A/N: Sorry, long time no update. I've been busy with my job that's why it takes days for me to update. Anyway, thank you all for supporting my book. It really means a lot <3
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Binabalot kami ng katahimikan habang nasa Private Chopper kami ni Carina pabalik ng Metro Manila. Iniwan namin sa Tuguegarao ang sasakyan ni Eira at ipapahatid na lang daw ito pabalik din ng Manila.
Magkahawak kamay kami habang nakasandal ang ulo ng girlfriend ko sa balikat ko. Cagayan Adventure was fun and it didn't last long because of Lorenzo.
Papikit pikit naman si Carina at halata din ang pagod sa kanyang mga mata dahil nakikita na ang eye bags niya.
Marami na kaming naaabalang tao dahil sa relasyon namin ni Eira. Isang semester na lang, ga-graduate na ako at wala nang gagambala pa sa amin.
I opened my phone to check some notifications and I received couple of messages from Chinee, Samantha, and Maggie. They all know that I am with Eira. They have been very supportive of my relationship with her and I know they will protect us at all cost.
My Parents have no idea about my current relationship because I want them to meet Eira in person kapag maayos na ang lahat. Although my siblings know about it, I want to have a formal meetup with them.
While scrolling down some messages, I noticed messages from one unknown number. I opened it and got shocked about what I've read. It was sent few hours ago.
+63 917805****
That was fast. You know Uncle Ernesto and I were coming. Who told you?
+63 917805****
I will make your life miserable. Babantayan ko mga kilos mo, De Vera.
+63 917805****
Stay away from her or I will do something to break you apart.
+63 917805****
She is not lesbian like you. Don't turn her into one.
I know that these messages all came from Lorenzo. He is a homophobic, psycho, and a monster. First and foremost, hindi naman sila ni Eira pero kung makaasta siya parang kinuha ko si Eira sa kanya. Palabas lang ni Eira ang relasyon nila in front of her Father and Lorenzo must know the limitations. He is too obsessed with my girlfriend and he should fuck off.
I blocked his number so I won't get to read some negativity. How did he know my number in the first place? Maybe he really has a lot of connections.
"You two should be careful. Lorenzo won't stop." Carina suddenly blurted out at umayos sa upo na kaharap namin ngayon. Parang alam niya na I am currently stressed about that fucking monster.
"We are very careful, Carina. I didn't know how the hell Lorenzo knew about our relationship in the first place and how did he manage to check if I was with Eira at her Penthouse. My goodness! Sobrang pagtatago na nga ang ginagawa namin." Napailing na lang ako dahil kahit anong gawin naming pagtatago, nahuli pa rin kami ni Lorenzo.
"My god, Athena! Kahit hindi ninyo sabihin halatang halata na in love kayo sa isa't isa. Matagal ko nang alam. Everytime na may Photoshoot ka for ER Collections, every time na pupunta ka sa office namin, mga eye contacts niyo ni Eira kulang na lang matunaw kayo." Carina rolled her eyes on us.
"But why didn't you say something?" Nakakunot na tanong ko sa kanya.
"I was waiting for you, girls for the right time to tell me. But then, nahuli ko itong si Eira na kausap ka sa Video Call sa bahay namin kaya napaamin ko rin siya. Masakit, putangina, kasi alam mo Athena na may gusto ako sa'yo? Pero dahil kapatid ang turing ko kay Eira, masaya na rin ako para sa inyo. I will protect the two of you." Carina said habang may pumapatak na luha sa kanyang mga mata.
We are really lucky to have someone like her. Nakokonsensya naman ako kasi alam kong nasaktan ko siya para kay Eira. I will just remain as a good friend to her.
Umayos naman sa pag-upo si Eira at tumitig kay Carina. Seryosong seryoso ang pagtitig nito. There's something in her eyes that I couldn't explain. Mukhang napagod din ito.
"Thanks for everything. I don't usually compliment you but you really got my back. I owe you but you are right, I think Athena and I need to lie low for a while until we come up with a plan." Words of appreciation came out of Eira's mouth.
Lie low? What does she mean?
Nakakunot kong tinignan ni Eira. "What do you mean lie low? We don't see each other that much! What do you want to do now?"
Hinawakan niya ang mga kamay ko at hinaplos iyon.
"Lorenzo will not stop. I know him.. he will gather all the evidences to bring us down, Athena." Eira looked at me in the eyes and I feel that she is really worried about me.
"What do you mean by bringing us down? I am not afraid of him. We can lie low but I still get to see you whenever I want. You are my girlfriend and I will fight for you. Masyado na tayong tago, but don't let our private time be gone too." Seryoso kong tinitigan si Eira. But her eyes are full of worries. I want to take all of that away.
"You don't know him, Athena. Please trust me. He is too obsessed of me and you don't know what he is capable of doing." Napahaplos si Eira sa kanyang noo. Natatakot ako sa pwedeng mangyari sa relasyon namin dahil mahal na mahal ko siya.
"Then enlighten me! He is just a human being. I can deny all of his allegations if he tries to bring my career or yours down before I graduate. He doesn't have the evidences that we are together. We can make a way-"
Naputol ang sasabihin ko ng magsalita muli si Eira.
"Just trust me on this, Athena. You don't know him. Let me find a way first. I can manipulate Lorenzo. Only I can make him out of our lives." Seryosong tugon ni Eira.
Hindi ko alam kung ano ba talagang klaseng tao si Lorenzo and it seems like Eira is keeping a secret from me about what Lorenzo is capable of doing. I know he has a power since he own a well-known Law Firm but that doesn't mean he can take me or Eira down. I hope I can graduate sooner so I can be with Eira whenever I want.
