DATE THY ENEMY | ES:1

40

My lips twisted happily. And the cold never bothered me anymore.

I woke up the next day still feeling light and happy. Gising na si Javier nang magising ako pero nanatili pa rin siya sa kama. He said he wanted me to wake up next to him so he waited for me to wake up.

I was still feeling tired, that's why when he stroked my hair softly, muli akong nakatulog.

Sa ikalawang paggising ko mag-isa na lamang ako. The windows are still covered. But when I looked at the clock, it was already three o'clock in the afternoon. I missed breakfast and lunch. May pagkain akong nakitang nakapatong sa coffee table. There are a lot of types of food may pang umagahan at tanghalian. Javier probably woke me up to eat, pero hindi ako nagising.

Where is he though? Hinanap ko siya sa buong kwarto pero wala siya baka nasa baba. Kaya naman naisipan ko na ring lumabas ng kwarto.

I was smiling when walking down the stairs, ngunit nang nasa kalagitnaan na at nakitang may mga tao sa living room, my smile instantly faded. Agad na nahinto ang lakad ko. And my whole inside suddenly went into turmoil.

What seems like a great day, I didn't know will turn into a nightmare I have been trying to run away from.

Javier's parents, Carolina, Jakob, and Juan Francisco de Leon were present there. My legs trembled when I met the eyes of Javier's mother. I saw how she mirrored the same shock on my face. And how the flowers she was holding landed on the floor, added to the eerieness.

''Oh my,'' Carolina's voice echoed not just to the whole place but to my whole system as well. ''Well, hello there, Vernaise Sven Sarmiento.''

My heart thumped erratically against my ribcage. Nanlamig rin ang buong katawan ko tila ba binuhusan ng malamig na tubig.

I took a step back when all the eyes of the people present went directly to me. I almost stumbled on the stairs when I saw their reaction... especially Juan Francisco's reaction.

''What is the meaning of this, Javier Alexandro?! What is a Sarmiento, an enemy, doing here?!''

I flinched at the loud and wrathful voice of Javier's grandfather. I felt a pang on my chest. Nakaramdam ako ng matinding takot. Gusto kong tumakbo. But I don't know where I should run at the very moment. Should I run to the door and leave the place? Or run upstairs to hide?

''We have a relation-''

''You can never have a relationship with her! You can be with anyone but never with a Sarmiento!''

Nagkatinginan kami ni Javier. I saw the worry and intense fear in Javier's eyes before I turned around and ran upstairs. Mariin akong napapikit. Hindi ko na maintindihan ang mga sumunod na salita nila pero rinig na rinig ko ang ingay at palitan ng sigaw.

My lips and hands were trembling while I looked for my things in his bedroom. Ilang beses ko pa nabitawan ang cellphone dahil sa kaba at takot. I feel my tears building up in my eyes too.

The De Leons are here! We got caught! I let myself be caught! Vernaise, you fool! What will happen now?!

A loud shriek of fear escaped my mouth when the door bedroom flew open. I don't know if I should feel glad that it was Javier I saw but it only added to my nervousness and intense emotion I'm feeling now.

''Baby, it's me...''

''Did they see me?!'' I asked in denial, almost begging for a miracle when I know the truth already.

Javier stayed near the door frame. Hindi makalapit at tila takot din sa kung anong bagay. We are both so scared!

''Baby, calm down, please.''