Past The Storm Clouds

EPILOGUE

"Bakit bigla ka na lang pupunta ng Italya?"

Two girls wearing revealing clothes smirked at me. I turned the other way lazily and drank the alcohol in my hand. I thought she'd be here.

"Deniel," madiing tawag ni Camilla sa akin.

"As I've said, family matters," I drawled.

I initiated the meetup and still was the one displeased with the location. Iritado akong tumayo at tumungo palabas ng bar kasama si Camilla. We didn't have to be in a bar but I had no choice if I wanted to end everything tonight. Her father couldn't be contacted directly and I refused to have another day with them expecting I'll accept any negotiations or even marry their daughter.

I liked Camilla before and I tried hard to have a relationship with her, but I couldn't.

"Why were you in a bar anyway? We could have met somewhere more appropriate," mahinahon kong sinabi.

Humagikgik si Camilla. "Nandito rin sina Trevor kanina bago ka pa dumating. Kasama pa nga si Sia pero nauna nang umalis. Ba't ba hindi ka makapaghintay na lang ng bukas?"

I tilted my head to her side with a controlled temper. "I want you to give some sense to your father. Wala tayong relasyon kaya i-klaro mo 'yon sa kanila. I'll accept the contract but that does not mean any of my cousins or I will work under your father's company."

"Tita Debora thinks we're in a relationship, too! Sinabi ko na sa'yong nahihirapan akong aminin kina Papa na wala tayong relasyon dahil noon pa man, 'yun na ang gusto nilang mangyari. You can't blame me, Ljard, " simangot niya.

"My flight's tomorrow. Ayokong kahit doon, ginugulo ako ng mga magulang mo."

She giggled for no reason. Humawak siya sa kamay ko at agad ko iyong tinanggal. She held my hand again so I turned to her agitated. Napawi ang galit sa mukha ko nang makita kung sinong kaharap namin. Was she inside the bar? I think she was. She's wearing a dress with a cover up. Inangat ko ang tingin sa kanya. Kailan ba siya hindi maganda?

"Hi, Camilla..." I thought she wouldn't dare say my name. "And Ljard."

"You look very dashing! May kasama ka?" Camilla said enthusiastically. I looked at Farizah carefully. I know that look very well. I could almost hear her sarcasm.

"Umalis na. I'll also be on my way," kalmado at marahang boses ni Farizah.

I clenched my jaw as I watched her walk away. Iniwan ko si Camilla para habulin si Farizah. I didn't see her car around so I was sure she didn't bring one. Alam ko dahil kung nagdala nga siya ng kotse, sa malapit niya lang iyon ipaparke. She wouldn't care if it's a no-parking zone unless there's security. She'd rather let her car get towed, huh. Hindi pa natatauhan dahil hindi pa nangyayari sa kanya. She's always so stubborn.

The way she can look at me directly in the eyes... She seemed moved on. Parang wala na talaga ako sa kanya. Right, she was the one who ended our relationship. Siya ang bumitaw.

"Who were you with? Hindi ka man lang hinatid pauwi? Or did you let your pride handle it again?" mapait kong tanong sakanya.

I'm angry at her. I'm angry at how good she is with her emotions. This time, I noticed she got affected by what I said.

Dumiin pa lalo ang titig niya sa akin. "Pake mo ba?! I said I know how to commute! Are you deaf or something?"

My gaze went down her chest when I noticed something. Bumilis ang pagbaba-taas ng dibdib niya. For a moment, I got scared, thinking she's running out of air again. Pero sa paraan ng pagtitig niya sa akin, naiinsulto ako!