The Mayor's Paragon

09

Para akong mawawalan ng malay noong nakita ko ang sapatos niya na nasa harap ko na. I thought that she's going to walk passed me but seconds pass and she didn't move even an inch. Napasinghap na lang ako sa gulat noong walang pasabi niyang inabot ang aking baba at marahas na inangat ang aking mukha.

When our eyes met, I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. I could feel a cold drop of sweat rolling on the side of my face and I flinched when a warm yet freezing hand wipe it away for me.

"Ohh, dear. I see that you're nervous." She chuckled. "Don't be. I don't bite."

Mas lalong bumilis ang pagtibok ng puso ko sa sinabi niya at para akong maiihi sa kaba. I could not feel anything other than her hand touching my face. Para siya at ako na lang ang nandito sa loob ng opisina and it's hard to breathe, with her in this very close proximity. As far as I know, Riez's office is big and very spacious but right now, it feels very narrow and stuffy.

I opened my mouth to respond but it seems that I could not find my voice. Para akong napepe, wala akong masabi. Noong nakita niyang nahihirapan akong magsalita, ngumisi siya.

"Well, it looks like you didn't inform him of my arrival, and by the looks of it, you're gonna get in trouble, aren't you?" she whispered. "Good luck with him, you poor little thing."

Pagkatapos no'n ay halos mabali na ang leeg ko noong marahas niyang tinulak ang hawak-hawak niyang baba ko bago ako nilagpasan. Akala ko tuluyan na siyang aalis pero mas lalong nadagdagan ang aking takot noong narinig ko ang binulong niya.

"I'm gonna make my little visit some other time because he's clearly upset. See you."

Pagkatapos ay tuluyan ko ng narinig ang pagbukas at pagsara ng pintuan. Nanatili akong lutang ng ilang minuto bago ako nahimasmasan noong nakarinig ako ng isang nabasag na bagay. Sinundan iyon ng isang lakas na sigaw. Nagtaas ako ng tingin at nakita kong nagwawala na si Riez sa loob ng kaniyang opisina. He's already rabid.

Wala akong magawa kung hindi ang panoorin lang siyang sirain ang lahat ng kaniyang gamit sa loob dahil hindi ko maigalaw ang aking katawan. Kahit na gustuhin ko pa mang tumakbo palabas, para tumakas, ayaw gumalaw ng katawan ko na para bang paralisado ako.

Dumaan ang ilang minuto at sa wakas ay tuluyan ko ng nahanap ang enerhiya ko para igalaw ang katawan ko pero huli na ang lahat. I had just learned how to breathe properly when suddenly I heard some heavy steps approaching and before my mind could register what was happening around me, I could feel something around my neck cutting my oxygen supply. I whimpered when he slammed my back against the wall.

Mabilis akong napahawak sa kaniyang braso at tumingin sa kaniyang mga mata pero para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig noong nakita kong patay at blangko ang mga ito. He's out of it!

"Riez! H-hindi ako makahinga..."

"Why didn't you..."

I gasped for air as his grasp tightened.

"R-Riez...I...I c-can't breathe..." I told him weakly.

Tears sprung from my eyes and I could feel pain due to the lack of oxygen. My chest is burning and my body is starting to get numb.

"Why didn't you tell me that she's here?! Why?!" he angrily shouted but it was no use when my eyes started to ring and my eyes started to roll up.

I could feel my hand starting to lose its energy and I was about to lose consciousness but then he suddenly released me. I drop to the floor as I desperately gasped for air. I touched my neck as I cough and seek for air. Halos magsuka na ako ng laway habang naghahabol ng hininga. My throat hurts as well as my heart.