Forbidden Pleasure

Chapter 30

"He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking."
—Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

∞

Chapter 30

My mouth almost fell open as I saw Kaius chasing his breaths and looking at me with relief in his eyes. Hinagod naman ng tingin ko ang kabuoan niya.

He loses weight. Ngunit bakit? He also had dark bags under his eyes, and he looked so tired. Parang kakagaling lang nito sa pagkakabugbog.

"What are you doin' here?" mahinang tanong ko. Nilingon ko ang direksyon na tinahak ng cabin crew na pumigil sa 'kin. "Kagagawan mo na naman ba 'to? A-ano bang balak mo?"

Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga. "Alexis—"

"P-pwede bang palayain mo na kami?" Biglang nanubig ang mga mata ko. My grip on my son's hands got tightened. "K-kaius, hayaan mo na kami."

Umiling ito na tila ba nahihibang. He brushed his fingers on his hair frustratedly. "No, Alexis. Listen—"

"Let's get this over, Kaius. H-hindi ako ang asawa mo. You're married. Itigil na natin ang kasalanang wala namang patutunguhan." I wiped my tears. "Please, j-just... just set us free. Let's live our lives separately. Nakaya mo rati nang wala ako, kami ni Kai. I know you can do it—"

"Damn. How can I live my life when you'll take my heart away from me?" mariin nitong sambit.

I chuckled nonchalantly. "Wake up, Kaius. Hindi ako ang mahal mo. It was lust talking!"

"If it is lust, why does this beat whenever you're near? Whenever I think of you? Why do I think of you every single minute of my life?" Natutop ko ang aking bibig nang bigla itong umiyak. "Damn it, Alexis! Hindi ko ipagpapalit si Resha kung hindi kita mahal!"

I was unmoving. His burst of confession and tears left me with no words to spit. Nakatitig lamang ako sa kanya na umiiyak.

Someone cleared their throat. "Please leave the area, the passengers will be here any minute."

Nilingon ko ito at ito ang babaeng nagsungit sa akin kanina. I was about to talk when someone grabbed my wrist.

"Thanks, Vielle," Kaius murmured. "I'll tell Daze about this."

"Fuck you, Imperial," malutong na mura ng cabin crew na ikinagulat ko.

Kaius dragged me. Nilingon ko si Kin at Kai at napansin kong nilapitan sila ng dalawang bodyguard. Bumalik ang paningin ko kay Kaius na kasalukuyan pa rin akong hila-hila. Huminto naman kami sa lugar na kung saan maraming nakatambay na eroplano ngunit walang tao at tahimik.

"Tangina, Kaius! Mahuhuli na kami sa flight!" I cursed.

"Walang aalis."

I froze on my spot. That voice. Dahan-dahan akong umikot upang kompirmahin kung sino ang nagsalita. And it was her... ate Resha.

"A-ate..." I keep switching my stare between her and Kaius.

Alam na niya ba? Is she going to slap me?

Lumapit siya sa 'kin. My knees almost trembleed as I started to cry. Niyakap niya naman ako na mas nagpaiyak sa akin ng husto.

"Ate, sorry." I cried hard as I answered her hug. "Sorry..."

All I could say was sorry. My mind is clouded with different thoughts that I can't even understand. Masikip ang dibdib ko sa paraan ng pagyakap sa akin ni ate Resha. She's hugging me with the outmost love and care.