The Freniere's Son (On Hiatus)

Chapter 20: Give up the Ordinary

Nakatitig lamang ako sa kan'ya habang nagsasalita s'ya. He is looking straight and is currently enterring a deep space.

"Baka ito na ang huling punta ko dito, tomorrow is my birthday, and tomorrow, I will be officially the leader of the mafia."

Tumayo ako at pumunta sa harapan n'ya. Lumuhod ako at tinignan s'ya sa mga mata. My heart is beating loud just by looking at his eyes, and imagining something like this would be the last time, hurts me.

"Let's celebrate your birthday tomorrow, wala man ako 'dun, pero puntahan mo ako dito," I saw his confused eyes but I smiled at him, which is a very rare sight for him. "This will not be the last time, can you promise me that?"

"I thought you dont want me here?"

Para namang tinusok ang puso ko sa tanong n'ya. I might've left him that kind of impression since I keep on pushing him away. But that was just for my defense, I know I'm falling in love with this man and I was trying to protect my heart.

Pero paano nga ba mapipigilan ang puso sa pagmamahal?

Kasi habang tumatagal mas lumalalim, kahit masakit, pagmamahal pa rin sa kan'ya ang nagpapahilom.

I'm so tired pretending.

Napatingin ako sa labi n'ya, sa ilong, hanggang sa mata. This guy doesn't have any clue how awfully overwhelming he makes me feel.

"Let's be each other's peace."

We smiled with each other and just stared at each other as if the world stops.

Bahala na.

Suddenly, he pulled me for a hug.

It would've felt weird because of our history but it never felt like that at all.

It was warm.

Kailan ba nung huli akong niyakap ng isang tao? Hindi ko na matandaan.

This familiar warmth that I know I would crave for the following days, I hope this will last forever.

Naputol ang pagyayakapan namin nang may tumawag sa telepono ko. Agad kong kinuha 'yon at pareho kaming nagkatinginan nang makitang si Detective Penber iyon.

"Hello, uncle," napaupo ako katabi si Freniere sa carpet habang s'ya ay nakatingin lang sa akin.

"And'yan ba si Zach? I know he's there."

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. Tumango s'ya kaya niloud speaker ko 'yung phone at itinapat sa aming dalawa.

"I'm here."

I heard Detective Penber's sigh of relief. Ano bang nangyayari?

"Tumawag sa akin ang mafia, they are searching for you. They might not think about Venice's involvement since they don't think you have close relationship but it would be best to go home, Zach."

"I know."

Bumalik na naman ang pagiging reserved n'ya. For some reason I hate seeing it. I hate seeing him pretending to be someone he is not.

Or more like, him struggling to be someone everyone is expecting him to be.

"Before the mafia knows Venice is involved. Alam mo naman kung anong mangyayari."

Zach suddenly looked at me eyes full of seriousness. "I can protect her."

Detective Penber sighed in defeat. Mukhang alam n'yang hindi n'ya makukumbinsi si Zach na bumalik agad.

"Alright, if you want to go home tell me and I'll fetch you up."

"7pm," sabi ni Zach bago patayin ang tawag.