Beyond His Caution (Lost and Retained #1)

Kabanata 7

Kabanata 7

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Pagkatapos mag salita ni Toran ay hindi agad ako nakapag salita. I was caught off guard. I don't know how to construct the proper words which made me silent. Iba-iba ang aking nasa isip. I like him. I know I have known him for a couple of weeks only but it does not change my affection towards him. 

Instead of answering him back, I changed the topic. ''Bakit ka sa Adamson nag-aaral? I know you're rich and your family is powerful. You can afford other universities particularly those which are expensive. Bakit?'' I asked. Ang mga braso ko ay nakahalukipkip habang nakatingin sa kanya.

''Years ago, I made up my mind that I won't be like my family. I don't wanna depend on people just because I could get something from them. My parents want me to study in a university in Katipunan. Parehas na course. Kaso.. mas mahal. I want to be independent that's why I enrolled in AdU. Ako ang nagbabayad sa expenses ko..'' he said.

''Nagt-trabaho ka?''

He nodded. ''Yes. Though not the one you expect. Sometimes, I make speeches.. of my titos. You know, they won't notice it in local gov't.'' he laughed.

Natawa ako. ''You can earn from it so much?''

''Oo naman. And my parents liked our university somehow, too. Tingin nila ay low profile at mas ligtas. I often even saw some of the daughters and sons of the ambassadors and consuls of our country in our university.. I guess they find it low profile as well.'' aniya.

Tumango ako. Kanina pa kami dito at alam kong lumalalim na ang gabi. I checked my wrist watch and saw that it is past eight. He noticed it and spoke.

''Gusto mo na umuwi?''

''Oo. Gabi na rin kasi at kailangan ko pa mag commute. Uhh, pwede balik tayo sa school? Doon kasi ako sasakay..''

''If you want, u-uhm, pwede kita ihatid, Liana..''

''Ha? 'Wag na, Toran! Gabi na at baka late ka pa makauwi. It's okay. Sanay naman na ako,'' I said.

''No. Really. Kahit malapit lang sa inyo. I don't think I'll be at peace not knowing if you went home safely.''

''Hindi ka ba papagalitan? Your parents.. most specially your Dad. Baka isipin noon ay kung ay kung ano na ang nangyari sa 'yo.''

''It's okay, Liana.. My bodyguards are directly reporting to him. I'm sure he knows that I'm safe. Let's go?''

Wala na akong nagawa at tumango. Inalalayan niya akong tumayo at inayos ko naman ang aking suot. Ganon din siya. We returned the picnic mat and disposable food containers to the restaurant. 

Nang makalabas kami ay tumambad sa akin ang isang itim na range rover. This is different from the car I saw when Lucy and I were about to go home. Fortuner iyon at iba sa sasakyan ngayon. Our differences are crystal clear now. My parents can afford but not to this extent. We own several taxis and a salon business but it does not earn too much. Habang sina Toran ay likas na mayaman dahil matagal na sila sa pinili nilang mundo.

Ang dalawang bodyguard na nakabantay sa kanya kanina ay nasa kanan na pintuan ng sasakyan. They're standing firmly and in a straight position with blank expression. Ang mga nagtitinda ng ice cream sa paligid ay nakatingin sa amin dahil sa kanyang security.

Toran came near them and they talked for a bit. Tumango-tango ang lalaking mas malaki ang katawan at binuksan na ang backseat. Sinenyasan ako ni Toran at na una na akong pumasok. Sumunod naman siya?

''Good evening po.'' I greeted. Tumango ang dalawa niyang security sa harap.

''Liana, saan tayo?'' Toran asked.