Anathema (The Academy of the Cursed)

Chapter Twenty-One: The New Death Rule

-chapter twenty-one-

"Witch?"

Napalingon ako sa may pintuan. Nakatayo dito si Kahel na akay-akay ni Tanya. May mga benda ang kamay, dibdib at ulo niya. At higit sa lahat ay nanlilisik ang mga mata niya.

"What are you doing here?" tanong ko.

"Ako dapat ang magtanong sa'yo niyan! Bakit ka nandito at bakit mo siya kasama?!" signhal niya.

I raised a brow at him. "He wanted to meet up so I did. Ano bang bitamina ang pinainom sa'yo at bakit naglevel up ang kasungitan mo? You're unnecessarily barking in a wounded state, mad dog."

Isang napakasamang tingin ang ipinukol niya sa'kin. Sinagot ko iyon ng sariling pandidilat ng mata. Aba, did he think I will back down just because he's my partner? If he's not wounded, I would have broken his bones already.

Dahil sa nagbabagang tensiyon sa room, kung may namuo man dahil talagang nakakatakot ang itsura ni Kahel, ay natahimik si Tanya. The poor girl was just standing behind him and was busy observing the situation. Bumuntong-hinga ako at humilig. Mukhang may shouting match pa kami ni Mad Dog bago ako makakaalis dito.

Keian gave me a final glance before walking out of the room. But, before he could do so, Kahel quickly took hold of his wrist. Natigilan si Keian at nagtitigan ang dalawa.

"Anong kailangan mo?" may banta sa tono ni Kahel.

Medyo nagugutom na ako kaya naman kinuha ko ang chips na nasa bag at nagsimulang kumain. There's nothing fun in an empty stomach. Lalo na't hindi ako nakapagbreakfast kaninang umaga.

Keian tried to take his hand back, but of course, the bloody Kahel is stronger.

"It's none of your business." malamig na sagot ni Keian.

"It's my business dahil partner ko siya. Gago ka ba?"

Bakit ba sobrang agresibo nitong aso na 'to? He's like those dogs who barks at any soul who passes their house. Kahit wala namang ginagawa, kung makatahol akala mo pinatay na ang buong pamilya.

"Hey! Who are you to talk against him like that? Don't you know me? I'm-"

At agad na naputol ang tapang ni Tanya nang matikman niya ang napakasarap na glare ni Keian. I silently munched on the chips, afraid that a single crack would take their attention. Ayokong masangkot sa gulo nila. It's stupid.

"Let go of me." Keian ordered.

Muling nagstaring contest ang dalawa. Wala pa ring plano si Kahel na bitawan ito at sa paningin ko ay mas lalo nitong hinigpitan ang kapit.

"Hindi. Not until you tell me what you want from her."

"Oh, come on, let go of him." itinapon ko ang empty bag of chips sa basurahan. "He likes me so he summoned me here to confess. I said I'd rather kill you than participate in romantic activities, but you barged in and went feral. Okay ka na?"

Kahel glared at me and lets go of the other's hand. Keian stretched his wrist and walked out of the room. Ngumiti ako kay Kahel at Tanya na masama din ang tingin sa'kin. Wow, am I really that infamous or notorius? I can't believe my reputation has already rose up this high.