HGD51

Mabigat ang pakiramdam ko nang nagising ako kinaumagahan. I sighed when I realize the pain and the problem that I've been carrying the moment I step again here in the Philippines.

Maaga palang ay gumayak na ako. Plano ko sana na sa labas na lang muna kumain. Kung maaari sana ay ayaw kong maka-usap si Ram. Kung kakausapin ko man sya ay iyon na ang araw na aalis ako para iwan syang muli.

That's for the better right? Maybe I wasn't really belong on his arms. Only if I distance myself from him I wouldn't feel this kind of heartache again.

Marahan akong bumaba sa hagdan bitbit ang clutch bag ko. I wore a simple off-shoulder mustard color dress pair with stilletoes. I even wore a sunglasses since my eyes were kinda swollen for the tears last night.

Tahimik akong nananalangin na sana ay hindi ko masalubong si Ram palabas ng bahay pero bago pa man ako makahakbang sa ikahuling baitang ng hagdan ay narinig ko na ang boses nya. Nakatayo sya sa harapan ko, nakapamulsa ito at taimtim na nakatinggin saakin.

"Where are you going?" He asks in a deep voice.

Ramdam na ramdam ko ang mabilis at malakas na pagtibok ng puso ko. Para bang hindi ako makahinga habang sinasalubong ang kanyang mga mata. There's something on him that I couldn't tell, one thing is so sure, his eyes were captivating and I feels so hipnotize the way he stares at me.

I cleared my throat trying to sounds normal. "I'll go and eat breakfast outside" simple kong sagot at sinubukang humakbang para sana lagpasan sya pero nahawakan nya ang braso ko dahilan para matigil ako sa paglakad. I gulp when I saw his hand on my arm, his calloused hand was so warm and good on my skin.

"I cooked. Dito ka na kumain" anito na para bang isang normal na araw lamang ito.

I blink trying to declined his offer since I am trying to avoid him.

"No thanks. I prefer to eat outside tho" I said and smile.

"Alright then." He said and he let go my arm.

I placed a few strands of my hair on my face towards the back of my ear.

Naglakad na ako pero hindi ko pa man nararating ang pintuan nang magsalita sya. Papalapit sya sa pwesto ko,mukhang may kinuha lang kanina.

"Let's go" aniya. Napakurap ako sa sinabi nya.

Huh?

"Let's go, let's eat breakfast outside then" aniya at nauna pang naglakad palabas ng bahay.

What the hell happened?

He open his car door for me to enter. He even positioned his hand in the air like he was telling me to get in.

"W-What? B-Bakit sasama ka pa?" Tanong ko. Nakita ko ang pag-awang ng labi nito.

"Kasi gusto ko?" Alanganing sagot nito.

"I didn't invite you to eat with me so--" I was composing for the next words but he interrupt

"I invite myself. So, shall we?" aniya at ngumiti.

My lips parted on his sudden gestures. Bakit ba sya sasama? Hindi ba obvious na gusto kong umiwas sakanya? Hindi ba halata na ayokong maka-usap sya?

"If you're coming with me just because you wanted to talk about yesterday and about my expenses on your house, can you please wait for a while? You see, I am doing my best to leave you as soon as possible---"

"Hindi." Aniya.

"Huh?" I ask

"Hindi natin pag-uusapan yan. I just wanted to eat a breakfast with someone today" aniya.

"You can invite Ellie to eat with you, you know?" I even sounds sarcastic.

"I don't want her, I want you" he said and his words make me blush.

Oh gosh, what the hell I am blushing? I was supposed to ignore him!

Hindi na ako nakasagot. I just found myself on his car sitting besides him silently.

"Saan mo gustong kumain?" Tanong nya saakin.

"Uh, I wanted to eat on the fastfood chain. Kung ayaw mo naman ay pwedeng ako nalang mag-is---"

"No, I'm fine with that" aniya kaya nanahimik na lamang ako

I sighed when I realize that I am being harsh on him. My words keep pushing him and yet he keeps pulling me and I don't know if I should hate him for that.

He was the one who ordered our food. Prente lang akong naka-upo roon habang kinakatikot ang cellphone ko.

I texted Diego, since I need someone to talk later. Clive wasn't available since she was with Danny's home town.

Me:
May work ka today? :)

Instantly, he replied.

From:Diego the bully
Missed me babe?

I rolled my eyes

Me:
Not really. I'm just asking tsk. -_-

From:Diego the bully
Lol. What happened? Are you on a date with Ram? Haha. Sana ol may jowa

Me:
Jowa? I told you! We're not couples! And how the hell did you know that I am with him?

