K A B A N A T A: I I I
Everly's POV
Naalimpungatan ako dahil sa mainit na pakiramdam ng sinag ng araw na tumatama sa aking mukha. It was so calming, just like my mother's touch.
Wait... Mabilis kong naimulat ang aking mata ng tuluyang bumalik sa aking alaala ang nangyari. Kaagad kong ini-ikot ang aking tingin sa paligid, pero wala akong kahit isang mamukhaan sa mga bagay na naroon.
This whole room is completely unfamiliar to me. Sinubukan kong tanawin ang labas ng nakabukas na bintanang iyon. Nervousness started to creep out in me when I realized that it's not the same woods I used to watch outside the mansion each morning.
All I can see is a vast empty grassy land.
"S-Si ate... si ina, a-asan s-sila?" I muttered to myself while trying to calm myself down. Hindi ako pwedeng lamunin ng takot at kaba sa aking dibdib dahil siguradong hindi ako makakaisip ng paraan para matulungan sila.
I take deep breaths until I'm calm before raising my eyes to observe my surroundings, and if I were in a simpler situation, I'd think this room is the most beautiful and expensive I've ever been in. I rose from my bed and took a few steps towards the window.
Kaagad na napakunot ang aking noo ng wala akong ibang nilalang na matanaw sa paligid.
Even on that grassy land, there are no other creatures to be found. I'm sure only wild animals are noticeable. I can clearly hear birds, deer, and other insect noises because of how quiet this place is.
Mula sa aking pwesto ay tanaw na tanaw ko na ang paglubog ng araw.
Which only means that I've slept the whole day. Kung ganun na ako katagal nakatulog ay siguradong may nangyari na kila ina at sa aking kapatid. I clenched my fist on the edge of that window while trying to comprehend everything that had happened.
The first truth is about my identity. The second concern is the attack in the pack, and the third is the safety of my mother and sister. If everything my mother and sister said was true, those warlocks could have been after me all along. I am a big threat to them.
This is not my father's mansion, and even though there are no other creatures here, it is still dangerous for me to stay in an unfamiliar place like this, especially since I have no idea where this mansion is located or what their motivation for helping me might be. So I need to get out of here as soon as possible.
Ngayon ay napaisip ako kung sino ang nilalang na nagdala sa akin dito. Nais ba nila akong tulungan o meron silang ibang nais sa akin?
My feet are burning just thinking about all the possibilities, and I want to get out and run away from this place.
Mabilis kong pinihit ang katawan patalikod upang tunguhin ang pinto ng kuwartong iyon. Just when I was about to touch the door knob someone from the outside opened it.
Dahil doon ay awtomatikong gumalaw ang aking katawan patalikod sa direksyong iyon at kaagad kong iniyuko ang aking ulo at pilit itinago ang aking mukha sa likod ng aking kamay at braso.
"Ija?" Natuod ako sa aking pagkakatayo pero nanatili pa ding nakatakip ang aking braso at kamay sa aking ulo.
"Gising ka na pala." Muli kong narinig ang kanyang boses. Kahit hindi ko pa siya nakikita ay sigurado akong isang estranghero para sa akin ang babaeng ito. Sinubukan kong sumilip sa awang ng aking mga daliri ng marinig ko ang yabag niya papalayo.
I saw her carrying a small table with plates of foods on top of it. Wala sa sariling kumalam ang aking sikmura habang nakatingin sa mga pagkaing iyon. Pero napahinto ako ng makita ko ang pagpihit niya paharap sa akin. I moved sideways to continue covering up my face from her.
Based on my observation, this woman is already in her mid 70s. Hindi naman siguro ako mahihirapang tumakbo palayo kung sakaling may gawin siya sa akin.
"Narito na ang iyong pagkain. Kumain ka na habang mainit pa dahil sigurado akong kaninang umaga ka pa hindi kumakain." Napatigil ako dahil sa labis na lumanay ng kanyang boses.
I'm also a stranger to her, doesn't she feel threatened by my presence? Idagdag pa ang aking kakaibang itsura, siguradong nasa kulungan na ako ng kung saang basement ngayon kung ibang nilalang ang nakakita sa akin.
