I Brought My Heart To Hong Kong

Chapter Eighteen: Avoid

Chapter Eighteen
Avoid

The tattoo never left my mind since the time I saw it.

Pinilig ko ang ulo ko sa headrest ng couch. It's already a late night pero nandito ako sa common room at isinusubsob ang sarili sa pagbabasa ng librong hindi ko naman maintindihan. Whenever I try to understand it, I just end up thinking about what happened earlier.

It just doesn't escape my mind.

Jayden has a tattoo signifying his love interest for Al. Left chest is where your heart is. He must have tattooed it there because she was his heart, after all.

"Of course," I mumbled.

Jayden reciprocates feelings. He's not emotionless. He still has feelings and that goes for Al. For Al who has waited for him for years.

I should be happy for them. I should be rejoicing because finally, Al got the love she deserves for patiently waiting. Jayden's probably making his move, too. They must be talking every now and then. Baka naghihintay lang si Jayden na makauwi para mabalikan niya na si Alethia.

So his tattoo must have been there ever since we got here in Hong Kong. Kung ganoon, may gusto na talaga siya kay Al noon pa lang? And Al just recently told me he likes her too. Did she keep it a secret until it's time for me to figure it out?

Napakadaya naman. Dito ko pa malalaman kung kailan hindi kami magkasama. They must be missing each other now. Sayang nga lang at na-stuck si Jayden kasama namin dahil kailangan niyang samahan si Chloe.

"Uwing-uwi ka na siguro, Jayden."

Natanto kong mahigpit ang hawak ko sa corner ng libro ko. I slapped my forehead at the realization before I threw my book boringly on the side table. I yawned and turned to my side until I fell asleep.

When I woke up, I felt a seething pain on my left elbow. I probably hit something hard causing me slight discomfort. Kung sabagay, sa couch nga pala ako natulog. Paggising ko, nasorpresa pa akong makitang nasa kwarto ko na ako.

Hindi ko na pinansin. I must have walked my way here half-asleep. Kaya siguro sumasakit ang braso ko, I was slightly unconscious, I could have hit the door while I sleep-walked.

Tinawag kami para sa almusal kaya bumaba ako sa kusina matapos maghilamos. Nagtama pa ang paningin namin ni Jayden na nasa harapan ko. Happenings from yesterday crossed my mind causing me to immediately look away. I just hope he didn't notice it.

Sumabay sa aming kumain si Tita Erine. Gusto kong bilisan ang pag-aalmusal para makaakyat ako kaagad but then Ate Mina and Tita Erine talked about something that interested me.

"Ma'am, ang sabi po ni Sir Crimson, huwag na raw po muna kayong maglabas-labas," paalala niya. "Kami na ho ni Weylan sa grocery ngayong araw."

"Yeah, I might not be able too," Tita Erine agreed. "Jia's expected to come within a few days. I can't compromise giving birth at the mall."

Natawa pa si Tita Erine sa sinabi niya. I took that as a precaution to always make sure we're monitoring her. Sa sobrang laki ng mansiyon, napakalaking risk kung sakaling nasa isang lugar si Tita Erine na walang tao sa paligid.

Pati si Kuya Gerard na family driver ay hindi muna pwedeng nagtatagal sa labas kasi kung sakaling wala si Tito Crim at Lolo Edward, siya ang responsable sa pagdadala kay Tita sa ospital.