Unexpected Desires

CHAPTER 4: Vanishing Shadows

Chapter 4: Vanishing Shadows

Third Person's Point of View

"Oh God, my Mayari." Agad na napaupo si Agatha, ang nanay ni Mayari, pagkatapos nilang basahin mag-asawa ang liham na iniwan ni Mayari sa ginawang paglisan nito.

Sa liham ay nakapaloob ang pamamaalam ni Mayari at ang dahilan ng kaniyang paglisan. Ngunit hindi sinabi ni Mayari kung saan siya pansamantalang maninirahan.

Wala talagang balak si Mayari na mag-iwan ng liham para sa kaniyang mga magulang ngunit ayaw din naman niyang mag-alala ito ng sobra sa kaniya.

"I never thought she would do this," Agatha almost sobbed, her emotions raw and unfiltered. Henry, her steadfast husband, hurried to her side, offering his comforting presence.

"Hindi natin hawak ang isip ni Mayari kaya hindi natin alam na kaya niya palang gawin ito. We all know that she's really against our decision, and perhaps we owe her some space and time for reflection. In due course, she may return to us," saad ni Henry sa kaniyang asawa.

Nanatili namang nakayuko si Agatha habang hawak-hawak niya ang liham na iniwan ni Mayari sa kaniya. Parang nadudurog ang puso niya sa isiping mawawalay siya sa kaniyang anak at ni wala man lang siyang balita kung nasaan man ito ngayon.

"But I can't help but worry about Mayari, Henry. I know she's a strong, independent woman, but I'm her mother, and the fear for our child grips my heart," she confessed with a heavy heart. Henry gently tapped her shoulder, a gesture of reassurance.

"I know, hon. I know. At hindi rin naman ako makakapayag na wala tayong balita or mata na nagbabantay sa kaniya." Anito dahilan upang mag-angat ng mukha si Agatha.

"What do you mean, Henry?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Agatha sa asawa. Siryoso namang sinalubong ni Henry ang kaniyang mga titig.

"I've taken the liberty of hiring someone to watch over Mayari in Manila. Our family's connections span the nation, Agatha. Can you truly believe I wouldn't employ them for the sake of our daughter's safety?" Henry explained, his determination evident in his tone.

Dahil isang kilalang pamilya ang mga Guevarra ay ginamit ni Henry ang connection nito upang umupa ng taong maaaring magbantay sa kaniyang anak.

"Sino?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Agatha sa asawa.

"It's me, tita." Agad na napatingin ang mag-asawa sa isang baritonong boses at halos manlaki ang mga mata ni Agatha nang makita kung kaninong boses iyon. Habang si Henry naman ay tipid lamang na ngumiti at tumango sa bagong dating na lalaki.

"Don't worry, tita. Ako po ang magbabantay kay Mayari at sisiguraduhin ko pong walang mangyayaring masama sa kaniya." Anito kay Agatha na walang imik dahil sa gulat.

"Thank you, hijo." Ang daddy naman ni Mayari ang sumagot. Tumingin ang lalaki kay Henry at tumango.

"It's my pleasure, Uncle. After all, Mayari will soon be my wife, and I am determined to ensure her safety as her future husband," he declared with a confident grin.

Mayari Calleope's Point of View

"We're finally here." Pahayag ni Sophia at agad itong bumagsak sa aking kama sa pagod.

"Inaantok ako sa pagod. Ang tagal ng byahe natin." Saad ni Ashley na tinabihan si Sophia.

"I wholeheartedly agree. It feels as though every ounce of my energy has been sapped," Amara added, sinking into the nearby couch, her body screaming for rest.

"Mayari, your brother was asking me about you." Saad ni Alex. Agad na napatingin naman ako rito. Tinutukoy niya ang nag-iisa kong nakakatandang kapatid na si Kuya Matthew. Nakalimutan kong sabihin na dalawa lamang kaming magkapatid.

Close friend ni Alex si Kuya Matthew at katulad ng parents ko, ay wala rin itong alam sa biglaan kong pag-alis.

"Should I tell Matthew?" Tanong ni Alex sa akin. Sandali naman akong napatitig. Iniisip ko kung ipapaalam ko ba kay kuya Matt ang ginawa kong paglayas. What if sabihin niya sa parents namin kung nasaan ako?

"No," I responded, my voice trembling with uncertainty. Alex regarded me with a questioning look, clutching his phone.

"Are you certain about this? Your brother will be concerned. You should, at the very least, inform him," he advised.

"Yeah, Mayari. Just explain everything to your brother." Nakapikit na sagot naman ni Amara. Tinitigan ko silang dalawa at talagang siryoso silang sabihin ko kay kuya Matthew ang ginawa kong paglisan.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. I guess they were right. I should, at least, inform my brother.

"I'll take care of it, Alex. I'll call Kuya," I assured her. Alex nodded, a small smile forming on my lips in gratitude.

"I'm just gonna go outside to get us some food," paalam ko kela Amara at Alex dahil tuluyan nang nakatulog sa pagod sila Ashley at Sophia.

Amara kindly offered to accompany me. "Do you want some company?" she asked, despite her fatigue from our long journey.

I shook my head. "No, you both should rest. I can manage on my own."

They both concurred. "Alright, Mayari. Take care," Amara wished me, her concern evident in her eyes, as she and Alex settled in for a much-needed rest.

Lumabas na ako ng condo unit namin at bumaba sa ground floor para maghanap ng aming kakainin. Alam kong pagod ang mga kaibigan ko sa naging byahe namin kaya naman plano ko na lang bumili ng take out food. Tinatamad din ako magluto atsaka mag-grocery palang ako bukas.

Kararating lang din kasi namin galing sa napakahabang byahe. Nag-barko lang kasi kami papuntang Manila kaya naman almost one day ang byahe. Hindi kami agad nakakuha ng flight sa eroplano eh. Nagmamadali rin kasi ako dahil baka makahalata pa ang parents ko at pigilan ako.

As I exited the building, I reached into my pocket and retrieved a cigarette. Despite being aware of the health risks, I found solace in the act of smoking, a means of relieving my mounting stress.

The tension that had built up in my life was unbearable. I hadn't anticipated that my life would take such an unexpected turn.

Approaching the designated smoking area, I leaned against the wall, preparing to light my cigarette. However, in an instant, someone swiped it from my grasp.

"Hey!" I exclaimed in surprise.

"Smoking is detrimental, lady," asserted the man who had confiscated my cigarette. I raised my gaze to meet his, and my eyes locked onto a pair of piercing, gray irises, leaving me hanging on the precipice of suspense.