Orphic Love

Chapter 26

Chapter 26
Innocent

I keep a straight face as I walked down the stairs. From my peripheral vision, I could see him standing there where I left him a while ago, being entertained by one of my staff.

Pinanatili ko ang aking mga mata sa aking harapan, lalo na nang makita ko ang pag baling niya sa akin. I can feel his eyes bore into me, watching intently as I made my way out of the store.

A deep sigh escaped from my lips as soon I was inside my car. I sat there blankly for a few seconds. Both my hands are on the steering wheel. Then, slowly, I turned back to the store — to Aedion. My eyes widened when it met his. I was about to look away, then I realized that my car is heavily tinted.

I looked back at him. He's still looking at my way. Tila ba nakikita ako sa loob.

I scanned him slowly. Ngunit nang mapagtanto ang ginagawa, mabilis akong bumaling sa aking harapan at binuhay ang makina ng sasakyan.

Paulit-ulit sa isip ko ang naging pag-uusap namin kanina. And based from his reaction earlier, nasisiguro kong alam niya na ako ang may-ari ng lugar na iyon. I didn't even saw a hint of shock in his eyes when he saw me. He just... smirked, as if he was pleased to see me.

Pleased? Really? Who in their right mind would be pleased to see the person who made their life miserable? Siguro'y ganoon lang ang dating niya para sa akin kanina, but deep inside, I'm sure he's angry at me.

Imbes na bumalik sa condo upang magbihis para sa date namin ni Ralph mamaya, lumiko ako sa daan patungo sa aming bahay. I'm pretty sure Tito David's men is still following Aedion around just like before. Kung tama ako, maaaring alam na nina Tito at Papa na bumalik siya ng Manila. Maaari din na alam na nilang nagkita na kami.

Though, if he's still being followed, I'm certain Papa won't let him go near me. Ibig bang sabihin, hindi na siya pinasusundan ni Papa ngayon?

I was still thinking why they stopped watching him or if they didn't, why let him go near me until I arrived home. Agad kong namataan si Mama na nakatunghay sa akin mula sa front door habang pina-park ko ang aking sasakyan sa harapan.

Mama welcomed me with a light hug once I reached her. She smiled.

"Mabuti naman at umuwi ka, hija. Your brother is also coming home tonight. Siguradong matutuwa ang Papa n'yo pag nalaman niyang kumpleto tayo mamayang hapunan," she said a bit excitedly.

Pumait ang ngiti sa aking labi sa narinig. Ilang buwan na rin nang huli kaming kumain nang magkakasama. Ayoko man biguin si Mama, hindi ko rin naman puwedeng kanselahin ang date namin ni Ralph. We already talked about it a week ago. I can't just cancel it the last minute. That would be rude.

Unti-unting naglaho ang malawak na ngiti sa labi ni Mama nang makita niya ang itsura ko, tila alam na niya ang gusto kong sabihin, hindi ko pa man ito naisasatinig. I smiled guiltily at her, which she returned with a small smile.

After finishing his MBA in Australia, umuwi din si Kuya Azekiel dito sa Pilipinas to start his own business. Samantalang ako naman ang umalis patungo ng ibang bansa para sa pagmomodelo ko noon. And just like that, our roles switched. Siya na ang malapit sa mga magulang namin, at ako naman ang malayo sa kanila.

The gap between me and my parents grew more when I got my own condo. May mga pagkakataon na hindi na ako dumadaan sa bahay tuwing umuuwi ako ng Pilipinas. Minsan naman, si Mama ang bumibisita sa akin doon.

I was aware of the gap growing between me and my family. I didn't changed. Just like my twenty year old self, kung papipiliin ako, mas gusto ko pa rin na kasama ang magulang ko kaysa ang bumukod. I still want to spend my time with them rather than to spend the rest of my day alone or outisde, hanging out with my friends. But my situation back then pushed me to move out.