"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. We have just landed at Suvarnabhumi. Please remain seated with your seatbelts fastened until the aircraft has come to a complete stop and the fasten seatbelt sign has been switched off. Thank you for flying with us today..."
Kanina pa ako nakapikit habang pinapakiramdaman ang paligid. Hindi naman ako makatulog buong byahe dahil tumatakbo ang isip ko sa nangyari kanina at sa babaeng katabi ko.
I still can't quite wrap my head around the gravity of the situation. I never expected things to go this far. I know with absolute certainty that people are looking for her—especially her parents and her fiancé. She left with nothing but the clothes on her, her heels, and her phone. It's painfully clear that she didn't think twice about fleeing that party. I'm well aware of the stares we drew at the airport and the whispers following in our wake, but frankly, I couldn't care less what they think.
I was torn between guilt and a surging sense of joy. I didn't know if I should celebrate the fact that she had abandoned her own engagement party just to be with me, but in this moment, nothing mattered more than her presence by my side as we prepared to leave the country. It felt surreal. I never truly expected her to walk away from such a massive commitment for my sake—much less find the courage to defy her parents' wishes just to choose me.
Pagkarating namin sa hotel, mabilis kong inasikaso ang lahat. Medyo nahirapan pa dahil almost fully booked na sila at akala ko nakabooked na si Jewel ng room namin. Mabuti na lang may natitira pang villa.
"I am truly sorry for the inconvenience, Ma'am," the receptionist apologized, her voice laced with sincere regret.
Pagod na tumango ako sa kanya. "It's okay. Just give us the room key."
"Okay, Ma'am. Here's the key. Our staffs will guide you to your villa. Enjoy staying, Ma'am..."
I made my way back to where I had left Beatrice and Solanna earlier. A heavy, uncomfortable silence hung between them. They sat like strangers, refusing to even acknowledge each other's presence. It had been several hours since our flight to Thailand took off, and just as long since I had shared a meaningful word with either of them. The air was thick with everything we weren't saying.
"Let's go," tipid na sabi ko bago naunang naglakad sa kanila pasunod sa mga staffs na may dala ng mga maleta namin.
Upon arriving at the villa, we were greeted by the sight of an expansive pool suite. The layout featured two master bedrooms, each boasting a clean, luxurious design and an impressive sense of space. Between them lay a grand living area, perfect for lounging. Just beyond the glass doors, a private pool shimmered, completing the suite's high-end appeal.
"You can take the other room, Solanna. Magsha-share na lang kami ni Beatrice ng kwarto."
Sabay silang napalingon sakin. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Beatrice na umiiling, habang si Solanna ay seryosong nakatitig sakin. Kanina pa siya hindi umiimik. Iniisip ko kung paano siya. Ni isang damit wala siyang dala.
Akala ko magrereklamo si Solanna, pero marahan siyang tumango at umiwas ng tingin sakin. "Okay..."
"What about your clothes?"
"I'll just pick up some clothes from the shops outside later," she said, her voice devoid of warmth. Without waiting for a response, she disappeared into one of the rooms and firmly shut the door behind her.
Natulala ako habang nakatingin sa kung saan nawala si Solanna. Napakurap lang ako nang biglang may humampas sa balikat ko. Nilingon ko si Beatrice na nakataas ang kilay habang nakatingin sakin.
"What?"
"Anong what? What's the meaning of this, Zariah?" seryosong tanong niya.
Hindi ako nakaimik. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya bago naglakad papasok ng villa. Nakita ko sa loob ng kwarto ang mga maleta namin.
YOU ARE READING
Illicit Love
RomancePUERTO DEL SOL SERIES 5. "I'd willingly let everything else slip through my fingers, but I refuse to lose you. I've already lived through the hell of losing you once. I won't survive it a second time..."
