Crowned

Chapter 20. Surprisingly Outcross

Maaga akong nagising para iwasan siya. 

Nobody wanted a stressful start. So, I was saving my soul for the day. 

Baka masigawan ko uli ito at talikuran lang uli ako ng lalaki kagaya ng nangyari kagabi.

Yes, he was not able to give me answers. It's either he knew nothing about who I really am or he know something about me but he doesn't want to tell it. What would I expect from a pillar who's been so secretive about everything?

I started doubting everything, everyone, including Friedan. 

Thirteen years na magkasama kami sa bahay, thirteen years na napaniwala akong walang dahilan ang lahat ng pagkupkop saakin ni Dr. Roberts.

How could I be so naive? 

Kung itinuring niya akong kapatid sa loob ng napakahabang panahon, bakit hindi niya masabi saakin ng diretso kung ano ang nalalaman niya o kung may nalalaman siya instead of walking away from my anger?

I had to consider moving. I did not like the idea but I already weighed things over the night. It's the only way I could see all angles and perspectives without being biased. I was blinded to more than a decade and all I saw was just a single angle of possibilities. It's about time I take a 360 tour just to know the truth.

I tiptoed my way out and hold my breathing. I was at my usual nerdy look. Bitbit ko ang itim na sneakers na niregalo pa ni Ara noong nakaraang birthday ko. I did not feel any movement downstairs. Tulog pa nga marahil si Friedan. Sinamantala ko ang pagkakataong iyon para makababa.

I was at the foot of the staircase when I noticed a shadow seated on the sofa. Lihim kong namura ang sarili ko lalo na nang magsalubong ang titig namin. 

Did he escape from my senses and remained untraced for a moment?

Bihis na bihis ang lalaki habang abala ito sa pagkalikot sa telepono. Tumigil lang ito para lumingon sa kinaroroonan ko. He looked drop dead gorgeous in his dark suit. Dressed to kill again.

"Good morning," bati nito na parang maganda ang gising at tuluyan nang kinalimutan ang inasta ko kagabi. His eyes were checking every angle of me.

"G'morning. May susundo saakin kaya maaga akong nagising." I took the initiative to explain myself.

It was an innate reaction, I always felt obliged to explain myself everytime Friedan was involved and I hated the fact that I always wanted his approval about everything.

Patay-malisya akong naupo sa pang-isahang sofa malapit sa kinauupuan niya saka ko isinuot ang sapatos ko sa paa. I saw him staring at me intently while I was busy working on my shoes. Ano bang nakain ng lalaking ito at nagbawas ng kasungitan sa katawan?

Tumikhim ito habang inaayos ko ang sapatos. His brown leather Armani shoes move closer. "Ihahatid na kita. I don't trust that Phelan Vargas."

Napabalikwas ako at maagap na sumagot. "No! Phelan is a good friend saka he's on his way down here."

I just realized the story I just made up. There was no communication between Phelan and I. Walang Phelan na darating para sunduin ako at iligtas ako sa bitag na binuo ng aking kasinungalingan.

Did I just put a trap and confined myself in it?

I heaved a sigh bago ko siya sinagot. "I am already eighteen. We've talked about this. Your job, being a guardian just expired on my birthday."

He laughed to hide his embarassment but he failed to convince me. Humigpit ang hawak nito sa cellphone, almost cracking it into bits. "You turned eighteen but that doesn't mean na hindi ka na pwedeng ihatid sa school."