"Kain ka na" pagtawag ni Ram sa atensyon ko. Nakalapag na sa mesa namin ang pagkain.

Tumango ako at kinuha ang kobyertos para simulan ng kumain nang magreply si Diego. I took my phone and read his message

From: Diego the bully
Just guessing haha. Hmn. Let me guess, he's looking at you with eyebrows furrowed and he looks so mad. Libre mo ko kapag tama ako

Because of his reply, I took a glance of him and I almost choke when Diego was fucking right. Paano nya nalaman?

"W-What?" Nauutal kong tanong. He just shrugged and continue to eat.

I look around trying to find Diego. Baka narito sya?

Me:
Wth? Where r u? Are u here? Come on! Showed up!

"What's wrong?" Tanong ni Ram saakin.

"Huh?"

"A-Are you looking for someone?" Tanong nito sa malamyos na tono.

I don't know if I am just hallucinating or what because I found his voice sad and confusing! He also looks disappointed

"Uh, I think Diego's here" sambit ko lamang.

He looked at me and I can see clearly on his eyes that he doesn't like what I've said. What's wrong with me? Bakit naman ganoon ang nakikita kong reaksyon nya? Oh gosh, I think my vission were fooling me!

From: Diego the bully
Nasa trabaho ko, Ace. I told you, I am just guessing. Btw, stop texting me, focus on your date. He might be pissed right now. Eat well, mrs. Sandoval :)

Pinatay ko ang cellphone ko at saka iyon ibinaba sa mesa. Kinuha ang kutsara at tinidor at nagsimula ng kumain.

"Am I ruining your day?" Nagtaas ako ng tinggin nang magsalita sya. What's on his words? Bakit ganoon sya magsalita?

"Huh?" The fudge! I can't composed any sentence!

"I mean, do you have a planned to meet someone today? Did I ruined your plan today?" Aniya na nagpatigil saakin.

I can feel the sudden glitz of pang on my chest. Bakit ako nasasaktan sa mga sinasabi nya?

"Uh, after this I am going to meet someone" sagot ko sakanya.

Well, I'm going to meet the buyer of our house.

"Oh, okay" hindi na ako sumagot. Pinagpatuloy ko na lamang ang pagkain.

Gusto ko syang tanungin kung bakit narito sya sa harapan ko gayung may trabaho pala sya? Nasa trabaho si Diego kaya paniguradong mayroon syang trabaho.

Patapos na kaming kumain nang magsalita sya. "Are you going somewhere after this? I can give you a ride if you want" aniya.

Uminom muna ako ng tubig bago sya sinagot.

"I'm fine. Wala ka bang trabaho ngayon?"

Gusto kong sampalin ang sarili ko. Why the hell did I ask him that? Dapat ay hindi ko sya pinapansin e!

"Uh, I was about to take a leave" aniya.

Leave? Bakit naman? As far as I know he's workaholic kaya bakit sya magfi-file ng leave?

"I'm done." Sambit ko. Tumango naman ito

"Dito ka lang?" Tanong nito.

"Yeah. Just go" sagot ko.

Napakurap ako dahil ang paraan ng pagkakasabi ko ay para bang tinataboy ko sya. The fudge! Why can't I even control my emotions today?

I saw the sudden glitz of disappointment and sadness on his eyes but it was immediately faded in an instant.

"Oh, o-okay" he sighed and stood up.

"Just leave." Pahabol ko pa. Tumango lamang ito bago naglakad palabas ng fastfood chain.

I sighed as I watch him to walk away. That's it, Ram. Walk away and never turn around. Just walk without me so that I can do that too.

I waste my remaining time exploring on the nearest mall.

"Raise?" I looked to the man who was standing in front of me. I am holding a dress on the boutique when he showed up.

"Archie" I whispered.

The pang on my chest invading my system. He was closed to the person who killed my parents.

I step back and he was shock on my sudden move. His lips parted but seconds passed by when he speak.

"I won't gonna hurt you, Acelle" aniya

I didn't speak.

"You left. And I hope that you're happy now. " he smirk and he sounds sarcastic

"Huh?"

"Oh? Playing innocent? I like that. I knew it, don't hide it,Ace. You were behind of everything on it. I knew that it's you who ruined my uncle politics." he said.

What?

"Oh? You mean Walter?" I said in shock.

What? Ruined his uncle's politics life? How?

"My uncle was innocent, Ace. Bakit mo sya pinabagsak ha? Pinagbintangan mo pa na sya ang pumatay sa parents mo? You and that lawyer should be punished by life" he said in anger.

