Eyes Don't Lie

Chapter 39

Nagising ako nang mabigat pa rin ang pakiramdam. Agad kong napansin si Vernon sa tabi na nakadukdok at nakahawak sa kamay ko. I realized I wasn't in hospital anymore, since the interior design of the room is different.

Ambang uupo na dapat ako nang biglang tumayo si Vernon. Nagulat pa ako roon, ngunit hindi na rin nakakibo nang alalayan niya ako paupo.

"Nasaan tayo?" I asked.

"My house..." he answered. Inayos nito ang unan sa likuran ko at doon ako pinasandal.

This is Vernon's house. Ngayon lang ako nakapunta rito.

"Thank you..." Pinanood ko ang bawat kilos nito na parang nag-iingat na hawakan ako.

"Are you hungry? You want to eat anything?"

I tapped the space beside me to inform him to take a seat first. Agad naman itong sumunod at umupo sa tabi ko. Agad ko itong niyakap nang makatabi siya at binaon ang mukha sa dibdib niya.

"I was scared earlier... I didn't know what will I do if I got really abducted..." naiiyak kong saad dito nang maalala ang nangyari bago mawalan ng malay.

The thought of being abducted sent shivers down to my spine. Akala ko ay makukuha na ako nito. Paano na lang kung hindi ako nakatakas?

"I'm sorry... I wasn't by your side, so that happens. It's my fault. You were looking for me... I'm sorry if that scares you, Nivea. That won't happen again..."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin dito upang sana sabihin na wala naman siyang kasalanan doon. My body stiffened when I saw the tears building up on Vernon's eyes.

I know it wasn't the first time seeing him in this state, but it still hurts me to see him like this. He looks like miserable... and hurt...

Sunod-sunod na pumatak ang luha ko dahil sa nasaksihan. I pouted to brush away the pain in my heart.

"Why are you crying? Ako dapat ang umiiyak!" Niyakap ko itong muli nang mahigpit at binaon ang mukha sa dibdib niya.

"I'm sorry..." bulong nito.

"Are you hungry? Are you craving for something?" he asked. Nakayakap ito mula sa likuran ko habang masuyong pinaglalaruan ang tiyan ko. May bahagyang kiliti sa ginagawa niyang iyon, ngunit hindi ko naman ito magawang suwayin dahil baka masungitan ko lang.

"Vernon, I'm sorry..." nakanguso kong saad at hinuli ang kamay nito sa tiyan ko.

"Why are you saying that? I should be the one saying sorry--"

Mabilis akong umupo sa pagkakahiga at hinarap ito. "I've been ignoring you because of my work. I didn't even realize I was taking you for granted. I know I said I will earn your trust again, but it seems the opposite. Kaya sorry, Vernon... kung sumagi man sa isip mo na nagsasawa na ako..."

Napayuko ako at nilaro ang daliri. Mula akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya at nginitian ko ito. Nakatitig ang asul nitong mga mata sa akin.

"I don't want to say that the idea didn't cross my mind. I was jealous, too, baby. You always looks grumpy and irritated when I'm around. But I understand, Nivea. I know you have priorities too, and you have reasons why you're ignoring my messages. And then now--"

"Still, that doesn't change the fact that I hurted your feelings. You always make an effort when it comes to me while I can't even do that." Tinaas ko ang kamay at hinawi ang iilan nitong buhok na nakaharang sa noo niya.

Hinawakan nito ang kamay ko at dinala sa labi niya. Mabilis akong namula nang halikan niya iyon nang marahan.

"Vernon! Are you listening?"