The Only Escape (Isla Julieta Series #4)

Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

Napabalikwas ako sa kinahihigaan ko nang marinig ko ang tunog ng cellphone ko. Pinilit kong imulat ang mga mata ko at kinapa ang cellphone sa bedside table. I squinted my eyes and blinked several times to adjust my sight, reading the name of the caller.

Umupo ako sa kama at sumandal sa headboard.

"Azi..." mahina at malalim ang boses na sagot ko bago pumikit ulit.

Gusto ko pang matulog at tingin ko'y pagkatapos ng call na ito, hindi na ulit ako makakatulog pa.

"Oops, did I wake you up, Oli?" Narinig ko pa ang hagikhik niya.

I smirked, "Kinda."

"I was just checking on you and kuya. Okay naman kayo riyan? He's not answering his phone, e. Baka naman kinatay mo na ang kapatid ko, ha?"

I covered my mouth and let out a quiet yawn before answering, "He might have been in a call with his girl, kaya hindi mo siya ma-contact."

"Hmm... ikaw na lang naman ang babae ni kuya, e. So, baka hindi 'yon ang dahilan."

Napamulat ako ng mata at kinunot ko ang noo. "Oh, believe me... he still does. Anyway, probably he's still asleep that's why you can't contact him..." nilayo ko ang phone nang bahagya para makita kung anong oras na, "...nine in the morning, Azariah. Unemployed na ulit ako ngayon. Really, you'll wake me up at this hour?"

Tumawa siya nang mahina. "I miss you, Oli. Nasanay na akong housemate kita..."

"Azi, alam mo namang umalis ako para hindi ka na madamay, 'di ba? Besides, it's not like I want to get trapped at this island with your hell of a promiscuous brother." Umirap ako na para namang may makakakita sa akin dito.

"Galit na galit ka naman kay kuya. Well, I think good news for you, he has to come by the office as early as possible. May threats sa company because our team managed to dig up evidences to a crime committed by a billionaire."

Ito siguro ang pinag-usapan ni Valerio at ng senior forensic computer analyst ng kompanya kagabi?

"Baka mapahamak ka riyan, ha?"

"C'mon, Oli. Ilang beses na ring nagka-threat nang ganito, at saka magaling ang security team ng Reoja and Bustamantes, so you don't have to worry. Plus, may extra security pa na pinadala si kuya para sa akin, 'di ba?"

Bumuntong-hininga ako, "Yup... anyway, I'll try to convince Valerio to go back to Manila today. Importante 'yang issue niyo diyan."

"Sorry, Oli... ibabalik din naman namin si kuya sa'yo agad-agad." Narinig ko na naman ang tawa ng kaibigan ko.

"Kahit huwag niyo nang ibalik."

"Really, ha?" Mapanuya niyang sabi. "Kusa rin namang babalik si kuya sa'yo. Kaya kahit anong pakipot mo riyan, babalik at babalik si kuya sa'yo."

I clicked my tongue and rolled my eyes again. "Ikaw, kumusta ka?"

"Besides missing you, I'm fine naman. Wala lang laman ang fridge ni kuya sa condo niya, kaya nagsettle muna ako sa food delivery yesterday. Before going home later, I'll do the groceries."

"Alright, just be careful, and kahit may security ka, still be cautious of your surroundings. Hindi lang ang mafia ang posibleng maka-trace sa'yo pero pati ang tungkol sa criminal na billionaire na 'yon."

"Hm-hmm... of course. Anyway, tulog ka na ulit... sorry for waking you up."

"It's fine. Love you, Azi."

"Love you, too, Oli! Good mornight again," she chuckled. "Sana makabalik ka sa tulog mo."

I smiled. "Sige na," I made a smooch sound, as if kissing her, then I ended the call.