Stolen (Published)

14. The supposed to be enemy

I couldn’t help but think about Hector that night while I was with Zachary Drew. I knew that I shouldn’t be really thinking about him. Kailangan ko na siyang kalimutan – iyon ang pinakatamang gawin sa buhay ko. He had done bad things to me, he abused me, he took advantage of the fact that I wanted to be free – I should condemn him for that and yet here I am thinking about him again.

I sighed. I looked at Zach who was very busy with his food that moment. Napapangiti ako. Gustong-gusto ko siyang pinapanood kumain. Akala ko kanina kung saan kami pupunta. He took me to a very expensive restaurant; he had rented the roof top. He wanted to surprise me and I was very surprised. Pagdating naming, sinalubong ako ng violin and the floor was full of rose petals. He is such a romantic boyfriend.

“Hmn, ayaw mo ng food, baby?” He asked me. Umiling ako.

“I just….” I sighed. “I missed you.” He smiled at me. Inabot niya ang kamay ko.

“I missed you too.” He grinned. Natawa naman ako. “Bakit ba kanina ka pa tawa nang tawa?” Nagkibit balikat siya pagkatapos. “Kung sabagay, okay iyon. I talked to Xander’s dad at sabi niya, iyong pagiging masaya mo ay isang bagay na dapat ikatuwa ko. Iyong ibang kidnap victims kasi, takot silangt makipag-mingle o lumabas. Ikaw, I guess you’re fine, baby.”

Ngumiti lang ako. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit pero pakiramdam ko talaga wala akong dapat ikatakot sa paligid. Hector isn’t around. Walang mananakit sa akin. Zach is here and he will protect me. I’m very thankful that he had come that night and took me away. Kung hindi siya dumating hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari.

I bit my lower lip. I remembered what happened that night. I got scared. I’m having doubts now. Kailangan kong sabihin kay Zach ang totoo, pero kung sasabihin ko anong magiging reaksyon niya? Tatanggapin niya pa ba ako?

“Baby, what’s wrong?” He asked again. Umiling ako. Tumayo ako tapos kumandong ako sa kanya. I put my arms around his neck and stared at his eyes.

“Gaano mo ako kamahal, ZD?” I asked him. He held my waist and pulled me closer. He rested his chin on my shoulder.

“Mahal na mahal, Yza.” He looked at me. I nodded. Sa akin sapat na iyon. Alam kong kailangan ko na talagang sabihin ang totoo. Sasabihin ko naman pero hindi pa sa ngayon. Ayokong masira ang gabi naming dalawa.

We continued eating. I have missed him so much. Hinayaan ko siyang magkwento nang magkwento. Marami akong hindi nasaksihan sa buhay niya nitong nakaraang dalawang buwan. I want him to update me.

“Kamusta si Yngrid?” Biglang tanong ko. Ngumisi si Zach.

“Miss ka na niya. She likes you, hindi nga lang niya pinapahalata. You know how she gets. Even Yana misses you. She was worried about you, baby.”

I swallowed. Sa tuwing tatawagin akong baby ni Zach, may iba akong nakikita. I could see a pair of piercing green eyes and a devilish grin in my head. Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko. Hindi ko siya pwedeng alalahanin. Kailangan ko siyang kalimutan ngayon.

Our date ended. Magkahawak kamay kaming umalis ni Zach ng restaurant. He opened the car door for me bago ako sumakay ay nagpalinga-linga pa ako sa paligid. I was looking for a silver SUV pero wala akong nakita. Hindi ko alam talaga but I just couldn’t shake the feeling of being followed.

“Baby?” Zach called

 

“Yeah, I’m going in.” Sabi ko pa. He smiled. Sumakay ako sa kotse niya and we drove. He was just holding my hand.