Along the Shore (Samal Island Series #1: COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 17: Confuse

Confuse

Nagmamadali akong pumasok ng elevator at mabilisan itong isinara. Napaupo ako sa sahig nang bigla na namang tumulo ang mga luha ko.

My heart is pounding so fast. I am not certain that the man I saw earlier was Rad but my mind and heart are conspiring with each other, it was him.

Tumayo ako at pinalis ang bakas ng pagluha sa mukha ko. Nagmamadali akong lumabas ng elevator nang makarating ako sa lobby area ng condo.

I texted Arellano the address and waited for him at the lobby.

Hindi mawala sa isipan ko ang imahe ng lalaking kayakap. I felt the same feelings with the same person… or was it different?

He’s dead. Three years ago. Kitang kita ng dalawang mga mata ko ang bangkay niya.

Vince… who are you?

“Hey, are you okay?” Nag-aalalang sambit ni Arellano nang nakalapit sa kinauupuan ko.

Matagal pala akong nakatulala at hindi ko na namalayan ang paglandas ng mga luha ko. Pinahiran niya ito at niyakap ako nang mahigpit.

“I want to go home.” Humihikbing sambit ko habang niyayakap siya pabalik.

Hinalikan niya ako sa noo bago iginiya palabas ng lobby. He opened the passenger seat for me and he drove me home.

I bid him goodbye and was about to close the door when he leaned on me and crouched for a kiss. I let him kissed me but I didn’t move. Wala akong lakas para itulak siya at wala akong gana para makipag-away.

“I can stay… if you want me to.” Namumungay na sambit nito habang hinahawakan ang pisngi ko.

“I can manage. I just want to be alone, Arellano. Drive safely. Thank you for the ride… and I’m sorry for the bother.” Pinal na sambit ko at tuluyan nang lumabas ng kanyang sasakyan.

Wala ako sa wisyo nang makapasok ako sa unit ko. Dumirecho akong humiga sa kama at tulalang nakatingin sa kisame, hindi na inalintana ang sarili na magpalit pa ng damit.

Bigla kong naalala ang imahe ni Vince. Kamukhang kamukha ito ni Rad, nagbago man ang istilo ng kanyang buhok but the aura and the built was just like my Fuego.

Napaigtad ako nang biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko dahil may tumatawag. Hindi ko na sana sasagutin pa pero nang makita kong si Daddy ito, I answered it without any inhibition.

“Arellano called me. Are you home already?” Bungad ni Daddy sa kabilang linya.

“Yes, Dad.”

“Akala ko ba uuwi ka sa bahay?”

“I’m sorry, Dad. I forgot.”

“It’s okay. But where have you been? You made me worried, Mariana. Baka atakehin ako sa puso kung pati ikaw… mawala.”

“Dad, don’t say that! I am fine, okay? Nahimatay lang ako kanina… sa club.” I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes, readying myself from the nagging.

“Did you go to Etchy again? I told you to refrain from going there without bodyguards, hija.” I can hear him suppressing his anger.

Bumuntong hininga ako at hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili na sabihin kay Dad kung sino ang nakita ko.

“I saw him there, Dad.”

“You saw, who?” Nagugulahang tanong nito.

“I saw Rad in the club and right after that, I passed out.”