The Path of Longing 🔞 (BINI MACOLET)

CHAPTER 24: Abandoned

Mason and Malory is currently on their fourth day on Japan. They spent their second day resting after their sexual activities especially Malory. Halos hindi makatayo at makalakad ang dalaga dahil halos buong araw siyang hindi tinigilan ni Mason. Not that she regrets it dahil nasarapan naman siya. 

On their third day, they roamed from different japanese restaurants, tasting every delicacies that they see, to souvenir shops dahil ito talaga ang pakay ni Malory dito. She bought enough money to buy her wants pero hindi siya pinayagan ni Mason. Kahit singkong-duling ay wala pang nadudukot sa wallet niya dahil pino-provide talaga sa kanya ng dalaga ang lahat ng gusto niya. She appreciate Mason's gestures towards her but she's competitive. Mahal niya si Mason not because of her status and wealth but because of how the latter can provide all the intangible things without even asking for it. Mason makes her feel loved and special in any way that she can kaya nararamdaman niya ang sarili niyang hulog na hulog na rito. 

Today's agenda isn't planned yet. Usually kasi si Mason ang naghahanda nang lahat at lagi niyang tinatanong kay Malory ang mga gustong gawin o puntahan nito. Because of unfamiliarity with the place, Malory ran out of ideas, completely depending everything to Mason until she remembers one thing that she would totally love to buy in this country. 

"Nico! Alam ko na. I want to go sa vintage shops nila rito. Yung may mga digicam and stuff. Please? Wala pa naman tayong plans today, diba?" 

"Hmm, yes wala pa. But why buy a digital camera in there? Diba if vintage, luma na? I can definitely buy you a new one kahit ilan o kahit magkano." Malory furrowed her brows and pinched Mason's waist causing the latter to wince. 

"Mas gusto ko ng vintage! Mas maganda yung mga ganon tsaka mas mura pa. Isa pa, gusto ko ako mismo ang bibili dahil para sakin naman yun." She rebutted. Malory appreciates that Mason is eager to pay for everything but she wants to at least buy something for her own. 

As Malory stared at Mason's facial expression, the latter just hummed, its attention was completely indulged into whatever she was typing on her screen. 

"Busy ka ba? It seems like you're occupied kanina pa. Is it for work?" Malory said as she attempted to lean her head on Mason's chest, trying to see whatever it is that Mason was doing. Ngunit agad-agad na iniwas ni Mason ang phone kay Malory na para bang may tinatago ito which made Malory a little bit furious. Hindi naman kasi ganon si Mason. She even encourages Malory to check her phone when she feels like doing so.

Malory remained quiet and quickly stood up out of the bed. 

"Malory, wait. Sorry, sige na we'll go na sa vintage store. Just a minute, please?" Mason was completely ignored when Malory grabbed her things and shut the room's door behind her. The latter was completely upset and Mason knows it. Judging from her expression and the way she closed the door. 

Mason can't help but to feel more nervous so she quickly called manong Jun to confirm if Malory was with her. She was certain that the latter won't roam around the country alone. With a sigh of relief, Manong jun replied that they we're just driving around and that Mason's girl was safe.

With this, she continues her ministrations on her phone trying to regain her calmness because this one couldn't go wrong. She just hope that this day will end better.


Malory

I asked manong Jun to drive me kahit saan to clear my mind. I was so upset with how Mason acted awhile ago. Hindi naman siya ganon eh. She just started to be quiet nitong umaga lang. She was on her phone the whole day kaya rin siguro hindi niya ako inaya kung saan ngayong araw. 

I looked outside the car's window and sighed heavily, trying to think of any reasons to justify how Mason acted.

Baka naman trabaho? Baka emergency? Baka kausap yung mga kaibigan? Baka may babae. Tangina mo, Mason subukan mo. 

Out of annoyance, I ran my hand on my hair and gripped it a little. Tumingin ulit ako sa mga dinadaanan nang biglang mawala ang inis ko. 

"Manong, wait! Stop. Doon po sa vintage store, please." Finally. Something to clear my mind. Without wasting any time, agad akong pumasok dito kasunod si manong Jun at isang bodyguard who insisted to come with us dahil utos daw ni Mason. 

Kung makaprotekta akala mo walang tinatago. 

I ran my hands on certain pieces that I saw. There were denim jackets, caps, jerseys, bags, and old CDs displayed on each of their shelves. May mga old records at accessories pa na agad ko namang nilapitan dahil mahilig ako sa mga ganito. I picked up a few before proceeding to the next shelves. 

My mouth went open with the amount of the vintage digital cameras infront of me. Agad ko itong nilapitan at hinawakan isa-isa, trying to find something that will suit my taste. I was immersed on choosing from the variety of options laid infront of my eyes until I saw one that instantly caught my attention.

Fujifilm X-20. 

Without any thoughts, I proceeded on the counter to pay for everything that I have in my hands. Agad na kaming bumalik sa hotel where Mason and I stays. Ramdam kong kalmado na ko pero may konting inis parin sa kanya. 

When I entered our room, I got no trace of Mason's presence. I tried searching for her on the bathroom, balcony, and even on the cabinets pero wala. 

Nagtampo rin ba siya? I sat on the bed trying to contact her pero wala. 

What if iniwan niya na ko rito? Shit. 

I kept on calling and texting her through out the day pero wala. I even tried contacting her friends dahil baka alam nila kung nasan ito pero hindi rin nila alam. I can feel the tears forming in my eyes because of frustrations. Sana naman kung kailangan niya talagang umalis, pinaalam niya sakin. I felt abandoned. Paano kung parte parin ito nang pag-ganti niya dahil sa ginawa ko noon? 

Hundreds of thoughts came out of my mind at tuluyan nalang akong naiyak. Hindi ko na napansin na nakatulog na pala ako, hinihiling na sana paggising ko ay nandito na siya sa tabi ko.