To Love and Avenge

Chapter 14 New Found Friend

In the morning…

I wake up with an odd feeling. A feeling of discomfort and pain in my core. While still in the process of enduring the pain, I tried to recall things that might have happened between us. I know it's skeptical, but deep in my heart, I somewhat feel a kind of warmth I may never have experienced before. It's ironic because of the connection I felt towards him, yet it's impossible for us not to bark at each other. Things like this are not supposed to be happening, or maybe it is just that, it's my first time and no opposite s*x had made it through the wall I’ve been building up. Anyways, I'm a grown-up woman now, I think there is nothing I cannot handle. What else I can do, it’s done and there is nothing I can do to reciprocate the situation. Later on, I moved cautiously and carefully with the idea that I now should be going and act as if nothing has happened. That is when I realize that something heavy is being laid on my stomach, only to see his arms and thigh. I carefully lift his arm and slowly move away, trying not to wake him, but, instead of slipping away, I was stunned when he tugged me closer to him and tighten his embrace.

“Hmmm… don't just move, Sleep a little more,” he mumbled under his breath with eyes still close.

I give it a little more time, I stayed still, snoring a little to pretend that I'm still asleep. Yet, I constantly make small movements as if I was just unconsciously moving.

At last, one more move, one last turn, and I will be free from his embrace. With a very careful move, I finally manage to slip away. Run in a tiptoeing way to the bathroom, I immediately slip in my last night’s clothes the fastest way I can. Still, I carefully strode down the stairs and to the main door when I remember that it contains a passcode.

Shit! how did I forget? I scolded myself.

After a moment of pacing, I walked to the exit door at the kitchen, I tried my luck there.

Alas! It’s not locked. How can I be so dumb? If the entrance will not work, there sure is an exit.

Dumb Ale. How can you be so stupid and be irrational? Where are your brains? I run while scolding my growing stupidity.

Last night was great, and I never regret it that at least for once I loosen myself a little just like Allen said. But that’s it, It should end there and should no longer be happening again.

Approaching my car, I immediately dig in my pocket to look for the key…

The Key!

But, it was nowhere to be found. I tried to dig more in every available pocket for a possible misplacement. To my dismay, all are empty.

Hitting my head with my palm, I shouted as I realize that I might have dropped it somewhere in his house.

Ah!!! What a f***ing coincidence. Why now? For all the days' God has created for me, Why now? I cursed at the situation but it is more directly to my annoyance to my recklessness.

I decided to walk a little further, hoping to find any means of possible transportation nearby. I have no wallet as I left it inside the car nor any means to pay for a lift.

NOt long after, From afar, I feel relieved as I heard roaring engines passing by, which means that I am almost in the highway.

For some time, I keep on waving to every car for a possible lift, but luck is not on my side. No one has ever stopped for me.

Standing by a roadside like forever, I decided to look for a chance to call Sheila, but later gave up as I realize that she might inform my family about my whereabouts.

I know somehow that at this very moment, my dad already sent men to look for me. Thus, I still don't have the intention of going home just yet, I still want to sort things out first, now that Dauis is already in the picture. This made it more complicated.

I don't know either what comes to his beautiful head to decide such, yet I know he also has some interior motives.

Who cares? My main important focus for the moment is justice for mom. I will just cross the bridge when I get there, but for now, I still have a month left to rush things, hoping it to finish in no time.

In a distance, I saw a young man standing. Hoping against all hope that he can help me. I'm willing to pay him afterward if he can lend a phone to me.

“Excuse me,” I call out.

He just turns in my direction but never speaks a word. He simply waits for me to come near him.

“Uhm… hi.” I started as I reach him.

“Yes? How me I help you?” He asks in a very polite way. But what catches my attention is his not-so-familiar accent and his baritone voice.

“Do you have a phone with you?” I ask directly.

“I'm sorry but I did not bring my phone with me. But…” he stops for a while to look at me from head to toe. And being under his gaze made me feel uneasy.

