With All Might

Kabanata 21

Pagkalabas ko ay titig na titig si Hex sa'kin. Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Why?"

"You're wearing shirt like that in school?" salubong ang kilay niyang tanong.

Tumango ako. "Oo. Bakit?"

He shook his head and he held my hand. He look so annoyed while we're walking towards his car. Binitawan niya ang kamay ko at binuksan niya ang pinto sa backseat at kinuha sa travel bag niya ang isang varsity jacket. May logo pa 'yon ng school nila. Though he is not into an athletic sports, may gano'ng jacket siya dahil isa siya sa laging representative ng school tuwing may battle of the brain competition. He even flew once to Thailand for an Impromptu speech competition.

Hindi man lang niya ako tinanong at basta niya lang isinuot sa'kin ang jacket. Ngumuso ako at napatingin sa itsura. My goodness! I look like a hip hop dancer na tumatambay sa Plaza at nakikipaghamonan ng sayawan.

"This doesn't suit me! I don't like wearing this jacket. Tsaka ang init-init."

He frown at me. "I don't want anyone seeing your body."

"Huh? T-shirt naman suot ko ah?"

"But it will expose your stomach once you move. Malikot ka pa naman." aniya at isinarado na ang pintoan saka pinagbuksan na ako sa front seat.

I can't believe that he is using his power over me and I couldn't defend myself enough.

Kunot noo akong naka tingin ngayon sa daan. I don't find what he did sweet. Alam ko naman protective lang siya but that's too much.

He sigh when he notice my mood. He maneuver his car towards a familiar place. Nabasa ko ang welcome sign.

Welcome to La Lovela Bridge.

This is famous in Zaccarrio dahil isa ito sa pinaka magandang tourist spot ng probinsya. It has a long, high bridge where you can see the beautiful greenery view of Zaccarrio. They also offer a fun and safe zipline ride.

"Pero baka dagsaan sa bridge ngayon? Though it's not weekend." sabi ko nang makapasok na kami at binati ng gwardiya na nagbabantay sa malaking gate.

"I already talk to Alfaro. I reserve us a ticket." he answer when we reach the destination.

Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto at sabay kaming pumasok sa open space na building. Lumapit kami sa front desk officer. There were intriguing eyes from other customers and staff pero buti nalang at konti lang ang mga tao ngayon.

Surely, the people know Hex because of his father. I don't know if people recognize me. My family only attends to few events here in Zaccarrio and most of those few events are when we go to a party from Mommy and Daddy's close friend which are also rich and elite families.

Iyan ang pampalubag ng isip ko sa'king puso na medyo kabado. Hindi naman talaga ako natatakot malaman nila Daddy at Mommy ang relasyon namin ni Hex pero hindi pa din ako ganoon ka ready. I don't know when I'll be ready. For now, I just really hope our relationship will stay private.

"Here's your ticket, Sir, Ma'am. I hope you enjoy touring La Lovela Bridge. For safety precautions, please follow Arnel, our staff. He'll bring you to the Safety Management Office for the guidelines." anang staff.

We politely say thank you before we follow Arnel. Itinuro sa'min ng Head Officer ng Safety Management ang guide and do's and don'ts. We don't need to wear safety gear dahil secured naman ng mabuti ang lugar. We are just reminded to be careful lalo na pag nasa bridge na kami.

Habang magkahawak kamay kami ni Hex, ramdam ko ang haplos ng malamig na hangin. It's 2:00 in the afternoon but the wind here is different since mas mataas na lupa dito sa La Lovela Bridge.