Feint (Royal Society #3) COMPLETED

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Drive

We were silent. Tahimik lang si Vini at ako naman ay nakatingin sa bintana. Everything happened so fast that my mind can't wrap around the idea that he is with me... beside me.

I know I wanted this to happen days ago but fear held me back. The fear that I won't be able to handle his anger. The fear that he would ignore me if I try approaching him. The fear that we would have to experience that kind of pain once we try to talk about it.

I am still scared, terrified even, that he would suddenly wake up and realize this is all a sick joke.

That's why I don't want to make a noise that would probably wake him up from the spell. I was that scared to lose him again. I was fine when we broke up years ago because I know my intention back then. But if I will be hurt again today, I don't know where will I end up.

"What were you thinking?" Vini broke the silence and I looked at him with wide eyes. "Hmm?"

"N-nothing," I stuttered. Then I looked back to the window and watched the scenery outside.

I saw people living normally here on the outside. They hardly care about the rules. They just live... how they wanted to live. People working in the establishments, setting up their businesses, and staying at home.

I find it comforting to live with people living normally. I wanted to stay here but the thought of Ate Hena being alone... parang ayaw ko na.

But am I going to live again for others? Tapos na ba ang oras ko para mabuhay para sa sarili? I don't want this to end. I want to live like this for the rest of my life. Can I do that? Can I ignore the guilt I have for Ate Hena? Can I leave my family behind?

Pero napabalik ang tingin ko kay Vini nang mapansin na lumabas kami ng Capital. Are we going to a province? Kung saan mataas ang araw? He said it himself.

"Why are we here?" Tanong ko dito. Saglit lang siya tumingin sa akin at ngumiti. Why... why does he have to smile like that?

I mentally pinched myself when I realized that I was staring at him too much. He really knows how to make me lose my focus.

"You didn't answer my question," ulit ko. I don't know but for some reason, my voice sounded cold. And I know he noticed that dahil napatingin siya sa akin.

Vini sighed. "It won't be a surprise if I tell you now."

"I don't like surprises," I said baka kasi nakalimutan niyang hindi ako yung tipo ng tao na mahilig sa ganoon.

"You don't have to remind me," he sighed and forced himself to give me a vague answer. "A province. Yves said you are just staying in your room that's why I wanted you to have some fresh air."

"But you know I don't like surprises."

Matagal bago siya sumagot. "I wanted you to see things from other perspectives. You may not like surprises given that you have a bad experience but some surprises are exciting, you know."

My heart softened when I heard him. I get his point but I have a stubborn mind. Once I set my mind that I don't want to do a thing, I really won't. That's just who I am. 

"Maybe the only surprise that would make me happy is when you ask for my hand," sabi ko sa mahinang boses at nakatingin sa binta, nahihiya sa sinabi.

I unconsciously turned the volume up of his radio para ma-occupy na ang utak niya at hindi na isipin ang sinabi ko. Sa gilid ng mata ko ay nakita ko siyang napailing habang may maliit na ngiti sa labi niya. That expression made me bit my lip because I can feel my cheeks heating up.

I don't why but I ended up falling asleep. Siguro dahil na rin sa lamig sa loob at amoy ng sasakyan. It smelled like him. When my eyes opened, puro puno na lang ang nasa paligid ko. At first, I thought we are lost but Vini is calm. 

Umayos ako ng upo kaya napansin niya na nagising ako. "Oh, you're up? Hungry?"

I nodded because I really am. Light breakfast lang kinain namin at halos tanghalian na. But when I looked around, I barely see any house na pwede kainan. 

"I can't see any place na pwede kainan..." 

Vini answered right away. "Yup, we'll see a community just around a corner. Don't panic, this isn't my first time coming here."

"Not your first time?" I asked. "Sino ang kasama mo nung una?" I tried hiding jealousy in my voice but dinig ko parin.

Vini chuckled. "I was alone, minsan kasama ko si Yves kasi hinahanap niya si Tallia."

"I... I was just curious," I said and cleared my throat before pointing the sign. "Let's try eating there."

He eyed me suspiciously but didn't say anything. He maneuvered the car swiftly and parked under the shade of a tree. I took off my seat belt and fixed my hair. Buti na lang talaga maigsi na lang buhok, mabilis na lang ayusin. 

Vini opened the door for me and I thanked him. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I stiffened for a second before walking. Damn his effect on me. 

I took my time looking around the place. It looked so native. The tables and chairs were all made of wood, even the flooring. The walls were all made of glass and we can see the beautifully arranged garden of the place. 

Vini dragged a char for me and I settled myself on it. "Have a nice day," the man said after he placed two sets of books containing the food.

"What do you want to eat?" Vini asked and I can sense that he is annoyed. 

Tinignan ko muna siya bago nagtanong. "Are you mad at me? Or is it because you are tired?"

Sasagot na sana siya nang bumalik yung lalaki para maglapag ng baso ng tubig. And there I noticed Vini glaring at the man! This... this is new. I can't help but smirk. The Vini I knew years ago is not a jealous man. Things have changed, huh.

When the man left, Vini found me smiling at him. Tinagilid ko pa ang ulo ko para asarin siya.

He shook his head. "Stop it."

I chuckled, looking at him. This is what I missed the most. The simple moments that we spend together. "I missed you," I muttered, unable to stop myself.

Vini stopped moving and stared at me like he was memorizing my face. Then his face softened. "You have no idea the length I would go for just to find you."

We ordered first and waited for the food. "So, mind telling me where are we headed?"

He put down his glass and raised an eyebrow. Akala ko magsasalita pero hindi nangyari. He just... stared at me and I melted. Ganoon ang nangyari habang inaantay ang inorder namin na pagkain.

When the food arrived, I immediately salivate. It's a barbeque rib with corn on the side. Nairinig ko ang tawa ni Vini pero hindi ko pinansin. It's because Nana is very strict with our food back there. We are more on vegetables. 

After we ate, I offered to drive dahil mukhang pagod na siya pero umiling lang siya sa akin. After half an hour, we arrived in a sort of community. Unlike sa dinaanan namin kanina, puro bahay dito. 

Hindi ko inantay si Vini pagbuksan ako at lumabas na agad. I roamed around and I see a lot of people. But my eyes focused on the cars parked on the other side of the road. I know those... 

I slowly walked towards the houses when I stopped in a distance. 

"Erzel!" 

***

6.13. Hello :))