A Happily Ever After

Chapter Nineteen

"I can still fight you even with a numb leg." I smirk at her. It was supposed to be a slight threat, to not give her any space for any superiority over me. But the dumbass just smirked as well, even leaning a bit towards me.

"Oh, confident, I see." She says. "Would love to duel with you, but, that's not a priority right now. Kotang kota ka na sa pakikipaglaban kanina. You were surrounded! It wouldn't been a challenge to you if you have us... pero hindi. Mag-isa ka lang." She frowns. "Bakit nga ba hindi ka nagtawag sa amin? Hindi ka maiinjure ng ganito kung sinabi mo sa amin."

I click my tongue and roll my eyes. "It's because I can do it on my own. You brats act like I am a weakling."

"You almost broke your bones, and maybe sooner, you will be forever be disabled to walk on your own." She notes. "Tsaka, kakaiba rin tumakbo 'yang utak mo, ano? We are asking you why you chose to face that creepy man alone because we care. Hindi dahil sa tingin namin ay hindi mo iyon kaya!"

"Shut your annoying mouth you broomhead." I snap. Pero parang walang balak tumigil ang bruha. "What I mean is that I fight better on my own while you guys are being sound asleep in your stupid little rocky beds."

Hindi agad sumagot ang bruha at tumingin lang sa akin. Nang unti unting kumurba ang labi niya hanggang sa mahina siyang tumawa. "For some reason, 'yung "stupid little rocky bed" sounds hilarious coming from your mouth." Napabuntong hininga nalang ako sa mga trip ng babaeng ito. "But, you also mean, ayaw mo na kami gisingin so we can rest more. You also mean you want to protect us."

Siguro kung naigagalaw ko lang ang binti ko, kanina pa ako tumayo at nilayasan siya. Wala nalang akong nagawa kundi humiyaw. "That is not what I fucking mean! Stop putting words in my mouth you shithead."

"Kay, whatever you say!"

Isa ulit na malalim na hininga ang ginawa ko. Fucking hell. This woman is something else. I want to be alone.

Kaya sinubukan kong ibangon ang sarili mula sa pagkakaupo. Kaya ko naman atang lumayo nang konti kahit isa lang ang binti ko-

"Ay isa ka talagang matigas ulo eh no?" Isa na namang pares ng matatag na kamay ang humawak sa braso ko at pinilit akong pa-upuin ulit. "'Hwag ka nga muna tumayo!"

I close my eyes to not feel the irritation. But my mouth once again moved on its own. "Shut the fuck up and leave me alone! I can take care of myself!"

"Ayan na naman!" She exclaims while flailing her arms. Pagkatapos ay hinawakan niya ako sa braso. "We know that! Everyone in this world knows that Christopher Salazar can take care of himself!"

Lalong humigpit ang kapit sa akin ng bruha. How can a woman this small be so strong? Hindi niya rin inalis ang tingin sa akin. "Alam namin na kaya mong dalhin ang sarili mo. Everyone in our group won't deny that." Unti unting niyang pinakawalan ang braso ko. Napayuko siya.

"I just want to take care of you, too." Halos pabulong niyang sabi. "I want to join in. So we can take care of each other."

Nawala ang lahat ng pagka-irita na bumabalot sa akin, dahil ang tanging naramdaman ko nalang ang biglang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. Her hands on my arms are still there, but it's soft, and warm too.

Gusto kong sumagot. Kaso masyadong lumambot ang dila sa bibig ko na hindi ko magawang sagutin siya. Her? Want to take care of me? But why?

Biglang umiling ang bruha at muling humigpit ang hawak sa braso ko. Tinignan niya ulit ako. "Look, whether you like it or not, we are going to need each other here." The strength in her voice came back. "Kasi sama sama tayong nakapasok dito, kaya tama rin na sama sama tayong lalabas sa mundong ito. Kahit na para 'bang power of friendship sa mga corny ass anime tayo.."