Love, Lies and Alibis (Henares Series #1)

Nineteen

Talk

Tiayon is a hidden paradise. Hindi kalayuan ang lugar mula sa hacienda but it's a perfect place if you're someone like me who's on the run.

Malayo ang kanilang private beach sa national highway. May mangilang kabahayan ang nakatirik sa daan patungo roon pero dumadalang habang lumalayo.

We passed by an aesthetic, newly done church. Kasunod niyon ay fishponds at malalagong mangrove trees bago ang beach nila.

"Magandang umaga, Señorita Margo!" A middle-aged woman with an apron greeted as I entered the dining room.

Matamlay ko siyang nginitian. This is my third day here. Maganda ang lugar, nakakahalina ang dagat at magigiliw ang mga tao sa akin. But I still feel like my heart's been buried in the sand somewhere.

Mabigat. Naninikip. At tila nanlulumo.

I sat on the chair and tried to eat my breakfast. Fried rice, ham, bacon, sunny side ups and my favorite pineapple juice for breakfast.

Kahit walang gana ay pinilit kong kumain. Manang Rosie got up early just to serve me breakfast. Ayokong mauwi sa wala ang lahat ng ito.

"Sabayan n'yo po ako, Manang..." Anyaya ko sa kanya habang sinasalinan uli ako ng juice.

Matamis na ngumiti si Manang sabay iling. I feel bad whenever they treat me nicely here. I certainly know that I don't deserve such treatment.

"Tapos na ako, Señorita. Suman at kape lang ay sapat na sa aking agahan." Aniya at lumawak ang ngiti sa bungad ng pintuan. "Magandang umaga, Señorito Voyd!"

I froze at the sight of Voyd joining the table. His manly scent filled the room. Basang-basa sa pawis ang kanyang gray sweater pants and shirt. Medyo hinihingal rin mula sa pagjo-jogging.

Tumango si Voyd at bahagyang ngumiti kay Manang. The first one in a long while.

"Good morning, Voyd." A gave him a hesistant smile.

Voyd looked my way pero tumagos lang ang tingin niya. Since we arrived, he was refusing eye contact with me and it hurts. A lot.

"Morning." He replied coldly.

Yumuko ako para itago ang pag-iinit ng mata. Para siyang nakikipag-usap sa pader.

Pinili kong ituon ang pansin sa pagkain. I somehow deserved it. I was very doubtful at his intentions. At ngayon ko napatunayang masakit pala ang hindi pagkatiwalaan lalo na kung tumutulong ng taos sa puso at walang hinihintay na kapalit.

Natigilan ako nang may naglagay ng fried rice sa aking pinggan. Namilog ang aking matang napatingin kay Voyd na seryosong pinagsasandok ako. Just like before.

"Eat a lot, Sia. Pumapayat ka." Mataman niyang sabi.

Napasinghap ako. Tila may mainit na bagay ang humaplos sa dibdib ko. His face and eyes were cold, but I can still feel the warmth in his actions. The warmth that I missed so much.

"Voyd..." My lips quivered.

Gusto kong kumandong sa kanya at yumakap. Gusto kong magsumbong. Gusto kong marinig ang assurance niya na magiging okay ang lahat. Gusto kong maramdamang safe uli ako dahil nandiyan siya.

I want the old Voyd. I miss the old Voyd. I want him back so bad.

Our eyes met and suddenly the old look on those two brown orbs returned. The familiar look usually held in his eyes when gazing at me.

His mouth opened to say something. At halos magwala na ang puso ko sa matinding antisipasyon.

He's back! My babe is back!