Solandis 1: Flame of Desire

33 ~ SECRET

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

THAT night ended like that. Him, wanting to marry her, after she told him she's in love with him.

Tracia Montecarlo was right then. That Rashid, might ask to marry her once she told him what she feels for him. Valeska didn't want to believe that he would do that though. He may be ready to settle down and build a family, still she didn't expect that he would ask for her hand just like that.

Was he in love with her too? Why does he wanted to marry her then if he was not? Were they feelings mutual?

She was tipsy last night but it was crystal clear what he meant and what he wants for them. Nang magising siya kinabukasan, hindi niya na nadatnan si Rashid sa tabi niya. Hindi niya rin alam pa kung paano niya haharapin ito pagkatapos nang sinabi niya kagabi.

Valeska took a shower and changed her clothes. This time, she wears a printed jumpsuit and just let her long hair down her back.

"Tita Valeska, hello! Good morning!" Serena Isla greeted her.

"Good morning, Isla," she greeted back and scanned the whole house.

Sa hardin, kung saan madalas magpalipas ng oras ang si Tracia Montecarlo, ay narinig niya ang boses ni Rasha.

"Are you looking for Tito Rashid?"

"Yes. Is he around?"

"He left this morning."

"He left? Why?"

Wala naman nabanggit si Rashid na aalis din ito kinabukasan. They are supposed to stay for two nights.

"Hi, dear, you're awake. How do you feel?" Tracia asked her as she entered the house.

"Good morning, Tita. I'm okay po. Where is... Rashid?"

"He got an early call from work, I guess. Urgent. Do you wanna eat something?"

Tumango siya dahil nakaramdam na rin naman ng gutom. The helper prepared a meal for her.

"We're done with our breakfast. I can't join you, dear."

"But if you like, you can eat outside? Sa Garden po?" Isla smiled suggestively.

"Thats a good idea. I'll have my breakfast outside then."

"So you can talk with mommy and me about my dad."

Valeska smiled more. She's very willing to talk about Keith with his daughter.

Dinala ng kasambahay ang pagkain niya sa may hardin. May juice at cookies din sa lamesa roon para sa iba pa niyang kasama.

Rasha is helping her mother cutting and watering the plants. Binati siya nito at nagpatuloy sa ginagawa.

Isla sit next to her chair. Attentive and seemed ready for the conversation with her.

Valeska sipped on her tea.

"How did you meet my father, Tita Valeska?"

Napatingin sa kanila sina Rasha at Tracia dahil sa tanong na 'yon.

"There was a phase in my life that I badly needed help. Your father was there. Tinulungan niya ako. That's when I met him."

"Tinulungan ka po niya kahit na hindi ka niya kilala?"

"Yes. He's a very good man, Isla. I am honored that he was part of my life."

"You're lucky because you met my dad. Sa pictures ko lang po siya nakikita."

She took another sip for a reason that she needs to take away something that pinched her heart.

"Mommy told me he was a soldier. He was a cop too. He served to our country. I am very proud of him, Tita Valeska. Palagi ko pong ipinagmamalaki ang daddy ko sa mga kaklase ko at kalaro."