Dahil doon ay unti-unti kong ibinaba ang pagkakaharang ng aking braso sa aking mukha. Maybe I became to judgemental and defensive towards her. Ngayon ay unti-unti ng nababalot ng kuryosidad ng aking isip. Siya ba ang may-ari ng mansyong ito?
Mabilis na napaiwas ang aking tingin ng makita ko ang ngiting nakapaskil sa kanyang labi. I don't know why but I don't feel any danger toward this woman, she actually reminds me of my mother's presence, soft and sweet.
A strange feeling started to fill my heart as I let her examine my appearance.
Nahihiya ako.
"Her clothes suits you well." Komento nito habang nakapaskil pa din ang ngiti sa kanyang labi. She then raised her eyes towards my face an her smile remain in her lips. Doesn't she see my appearance? Hindi ba siya natatakot na may gagawin ako sa kanya?
"Nasa baba lang ako kung may kailangan ka ija." Her voice is so sweet and calm, I just can't believe that she treats me as if I was a normal looking person.
"S-Sandali..." Halos hindi ko na marinig ang aking sarili dahil sa sobrang hina ng aking boses. I watched her looked back at me with a confused look in her face.
"W-Who are you? W-Why am I here?" Mabilis kong iniiwas ang aking tingin dahil ayaw kong panoodin ang pagbabago ng ekspresyon sa kanyang mukha.
"You are in the Alpha's mansion. Ako si manang Linda, tagapangalaga sa lugar na ito." Saglit akong natigilan dahil sa kanyang sinabi.
Alpha's mansion? Napakunot ang aking noo dahil muli ko na namang natanaw ang labas ng bintanang iyon. Sa aking pagkakatanda hindi ito ang mansyong kinalakihan ko noon.
"This mansion is a private property of the Alpha and located far from the pack and in the middle of the second district's central forest." She continued to say. So that explains why no one's here.
"Kaya 'wag ka ng magtatakha kung tahimik dahil ako lamang ang narito, minsan minsan ay nagtutungo ang alpha dito upang maayos na makapag pahinga." Pakiramdam ko ay napahinga ako ng maayos dahil sa sinabi niya. Kung gayon ay wala pala akong dapat na ikabahala.
"Naramdaman ng Alpha kagabi ang kakaibang presensya mula sa kagubatan, wala akong ediya kung anong nangyari pero pagbalik niya ay buhat-buhat niya na ang walang malay mong katawan." Pagpapatuloy nito. Napataas naman ang aking kilay dahil doon.
So it was the alpha that helped me? Wait—Sino bang alpha ang pinag-uusapan namin?
"May I know who's Alpha we are talking about?" Nahihiyang tanong ko dito. She just smiled at me before answering.
"Alpha greyson. Ang bagong alpha ng Moonstone pack. This mansion actually belongs to his deceased mother, the very first mate of Alpha Marcus. He wanted to keep it as his secret haven, that's why I have no idea why he brought you here instead of the pack." Para akong naubusan ng lakas dahil sa sinabi niya.
I really have to thanked the alpha for bringing me here instead on the pack. Siguradong patay ako kay ama at kuya oras na may ibang makaalam ng tungkol sa akin. Ilang beses akong napabuga ng hangin bago muling tumingin sa kanya.
"W-Wala ba siyang ibang kasama pagbalik?" Muli kong tanong. I was hoping that they were also able to help my sister. Dahil kung hindi ay wala akong ediya kung saan ko hahanapin si ate.
All I could remember is that shadow. Kung paano nito binuhat ang katawan ni ate, pagtapos niyon ay hindi ko na alam kung anong nangyari. But still, I'm thankful that I'm alive, that means I still have a chance to save my sister and my mother. Pero kung ako ang habol ng mga ito ay bakit si ate ang kinuha ng aninong iyon?
When I raised my head, I noticed her looking at me intently, but she didn't seem embarrassed by her behavior, and she smiled at me again. Well, I personally believe there is nothing to be ashamed of in her behavior; in fact, this is the first time I have ever felt more respected than I thought I deserved.
