Held Captive

Chapter 80-Her Unexpected Return

Chapter 80

Pinark ni Rad ang kotse sa parteng hindi masyadong malayo at hindi rin masyadong malapit sa palasyo ng Safronov. Mula dito ay tanaw na tanaw ko ang mataas na gusali na kulay puti.

Lumabas siya ng kotse at umikot para pagbuksan ako. Lumabas na ako ng sasakyan at sinarado ang pinto. We just stood there unmoving. We were staring at each other's eyes silently, as if we knew that this might be the last time we would see each other.

"You should return now, Eva." Pambabasag niya sa katahimikan.

"You'll leave?"

"I had to. You're already safe in the Safronov. My mission here is done."

"W-when will I see you again?"

"I don't know. To be honest."

I forced my head to nod. Sinikap kong lumakad palayo sa kaniya kahit ayaw gumalaw ng mga paa ko. Hindi na ako muling lumingon. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi na ako lalayo sa kaniya kapag lumingon ako. Nararamdaman ko pa rin ang mga mata niyang nakatitig sa aking likuran.

Huminto ako.

Go back to him. Just take a glimpse. Just one glimpse.

Nagdedebate ang mga maliliit na boses sa utak ko. Sa huli ay nagtuloy na lang ulit ako sa paglalakad. I should not turn back now. I'll be heading straight to the Safronov. I'll be heading straight towards my safe place.

Pero paano kung ito na pala ang huling pagkakataon na masisilayan ko si Rad? What if this is the last chance I got to say .. the unspoken words to him? What if this is my last opportunity to tell him what I'm feeling? That I, a Safronov agent, love him. Against my parents' past, against the advice of Faith Bautista, against the rules of our agency, against all odds... I have fallen in love with him. In the most painful and cruelest way I know.

I stopped walking. My heart beating fast. My curly blonde hair was dancing with the wind. The coldness of the night was forcing its way into my skin. Maybe, I could never avoid this day. I must confess my feelings right now. Right here.

I took a deep breath. And slowly, I turned my head to face him.

Only that, he, was gone. I was looking in an empty road with no one around. There's no Radimir in sight. There's no hint that a red car was parked on the road minutes ago.

I was left alone.

Getting no chance in telling him what I truly feel. Having no opportunity to say what I should have said.

Maybe this must be it. I would think of Rad when I had the luxury. But for now, I should return to where I belong. I should return to the Safronov.

I was about to walk again but then I heard footsteps from my back. Those footsteps were coming towards me. I smiled at the realization. I knew it! Of course, he's still here. I should have known.

Lumingon ako sa aking likuran at hindi ko tinago ang aking ngiti. "Radi—"

Bigla akong natahimik nang makita si Queen Callisha sa aking harapan. Her face gave no emotions. I opened my mouth—but then I can't say anything—I closed it again.

"What took you so long to return, Agent Eve?" Malamig ang tono ng reyna. Tumayo ang aking mga balahibo sa hindi ko malamang dahilan. Hindi ko nagawang sagutin ang kaniyang tanong bagkus ay yumuko na lang ako sa kaniya. Katulad ng lagi kong ginagawa bilang simbolo na pinaglilingkuran ko siya. Pagkaangat ko muli ng aking ulo ay matatalim na tingin ang binigay niya sa'kin.

"Do you know the meaning of that bow Eve?"

"Queen Callisha.."

"ANSWER MY QUESTION, EVE!"