Breathless (Book 1&2)

Harder to Breathe #18.1

Harder to Breathe #18.1
Noreen

Hindi ako nakasagot sa sinabi niya, I even looked away after that.

"I called Robb's secretary by the way, your husband's plane just landed. Sinabi ko lahat ang situation and expect him to be here after few hours," Ron reported. I looked at him.

"I don't like what you did." pag-amin ko. "You could have spared me some time pa. Maybe I could persuade them pa!"

"Noreen, you clearly saw what's the real situation in this place! Peace and simplicity has covered the real situation pero ito, ito ang tunay na estado ng probinsyang ito! If you dig deeper! If you meddle longer mas lalong mapapahamak ka lang!"

"But Ron! Ikaw na rin may sabi! There's something in this place, what if need nila ang tulong from outsiders?"

"Listen to me Noreen, let's leave this place. They have different story, wag na tayong makialam. Isipin mo ang sarili mo para na rin kay Keysha!"

Kumunot ang noo ko matapos ang sinagot niya. "Rest, dinala ko na rin ang extra clothes mo. Let's stay here until Robb arrives. Kailangan na nating umuwi. Kailangan mo ng umuwi!"

"Ron, is it really about my safety?" tanong ko sa kanya, he stopped walking pero di niya ako nilingon.

"Let's just say na this time, I won't allow you to commit another mistake."

"What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean."

Kanna was kind enough to entertain us all. Sinabi ni Ron ang situation and they agreed na dito na muna kami until Robb arrives. Gabriel went out to seek help from his father's advisor regarding sa kung ano ang pwede nilang gawin sa mga tao.

Kasama ni Kanna si Teacher Ann sa pag-asikaso sa amin, doon ko nalaman na mag bestfriends sila and they grew up together, actually silang tatlo nila Gabriel. Unlike Kanna's, Teacher Ann came from a middle class family, that explains her simplicity.

Around three in the afternoon dumating si Robb sakay ng helicopter, he landed dito rin sa loob ng lupain ng mga Martinez. They were hospitable enough to accept us kahit na hindi kami nagkasundo sa ibang mga bagay.

"Robb!" salubong ko sa kanya, he hugged me tightly bago ako hinalikan sa may noo. Naamoy ko ang pabango niya na halatang kumapit na sa suot na damit.

"How are you?" he asked agad, ngumiti ako.

"I'm okay. I am really okay." tumango siya saka tinignan si Ron na nakatayo lang din sa di kalayuan.

"Noreen and I will go ahead, kindly stay for another day to inform the others and settle what needs to be settled." Robb instructed Ron.

"No worries, ako na bahala, isasabay ko na lang si Khim pag-uwi ko bukas besides nandito lang naman siya to support Noreen, Engineer Mutya can handle the rest."

"Thank you."

Robb greeted Kanna, as usual he was lively lalo na kung nakikipag kita at nakikipag-usap sa ibang tao. Robb and Cloud's personality are total opposite to each other.

"I heard from my wife about your father's decision," Robb told Kanna.

"Mr. Coyuito, I'm sorry but I don't have any stand regarding that matter. I'm just a normal provincial Doctor," Kanna humbly replied.

"But if you have a sudden change of mind. Please, don't hesitate to call me. Thank you for taking care of my wife."

"Makakarating," Kanna politely replied "Don't mention it, we were actually responsible to what happened kaya it's the least thing I can do."

We didn't stay for long, Robb seemed tired too. He obviously went directly here para sunduin ako. Hindi rin kami nakapag-usap ng maayos after niyang dumating. Things are flowing fast and smooth. Halata ko din na medyo nagmamadali siya sa pag-alis.

"Looking for someone?" Ron asked matapos niyang mapansin ang paglingon lingon ko bago kami tuluyang umalis.

"Ah? W-Wala." sagot ko naman saka naglakad na papunta sa kung saan ang helicopter.

"Cloud went back to Sitio San Miguel. I told him na your husband will come to pick you up."

"Ah..."

"Noreen." tawag niya sa akin kaya hinarap ko siya. "You'll be fine. It's better this way."

Manila, Philippines
Coyiuto's Residence

It is really uncomfortable, kanina ng lumapag kami sa helipad ng building hanggang sa makarating kami dito sa bahay, Robb didn't even talk to me. He is quiet at tila maraming iniisip. I know he is disappointed, I can feel it kahit di niya sabihin.

"I'm s-sorry." hingi ko ng tawad when he was about to enter his office. Tumigil siya sa pagpihit ng door knob bago ako tinignan. "I tried my best kaso ayaw talaga nila."

"It's okay kung ginawa mo naman lahat ng makakaya mo," he answered me. He smiled a bit and started caressing my hair. "Let's talk about work tomorrow. I'm really tired today."

"Y-Yes, yes of course. Please rest."

Sie:
Second part to be updated later.