Forbidden, Yet Allowed (Griyego #1)

Chapter 2

FYA - Pen

I was hugging the throw pillow on the sofa while I am replaying the footage for the nth time. At kahit ilang beses na panoorin ko iyon, hindi ko alam kung saan ako magsisimula para mahanap ng tuluyan si Mama. Maybe except for finding the man on the footage. Ang kaso, saan ko siya hahanapin?

Nanay ko nga hindi ko alam kung nasaan, iyan pa kayang kumidnapped sa kanya?

I heaved a sighed as I lie down on a fetus position on the sofa. I feel so frustrated and tired with this. Dalawang araw na rin simula nang makita namin ang footage na ito at hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin kaming lead. I was actually gonna show it to Tita Nevaeh, hoping that she might've seen that man. Ang kaso ay ang huling kita namin ay medyo nag-alinlangan akong ipakita dahil nag-away daw sila ni Tito Russel sa nalaman.

Napapikit na lamang ako at niyakap ng mahigpit ang unan, pinipigilan ang sariling umiyak. I need to be strong. I can't be vulnerable right now if I want to find her. There shouldn't be any room for weakness.

Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako sa pag-iisip ko at nagising na lamang ng marinig kong tumunog ang cellphone ko.

"Hmm?" I answered the call.

"You slept? It's already four o'clock," he said that made me glanced at the clock.

"Yeah, bakit ka tumawag?" I asked as I sat down.

I tried turning on the laptop, pero mukhang low bat na ito. I sighed and just plugged the charger.

"Mag-ayos ka. Meet me at MOA, okay?" He said that made my brows furrowed.

"Wala ka ng pasok?" Nagtataka kong tanong pero pumasok na rin sa kwarto.

"Walang prof." He laughed.

I sighed and sat on my bed. "I'm actually not in the mood to go out, Rio."

I just can't seem to see myself going out knowing that my mother is still nowhere to be found. While I'm here living comfortably, I have no single idea if she's eating well, sleeping well, or if they are even treating her well.

"Come on, Afia. You even barely taking care of yourself. You've been so gloomy ever since we went to the airport." He sighed. "Kahit ngayon lang, try to relax yourself. Hindi naman tayo hihinto sa paghanap kay Auntie," he continued.

In the end, I just agreed with Rio. Ngayon lang. At bukas ay magpapatuloy ulit ako. I just fixed myself and wore a casual above the knee asymmetrical dress that has short sleeves on it, then wore my flat shoes. After that, I just let my shoulder length hair in a soft curl. Then, I head out.

Medyo nagsisi naman ako sa sinuot ko nang makarating ng MOA dahil ang lamig ng humahampas na hangin sa akin dito sa seaside. The weather was a bit colder that it usually is, and I don't know why I still wore something that is not warmer for me. Though, it's okay, I don't wanna buy a sweater. It'll only ruin my get up.

I glanced at my wrist watch as I saw that it was already five o'clock, but still no sign of my damn cousin. He didn't stood me up, right?

And as if on cue, I received a text message from him.

Rio:

Humabol ang prof :(

Naiinis naman akong nag reply.

Me:

Tangina mo. Nandito na ako.

He immediately replied.