After the Twilight (Iska Series #1)

20

He drives up to a massive gate, stopping when a security guard approaches us. 

"Sir!" bati ng guard. "Ikaw po pala talaga 'yan! Akala ko po iba eh, kanina pa kayo pa ikot-ikot." 

Enzo only replies with a chuckle and proceeds to greet the guard. Matapos ang mabilis na kamustahan, nagpatuloy siya sa pagdadrive hanggang sa nasa harapan na kami ng malaking bahay. It is not as big as their mansion back in Manila, but it was still huge. Mula sa bahay, tanaw na tanaw ang dagat, the cool breeze blowing against my hair as soon as I got out of the car. 

"This is my family's beach house," he starts, ushering me through the door. 

Pagkapasok ko, kapansin pansin ang kalawakan ng lugar. The house had an open floor plan, malapad at maliwanag dahil sa puro puting pintura nito. The wooden accents fit in well with the vibe of the entire house. Siguro napaka aliwalas nito kapag umaga. 

The wide glass door leading to the beachside catches my attention, especially as Enzo slides one open, sending the white floor-to-ceiling curtains dancing with the wind. 

"Do you want water?" Enzo offers, walking towards the kitchen. I follow him, looking around. Simple lang naman ang dating ng bahay, pero it is evident that everything is expensive. 

"Here," he slides a glass of water against the countertop, smiling at me. 

Para akong nasa ulap habang tinutungo siya. There's this tension in the air, na parang ako lang yata ang nakakaramdam. Dinig na dinig ko ang simoy ng hangin at ang hampas ng mga alon sa buhangin, pero parang pakiramdam ko ang tahitahimik. 

Kung may nag-iingay man, iyon ay ang utak ko. Ang daming katanungan na nagraragasa sa isip ko, ang daming emosyon. 

"There are two floors, but the second floor is currently under renovation. We have rooms on this floor, you can use one of them. There's a bathroom at the end of the hall. Are you hungry? I can cook dinner."

Enzo's words barely register as I try to come into terms with all the whys and the hows in my head. Naguguluhan ako na nagagalit na hindi ko naiintindihan kung saan ako lulugar sa kung ano mang bahagi ng lahat ng ito. 

Enzo was probably in the middle of talking about pasta or something when I turn around sharply, facing him. I notice the way he stops talking and just watches me. Nahuli ko ang gulat niya, at kaakibat nito ay kaba. I didn't think the man ever got nervous in his life, his authoritative confidence seems too innate. But here he is, staring at me, with this air of weary anticipation. Kitang kita ko pa kung paano tumaas baba ang Adam's apple niya. 

"Why?" I breathe out. I have so many whys for him, and I guess I would never get them answered if I don't actually ask them. 

"Why what?" 

"Why are you here?" I take a step forward, staring straight at him. "Why are you so nice to me? Why are you still so nice to me? Why did you follow me here? Why did you bring me here? Why---ano ba 'to, Enzo? What is this that you're doing? Diba tinapos na natin ito? This game? It's just a game, isn't it?" I force out the breathy chuckle lodged in my throat. "Laro laro lang naman ito diba? Pero bakit parang naguguluhan lang ako? It was clear from the start!"

"Game?" This time, it's him who takes a step forward, and unlike him who seemed unfazed, I couldn't help but take a step back. 

"It's still just a game for you, huh?" I catch the bitterness in the way he speaks, and it only adds to my confusion, kaya naman mas lalo lang napakunot ang noo ko. 

"Is it not?" I manage to fire back. "And I already put a stop to it, right? So what is this? Why are you still here? Holding me, making me feel like I matter, kissing me, calling me fucking baby?! Why do you care? Bakit ba palagi kang nandiyan? Kung ang mga magulang ko nga ay kayang kayang talikuran ako, if they can leave me alone, why the hell can't you?"