The pain he now know (TPHNK Book 2)

#18

Chapter 18

"Yes dad? Kamusta ka diyan?" Sagot ko sa ama pagkatapos ipasa sa'kin ni van ang kaniyang phone.

"I heard what happened sweetheart, ikaw ang kamusta diyan? Okay ka lang ba? Hindi ka naman nasaktan o ano?"

"Hindi naman daddy" i said in a low voice.

I heard my father breath out a sigh at the other end.

"I'm relieved. Next time, you should be extra careful okay? Wag kang pumunta sa kung saan-saan na mag-isa lang. Magpasama ka kay Van o di kaya sa pinsan mo at sa mga kaibigan niya. Okay?"

Naalala kong gano'n din ang binilin ni kage sa'kin. When i remembered what we talked about earlier, how he kissed me purely on the forehead, I can't help but smile widely.

"Daddy?"

"Yes princess?"

"Can i ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Possible ba na ang mga nagtatangaka sa akin noon ay iyong sumusunod sa akin ngayon?

I was thinking on some possibilities kanina pa. And this what i came up with. Malaki ang posibilidad. Lalo na't wala akong balita kung anong nangyari sa kanila sa higit limang taon na wala ako dito sa bansa. It was all peaceful during my medication back in the states. Kaya nakaligtaam ko na ding magtanong sa ama tungkol doon.

"Wala na sila anak"

Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Anong wala dad? What do you mean with wala na?"

"Wala na sila. Your dad's enemy is already behind bars now, and they can't lay a finger on you anymore. You're safe. So you don't need to worry"

"I'm not completely safe dad. And you know it. Kanina lang may nagtangka na naman sa akin. I can tell that he is not just a normal culprit. He was spying on me. He wants me harmed."

The person to show to me twice is more enough for me to conclude. Hindi lamang iyon coincidence lang, it wasn't normal for the guy to stand, eyeing at me on the same spot. Either his just a psychopath who loves staring at people or has a really bad intention to me.

"I don't have any idea as for now sweetie. But don't worry, We're figuring it out. Kage made sure of that—"

"I'm sorry dad but..Kage?" Bigla akong naging attentive nang marinig ang pangalan niya.

"Yes darling. Why?"

"He's helping you out? Nag-uusap pa din kayo?"

"Why? Is there any reason para hindi kami mag-usap?"

"He was your supposed son-in-law, my ex. Hindi ba masama ang loob niya sa'yo?" I informed just in case he forgot.

"That boy isn't bad at all zeph. Truth be told, siya pa nga mismo ang tumulong sa akin para mahuli at maipakulong ang kaaway ko na nagtatangka sa'yo noon. To be honest, i took all the credit since that's what he asked me to do. When in fact, siya mismo ang tumutok sa paghahanap sa mga iyon."

"What?"

"The boy needs recognition. And i already thanked him for his hard work, and i think it's time that you should to, since i heard na nandiyan din siya?"

"What? I don't understand. He didn't gave up on the search?" I almost whispered.

"He didn't. Atleast that's what his dad told me. When we left for your medication, wala na akong balita, i was more focused on getting you healed. Since nobody knew where we went, i then knew that we were safe. You were safe. Kaya sa tuwing umuuwi ako dito sa pilipinas at hindi kaagad nakakabalik at nabibisita ka, dahil iyon sa nagiging maingat din ako anak, nag-aalala ako na baka masundan ako at matagpuan ka nila."

"That's the reason why it took you long enough every year to come back" it makes sense now.

"Yes." Bumuntong hininga na naman ito. "Alfonso told me, that the exact same day that we left, kage came to his father, asking for assistance to hunt the men down as soon as possible, dahil inaakala niya na baka iyon ang rason kung bakit ka umalis. Kung bakit mo siya iniwan. He thought that maybe, you were scared, na nararamdaman mong hindi ka na ligtas" the revelations made my heart hurt, like it was squeezing itself inside my chest.

Patakbo akong pumasok ng restaurant, nagbabaka sakali na baka dito ko matatagpuan si kage. Pero wala. Only his friends were here. At parang papaalis na din. Sinalubong ko sila.

"Hi uh..have you seen kage? Kailangan ko siyang makausap" agaran kong tanong.

Tinaasan ako ng kilay ng pinakaseryoso sa kanila doon. It was tavis? I think. Hindi ko pa din sila makilala lahat.

