ADK II: Cupid's Slave (✔️)

Chapter 20: Betrayal and Deception

Chapter 20

Fate was sure that someone was watching her.

Intently.

Menacingly.

Turning her head, she scanned the whole place. No one seemed to be paying attention to her. Baka guni-guni na naman niya pagkatapos ng takbuhan, taguan at labanan sa mga nilalang na humahabol sa kanya nitong mga nakaraang araw.

She looked for the source of her discomfort. But there was nothing there. Hindi naman ganoon kadami ang mga customers sa restaurant na ‘to. May dalawang lovebirds bandang harapan niya, at mayroon namang mag-ina sa gilid ng table niya. Nasa sulok ang pwesto ni Fate malapit sa Lady’s Room pero hindi naman din ganoon kalayo ang exit door sa bandang likuran.  Busy naman ang guard sa mga newcomers ng resto, pati na rin ang mga waitress at cashiers. Kahit nga ang manager ay parang hindi na halos nakakapagrelax sa dami ng trabaho.

No one was even remotely looking on Fate’s direction.

At least that was she thought until she was spotted a woman in the corner who appeared to be staring straight at her.

It was Sunshine.

Nakahinga nang maluwag si Fate nang mapansin ang bestfriend niyang nakatayo lang sa may gilid. Seeing her safe meant a lot to her.  She gave her a smile as she approached her.

Niyakap agad ni Fate si Sunshine na ilang araw din niyang hindi nakikita pagkatapos nang trahedya sa may Parking Lot.

Hindi na siya pumasok muli sa trabaho pagkatapos noon.

“Pwede bang sa ibang lugar na lang tayo mag-usap Fate? Medyo, hindi ko gusto ang ambiance ng lugar na ‘to eh.” Shine smiled.

That was odd. Shine liked crowded places. She’d loved to watch the laughter’s of the people, their sweet smiles on their faces, and even the noises that they’d brought to her ears.

“Are you not feeling well?”

Shine shrugged nonchalantly to her question.

“Okay. Saan mo ba gustong pumunta?”

Hindi sumagot si Shine.

Nagsimulang maglakad silang dalawa papunta sa exit door nang tahimik. Inaasahan sana ni Fate na sermunan siya nito o magdadaldal sa harapan niya, pero hindi. Tahimik pa rin si Shine na mas lalong ikinababahala si Fate.

“Gusto ko sana dalawin ang mama ko.” Ngumiti si Shine pero wala namang kinang ang kanyang mga mata. “Today is her Death Anniversary. Ayokong pumunta dun ng mag-isa sa sementeryo.”

That was explainable.

Kaya pala ganito ang mood ng bestfriend niya.  She felt guilty for not remembering it.  How could she forget? “I’m so sorry Shine. Hindi ko naalala.”

“Ayos lang ‘yun.” Nginitian na naman siya kahit na hindi ramdam ni Fate ang saya. “Masaya ako at tumawag ka sa ‘kin. Hindi kita makontak simula nung isang araw. Akala ko nga nagtanan na kayo ni Jake eh. Hindi na din kasi siya pumapasok sa work. Walang nakakaalam kung nasaan siya ngayon.”

“Wala akong alam kay Jake.” Fate lied. She knew too well. She looked away, afraid to see her lies through her dark amber eyes. She was the very reason why Jake had disappeared. She just couldn’t say it to anyone, even to her bestfriend.