The Crown Sinners

41: Back on the Game

"I call her Silhouette or Silhoue because that's her name... why is it forbidden to call her that?" Nagtatakhang tanong nito sa napakalambot na paraan na para bang sobrang nag-iingat sa pagtatanong.

They looked at him in unison, which was so funny to me. They were all so attracted to him!

And to add, when they look at me, they gaze at me accusingly, but then, when they switch their eyes to Akakios they would all stare at him in amazement and puppy glowing eyes. Grabe! Sobrang nakakahiya 'tong mga kapatid ko. Tama bang pinakilala ko 'tong mga 'to kay Akakios?

"I'm her neighbour." Akakios mentioned gently. "And her... cook? I cook here most of the times because she can't," He chuckled and glanced at me while smiling cutely. "We are comfortable around each other, too."

"You can call me, Alas or Laurent. Or whatever you would like to call me. I'm twenty-three years old. Parents? I have my grandfather. I'm currently attending the same school as Silhoue. I also worked at a company when it was vacation." He answered the questions shortly yet effectively.

The four nodded easily like they all agreed and satisfied with his answers.

"Wait... you are TWENTY THREE!? Freaking twenty three?!" Hindi makapaniwalang sambit ni Fate at saka napatayo sa kinauupuan habang nanlalaki ang mga mata. Napaatras si Akakios sa gulat sa late reaction ng bunso namin.

"Seryoso ka?" Ulit pa nito at saka lumapit kay Akakios. "Eh, baby ka pa sa panginingin ko eh!" Dagdag pa nito at saka lumabi. The nervous Akakios chortled at her. When Fate saw that, she immediately back away like a hypnotized beauty who's afraid of making Akakios uncomfortable or what.

"Ikaw ang baby, tumigil ka d'yan, Pateh." Saway ni Law sa bunso namin. Nagmake face lang si Fate kasi ayaw 'nun na masyado namin s'yang tinuturing na baby. Mas gusto no'n na para s'yang panganay.

Binalingan ako ni Law na para bang ako ang may atraso sa kan'ya, napakunot-noo ako. "He could seriously call you like that, and you never experience anything?" Nag-iingat na tanong nito sa akin.

I gave him a sincere smile. "It's true, Law. He could. And I'm fine." Sagot ko rito kaya naman napabuntong hininga s'ya na tila hindi na n'ya gusto pang pahabain pa ang usapan.

"Ibig sabihin ba no'n pwede ka na namin tawagin na ganun, Ate?" Justice asked me, which made me surprise.

"Let's try?" Malumanay na sambit ko na s'yang kinagulat ng mga kapatid ko.

"I don't wanna risk it." Rebel told us while gritting his teeth.

"Anong meron?" Bulong sa akin ni Akakios, mukhang naguguluhan sa pinag-uusapan namin. Nilingon ko s'ya at nginitian nang matamis. He looked at me like he was reading my whole life... my whole soul. His soft and genuine almost black eyes made me feel like he's gonna be here... for whatever happiness, and for whatever hell.

Nagkatingnan kaming magkakapatid. Law stared at me intently waiting for my response. He knew when to give me the right, and when to back down, and I'm always thankful for that. I heaved a sigh and faced Akakios.

"I... Calling me that name... it's hard to explain... but it's like locking me on a cage. A cage full of bad memories, bad experiences, and bad things, I never want to see or remember again..." Nanghihina kong sinabi sa kan'ya.

He held my hand carefully.

"Don't..." Nagulat kaming lahat nang sabihin n'ya 'yun.

"Don't call her that name if there's a risk that she'll cry or if she'll remember bad memories..." Nagpapaintinding wika n'ya sa mga kapatid ko. He caressed my hands carefully, afraid that I might disappear or he might hurt me.