Forbidden, Yet Allowed (Griyego #1)

Chapter 9

FYA - Book

As soon as Rio called me, umalis na rin ako kaagad sa condo unit ni Hyal. Hindi ko na hinintay na makabalik si Hyal at nagsabi na lamang akong aalis na ako kay Asa dahil wala na akong pakay pa sa kanya.

Though, even if I got back at Rio's unit, my mind was still thinking about the picture frame. I didn't get the chance to see it because of Rio's sudden call. Hindi ko rin naman maintindihan ang sarili ko kung bakit nakuha ng atensyon ko ang picture frame na iyon, kahit hindi naman kainteresa-interesado ang mga pagmumukha ng nandoon.

"Where did he put it?" I asked myself as I was finding the book I bought for him.

Pumunta naman ako sa coffee table kung saan ako ang pumili ng disenyo na ito noong lumipat siya sa condo unit niya. It was made with wood and has a four covers on each side, where inside of it were placed all his books—law books to be exact. I thought of perfectly picking this for him since I know he likes to study in the living room, instead of his own room.

"Wala rito," I said and closed the cover.

Kaya sumuko na lamang ako at saka hinintay na lamang siya hanggang sa makauwi. Nakalimutan ko kasing banggitin sa kanya ito dahil sa pagmamadali na makaalis sa puder nila Asa.

I slammed myself at the sofa as I reached for my phone and looked through my photos. Mostly it was just some random stuff or some interior desigs that I liked. May mga pictures naman dito ni Rio, minsan kaming dalawa, pero madalas ay mga wacky pictures na kinuha niya sa sarili niya. Kahit gusto kong i-delete ay hindi ko ginagawa dahil kapag nalulungkot ako, titignan ko lang ang mukha ni Rio natatawa na ako.

Wala lang. It just reminds me that I still haven't seen the most worst things in life, other than Rio's wacky face.

Natawa naman ako hanggang sa makita ko ang picture ko kasama si Mama. It was Papa who took it from his camera and I just passed it here on phone, since I don't have enough pictures with Mama. It was actually my last photo with her after she left for abroad. Natatandaan ko pa kung paano ako umiyak nang malaman kong aalis siya, I almost hated her when she told me about it. Because at that time, my young mind couldn't understand the reason why she had to leave. I couldn't accept it, at first. But as I grew older, I understood her, I understood our situation. And the more I did, the more it hurt me.

Nang may naramdaman akong pagtulo ng luha sa aking pisngi ay agad-agad ko itong pinunasan. This won't do good. I shouldn't dwell in the past, the important thing is to find her and make up for all the things we should've done.

Tatanggalin ko na sana sa photos para tawagan si Tita Nevaeh para makausap tungkol doon sa private investigator niya, nang makita ko ang itsura ko sa isang album. I was standing while my hands were crossed over my chest, I looked impatient while I was looking in front. The photo looked like a stolen shot. At wala akong matandaan kung kailan ko pinahiram itong phone ko kay Rio habang nakatayo sa gilid ng daan.

Wait a minute. As I looked closely at the photo, I realized that I was wearing the clothes the day I saw the familiar man on the CCTV footage—where I accidentally rode on Asa's fucking scratched car!

Wait, what? He took a photo of me? At sa cellphone ko pa? Why?

Pinabayaan ko na lamang ito at saka tumayo na mula sa sofa bago pumasok sa kwarto ko. Mabuti pang maligo na lang ako ulit kaysa isipin ko pa ang kagaguhan ni Asa, wala naman siyang magandang ambag sa buhay ko para isipin ko siya.

After hours passed by, I already called Tita Nevaeh about the meeting with the private investigator, and she told me that we'll be meeting with him the day after tomorrow. At pagkatapos din no'n ay tumawag din ako sa isa kong kaklase tungkol sa nakaraan na ginawa nila na wala ako. Mas mabuting mag-aral pa rin ako kapag nasa condo unit lamang ako para kapag balik pasukan ako, I wouldn't have any difficulties of catching up.