Visual of Elysian (Abstract Series #2)

Chapter 14

It started with my gaze fixed on the ceiling and ended with my phone buzzing incessantly. Nakaramdam ako ng excitement nang makitang si Daddy ang tumatawag. Because he rarely calls, I immediately answered it.

"Yes Dad?" I said after clearing my throat.

He exhaled a deep breath. "Where are you, Ava? Tinatanong ni Aid sa akin kung nand'yan ka ba sa bahay dahil akala niya nakauwi na kami galing Singapore! Are you planning to escape from the engagement?"

Nawala ang saya na naramdaman ko kanina at napalitan ng panlulumo. What can I possibly expect? When did he call me because he missed me? Never in my life. It's constantly about my weaknesses, but never about my accomplishments.

"Nasa bahay ako, Dad. May kailangan lang akong gawin. Babalik din ako sa condo," sabi ko sa mahinang boses para maitago ang disappointment na nararamdaman ko.

"Make sure you are telling the truth! Ako ang nagbibigay sa iyo ng pera at kaya kong hindi paganahin 'yang mga cards mo," he warned before the call ended.

Mas lalo lang yata bumigat ang pakiramdam ko pagkatapos. Umuwi muna ako sa bahay kagabi dahil pagkatapos kong makita ang picture, hindi na ako naging komportableng isipin na may mga alaala ni Aid ang bawat sulok ng condo. Mabuti na lang Saturday ngayon kaya okay lang kahit hindi muna ako umuwi sa condo. Nandoon kasi halos lahat ng mga gamit ko.

I'm not sure if I have a right to be jealous. Hindi ko pa naman siya sinasagot kaya hindi niya pa ako girlfriend. Does the rule apply both ways? Kung pwede akong tumanggap ng higit pa sa isang manliligaw, okay lang din ba sa kanyang manligaw bukod sa akin? I don't know! I feel like I'm losing my sanity!

When someone knocked on my door, I stared at it. Sunod kong narinig ay ang boses ng mayordoma namin.

"Ma'am, may bisita ka sa baba. Aid daw ang pangalan," sabi niya mula sa labas.

I didn't say anything until I heard her footsteps fading away. Kaya ko bang harapin si Aid ngayon? Since last night, I've received a number of calls and texts from him, but I've never bothered to read or respond to them.

Naguguluhan ako. Nagseselos ako pero hindi ako sigurado kung dapat ko bang ipakita. The thought of Lauvender staring at him with that view while he was sleeping topless? Para akong mababaliw sa selos.

At last, I fixed myself and went downstairs. Nakayuko ang lalaki nang maabutan ko habang nakatukod ang dalawang siko sa hita niya habang nakaupo. He quickly stood up and looked at me as he sensed my presence.

I faked a smile. "What brought you here?"

Tumitig siya sa akin na parang binabasa ang iniisip ko. I turn my head away from him so he doesn't get what he wants.

"Bakit ka nandito? You didn't text me," he said and that made me look at him again.

Naghahanap ang mga mata niya at parang may gusto siyang sabihin pero naninimbang muna sa hindi ko malamang dahilan.

"Namiss ko kasi rito." Of course, that's a lie! Hindi ko nga halos iconsider na tawagin itong 'home' dahil parang bahay lang naman ito na walang kahulugan.

He sighed. "Are you sure? Is something bothering you?"

"Wala naman," tipid kong sagot. "Babalik na ako sa kwarto ko. I still want to sleep."

"Sia—"

I cut him off with a smile. "Inaantok pa talaga ako. You can just call if you want to talk to me."

"You are not picking up my calls," he said, looking so hopeless.

I acted surprised. "Talaga ba? Sorry. Napasarap yata ang tulog ko." The truth is I never slept since I came here. Ang daming thoughts na pumapasok sa isip ko kaya hindi ako nakatulog.