A Setback Beauty

Kabanata 14: WELL-PLANNED ABDUCTION

Well-planned Abduction.
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"CLARITY..."

Humakbang palapit sa'kin si Kade. His intense eyes squinted at me, telling me he wanted to explain further.

Umatras ako at matalim siyang tiningnan. "Kung gusto mong magbakasyon, then go by yourself. Don't bother me 'cause I don't have time for that."

Tumaas ang isang sulok ng kanyang labi. "Well, I'm sorry, Ms. Gallego, but I already got your Tita Roma's approval about your urgent vacation leave."

"What are you saying?"

He didn't answer me. Itinuloy niya ang nahintong paglapit sa'kin saka inilahad ang kanyang cellphone sa harap ko.

"What now!" asik ko.

"Tawagan mo ang tita mo para malaman mong nagsasabi ako ng totoo."

I breathed furiously. Hinablot ko sa kanya ang cellphone, walang password kaya madali ko itong nabuksan. I typed Tita Roma's number and dialed. I thanked myself that I still remember it. Ilang segundo lang ay sumagot si Tita.

"Yes? Who's this?" malamyos na tinig niya ang bumungad sa'kin.

"Tita..." Tinapunan ko muna ng isang matalim na tingin si Kade bago ako lumayo sa kanya. Ramdam ko ang pagsunod niya sa'kin ng tingin pero binalewala ko iyon.

"Is it you, Clarity?"

"Yes, Tita. It's me."

"Ganun ba...bakit iba ang gamit mong number ngayon? Did you change your phone number? Why you didn't tell me?" may pagtatampo sa boses ni Tita.

"I'm using Kade's number, Tita."

"Oh! Really?! You're with him?"

Bahagyang nangunot ang noo ko. "Yes, tita. I'm with him."

"Really? So he did tell you that he's bringing you there?"

"No. He dragged me," I pointed out quickly.

Magkasabay na halakhak mula kay tita sa kabilang linya at kay Kade na nasa likuran ang narinig ko. I bit my lower lips and turned to him. Isang nagbabantang tingin ang iginawad ko sa kanya na nginitian niya lang.

"Actually...Kade asked me kung pwede ka raw ba niyang dalhin sa kanila ng ilang araw. Sa akin na lang siya nagpaalam, iniisip niya kasing baka hindi ka sumama sa kanya kapag nalaman mong dadalhin ka niya diyan."

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. "Tita naman...bakit po kayo pumayag?"

Sandaling natahimik si Tita sa sinabi ko. Mayamaya'y nagbuntong-hininga siya. "I'm really sorry, niece... I just think that it's the perfect timing for you to take a vacation. You've been so busy these past few months and you need to take a break."

"Alam ko naman po 'yon, Tita. Iyon naman talaga ang balak kong gawin, but not now. Marami pa akong ginagawa lalo na sa Mango Farm at Gallego Garden. And I can't leave the resort just like that."

"If you're worried about the resort, don't be. Star is there, she knows what she needs to do. She can manage the resort while you're away. Besides, nandoon naman yung secretary mo at si Ms. Kalliope."

I shrugged. "How about Raki? Does she know that I'm taking my vacation without her?"

Sunod-sunod ang ginawa kong pagbuntong-hininga habang iniisip si Raki. I know she'll get furious kapag nalaman niyang mawawala ako ng ilang araw, lalo pa ang malamang nagbakasyon ako ng hindi siya kasama.