Tears of the Paradise (Isla Filipinas Series #2)

Chapter 14

"Anong gusto mong pagkain?? Oorder ako."

I slowly opened my eyes when I heard Vincent's voice. He was seated on the edge of the bed while looking at me and waiting for my answer.

"You're still here??" I asked. Still feeling sleepy.

"Sabi ko hindi kita iiwan," Ngumiti siya bago lumapit. "Ano gusto mong kainin?? Payat mo na, oh." Pang aasar nito kaya sumama ang mukha ko.

"Bonchon two piece chicken na soy garlic and fries." Sagot ko at agad naman siyang tumango.

Nagpaalam pa siya bago lumabas ng kwarto. I was about to get off my bed pero nang maalala ko ang nangyari kanina ay parang gusto ko na lang ulit magtago sa kumot ko.

I sighed before getting off the bed. I looked at the side table beside my bed and noticed some books there. Engineering books.

"He really stayed," I whispered before walking towards the door.

I had to stick my ear on the door first before I open it. Nainis ako sa sarili ko dahil pakiramdam ko I was on defense mode.

This is not good.

"Dito na ako kakain," Nakita ko na may kausap si Vince sa cellphone bago siya lumingon sa direksyon ko nang marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto. "Uuwi rin po ako, sige po."

Ngumiti ito nang ibulsa niya ulit ang cellphone bago lumapit sa akin. I looked around my condo and noticed that my brother was not around.

"Sorry," I apologized nang bigla kong mahampas ang kamay ni Vince.

He was trying to reach for my hand but I was startled. I gave him an apologetic look before I reached for his hands. Hinawakan naman niya iyon at hinayaan ako na hilahin siya papunta sa dining table.

"Ginabi ka na, pinagalitan ka ni Tita??" I asked. I had a thought that it was his mother who called.

"Hindi, ah!" Depensa agad nito. "Parang natuwa pa nga dahil walang maingay na bunso sa bahay." Biro nito kaya natawa ako.

I stopped laughing when I remembered my brother.

"Nasaan pala si Nathan??"

Nabanggit kanina ni Vince na tinawagan daw siya ni Nathan kanina gamit ang phone ko at siya rin ang nagpapasok sa condo.

"Umalis kasama si Ishmael," Aniya at inabutan ako ng tubig. "Babalik din naman daw kaya nag order na ako ng extra na pagkain. Alam kong matakaw bespren ko," He joked.

I scooted my chair closer to him and held his hand that was on the table. Tumingin siya sa akin na parang naghihintay na magsalita ako.

But I didn't talk. I just want to feel his presence. I want to feel safe and that comes when I'm holding his hands.

We stayed quiet for a few minutes until the food arrived and my brother came together with Ish kaya sabay sabay na kaming kumain.

Ate Lea also came by that night and just to checked on me.

"I almost got a heart attack when I heard what happened!" She screamed while hugging me. "Geez! That asshole should be in jail!"

"Bawal na maingay," Umirap si Ish kaya binatukan siya nito.

"Tell me," She let go of me and held on my shoulders. "Gusto mo na I'll make hatid and sundo sayo sa school??" She asked with wide eyes.