Chapter 17: Double Meaning
SHE was thinking about her bestfriend's whereabout.
Where are you, Winona? You're not safe. Oh my god, what I have done? Balisa siyang dumiretso sa pinto papasok.
Nasalubong niya si Shawn na nabatid agad ang kakaiba sa kanyang expression. "Are you alright?" Hinawakan nito ang magkabila niyang braso. "Anong nangyari?" He even leveled her just to see her eyes.
I have to see her. I have to meet Winona. I have to warn her.
"Hey?" Shawn worriedly asked.
Tumingin siya sa paa niya upang iwasan ang nagdududang mga tingin ni Shawn. Hindi niya dapat malaman ang nararamdaman niya o kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit siya ganito. I have to protect Winona. From all, to anyone even to Shawn. Hindi siya mapakali, gusto niyang tawagan si Winona pero paano niya gagawin iyon kung andito si Shawn?
Collecting herself she closed her eyes for second before looking up to meet Shawn's worried eyes. "You're home?" She acted shock and excited.
Iyon ang pagkakamali niya dahil lalong nagduda si Shawn. His brows remained curly, "Yes." Tumagilid ito kaya't nakita niya si Winona.
"Winona?" she called out of surprised and run towards Vika. Niyakap niya ito agad ng sobrang higpit. Humiwalay siya upang i-check ang mga kamay nito. "You're real!"
Tumingin si Winona kay Shawn dahil sa gulat, pero nahuli nitong nakatingin kay Jyra. "Oo naman, Winona. Mukhang wala ka sa sarili, okay ka lang ba?"
Jyra chuckled. "I had a nightmare. Naka-iglip ako sa patio habang nagkakape. I'm sorry."
"Go along ladies." Ani Shawn, titig na titig kay Winona. Habang paakyat ng hagdan ay nahuli pa ni Jyra na sumingkit ang mata nito.
Huminga siya nang malalim bago hinila si Winona paupo sa sofa. "Why you're here?" she asked curiously, and she's thankful as well that she came in there.
"I'm not alone," Winona thrilled.
"What do you mean?"
Lumingon si Winona sa bukas na pinto, senyales na pumasok si Pause.
Dala ng gulat at labis na pananabik ay agad tumayo si Jyra. Impit siyang tumili bago lumapit dito. "Oh my god. Oh my god!" Niyakap niya ito ng buong gigil. "I miss you, Pause."
Humiwalay agad si Pause sa kanya upang titigan siya ng masama. "Nakakainis ka. Hindi mo sinabing ganito pala ka-hunk sa personal ang kapatid ni Winona. Goddamn it, ang yum yum niya."
Jyra can't help but laugh heartily. "I miss you because of that," she even pinched his cheek.
Inirapan siya ni Pause. "Hindi dapat kami pupunta rito. Nagkataon kasing nasira 'yung tire ng SUV at ang masuwerteng hunky mong kapatid ang napadaan. He gave us a lovely help. Hindi ako tatanggi sa offer niya Jyra. Damn, he's smoking hot on his dirty clothes. Grrrr!" He even scratched the air just like a cat does but a flirting and devilish way.
Umiiling at nangingiti sa gilid si Winona habang siya'y naluluha na sa kakatawa.
"Dapat nakita mo ang ginawa ni Pause," Si Winona takip ang bibig mula sa paghagikgik. Nanginginig ang magkabilang balikat nito.
"Let me guess. He holds Shawn's hard arms and pretended he cannot stand so he asked for his helped. Shawn held him into his chest and they kissed."
"Ang o.a. lang." Si Pause tumitirik ang mga mata habang nakanguso.
"Oy, aminin mo iyon ang gusto mong gawin pero hindi mo magawa." Jyra let out a teasing smirked. "Kasi baka suntukin ka niya!" Humagalpak siya nang tawa bago bumulong ng I love you.
"Kamusta ka naman rito?"
Tumingin siya kay Winona dahil sa tanong nito. "Okay naman. Bakit pala nasira 'yung gulong?"
"Sorry. Flat tire lang pala, hindi nasira." Pagtama ni Pause, lumapit ito kay Winona para maupo na rin. "Next week, Vika will be out of town. Her schedules for this month is fully booked outside of the country."
She wanted to be happy for her but guilt keeps on shading on it. Agad siyang sumikip sa upuan para hawakan sa parehas na kamay si Winona. "You have to be extra careful. Don't trust anyone except me, and Pause. If someone approaches you, and say anything about Vika's past, don't believe in that. Do you understand?" She seriously squeezes her hand.
Winona curiously nodded her head. "May problema ba?"
"Nothing. I know Pause will take care of you." She weakly smiled before darting her eyes to Pause. Nahuli niyang sumeryoso ito bago tumango sa kanya. "You should hire a bodyguard for her."
Tumalim ang titig sa kanya ni Pause.
Lumingon din si Winona rito bago bumaling sa kanya. "I trust, Malik too."
Hindi siya umimik. Masyado pang maraming nakabinbing issue kay Malik tungkol sa kanya at sa pamilya nito. Ang tungkol kay Winona at Malik ay hindi niya pa naiisip pero sa ngayon ay dapat ilayo kay Cielo si Winona. Malakas ang kutob niyang ito ang apple of the eye nito. At ang pagkaka-flat ng gulong ay maaaring hindi aksidente, na sana ay ganoon nga lang at walang kinalaman kay Cielo.
"Wala namang nangyaring masama sa inyo after the accident? Did paparazzi followed you here?"
"Don't worry. It was a minor accident. Malik already hired a hidden bodyguard for Vika, she's safe," Pause declared.
Naging tahimik sila noong makababa si Shawn. He's in his white shirt and ripped jeans. Bagong ligo kaya hindi niya maiwasang punain ang reaction ni Pause.
Pause looks grilled shrimp of having a wide eye and stun.
Kahit sa hapag kainan ay hindi niya mapigilang ngumiti, bagay na ikinatataka ni Shawn.
"We're very thankful for your presence, Shawn. Maybe next time we can invite you for a dinner too." Pause teased her brother before they get in the SUV.
"Sure." Lumingon ito kay Winona. "You should go now and rest from tedious work."
Winona looks amazed at her brother but she hides it through drawing a genuine smile on her lips. "Thank you."
Instead of closing the gate, Shawn remained looking on the car. "Winona."
Huminto siya para lingonin ito. "What?"
Shawn was now looking at her. And she can feel that he will drop all his curiosity since yesterday. Hindi kasi sila nagkasabay kumain nito ng hapunan kagabi. Tumingin ito sa kanyang kamay bago nagsalita, "Bakit ka may sugat?"
"Nahiwa. Titikman ko sana 'yung orange tapos ayon." She grimace her hand on the air and winked. "Malayo sa bituka. Why?"
Shawn shrugged. "Palagi kang nasusugatan kapag magkasama kayo ni Malik—"
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