Madly (IN LOVE SERIES #1)

KABANATA 28

KABANATA 28

ESCAPADE

Hindi ko alam kung hindi pa tumatalab sa akin ang pampakalma ni Doc Molina o wala talagang epekto dahil hanggang ngayon ay nanginginig pa rin ako. I know I am now safe here in my father's mansion but my body is still trembling and shaking. It really scared the hell out of me.

I overheard Dad talking to Tita Cathy that their men were on the move to chase Romulo. I overheard too, that the Sketch men were helping. I am thankful, of course. At least I know I am now safe from him and from the frighten he brought for me.

Sitting on the couch of Dad's mansion, Tita Cathy handed me a class of water. I accepted it and with my shaking hands, I drank it straight. Tita Cathy sat beside me and hugged me tight. I flinched and I automatically moved away. She sighed and tried to hold me again but I moved away again.

I don't intend to do it but it was reaction. Kanina naman hindi ganoon sa loob ng sasakyan. I closed my eyes and heaved a deep sighed bago unti-unting lumapit kay Tita at ako na mismo ang yumakap sa kaniya.

"We will do everything to serve justice, hija. Nakatakas man siya sa batas ng Australia, he will not escape from your Dad's law," she assured me.

I did not answer her. I just let her hug me and find comfort in her arms.

Tita hugged me for about minutes until Dad showed himself from nowhere followed by my brothers and Natalia. Tita let me from the hug and gave me an assuring smile.

Charles ran to me and tried to hug me but like my initial reaction, I flinched.

Calm down self. It's okay. They won't hurt you. They are your brothers. They are your family.

"C-Charles..." I said. It was his cue. He hugged me tight and apologise.

"Sorry... This is my fault baby... sorry," he whispered and gave me a kiss on my forehead.

Ganoon din ang ginawa ni Chase at ni Natalia. It calmed me a bit pero naroon pa rin ang panginginig ko.

"He escaped," said Chase after a moment of silent. I remain sitting on the couch. Natalia was beside me while caressing my hair probably a way of comforting me. Chase was on my other side. Charles was sitting next to Natalia while Tita and Daddy were sitting parallel to us. "Hindi siya nahuli ng mga tao ni Isagani but they're doing everything. Pati na rin ang mga tao natin Dad."

"I thought you worked him already, Evan. What happened?" Dad asked Charles.

"I'm sorry," Charles sighed. "Nahuli na siya ng mga tao ko pero nakawala. Akala ko nadala na siya dahil ilang araw din siyang hindi nagpakita."

"And now you know he didn't," said Chase, mocking Charles.

"Elias," saway ni Dad.

I closed my eyes tight. Mag-aaway na naman sila. I don't want that.

"I-I'm now okay..." I said na para bang iyon ang sagot sa lahat ng ito. "H-huwag na kayong mag-away."

"I think it is better if we let Evangeline take a break from all of this," Tita Cathy said probably preventing the tension building up in between Charles and Chase. "Why don't you let her rest in Lucena?"

"We can't risk her safety, Mommy," Chase said creasing his forehead.

"She's safer in Lucena than here. Romulo doesn't know that place yet. Kung dito siya, baka balikan na naman siya. Mas delikado."

"I agree with Tita, Elias," sabat ni Natalia. "At 'di ba, plano rin naman ni Evangeline na magpunta sa Lucena?"

"Y-yeah," I said. Plano ko talaga dahil bibisita ako kina Papa.