My Love My Hero, Hanz (UNEDITED)(COMPLETED)

24

"ANGELI, please..."

She backed away. Hindi magkandatuto sa pagbubukas ng French door. Hanz's gut churned sickeningly. Her expression rocked him. Her eyes brimmed with pain and fear.

"Think, Angeli," banayad niyang sabi. "I'd rather die than hurt you. Kung gusto kitang saktan, maraming pagkakataon para magawa ko iyon. Sa dagat, noong abutan ka ng pagtaas ng tubig. It would have been so easy..."

Sandaling nahinto sa pagbubukas ng pinto si Angeli at napalingon. Sinamantala iyon ni Hanz. His instinct took over. Kung hindi'y baka kung ano ang maisip nitong gawin kapag nakalabas ng pinto.

Sa dalawang hakbang ay nasa harap na siya ng dalaga. He grabbed Angeli's arms, anger at himself taking the gentleness out of his touch.

"No! Stay away from me!" sigaw nito kasabay ng pagpipiglas at panlalaban.

"Oh, Angeli," wika niya at mahigpit na ikinulong sa mga bisig ang dalaga. "Calm down, sweetheart, and let's talk. Please, nakikiusap ako. Calm down... I'm not going to hurt you."

The pain in his voice stilled her. Kasabay niyon ay ang pagluluwag ng pagkakayakap ni Hanz dito. He brushed his lips softly against her temple.

"It's okay, baby... it's okay," bulong niya.

"Y-you're not going to kill me?" tanong niya sa nanginginig na tinig.

"Damn it, Angeli, this isn't fair!" Hindi niya mapigil ang pagtaas ng tinig and hating himself at the same time. And he fought for control. Ano man ang mangyari, he had to make sure she got out of this mess unharmed.

"And what's fair, Hanz?!" she said angrily. Nalimutan ang takot sa pagtaas ng tinig ni Hanz. 

"Iyong pinag-uusapan ninyo ni Luke kung ano ang gagawin ninyo sa akin?"

Pinakawalan niya si Angeli. Huminga nang malalim. Then rubbed his forehead in anguish. 

"Luke's not going to hurt you. I... I just can't explain. Not now. All I'm asking is for you to trust me. Please, Angeli."

Walang mahagilap na sasabihin si Angeli. Nakatitig lang kay Hanz. Bagaman nasa dibdib pa rin ang takot, something deeper and more irresistible than instinct cried out for her to believe him. At gusto niyang kamuhian ang sarili dahil doon. For caring... for loving him still.

Loving him? Oh, Lord!

Through a blur of tears, humakbang siya pabalik sa kama at naupo roon, suddenly feeling tired. So tired.

Lumapit si Hanz. He squatted in front of her. Ginagap ang mga palad niya at hinagkan iyon.

"Believe me, Angeli, I will do everything in my power to get you out of this mess unharmed."

I love you, Hanz. Gusto niyang sabihin, subalit hindi makuhang lumabas ng tinig niya.

Tumayo si Hanz at hinagkan siya sa noo. "Ihahatid kita sa inyo bukas, pangako." Pagkasabi niyo'y lumakad na ito patungo sa pinto at lumabas.