Arctic Heart [#Wattys2018 Winner]

Chapter 9

"We need to search for the locale of your water park already. I need to start sketching," he told me. "We'll try to go around Metro Manila tomorrow."

Napanguso naman ako at saka tumango-tango. Sabi na at nangangarap na naman ako ng gising.

"I'll do my best to be free in the afternoon," I said and smiled. "Itetext na lang kita."

He nodded at me. "Good."

I bit my lower lip because of his small compliment.

"Aalis na ako," pagpapaalam niya at agad na pumihit palabas ng gate.

He pressed the key fob of his car before he opened the door to the driver's seat.

Bahagya naman akong sumungaw sa bukana ng gate upang panoorin siya. Nang dahil sa galaw kong iyon ay muli siyang napalingon sa akin kaya naman ngumiti ako sa kanya.

"Mag-iingat ka pag-uwi," bilin ko sa kanya. "Medyo malapit lang naman ang bahay ninyo sa amin, 'di ba?"

He nodded again and assured me. "I'll drive safely."

Para namang hinaplos ng kanyang mainit na salita ang aking puso. Gusto kong maluha sa saya ngunit idinaan ko na lamang ito sa isang malawak na ngiti.

"Ingat ka," ulit ko sa aking habilin.

He stared at me for a few seconds with his dark brooding eyes before he went inside his vehicle without saying a word. Mabilis siyang nagmaniobra at magpatakbo kaya nawala agad sa aking paningin ang kanyang sasakyan.

Hindi pa ako agad pumasok sa loob ng bahay at nanatiling nakatayo sa labas habang nakatanaw sa daanan kung saan naglaho ang kanyang sasakyan.

I wondered when will my feelings fade like his car that he drove away? Hanggang kailan ko dadalhin ang bigat ng nararamdaman ko para sa kanya? Malapit ko na itong mabitawan dahil pabigat na nang pabigat at wala ni isa siyang tinatanggap.

I heaved a deep breath before walking back inside the house. Trying to make my heart and mind peaceful wasn't a success. Nadatnan ko na lang ang aking mga magulang na pasimpleng nagtatalo.

"I just don't like that Jace for our daughter." I heard my mom said as soon as I got inside the house.

Napatigil naman ako sa paglapit sa kanila ni daddy.

"He's not fit to be Zarina's lover," she added.

"Goodness, Erina! They're not even in a relationship in the first place," Dad frustratingly countered. "And I thought we both agreed that we will let Zarina decide her own future."

"Mas maganda na ang maagapan hanggang sa wala pa. I'm just making that Architect realize that he's no good for my daughter," katwiran ni mommy. "I know we agreed on something, Rey, but you can't stop me from worrying about my only duaghter's future."

I closed my fist tightly while hearing my mom's subtle insults about Jace.

If only she knew... I'm the one who's not good enough for Jace.

"Can you please trust your daughter with her decisions about her life, Erina?" Tumaas na ang boses ni daddy. "Kahit tungkol saan pa 'yan, hayaan mo ang anak mo at suportahan natin siya bilang magulang niya."

Mom stood up and faced dad with her head up high.

"Our daughter deserves the best and you can't stop me from making sure that she'll have a bright future," she said. "She'll come to realize that my actions are reasonable and it's all for her future."

Dad laughed with no humor. "You don't trust our daughter..." he concluded.

Napahawak naman ako sa aking dibdib at parang binibiyak ang aking puso nang malinawan ako sa pananaw sa akin ni mommy nang bigyan ito ng konklusyon ni daddy.