Demon's Obsession

Nineteen

Blithesome

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HIGIT isang linggo ang lumipas at tuluyan nang gumaling ang paa ko. Nakabalik na rin ako sa dati kong kuwarto.

Maaga akong nagising at nag-ayos. Hindi mapawi ang ngiting kanina pa naglalaro sa aking labi. Excited ako para sa araw na ito! I chose a yellow top and white jeans. Vibrant colors for a radiant morning. Hinayaan ko na lamang na nakalugay ang aking buhok. Pulbos lamang ang nilagay ko sa mukha.

Breakfast was already set when I went downstairs but no one was there. Lumabas ulit ako ng kusina upang hanapin si Dean. I was halfway in the living room when he went out of a room, a phone in his hand.

"Deploy them. That's all," he ordered and hung up. Lumapit siya sa akin. "Good morning, littledove." His hand encircled around my waist. He gave me a peck on the lips and I couldn't care less.

"Good morning!" I replied cheerfully.

He chuckled and ruffled my hair. Good thing I didn't spend hours doing my hair. "You're excited, aren't you?"

I giddily nodded. "Tara, kain na tayo!"

I ate heartily. I've been looking forward for this day in the past week. Today is the day for my second condition.

Kinabukasan kasi ng araw na iyon ay ginawa niya na agad ang unang kondisyon. He apologized to Ronald and paid for his hospital bills. He also gave Ronald enough capital to start a small business. I only asked him to apologize. It's good that he took responsibility.

Napapangiti na lang ako kapag naaalala ang pangyayaring iyon. Halata naman kasing siya iyong tipo ng taong hindi sanay humingi ng tawad.

"Bakit ka nagpakumbaba para lang sa kapatawaran ko?" hindi ko napigilang itanong sa kaniya pagkatapos niyang i-kuwento ang ginawa niya kay Ronald ng araw na iyon. I was supposed to ignore him but he's already done the first condition. Hindi niya man sabihin, I know he's someone from the top of the echelon. The way he moves, speaks, and this vast condo unit which I just learned is called a pent house.

He shrugged. "A bastard advised me." He held my hand. "And I'll do everything for you. Everything, mia tesoro." He kissed my hand.

"Are you okay?" I was snapped out of my trance when he asked. Sinipat niya pa ang noo ko gamit ang kanyang kamay. "You're all red." Umiwas ako. "But you don't have a fever," he mumbled.

Kasi nga kinikilig ako!

"A-ano, nauuhaw pala ako," sabi ko tinalikuran siya upang pumunta na sa kusina. Kahit hindi naman talaga ako nauuhaw, uminom na lang ako ng napakalamig na tubig para pababain ang temperatura ng nag-iinit kong pisngi.

Nang maayos na ang lahat, bumaba na kami sa parking lot gamit ang isang private elevator. Siya lang daw ang gumagamit niyon. Iyon din ang ginamit namin nang magpunta kami sa simbahan noong araw na... binigyan ko siya ng chance.

"Ang dami nating kasunod," I muttered while looking at the cars tailing behind us. Sinulyapan niya rin ang mga iyon gamit ang rearview mirror. We're on our way to my second condition.

"Security," he simply said. Muli ko iyong nilingon. Apat! Masyadong marami. Napalingon ako kay Dean na seryosong nagmamaneho. Umiwas ako ng tingin nang lumingon siya. Inabala ko na lamang ang sarili sa pagtingin sa labas ng bintana.

Hindi kaya... isa siyang politician? Anong position niya kung ganoon? Mayor? Councilor? Barangay Captain? Pero parang ang bata niya pa!

He pulled in a parking lot. Kasabay ng pagbaba namin sa sasakyan ay ang pagbaba rin ng kaniyang mga body guard na pawang naka-itim. They scattered around the area. Napakaseryoso ng mga mukha nila kaya't di ko maiwasang matakot.