A Thousand Wounds

Wound 25

Wound 25

"Anong pinag-usapan niyo ni Daddy?"

Tipid na nagkibit-balikat si Cleyton kaya naman mas lalong kumunot ang aking noo.

"Ano nga?" I held his arm and nudged him.

"It's a secret, my queen."

Napanguso ako sa kaniyang tinuran. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang makuryuso.

"Are you mad at me?"

Napatigil ako sa paglakad nang marahang hawakan ni Cley ang aking kanang braso. I furrowed my brows and stared at him. "Huh?" tanging nasabi ko, unaware of his words.

"You're silent. Are you mad that I did not tell you about it?"

Muli akong ngumuso.

"I'm just curious, Cley."

He gave me his playful smile. "Sorry, baby, but I won't say a word."

Mas lalo akong napasimangot sa pang-aasar na naglalaro sa kaniyang tinig. "Heh!" maktol ko at inis na tinalikuran siya.

Binilisan ko ang lakad ko hanggang sa makarating sa tarangkahan ng Linavio National High School.

"Belle!"

Cley took long strides to reach me. Sa aking pagtigil sa harapan ng gate ay kipkip ko ang kaba sa aking dibdib. He held my hand, so I raised my head and stared at his expressive brown orbs. He gave me his gentle smile, and then he lightly squeezed my palm.

"You can go first, my queen.."

Hindi ko pinutol ang aming titigan. Napakagat-labi ako sa pagkislap ng kaniyang mga mata.

Habang pinagmamasdan ang aking repleksiyon sa kaniyang mga mata ay tuluyan nang tinangay ng hangin ang kaguluhan sa aking kalooban.

He has always been like that, so understanding and considerate of me. His small gestures give me assurance and courage to face the uncertainties ahead of us.

Kinalas niya ang pagkakahawak sa aking kamay at saglit na tiningnan ang gate.

"Go now, my queen, habang kaunti pa ang mga estudyante."

Something tugged my heart. Oh my, Cleyton Ruel Torres. What would I do to deserve someone like you?

Now that he's beside me, I feel like I'm not worthy of being with him. He's always been there for me. His efforts and sacrifices are immeasurable.

I bit my lower lip for the second time and scoot closer to Cley. This time, I was the one who held his arm and gave it a soft squeeze.

"Let's go?" I asked him with my beaming smile.

"Yeah. Mauna ka na, baby.."

Nang hindi niya ako liningon ay muli kong pinisil ang kaniyang palad. He stared at me, and my bright smile never wavered. "Let's go together, baby.." I whispered.

Gulat siya, tila hindi makapaniwala.

"Are you sure?"

I nodded. Muli akong napakagat-labi nang lumiwanag ang kaniyang mukha.

I have never been sure about this. Hindi na ako takot. Handa na ako. I'm ready to show them that Cleyton Ruel is my king, the rightful one for their queen.

Bago pa kami makapasok sa gate ay muli akong hinarap ni Cleyton. Bumitaw siya sa akin kaya naman napakunot-noo ako. Ayaw niya ba?

Ibinaling ko ang nagtatanong kong mga mata sa kaniya.