A Thousand Wounds

Wound 17

Wound 17

I know I shouldn't have said it, but all I can do now is regret everything when I noticed how her eyes widened a fraction.

"Oo. Kadarating lang nila, I think.." she said, nananantiya ang tinging ipinupukol niya sa akin.

When I remained silent, she continued.

"Why? Are you that excited to see him?" she teased.

"What?" I asked, shocked, which earned me a silly grin from her.

"Just kidding," she laughed, making me blush.

Itinago ko ang aking namumulang pisngi kaya naman mas lalong lumakas ang kaniyang tawa.

"Napaghahalataan ka kasi masyado," komento pa niya.

I cleared my throat and calmed myself.

"Matagal pa ba si Mara?" I asked her, trying to redirect the topic.

She smiled knowingly at me before giving in.

"Wait here. I'll just check on her," paalam niya kaya naman mabilis akong tumango.

I sighed in relief when she's nowhere in my sight. She totally caught me off guard.

On our way home, I stayed silent, lost in my thoughts. Nagpapasalamat na lamang ako na hindi iyon napansin ng tatlo. Reese and Sky remained talkative as ever until I waved them goodbye when we reached our neighborhood.

Still immersed in my thoughts, tuloy-tuloy lamang akong naglakad hanggang sa makarating sa tarangkahan ng aming bahay. Napatigil ako nang mapansin ang isang bulto sa tabi.

"W-What are you doing here?" I asked in total shock.

Humakbang ito palapit sa akin kaya naman napaatras ako. He stopped, a meter away from me, then he smiled.

"I came to see you."

Mas lalong pumungay ang kaniyang mga mata nang muli siyang magsalita.

"I miss you, baby."

I remained silent. Kumuyom ang aking palad sa pagpipigil bago ako umiwas ng mga mata.

"You should go now," pagtataboy ko sa kaniya.

I heard him take a deep breath. Nang muli kong ipukol ang mga mata sa kaniya ay umiling lamang siya sa akin.

"A week of not seeing you, nor hearing your voice is torture for me, my queen. Na-miss kita. Sobra."

Mas lalong dumiin ang pagkakakuyom ng aking palad. Cleyton noticed it so he took a step forward. Itatago ko na sana sa aking likuran ngunit mabilis niyang hinawakan ang aking kamay.

The gentleness of how he caressed my hand made me bit my lower lip. Tumungo ako upang iwasan ang kaniyang mariing paninitig ngunit pilit niya itong hinabol gamit ang kaniyang mga mata.

Our gazes met, and the way how his two orbs flickered in delight melted my heart.

"You have to go," pinatatag ko ang aking boses.

Umawang ang kaniyang labi sa aking sinabi. Mapait itong napangisi bago ito ikinubli sa isang kiming ngiti.

"Before I'll go, I have something for you first," he said with his faint smile.

I averted my gaze and acted coldly.

Binitawan niya ang aking kamay at kinalkal ang kaniyang bag. May inilabas siyang supot na inilahad niya sa aking palad.

"I hope you'll like it.." he spoke softly.

"You don't have to," pagtanggi ko sa kaniyang regalo ngunit nagkibit-balikat lamang siya.