Dark Phoenix #2: Echoes Of Lies

CHAPTER 29

Chapter 29

Lumabas ako ng kwarto matapos pakalmahin ang sarili. Ilang beses akong naghilamos para lang mawala ang pamamaga ng mata ko dahil sa kaiiyak. Buti nga ʼdi pa nauubos tubig ko sa katawan. I felt like my body's still hydrated. I even put some concealer under my eyes and liptint to hide how pale I was. Ayaw ko lang mag-usisa pa si Dad.

"Dad..." I said softly and peek inside his office after knocking three times.

"Yes?" mula sa binabasang papel ay nag-angat ito ng ulo. He flashed a warm smile.

"Can I?" Turo ko sa upuan sa harap. He nodded his head.

"About kanina. I wanna talk to you about something." I played on my hands because I'm nervous. I'm afraid to hear my Dad's answer but I need to do this. To finally close that page of my life. To move on... To keep forward. 'Cause I wanna be free from pain. O baka gusto ko lang tumakbo pero ayaw kong aminin. Ewan. Ang gulo.

"What is it?" tuluyan na nitong binaba ang salamin at mga papel na binabasa at tumutok sa akin. Ilang beses akong napalunok hindi alam kung saan at paano magsisimula.

He sighed. Nahalata yata ang pag-aalinlangan ko. I am really scared! The way Dad look at me, pakiramdam ko pagagalitan niya ako any moment. I know that sharp stare is normal to him but I always felt indimidated and scared.

"When?" he suddenly said that made me gaze at him.

"Po?" takang tanong ko.

He cleared his throat and fix his tie. He lifted his cup of coffee and brought it to his mouth to sip on it. Kumalat ang mabangong aroma ng kape. Matapang, halatang mapait iyon.

Hinabol ko ng tingin ang pagbaba muli nito sa platitong pinapatungan bago binalik kay Dad na kanina pa rin pala akong pinapanood. I shifted on my seat and look at Dad's eyes.

"K-kahit po mamaya... O bukas? Kayo po." I said softly as I bit my lower lip.

I was amazed because in just a little span of time, nakilala na niya ako. The words aren't clear but he knows what I was about say. Maybe because I am his daughter or maybe he's just too observant. I don't know, really.

"Okay. Have you already pack your things? Of course, you're not gonna bring everything. I bough a condo near your school. You can stay there. Masyadong malayo ang bahay natin." medyo slang pa ang huli pero naintindihan ko naman.

Hindi mapigilang napangiti ako at nagtatakbo paikot sa table at mahigpit na niyapos si Dad. I felt him stiffened but I did not care 'cause I'm too happy that he's this kind. He understands me and so he knows what makes me happy. A father knows their child really well.

Kaunti lang ang dala ko at nagpahatid sa Sanz Tower. Nagpatulong na rin ako sa driver na na iakyat sa 20th floor ang isang maleta ko habang nasa akin ang backpack ko.

I was admiring the lobby when I accidentally saw a familiar face. Mabilis akong nag-iwas ng tingin at nagpanggap na wala lang kahit pakiramdam ko ay nakita niya ako. I walk fast to elevator who was just opened. Pumasok ako at nahihiyang ngumiti sa matandang nagulat dahil sa pagmamadali ko.

"Pakibaba na lang po d'yan. Gusto niyo po ba munang magkape?" sabi ko sa driver at binaba sa couch ang backpack para kumuha ng tubig sa ref. Buti naman may laman ang ref.

"Hindi na po. Aalis na rin ako." iling nito.

"Sige po. Salamat po ng marami." kumaway ako at hinintay na tumunog ang lock ng pinto bago maghanap ng makakain.

Sa cabinet ay may nakita akong mga cup noodles. Kumuha ako ng isang ramen at nagpakulo ng tubig na ibubuhos sa cup. While I wait for the water to boil, I started taking my bags inside my room and fold my clothes to put inside my closet.