'Til Forever, My Love (On Going)

Chapter 23

I WAS busy fixing my things. It's already six in the morning and Rush will surely come fetch me at exactly seven. Nagdala ako ng dalawang two piece at bathrobe 'coz why not? Resort 'yung pupuntahan namin, siyempre may pool doon or dagat di'ba?

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pag-aayos ng maleta nang bigla na namang sumagi sa isip ko ang mukha ni Claire.

I've been like this since yesterday. Iniisip ko ang nakakainis nitong mukha. Ewan. Naiinis talaga ako sa babaeng iyon. Parang gusto ko siyang sabunutan or what. May masamang binabalak na naman ang higad na iyon! And whatever that plan is, I'll never back out.

Ngayon pa?

Ilang taon na ang sinayang ko dahil lang sa pagiging tanga at mahina. It's time for me to fight whatever trouble we will get into. Haharapin ko ang lahat ng iyon.

I closed the luggage when I already fixed everything. Sakto rin namang kumatok ang kung sino sa pintuan.

And when I opened it, I saw that it was Papa. I saw how my dad's eyes widened a little as he saw the luggage, "Where are you going, honey?"

I stood straight and faced him. "Pupunta muna ako sa Surigao, Papa."

"With who?" He asked.

"With Tito Gareth's family po. They invited me last night."

Nagulat si Papa sa sinabi ko, "You met them?"

"Opo. Rush invited me last night. It was Tita Karla's birthday po kasi. And they told me to come with them to their friend's resort there in Surigao." I held my dad's arms and hugged him like a baby, "Okay lang naman sa'yo Papa, di'ba?"

My dad also gave me a hug. "Of course. Just please make sure to be safe, Ryl Zennia. Please. Never let anyone bully or hurt you."

I pouted.

"Oo naman, Pa. I am a strong girl now. Hindi na ako katulad ng dati na mahina at hindi lumalaban. I will never let anyone hurt me, kahit hindi niyo pa sabihin. Sobrang dami kong sinayang sa pagiging mahina ko."

I felt my dad's hug became tighter. "That's my girl. I know you were born a fighter. Walang duda kung bakit mo nalampasan ang tumor mo dati."

"And you are too, Pa. You also did fought your tumor, remember? Nagmana kaya ako sa'yo!" Natatawang saad ko, "I'm actually planning to enter the agency where Duke is working, dad. Gusto ko na din maging spy para maging katulad mo na talaga ako!"

My father literally draw a space between the two of us with a widened eyes gazing at me.

"Don't you dare! Tumiwalag nga ako doon kasi gusto ko ng magandang buhay kasama kayo, tapos papasukin mo pa?"

I laughed, "Pa! I'm just kidding, okay? Wag ka namang paranoid!"

Napasimangot siya sa sinabi ko bago nagpaalam na may gagawin pa raw ito. I shooked my head. Paranoid naman masyado si Papa! Hindi mabiro-biro.

I was just sitting on the bed when I decided to call Asil. Iiwan ko na naman ang restaurant.

For just only a few rings, Asil answered the call and said a 'hello, ma'am'.

"Asil, I will be out of town for a week. Can you manage the restaurant while I'm away?"

"Opo ma'am, okay lang po. Saan po kayo pupunta?" Tanong ng nasa kabilang linya.

"Surigao."

"Ah, sige po ma'am, enjoy your vacation po! Don't worry too much, we'll handle everything since it's our job naman po."

I smiled, "Thank you so much, Asil. Please say my thank you to Red too, okay?"

"You're welcome po ma'am, okay po."