Wrath of the Blazing Sun (Isla del Tesoro #3)

12

12

Late

I was left in the car and Xenon went back to the shop to call his older brother. Pagbalik nila ay mukhang inaasar ni Xenon ang Kuya niya na tila ba pagod na sa kaniya. When they both went inside, silang dalawa sa harap at ako ang nasa likod. Silence fell over us.

Awkward...

Pagdating sa bahay ay tahimik kaming lahat. I behavingly thanked his brother dahil kahit ano namang sama ng ugali ko, may hiya pa rin ako. Tama nga ang sinabi ni Xenon na ayos na ang mga gamit ko sa hotel. Nakita ko iyon sa kwarto ko ng makapasok ako. When I went upstairs kasi, inunahan ko na siya.

I did not bother to look at him 'coz it was too awkward for me. Hindi ko alam kung paano siya pakikitunguhan pagkatapos ng nangyari.

Kaya hindi na ako nagtaka ng marinig siyang kumatok sa kwarto ko after minutes passed. Good thing I already cleaned myself up and changed clothes.

"Flaire?"

Hindi ako sumagot.

"I just... Wanna check your wounds. Please? May dala akong first aid kit."

I sighed before opening the door. Only to be welcomed by his shy smile.

"I don't need it-"

"You do..." Aniya bago umupo bigla sa harap ng pintuan ko.

My forehead creased. "What are you doing? Pumasok ka kaya?"

Umiling siya habang busy na inaayos ang first aid sa lapag.

"Let me see your wound."

Inabot ko sa kaniya ang binti kong may sugat. I remained standing on the door as he sat on the floor. Buti na lang ay naka-pajama na ako.

"Bat ayaw mo pumasok?" Tanong ko habang ginagamot niya pa ng mas maayos ang sugat ko. Bahagya niya lang tinaas ang laylayan ng pajama ko para makita ang sugat. He was so careful on doing it na akala ko'y ayaw niya pa akong mahawakan.

"It's not a good sight to see a man inside a lady's room." Aniya.

Bahagya akong napapakagat sa labi dahil sa hapdi ng sugat ko.

He looked up at me.

"You can wince in pain. I won't judge."

"I can handle it."

Bumagsak ang tingin niya sa sugat ko ulit.

"You know what... Hindi naman masamang humingi ng tulong. It's okay to share your problems. I'd prefer that. Mas gusto kong ganon kaysa layuan mo ako..."

"Xenon-"

He carefully patted my pajamas back in place before standing up.

"Let's talk about it next time. Ngayon, magpahinga ka muna. Don't be shy to call on me whenever you need help, okay?"

Tumango ako. "Pwede naman ako makisuyo kayna manang-"

"I'd like it more kung sa'kin." Ngumiti siya. It gave me comfort. "Good night, Flaire. You're so strong. I really admire you."

"U-Uh... Thanks..."

Bahagya siyang yumuko bago tumalikod at pumasok sa kwarto niya.

I closed my door and sight. Lintik naman Xenon. Ano bang ginagawa mo sa akin?

"Hindi ko alam kung bat ka nagalit sa'kin," Xenon said as he was busy serving me water.

It's been at least 2 days since the incident. At first, syempre awkward. But we both silently and indirectly decided not to talk much about it yet. Until now...