Ustulation (Frisson Series 1)

CHAPTER 25

Promise

He cleaned Mariyah's house to divert his attention. He's been thinking about their situation. How Mariel cried hard just to protect her sister.

He checked his phone. Checking if Mariyah messaged him but nothing. Matunog s'yang bumuntong hininga at tumambay na lang sa pool.

Hindi n'ya sinabi kay Mariel kung saan s'ya pupunta. Sinabi nya lang na tungkol sa trabaho ito. He sighed. Pabigat nang pabigat ang nararamdaman niya. 

He needs Mariyah right now. She's the person who can calm him down. Sobrang bilis ng panyayare. Hindi n'ya alam kung paano ito susundan.

Tumititig s'ya sa mga kumukinang na bituin. Buti na lamang at maganda ang panahon ngayon. It relaxed him a little.

"It's cold, why are you here?"

Halos mabato s'ya sa kinauupan matapos marinig ang pamilyar na boses na iyon. He turned his head where the voice came.

His heart skipped a beat when his eyes met hers. She was standing wearing white top and black skinny jeans. She screams so much authority just standing there.

Natuyo ang lalamunan nya. Hindi alam kung saan hahagilapin ang tamang salita na dapat sabihin.

"At least wear long sleeve kung may plano kang tumambay dito." 

She walked toward him. Naninigas pa rin s'ya. Hindi makagalaw dahil sa presensya ni Mariyah. Hindi n'ya alam kung ito pakikitunguhan.

"M-Mariyah…"

She just looked at him. He watched how her chest moved because of breathing. How her eyes blink. It feels surreal. How many days was the last day he saw her?

"H-Hindi mo sinabing ngayon ang b-balik mo…" tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo. Halos magkalevel na ang mukha nila ngayon. Mariyah was tall plus the heels she was wearing. 

"Biglaan kaya hindi ko nasabi sayo." Umiwas ito ng tingin sa kaniya. "Pumasok na tayo. Baka sipunin ka." 

Umikot ito para pumasok sa bahay pero agad s'yang hinuli ang siko nito. He pulled her closer to him until their chest touched. Kumalat ang iilan-ilang buhok sa mukha ni Mariyah.

"Let's talk," aniya. Hinawi nya ang mga nakakalat na hibla ng buhok sa mukha nito.

He scanned her face. Walang pinagbago, mas lalo pa nga yatang gumanda ito. Walang kamake-make up ang mukha nito. Ang labi ay natural na namumula. She never leaves the house without makeup. It made him wonder if she left Canada without wearing any makeup.

"We will talk later." 

Hindi n'ya pa rin ito binitawan. He placed his hand on her small back. Mas lalo nya itong tinulak palapit sa kaniya. He noticed how her eyes softened.

"Bakit hindi na ngayon? I want to solve it as soon as possible." He wrapped his arms around her waist. Sinilip nya ang mukha nito.

Pagod itong ngumiti bago inalis ang braso nya sa bewang nito. He watched her every move.

"Not now, please. I'm really tired. I wanna rest." Tinalikuran s'ya nito at naunang pumasok.

He sighed. He can't force her to talk about it now. The tiredness is visible in her eyes. 

Sinundan nya ito. They ate dinner silently. Walang nagsasalita but at least he can see her now. Despite the silence, he feels relieved knowing the fact she's with him. 

"Saan mo gusto pumuweste?" Tukoy nya sa pwesto nito sa kama. They decided to sleep and he will never let slide the chance to be with her even in their sleep.