Garden of Wounds (Panacea Series #1)

Chapter 42

"Don't mind him. Kumain na kayo rito. Baka malipasan kayo," mahinahon kong saad.

Atharv sat beside me. I asked him what he wants to eat and he pointed the rice and adobo. Pinaghandaan ko ito at sinalinan siya ng tubig. Tahimik itong kumain habang nanonood. Nanatiling tahimik ang hapag. Hindi nagsasalita si Kazuo dahil galit ito at abala naman si Atharv sa panonood.

We were like that until a news flashed on the TV. Hindi ko na sana papansinin ito ngunit si natigilan si Atharv sa kan'yang kinakain. He tilted his head on the side, looks like he's pissed.

I turn my attention to the TV. I am chewing my food slowly while watching.

"Ang babae ay isang high school student na natagpuan na lamang na maraming saksak. Base sa imbestigasyon, ginahasa muna ito bago pinatay nang tuluyan..."

"Fuck rapists," he whispered. Malakas niyang ibinagsak ang kubyertos at nagpaalam sa aking aakyat sa kan'yang kuwarto. He lost his appetite upon watching the news.

My eyes narrowed. Nagkibit-balikat na lamang ako at hindi ko na rin itinuloy ang aking pagkain. Nawalan rin ako ng gana dahil hindi ko maatim kung bakit may gan'yang tao. I don't get why they have to rape someone and kill them afterwards! What's the point of raping someone? May nakukuha ba sila? Satisfaction? Pleasure? Damn those demons!

"I'll drive my own car. Kay Zavion ka sumama," Kazuo spoke slowly as he watched Zavion waiting for me to get inside of his car.

We're going to Isabela to catch Ambrielle. Ayaw talaga magpaawat ni Kazuo. Tumango ako sa kan'ya at dumiretso kay Zavion. I felt guilty when I saw his tired eyes. He kissed the top of my head and smiled at me.

Pagkarating pa lang niya, inaya na niya agad si Kazuo na umalis papuntang Isabela. Ayaw ko pa sana muna dahil dapat ay magpahinga muna siya ngunit kagaya ni Kazuo, nangangailiti rin siya sa galit.

"I told you, you can take a rest first," I sighed. "Or ako na lang ang magmamaneho. Let's exchange seats."

"No, I'm fine."

"Zavion naman..."

"What?" He let out a short laugh. "Ayos lang naman ako. I'm not really tired at all."

As I got inside of his car, nervousness and fear filled my heart. He noticed it quickly so he put his hands on top of mine.

Ambrielle's face flashed in my mind. Ang madilim na langit... umuulan... ang abandonadong building.

Lahat n'on ay nanumbalik sa aking isipan. My knees trembled in fear. I didn't know but I got panic attacks so I suddenly cry.

"Elvi..." He softly called my name. "Shh. Don't worry, don't worry. Hinding-hindi ka niya mahahawakan."

His other hand are holding the steering wheel to drive. The other one is wiping my tears gently and sweetly. Tumahan ako nang mapansin kong wala sa daan ang kan'yang atensyon. I took a deep breath and pointed the road.

"Don't be afraid now. I'm here. I'm with you," Zavion looked at my eyes sincerely. "No one can hurt you as long as I'm alive..."

"Focus," I said.

He gritted his teeth. "Hinding-hindi makakalusot sa akin 'yang si Ambrielle. I can't get over with the fact that I used to live with him! Noon pa lang, he has the potential to be a rapist. Dapat pinagsasabihan ko na siya!"

Mariin akong napapikit at inalala ang nakaraan.

Gago siya. Putangina niya. Kadiri siya. Demonyo siya.

"Baby," he breathe heavily. "Makakapatay ako ng tao kapag ikaw ang usapan."

"Hinding-hindi ka na niya mahahawakan pang muli..." he assured me.