OS #1: Chain Of Restrictions

Chained by Restrictions

I can see the sadness on those blue-gray crystals. She stares at me, clearly wants to know why we are like this, or why am 'I' like this to her. We have been seeing less of each other since Christmas Eve.

Everything is just too complicated and she will worry about it, so it's better for me to hide things first.

"Yeah? What is it?" I asked, being oblivious of what I'm seeing.

A pained smile forms on her lips making me want to kiss her. I want to erase that from those luscious and beautiful lips, it never suits it. Those lips should be laughing and smiling right now, not hiding the pain and sadness that she's feeling.

"Nothing. Are you going somewhere?"

Tumango ako kahit para na akong sinasakal sa nakikitang pilit na ngiti.

"See you later, then?"

I smile. "Yeah, see you later."

Gustong tumigil ng puso ko pero parang may sariling buhay ang aking mga paa na naglakad ito papalayo.

Hindi ako makatulog pagkatapos ng nangyari. Tiningnan ko siya na nakahiga sa aking tabi.

Her lips are slightly gaped which made me pull in for a slight kiss. Inalis ko ang nakatabong buhok sa kanyang magandang mukha.

Kinuha ko ang tumutunog na telepono na nasa maliit na mesa.

'Dad Calling'

Tiningnan ko siyang mahimbing na natutulog bago ako naglakad patungo sa veranda para doon sagutin ang tawag.

"Dad."

"Is everything fine?"

Nagtaka naman ako sa kanyang biglang tanong. "Yes, everything is doing fine."

"Vaughn, I just want you to know that I need to go back to Singapore soon enough. There's an emergency. "

Napatingin ako sa madilim pang langit. "Okay."

"How about I bring Yvonne along with me?"

Natigil ako sa narinig. I don't think I can let her.

"I'm not really sure, Dad."

"I will call you back about that, okay?"

"What? God damn it!" Hindi ko mapigilang mura ng tagawan ako ng kaibigan ni Yvonne.

Ayaw ko man ay pinababa ko ng sasakyan si Leigh. Hindi pa oras para makita niya ang kalagayan ni Yvonne.

Pagkarating ay naabutan ko na lang ang walang malay na kapatid sa higaan.

Napatingin ako kay Dad na nasa tabi ni Yvonne, nag-aalala pero mas nakadepina ang galit sa mukha nito.

"What happened?"

"Vanessa came." He said, seriously.

"How come? This hotel is expensive but has a low security system? How fuck up!" Naiinis akong napabuga ng hangin.

"You and Yvonne should come with me."

Nang marinig iyon ay agad akong umiling. "No, I can't."

Napakuyom ako ng makita ang galit sa mata niya. "You 'can't' or you 'won't'? We are talking about Yvonne's safety, Vaughn! Don't be selfish!"

Napatikom ako ng aking bibig. Leaving never came to me. Leaving was never in my option before but I got no other choice.

Hindi ko mapigilang mapatitig sa kanya ng bumaba na siya ng hagdan. Wearing this red ball gown that perfectly suits her body, looking independent and beautifully mature.