Fiercely Burning(Salvador Series #2)

Kabanata 23

Kabanata 23

Time

Those days where like nightmares to me. Ilang buwan hindi naka uwi si daddy. Lolo even scolded my mom.

"I told you didn't I? Walang maibibigay ang lalaki yoon kundi problema. Walang magandang maidudulot sa iyo..."

"Dad naman,"saad ni mommy.

"Malapit pang mapahamak ang apo ko. Ka'y bobo ng asawa mo at hindi naipanalo ang kaso ng Digosman na yoon... Kung nakinig ka sa akin noon hindi sana humantong sa ganito ang buhay mo."

"Dad, maririnig ka ni, Dalhia..."

I bit my lower lip at sinarado ang pintoan. I wipped my tears and sat on my bed. Ang bahay ni lolo ay napapalibutan ng naka armadong lalaki. The chopper outside is our escape plan when the enemy attacks.

Four days stranded on this province and I still have no signs of dad.

"Mom si daddy po?" Tanong ko ng isang umaga.

"He'll be here next week... don't worry."

That's the same scenario every morning for the past months.

I was being home schooled for about three months. I did try to contact Thorn after the three months of prison. But then someone else answered his phone. He was not my number one priority that time. Dumating rin si daddy after three months. He lost alot of weigth marami naring mga dark circles sa under eye niya.

My lolo made us stay in this province for five whole years. Hindi siya pumayag na manirahan ulit kami sa manila. Dad endure Lolo's rant all the time.

In the span of time, terrible memories fade away.

Yakap ang aking mga libro lumabas ako ng faculty. I was greeted by some students, ngumiti ako. Pareho kaming nag lakad palabas ng building.

Both my parents decide to continue my studies here in our province. The Digosman are still blaming my dad for what happen to Ricardo Digosman but my grandfather settled everything.

Nakapag tapos ako ng college last year. At ang napili kong program ay education. Im a kindergartner teacher. My lolo owns a private school here so...

Napangiti ako. Lumapit ako sa lalaki naka sandig sa isang lumang pick up. Tinapik ko ang ulo ng kanyang kalo. He uncross his arms and stood up straight. He open the door of his car.

"Maayong hapon, Troy,"maligayang saad ko.

"Good after, ma'am Dalhia." He said fluently in english.

I pouted and went inside his car. Pinatong ko ang aking kamay sa bintana at sinandig ang aking baba.

"Take me out for a date?"

Tinaasan ako nito ng kilay. Umikot siya sa driver seat at nilingon muna ako bago pinaandar ang kotsye.

"Saan mo gustong kumain?"tanong nito sa malalin na tinig.

"Tacos..." Saad ko at nilapag ang libro sa aking hita."... Hindi' bat may bagong bukas sa bayan?"

Tumango siya.

"Then take me there...libre ko nanaman ngayon."

"Ma'am, I don't let women pay for me...."

I pouted. Troy is my personal bodyguard. Minsan tumutulong rin siya sa palayan at siya rin ang nag deliver sa bayan. Kung baga kanang kamay siya ni Lolo. In the past years he became my shoulders when I feel down sometimes. Sa kanya ko nasasabi ang problema ko. Siya ang sumasalo sa luhang sinasayang ko. I have grown attached to him. He holds a special place in my heart.

He open the door for me kinuha niya ang aking gamit at siya na mismo ang naglagay nito sa mesa kung saan kami kakain.

"Ako na ang mag order."

Tumango ako at humalukipkip. Napa irap ako sa hangin ng makita ang mga titig ng ibang kababaehan kay Troy. I can't blame them though, His face is attractive and he is physically fit. His moreno skin made him even more appealing. His biceps are accentuated by his tight shirt.

I took a picture of him when he place the food on the table. I posted it on my Instagram.

"Thank you."saad ko.

Nasakalagitnaan kami ng pagkain ng may binigay itong papel sa akin.

Kunot noo ko itong binasa. My eyes widen. Sinali niya ako sa isang painting contest.

"But this will be held in manila...you know how strict lolo is, hindi parin ako makakasali. "

"I already handle it... Pumayag siya."

"Talaga?"hindi ako makapaniwala.

He smiled and nod his head.

"I-I mean...pano?"

"Wag nang maraming tanong...ubusin mo na yan."

Next month pa naman gaganapin ang paligsahan. I have a lot of time to practice since it's been forever since the last day I paint. I can't believe Troy convince Lolo about this. Grabe na ang pagka favoritism ni Lolo halatang halatang gusto si Troy kulang nalang amponin niya.

Gabi na ng maka uwi kami. Sabay kaming lumabas ng kotsye. Nilingon ko siya ng may kinuha siya sa likod ng pick up at binigay sa akin. A familiar brad was paste on the box. I hold the box dearly for I know how pricy this is.

"Nadaanan ko kahapon...ikaw ang una kong naisip ng makita ko yan."

Natigilan ako ng may naalala sa mga salita niya. Pinilig ko an g aking ulo upang walain sa aking isipin ang lalaking matagal ko nang kinalimotan. I bite the inside of my cheek and smiled. I focus my attention to Troy instead and said my gratitude.

"Thank you, Troy...ang rami ko nang utang sayo. I'll give you one wish, kahit anong gusto mo susundin ko."

"Save that for laters...pumasok ka na."saad niya at tinulak ako papasok sa bahay.

Nahinto siya at agad umayos ng tayo ng makita si lolo sa hamba ng pinto.

"Sir..." Agad bumuo ang pormal sa kanyang tinig.

"Padilla, in my office."

"Yes sir," saad ni Troy.

Napatawa ako. Ang pormal ni Troy hindi ako sanay. Nilingon niya muna ako at tinuro ang loob ng bahay.

"Get in." He said with an authoritative tone.

I can say everything is fine now.

I'm fine

Happy

Contented

This was one of those times when I wished time could be stopped.