To Love and Avenge

Chapter 16 Escape

After fetching me from Xander’s residence, and on our way to the city, Roldan never once stopped nagging me about what really happened.

“Come on Ale, I drive all the way here from Manila In this early and you won't tell me what is really happening?”

I sigh. I don’t have any intention of sharing this with anyone but I bet he won't stop.

“We discussed yesterday at home about the betrothal, I just need some air so I drove until here.” I started.

"for hours?" he asked wide-eyed which I only nod in response.

“Is that all?” he asks, glancing in my direction still doubting my answer.

“Of course, what else then?” I asked him back tiredly.

“So where is your car?” he can only ask.

“I left it somewhere, I lost my key and the tire is flat. I already called the insurance to pick it up.” he nodded but I know somehow that he doesn't buy my sh*t.

“Should I send you home now?” he asked instead without glancing in my direction.

“No!” my voice raises a little louder making him step the break in no time. sensing the panic in my voice, he parked the car at the roadside before he turned to face me.

“It’s not a simple betrothal is it?” he guessed.

“It was the worst, and I made it, even more, the worst,” I explain while frustratingly gesturing my hands as if this could help me better explain to him. But by his look? It seems that he became more puzzled and lost. explaining myself is nonsense and impossible. Guess, no one really understands. It's the 21st century, yet arranging marriage still exists. How pathetic elderlies could be.

“Never mind, let’s keep going.” I sigh in defeat, I guess no one really understands it. Even to me, it is so troublesome. How can I get myself into this situation? Or maybe- I could just bang my head hard on the shield so I can wake up from this tormenting nightmare.

Understanding well my frustrations, he never asked again, instead...

He turned on his radio, only to hear a word from the DJ informing the listeners that someone will take over for a moment as there is an important message to deliver.

“Sorry for the inconvenience but I rather do it here, you might help me through.” he started and pause for a while.

“Hi fellow listener, we have a guest here, I bet he has come to ask for your help, I hope we can.” the Dj interrupted.

“What is it Mr. Dauis Suarez?” he later continued.

Upon hearing his name from the Dj, the familiarity of the voice explains to me. I involuntarily cover my hands on my small face and (URGHH…) in frustration when I heard him say…

“My fiancee, for the moment, is missing, and I’ve been looking for her for quite some time now, I know, it's quite childish of me to disturb your precious time, but I cannot lose her,” he said in a very mournful way.

This time, Roldan who’s sitting beside me already facing my direction, his eyes widen as he might have already anticipated things in advance and been connecting the dots based on my reaction.

“She is 6’ tall or more, fair skin complexion, and long wavy hair that reaches the waist. Her name is Ale Alforque, if you happen to see her, you may reach me at this # 0905 …..51, I will give something to those who can help. And for you my love, Please come back to me.”

“Liar!” That’s it, and I reach out and whack to turn off the radio. Not wanting to hear more of his lies.

Roldan now is eyeing me, dumbfounded by my sudden reaction.

"Hey, easy woman. you might break it," he said.

I look at him apologetically and he only nods, still waiting for me to explain my side.

“Am I helping the escaping fiancee?” he asked cautiously. I hate the way he stares at me now, it's like I'm under investigation, and should have no room for lies.

“Help me escape, yes, but the missing fiancee is a lie. I never once become his fiancee. We don’t even have a relationship, to begin with.” I responded defensively completely avoiding his gaze.

“You know what? I know you are not telling the truth either, If so, I might hand you over to him to settle things out.” he threatened.

“Why are you youngsters today always make your lives very complicated? when in fact all you have to do is sit face to face and talk things like a real adult.” he continued lecturing me and started the engine back to life and started to maneuver it back to where we came from.

“Don’t dare turn back the car.” I plead.

“Okay, tell me everything,” he said without glancing in my direction. I know he is serious about going back there.

“The betrothal I told you was the worst thing to happen, as the merging of the company relied on this marriage. If not, the majority of the share will be distributed to the chosen charities. That is when I am still unmarried when I reach 30 next month, the option is to marry someone I don't know, only my grandfather set for me. But there is a but here, an exemption. If I happen to get married before my 30th the betrothal will automatically be dissolved. So to escape, I told them that I already have a fiancee, which worsen the situation.”

“So why not marry your fiance then? This Dauis?” he asks, trying to get my point.

“He isn’t my fiancee. We are actually like cats and dogs, but he is my brother’s best friend, I ran away from home and drove in the car until it broke down near the seashore. I want to cool down so I lay there and only then does he happen to be around too-”

“What a coincidence,” he commented.

I roll my eyes in his response. Roldan is some kind of hopeless romantic type of guy. That is why at some point I understand his excitement when he heard about the marriage thing.

I later on directed him to an unfamiliar place, to change the topic as I don't want to talk about it anymore, he later questioned but still followed as instructed.

“Why d’you have to hide?”

“It's for the time being. I still have a lot of things to do and this marriage is very out of the context. Surely my dad right now already sent men to find me.” I worriedly said. Despite my annoyance at his drastic decision for me, not even considering how I might feel, I still feel worried for him. He is still my dad after all. And maybe we just both need time to think.

“Just a piece of advice my dear, no matter how far you’ve gone and hide you do to escape you still have to face it.” with a concerned look in his eyes he said. It is an advice from a father, I wanted to consider his words, but as of now, submitting myself to them is like suicide.

I nod, indicating that I fully understand his words. I know he does to me too.

“It's better for you to settle this out early.”

“Someday, you will understand me, and so they are. So as for the moment. Please bear with me.”

“Of course, It was just fatherly advice, I know where you were coming from. Trust me when I say I will help you all the way with your mom’s case…”

“Thank you.” I smiled and reach to hug him.

“Thank me when you already find yourself.” this startled me. I don’t seem to understand his word but I think he is meaning an important thing here.

“What do you mean?”

“You are being too hard for yourself, Ale, you are beautiful, inside and out. But you are hardened by the past. You never tend to look at the other side of the world as your world only evolves from the past. You hold grudges too much.”

He pauses to glance at me. And wait for my response, which I didn't so he continued.

“Soften a little, you might realize that the world is already far behind you. Look around sweetie, you’ve missed a lot.” his words hit me. It is indeed true. I know that I am needing it too, but I chose to be what I think is right.

I sometimes feel like locking myself behind doors and crying myself out. And I don't mind at all. Cry out up to the point that no tears to shed anymore. I wanted to go back to what I was before. Only if I can change the past… yet, it has happened and I can’t go back. I have to forget the yelling child inside me and be the Ale I am now.

I always wanted to share my battling pain with someone, but I can’t afford to have them a glimpse of my weakness. I'm afraid.

I should go out strong and indestructible, not the one that I have been hiding since that day.

“In time, always bear in mind that I and my wife are just a call away. We will be more willing to help you.” he reminded. I constantly hear this kind of word from him. Of course, I know his wife. She is the total opposite to mom at least in terms of attitude. She is soft-spoken and she looks so fragile while mom is tough and disciplinarian- for which I am thankful.

I nod and closed my eyes showing him that I no longer want to discuss it. This is always how we end our conversation when he started to talk about me.

I wanted to rest and shut off myself for a moment. My every limb is yelling for rest. I am tired all over, my mind, my body, and my heart.

I wanted to escape from everyone and be lost. Just Escape.