want you to replace him in your heart. Of course he's always have a part on it... Pero sana wag mo namang hayaan ang sarili mong manatili sa parteng nandoon parin siya... You have your life, and surely, boys will flock just to have you in their lives."
It ripped my heart not because I remember Cleo. But because I know to myself the real reason why. July is right. She's been my friend since I came back here in Philippines, and she knows my situation.
"I... like someone," I utter, caught July's attention. Bahagya itong ngumiti sa akin.
"But... he's getting m-married," I croak. My tears formed in the corner of my eyes, feeling so hurt. It hurts to confess like this.
"Marami pa namang lalaki diyan. Napakaganda at napakabait mo para di nila mapansin. The right man will always come in a right time."
I hug July. Her words somehow comforts me. Bakit nga ba naman ako magmamadali kung darating naman ang taong para talaga sa akin sa tamang oras. No complications. No rushing.
July raise her glass for a toss kaya ngumiti ako at itinaas rin ang bote ng alak.
"Cheers for those man who don't see your worth!" sigaw nito kaya bahagya akong natawa. "I-ooffer ko sana yung kambal ko, kaso wag nalang, babaero yun!" tuluyan na nga akong natawa dahil sa sinabi ni July.
I wipe off the lone tear in the corner of my eyes bago tinungga ang bote na hawak ko. I always stained my face with my tears.
When I glance at the doorway, I saw the man who's been hurting me all this time, watching me intently. Mapait akong napangiti bago iniwas ang tingin.
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𝑮𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒀𝒐𝒐𝒐🍀