"You look like you have some troubles going on in your life right now. Huwag kang mag-alala siguradong tutulungan ka ng Alpha." She softly pat my back before turning her body in the door's direction.
Para akong natuod sa kaing kinatatayuan at ilang minutong natulala sa pader ng magandang kuwartong iyon.
I don't think I will be able to ask for someone else's help, especially the alpha. Masyadong mahina ang aking loob para gawin iyan, isa pa masyado ding delikado oras na madamay sila sa gulong ito, though they were already involved in this, I just don't want to make everything more worse. Mas gugustuhin ko na lang umalis at mag-isang resolbahin ang lahat.
Isa pa ay hindi ko pa nakita kailanman ang bagong alpha. Masyado pa akong bata noong huli kaming tumira sa pack kaya siguradong wala na akong matandaan sa mga nilalang na naroon.
I just hope that he'll not mention me to our pack. Maybe I should talk to him and make sure that he's going to keep my identity a secret.
Growl~
Napabuntong hininga ako at tahimik na tinahak ang pagkaing nakapatong sa maliit na mesa. Kaagad akong naupo sa maliit na upuang iyon at hinayaan ang aking sarili na kumain. If I wanted to ran away from here I have to make sure that I'm well fed, because I'll be needing nothing but my own energy.
Hindi ko alam kung gaano kalayo ang mansyong ito sa amin, pero siguradong aabutin ako ng isang araw pabalik lalo na at mga paa ko lamang ang aking gagamitin. Kung kaya ko lang sana magpalit anyong lobo ay siguradong makakabalik ako kaagad bago magbukang liwayway.
I eagerly ate all that food until my stomach could no longer take it. When I looked outside the window it was already dark. Which means night has come, and this is the perfect time for me to escape.
Ang ibang prutas at tinapay na natira sa aking pagkain ay nilagay ko sa isang malapad na panyong nakita ko sa cabinet na naroon sa kwarto. Ibinuhol ko iyon upang magawa kong isabit sa aking katawan.
Kakailanganin ko iyon kung sakaling magutom ako sa daan, hindi ako pwedeng mahimatay sa gutom sa gitna ng mapanganib na kagubatang iyon.
Muli akong naghanap ng ibang tela na maaari kong itakip sa aking ulo. Luckily I was able to find one, but it was too small that I was only able to cover my head with it. Pwede na iyon kesa wala akong magamit.
"I'm ready." Sambit ko sa aking sarili. Isang malakas na paghinga ang aking pinakawalan at pinalakas ang aking loob. I can do this, I can go back and I will surely save my sister and mother.
Kaagad kong inilingon sa magkabilang direksyon ang aking tingin ng sandaling buksan ko na ang pinto. Mukhang may tiwala talaga sa akin ang matandang iyon. What was her name again?
Manang linda. Siguradong hindi ko makakalimutan ang kanyang pangalan. Pagdating ng araw ay pasasalamatan ko sila ng alpha dahil sa ginawa nilang pagtulong sa akin.
Nang masiguro kong wala si manang ay maingat kong inihakbang ang aking paa patungo sa kaliwang direksyon kung saan ko natatanaw ang hagdan pababa. I used my senses to listen to any noise coming down there but there isn't.
Kagaya nga ng sinabi nito ay ang alpha lang at siya ang naririto ngayon sa mansion. Luckily mukhang wala ang alpha kaya siya lang ang natira. Madali na lang sa akin na umalis.
When the light in the entire mansion went out, I was already slowly making my way down the stairs. Muli akong natuod sa aking kinatatayuan. I'm not afraid of darkness, but it will only make it a lot more difficult for me to get out of this enormous mansion.
Siguradong maliligaw at maliligaw ako. Halos ikapa ko na ang aking kamay sa aking harapan. I narrowed my eyes when I saw a glimpse of light from the door of the kitchen. Kaagad akong nataranta at tinahak ang kung saang daan paalis doon.
