Chess Pieces Aftermath: Lucius D'Angelo

Chapter 17

"Lester, halika na! Handa na ang almusal. Kumain na tayo."

I stayed rooted in my place, drinking in this perfect scenery in front of me. It was such a perfect morning, being awakened by Angela and seeing her face first thing in the morning. And then this. I was afraid to move, or even do something that might ruin everything.

Tumigil sa pagkilos si Angela at tumitig pabalik sa 'kin. A frown formed in her face. Nagtataka na yata na imbes na lumapit ako sa kanya ay parang tanga akong nakatayo lang doon, tinititigan s'ya.

I couldn't help it. God. I wanted to savor every fucking second of this moment.

"Lester...?" Halata na ang pagkalito sa mukha ni Angela.

I flinched at the name she just called me. Ah... That's right. Iyon ang pangalang ipinakilala ko sa kanya. I should correct it. Now, that I have the chance.

"That's not my name," I said.

Mas lalo lang lumalim ang pagkakakunot ng noo n'ya.

"Ha?"

"That's not my real name."

She blinked.

"Eh, ano pala?"

I hesitated. Should I? Should I tell her my real name? Paano kung magalit s'ya dahil nagsinungaling ako sa kanya? Paano kung hindi na n'ya ako kausapin? Paano kung lumayo na s'ya sa 'kin?

"Les—" I stopped myself.

Fuck. I had enough of hearing that name from her.

"Lucius," I said.

For a while, Angela was just staring at me. Nagulat ko yata. Then she opened her mouth to say something.

"Less Lucius?"

Despite everything, I smiled. Hindi pa rin s'ya nagbabago.

I shook my head. I looked at her straight in the eye.

"Lucius D'Angelo."

Hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko sa kanya para makita kung ano'ng magiging reaksyon n'ya. I wanted to see every shift of expression on her face. Kahit ano. Kahit pa ang makita ang galit sa mga mata n'ya dahil sa pagsisinungaling ko.

I only did it as I wanted to spend time with her as a normal person. I didn't even want to prolong my lies. Pero sa bawat minutong nakakasama ko si Angela, nagsimula na rin akong humiling na sana, na sana nga ay normal na tao na lang ako. Not someone with a very complicated background.

I was waiting for her reaction, bracing myself for her fury. Nakahanda akong tanggapin 'yon dahil alam ko ang kasalanang nagawa ko.

But then, she did the most unexpected thing.

She gave me a smile. A warm and gentle smile.

"Kumain na tayo ng almusal, Lucius..."

Napalunok ako sa pagpipigil ng emosyon. Fuck. Kung hindi ko kasi gagawin 'yon, baka maiyak ako. It was... bittersweet. I was relieved and yet, something was hurting inside my chest.

I took a deep breath. Imbes na umupo ay naglakad ako palapit sa kanya. Nakatingin lang si Angela at naghihintay sa paglapit ko.

When I got near her, I did the thing I was dying to do the first time I opened my eyes that morning. I pulled her in a hug. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight. I was aware that my whole body was trembling. Ibinaon ko ang mukha ko sa buhok n'ya. I inhaled her scent, memorizing the sweet scent of her.

"Huy... Okay ka lang?" narinig kong tanong n'ya. Naramdaman siguro ang panginginig ng katawan ko.

Hindi ako sumagot at hinigpitan lang ang yakap ko sa kanya. Mas ibinaon ko pa ang mukha ko sa buhok n'ya. She hesitated at first but then she hugged me back. Ang mga kamay n'ya ay humahaplos sa likod ko.