Hinaplos ko ang magandang mukha ni Eira at hinalikan ng mabilis ang kanyang mga labi.
"My god! Get a room! Bakit ba kasi single ako?!" Pagngiwi ni Carina sa amin. Akala ko natutulog na siya, nakikinig lang pala.
Pabalik namin ng Manila, I asked our Family Driver to pick us up. I insisted na ihatid si Eira sa Penthouse nila but she said she can manage because Carina is with her. Seems like she's paranoid because of Lorenzo. For sure, his Father and Lorenzo are on their way back here and I have already anticipated that they will check on Eira.
Lorenzo didn't win because they saw nothing in Cagayan and I am really wondering why Eira got scared all of a sudden when in fact she's the one who took me in Cagayan after Lorenzo saw us. Why the change of mood?
I called Eugene and told him that I will be back for shooting starting tomorrow so I can make myself busy and not think much of Lorenzo. I won't let him get into my nerves.
Pag-uwi ko ng bahay, nadatnan ko si Mommy and Daddy na tahimik sa living room. It's odd because they are not like this to me. Usually sinasalubong nila ako agad with hugs and kisses but this time, it's different.
"Where have you been, Athena?" Dad asked with authority. Hindi siya galit pero madiin ang boses niya.
I don't want to lie because I can't lie to them. They are my parents. But I have to.
"Shooting, dad." I blurted out.
"Since when did you start lying to us?" Naiiyak na tanong ni Mommy.
Anong alam nila?
Napakunot ang nio ko at hindi ko na masundan pa ang sasabihin ko.
Nakita ko si Devon na kakababa lang galing sa kwarto niya at mukhang nagulat pagkakita sa akin. Bigla naman siyang tumitig sa Parents ko.
"Mom.. Dad.. don't be against ate. Let her explain, please.." Nagmamakaawa si Devon sa parents namin.
Ano bang nangyayari?
"Athena, anak. Tatanungin kita ulit, saan ka nanggaling?" Tinitigan ako ni Daddy at inaantay akong magsalita.
My mother started crying all of a sudden because I have no response.
Kinakain na ako ng konsensya ko. Kailangan na malaman ng Parents ko ang relasyon ko kay Eira.
My mother took out an envelope under the table and opened it in front of me.
Mga pictures namin ni Eira iyon na magkasama. We have pictures sa Parking lot ng University, sa mall na magkahawak kamay kahit naka shades ako, sa Parking ng Condo ni Eira, during my mall show - nahagip din si Mrs. Robles sa picture, pero ang mas ikinagulat ko ay yung pictures namin ni Eira sa Tuguegarao na sabay kaming kumakain doon sa Hidden Garden Restaurant. There are no Cagayan pictures maybe because mahahalata namin kung sino ang kumuha ng Picture dahil halos lahat ng tao sa Cagayan magkakakilala kaya hindi na siguro nagtangka pang sundan kami.
I know Lorenzo is behind of all these pictures. He surely hired some Private Investigator para sundan kami ni Eira.
"Mom and Dad I'm really sorry.. I don't know how to tell you about Eira.. We went to Cagayan and spend time together because Lorenzo learned about our relationship. We need some time away from problems. I really am sorry, Mom and Dad.." Tears began to fall from my eyes. Devon is just caressing my back para patahanin ako.
"You know that we accepted you as who you are. Mahal na mahal ka namin pero anak, gulo yang pinasok mo. Teacher mo si Professor Rodriguez at the same time, anak pa siya ni Ernesto Rodriguez. Sino man nagpadala ng mga litratong ito, tiyak na gusto kayong siraan. Nag iwan pa ng mesahe, ito basahin mo." Ibinigay sa akin ni Mommy ang isang papel.
Madali akong kausap. Hiwalayan mo si Eira o guguluhin ko ang buhay ninyo. You know what will happen, Athena. You're going down.
I crumpled the paper but instead of giving up, it motivated me to fight for my love. No one will ever tear us apart.
"I know who's behind all of these, Mom and Dad. You have to trust me. Lorenzo will not bring me and Eira down."
"Your career even Eira's are at stake. Pag-isipan mo ng mabuti ang desisyon mo sa buhay. Huwag kang padalos dalos. We are not against your relationship with her but please, for the love of god, think before you make a move." Dad is lecturing me right now. He is right, I need to think clearly before doing anything.
"I will find a way, Dad. I promise."
Iniwan ko sila sa living room at umakyat sa kwarto ko.
I tried calling Eira but she didn't answer my calls. She might be busy so I left a message so she can read it.
Athena De Vera:
Call me as soon as you received this message, baby. I have plans for us. Lorenzo won't bring us down.
After few minutes, I saw that Eira has read the message but didn't even call me back. I tried sending another message but it can't be delivered anymore. I tried calling her but she's out of reach. What's happening? Is she in trouble?
I decided to call Carina because I am losing my mind. After few rings, she finally accepted the call.
"Hey, is Eira fine? I tried calling her but I couldn't get in touch with her." I explained to Carina.
"She's fine, nagpapahinga lang siya. Let her rest, Athena. Ako na ang bahala sa kanya." Carina reassured me. I'm really glad that she has my back always.
Nakakapanibago dahil hindi naman ganito ang treatment sa akin ni Eira. Alam kong nakakapagod ang nangyari sa amin but we shouldn't give up. Pahinga lang pero walang hiwalayang magaganap.
I will let her rest for now. We both need that. Napag-alaman ko na hindi rin tumuloy si Eira sa Condo niya. She might be staying with Carina for now. I will give Eira space for now and we will lie low until I graduate.