Mamahalin Kita ng Malayo

CHAPTER 17

Imee: Iniiwasan? Hindi ah.

Anthony: Lizzy tungkol ba to sa sinabi ni dad a month ago?

After kuya tell those words, I didn't utter any words. I just hugged him.

Anthony: Oh bakit? (Hugged Imee back)

Imee: Kuya narinig ko sila ni mommy kanina. Sabi ni dad, it's better kung hindi ko siya harapin. What if patigilin ko na siya sa panliligaw kuya? Ayoko ng bigyan si Dad ulit ng disappointment eh.

Anthony: Lizzy distraction ba si Rod sayo? (Then pulled out from the hug)

Imee: Hindi. Pero yun ang gusto ni dad, kuya.

Anthony: Hindi naman pala eh so hindi mo siya kailangang iwasan, okay? Don't worry, I'll talk to dad later. For now, bumaba ka. Harapin mo si Rod. Kawawa naman yung tao Liz.

Imee: Kuya ayo— (didn't finish her words cuz Anthony speak up)

Anthony: Go.

I just sigh deeply then go downstairs. I saw him stood up while holding a bouquet of flowers. He's smiling at me habang papalapit ako sa kanya.

Rod: Hi (handed the bouquet)

Imee: Thank you.

He was about to sit but I told him na sa pool area nalang kami mag-usap. I placed the bouquet on the table then head outside.

Rod: Kamusta ka na? Buti hindi ka na busy.

Imee: Okay lang.

Rod: You didn't answer my calls and messages, is there something wrong?

Imee: Wala.

Rod: Buti naman. Pfeewww! Nakahiga ako ng maluwag. So how was your day?

Imee: Okay lang.

Rod: Good. Alam mo medyo stress ako ngayon kasi we have a client na sobrang nakakainis. Jusko! Kung hindi lang ako nahihiya sa kaibigan ni Dad, bibitawan ko yun eh.

I didn't utter any words, I just gave him a smile.

Rod: I missed you Lizzy.

Imee: A-Ah I think you should go. Madami kasi akong gagawin.

Rod: Huh? Pwede 5 minutes pa? Ilang weeks din kasi kitang hindi nakita eh. I just miss being with you.

Imee: Sorry, I-I have to do my —— (didn't finish her words cuz Rod speak up)

Rod: Please?

Imee: Sorry.

I stood up then walk away but he followed me then hold my hand.

Rod: Iniiwasan mo ba ako?

Imee: No.

Rod: Then why? Bakit pakiramdam ko iniiwasan mo ako?

Imee: Busy lang ako. I don't have time para kausapin ka, okay? Let go of my hand, Rod.

Rod: Bakit pakiramdam ko unti-unti tayong bumabalik sa dati, Lizzy? Pakiramdam ko ang layo mo ulit sakin? Bakit hindi mo nalang sabihin kung may nagawa ako para alam ko diba? Hindi yung ganito. Are you stress? Pagod ka ba sa pag-aaral mo? Nandito naman ako eh. Diba sabi ko, ako ang magiging pahinga mo? O baka naman may problema ka lang? You can tell me naman eh, anything Lizzy. Makikinig ako, promise! Tara, pag-usapan natin.

Imee: Wala akong problema Rod. Go home, I'm busy.

I was about to leave but he hold my hand again so I faced him.

Rod: Please kahit konting oras lang, kahit ngayon lang (holding back his tears)

Imee: Nakakalimutan mo na ba ang Rule #1, #2 and #3 Rod?

As he hear those words coming from me, he let go of my hand and shook his head.

Imee: Good, so go home. I don't have time for this, Mr. Laurel. And one more thing, don't call or message me muna, okay? Busy ako.

After telling those words, I immediately went upstairs at iniwan ko siyang mag-isa. To be honest, it's really hard for me to do pero anong magagawa ko? Yun ang gusto ni Dad and ayokong magalit siya ulit sakin.

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