She Loved, He Fought (The Daughters' Series #1)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Torture

Lately, I've been realizing what I'd missed for my entire life. I had been deprived of all independence. And as time goes by, I learned that my parents stole everything in me, not just my freedom but also my right to feel. They didn't allow me to be myself, they didn't allow me to feel these incredible feelings towards people. I never knew the feeling of being loved and to love.

I didn't know the sense of home.

All they think about is their treasures, their names, and their riches. Unknowingly, they become thieves of their daughter's heart.

Here, in Nueva Vizcaya, the universe let me feel everything. Especially that night, I was laying down in Elias' bed, being taken care by him, I know through his eyes, he ignited the foreign flames within me. It's too soon to say that I already love him but I certainly know that it's beyond physical attraction. It's too strong and powerful to ignore.

What if it is really the heart that speaks? Is time still relevant? I don't think so.

And who cares if I fell fast and deep?

I sighed when I almost shivered at that epiphany.

Kinabukasan, gumaan na ang pakiramdam ko at paunti-unti ay nakakatulong na ulit ako sa gawaing bahay. Siguro nabigla lang ang aking katawan sa lamig. At tama si Elias na pahinga lang ang kailangan ko.

"Ayos na ba ang pakiramdam mo?" tanong ni Elias habang naghuhugas ako ng kaunting mga baso.

I chuckled. "Oo, galing ng nag-alaga!"

Si Nanay Flor naman kasi ang kasama ni Elisse sa pamamalengke kaya kaming dalawa lang ang naiwan ngayon. Bukod sa hindi ako nagising ng gano'n kaaga ay mukhang hindi rin naman papayag ang doctor ko.

"Uminom ka na ng gamot?" tanong niya.

Hindi ko nakikita ang reaksyon niya dahil nasa likod ko siya na binabantayan ako habang nag-uurong, hindi ko tuloy sigurado kung nag-aalala siya. Pero sa tingin ko naman ay oo, kaya 'yun nalang ang pinaniwalaan ko.

"Oo."

Hindi na siya umimik hanggang sa matapos ako maghugas. Nagpunas ako ng kamay bago siya hinarap.

When our eyes met, I couldn't help but think how he is indeed ruggedly handsome as if nothing held against his life status.

Who cares about social standing, anyways?

All the while, it seemed like he's behind me. Nakahilig lang sa lamesa habang tumitingin sa akin.

"Are you staring at me the whole time?" I asked him the obvious.

He grinned and shrugged his shoulder.

Minsan hindi ko talaga siya mabasa. Minsan pakiramdam ko may gusto siya sa akin, minsan naman ay parang wala siyang pakialam. He has really a stoic image and sometimes, I wonder where did he get that attitude.

Probably, from his father.

Speaking of, may mga pagkakataon din na gusto ko magtanong sa kaniya o di kaya'y kay Elisse kung anong nangyari sa tatay nila. Naisip ko si Daddy na magaling na abogado baka pwede silang tulungan.

Besides, I also feel that I have the right to know everything about him. Including his past. I don't know. Siguro totoong dinamdam ko na parte na talaga ako ng pamilya nila. Because they genuinely treat me as one of them.

Ilang araw ang pa ang lumipas, balik na ako sa dati kong sigla. Wala na rin akong sakit kaya naman pumayag na sa wakas si Elias na mamasyal kami kasama si Rio.