"You shouldn't be coming here all alone" aniya pagkatapos makita na wala akong kasama.

"Sagutin mo na lang please" i said impatiently.

"Wala siya dito zeph. Baka nasa cabin niya?" Sagot naman ni daxton.

"Come on, i'll accompany you." Tavis offered after sighing. Tumango naman ako dahil talagang mabuti ng may kasama.

Lumabas na kami doon at naglakad ng sobrang tahimik. Ayoko namang kausapin dahil baka mainis. Mukhang antipatiko e. Nang makarating sa mga floating cottages at nasa harap na kami ng kwartong inuupahan ni kage ay humarap ako sa kaniya. Mukhang nagulat naman siya ng tapikin ko siya sa balikat.

"Wha—"

"Dahil hinatid mo 'ko. Approve ka na sa'kin" i did a thumbs up.

"What?" His forehead creased.

"Boto na ako sa'yo. Na ikaw ang boyfriend ng pinsan ko. Kaya pagbutihan mo. Fighting!" I exclaimed then turned my back to enter kage's cabin.

Sinara ko ang pintuan sa likod ko then lightly tap the walls, searching for the switch dahil sa sobrang dilim sa loob ng kwartong kinaroroonan. Nang mabuksan ang ilaw ay tiningnan ko ang kabuoan ng kwarto pero walang kage doon. Even The bed was well tidied.

"Kage? Kage!" Tinungo ko ang banyo sa pag-aakalang nasa loob siya naliligo pero nakapatay din ang ilaw doon at walang katao-tao.

Did that tavis guy messed up on me or something? Baka wala naman talaga si kage dito.

Binuksan ko ang sliding door na maghahatid sa'kin sa labas. At doon, tila nabuhayan ako ng loob nang makita ang bulto ng isang lalaki doon, nakatayo sa gilid ng pool. He was pacing back and forth and he has his phone in his ear na parang may katawagan.

"Kage" i called.

Agad siyang Tumingin sa banda ko. His forehead creased at may sinabi siya doon sa kaniyang kausap bago binaba ang kaniyang phone para harapin ako.

"What are you doing here?"

Hindi ko siya sinagot at naluluhang tumakbo papunta sa kaniya, i jumped on his arms and buried my face on his chest. Bahagya pa siyang napamura dahil muntikan pa kaming matumba dahil sa biglaan kong salubong.

"What—why are you suddenly being touchy? Did something happen?"

Mas hinigpitan ko ang yakap sa kaniya. Umiling ako sa dibdib niya.

"Ang unfair naman kasi e. Ikaw lang ang pwedeng humalik o humawak sa'kin" i chuckled in a shaky voice.

"You initiated a kiss earlier" pagpapaalam niya.

"I know." I breathed out, "thank you"

"Thank you for the kiss?"

"For everything..that you've done for me" i whispered. Still not breaking out from the tight hug. Hanggang siya na mismo ang humawak sa magkabila kong balikat at pinharap niya ko sa kaniya. Confusion was writted on his face.

"Tell me the truth, may nangyari ba? Did someone approach you again? Teka...did you came here all alone? Diba sinabi ko na sa'yo"

"Silly, I didn't. Your friend accompanied me"

"My friend? Which one?"

"Yes. Tavis"

"Tavis accompanied you?" Bakas sa mukha niya ang gulat at taka.

"Bakit parang hindi ka naniniwala? Oo nga!"i insisted.

"It's just unusual for him to do that." Umiling siya.

I looked at the skies at napagtanto kong padilim na din.

"Samahan mo 'ko" ani ko.

"Where?"

"Dinner tayo. My treat" aya ko to fully thank him.

Tumaas ang kilay niya at ilang segundo pa akong tinitigan bago umiling. Napasimangot naman ako.

"Why? Samahan mo na ako. I'm hungry"

Umiling siya ulit. "I'm busy" aniya at umalis na para pumasok.

"Why?" Sumunod ako sa kaniya papasok ng kwarto. "Wala ka namang gagawin e. Sige na!" Humarap siya sa'kin. "Please?"

pangungulit ko pa. Ilang minuto siyang natigil at tinitigan lang ako when i made a pouty face. Like a little puppy wanting treats. Lumapit siya sa akin at unti-unting napangiti ako doon. Papayag lang din naman pala. Pakipot pa!

