Reversed Realities (AMANDORA - AU)

Chapter 08

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"Saan mo na naman ako dadalhin?" I tried to sound casual, my voice barely masking the flutter of my nerves in my stomach.

Amando remained silent as he maneuvered the car through the familiar streets, finally pulling over at the park that seemed to spring from a dream.

Agad siyang bumaba ng kotse at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. Tahimik kong nilibot ang paningin ko sa malawak na park at pakiramdam ko hindi ito ang unang beses na nakapunta ako dito.

Tanaw na tanaw ko ang dagat mula sa kinatatayuan ko at lihim akong napangiti. Para bang biglang nawala ang mga bigat na dinadala ko nitong mga nakaraang araw.

"Dito ka madalas nagpupunta kapag pagod ka na sa lahat." Amando said, his eyes still fixed on the cerulean waves of the ocean.

"My sacred place?" I asked.

"Kapag may tampuhan tayo, dito ka palaging nagpupunta." he added, a soft smile gracing his lips.

I turned to him. "Tampuhan? Bakit tayo may tampuhan?"

Nang tumingin siya sa akin ay mas lumambot ang tingin niya. He gently tapped my head bago maglakad palayo. I followed him while questions started to occupy my mind.

Was I merely a servant in his world, or was there something deeper between us?

My thoughts scattered as he led me to a quaint restaurant overlooking the magnificent ocean. The sound of waves crashing filled the air, a symphony of serenity. As he pulled out my chair, I watched him, questions swirling in my mind.

What did I truly mean to him?

"This is your favorite." bumaba ang tingin ko sa mga pagkain na nakahain sa harap namin.

Amando made sure na mauuna akong kumain kaya pinanuod niya pang tikman ko lahat ng inorder niya.

"Ang cute." he gently wiped the side of my lips which caused me to froze a bit. "Here, favorite dessert mo din 'to. Matcha ice cream."

My heart fluttered at the sight of my favorite dishes, each one a testament to how well he knew me.

Mas kilala niya ako kaysa sa kilala ko ang sarili ko.

After lunch ay naglakad kami sa seashore. Mabuti na lang at hindi ako nakaheels dahil siguradong aasarin na naman niya 'ko. I was just listening to his rants kahit pa wala akong masiyadong maintindihan pero natutuwa akong mas madaldal pala siya sa mundong 'to.

"Bago ko makalimutan, may ibibigay nga pala ako sa'yo." he said, pulling something from his pocket.

In his palm rested a stunning golden necklace that glinted in the sunlight. My breath caught in my throat; it was the most beautiful piece of jewelry I had ever seen.

Marami akong mga jewelries but this one was the only exception. May kakaiba kahit pa hindi ko pa siya nasusuot.

Humakbang si Amando palapit sa akin bago niya isuot sa leeg ko ang kwintas. Habang ginagawa niya iyon ay hindi ko mapigilang mapatitig sa mukha niya na malapit na rin sa mukha ko.

I wished so badly for the world to recognize the Amando I knew. He may have been seen as brutal and ruthless by others, but I saw the tenderness in his spirit.

This was Amando.

My Amando.

Bigla akong napatingin sa kamay naming magkahawak habang naglalakad sa baybayin. In that moment, I realized something.

Hindi lang ako utusan para sa kanya at hindi siya amo para sa akin.

It was more.

We are partners.