A Kiss From A Rose

CHAPTER 4: Immune to Fire

I HAVE called for Luna a thousand times in my head. Nakapagmura pa ako! Napakalapit lang kasi ng mukha ng lalaking nasa harapan ko. But he was breathtaking,  staring directly into my eyes with a hint of curiosity and wonder.

And then it went blank.

I just stood still, thinking: baka hindi niya ako mapansin kung hindi ako gagalaw? I mentally slapped myself for the stupid thought and held my breath as I, again, scanned his pale face. I took my time. My eyes struggled as it left his piercing black eyes to trail down to his pointed nose, his bloody pressed red lips, and his face entirely.

Hindi ko maiwasang mamangha sa kabuoan niya. But I stopped ogling over him when I took a quick glance at his chest— with a button-downed shirt, it looked so inviting that I had this urge to slip my hands inside of it.

Napamura ulit ako sa naiisip. Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling ang kaharutan ko. Napakagat ako ng labi at pilit na pinipigilan ang sarili na sumilip.

'Bite him.' My inner wolf screamed.

Nalipat ang mata ko sa leeg niya. My mouth was itching to get a taste when I heard him smirk. My eyes immediately darted back to his face, pero mas napako ang mga mata ko sa buhok niyang medyo magulo. If only I could run my hands through—

He moved closer, leaning in to my left side and whispered, "You're in my way, wolf." His voice sent shivers down my spine, and for a few seconds or maybe a minute, I couldn't think straight. His scent was badly intoxicating that I involuntarily closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, familiarizing him.

Naramdaman kong lumayo siya kaya napilitan akong ibuka ang aking mga mata. Napako ang mga ito sa mga labi niya. His mouth moved in slow motion. Napalunok ako. I wanted to bite him. My inner wolf wanted to bite him.

I heard his voice again— faint at first then slowly clearing—only this time he sounds annoyed. "I said, you're in my way. Move."

I moved aside with my head down, looking like a tamed-pup obeying its owner. Nilagpasan niya lang ako. I kept my head down as he walked pass me at nang makalayo na siya, I hastily left the library with an aching chest. At hindi na ako lumingon pabalik.

Bakit hindi niya ako nakikilala? The question hurt more than I expected.

I punched my chest to ease the tension, the pain. I wanted to go back and tell him who I was. Pero alam kong mali. He can't feel the connection. Ayoko namang ipilit ang sarili ko. If he won't acknowledge my presence then I guess, it is for the best. I've got more important matters to tend to.

'Go back!' my inner-wolf whimpered. But I controlled my emotions. Kailangan kong unahin ang ipinunta ko rito: ang hanapin ang taong nasa likod ng pagkamatay ng pamilya ko. I need to know what I am. I need to find the person who controlled that beast.

My connection with my mate was not strong enough. I can stop this from happening. I just need to stay away from him.

Tiningnan ko muli ang aklatan. Hindi parin siya lumalabas. I fought the urge to go back inside and walked away.

Sa sumunod na mga araw ay nakahanap ako ng matitirhan. Naging taga-bantay at taga-linis ako sa aklatan. May maliit na bahay pala sa likod nito kung saan nakatira 'yung may-ari na si Manang Ester, a retired teacher at Ender's academy. Mag-isa lang siya kaya pinayagan niya akong makitira sa kanya, nadala rin siguro ng pagpapaawa ko. Mabait siya ngunit minsan lumalabas ang kamalditahan niya, lalong lalo na sa mga panahong nauubos ko ang pagkain niya sa bahay.

Tatlong buwan na niyang pinagtitiisan ang katakawan ko pero sa loob ng tatlong buwan na 'yon, madaling nahulog ang loob ko kay Manang Ester. Napakabait kasi niya. Hindi ko naman kayang pigilan ang sarili kong pagkatiwalaan siya. Magaling kasi siyang magpayo at mambola.