Strokes of a Painter

Kabanata 8

Kabanata 8

Trouble

Fej remained still as the man's voice echoed inside the house calling Rowan's name. Maybe it was the child's father?

There was a long silence afterwards that all she could hear was the sounds of the crickets and other weird animal sounds hidden somewhere behind the bushes. 

She waited until Rowan came out from the door. His head was down and he wasn't bringing anything. 

"Ate Fej! You can get inside. My D-ad wants to know you," he nervously said. 

Kahit masakit ang kanyang isang tuhod ay pinilit niyang makatayo. Kinakabahan siya dahil baka pagalitan pa nito ang bata. They went inside the house and Rowan guided her to the sofa. Inilibot niya ang paningin sa kabuoan ng bahay. The house was cozy. It gave you a warm and comfortable feeling due to the soft music that filled the corners of the house. 

The interior of the house was a combination of white and black colors and has a touch of a modern style down to the furnitures. They have home theater tv and 360 Xbox. Very cool and nice place. The house looked spacious because of the minimal furnitures.  

"Kukunin ko lang po ang first aid kit," paalam ni Rowan. 

The boy ran towards the stairs. Now, that she was alone, she could sense another aura inside the house. Hindi siya mapakali dahil parang may nagmamasid sa kanya. Napatingin siya sa kanyang tuhod na ngayon ay medyo natutuyo na ang dugong nagkalat sa kanyang tuhod. 

Kinalas niya ang kanyang dalang backpack at itinabi. Masakit din pati ang ibang parte ng katawan niya. She leaned her back and rested her head at the backrest of the sofa. Pumikit siya at huminga ng malalim. 

Nag-aalala siya dahil baka hinahanap na siya nila Chiney. Sana naman ay makauwi na siya bago sumapit ang gabi dahil paniguradong mag-aalala sila pati na ang Lola niya. Kagagaling pa naman nito sa stroke. 

Fej was still in that position when she heard footsteps coming towards her. She didn't bother to open her eyes. Nakiramdam lang siya sa bawat galaw nito. 

Nagpasya siyang magmulat ng mga mata nang wala na siyang marinig na mga yabag. She couldn't believe what her eyes were seeing. Napakusot siya sa kanyang mga mata at baka namamalikmata lang siya. Pero kahit anong gawin niya ay walang nagyari. 

She bit her lower lip as her eyes stared at the man who has been disturbing her dreams. She couldn't believe she was actually seeing him after their last encounter. He looked well and healthy. He was wearing a tattered white sando and shorts. 

She couldn't take her eyes off of his muscles that were proudly showed due to his clothes. His hair was tied from the back and he looked so damn hot. 

Tho his face was quite serious as he stared blankly at her. She was glad that he couldn't see dahil baka nakita nito ang paraan ng pagtitig niya. She felt her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. She should get a grip of herself. Para namang ngayon lang siya nakakita ng gwapo. 

She cleared her throat. 

"Sorry for the bother," she said in between heartbeats. 

 Nakita niya ang pag-iba ng expresiyon nito sa mukha at kumunot ang noo nito. 

"So it's you..." His voice was making her head swim. 

Fej didn't know what to say. He really has a sharp memory in distinguishing once voice. Sabi nila matalas ang pandinig kapag ganitong hindi ka nakakakita dahil they most of the time rely on their sense of hearing and of course sense of t-ouch...

 Mas lalong dumoble ang kaba niya ng bahagya itong lumapit sa sofa. Baka isipin nitong sinusundan niya ito. She couldn't think clearly. 

"A-h, yeah. I got lost. Naiwan kasi ako sa mga kasama ko tapos naaksidente pa ako habang hinahanap ang daan pabalik. Rowan found me and decided to lend a help kaya here I am," mabilis na sambit niya. 

"What a small world," his lips curving in a cynical smile. 

"If you don't want to believe me then..." 

"You can stay for a while. We need to tend your wound," he gritted his teeth. "Then you can leave after. You have helped me before so think of this as my payment," he sounded mad. 

He turned his back and left her alone. 

Dumating si Rowan at ginamot niya ang kanyang sugat. Iniwan muna siya nito at pumunta sa kusina. Pagbalik ng bata ay may dala na itong baso na may laman. 

"My Dad said you need to drink this po," inabot nito ang baso sa kanya. 

Napakunot ang noo niya ng tanggapin ang baso. Napangiwi siya ng amuyin ang nasa baso. 

"What's this?" Baka balak pa nitong lasunin niya, tsk. 

"Drink it. Walang lason 'yan." Bigla na lang itong sumulpot sa kung saan. 

Ha? Paano nalaman nito ang iniisip niya? Tumawa si Rowan at lumapit sa kanyang ama. 

"It's some kind of a herbal po." 

Napanguso siya at tumango. Kahit hindi maganda ang lasa ay tiniis niyang ubusin ang laman nito. Napaubo pa siya ng maubos na. Parang kinilabutan ang kanyang katawan sa pangit ng lasa. 

Tumawang muli sa Rowan sa reaksiyon niya kaya nahawa na rin ito at sinabayan ang anak sa pagtawa. Pinagkakaisahan siya ng dalawang 'to. Hmp!

Pinipigilan niya ang mapangiti. Her heart melted as she watched the two of them laughed together. Rowan was like a little version of him. 

He looked good when he smile and laugh and he seemed harmless. Nakakaintimidate kasi kapag seryoso ito at nakakatakot. 

She wondered kung nasaan ang ina ni Rowan.

 Sa isiping may asawa na ito ay parang unti-unting naninikip ang dibdib niya. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. She needed to get back home as soon as possible. 

She didn't like the way her heart beats every time she looked at him. 

Gosh! She's in trouble!