Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 32: The Daughter

"Babalik ako sa school, pag uwi ko ayaw ko na po 'to pag usapan uli. Hindi ko sila naging magulang kaya hindi ko sila magulang."

Bakit ba lahat ng tao sa paligid ko andaming tinatago?

Hindi ko mapigilan ang bigat sa aking mga paa habang naglalakad papunta sa kwarto ko sa pangalawang palapag, pero tahimik kong sinarado ang pintuan at ni-lock ito. Hindi katulad sa dating bahay, gumagana na 'to ngayon.

Pinunasan ko ang aking luha sa dilim. Hindi ko hinayaan ang sariling magmukmok at naglakad agad sa nakabalot na package para sa customer.

Napasinghap at napatigil ako sa pwesto.

Ilalapag ko na sana ang bag sa lamesa nang makita siya... ang Ipis.

He's like a criminal waiting to strike, sitting in the dark corner of my space, on the chair with his legs spread wide and his eyes darting over my body in the dim lighting.

Hindi ko kilala: I'll be away for quite a while. Be a good girl and stay put.

That was his last message four months ago. God knows how many times I refreshed his chats, waiting for him to call or message me.

And with his presence in front of me, I forget everything around us. He still looks handsome, with wide shoulders and a toned body. His hair is longer, and he's sporting a five o'clock shadow on his jaw. It looks like he just returned from wherever he was and came straight to me... I wish.

"Putangina, buhay ka pa pala?"

He hummed. "One would expect your girlfriend to receive you with open arms when you're back from a dangerous mission."

"One would expect your boyfriend to tell you he's going on a dangerous mission."

So hindi naman pala ako delusional. Akala ko lahat ng nangyari sa amin imahinasyon ko lang.

Dahil kay Christian, nalaman ko na nasa isang high priority mission si James. Hindi niya pwede sabihin sa akin ang impormasyon at ibang detalye, pero sapat na yun para maintindihan ko.

Pero kahit naiintindihan ko, hindi ibig sabihin wala na akong karapatan mainis.

Napairap ako. "What you give, you get, sir."

"Scarlet." He drawls.

"James." I retort.

"Damn, I've really missed you." A small upward lift occurs in the corner of his mouth. "And the red hair looks good on you."

I hate how his voice is casual while I'm at my burning point.

Hindi ko mapigilang hawiin ang pula kong buhok sa sinabi niya. I wanted a drastic change entering a new era of my life, and red seemed appropriate for my name.

Itinutok ko ang aking mga mata sa kisame para makabawi. Mahirap sa puso ko na sinasabi niya 'to ng diretso sa akin habang kumikislap ang kanyang gintong mga mata.

"Did you miss me?" His voice is still that same mischievous tone, but I sense the hint of vulnerability.

"Aba tangina, tinanong mo pa 'yan." My voice didn't have the bite I wanted it to have.

"It's a yes or no question, Hope." Tumaas ang kilay niya. "Because I missed you, so fucking much."

I glared. Kung may lazer beam ang mata ko baka nasunog na siya.

"What's wrong, baby? Why are you angry?"

"What the fuck James? Nawala ka ng apat na buwan. Apat. Tapos itatanong mo kung bakit ako galit?"