Solace Escape

Kabanata 24

Kabanata 24

It's funny how falling in love literally means the name itself, falling. Mahuhulog na walang kasiguraduhan. Mahirap sa pagbagsak, hindi ka sigurado kung masasalo ka o mahuhulog ng tuluyan at masasaktan.

But the thing was, no one forced you to fall in love. You just felt like it, you just fell and loving, for me was about protecting those people. Protecting them not just from other people but also protecting them from myself.

If I have to cut a piece of me just to fill the pain I've caused Sol, I would. Mahal na mahal ko siya at kung ang tanging paraan para maprotektahan ko sila ni Fritzy ay ang paglayo, walang pagdadalawang-isip na gagawin ko 'yon.

Kahit mahirap. Kahit masakit.

Him denying me in front of Barbara was painful, I'm not a hypocrite not to say it isn't but I don't blame him. He did the right thing.

He should distance himself for a trouble like me. I won't do him good.

Nagulat si Barbara sa sagot ng huli, halatang hindi inaasahan ang sagot nito pero matapos no'n ay natahimik siya't hindi nanggulo. I can still see her checking us out from time to time looking for opportunity to ruin my name and Sol's and I won't give her a chance to.

Matagal ng pangarap ni Sol ang umangat at mabigyan ng magandang buhay si Fritzy. It's always been his dream and I won't take it away from him. I will protect him just so he could have it.

Solomon deserved it. He worked hard for this pero kahit naman natahimik na si Barbara ay hindi ibig sabihing titigilan niya kami. As long as I'm near Sol, trouble would come for him.

I don't have the heart to witness that.

"Sorry, Hen, but can I leave first? Medyo hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko, eh."

"Hmm?" sumulyap siya sa orasan, "alright, let me take you—"

"Ayos lang. I can hail a cab to the hotel."

"I insist," umiling siya at inilahad ang kamay. "I'm getting bored, anyway. Let me take you back, on the way na rin naman ang hotel."

I smiled and thanked him. Kinuha ko ang nakalahad niyang kamay at saglit na napasulyap kung nasaan si Sol.

Our eyes met. His eyes fell on my hand on Henry's then looked away, his jaw clenching.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at dumiretso na lang kasama si Henry nang humarang si Liza sa akin.

"Saan ka, friend?" takang tanong niya sabay sulyap kay Henry na katabi ko at taas ng kilay.

"Medyo masama kasi ang pakiramdam ko, Liza," I smiled at her. "Mauuna na ako pabalik sa hotel, ayos lang ba?"

Her eyes widened, suddenly worried.

"Talaga?" inabot niya ang leeg ko at dinama. "Wala ka namang lagnat pero sige, go lang. Mamaya pa kasi kami ni Sol, two hours pa siguro bago matapos ang event. May sasakyan ka ba? Walang maghahatid sa 'yo. Teka, sabihin ko kay Sol..."

"No!" I panicked. "I mean, I don't wanna bother him. Don't worry, Henry will take me back to the hotel. It's on his way naman, I'll be alright." I smiled and moved a bit to hug my friend who gasped, hugging me back.

"Oh, okay," her voice softened. "Nakakagulat naman ang yakap mo, friend. Balik kami mamaya kaagad, hmm? H'wag kang mag-alala dadalhan ka namin ni Boss ng maraming pagkain, tapos movie marathon tayo!"

I closed my eyes and nodded, feeling the pain lingering inside my chest.

I'm sorry, friend...