Remembering His Rhythm (The Runaway Girls Series #2)

Chapter 22

Attempt

Trigger Warning: Violence

I wonder if I could love again after him? To be honest, mahihirapan yata akong makahanap ng kasunod ni Damian. He was the first person to see and appreciate all the hard work I put in. Damian had faith in me and stayed even when he saw all my imperfections.

If it weren't for Callie, would he still act that way? Kung hindi ba namatay si Callie ganito ba ang mangyayari? If I'm not acquainted with Callie, would he treat me in this manner?

Hindi ko alam ang sagot pero hindi ko rin kayang manatili pa pagkatapos ng lahat ng nalaman ko. Pakiramdam ko mas lalo lang akong magiging talunan pagdating kay Callie and even if they would call me pathetic for being like this, wala akong pakialam.

They have no idea what I've been through in the hands of Tita Carmina and Callie.

"Dad..." I called him.

Hindi ko na sinubukang ngumiti kahit pa kita ko sa kabilang screen ang laki ng ngiti ni Dad. He's holding a glass of whiskey in his right hand. Ilang beses niyang sinubukang tumawag at ngayon ko lang sinagot iyon.

"Took you long enough to answer my calls. What made you change your mind?" he asked with a hint of sarcasm.

I tilted my head to give back the same energy of sarcasm. "Just wanna check on you. How's the preparation for my so-called engagement, Dad?"

"Since you're asking, I guess you've already met Hunter and discussed this matter. You agreed?" he asked.

"Hindi po ako nakipagkita sa kaniya," mariin kong sagot. "Actually, sa iba ko pa nalaman na engaged na pala ako. Bakit hindi po ako aware?"

Muli kong tinitigan si Dad. There's something off with his aura. Malayo na ito sa Dad na kinagisnan ko noon. Hindi ko lang mapunto kung ano nga yung pinagbago niya. I'm not very comfortable with him either.

"Hunter is a good man. He is willing to marry you despite your shortcomings. Bakit ba hindi ka na lang pumayag? Masunurin ka naman sa akin noon diba?" dagdag pa niyang tanong.

"Seryoso ka ba, Dad? Ginagamit mo ang pagiging masunurin ko para sundin ang gusto mo? Dapat ba maging thankful ako na gusto niya akong pakasalan?" bahagyang tumaas ang boses ko. "And what shortcomings are you talking about?"

Bahagyang hinilot ni Dad ang sentido niya. Nilagok niya rin yung iniinom niya bago niya ako harapin.

"You've changed. Epekto ba iyan ng boyfriend mo sa'yo? Ito ba ang tinuturo niya sa'yo? Maging bastos?" Dad raised his voice.

So this is your true colors, Dad? Naging mabait ka lang pala sa akin dahil akala mo papayag akong magpakasal kay Hunter? You're just taming me for your own good.

Hindi ako makapaniwala na nag-aksaya ako ng panahon para magpapansin sa kaniya. This is the man I looked up for years. Kahit hindi siya perpekto sinubukan ko pa rin na manghingi ng kakarampot niyang pagmamahal.

Binigyan niya nga ako pero may kapalit rin pala.

"We broke up," I calmly said.

Dad's smile grew wider. "Then there's no problem. You should go and date Hunter. He's in Manila right now."

"Do you think it's easy? I'm not going to marry the man that I don't love. Hindi naman po ibig sabihin na wala akong boyfriend e pwede na kami agad," mariin kong sagot.

"That's why I am suggesting that you should try to get to know him. Who knows? Maybe you'll fall for him," he suggested like it was a perfect idea.

"And why is he spreading engagement rumors? Pumayag na po ba ako? Could you please ask that rude man to stop spreading fake news? I am not engaged with him," dagdag ko pa.