Dark Secrets Series: His Drastic Devotion

Chapter 24

"Good morning, Serene,"nakangiting bungad sa akin ni Xonne nang pagbuksan ko ito ng pinto.

It's been a two weeks since Raven and I got engaged. Pinagsabihan ako ni Raven na dumistansiya kay Xonne and I understand him. I know Raven felt it too. He's not dense. He was very attentive to me and the people around me too.

I understand Raven because there was something on Xonne's eyes that I can't name everytime I saw him looking at me. He was touchy and very vocal to his actions towards me na kahit hindi niya diretsiyahang sabihin na may gusto siya sa 'kin ay parang sinasabi naman nang mga galaw nito.

"Good morning, Xonne,"saad ko at binigyan ito ng marahang ngiti, "Si Raven ba ang sadya mo? He's not here. Pumunta siya kina Tita kanina."

"Actually no, I came here to give you these. I bought you some food. It's all spicy,"he said and give me a warm smile.

"Salamat, sana hindi kana nag-abala,"saad ko.

"It's alright, Serene. I'll help you put these in the kitchen. Ayos lang ba sayo?"tanong nito habang nakataas ang isang kamay na may bitbit ng tatlong paper bags.

Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin kaso nakakahiya namang tumanggi.

"Ayos lang naman pero baka meron ka pang gagawin ako nalang,"I really hope he won't get offended. Isa pa, baka totoo naman.

"No. These are kinda heavy for you. Aalis rin naman ako agad at hihingi sana ako ng pabor. Give me a minute to talk with you, Serene. I know these days are really tough for you because of me and to my actions. I'm sorry. Please, just a minute, Serene,"saad nito.

Nakatingin lamang ako kay Xonne. Nasa bakuna pa rin kami ng pintuan at nakaharang ako sa gitna.

I don't know what to say. I feel bad for him and I'm guilty for being so uncomfortable with him. Naiisip ko rin ang tugon ni Raven sa akin na dumistansiya kay Xonne at naiintindihan ko naman 'yon.

"Alright, Xonne. Doon tayo sa dalampasigan mag usap,"nginitian ko ito.

Alas-nuwebe na ng umaga kaya medyo mainit na. Mayroon namang pinagawang cottage si Raven doon kaya ayos lang.

Nang makapasok na sa cottage ay nilapag ni Xonne ang paper bags. Tanaw mula sa cottage ang maalon na dagat. The smell of sea breeze help me relax.

Tumikhim si Xonne upang makuha ang atensiyon ko na nakatitig lamang sa dagat. Binaligan ko ito at nakitang nakatitig ito sa akin. I diverted my gazed and look at the sea instead.

"You know, Serene. Raven and I are best of friends since we're in highschool. Alam na alam ko ang ugali ni Raven. When he's happy, sad, angry, mad, and when he's threatened,"Saad nito.

Hindi ko alam ang kahahantungan nito. I don't know why he's bringing this things up. Ano bang gusto ni Xonne? But I keep my silence and continue listening to him.

"I know Raven's secrets, Serene, every little secrets he has,"he said and he held my left hand that placed on the table.

Napatingin ako dito at binawi ang kamay. This isn't the first time though but I don't know where he got his guts to hold me without my consent. Naiinis ako doon.

"Why are you telling me this, Xonne?"seryosong tanong ko.

"I want you to be aware, Serene. I care for you,"saad nito. He looked so concerned.

"Whatever secrets he has, Xonne, I will understand and accept it. My love for him isn't shallow if that what you sees it,"I said while looking straight to his eyes. His expression changed and I saw pain.

"Matagal na rin kitang nakilala, Serene. Remember how we talked at the parking lot before? How you smile while you were talking to me, Serene. Naalala mo 'yon?"ang mga mata nito ay nangungusap.

"You're confusing me with your words, Xonne. Baka nakakalimutan mong fiancé ako ng best friend mo."

Nalilito at naiinis ako. How dare he talked about this behind his best friend's back?

"Alam ko. I've been thinking about this for days because I care for you,"pahina ng pahina ang boses nito at mag-iwas ng tingin.

"Thank you but I don't need it, Xonne,"Saad ko.

Bumaling ito sa 'kin at tinitigan ako sa mga mata. His burning eyes are looking at me and it makes me feel anxious.

"How about I tell a you a clue?"he said calmly yet it scares me but I didn't budge and I keep my straight face.

"Go on."

"The clue is it's something related to you,"Ani nito at bumagsak ang tingin sa umbok ng tiyan ko.

I can't feel my heart beats anymore but I still keep on wearing my straight face. Ayokong malaman niyang natatakot ako. I trust Raven compared to Xonne even though I'm scared.

"Thank you,"saad ko at tumango.

He looked so offended and stunned with the words that came out of my mouth. Parang hindi ito ang inaasahang reaction nito mula sa 'kin.

"What? Look Serene. You still don't know what kind of a man Raven is. I cared for you because I know, I know you will gonna break,"Ani nito at lumapit ng kaunti sa 'kin tila hindi kuntento at gusto pang lumapit upang maintindihan ko ang punto nito.

"I know him, Xonne. Mukhang ikaw ang hindi nakakakilala sa kanya,"saad ko at tumayo na.

Napatayo rin ito at akmang hahawakan ako sa siko nang umiwas ako. He looked so sad even though his expression were just normal. Laging malungkot ang mga mata nito.

"We're now done talking, Xonne. Pwede ka nang umalis,"I said and walked away.

Naramdaman kong sumunod si Xonne sa 'kin kaya mas lalo kong binilisan ang lakad.

Nang sa tansiyang mayroon na kaming malaking distansiya ay binagalan ko na ang lakad ko. However, he shouted that his words almost makes me lost my balance.

"Aalis siya, Serene, at sa pag-alis niya mawawasak kayo."