Conceding Affinity (Affinity #2)

Underneath Me

Luke Dashiel:
Where are you, Avis?

Pang-ilang text na niya ito sa akin. Pang-ilang text na hindi ko man lang makuhang sagutin. His text messages started with a good morning and with him saying how much he hates waking up without me by his side. Reading that text sent a massive pain in my chest and I was resigned to the feeling because no matter what I do, I know I won't be able to ease the pain.

When he realized that I have no intention of replying to his texts, he blew my phone with his calls. I tortured myself by listening to it continuously ring. I listened knowing it was him who's calling. I listened until I couldn't take it anymore and turned off my phone.

Itinago ko ang phone ko sa pinakasulok na bahagi ng aking shoulder bag at lumabas na ng kwarto. Nasa living room na si Daddy at Mommy nang makababa ako hagdan. Les was there too and she was frowning heavily.

"Where's Savion?" tanong ko nang mapansin na wala siya sa paligid. She's here because she wants to drive me to the airport. Alam kong dumating na siya kanina dahil sinabi sa akin iyon ng isang maid namin.

"She went out to answer an important call." huminto si Mommy at tinitigan ako ng matagal. "Are you sure about this, Avis? You can train naman sa kompanya ng Tito Xavier mo. You don't have to go abroad." malungkot na sabi ni Mommy. Bakas sa buong mukha niya ang pagkalungkot.

Marahan na ngumiti ako kay Mommy at umiling. "I'll be working in Glamur after I graduate, mas maganda na may experience rin ako sa ibang company."

Mas lalong sumimangot si Mommy. I let out a short laugh and walked towards my mother to give her a hug. "It will only be for a while, mommy. I'll be back."

"I know, but I'm still gonna miss my pretty daughter." niyakap rin ako ni Mommy pabalik at bigla akong nakaramdam ng lungkot. I'm gonna miss her too.

Humiwalay sa akin mula sa pagkakayakap si Mommy. Pinisil niya ng isang beses ang braso ko bago ako tuluyang pinakawalan. I next looked at my sister who was scowling at me.

"What?" tinaasan ko siya ng isang kilay at umirap siya sa akin bago ngumuso at lumapit para yumakap.

"Buy me clothes there, Avis. Wag kang babalik ng wala akong pasalubong." parang bata na sabi ng kapatid ko. Itinulak ko siya palayo sa akin at ngumiwi sa kanya. She just grinned at me.

Sunod akong lumingon kay Daddy na mukhang kanina pa kami pinapanuod. "Dad," lumapit ako kay Daddy para yumakap at bumuntong hininga lang si Daddy nang tanggapin ang yakap ko.

"You take care, Avis, okay?" mahinang sabi ni Daddy at bumigat naman ang pakiramdam ko. I nodded, still hugging my father. "If you want to come home, you can. Kahit na bukas o sa makalawa agad. Just call and I'll have someone fix your ticket home."

"Yes, daddy." lumayo ako at huminga ulit ng malalim si Daddy. Concern was in his eyes when he stared at me.

"I added extra money in your account. Don't hesitate on spending it. If you need more, call your mom, or me."

"Yes, dad. I will." I nodded.

"You all set, Avis?" napalingon kaming lahat sa sumulpot na si Savion. Galing siya mula main door at hindi mabasa-basa ang mukha. I can't tell if she's happy or pissed or sad.

"Yup. Let's go." inabot ko ang isang suitcase ko habang si Daddy ay kinuha naman ang isa. Dalawang maleta lang ang dala ko dahil pwede naman akong bumili ng mga gamit doon.

I got settled in Savion's car after saying goodbye to them one last time and we left. My eyes remained on the road while a song was crooning in the speakers. Habang si Savion naman ay tahimik lang sa byahe. I know she's not entirely okay with my decision. At mas lalong hindi niya magugustuhan sa oras na malaman niya na hindi ako nagpaalam ng maayos kay Luke Dashiel. She'd get mad at me for it that's why I chose not to tell her.