Aphrodisia | 18+ (Written In Filipino) ✔️

ika-20

   "We both know it's both, Duke," tahimik kong sagot. 

   Duke let a beat pass. "Sa lahat ng nangyari, ngayon ka pa nanghingi ng tulong sa isang pormal na paraan. What about the other things I did, Bruna? Surely it was called "help" when I decided to keep silent about your stay in Luman Playa."

   "But that was different. That was back when—"

   "I don't see a point in this conversation."

   Bumuhay sa alarma ang katawan ko at hinawakan siya sa braso sa akma niyang pagtalikod. Proof of my desperation. "I beg of you, Duke. Pakinggan mo ako kahit ngayon lang."

   Humarap siya sa'kin na naniningkit ang mga mata. "You don't do begging."

   I swallowed. "I do now."

   Binaba ko ang hawak ko sa kaniya.

   "Go straight to the point."

   I'm with my family again now, but it felt like I was in prison. 

   "Anselm has been. . . bothering me more than ever."

   "Really?" He rested his hip on the table and looked down at me. "Kanino ka ba nagsusumbong?"

   I held my own hand apprehensively. "It's not the way you think it is. He's being more psychotic than he usually is. Sa araw na nagkita tayo sa hotel pagkatapos ng pagkikita niyo ay pinagbantaan niya si Ramona para lang siguraduhing makakarating ako. At hindi lang iyon ang ginawa niya pagkatapos no’n. Sa mismong kinagabihan ay pinagbantaan niya ako sa pamamagitan ng isang sulat. . ."

   "And the proof?" Duke's virile planes were coated with crafted ennui. 

   I shook my head with uncertainty. I didn't know how to convince him. "I wasn't able to bring anything with me today. Sinabi lang ni Ramona kay Dad na lalakad kami para hayaan niya akong lumabas."

   Hindi man lang gumalaw ang ekspresyon niya. "So what exactly do you want me to do?"

   "Just that simple, really. Help me."

   Natagpuan ko ang sarili kong kinakagat ang pang-ibabang labi ko. Too much. I haven't been this fragile for too long. 

   "I can't help you." 

   I looked up at him and practically begged with my eyes. "But you said you helped me. You said so yourself at sinabi mo pa nga'ng hindi mo kailangan ng pagpayag ko."

   "It was a slip of my tongue. You know I had no intention to do so."

   "But I didn't. I believed you because I know you'd keep your word."

   And I knew that look. He was hiding that he cared. Even with that glare.

   Alam kong siya lang ang makakatulong sa'kin. Not my friends who still thinks I am dead, not my family who's willing to give me up to some bidder like I was something profitable. Davanzato was no different from them, yes, given that he hates me, but I knew he was noble just as he was smart. 

   He'd keep his words.

   I'd even trust him more than I would trust myself.