"Ano? Tara?"

"It's still a no" aniya na nagpawala ng ngiti ko. "Matutulog ako" aniya at humiga na sa kaniyang kama. I looked at him as he was unintentionally flexing his arm muscles as he rested his head behind his arms at pumikit.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"You do know that i shouldn't be walking all alone right? 'Yon yung sabi mo. And it's almost dark outside. Baka mapaano ako!" my last resort para sumama lang siya.

He opened his eyes at tumingin sa paanan ko kung saan ako nakatayo. Nakahalukipkip.

"Three cabin away from mine, katukin mo. Tell that person inside to escort you to the hotel o kung saan ka man pupunta" he lazily said.

"What? Are you serious? I don't even know the guy!"

Hindi siya sumagot at muling pinikit lamang ang mga mata. I stomped my feet like a spoiled little girl then grunted. "Fine! Mag-isa na lang akong kakain!" Ani ko at padabog na naglakad papuntang pintuan.

"And by the way" rinig kong sabi nito nang isasara ko na sana ang pintuan.

"Ano!"

"Lock the door when you leave" hindi ko alam kung iniinis niya lang ako o ano but his teasing worked well! He made me annoyed.

"Gladly!" The last thing i said before i shut the door loudly behind me. So much for thanking him. Tumakas pa naman ako sa hotel room namin para lang ayain siya. Argh!

Kahit na naiinis ay sinunod ko pa din ang tugon niya. Bumalik at tumigil ako sa harap ng pintuan ng cabin na sinasabi niya. Kumatok ako at ilang minuto pa ang dumaan bago iyon nabuksan. Akala ko nga nung una ay walang tao.

"Oh! Zeph" ani ni riggs na suot lamang ang isang puting tuwalya sa kaniyang beywang. Agad naman akong umiwas ng tingin.

"Zeph?" Ani ni isa pang boses. I saw yassy almost peeking on riggs' side. Hindi kasi nabuksan ng malaki ang pintuan.

"Oh! Uhm..am I disturbing something?" i took a step back out of awkwardness.

"No! Nothing at all. I was just uhm..i just finished..bathing. That's all" he chuckled lowly.

"Bakit zeph? Do you need anything? May gusto ka bang sabihin?"

"Well uhm..sorry for the disturbance. Gusto ko sanang magpasama papunta sa resto? Sabi kasi ni kage sayo daw ako magpasama" ngiwi ko.

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Na tila nag-uusap gamit ang mga mata.

"Sure! No problem. Sasama na din ako. Magdi dinner na lang din kami. Riggs? Magbihis ka na" utos niya sa kaniyang kasintahan.

Riggs was hesitant at first pero wala din namang nagawa.

"Pasensya ka na huh? Si kage kasi e" sabi ko sa kaibigan.

"Ano ka ba zeph! Okay lang. Teka. Magbibihis na lang din muna ako" aniya at naghintay na lang ako sa labas dahil nahihiya naman akong pumasok.

Nakarating na kami sa restaurant at mas pinili ko na lang na humiwalay ng table sa dalawa. I didn't want to be of bother and a third wheel at the same time.

I just finished ordering at wala naman akong masyadong magawa kundi tumingin-tingin lang din sa paligid. The restaurant's ambiance was more fine now that it's dark. All the yellowish chandaliers were on making it more moody and romantic.

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagtingin-tingin sa mga couples sa kabilang mga table nang may biglang tumigil sa harapan ko.

"Hello there" ani ng lalaki.

"Hi" i said hesitantly.

"You're the girl from earlier, right?"

At naalala ko, siya nga pala 'yung pinagkaguluhan naming lalaki kanina. 'Yong gwapong lalaki!

"Yeah."

"Zephyrine Nava right?"

"Ah oo" i chuckled even though nagtataka ng konti. I don't remember mentioning my last name earlier. O baka Nakalimutan ko lang? "are you also here for dinner?"

"Yes. Ikaw din?" Dumako ang tingin niya sa kaharap kong upuan. "Are you alone? Didn't your girl friends come with you"

"They're all busy i think" i smiled, being friendly as possible. "Actually my other from earlier is here too. She's with his boyfriend. Do you remember yassy? She's over there." Turo ko sa malayong table at nagulat ako nang makitang nakatingin din 'yong magkasintahan sa banda namin.

