Lips That Lie

CHAPTER 52

Lumayo siya kay Antonio bago marahas na nagbuga ng hininga. Hindi niya namalayan na kanina pa pala niya pinipigilan iyon habang nakikinig dito.

She really...couldn't understand. Why can't he just let her go? Why can't he just hate her again? Hindi ba ito napapagod sa kanya? It would be easier to give her up. To just stay where he belongs and accept Karissa or any other proper woman as a wife who had the same upbringing as him.

Bakit ba siya? She's too difficult, too messed up, and too broken for him. Her past and her insecurities will always come in the way. She couldn't even love him properly because she didn't know how. Why would he endure? Why would he wait?

"Let me treat your burn first. I'll leave tomorrow, first thing in the morning," putol nito sa katahimikan.

She sighed. Nanalo siya. Pumayag ito na umalis katulad ng gusto niya. But she didn't feel like celebrating. If anything, her heart just aches even more.

"A-Ayos na ito. Huwag mo nang alalahanin. N-Nagamot na rin naman ni...Sir Art. Babalik na ako sa trabaho," paalam niya. Imbis na nakapag-pahinga sa break ay mas lalo lang yatang na-depina ang pagod niya.

"What time are you going to finish?"

Pagod niya itong tinignan. Suminghap ito at saka marahang tumango.

"I'm sorry," he said. "Can I, at least, walk you back there? I'll keep my distance."

Bumuntong-hininga siya at hindi na sinagot pa ito. She started walking back to the hall. Feeling the heaviness of Antonio's presence and hearing his steps behind her.

She didn't want to treat him this way but she didn't know how else she could push him away. Ang buong akala niya ay magiging madali lang ang lahat. After all, he didn't run after her before after he found out her real identity. It's understandable because he was outraged. Kaya nga ginagalit niya rin ito ngayon pero hindi niya inaasahan na mas magmamatigas si Antonio.

Nang makarating na sa hall, tumigil siya sa pagpasok sa kitchen at nilingon muna ito. He's a few metres away from her like he promised. Nakatitig ang seryoso at madidilim na mga mata sa kanya habang hawak ang first-aid kit sa isang kamay. She knew that if she called his name now...he would run to her. The pleading, longing and desperation in his eyes were too palpable. She knew that if Antonio only has it his way, he would've dragged her back to Manila the moment he landed. But that's not...how he loves.

He has always been patient, kind, and understanding with her. Alam niyang sanay itong kontrolado at kalkulado ang lahat ng bagay but she saw how he would often submit to her. He's the reason why she hasn't been jailed. He protected her from the Sandovals despite what she did to him. He let her stay with his family when he could've easily persuaded them to just let her be. Gusto niyang patuloy na paniwalain ang sarili na dahil lang iyon sa kamukha niya si Celine katulad ng sinabi ni Karissa pero...nararamdaman niya rin ang unti-unting pagkakayanig no'n.

Tumalikod siya at pumasok na nang tuluyan sa trabaho bago pa magbago ang kanyang isip. She was met with a lot of tasks to do so she momentarily forgot about Antonio.

Masakit ang katawan niya kinabukasan dahil sa dami ng trabaho sa nagdaang mga araw. She's thankful that today is finally her rest day. Makakabawi siya sa dami ng mga nangyari sa nakaraang linggo. Pero naisip niyang hindi rin pala siya tuluyang makakapag-pahinga dahil kinakailangan niyang kausapin si Art pagkatapos ng ikinilos ni Antonio kagabi.

Bumuntong-hininga siya saka kumuha ng unan para itakip sa kanyang mukha.

Did Antonio leave already? He probably did. He's always true to his words.

Kinapa niya ang sariling damdamin para sa sakit ngunit walang matagpuan doon. She still felt like something was missing...but she was not in great pain. Hindi iyon ang inaasahan niyang mararamdaman. She thought it would be hard. She wasn't happy, alright, but she wasn't as miserable as she was the past few days.