Dire-diretso lamang ang aking hakbang kahit pa nababalot ng dilim ang aking paningin. Kaagad akong nabuhayan ng loob ng matanaw ko na ang isang pasilyong nasisinagan ng liwanag ng buwan. Halos takbuhin ko na ang distansyang iyon.
Ng makarating ako sa dulo niyon ay kaagad bumungad sa akin ang isang malawak na hardin. This whole place looks like it hasn't been touch by any gardeners before. Mukha ng napabayaan dahil sa matataas na damo at talahib na tumubo sa paligid. Fungus grew on the flower pots, and flowers and other ornamentals sprouted randomly in every corner.
Looks like this place is a restricted area, and I have a great feeling that I shouldn't be here. But I have no choice. Muli kong inihakbang ang aking paa padiretso sa pasilyong iyon, sa dulo niyon ay may palikuan na siguradong palabas na sa kakahuyan.
Pero kaagad akong napahinto sa aking kinatatayuan ng matanaw ko ang isang hindi pamilyar na pigura na biglang sumulpot sa dulo niyon. Nahigit ko ang aking paghinga dahil sa matinding kaba na unti-unting nanunuot sa aking sistema.
When did that creature appeared there? Halos hindi ko na maikilos ang aking katawan ng makita ko ang paggalaw nito. Muli kong sinubukang tanawin ang kanyang itsura at mas tumindi ang aking pagkakakapit sa nakabuhol na panyo sa aking bewang ng matanaw ko ang mataas na bulto nito.
His neatly cut hair was the only thing visible in my narrowing eyes at the time, confirming my assumption that he was a man.
Just when I was about to step back, a strong sweet smell started to fill my nose. Wala sa sariling naipikit ko ang aking mata upang mas samyuin ang mabangong amoy na iyon. I almost forgot what I was about to do because of that smell.
When I tried to open my eyes and met the most beautiful pair of dark eyes I've ever seen, I could feel my heart begin to pound. His black orbs pierce through my soul like a sharp knife, making my knees weak for some reason.
He's staring at me. Down to my body—no, he's observing the clothes I'm wearing. I saw the glimpse of familiarization in his eyes before it was replaced once more with coldness.
He makes me feel something within my stomachs, and I can't seem to remember what I have to do.
Maging ako ay nahigit ang aking paghinga ng makita ko ang ginawa niyang paghinto isang metro mula sa akin. I can't clearly see his face but I know that he possesses god-like features. I'm starting to get intimidated by his strong presence.
Muli kong naalala ang sinabi ni manang kanina. They are the only people living here. She and the alpha. Mabilis kong nailing ang aking ulo upang alisin ang mga posibilidad na pumapasok sa aking isip.
Hindi ko na magawang makapag-isip ng maayos dahil sa ediyang pumapasok sa utak ko. His sweet, addictive scent only left me with the impression that he could be my mate. Someone I never expected to meet in a place like this. I have to prepare for the unexpected.
Halos hindi na ako makapag-isip ng maayos dahil sa sobrang daming pangyayaring naganap sa aking buhay sa loob lang ng dalawang araw.
I learnt about the possible truth behind my identity, my sister is missing, my mother's safety is at risk, and now... now I have a great feeling that I have met someone I've been longing to find.
My mate. My very own REAL mate. This isn't a dream anymore, or a mere hallucination. He's standing right in front of me, with his strong sweet smell lingering and had never left my nose since a while ago. His aura screams nothing but intimidation, together with his prideful posture, I don't think my knees could hold my whole body for the next more minutes.
Natatandaan ko pa ang mga kwento ni ina noon sa akin, ang mga bagay at emosyong mararamdaman mo oras na makita mo na ang nilalang na karapat-dapat sayo, ang itinadhana sayo ng mahal na diyosa.
But still... I aggressively shook my head. This person couldn't be my destined soul. It's just impossible. Siguro ay nag iilusyon lang ako dahil matagal ko na din ninais na makatagpo ang itinadhana para sa akin, This is my first time seeing another male wolf which is surely the same age as mine.