"Oh. That's great. Well uhm...would you mind if i join you?"

"Oh! Not at all"

He seems nice naman. He looks harmless. So i just let him be. And he would be confused if i decline him. Baka isipin niyang nagpapapilit ako when in fact earlier gwapong-gwapo ako sa kaniya and just suddenly lost my interest.

Huli na nang maalala ko ang binilin ni kage sa akin kanina.

Don't talk to other guys...

"Oh my...shit—"

"Why? What's the matter?" Tanong ng kaharap

"Oh uh...nothing. It's just that"

"That..?"

Really zeph? You would make this fine gentleman leave? And as if naman lumalandi ka. That's right. I'm just being friendly. There's definitely nothing wrong with that.

And it doesn't matter if kage gets angry. It's his fault na hindi niya ako sinamahan. He let me come here alone. Mas okay nang may kasamang mag dinner ano!

"Wala. Nevermind" i chuckled.

"By the way, I'm dean" lahad niya sa kamay niya.

"Hi dean" i warmly smiled and was about to shake his hands when i felt someone stopped beside us. Sabay kaming napataas ng tingin.

"What are you doing here?" Kunot noo ko.

Kage was frowning at me and his forehead slowly creased as he looked at the guy sitting in front of me. Bahagya din siyang hinihingal na tila kakatapos lang tumakbo.

"I should be the one asking you that" he said coldly.

"I—sinabi ko na sayo. Nagugutom ako."

"So you decided to dine with this guy?" He looked at dean.

"N-no! We just bumped into each other. Sinamahan niya lang ako"

"But you still did"

"Okay fine! But it is because you declined in the first place!"

"Oh now it's my fault? What happened to the rule we both agreed on? Ano? Wala na?" He placed a hand on the table as he leaned, nearing me. Bahagyang kinabahan naman ako sa uri ng tingin niya. "No. Flirting. With. Other. Men"

"We're not doing anything wrong. Nag-uusap lang kami"

"Oh really? Paano naman para sa lalaking 'yan? I don't think he approached you para mag-usap lang" mariin niyang sabi.

Tiingnan ko lang siya ng masama. Ngayon ko lang ulit naalala na naroon pa din pala si dean na nakatingin lamang sa pagbabangayan namin. Bahagya naman ako nahiya. Bumaling ako sa kaniya.

"I'm sorry dean pero. I think now is not the perfect time to eat together" nahihiya kong sabi. "Don't worry. Next time—"

"There will be no next time zy"

Bigla akong napatingin dahil sa tinawag niya sa'kin. Dahil sa sinabi ay unti-unti namang nalusaw ang galit ko.

"It's okay zeph" ani ni dean.

"Don't call her that" the guy beside snapped.

Tiningnan ko ang kaharap with an apologetic eyes.

"I'm really sorry" ngiwi ko. Dean just smiled understandingly bago tumayo na.

Nang makaalis ang lalaki ay hinarap ko ang nag-aalburutong si kage tsaka inirapan.

"What is your problem?"

Hindi niya ako pinansin at tinawag ang isang waiter.

"Can i have this chair replaced please? Thank you" aniya sa waiter at tumango naman ito. Umawang ang aking labi sa kaniyang tinuran.

"What was that?"

"What? I'm just sitting here" sandal niya sa kaniyang upuan.

"Unbelievable" iling-iling ko.

Ilang minuto pa ay dumatinng na ang inorder ko. Gano'n din sa inorder ni dean kanina. It was placed sa harap ni kage. Kumunot ang noo niya habang tinitigan iyon.

"That was supposed to be dean's. Mag order ka na lang ng sa'yo" ani ko. At nagsimula ng kumain.

"He ordered you a salad?" He was wrong, i was the one who ordered it. I was about to say that when he spoke. "Doesn't he know that you don't like eating grass? Of course he don't" he murmured to himself.

"Anong—" nagtaka ako when he swapped my salad to dean's order which was a steak.

"There."

"But...Van said—"

"Your friend's not here, isn't he? Eat up" aniya at siya na mismo ang kumain ng inorder kong salad. Napangiti ako sa tuwing sumusubo siya no'n habang nakakunot ang noo. Obvious naman na pinipilit niya lang ang sarili na kainin iyon. Oh kage...