Beyond His Caution (Lost and Retained #1)

Kabanata 15

Kabanata 15

Chase

When I got inside our house, I tried to look natural as possible. I know I'd probably look tired or hurt. Just between the two. I don't need my parents to worry because their work is stressful itself. May mga inaasikaso sila sa kanilang mga trabaho at ayoko nang dumagdag.

Inabutan ko si Papa na may bitbit na kape habang naglalakad papunta sa sofa. Lumapit ako sa kanya at nag mano.

''Ginabi ka. Kumusta ang lakad mo?'' tanong niya.

''Successful po ang event, Papa. Hindi pa po nakakauwi si Mama?'' 

''Naku. Hindi pa. Marami raw customer sa salon kaya nag extend sila. Kumain ka na ba? May pagkain pa riyan sa mesa,'' aniya at umupo na sa sofa.

''Tapos na po. Pakisabi na lang kay Mama na nakauwi na ako. Akyat na po ako sa kwarto,'' I said and kissed my father's cheek.

Umakyat na ako sa kwarto at nagpalit ng damit. I'm dead tired physically and emotionally. Ang daming nangyare ngayon at sa tingin ko ay kailangan kong magpahinga.

I took a bath for a few minutes. Pagkatapos ay nag bihis na ako ng pang tulog. I changed my clothes to my usual silk pajamas. Tulad dati ay puti ang sinuot ko.

I opened the aircon and laid to my bed. Maraming nangyare ngayon. I was happy yet got disappointed thereafter. 

Hindi ko masisisi si Toran. It was me who assumed. It was me who have led myself from all of these. Anything unsaid can be guessed. Unfortunately for me, I guessed it wrong. He was nice and caring yet my happiness was short lived because he likes someone. 

Hindi pwedeng ako 'yun. In my most private thoughts, I'm hoping that it is me. But reality speaks so loud. It's not me. I met him years ago, yes. Sa isang seminar na dinaluhan ko noong senior high ako. But I'm sure he does not remember me. He probably don't even remember that he attended that seminar as well. Marami na siyang na daluhan na ganoon at baka hindi na niya maalala.

Kung sino man ang natutupuhan niya ay maswerte siya. He got it all. From physical, academic, his principles and morals.

I should have reminded myself repeatedly that he is out of my league. Ang katulad niyang may kapangyarihan at may matibay na pundasyon ang pamilya ay mahirap hawakan. People like them usually end up with the same brand of people. While I'm here silently liking him. 

My thoughts were disrupted because my phone beeped. Nasa tote bag ko iyon na naka patong sa ibabaw nang maliit kong cabinet. Binuksan ko iyon at nakita na nag text si Toran. I opened the text message.

Victor Antonio:

Tulog ka na?

I started to type.

Me:

Not yet.

After a few seconds, he replied.

Victor Antonio:

Are you okay?

I furrowed my eyebrows. Am I that transparent? Kanina niya pa napapansin.

Me:

Oo naman. Magpahinga ka na. See you tomorrow.

I sighed. Pinikit ko ang mga mata ko habang naghihintay sa reply niya. 

After a few idle moments, my phone beeped.

Victor Antonio:

I can't go to school tomorrow.