Dahil doon ay pilit kong pinakiramdaman ang aking buong katawan upang muling ayusin at ibalik ang aking nawalang lakas. Nang magawa kong i-atras ang aking paa ay doon bumalik sa realidad ang aking isip. I shook my head before quickly turning my back to him and preparing to run, but then, I felt like my body was not moving.
That's when I noticed a strange light wrapping around my waist. Slowly, I felt as if my body was being yanked back. I close my eyes tightly as I sense his presence getting closer and closer.
"Who are you?" Ilang beses kong nalunok ang aking nanunuyong laway ng marinig ko ang kanyang malamig na boses. Hindi ko alam kung pareho ba kami ng nararamdaman ng mga sandaling iyon, pero mukhang ako lang ang nalulunod sa nakakahalinang amoy niya.
"No, w-who are you?" I don't know why I stammered when I found my voice to speak to him. Though I'm having my own assumptions in my head, I still have confirmation from his mouth.
He seems calm, and his intimidating aura remains even if I'm this close. Sabagay, hindi na dapat ako nagulat dahil siguradong walang kahit na sinong magkakamaling tanggapin ang isang kagaya ko bilang kanyang mate.
With all the force that I can. I tried to get out from this thing that he's using to hold me in place. Sinubukan kong ilingon ang tingin sa kanyang direksyon at napuno ng gulo ang aking isip dahil sa mga nagliliwanag na simbolong nasa kanyang palad.
Then, I was astounded when I realized that those are marks of someone who can control magic. So... he's a warlock? But why didn't I feel any bad aura around him? Mas lalong napuno ng gulat ang aking sistema ng maramdaman ko ang muling paghila nito sa akin.
Ni hindi ko na matandaan ang mga salitang binitawan niya kanina ngayon na halos ilang pulgada nalang ang aming layo. Just like what I expected, he possessed god like features, especially those eyes of him. It makes my whole system weak.
"I'm greyson, a warlock and the alpha of Moonstone pack." Halos lumuwa ang aking mata dahil sa sinabi niya. He's the Alpha that manang is talking about. Which means he's also half-wolf, and he could possibly feel the same feeling I have right now that we met each other.
"Y-You're a w-warlock?" I stuttered while saying my first words to him. I was even shock to myself that I was able to ask that to him. Napuno ng matinding kuryosidad ang aking sistema dahil sa katotohanang iyon, kahit pa itanggi niya ay alam kong isa siya sa mga nilalang na iyon.
"Yes, do you know anything about us?" Muling nanuot sa aking tenga ang malamig niyang boses. It sends shivers down to my spines now that we're this close. His clear voice seems to awaken something in me.
These... all of these things that I've felt. This is also the first time for me, and I'm starting to hate this feeling, it's suffocating me. He's consuming my whole system without him even realizing it.
"C-Can you l-let me go?" Nagbabakasakaling usal ko sa kanya.
I can see the hesitation in his expression, the very first emotion I've ever seen plastered in his handsome face. Hindi ko pa man siya tuluyang nakikilala ay sigurado na akong hindi magiging maganda ang kalalabasan ng lahat ng ito. I'm already starting to feel like crazy mate just by staring at him for about a minute now.
He's mesmerizing to look at, and it's quite... addicting.
"Only if you promised not to ran away." Muling usal niya, dahilan kung bakit mabilis akong nabalik sa realidad. Sunod-sunod kong naitango ang aking ulo bago tuluyang yumuko.
I would never look at him again, so I'll be able to think straight, but then, his sweet smell gets me even more distracted than his handsome face. It was so strong yet soft enough to slide through my nostrils that easily. Pakiramdam ko nga ay wala ng ibang amoy na kayang iproseso ng aking utak kundi ang mabangong amoy lang nito.
Once again, I clenched my fist before shutting my eyes tight and ignore his addicting sweet smell as hard as I could. Ngayon ay muli akong napaisip kung bakit 'tila napakakalmado niya ngayong nasa harap niya na ako. Kahit pa hindi ko nakita ang kanyang mukha kanina ay hirap na akong pigilan ang aking sarili na layuan siya.
But he appears calm and unbothered by MY presence, which hurts me and makes me frustrated. Muli ko nalang iminulat ang aking mata bago nagpakawala ng isang malalim na buntong hininga. I shouldn't become this obvious in front of him.
