Don't Mess with Numero Trece (PDN Series #1)

DMWNT 35

DMWNT 35: Beginning of the End

[Trece]

"Eat."

Rijjah Raniel blinked a couple of times. Katatanggal ko lang sa piring sa kan'yang mga mata at sa pagkakatali ng kan'yang mga palapulsuhan.

When she had adjusted to the sudden brightness, she turned her dark eyes to my direction. Saglit kaming nagtitigan, nakatingala siya sa akin habang nakasalampak sa sahig,  habang nakadungaw naman ako sa kan'ya mula sa aking kinauupuan. I wasn't wearing the mask.

Hindi na kailangan. Matapos nito, hindi ko na kailangan pang itago kung sino ako.

Inalis niya ang busal sa bibig. "You..." She croaked, not even glancing at the plate of apple, and fried rice in front of her. She started massaging her wrists, probably feeling the itch of blood circulation coming back.

I remembered the easy charm and seduction in her tone when she was conversing with Calyx. At the moment, I could see none of that charm. Anxiety and captivity does that too.

"Calyx knew..." Aniya sa mahina ngunit siguradong boses. "He knew who you were. Kaya pala..." She shook her head a little, almost sadly.

I didn't deign address her musings. "Kumain ka. Use the chamber pot when you need to." I tipped my chin to the direction of the thing under my bed. Hindi ko na inalam kung paanong nagkaroon ng arinola ang lalaking 'yun. Nagsimula akong kalikutin ang aking cellphone. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nirereplyan ni Caspian ang pagbati ko ng magandang umaga. Kahapon pa 'to.

"Masyado ka yatang kampante, hindi ka ba natatakot na sumigaw ako?"

Could something have happen? Ayos lang kaya ito? Ibinalik ko kay Raniel ang kalahati ng aking atensyon, ang natitirang kalahati ay naroroon pa rin sa cellphone na hawak ko sa kanang kamay.

"Sa ating dalawa, ikaw ang may dapat ikatakot."

"Wala akong kinatatakutan."

This time, she got the full of my attention. Sumagi sa aking utak ang eksenang nasaksihan ko sa pagitan niya at ni Calyx. Si Calyx na pinakahuli sa listahan ko. Si Calyx na pasimuno sa halos lahat ng dinanas ko dito. Si Calyx na wala na yatang ibang gustong mangyari kundi ang makita ang tunay kong kulay.

I have never felt a desire so strong, it almost makes me ache.

I want to break him.

So badly.

Bahagyang nanginig ang ibabang labi ni Raniel, her eyes registered a bit of alarm. Mukhang parehas kami ng taong iniisip.

I stood up and glanced at the time on my phone.

Then I looked down Raniel thoughtfully, thinking of the last thing she said. "Wala nga ba?"

INIWAN  ko ang babae sa silid na walang piring, walang busal, at libre ang dalawang kamay. She's going to behave. Alam kong hindi siya takot para sa sarili niya, natatakot siya para sa kapakapanan ni Calyx.

There's a lot of things I have a hard time understanding, but that, is one thing I understand perfectly.

Ala-una na ng tanghali. I spent most of the morning replaying the scenario tomorrow in my head. Two new number has been added to my contacts, they would play a major role for tomorrow's events.

Ano man ang mangyari bukas, disidido na akong manatili dito sa St. Benedict. Nandito si Caspian, sapat na rason na iyon para sa akin upang manatili dito. Once he's back, I'm going to tell him the truth. I'm going to tell him who my family is. I'm going to be honest with him in the hopes that his feelings for me is bigger than the hate that he would sure feel. I will break his brother, how could he not hate me for doing that?