Ocean of Feathers

60 - HMS Dragon

The short story is dedicated to Maria Lourdes Andrade. Thank you for helping me during the muting days!

Chapter 60

I felt a lump on my throat. My hands couldn't stop from shaking, my heart beats drummed rapidly on my rib cage, and tears stung on my eyes.

It's painful to hear the rumors about my father about his tryst with different women, but to witness him on the act?

My fists balled. I bit my lower lip to suppress the sinful words I might utter against my own father. Saan siya kumukuha ng lakas para lokohin ang sarili niyang asawa at ang kanyang buong pamilya?

And that bitch with him? Alam niya ba na may pamilya na siyang sinisira? Mga tang ina nila.

Marahas kong ibinagsak ang basong hawak ko para agawin ang atensyon ng malanding pares na iyon sa dulong parte ng restaurant. Before my womanizer father turned his eyes on my direction, I immediately stood up, left money on the table, and left that restaurant with a vow on myself not to trust men until I die.

I crossed my legs, leaned my back on the swivel chair and massaged my temple when I saw the familiar face in front of my office table. It's him again, Tyler.

"What?"

He placed a stem of red rose and a lunch box on my table for the nth time. "For my Maria..."

"How many times do I need to tell you to stop? Please, Tyler, stop this nonsense. Wala akong planong makipagrelasyon sa kahit sino. Please respect my decision. I am not the woman you're looking for..."

Ilang beses ko na iyong sinabi sa kanya, pero parang nabibingi siya sa tuwing sinasabi ko iyon. He'll just smile at me and shrugged like he didn't hear my words of discouragement.

Halos isang taon siyang hindi tumigil sa pagsuyo sa akin at isang taon ko rin siyang pilit na itinutulak.

I vowed to myself not to get hypnotized by this sickness called love. Dahil hindi naman iyon tunay, isa ng malaking patunay si Daddy at ang pambabae niya na nahantong sa matinding kalungkutan ni Mommy that made her to commit suicide. Love is an evil word, and I wouldn't dare embrace it until I die.

Nagpatuloy ako sa pagtulak kay Tyler pero hindi pa rin siya tumigil.

"Why can't you try, Maria? Life isn't all about the past, and your parent's failure, dahil iba ako sa Daddy mo. I love you. I admired everything about you. Your hardship, efforts, and your passion on your work. You cared a lot... but you deserve more... you deserve someone that would care about you... someone that would embrace you when you're cold, someone that will pat your head in your every achievement... someone that will whisper to your ears when you're tired... allow me... give me chance..."

Hindi ko magawang makapagsalita sa mga sinabi niya. Hindi ko magawang salubungin ang kanyang mga mata at nanatili akong nakaharap sa laptop ko at nagkuwanring may ginagawa.

He waited for my response but I didn't utter a word. Hanggang sa marinig ko ang buntong hininga niya at iwan niya akong mag-isa sa opisina.

After that confession, Tyler didn't make his efforts again. Hindi ko na naramdaman ang kanyang presensiya.

I admit, in every time that my door opened, I expected his rose stem and lunch box, pero ni anino niya ay hindi ko na maramdaman pa.

I suddenly noticed a single tear fell on my cheek when I caught myself staring at his usual spot.

Huminga ako nang malalim at lumabas na ako ng opisina para umuwi. Since my car was coding, I don't have a choice but to commute. I was in the middle of crossing the street when I didn't notice the coming car.

Akala ko ay tuluyan na akong mababangga nang may brasong marahas na humila sa akin.

"Oh my goodness!" napahawak ako sa dibdib ko.

Nang sandaling lumingon ako sa taong nasa likuran ko, nagliwanag ang mukha ko. It's Tyler.

"Tyler..."

I was about to confess him my feelings for him, and my realization during his absence when his hands left me.

"You should be more careful next time."

Tatawid na sana siya nang tawagin ko ulit siya. "Tyler..."

"This is the last time that I'll approach you. You will not see me again. I resigned. I promise that we'll not cross our paths again. I hope you'll be happy."