Adler's Legacy #2: Hearts Don't Lie

Chapter Five

FRANCHESKA woke up feeling light-headed. She was trying to remember what happened last night and why did she ended up feeling like this. Hindi niya maalala kung anong nangyari kagabi. Basta ang alam niya lang ay dumalo siya sa party nila Lalaine. She drunk too much and-- Fuck! She saw Francis Adler. Naalala niyang hindi na naman siya mapakali nang makita niya si Francis kagabi. She was feeling uneasy, so she decided to dwell on alcohol.

Napansin niyang nasa ibang kwarto siya. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata. She looked around. Hindi naman siya nakahubad at wala namang masakit sa kanya pero--nasaan siya? She sure know that this was not Lalaine's house. Minsan na siyang nakapunta sa bahay ni Lalaine. Minsan na rin siyang nakitulog doon.

Where the fuck is she?

"Fuck! Ano bang ginawa mo Cheska?" angil niya sa sarili. Umalis siya sa pagkakahiga at dumiritso sa banyo. Naghilamos na muna siya at nagmumog. The room was filled with monochromatic designs. Good thing that she found mouthwash inside the bathroom. She checked her face one more time. Hindi naman siya mukhang bruha.

Lumabas na siya ng banyo at laking gulat niya nang makita niya ang lalaking pilit niyang iniiwasan. It was Francis Adler sitting comfortably on the bed. Nag-angat ito ng tingin sa kanya. He smiled at her.

Tila may bumara sa lalamunan ni Cheska. She cleared her throat. "P--Paano ako napunta rito?" she asked him. She was really curious about what happened last night.

"You were too drunk, Francheska. I called yor mother and told her about your situation. Sabi niya iuwi raw muna kita sa bahay ko."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "S--Sinabi ni Mommy 'yon?" untag niya kay Francis. Tumango ang binata. Ipinagkanulo talaga siya ng kanyang sariling ina sa lalaking iniiwasan niya.

"Hindi naman siguro ako nagkalat 'no?" muli ay tanong niya rito. Hindi niya talaga maalala kung anong mga pinagagawa niya kagabi. She remembered dancing on the dance floor while holding a glass of wine.

"No, Francheska, hindi ka nagkalat. I just dragged you out of that place so that you won't cause any trouble."

Umismid si Francheska. "Hindi naman ako eskandalosa, Francis," aniya.

Nginitian siya ni Francis. "And I know that, Francheska."

Natahimik silang dalawa. Hindi na alam ni Cheska kung ano pa ang sasabihin niya. Hind pa rin kasi siya makapaniwala na si Francis ang nag-alaga sa kanya kagabi. She was literally lost in space every time she was with Francis.

He caused her agony, which she is still experiencing. She wanted to be upset with him, but she couldn't since she knew Francis was a wonderful person. How was it even possible for her to despise this man?

Francheska sighed as she sat down next to Francis gently. Francis was only concentrating on her.

"It's been a while, Francis," she remarked softly. "It's already been years."

"It's been years since you departed and established a life here in Cebu, Francheska."

Tama naman ito. Dalawang taon na rin ang nakalilipas simula noong huli silang magkita ni Francis. Matapos siyang ipahiya nito noon sa babaeng kasama nito sa opisina nang pumunta siya para dalhan ito ng pagkain. Naalala niya pa rin ang lahat ng mga nangyari noon.

"Do you still hate me?" tanong ni Francis sa kanya.

She smirked. "Kinamumuhian kita, Adler."

Francis chuckled with her remarks. Inismiran niya lamang ang binata. "I know that. Simula nang magkita tayo ulit ramdam ko ang galit mo sa akin."