The Midnight Lies (THE PRESTIGE 3)

39

Captured

The night went slower. I couldn't even catch a wink. I am afraid of Sorin's safety.

They said that Aurea had him. And that Simon who put a gun to me, is is former brother. And the fact that they knew each other, it's not impossible that they know each other's weaknesses too.

Napabangon ako mula sa pagkakahiga nang makita kung sino ang pumasok sa silid. May bitbit itong isang basong gatas.

"Justice." I mumbled.

He sat on my bed and handed me the glass of milk. "I was right. You can't sleep."

Tinignan ko ang hawak niyang gatas.

"Here. Drink this."

I pursed my lips as I accept the glass. I look at it for a couple of minutes as I gather my thoughts.

Naalala ko, hindi naging maganda ang paghihiwalay naming dalawa. Tinaboy ko siya noon dahil sa takot na magaya siya sa sinapit ng kaibigan kong si Faye. Matapos ng tagpong iyon, hindi na ulit kami nagkausap ni Justice. Wala na akong naging balita sa kaniya.

Ngayon na lang ulit. Alam kong magaling siya sa bawat ginagawa niya kaya hindi na nakakapagtaka na isa na siyang ganap na sundalo pero namamangha pa rin ako.

I don't want to admit it but he is kinda intimidating. He's wearing his uniform now. And I can tell that he's now successful now just on his field of expertise. His way of conversing is different now. And as I survey his body unconciously, looking for a gun. I felt like I kinda developed a fear about it. These past few hours is very traumatic for me. I am surrounded by men holding a gun.

"Kumusta ka, Elene?" Pagpapanimula nito. "Ang tagal na simula no'ng huli kitang nakasama."

Kinagat ko ang gilid ng pisngi ko. Ngayon ay binubuhusan ako ng hiya. Ako itong nagtaboy sa kaniya dati dahil ayaw ko siyang mapahamak pero siya itong isa sa nagpoprotekta sa akin ngayon.

"I'm sorry for pushing you away, Justice." I apologized.

He was my best friend. I treat him as my own brother. My ally. But look at us now. I can't even look at his eyes. For sure, anyoe can see how guilty I am if ever they look at my eyes.

"Natakot ako. Natakot ako na matulad ka sa sinapit nila Sorin at Faye." Pagpapatuloy ko.

Huminga ng malalim si Justice dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kaniya.

"Naiintindihan ko, Elene."

My lips tremble when I heard how gentle his voice is when he called my name.

He is always like this. He's very much alike to Sorin. They always treat me gentle. But never to the point that they made me feel like I am so low of them. Like I am weak. They never made me feel like I can't stand on my own. They never did that. Instead, they made me feel like it's okay to depend of them. It's okay to put my guard down because they can protect me. They can shelter me.

"Hindi naman ako nagtanim ng loob sa'yo, Elene. I know why you did it. I understand."

He never fail to understand me. He always look for what causes my behavior and not on the way I acted.

"It hurts me. Of course it hurts me. You're my bestfriend." He said using his pained voice.

Now, our memories together spread like a wildfire. I never really realized how much how we outgrown each other now that we are talking the past like this.

"But like I said, I understand Elene. It was your way to protect me."

My tears fell. I don't even realized I am tearing up. I've been crying since yesterday. I guess, it made me numb.