Love Against Us

CHAPTER 34

"Eda, please." pakiusap niya. Umiwas ako ng tingin nang may mahulog na luha galing sa mga mata ko. It's frustrating to not remember everything. Ayoko ng ganitong pakiramdam.

"Why can't you answer me? It's just a simple yes or no, Helius! 'Yung Alas De Grano ba ang tinutukoy mong panganib sa buhay ko? My dreams said that I was mad at him, but there's also parts where I called and craved for him. Explain it to me, please. Just this one, Helius. I won't ask again." pakiusap ko pa sakanya.

"Yes, Aldreda. He's the danger in your life." he said firmly. "Let's stop talking about your lost memory here. In time, you'll remember everything." mahinang pasasalamat ang binaggit ko para sa pagsagot niya sa tanong ko. I was mad at that person. Maybe because he's the danger in my life? How about the part where I called him desperately? Is there a change of heart?

My questions were left unanswered. Hindi sasagot si Helius dahil ayaw niyang sumakit ang ulo ko at pilitin kong bumalik ang alaala ko. It's frustrating that I understand his reasons. But I also want answers.

"Kailan ka babalik ng Manila?" tanong ko pagkalipas ng ilang minutong katahimikan.

"I'll stay here for a month or more." sabi niya habang nakatingin ng diretso sa bahay nina Nana Linda.

"Pwede ba akong sumama sayo?"

"No." mariing sabi niya.

"Hindi ba ako hinahanap ng mga magulang ko?" parang nauubusan na siya ng pasensiya sa mga tanong ko.

"I thought we've ended there?" mukhang nauubos na talaga ang pasensiya niya sa akin.

"I've been in this place over a year now. I'm just curious if I have a family looking for me."

"They all know that you're dead. It's better that way. Hindi makakabuti kung may ibang taong makakaalam na buhay ka pa."

"Kahit ang pamilya ko?" naguguluhang tanong ko. They are my family. They deserve to know that I survived the accident, that I'm still alive. Kung sino man ang may karapatang malaman ang tunay na kalagayan ko ngayon ay ang pamilya ko 'yon.

"Not even your family deserves the truth." mas lalo lang akong naguluhan. Bakit hindi? Pamilya ko sila. Siguradong nalungkot sila noong nalaman na patay na ako. Matutuwa sila kapag malaman nilang nakaligtas ako sa aksidente at buhay na buhay.

"Eda, listen to me. You belong to a politics affiliated family. There's so much threat in your life and once your family's enemy learned that you're alive, they will target you." my lips parted at his revelation. May kinalaman ba ang politika sa aksidenteng kinasangkutan ko? "Your accident was because of politics related agenda." he answered my unsaid question. It makes sense.

"How long are you going to keep me here? When can I go back to my old life?"

"Until you regain your memory. Until such time, you'll remain here, under my custody. I'll give you the freedom to choose how you'll live your life after you regain your memories." sabi niya na tila iyon talaga ang plano niya simula nang dalhin niya ako dito.

"Pano kung matagalan pa? Paano 'yung buhay at mga taong naiwan ko sa Manila?"

"It's better this way. Manila is still very dangerous for you. Let the people think that you're already dead."

"For now, let me decide on how am I going to protect you." pakiusap niya.

Walang pagsidlan ang kaligayahan ng mag-asawa nang malamang nakakapagsalita na ako. Maluha-luhang niyakap ako ni Nana Linda habang paulit-ulit na nagpapasalamat sa Diyos. Para silang mga magulang na unang beses na narinig ang anak na magsalita. Mahigit isang taon akong mga tingin at tango ko lang ang naging paraan ko para makipag-usap sakanila.