I am confused!

"What? What are you saying, Archie? I don't get it!" I said

"Oh? Playing innocent again? Okay, I'll play with your fake game. Alam kong ikaw ang may pakana, that lawyer. I saw him twice with you. He was the reason why my uncle wasn't a governor of this city anymore. He was accused as a corrupt, embezzlement of  people's money? He wasn't like that! He's not a fraud! And he even accused him as a killer behind of your parents death! And he fucking win all the cases and I knew that you're the reason behind this. I hope that you're happy now, Ace" aniya at saka ako nilagpasan.

Walter was being impeached? He was in jailed? A justice that I've been seeking was fulfilled by him? By Attorney Ram Sandoval? How?

I was pre-occupied of that thoughts until mister Dionisio meet me on the restaurant.

"You must be Raise Acelle?" Aniya at ngumiti. I nod and offer him to seat on the chair in front of me.

"I payed the liability of your dad on the bank kaya hindi nakuha ng government ang mansyon. I owned the half of the house now so all I have to pay is the other half, right?" He said

I nod as an answer. I smile, atleast the new owner of our house was somewhat good and nice. Sana alagaan nya ang mansyon.

"I don't have the money with me as of today, miss Davis. I bring the contract para ma-review mo. If you sign this, I'll give the money" aniya

"Alright" I said and read the contract

"When you sign that, it means that I am the new owner of the house. The name of your parents will replace on mine"

Aniya. Gusto kong umirap dahil alam ko naman iyon. Bakit kailangan pang i-explain? Gosh, I am not that dumb.

"But, I won't be the new owner of the house" aniya na nagpatigil saakin.

"Huh?" I ask in confusion

"Nothing. Let's talk about it some other time. How about tomorrow? Dadalhin ko na ang pera. And also the lawyer " aniya

Tumangi naman ako. "Yeah, sure." I smiled sweetly

The discussion end properly.

Tomorrow? So it means I am able to leave Ram's house tomorrow? Siguro dapat na akong magpa-book ng flight agad pagnakuha ko na ang pera. I don't have the remaining reason to stay here anyway.

This place will be forgotten of me someday. This place creates a happy memories but I don't like to carry it when I leave this country. All the memories will remain here and I have to start a new life in America. No more pain for me, that's a reminder for myself.

I am too tired of disappointments and heartaches. Tama na iyon, tama na ang mamanhid akong minsan sa sakit na dulot ng pag-ibig na 'yan.

Naglunch akong mag-isa sa fastfood chain. I searched online about my parents case and about the sudden downfall of my father's ultimate rival, Walter. And I am shocked when Archee was right. I read the whole article and I can't help but to feel happy.

Atty. Ram Sandoval win the case against the governor of the City Walter Andrada.

Hapon na nang napagpasyahan kong bisitahin ang puntod ng mga magulang ko.

I bought a flowers for them but I stoped when I saw a fresh flowers on their tomb.

I ignore it and sat on their grave.

"Hi, mom and dad. I'm gonna leave soon. I didn't know that the mastermind behind of the both of your deaths finally ended up in jail. " I sniff when the tears escape on my eyes.

"I still can't live alone, mom and dad. I am still a crybaby" I pouted.

Sinabi ko ang lahat ng nagpapabigat saaking pakiramdam hanggang sa nahimasmasan ako.

"Ay! Bumalik ka attorney-- ah akala ko si attorney" napalinggon ako sa lalaking nagsalita sa likuran ko.

"Huh?"

"Ikaw siguro iyong anak ng dalawang yan?" Turo nito sa puntod ng parents ko.

"Yeah. Why?" Mataray kong tanong. Kumamot pa ito sa batok bago ngumiti.

"Tama nga si attorney, maganda nga kaso masungit" bulong nito pero narinig ko.

"Who are you?"

"Ay, Andy po! Taga-bantay" aniya

"So? You knew who bring those flowers on my parents grave?" I ask but he shrugged

"Pede tagalog lang ma'am?" Aniya

I rolled my eyes. "Kilala mo po ba kung sino ang nagdala ng bulaklak na ito?" Turo ko sa dilaw na bulaklak

"Ah si attorney po" aniya

"Huh? Attorney?"

"Attorney Ram Sandoval po" aniya.

He visited my parents grave?

I didn't know that he's making a move on my parents case.

What the hell did you do on the years that I left, Ram. Why I kept thinking that I was about to lost someone that's willing to do something for me.

I am hoping that my decision were right. I have to move on so that I can live happily.