Estranged Fury (Mad Men, #1)

Kabanata 15

Kabanata 15

He's true to his words.

Richard took me out for a dinner. It was so fancy and elegant and no boy ever did that to me. Champagne really got into my head after how many drinks served by him. It made me a whole lot vulnerable and open toward my feelings. Even my common sense hindering me not to say almost everything...about my childhood and my exes back in college and even in highschool. I don't think champagne is a good friend. No. I won't...I won't drink that devil.

But, it feels so good to be heard that someone is listening to your past, not just ignoring it.

I like it that Richard had his whole attention to me.

I like it that he is not commenting.

I like him for giving his notice to me.

I like myself with him.

Even the scariest part is learning to trust him my details. That I know he will keep me safe and secure between those strong arms. It is too early to say that he's my safe haven in this dangerous world. That he will shelter me to any harm of the cruel universe. Maybe, I supposed, it is too early to think about when we are only a day old-or hours old, specifically.

Half-hour had passed after the dinner, he answered a call from someone. He never mentioned if it is a client, but it is urgent that he needed to answer it without an audience. He told me to wait inside his car, but I didn't. Nanatili ako sa harap ng restaurant, naghihintay ng kanyang pagbabalik. I want to know who called him, but I don't want to pry him with privacy details.

Kahit anong pagkukumbinsi 'ko sa panukala, nanatili pa rin akong nakatayo. Hugging myself because of the cold winds whispering on my place. I rubbed my palms to get me heat, ngunit hindi pa rin iyon sapat. I stayed until he comes out again from the dark. I stayed here to wait.

A figure of man appeared out of the darkness from a lot. Tumuloy ang tingin niya sa akin hanggang sa maglakad ito papunta sa aking pwesto. I statue. My feet uprooted on the ground. Ang baga 'ko ay unti-unting nangangailangan ng hangin. My body would react if he sense any danger or harm even it is not. I feel like my heart is beating wildly inside my chest. Gusto 'kong mapaatras hindi 'ko magawa.

"Hello," aniya, walang bakas ng panganib ang mukha. He rubbed the back of his head, unsure if he will look at me. Siguro, magkasing-edad lamang kami. He seem lost dahil hindi niya alam kung pa'no mag-uumpisa. "Nawala siguro ako. Naiwan ng mga kaibigan 'ko. I lost my phone. Hindi 'ko...alam kung saan 'ko ito nalapag. My wallet, too." His Adam's apple bobbed up and down, a bit tense. "Sorry. Kakapalan 'ko na ang mukha 'ko pero pwede bang mahirap ang cellphone saglit lang?" I bit my inside cheek, thinking. Nakita niya ang ekspresyon ng aking mukha. "No. I won't robbed you! Ikaw na lang mag-text sa kanila. I will tell you the phone number of my friend!" he pleaded.

Bumuntong hininga ako.

"Uhm," I am still thinking. Ngunit kinakapa 'ko na ang aking telepono sa sling bag.

"Promise. I won't rob you. You could have my name. But I don't have an ID, you know. Dahil nanakawan ako..." his voice is really begging, but he looked away, sensing his surrounding.

I am not heartless. Hindi 'ko gustong nangyayari ang ganito sa mga tao. I've been in a traumatic event. I am happy that he's safe. Mas mabuti iyon 'di ba? Kahit na mawala ang gamit. Ano ba ang maliit na tulong na gagawin 'ko para makauwi siya sa kanyang bahay?

"Sige, teka..." I am fishing out my phone from my sling bag. Nangatog pa ang aking kamay sa pag-aligaga hanggang sa matagumpay 'ko itong nakuha. I offered my mobile quickly without thinking any harm. Kinuha niya iyon at mabilis na nagtipa ng mensahe.