As She Dance With The Devil (BS #2)

Kabanata 17

Kabanata 17

Sariwa pa rin kay Luna ang balitang nabasa tungkol sa lalaking hindi na dapat niya pagtuonan ng pansin. Pero sa halip na pagtagumpayan niya ang pagtakwil dito sa isip niya, lalo lang siya nitong binabagabag at naiinis siya sa pakiramdam na iyon. Ni hindi niya matanggap na nakakaramdam siya ng selos sa babaeng malayang maging boyfriend si Ashton.

Mali itong mga naiisip niya pero hibang siya. Mahal niya ang binata na hindi na yata magbabago, kahit ano pa mang gawin niya.

"Hindi ka pa rin ba babalik sa bahay niyo, Luna?" Tanong ng ina kinagabihang linggo.

It's been three days since she decided to stay in her parents house. At sa nagdaang mga araw, ni anino ni Brix ay hindi man lang nagparamdam sa kanya. Hindi na niya inasahan na sumagot ito sa mga mensahe niya. Sawa at pagod na siyang umasa. Dalangin na lang niya ay magkahimala at bigla siyang sunduin nito. Kahit papaano ay patuloy naman niyang sinasabi rito kung nasaan siya at kung anong mga ginagawa niya.

"Why, mama? Didn't you like ate to stay? I'm happy she's here!" Singit ni Keis.

They all went to living room watching a movie after they had dinner. Nakaupo silang dalawa ni Keis sa carpeted floor habang ang mama at papa niya ay nasa mahabang sofa. Si Zane naman ay sa pang-isahang sofa nakaupo at tahimik na naglalaro sa cellphone nito.

"Hindi sa gano'n. Nag-aalala lang ako at baka hinahanap na ng Kuya Brix mo." Sagot ng mama nila na ang tingin ay nasa kanya.

She was about to say something when Zane intervene.

"Where is he, by the way?" Kunot noo nitong tanong, hindi makapaniwalang tinigilan nito ang ginagawa sa cellphone para makiusyoso sa buhay niya.

"Did Brix did something wrong to you, ate?" Dugtong pa nito nang hindi siya agad nakasagot.

Umiling siya't nginitian ito, giving him an assurance subalit kahit gano'n ay tila hindi ito kumbinsido.

"May kaunting tampuhan lang ang ate at kuya Brix mo." Sabat ng papa niya na tinanguhan niya upang sumang-ayon.

She heard him tsk and mutter something, causing her to sigh heavily. She had sensed from the beginning that he didn't approve of Brix.

Pilit inaabot ng asawa ang loob nito pero siya na ang nagsabi ritong hayaan na ang kapatid dahil gano'n lang talaga iyon.

"Zane, don't be like that to your ate and kuya." Saway ng mama niya.

"I'm just worried about her, Papa. Are you going to let Mama leave and not see each other for a long time just because of a fight?"

Hindi nakasagot ang mga magulang nila. Nagkatinginan na lang dahil may punto ang anak doon. Her brother is a prodigy, a man who cannot be easily deceived and who analyzes everything, which is why she's afraid to show her true emotions to him. She doesn't want him to worry and ultimately reject Brix.

"If he's a decent man, he would have been here by now," sambit pa nito na hindi na lang niya pinansin.

On the other hand, Keis looked at her with concern. She gently stroked her hair and smiled reassuringly.

"Ate, is Kuya right? Did he really hurt you? Why is he still not visiting you?" Mahinang usisa nito.

"He's busy, Keis. Don't worry, we're okay." Pagpapanatag niya rito.

"I still don't trust that guy." Zane snorted, then cast a menacing glare in her direction.

"Zane!" Sabay na saway ng magulang nila.

Tumayo at umalis si Zane doon, iniwan sila.
She sadly watched him walk away, his figure receding into the distance as he ascended.

Somehow, she felt proud of her brother. She knew he was decent man and would never harm a woman. Perhaps he just didn't want to see her hurt, which is why he reacted this way.