Yes, I want him this instant, but, I have to make sure that he feels the same, or perhaps wanted to TRY to feel the same.
I watched as those white ropes loosen around my body. Nang tuluyan na iyong mawala ay napahinga na ako ng maayos, ng iniangat ko ang tingin sa kanya ay nawala na ang mga simbolong iyon sa kanyang palad.
"I know creatures like you." Pauna at pilit na kalmadong sambit ko sa kanya. I watch a small smirk form in his lips, and I think that I just forgot how to breathe with that expression in his face.
I'm not sure how a mate's feeling works, but my mother once told me that when two mates are close, they can feel each other's feelings and emotions. Does that mean he's feeling my emotions right now? How hard is my heart pounding all the time, and how difficult is it for me to breathe?
Sa tingin ko naman ay hindi. Dahil sobrang kalmado niya mula pa kanina. Ni hindi ko nga makitang bumilis ang paghinga niya, o kung may emosyon bang papaskil sa kanyang mga mata habang nakatingin sa akin. All I can see is nothing, and I don't want to admit it but it already hurts as I realize that having to meet my own mate doesn't mean I'll live happily now.
"Tell me what you know about creatures like us." May kuryosidad na usal nito.
Napataas ang aking kilay dahil sa mabilis na pagbabago ng kanyang ekspresyon. He looks like he is now interested in the words that will come out of my mouth.
Isn't he terrified by my appearance? O hindi man lang ba siya magtatanong kung bakit ganito ang dahilan ng pagkakaroon ng ganitong itsura ng kanyang mate?
"I-I don't know that much. I've been studying creatures like you for quite long now." Utal na sambit ko. Kaagad ko na namang nahigit ang aking paghinga at napa atras ng mapagtanto ko ang biglaang paglapit niya.
I'm not scared of him. I'm scared of my own behavior toward him. I'm afraid I would do something I would regret later on.
"Go on. Do it." Nanlaki ang aking mata at muling iniyuko ang aking ulo dahil sa sinabi niyang iyon. There's no way he could read my mind. No way.
"I'm not a psychic, but your behavior says everything that I want to know. So, go on... tell me anything you want to tell. Do ANYTHING you want to do." Halos hindi na ako makahinga dahil sa sinabi niya.
Wala sa sariling pumasok sa aking isip ang kanyang mapulang labi. I'm having an uncontrollable desire to kiss him and let him mark and claim me as his very own mate, right now. Isn't it insane? I'm just being honest because that's what he made me want to do right now.
Pero pilit kong pinipigilan ang aking sarili. If he's this unbothered, and I'm almost dying here fighting the urge to own him. Then sacrificing my pride wouldn't be worth it.
"What's wrong?" It's more frustrating to hear the tease in his voice. This is frustrating, I feel like I'm being played by him.
Kaya naman bago pa ako may magawang kakaiba ay hinanda ko na ang aking sarili sa pagtakbo paalis. But then once again, I caught my self getting wrapped up and caged by something.
But this time, it wasn't from any of his magic tricks. "If you can't do it, then let me do the honor." The last thing I heard from him before I slowly realized that I was caged in his strong arms and all I could do was stay silent as I felt his soft lips touch mine.
"Welcome to my world, my beloved mate." That's when I lose the weak thread of pride that's been holding me back.
Matapos ng ilang segundong paglapat ng kanyang labi sa akin ay naramdaman ko na lang ang muling pagsidhi ng lamig sa aking sistema. When I opened my eyes, I noticed him slowly backing away from me. But he kept holding my back, which is very helpful because I think I'm going to collapse any minute.
"W-Why?" Mahinang bulalas ko ng dumaan ang ilang segundong katahimikan sa pagitan namin. Sa wakas ay nagawa ko ng mahanap ulit ang sariling boses pero naroon pa din ang matinding panghihina sa aking katawan kaya hindi ko pa din magawang maiangat ang tingin sa kanya.
