Beyond His Caution (Lost and Retained #1)

Kabanata 11

Kabanata 11

Kaibigan

Ang tingin ni Mama ay palipat-lipat sa aming dalawa at ang naghuhuramentado kong puso ay hindi pa rin tumitigil.

They are now both standing and the defeaning silence is consuming me. It's really awkward and I don't even know how will I explain this to my parents!

Tumabi ako kay Toran at tinignan siya. He looked at me and gave me a warm smile. His attire isn't so formal but it screams authority and power. Umubo si Mama nang marahan kaya nalipat ang tingin naming dalawa sa kanya.

''A-ah.. Mama, uhm, si Toran po..'' sabi ko nang hindi mapakali.

She raised her eyebrow and went to look at the guy beside me. Ang kaba sa dibdib ko ay hindi mawala. I'm sure she's wondering who he is! My Mom knows all of my friends and Toran here in front of me is new to her. I'm sure!

He stood up straight and offered my Mom his right hand. ''Victor Antonio po, Ma'am..'' aniya sa pormal na boses. 

''Victor Antonio?'' Mom asked anticipating for his reply.

''Tovarres po,'' he firmly said.

Tumango si Mama at tinignan ako. I know that look. She'll certainly bombard me with questions later. She's probably wondering who he is and whom he is affiliated with. Ang sadya pa lamang niya rito ay malaki nang katanungan.

''May gusto ka bang inumin?'' she questioned.

Umiling si Toran. ''Okay na po sa tubig, Ma'am..'' 

''Oh, siya. Iwanan ko muna kayong dalawa rito at maghahanda lang ako ng meryenda,'' tinignan siya ni Mama mula ulo hanggang paa at umalis na.

I waited for my Mom to fully leave the sala. I can't bear her listening to our conversation lalo na't hindi pa niya kilala si Toran. 

I looked at him for a bit. Hindi nagtagal iyon dahil sa kaba. Iminuwestra ko ang sofa at umupo na do'n. He seated as well.

I don't know how to properly ask why he's here. Alam ko naman ang sagot dahil nakita ko ang mga dala niya. It's just really different now that he's here in front of me.

Nararamdaman ko ang mga mabibigat niyang titig. I looked at him and saw that he's looking intently at me.

''B-bakit ka napapunta?'' 

''You're sick, Liana.. nag-alala ako,'' aniya at mapungay ang mata. His legs are spread apart and his stance is facing me.

''Nag abala ka pa. I told you I feel fine now..''

''Akala ko ay late ka lang kanina. Your friend isn't inside the class so I thought you're with her..''

Umiling ako. ''Absent din si Lucy. Ano pa lang sabi ng mga prof? Si Sir Ramos? Sir Badong?''

He shook his head as well. ''Huwag mo munang isipin. 'Wag ka muna pumasok. I'll explain it to them..'' aniya.

''Wala ka bang klase? Your thesis? Org?''

''Ikaw ang pinunta ko rito pero ibang bagay ang tinatanong mo.''

Umirap ako. ''Baka kasi nag cut ka pa ng klase para lang pumunta rito.''

He grimmed his lips. ''Nope. All settled..''

Lumapit pa siya at ramdam ko na ang kanyang mga binti sa akin. He leaned his upper body a bit kaya umatras ako. He smiled genuinely. He raised his right hand and touched my forehead. Hinawakan niya rin ang leeg ko.

Our face is really close to each other and I can feel his mint breath on my lips. Hindi ko namalayan na pinipigilan kong huminga dahil malapit siya. Hindi ako makatingin nang diretso dahil malalim ang tingin niya sa akin at para akong sinasamba. Nang matapos niyang hawakan ang noo at leeg ko ay malalim akong huminga.