Beyond His Caution (Lost and Retained #1)

Kabanata 31

Kabanata 31

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The dinner ended. Tahimik akong nanatili doon. I can feel Toran's look the whole time. Hindi ko siya tinapunan ng tingin dahil sa kirot ng dibdib. While the Rachel he is bound to marry was sharing how easy it was to bake the cake she brought.

''Ihahatid mo si Liana, hijo?'' his Mom asked. 

Nasa labas na kami ng kanilang mansyon. Nasa labas din ang kanyang ina't ama, ihinatid kaming dalawa rito sa labas. Rachel stayed in the dining table. Nang tumayo kami kanina ay nginitian niya ako nang maliit.

Even though it's painful, I smiled at her, too. To formally accept in me that it is her who is destined for him. Na kahit na mahal namin ang isa't isa, hindi naaayon sa aming dalawa ang oras at panahon. I love him but sacrificing him for my parents.. and for his own well-being is my decision. No matter how much I love him.

''Yes, Ma. Uuwi rin ako agad,'' he said as he held my back. 

Umatras ako paharap dahil sa hawak niya. I don't want to feel his warmth nor his touch anymore. Kailangan kong sanayin ang sarili ko na wala si Toran sa tabi ko. Dahil ngayon, alam kong hindi naman kami ang para sa huli.

''Okay.. Mag-iingat kayo. Liana, thank you for visiting. Sana maulit,'' she genuinely smiled.

Unfortunately, hindi na ako makakabisita ulit. I won't prolong this. I'm going to end our relationship.

''Salamat din po.''

I gave them a smile. I looked at his father. May halong babala ang kanyang tingin. Inilipat ko na lang ang tingin kay Mrs. Tovarres. She kissed my cheek.

Pumasok na kaming dalawa sa loob. He started the engine and drove. I can feel the awkwardness inside his car. 

''Hey..'' aniya nang pumula ang traffic light. 

I looked at him, trying to look normal despite the pain I'm feeling. 

''Bakit?''

''May nangyari ba?'' he asked, sounding so concerned.

''Ha?'' I awkwardly laughed. ''Wala naman. Bakit mo natanong?''

He sighed heavily. ''I'm sorry. Natagalan kami kanina. Hindi mahanap ang sasakyan ni Rachel kaya't natagal kami. Babalik na sana ako nang dumating siya at naki-usap na samahan ko siya. Nasa may gate raw ang sasakyan. I have no choice but to accompany her..''

Yeah. And you went out with her last week to formally meet her parents. At hindi mo sinabi sa akin. 

I didn't tell him that. Ayokong isipin niya na isasatinig ko ang kababawan na iyon. It may hurt me but it's okay. I'm going to end us, anyway.

''Okay lang. Sana nagtagal pa kayo..''

His brows furrowed. ''What? Anong ibig mong sabihin?''

''Narinig kong sinabi ng Papa mo na kanina ka pa niya hinihintay. Baka lang may gusto siyang sabihin,'' ani ko sa mapait na tono.

His jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. Mukha siyang naiinis.

''May sinabi ba si Papa sa 'yo? Pagkabalik namin kanina, kayong dalawa lang ang nasa mesa..''

Umiling ako. ''Wala. May dapat ba siyang sabihin?'' I looked at him intently.

He avoided my gaze. Natawa ako sa iniisip. He doesn't want to tell it to me. He's trying to hide it. Kung hindi kami maghihiwalay dahil sa mga magulang ko, maghihiwalay kami dahil ayaw niyang sabihin ang parteng ito.