Holding on to His Promises

Chapter 19: Now Official

"Demi . . ."

I was suddenly woken up when I heard Storm's voice, and it was near my ear. I opened my eyes and saw the sky with its stars. It took time for me to realize that I fell asleep while Storm was singing.

Nilingon ko si Storm na hanggang ngayon ay nakahiga pa rin sa tabi ko. "Bakit hindi mo ako ginising kaagad?" gulat na sabi ko sa kanya.

"You were sleeping peacefully so I didn't bother to wake you up," he said and then sat up.

I sat up, too, and yawned when I felt sleepy again. Ngunit saglit lamang ang pagkaantok ko dahil napalitan iyon ng pangamba nang ilibot ko ang tingin ko sa paligid. Napakadilim na roon at ang daan na tatahakin namin ay halos hindi na maaninag. "D-dylan, we need to go home now." There was fear in my voice.

"Yeah," aniya sabay tayo.

Kinuha ko ang gamit namin at tinabi iyon para matupi ko ang tela. Nang matapos ako, lumapit ako kay Dylan na ngayon ay tinatanggal ang pagkakatali ng lubid ng kabayo sa puno. Tinulungan niya muna akong sumakay sa kabayo bago siya sunod na sumakay.

"Dala mo ba ang cellphone mo?" he asked.

"Yes," tugon ko.

"Open your flashlight and light up our way," he ordered.

Mabilis na sinunod ko naman siya. Medyo nanlalamig ang mga kamay ko dahil sa takot at lamig rin ng hangin, lalo na nang magsimulang tumakbo ang kabayo at tinahak namin ang madilim at mapunong daan. Tila nasa isang thriller movie kami.

"Dylan, a-are you sure there is no serial killer here?" My voice shivered because I was a bundle of nerves and also because we were bouncing while the horse was running. Cold air was touching my face.

I heard him laugh. "That's ridiculous."

"It's so creepy here!"

"No, it's not. You're just being paranoid. Kakapanood mo 'yan ng movie," natatawang sabi niya. "And I told you, with me, you have nothing to fear."

"Paano mo naman nasabi?"

"Because I have this secret that I've been hiding."

Napakunot-noo ako at nacurious sa sinabi niya. "What is it?" I asked.

"Promise me that you won't tell it to anyone else."

"Yeah, I promise."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes. Come on!" Kating-kati na ako na malaman kung ano ang secret na sinasabi niya.

"Huwag nalang, baka 'pagsabi mo sa iba," aniya at tumawa ng mahina.

"Kainis ka talaga, Dylan! Tell it to me!"

"Beg first."

"What?! Napakamisteryo naman ata ng sikreto na 'yan," inis na sabi ko.

"Yes, it is."

"Sige na, sabihin mo na," pangungumbinsi ko.

"I said beg."

"Ano bang klaseng beg ang gusto mo?"

"Say 'please' in a very kind and sweet way," natatawang sabi niya.

"Ang arte naman," bulong ko sabay ismid. I heaved a sigh before I did what he wanted, "Please, Dylan, tell me your secret. I won't tell it to anyone else. Please?" I plead using my kindest and sweetest voice that I have.

Narinig ko ang pagpipigil niya ng tawa. "Fine," aniya. Naramdaman ko ang paglapit ng mukha niya sa tainga ko. "I am . . ." he paused for a while.

"You are?" I said, pushing him to continue the sentence.