I Brought My Heart To Hong Kong

Chapter Forty-Four: Blame

Chapter Forty-Four
Blame

The weather has been cooperative when we traveled all the way to Florida. At least, nakapag-enjoy naman ako kasama si Kingsley kay ang ginagawa lang namin ay maglakad-lakad dahil hindi ko naman gugustuhing mahilo siya at magkalat kung sakali. Lalo na't ako lang ang kasama niya.

"Sure kang ayaw mo?" tanong niya habang nakatitig ako sa isang roller coaster.

He didn't seem satisfied but I assured him it's fine. Naupo kami sa isang pwesto para magpahinga. The sun is setting at mamayang gabi, babalik na naman kami sa New York. Baka hindi makatulog si Won kapag hindi kami umuwi.

We remained sitting there, looking at everyone as they enjoy the park. Pinagmamasdan ko rin ang Expedition Everest na nasa harapan lang namin. Maganda sanang sakyan but I don't wanna risk it for Kingsley.

I've been to several parks abroad but it's my first time going to an amusement park in America. Disney World Florida is one great park, I would admit. Ang pinakapaborito ko atang tanawin ay 'yung Magic Kingdom. Nandoon ang napakalaking Cinderella Castle kaya nagpa-picture pa ako roon kay Kingsley nang maipakita naman sa magulang ko.

It's a good thing I have someone to escape from though. At least, nakapunta kami ni Kingsley dito.

"Kingsley, nabanggit kong magre-resign ako, hindi ba?"

Kingsley stared at me when I mentioned that. He motioned to me with an interested look on his face.

"Oo, bakit?"

"I wanted to try law school," mahina kong sabi pero sapat para marinig niya. "That's why I wanted to resign on summer."

The corner of his lips lifted. Kasabay no'n ang paggulo niya sa buhok ko. "I'll be rooting for you."

I nodded and looked away. "But when I was in Singapore last time..." I trailed off a bit. "Nakatanggap ako ng job offer sa isang kaibigan ng Mom ko."

His lips pursed in an instant. "You wanted to take that?"

"I don't know. Iniisip ko pa," matapat kong sagot. "I still want to figure out if my resolve to be a lawyer is weak to choose the job offer instead."

"Why do you want to be a lawyer, anyway?"

"I want to help people,"  banggit ko. "Especially the helpless."

"Why would you want to get the job in Singapore?"

Gulat ko siyang nilingon dahil doon. The question made me freeze in place and look down at my feet.

Nang nasa Singapore at in-offer-an, wala talaga sa isip kong tanggapin kahit binigyan ako ng kaibigan ni Mom ng calling card para tumawag kung nakapag-isip na ako.

But then the recent events...

"Is that to avoid him, Hailey?"

I shifted my glance away.

"No," kaagad kong deny. "It's... it's a great opportunity. Bakit hindi ko kukunin?"

Kingsley remained giving me a sketchy look. I shrugged at him.

Maya-maya pa, rinig kong bumuntong-hininga siya.