Breaking His Callous Heart (Part 1 of 3)

15: Beast

Aisha felt a twinge of pain as she thought of her sister Aira. Did she misjudge Ayder and became too judgmental of her own sister?

Mula pagkabata hindi ito kailanman gumawa ng maling kuwento. Kaya nga hindi siya maaaring magsinungaling noon kapag alam ng kapatid niya dahil lagi itong napapaamin ng mga magulang nila. Samantalang si Ayder, ilang araw lang niyang nakasama and she already thought of him as a saint.

Ipinilig niya ang ulo. A tear escape her eye. Mabilis niya itong pinunas. She inhaled deeply and calmed herself.

*****

Naalimpungatan siya sa tunog ng doorbell. Nakaidlip pala siya sa couch. Nagrigodon na naman ang tibok ng puso niya nang makita sa monitor ng CCTV si Ayder. Nakatayo ito sa tapat ng pintuan niya.

"Let's go?" nakangiti nitong bungad. His aura was entirely different before he left a while back.

"I'll just fix myself a little," she glibly answered. Hindi na siya dapat lumabas kasama ito pero hindi na naman siya nakatanggi.

Instead of relaxing, she felt more agitated while they are inside the bar. Iniisip niya kasi kung paano uumpisahang tanungin kung sino si Aira sa buhay nito at kung ito nga ba talaga ang kapatid niya. Para kasing nakalimutan na ng binata ang nangyari kanina nang ihatid siya.

He was discussing the different kinds of wines and liquors in the arcade. Tumatango na lang din siya. Alam naman na kasi niya ang mga iyon. She's been there and she even knew the different mixes and their names. Uminom na lamang siya at umayon sa mga sinasabi nito.

Lagpas isang oras pa lang nang yayain siya nitong umuwi.

"Are you not feeling well?" he asked while they were walking to the parking area.

"Hindi naman. Bakit mo naitanong?" baling niya.

"Para kasing wala ka sa mood o baka mas gusto mo na ngayon ang buhay isla?" biro nito. Ngumiti ito ng tipid. She shook her head and inhaled deeply. Tumigil siya sa tapat ng kotse nito at saka humarap.

"Sino si Aira?" tanong niya bago pa mawalan ng lakas ng loob. Pakiramdam niya ay tumigil ang mundo habang hinihintay ang reaksiyon nito. Ayder looked straight in her eyes. For a fraction of second, she thought saw a glint of sadness in his almond-shaped eyes before his expression turned blank.

"Hatid na kita," saad nito sa halip na sagutin ang tanong niya. He moved to the passenger's side and opened the door. She watched as he moved back towards the driver's seat leaving the car door opened.

Wala sa sarili siyang naglakad at sumakay na lamang. Ayder drove faster than the usual. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang dapat isipin sa inaakto nito. She didn't want to think that her sister's accusations were true.

He walked her to her unit when they reach the condo building. Pinilit niyang kinalma ang sarili.

She stood infront of her unit and faced him. He was about to dismiss him when he spoke.

"Can I stay for a cup of coffee before I leave?" tanong nito. Tumango siya at pinapasok na lang ito. She felt like he was too near while she was locking the door. His manly scent was filling her nostrils. Hindi niya mawari kung bakit umiinit ang pisngi niya sa isiping ang lapit lang nito. Her heartbeats raced some more when she faced him. Muntik na kasing magbanggaan ang mukha nila sa lapit nito.

She swallowed hard when he leaned his hands on the door locking her between his arms.

"I know what you're feeling right now," he whispered. He was too near that she could feel his hot breath brushing her face. Huminga siya nang malalim at pinilit kumalma.