Lightless Sunshine

Chapter 20 (Part3)

Chapter 20 (Part 3)

“Dad…” I said and smiled a bit when Helios stopped in front of our table. Katatapos lang namin kumain ni Icarus at kasalukuyang nag-uusap nang bigla na lamang dumating ang tatay ko.

“Sir.” Icarus stood up and politely bowed down his head. “Good evening po. I’m Icarus Del Cianco.”

Nag-handshake ang dalawa bago nagsalita si Helios. “You are… Mr. Vinnunt’s son, aren’t you?”

Icarus smiled. “Yes, Sir.”

My dad nodded his head. “Interesting. By the way, how are you related to my daughter? Are you, perhaps, her boyfriend?”

Umawang ang labi ko. Ngumiti ulit si Icarus at bahagyang umiling. “No po. We’re just friends,” aniya.

Napatango naman si Helios at nilingon ako. His face was blank and stoic. His jaw were hardly clenching. “You’re not dating her?”

Icarus uncomfortably cleared his throat. “Uh… pardon?”

Ngumisi si Helios. “She’s still young,” biglang saad niya.

Natigilan si Icarus. “Y-Yes, I know po…”

Helios then looked at me. “Let’s get back to our table? Your tita and siblings are waiting for us.”

Waiting? That’s probably a lie.

Napatingin tuloy ako kay Icarus dahil sa sinabi ni Helios. He met my gaze and flashed a small smile. I felt embarrassed for Helios’ behaviour towards him. He indirectly told Icarus to back off. Itong gurang na ‘to talaga. Baka na-offend na pala itong si Icarus or what. That was embarrassing. Magkaibigan lang naman kami, eh.

“Go ahead,” he mouthed at me.

“Excuse us,” sabi ko sa maliit na boses. Tumango si Icarus.

Nakakapit ang kamay ko sa braso ni Helios habang naglalakad kami pabalik sa table. Dahan-dahan ang aming paglalakad. I could feel the stares of the guests as we walked slowly to the aisle. Some of them probably knew me as Helios’ daughter pero alam kong may iba pa ring nagtataka kung sino ako at kung bakit ako narito.

“Stop seeing that young man,” Helios suddenly said in a low voice.

“H-Ho?”

“I don’t like him for you. Stop seeing him.”

Napatigagal ako. “It’s n-not what you think it is, Dad… He’s just my friend.”

“Stay away from him,” matigas niyang saad.

“W-what—Why?” nauutal kong tanong. My heart started to beat fast. “D-dad.”

“Follow what I said. Do you understand?” Naguluhan ako ngunit tumango na lang ako upang matigil na ang usapan. I don’t know his reasonings but I’m certain to myself I won’t follow what he said.

“O-Okay…” Nilunok ko ang nagbara sa lalamunan ko.

Habang naglalakad kami ay may naramdaman akong maitim na titig sa akin. It sent me goosebumps. I don’t know why. I roamed my eyes around the whole place pero wala ni isa sa mga taong nakatingin sa akin ang may ganoong titig. Malagkit at nakakatakot.

“What’s the problem?” tanong ni Helios, marahil ay napansin ang paglibot ko ng tingin sa paligid.

Kumurap ako nang dalawang beses at nagbuntong-hininga. Helios’ brows shot up in confusion when he got no answer from me.

“N-nothing.” I cleared my throat. “Nothing,” ulit ko at napakurap ulit.

His thick brows sloped downward as he looked at me. His brown eyes reminded me of my brother all of a sudden. Umiwas agad ako ng tingin nang makaramdam ng guilt.