VALENTINO SERIES 2: TO TAME HIS HEART

Kabanata 29

Georgia

"Georgia, smoothie mo raw sabi ni Boyd."

Tiningnan ko ang tropa ni Boyd na waiter sa bar kung saan siya tumutugtog tuwing Sabado ng gabi.

"Thanks, Cooper," I said with a small smile.

"Kapag may gusto ka, tawagin mo raw ako. Ibabawas na lang mamaya sa bayad sa kanya."

Tumango ako. "Salamat ulit."

I looked at my boyfriend and showed him my glass of blueberry smoothie. Ngumiti naman siya sa akin habang inaayos ang taas ng mikropono niya.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to our first set. I am Boyd and I am . . . taken." He chuckled softly after some girls groaned in disappointment. "Sorry, ladies. I'm sure there's someone out there that's truly meant for you. Ang to my baby, George, I know you hate it when I go really cheezy but who cares. I love you."

I rolled my eyes while trying to prevent my smile. No, I don't really hate it when he does this in public. I just don't like attracting that much attention from people we don't know.

He cleared his throat and started strumming his acoustic guitar. Maya-maya ay tuluyan niyang sinimulan ang pag-awit ng theme song namin. It's not like we specifically chose that song, though. We just realized that every time we're slow-dancing in our small apartment, iyon ang madalas naming pinapatugtog.

"'Di man gano'n kasigurado sa tugon mo, 'di na 'pagpapabukas pa . . ."

I started humming the song while I'm watching Boyd. A lot of the female customers are taking videos of him singing but his eyes were only glued on my direction. Despite a lot of women trying to gain his attention with the way they dress and how they look at him, Boyd doesn't seem to notice anyone but me.

Maybe that's the thing. Assurance and security are not demanded in a relationship. They are shown whether you ask for it or not.

Boyd never gave me any reason to doubt his love for me, as well as his faithfulness towards me. He didn't earn my trust through his flowery words and sweet talks. His actions spoke louder. The way he only looks at me in a room full of girls showed how much he's devoted to me.

I sighed when I realized again how lucky I am to be loved by him. Sa rami ng taong nananalanging magkaroon ng isang tulad niya, sa akin siya napunta.

My phone vibrated. Napababa roon ang tingin ko. I picked it up and opened Grethel's chat.

Grethel: Where are you? Jaela heard from a friend that Ron is planning something bad. He's been high since last week and he's taking another kind of drug. Please tell me you're somewhere safe?

My brows furrowed. I was about to type a reply to her when my Dad's number showed up on the screen. Napatulala ako ng ilang segundo nang biglang kinabahan. Dad never called me before?

Bigla kong naisip iyong mga lalakeng nakikita kong pasimpleng kumukuha ng larawan namin ni Boyd. Did he hire those men? Was he investigating about me?

Nalunok ko ang sarili kong laway. I glanced at Boyd while I contemplated whether to answer Daddy's call or not. Kung hindi ko sasagutin ang tawag ni Daddy ay baka mas mamroblema ako. Maybe I can pacify him if I'd pick up the call. I don't want Boyd to suffer the consequences.

Sandali akong humugot ng hininga bago tuluyang tumayo. I showed my phone to Boyd, gesturing to him that I have to go out to answer the call.

Pasimple siyang tumango habang kumakanta. I grabbed my bag and walked out of the bar. Kinailangan ko pang lumayo mula sa bungad para hindi gaanong marinig ang ingay.

"Daddy?" kinakabahan kong bungad nang masagot ko na ang tawag.

I heard him sigh. "Georgia? When are you coming home? Ang sabi ng katulong ay isang buwan na mula noong huling beses kang umuwi."

Lumunok ako. "I-I will be home next week, Daddy. I'm just . . . busy with some school works. You know? College isn't really easy--"

"Cut the crap, Georgia. Tell me what's really going on?"

Halos manlamig ang mga palad ko. I've never seen my Dad angry in person. I always picture him out as a gentle father who never scolded me. Despite our very little interactions while I was growing up, I have no memory of my Dad raising his voice at me. Hindi naman siya nagtataas ng boses ngayon pero sapat na ang tigas ng pagsasalita niya para malaman kong galit siya.

I sighed. "Daddy, please don't get mad. I . . . I really love him. I know it's you who hired those men but please understand. We're in love and he's a good man, I promise."

Bumuntonghininga si Daddy. "Come home and we will talk about it privately."

"Daddy, mahal ko si Boyd. Sana kung haharap kami sa'yo, huwag mo kaming paghihiwalayin dahil . . . dahil hindi po ako papayag. I know I'm too young to understand love but this is . . ." I shut my eyes and drew in a sharp breath. "I love him, Daddy, and this love is something I could never let anyone take from me."

Natahimik ang kabilang linya. All I heard was my father's heavy sighs as if he's trying to calm himself down. Hindi ko naman siya masisisi. Tatay siya. He probably worries about my future with the man I love, but I know Boyd. I know what he's willing to do for me, and I have enough faith in him. Makita man ng ibang tao ang mga sakripisyo niya o hindi.

I heard another heavy sigh from my Dad before he spoke. "Come home but do not bring him with you if you want me to listen to whatever you wanted to say. We have to resolve this matter before your mother returns from her trip."

Lumunok ako. "Yes, Daddy."

Tuluyan niya akong binabaan ng tawag. Napabuntonghininga na lamang din ako bago ako naglakad pabalik sa bar.

I was focused on my phone because I was trying to type a response to Grethel's chat. Sa sobrang kampante ko sa paglalakad pabalik sa bar ay hindi ko kaagad napansin ang pagbagal ng takbo ng isang van.

It slowed down until it took a halt next to me. Biglang bumukas ang pinto. Next thing I knew, a familiar man was already dragging me inside.

I tried to scream but Ron covered my lips and nose with a cloth. Sinubukan kong manlaban upang makawala ngunit naisara na ng kasamahan niya ang pinto. The cloth seems to have some chemical as well. Unti-unti akong nahihilo kaya kahit anong pagpupumiglas ko ay walang naging epekto.

My tears streamed down my cheeks as I tried to fight the urge to fall asleep. Ron grinned like a psycho before he licked my cheek.

"P-Please . . ." I whispered.

Ron grinned at me. "Tangina, pakipot ka pa, ha? Tingnan natin angas mo ngayon, Valentino."

Napahikbi na lamang ako habang tila lantang-gulay na pilit na itinutulak ang mukha niya palayo sa akin.

I know it's nearly impossible for me to be saved from what's about to happen, but I still begged God in my head.

Diyos ko, parang awa na Ninyo. Huwag ho Ninyong hayaang mapahamak ako . . .