Faultlessly Captivated [Completed]

Chapter 19

Pumara ako ng tricycle nang makalabas ako ng Austria's Hotel. Lumabas ako ng hindi lumilingon dahil kahit na wasak na wasak ako, babalik pa rin ako sa bisig niya, isang salita niya lang.

I've been craving freedom and I never thought the freedom I have had these past few days is just temporary. I'm still free but my heart is not anymore,  it's imprisoned by pain.

I was confused when the tricycle stop exactly at my apartment when I never told him where I am heading to. I look at the driver and his face is so familiar.

“Ma'am, hito po ang sampo, ma'am. Sukli ko po 'yan sa binayad niyo noong nakaraan. 'Wag na po kayong magbayad, Ma'am” He said.

Ah, siya pala 'yong sinakayan ko noong interview. Destiny? Siya naghatid noon, ang simula, at ngayon siya ang naghatid sa'kin, ang huli.

Today might be my unlucky day but I don't want to remember this day with only pain. I smiled at Manong.

“Ah, Manong, sa inyo na po 'yong sukli. Alam niyo ba, Manong, minalas ako sa pag-ibig.” I told him. I inhaled. Tinanggal ko ang sunglasses at pinahid ang mga luha at tiningnan siya.

“Nako, masakit 'yan, Ma'am. Pero tiwala lang, mapapalitan din 'yan ng saya sa tamang panahon, Ma'am. Sa ngayon ay kailangan niyo lang pong lumaban,” he righteously said.

“Siguro, sa ngayon, Ma'am, hindi niyo pa panahon para sa pag-ibig kasi kung mahal ka ng isang tao, pipiliin ka niya gaya ng pagpili mo sa kan'ya. Siguro rin, Ma'am, hindi niyo pa panahon ngayon kahit mahal niyo ang isa't isa. Minsan ang masasayang pangyayari ay may hangganan, may aalis, pero may darating. 'Wag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa, Ma'am, tiwala lang po tayo sa Kaniya,” Manong added and give me a reassuring smile.

“Salamat po, Manong. Tatandaan ko po 'yan.” I smiled at him genuinely, pinahiran ko ang namumuong luha aking mata.

Maybe, it's not yet the right for me for love. It's hard to accept the fact that he didn't choose me but I have to accept it for me to heal. Mamahalin ko siya hanggang mapagod ang puso ko. Matutunan ko ring mahalin ang sarili ko na higit pa sa pagmamahal na binigay ko sa kaniya. Darating ang araw na hindi ko i-aasa sa iba para makatanggap ng pagmamahal dahil kaya ko ng mahalin ang sarili ko. 

It's nice to see strangers especially when they give us a piece of genuine advice and a smile. It can cheer someone's day it's like a reminder that everything will be alright. 

Binuksan ko ang pouch na dala at kinuha ko ang lahat ng pera doon, nagtira ako lang ako ng one thousand, pamasahi ko pauwi sa amin. 

Higit 30 thousand yata 'yon.  Sahod ko sa halos apat na buwan kong pagtratrabaho bilang isang sekretarya. Inabot ko kay manong ang pera at nanlaki ang mata niya.

“Hala, Ma'am, libre po 'yung payo na binigay ko sa inyo. Hindi niyo po ako kailangang bayaran, Ma'am,” pagtanggi niya sa binigay sa'kin.

There are still kind people out there who always deserve help.

“Tanggapin niyo na, Manong. Isipin niyo nalang po na nanalo kayo sa luto,” I kidded.

Sobrang tagal ko pang napilit si Manong na tanggapin ang pera. Pero kalaunan napa-Oo ko rin siya.

“Maraming salamat po, Ma'am. Malaking tulong na po 'to sa'min ng pamilya ko, Ma'am. Darating po ang araw na magiging masaya kayo, Ma'am. Karapat-dapat kayong sumaya dahil sobrang bait po ng puso niyo, Ma'am.”

“Walang anuman po, Manong. Ingat po kayo lagi,” I smiled at him at sinuot muli ang sunglasses at bumaba na.

“Salamat ho ulit, Ma'am.” he truly said and I only wave at him. Tumalikod na ako umalis na rin si Manong.

The world maybe destroys us but we should always be kind to whoever who'll across our path because they might be carrying baggage that is heavier than ours. Always be kind.

I was confused when there was a car parked in front of my apartment. I know who's the owner of that car. I was right, it was Zeus.

“What's with sunglasses, ex-girlfriend?” he teased. I remove the sunglasses and his mouth widens. Do I look that awful?

“K-kuya,” I called him and my tears are now appearing. Para akong batang nakahanap ng kakampi.

“You never called me Kuya unless you need me,” he pouted. I let out a little sob. He walks toward me and hugs me. I missed him so much. He rubbed his hand on my back trying to comfort me but it only made me cry more.

“What happened, County?” He seriously asked but I only respond to him with a whimper. I remember Etienne again, how our love hurts. I inhaled.

“Kuya, u-uwi na tayo.” He let go of our hugs and look at me. He wiped my tears and he nodded without asking any questions.

“Uuwi na tayo, Goddess,” he uttered. How I missed being called by that. Tumakas ang ilang luha aking mata, he wiped it again.

“Wala kang kukunin sa loob ng Apartment mo?” he asked and I shook my head. Tumango siya at hinila na ako papasok sa kanyang sasakyan.

I'll try my best to heal and coming into my apartment will be the wrong choice.

Pinaandar ni Kuya Zeus ang kotse at tiningnan niya.

“Let's go home?” he asked and I nodded. Nginitian niya ako and I give him a faint smile.

Uuwi na ako, I don't care about my freedom anymore, what I need is my family.

I wish Etienne happiness. I am willing to give him that, but I'm not the one who can give it to him. I give him enough. I give him everything but I didn't regret any of it because I love him so much.

I love him so much that I let myself be destroyed, completely.