Deceiving You

Chapter 7

She take a deep breath before opening her eyes. The scene looks serene and peaceful. If only she can stay here— forever. The saltiness of air and the chilly breeze it gives. It's relaxing her and she's forgetting her bitter past— even just for a moment.

When Ashur walked out of her suite earlier, she was frozen for a moment. She couldn't think right— it relives her memories from the past. She's so scared. Few minutes after, she came to realize that she's running after Ashur. Gusto niyang sundan ito. Ayaw niyang maiwan nito.

Nasa elevator siya pero natutulala pa rin siya. Kahit anong breathing exercise ang gawin niya walang epekto sa kanya. When the elevator door opens nagulat siya na nasa harap niya si Ashur. Gusto niya 'tong yakapin. Pero ayaw niyang makita nito na he's affecting her mental state. Kaya hindi na lang siya kumibo. Nasa loob sila pareho pero hindi sila nag-uusap.

And that's when her mind recalls those memories— again. She feels suffocated. Kaya ng akayin na siya ni Ashur papalabas— she broke down. She can't help it. Umiyak siya ng umiyak. Mahigpit ang pagkaka-kapit niya rito. Like he is her life... that the moment her grip loosen— her life will end...

Now, feeling refreshed. She needs to be strong. She can't be seen like that again. Hindi siya pwede maging mahina. No, not ever... not again...

Nalampasan niya noon. Malalampasan niya rin ngayon. She has no one back then. No family, no friends, no Ashur. At kinaya niya... Pilit niyang kinaya. She needs to... Because may—...

"You okay?" tanong ni Ashur.

Nandito pa rin pala ito. Akala niya umalis na 'to.

She nooded. "Yeah."

"You sure? Kumain ka na ba?"

"Hindi pa. I just want to breath. Kaya dito ako dumiretso pagka-gising ko."

"It's 7:30pm already. Kumain na muna tayo. The Doctor said bantayan kita dahil hindi ka pwedeng ma-stress at kailangan mong ma-relax."

Nagulat siya sa sinabi nito. May Doctor na nag-check sa kanya kanina? Ibig sabihin maaring may na-sabi ito kay Ashur. Pero... hindi naman ito nagtatanong about sa nangyari kanina.

"Tara na. Let's eat sa seafood resto."

"Okay. Gutom na rin ako. I want seafoods. Sawa na ako sa meat."

"Wala kasing fresh na seafoods sa Metro."

Magkasabay silang naglakad papunta sa resto. She's thinking kung bakit hindi siya nito tinatanong. But, she's also thankful na hindi 'to nagtatanong. Ang gulo niya 'diba?

Nasa loob na sila nakaupo at naka-order na rin pero hindi sila nag-uusap. She's just looking at the beach. Kahit hindi niya maaninag dahil madilim. Dumating na rin yung order nila and they silently ate.

They are now walking sa beachside— ulit. Gusto lang niyang magpa-hangin. She wants to enjoy the sounds of waves and the breeze. Hindi niya alam kung bakit sumama pa si Ashur. Maybe gusto rin nitong magpa-hangin.

"Should I ask?" biglang tanong nito.

"I don't know. Hindi ko alam if kaya kong sabihin sayo." she said truthfully. "Kaya kung magtatanong ka man. Don't expect na sasagutin ko. Not all questions are meant to be answered." then she smiled.