Midnight Momento (Astalièr Series I)

MDT 16

Chapter 16

He just said I am beautiful. Everyone could be beautiful in his eyes. If he has all the time in the world to tell everyone here that they were born beautiful he would definitely do it. It's just words Cali, just Rohen's kind words again.

I kept on reminding that to myself as I watched Avena tend Rohen's cut. So, I wouldn't run to them and claim something that's not even mine in the first place. Bago pa ako maka-isip na naman ng ibang gagawin, tumalikod na ako at nagsimulang naglakad. Nang masalubong ko si Carlos ay binigay ko sa kanya ang first aid at nagpatuloy, ni hindi ko na sila nilingon ulit.

Why would I?

They don't even need me there.

"Ma'am? Saan po kayo pupunta— ano po 'to?" naguguluhang sambit ni Carlos.

"I'll go inside. Enjoy the rest of the party." I said on my back and went straight inside the mansion.

Hindi na ako ulit lumabas ng kwarto ko buong gabi. Hindi na rin ako nakapagpaalam kay Aling Anita, mababanggit na siguro ni Carlos na pumasok na ako. Surprisingly even though I had a good nap I still slept early that night. Maybe to kill my thoughts.

At dahil doon ay maaga akong nagising. Ibig sabihin hindi ko napanaginipan si Rohen kagabi. Mabuti naman, like hello? He's been lingering on my mind before I went to sleep hanggang panaginip na naman ba?

I just freshened up myself and put my night robe on before I went down to the kitchen. But instead of being greeted by Aling Anita, in the early morning in Hacienda de Monteves I saw him leaning on the counter, freshly showered in his navy green long sleeve that was hugging his body. Black jeans with his legs slightly crossed. One hand holding a cup of coffee and his free hand was on a bandage.

I froze in my tracks. Anong oras na ba? I didn't check. I forget Rohen wakes up pretty early too.

His eyes darted on me with a bit of surprise on it. He didn't expect to see me this early walking inside the kitchen. I looked away and wandered my eyes around. We're alone.

Nasaan si Aling Anita?!

"Good morning," he greeted in his morning raspy voice. "You woke up early today." dugtong niya.

I just nodded and hugged my robe tightly on my body before walking towards the cabinets. I tried to act normal so he wouldn't feel I was affected by his presence.

Memories from last night flashed in my mind.

I opened one cabinet to get a cup, "Yeah. I slept pretty early, that's why."

"I know. You were nowhere to be found last night]."

I chuckled silently. He wouldn't even see my reaction because I turned my back on him. And as if he tried to find me, done spending time with Avena then, huh?

I went to the coffee maker and operated it. I placed the cup and waited for the coffee. My arms crossed on my chest.

"Hindi na ako nakapagpaalam. Sana hindi ako hinanap ni Aling Anita,"

"She did. Carlos told us you went back inside the mansion." I heard him putting his cup on the marbled counter. "When I checked you were not around, I made Aling Anita check you in your room and you're already sleeping."

My brow raised. O really? Tulog na tulog ba ako kagabi na hindi ko naramdaman?

My coffee was finished so I had no choice but to face him. But I almost burned my tongue from sipping the hot brew when I saw him facing me too. The counter was in between us.

"I'm sorry. I just really decided to go back inside."

He licked his lowe lip. "It's okay. The party wrapped up an hour later so it's fine."