Us Against the World (Louisiana Series #5)

Kabanata 31

31 – Nightmare 

Para akong na-estatuwa sa pagpasok niya sa aming maliit na bahay. His eyes immediately went to me. I pursed my lips and forced a smile. Ang mga kamay ko ay na sa aking likuran. Malakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko sa nahanap ngunit hindi ko iyon agad binigyan ng kahulugan. He wouldn't do that. He's not heartless. He was mad last night but he wasn't livid. I know him and he wouldn't do that. 

Kumunot ang kaniyang noo nang mapansin ang kaba ko. Inilapag niya sa lamesa ang pagkaing binili bago inilagay ang wallet sa kaniyang itim na jacket. I looked down and sat down the bed. Kinagat ko ang pang-ibaba kong labi bago siya tinignan. 

"What's wrong?" he asked. 

Umiling ako at hindi agad nakasagot. I sniffed and stared at him. Nagpatuloy siya sa paghahain habang ako ay patuloy ang tumatakbo sa isipan. I took the blanket to cover my shaking hands. 

"Nothing.. I felt tired all of a sudden." pagsisinungaling ko. 

He nodded at me. "Let's eat first before you rest." 

I didn't wanna eat and I wasn't sleepy either. I don't know. Alam kong hindi ko dapat iniisip ang mga bagay na iniisip ko ngayon, ngunit hindi ko mapigilan. I wanted to cry because of Lolo. Gusto ko siyang puntahan. Anong nangyari? Paanong nangyari iyon? 

"N-no.. I wanna sleep.." I gulped hard. "Bukas na lang ako kakain" 

Bumaling siya sa akin matapos ayusin ang lamesa. He went to me and touched my forehead using the back of his hand. He frowned a little when he knew my temperature wasn't that high, but I was feeling sick. I even wanted to flinch with his touch. 

"Are you okay?" 

Tumango agad ako. "Yes.." 

"You don't look like it." 

Marahan niyang hinimas ang braso ko. I am not okay. I just discovered that my Grandfather is critical in the ICU and I can't even go there without starting a fight between us and my family. Pilit kong pinigilan ang luha ko. 

"Of course, I am okay. Why wouldn't I be?" 

Bumuntong-hininga siya. "Alright. Take a rest. Susunod din ako." 

I nodded and lay down. A lone tear fell from my eye and I immediately wiped it. I covered my body with the blanket because I felt cold. I kept on pinching my fingers under it. Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili kong magtanong. 

"What happened to the work you said earlier?" 

I closed my eyes and a tear fell again. I don't want to suspect him because I know he will never do that. I know him. But seeing him last night when Lolo called, it was different. He was willing to make this ugly. He was willing because it was for me. And he never told me about the gun, nor the plan he had for that work. It all sounds suspicious to me. 

He cleared his throat. "Nothing serious except that we need to move as soon as possible so I can start. Your semester is starting, too." 

"You were hired that fast?" tanong ko. 

"The owner was a friend." 

I wanted to believe him. I really do. Siguro ay mabilis akong maniniwala tungkol dito kung walang nangyari kagabi, ngunit mayroon. Whenever I think of it, it can be possible. Ngunit bakit ko kailangang isipin pa ito? Why am I suspecting him this fast? 

Tumango na lamang ako. "Why didn't you wake me up? 

"I didn't wanna disturb you. Balak ko namang sabihin pagbalik ko." 

I wasn't looking at him, but I know he was eating his dinner. I opened my eyes and sighed. He always tell me his plans. Ngunit kagabi ay iniwan niya lang ako basta. He never did that before. Umawang ang labi ko.