Shelter in a Storm (Elyu Series #2)

Chapter 42

"Can I talk to you about something?"

Enrique looked up from his desk. Dapat ay mamamasyal kami ngayon but our trip was cut short due to an urgent meeting. Naiintindihan ko naman kaya bumalik kaagad kami sa camp.

Pumasok lang ako nang makompirmang tapos na ang meeting niya at pwede ko na siyang disturbuhin.

"What is it?"

"Promise you'll not get mad?"

Kumunot ang noo ni Enrique. Pansin ko ang paghigpit ng kamay niya sa hawak na ballpen.

"What is it, Avery?"

"See? You're already mad!" I rolled my eyes.

Pilit na pinakalma ni Enrique ang sarili, saka dahan-dahang tumango.

"I promise... I won't get mad."

"Good." I smiled at him. "Because I hit your father."

Napaawang ang labi niya sa sobrang gulat. Pero mabilis din itong nawala nang may mapagtanto. Kaagad na tumayo si Enrique mula sa desk niya at mabilis akong nilapitan.

"He hurt you, didn't he?! Where? How dare him—"

"Enrique!" Saway ko kaagad sa kaniya. "You promised not to get mad!"

A strained look crossed his face. Hirap na hirap itong tumingin sa akin. Mabilis ang taas-baba ng dibdib niya na para bang pinipigilan niya ang sarili ngayon.

"He was mad at me because he thinks that I brainwashed you into getting an early retirement..." I murmured.

"That's absurd!"

"And uhm, he wants me to break up with you..."

Ako naman ang bumuntong-hininga at naupo sa malapit na silya. Enrique's face is distorted with anger, pinipigilan niya lang ang sarili. After all, he made a promise.

"Ano pang ginawa ng lalaking iyon sa'yo, Avery?"

I shook my head. "Wala, iyon lang. He hit me first, so I hit him back. I told him I'm not going to break up with you even if he kills me." I managed to let out a laugh just to lighten up the mood.

Dahan-dahang lumapit sa akin si Enrique. He scooped me into a tight hug, startling me.

"Enrique, it's okay..." I assured him. "It wasn't that bad—"

"No one is allowed to ever lay a hand on you, Avery," his baritone voice is filled with venom and anger. "And I want to kill my father right now for hurting you..."

Napangiti ako. Dahan-dahan kong tinapik ang balikat niya. I wanted to let him know that it's okay... I'm okay.

I'm just a bit shaken but I will be okay. Ayoko lang talaga na malaman niya pa 'to sa ibang tao. Who knows what he'll do, then?

"I'm sorry, Avery. I promise this is the last time that old man is going to harass you. Hinding-hindi na siya makakalapit sa'yo simula ngayon."

I nodded. Nanatiling nakayakap si Enrique sa akin na para bang maglalaho ako anumang segundo.

On the third day of my visit, I finally had him all to myself. No more annoying meetings or trotting cadets after him. Namasyal lang kami sa mga paboritong lugar niya sa Cagayan de Oro.

I did a little bit of shopping for my friends. Nang mapagod ay bumalik din kami sa kampo. Tinulungan niya akong ligpitin ang mga gamit ko para sa flight mamayang madaling araw.

"Five more months..." he muttered as we arrived at the airport.

I reached for his face and kissed him. Nginitian ko siya.