Kiss and Run

Chapter XXXVII

NATALIA

"Are you okay?" sambit pa ng magandang babae nang hindi ko pa ring nagagantihan ang pagbati niya. "Oh," usal niya nang mapansin ang kondisyon ng mga paa ko. "Obviously not." Munti akong napatalon nang hinawakan niya ang braso ko't hinila papasok ng penthouse niya...o baka nila. "Move, Eren, panikip ka sa daan, eh."

Nagseselos man ay pilit kong hindi ipahalata. Ang paraan ng pakikipag-usap niya kay Eiveren ay kumpirmasyon lang na malapit nga sila sa isa't-isa. Si Eiveren na halatang nanghihina at wala ng lakas na kumontra't ipagtabuyan pa ako ay tumabi na lamang at pinapasok ako.

"Do you have any wounds? Scratch? Blisters?" Sunod-sunod niyang tanong at tinulak ako paupo sa mahaba at malambot na itim na couch. Muli, hindi na naman ako makasagot, nakakalula ang laki at ganda ng lugar na kinalalagyan ko ngayon!

Nakapasok 'ata ako sa ibang dimensyon.

Eiveren's place is too luxurious, too wide and too spacious and depicts a city life. There's a glass frame in front of me, giving me an overview of the skyscrapers and the night sky. My eyes roam higher and I found another floor. My mouth drops open, but to my shame, automatically close it. I figured that Eiveren has a thing with awesome ceilings, lights, and stars. But this time, it is all about stars. His bedroom got a perfect view of the sky. The stars spread above us are too mesmerizing I don't want to look away.

I...want to live here.

"Ah, blisters," the spell that was magically cast into me by Eiveren's enchanting place was suddenly gone and replaced by humiliation. The lady is studying my feet! I tried to snatch them away from her but she got a good grip on my ankle.

"Relax," she said professionally. "I'm a doctor." My mouth curves in O. When she was satisfied checking my feet, she stands up and folded her arms. "Did you join in a marathon wearing that," she gestures to my flat shoes, "and that?" she gestures to my dress.

"I..." I trailed. My eyes landed on Eiveren, I slightly jump on my seat and mechanically look away. He is leaning on the wall, looking impatient and weak. He is listening intently, obviously waiting for my answer too. "I took the stairs," I look up at the doctor uncertainly, "but eventually found the door closed in the hallway."

"You did that just to be here?!" The lady said in disbelief and glance menacingly at Eiveren.

"What?" he uttered defensively. "I didn't know," he added in annoyance and feebly took the stairs.

"Mason helps me though," I added helpfully.

"Mason," Eiveren echoed grimly.

"He really acts like a menopausal old maiden," bulong niya sa'kin.

Hindi ko mapigilang bumungisngis.

"Ah," she breathes appreciatively. "You are much prettier when you're awake." Nagtataka akong napatingin sa kanya. Tatanungin ko sana kung ano ang ibig sabihin niya ngunit naunahan na niya 'kong magsalita. "Go to the bathroom and clean your feet. Just make it fast and don't soak it in too much in water. I have an antibacterial ointment here, it will help." Tumayo na ako at nagsimula ng humakbang ngunit napabalik din sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan ang CR niya o...nila. "Oh, just right there," Tinuro niya ang direksyon ng malaking kusina, "and turn left." Madalas siguro siyang nandito. Parang kabisadong-kabisado na niya ang lugar.

Siyamnapu at walong porsyento. Nandoon na ang selos meter ko. At oo, nagsusukat na 'ko ng feelings, nahawaan na naman ako ng mag-kambal.

Nang makalabas mula sa banyo ay naabutan ko ang doktora na matiyagang nag-aabang sa akin sa living room. Pinaupo niya ko sa tabi niya't pilit na pinapatong ang paa ko sa kandungan niya. Nahihiya ko siyang sinunod. Magpapasalamat na sana ako ngunit napagtanto kong hindi ko pa pala alam ang pangalan niya.