Guarded ✔ (Alpha Sigma Omicron #5)

11. Possible Danger

Hindi ako sigurado kung sinasadya niya iyon o mali ang pandinig ko.

I didn't answer his question. Nilagpasan ko siya upang sumakay sa sasakyan.

Umikot si Gotham pasakay ng driver seat. Inayos niya ang seatbelt naming dalawa. He drove away from the school premises without talking, the car was filled with silence.

Hindi ako gaanong sanay na hindi niya ako kinukulit.

Seryoso ang ekspresyon ng kanyang mukha, hindi ko na naman mabasa ang kanyang isipan.

He stopped the car somewhere far from the initial place.

"Did something happen? You looked troubled, Fili. You were as excited as I am before going to school, what happened exactly? Tell me." Humarap siya upang kausapin ako nang maayos. His tone was demanding.

I shook my head slightly.

Dumako ang tingin ko sa labas ng sasakyan. "Wala. Wala naman talagang problema. Utak ko lang ang nag-iisip na mayroon." Huminga ako ng malalim. "Unang beses ko yatang makaramdam ng hiya sa buong buhay ko, 'yong hiyang may kasamang panliliit."

"Hindi dapat. But I feel inferior seeing my classmates achieving what life failed to give me in such a young age. Habang ako, ito pa lang ang unang beses kong makakapag-aral sa school. Nanliliit ang buong pagkatao ko, Gotham." I bit my lower lip.

"Pero ganoon naman talaga ang buhay, hindi ba? Libre ang mangarap, pero hindi pantay - pantay ang oportunidad na makamit ito dahil laging lamang ang may pribilehiyo."

Tinanggal niya ang suot kong seatbelt, kinabig niya ako payakap papalapit sa kanya. My eyes moistened a bit, but I tried so hard to keep a brave face. I don't want to be vulnerable in front of him, he knew me as a tough woman.

"It's fine, sweetheart. It's okay to cry... I won't hold it against you." Hinalikan niya nang marahan ang aking noo.

Niyakap ko siya pabalik, humigpit ang pagkakayakap ko. The tears suddenly fell, allowing his shirt to be wet. I have always know that life is unfair, but I get slap by it from time to time.

And every time I was reminded, I felt bad for myself even if it wasn't really my fault.

I was a victim of the circumstance like many.

"I don't know what to tell you to make your mood a little better, but I'm here. Just look at my face, you're gonna feel better." I heard him say.

Agad akong kumalas sa pagkakayakap ko sa kanya. Pinahid ko ng sariling palad ang mga luhang naipon sa aking pisngi. It was supposed to be a wholesome moment, but he ruined it with his lame joke.

"Baka masapak kita kapag hindi ako natuwa," I showed him my fist.

Ngumisi siya. "Violent as always."

Bumaba siya ng kotse, pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto. "Let's have an ice cream, there's a convenient store around the corner," aya pa nito at inilahad ang kamay sa akin.

Ngayon ko napagtuunang muli ang mukha ng kaharap ko. Our heads were levelled.

His goddamn good-looking, sharp features were striking. Siguro kung hindi ko siya kilala, baka matulala ako sa kagwapuhan niya. Ang siste, nauna akong mainis bago magwapuhan sa lalaki.

He's mine.

Epekto ba nang pag-iyak ko kanina ang ganitong pag-iisip?

Tangina, ang tangos talaga ng kanyang ilong tapos mas mapula pa ang labi sa akin. His lips were even tastier than candy. May sariling flavor ang labi niya na kinaadikan ko.