Deceret Series #1: His Lips On My Neck

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

"Philodemus!"

Mabilis kong hinawakan ang kamao niya bago pa man ito lumapat sa namumulang mukha ni Jack. Some people in the dancefloor have already stopped dancing because of the commotion.

Galit na napalingon sa akin si Philodemus. Tinumbasan ko ang intensidad ng kaniyang mga titig. I pursed my lips.

"Lumabas na tayo..." malamig kong wika. He opened his mouth to protest but saw the bouncer running towards our direction. Malakas siyang napamura at hinigit ako palabas.

Nagpakaladkad nalang din ako ngunit nang makalabas na kami ay hinigit ko pabalik ang kamay ko mula sa kaniya.

"Teka nga!" inis kong wika.

He stopped and then turned to me. Staring at me darkly, his lips curled downwards in disapproval.

"You're drunk, Stormie."

Heck, yeah. I am. "Eh ano ngayon?" taas-noo kong tanong sa kaniya. "You don't go around punching people, Philodemus!" I scolded.

"Oh, yeah?" sarkastiko nitong sagot sa akin. "What do you want me to do? Just watch you getting drunk and dancing with other men?" he said in a controlled anger.

I heaved an irritated sigh. "Pakialam mo ba, ha? Friends lang tayo, diba? Si Shantel ang girlfriend mo!" I exploded.

His eyes widened for a bit. Saglit na nawala ang iritasyon at galit sa kaniyang mukha samantalang ako nama'y pulang-pula. I cursed myself inside of my head. Bakit ko ba sinabi iyon?!

"What are you... oh, shit." Napasapo siya sa kaniyang sentido. He must've realized what I am trying to say. Biglang lumambot ang ekspresiyon sa kaniyang mukha. Philodemus took a step forward and gently tugged my elbow. "Stormie..."

"Huwag mo nga akong hawakan!" bulyaw ko sa kaniya, nangingilid na ang mga luha.

Imbes na pakawalan ako ay niyakap niya pa ako. Nagwawala ako pero hindi niya ako binitawan. Ikinulong niya ako sa malalakas niyang bisig. I buried my face into his chest as tears streamed down my face.

"Baby..."

"Don't fucking call me your baby, Philodemus..." tumigil ako sa pagsasalita. He crouched and searched for my eyes. Hindi pa rin niya ako pinapakawalan.

"Your sister is not and will never be my girlfriend, okay?" mahinahon niyang wika.

"But she said it earlier—"

"She only said it to keep Ethan away. She was scared. Humingi na siya ng tawad sa akin kanina."

Tears continue to blur my eyes. everyone watching the scene earlier heard about what Shantel said. Soon, it will spread all over the campus. They will be recognized as real couple and nobody will know about us except Allen. Mananatiling tago ang relasyon naming dalawa habang sila namang dalawa ni Shantel ay halos sambahin na ng lahat.

My heart clenched inside of my chest.

I've always been the second best. Compared to my perfect sister, I am always the ungifted. The black sheep. The disappointment in our family.

Pati ba naman kay Philodemus, pangalawa pa rin ako...?

Naiyak ako lalo. Parang gusto kong magsisi na itinago pa namin ang relasyon naming dalawa. But what can I do? I can't risk being exiled to Cremona again. Mababaliw na talaga ako nang tuluyan kapag ipinasok pa nila ulit ako sa sanatorium.

"Stormie...?" I could hear the worry in his voice. Hinigpitan niya ang yakap sa akin. "Please, baby, don't cry..." he groaned in frustration.

Humihikbi lang ako habang nakayakap sa kaniya. Naaawa ako sa sarili ko. For years, I have tried to separate myself from Shantel but her shadow and the shadow of my family will continue to haunt me. Hindi ko sila matakasan.