In His Kiss

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Laure Ri Daza's Point of View

It's been weeks when Cassidy and Mirage visited me and my brother in the hospital. And it's been two weeks since I've never heard from Hiro. Minsan ay napapaisip na lang ako na baka masyado lang siyang nabibigla sa sinabi niya sa akin na gusto niya ako. It was a lie. It was a sudden outburst because I wanted us to stop seeing each other. Maybe Hiro realized that I am not worth all the trouble he'd experienced. Kaya matapos niyang masolusyunan ang problema niya sa siyudad ay hindi man lang ito tumawag o magparamdam sa akin. Not that I blame him though. With all the trouble I've caused him and the company, I planned on giving my resignation letter. I don't care anymore. Nang makapagusap kami nang masinsinan nila Cassidy at Mirage sa loob ng coffee shop sa hospital ay nakapagpasya na ako. I will start living my life without being apologetic. I will not run away. Even how scary the idea is. Even I will be alone.

Pero masydong sinusubok talag ako ng tadhana. Until now, my parents have given me cold shoulders. And Creed has been acting all weird lately. Hindi man lang niya ako nilubayan dito sa hospital. Even when I was trying to aid my little brother, Creed didn't leave as if that made him a good man or something. But I have to suck it up. I still don't have the courage to become honest with Creed.

When I entered Kuhn's room, all eyes were on me. My mom even stopped peeling the apples and stopped talking to Creed. Mukhang kanina pa sila naguusap at ngayon lang tumigil dahil pumasok ako sa loob. Kuhn is sleeping unsoundly in the bed. His bruises are healing, but he hasn't moved on when he learns that his friend Andie is dead. He's taking it badly. Everyone will take it badly if you've discovered that your friend died. It's pretty normal. But it makes me worried. Kuhn is still a kid, and imagine the trauma he endured because of the accident. The only good news I have is that it's only a matter of time before we can bring Kuhn back home.

"Laure, sit down." Sabi sa akin ni Mama. Medyo nagulat pa ako dahil bigla na lang niya akong kinausap. Nagtataka naman akong tumingin sa kanila at nakita ko ang pagiwas ng tingin ni Creed sa akin. We are not in a speaking term. Bakit niya ako kinakausap ngayon? Hindi pa rin mawala sa isip ko ang pagsampal niya sa akin dito sa hospital. She didn't even apologize for it. I sigh in defeat. Ganito ba talaga ang magkaroon ng pamilya? They will do something to you that will make you feel broken and they will act like it was nothing? Like it's just a part of growing up.

Hinakbang ko ang paa ko palayo at akmang aalis na sana ako sa kwarto ni Kuhn pero agad kong pinigilan ang sarili ko. No, if I want to be true to myself I have to start now.

Puno nang pagaalinlangan akong napaupo sa tapat niya.

"Creed told me that he already planned for your marriage. Don't you think this is the perfect time for it? Nagising na rin ang kapatid mo at wala na tayong ibang inaalala." Napakunot ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya.

What? Like what the hell is she talking about? Tumingin ako sa pwesto ni Creed pero hindi ito nakatingin sa akin. He really tried his best not to look at my direction.

"The sooner, the better." She added and continued peeling the apples.

"I think I am capable of deciding that for myself, thank you very much," I said.

"What is there to think about? When Creed asked your hand for marriage you were so happy and said yes. Pero hindi lang matuloy ang kasal dahil parehas kayong busy. Ngayon naman ay nagfile na ng leave si Creed sa trabaho at mas may oras na para pagplanuhan ang kasal niyong dalawa." She shot me a look and stopped peeling the darn apples.

"Laure and I can talk about this, Tita. Sasabihin po namin sainyo ang napag desisyunan namin dalawa." Sabi naman ni Creed at humawak sa kamay ko. Agad kong binawi ang kamay ko na hinawakan niya. I don't want him touching me. Nakita ko ang pagkagulat sa mga mata ni Creed. Maybe wondering where's the obedient Laure that will worship the path he will walk on.