After what happened, I can't look at him. I never expected that, despite his calmness and unbothered-ness a while ago, he would feel the same way toward me and end up doing the only thing I wanted to do since I've seen him.
Because he remained silent, I did the most courageous thing I've ever done in my life. I raised my head only to be greeted by the coldest eyes I'd ever seen.
Hindi ko napigilang bahagyang mapaatras dahil sa gulat. Tila napakabilis namang magbago ng emosyon sa kanyang mukha.
Then I felt his hands slowly tighten around my arms. His touch didn't make me feel uncomfortable at first; it actually warmed me. But now that he's gripping it tighter, I can feel the pain and how uneasy he's making me feel.
Napaigik ako dahil sa sakit. Pakiramdam ko ay mababali na iyon ano mang oras. I saw the hidden urge he's hiding when I raised my eyes again and stared pleadingly at his eyes. I'm sure he wanted to do something, but he's trying hard not to. His eyes are filled with rage, and I can sense his frustration as he tightens his grip on my arms.
"B-Bitawan mo a-ako..." Halos nanghihinang bulong ko dahil tila mas lalong nawalan ng lakas ang aking sistema.
Hindi ko kayang tanggapin na pagkatapos ng ginawa niyang paghalik sa akin ay ganoon niya din kabilis ipapakita ang totoong nararamdaman niya. When I saw him, I expected something like this, but why did he have to give me the impression that there might be a chance and even kiss me?
"I'm supposed to be the one asking why. Why you? Out of all the other creature why someone like you?" Tuluyan akong natigilan dahil sa sinabi niya, dire-diretso kong ibinagsak ang parehong braso sa aking gilid dahil sa pagkawala ng lakas niyon. I can't help but to lower my head down, because I know to myself that I might cry any minute from now.
This is too much for me.
"I'm sorry." I muttered after sometime of feeling nothing but his anger and tight grip on my arms. Sa katunayan nga ay halos bigla kong nakalimutana ng sakit na dulot niyon sa aking braso ng marinig ko ang sinabi niya. Hindi ko na namalayan ang tuloy-tuloy na pagdaloy ng luha sa aking pisngi.
I could feel him gradually releasing his grip on both of my arms. I noticed his feet taking a few steps back. Away from me, and I nearly fell to my knees when that happened. Fortunately, I still have some stored energy that keeps both of my knees supported.
"Look at me." Sunod-sunod kong naikurap ang aking mata dahil doon. I can't. I just can't muster up the courage to look up. Not with my tears constantly streaming down my cheeks. I just can't take it anymore; it kills me that he's spitting his true feelings right in my face.
I felt his warm hands again on my chin in a split second. He slowly raised my head, and I found myself caught between his cold stares once more.
"I'm giving you the opportunity to escape right now. Don't be a fool. If I see you here again when I return. I won't have any regrets about whatever I do to you." His icy voice pierces my heart like a sharp knife. After that, he vanished.
It feels empty now that he's gone. His words feel like a threat to me, but somehow I can't seem to take the courage to walk this feet away from here. Mapait akong napangiti habang unti-unting inaangat ang aking palad patungo sa tapat ng aking puso.
"He's gone, stop pounding so fast now. Please..." I muttered to myself like my heart was a separate entity of my body that I can't no longer control. Halos hindi na ako makahinga ng maayos dahil sa sobrang bilis pa din ng pagtibok niyon.
His smell still lingers around me, but it's starting to vanish after more minutes of me just standing there and staring at the darkness of that hallway. Hindi ko nga alam kung saan ko pa nakukuha ang lakas para tumayo, kanina lang ay nanghihina na ang aking tuhod dahil sa mga nangyari.
Isang mapait na ngiti ang nanuot sa aking labi matapos ang ilang minutong katahimikan namayani sa akin. I just knew this would happen, I already expected this but then...
I won't go. If he rejects me then be it. I wanted to hear the words from him, in that way, I can gladly accept this painful rejection. Even if it kills me.
To be continued...
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𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓'𝒔 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: Thank you for reading, god bless シ︎
Credits to the rightful owner of all the videos and pictures that I included and used in this story.
©pribadongmanunulat1_2022
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