Bed of Flames✅

CHAPTER 9

Chapter 9

I rolled my eyes, not giving him the satisfaction after his last words. Tumalikod nalang ako at nag-umpisang maglakad. But he's really stubborn, following me wherever I go. He really has the guts to piss me off! And it's working on me!

"Who told you that? Hindi ko alam 'yon, a!" humalakhak siya.

"You're a playboy, of course, you'll deny it."

Binilisan ko pa ang paglalakad hanggang sa umabot kami sa hallway ng grade nine at grade ten. Marahan niya akong hinigit kaya napahinto ako. Naiiritang nilingon siya at pinukol ng masamang tingin.

"What?!"

"Hindi ko girlfriend si Cleopatra. Wala ako no'n... sa ngayon." marahang sabi niya sa panghuling salita.

Nanliit ang mga mata ko. Of course, sasabihin niya iyon! He's a playboy, ilang babae na kaya ang dumaan sa kanya? And he's really denying his relationship to others, how dare he? Well, I don't care. I also play with boys. Parehas lang kami...

Ay hindi pala. Siya, dine-deny ang girlfriend niya. Ako, pinangangalandakan ko mga boyfriend ko. There's a huge difference for that.

Right now, I'm stick to my principle. I would never be on his list.

"Then make her your girlfriend and stop pestering me around!" I snapped.

"Hindi ko siya gusto at wala rin akong balak na ligawan siya. She's nothing to me, Ashka. Kung manliligaw man ako, sisiguraduhin kong gusto ko ang taong iyon."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Image of him courting someone he likes pisses me. I feel like my whole system has been engulfed with fire. The dying ember just found its light and produces unfathomable existence. Flames.

I badly want to hit him. I badly want to! But I keep myself strained and serious, unable to express my indignation towards him.

"What are you waiting for? Ligawan mo na kung sino man ang gusto mo!"

Though my voice filled with bitterness, I had managed to make it straightforward and focus. Side of his lips rose. His amusement is visible with my eyes. Mas lalo lang akong naiinis!

I don't even know where this indignant comes from. What's wrong with me? Maganda nga iyon kasi ititigil na niya ang pangungulit sa akin! But my mind speaks the other way around. Damn it.

"Bakit? Magpapaligaw ka ba?" seryosong aniya.

I stiffened and seriously looked at him. Did I hear it right? Or am I hallucinating things in my mind? That can't be, right? Bakit naman siya manliligaw sa akin?

Kumalabog ang dibdib ko. Hindi naman sa assuming ako o ano. But what I heard was true! I can't be mistaken! He just asked me... I looked at him with my confused face, he's serious. Walang kahit anong bahid ng pagbibiro ang muka niya habang matamang nakatitig sa akin.

I have a lot of suitors back then but I don't feel anything towards them once they court and express their love for me. However, this guy in front, even if he only asked me kung magpapaligaw ba ako... It really hits different. My heart's beating just won't stop and every second it will go wilder and faster!

"Y-You're kidding, right?" I laughed awkwardly as I withdrew after everything he said.

His face's expression didn't change even after I said that. Right now, his eyes were like a hawk. He seems offended. Napalunok ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. Parang tumaas ang lebel ng dugo ko. Goodness!

"Hindi ko kailanman ginawang biro ang bagay na ganito. At totoong gusto kita, Ashka. Manliligaw ako sa'yo kung ipahihintulot mo. Pwede ba... akong manligaw?"