“Oh, please don't mind my feet’s bareness, I have a car not far away from here, but I lost my key somewhere,” I said half of the truth.

Still, he looks at me in disbelief.

I know, that he is not convinced, but he simply smiles away which made him more attractive.

Oh dear heavens Ale, where did you really leave your brain, you have a lot of problems, yet you still have time to admire this man?

“Don't worry, I won't mind,” he says and smiles widely at me, trying to ease the situation. And yes, his smiles are a bit more comforting and very genuine.

“Thanks.”

“If you really need a call, my house is just a walk away from here, you can use the telephone there.” he offered.

With his words, I didn’t hide away my distrust. Which I know he felt too. It is my involuntary reflex towards strangers.

“Sorry don't get me wrong.” I apologize.

“Of course, but don't worry, parents are there too and we won't eat you alive.” he jokes and laughs at his own words which later on I join.

We walk side by side and not long after we reach his home.

“Mom?” he calls out.

A not-so-old, or I say not over 60 sophisticated woman appears in our front.

“Yes, hun? Something’s wrong?” she asks worriedly yet in a way.

“Oh no. I have a friend here, she needs a call so bring her along.”

That’s the time she turns to look at me.

“Oh dear, I'm sorry, I have not seen you immediately, please excuse my impoliteness.”

I smile and shake my head and said.

“Don't worry madam, that is okay with me.”

She smiles warmly too. I can see that she is a loving mother based on my initial assessment.

“You need to call? Come inside and feel at home. I will just prepare something for you to eat. You look tired.”

“Thank you.” we followed her inside and she pointed to the telephone stand before instructing his son to follow her to the kitchen and left me alone there giving me some privacy.

Dialing Sheila’s number, but later hang up, instead I dialed the one on Roldan.

“Hello?” a slightly hoarse voice greeted me, indicating that he had just woken up.

“Hey, it's me.”

“Ale?”

“Who else?” I answer him in a questioning manner as I roll my eyes.

“What’s up?”

“I need your help.”

“For?”

“I need you to pick me up, I am currently in Baler, Aurora–”

“Wait, What? What did you do there?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Didn't you bring along with your car? Or why can’t you just ride a bus.”

“Will you help me or not? Because if so, I will just look for somebody else to do so.”

Okay fine. Tell me your address, and please do extend your patience, you are very far.”

“Okay,” I told him my exact location before I hang up.

Just as I was about to look for this nameless man, he suddenly appear with his mom next to him.

“I assume that you are done?” The old lady.

“Oh yes madame, thank you so much.”

“That’s fine, and please call me Aunt Sonny,” she said gracefully extending her arms to call for a hug.

“I'm Ale Alforque. I’m from Manila, and due to some- you know, I drove until here last night, but since lucks are not on my side lately, I lost my key and it is nowhere to be found.” I explain. And responded to her hug.

“And I’m Xander.”

“I’m pleased to meet you both. I am truly grateful for the help.”

Suddenly, our chitchat was interrupted by a call, he excused himself and went outside to take the call.

“Oh, that’s fine. By the way, we are about to have our breakfast, why not join us instead?”

“Don't bother, you have helped me enough.”

“I insist.”

He reappeared after a while and joins us to head to the kitchen.

Later on, I eat with them, and I found out that they have just have arrived here a few weeks now from abroad. I quite admire how these two lovely people are so genuinely friendly despite to there newly acquainted individuals.

I somehow miss mom, If she is still here, I'm sure my life is not as difficult as this.

But fate has decided for me, whether I believe it or not, I should now continue and try to control my destiny.

I stayed there until Roldan arrive to fetch me up. We talk a lot and surprisingly, I enjoyed their company Xander is a serious but bubbly person, and his mom’s story with his dad is exceptional. I sometimes laugh at both their jokes which make me forget my current problems. I like the way they are toward each other, and I started to like his mom. Or maybe it is because I long for a mother’s attention.

I bid goodbye and we change contact information for maybe someday we can meet again.