Loving The Light [Cosmos Series#4]

Kabanata 21

Archer moved his body in front to protect me. I can't see his face but I caught a glimpse of his clenching jaw. I held his arm as I slowly tugged it. I can now properly move my body. Tila ba sapat ang ilang minuto upang bumalik ang aking lakas.

"Arch." My voice trembled as I whispered his name. I glanced at his gun. Hindi niya na hawak iyon. Pasimple kong iginala ang paningin upang hanapin ang kanyang baril at agad ko namang nakita iyon na ngayon ay nakapatong na kaninang kinauupuan ko.

The training room feels familiar. Walang nabago sa ayos, ilang taon man ang nakalipas.

"We can settle this quitely," Archer negotiated but as I looked at Mirae's eyes, I know she already made a decision.

Dismayadong umiling si Mirae. "Get off. I'll kill that woman." 

Archer's head moved. "Go on, shoot her," sambit niya habang nakaharang pa rin ang katawan sa aking harapan. "Kill me too if you'll kill her."

My eyes enlarged. "Arch!" I harshly pulled his arm but he didn't look at me. I witnessed Mirae a while ago shot the fake Dellany without even batting an eye. Archer's her friend but I'm not sure if she won't shoot him.

"Mirae, stop that." Astrid's voice is already pleading. Wala siyang magawa kahit siya ang pinakamalapit kay Mirae. Her hands were shaking as she lifted it, hesitating if she'll reach Mirae's gun or not.

Mirae heaved a sarcastic breath as she mockingly looked at Archer. "Really? For that woman? I thought you'll kill her?"

"She's my girlfriend--"

Mirae immediately cutted his words. "She's Dellany!"

"She's not!"

Mariin akong napapikit dahil sa isinagot niya.

"Really? Ask her then." I caught a glimpse of Mirae sarcastically raising her brow.

"I-I'm--" I bit my lower lip as my voice trembled. My grip on his arm tightened. "Arch, I'm Dellany Mallari," I whispered in an almost inaudible tone.

I felt him stilled. Dahil nasa likod niya ako ay hindi ko makita ang naging reaksyon niya.

"I'm sorry," I whispered when he didn't answer. Though I didn't betray Cosmos, I can't just tell them that.

He quickly glanced at me. My grip on his arm loosened when I met his eyes, as dark and cold as the night.

"See? I told you, she's really Dellany."

Marahas akong napabuntong hininga nang muling marinig ang mga salita ni Mirae. Dahilan para muling napabaling si Archer sa kanyang direksyon. There was a hint of impatience in her voice.

"Let's stop this."

"Give me that woman--"

"Shoot me, Mirae! Shoot me if you want to kill her."

A loud gasp escaped my mouth. "Archer! No," I sob though my tears already stopped from flowing. He believed me, right? That I'm Dellany.

"Let's settle this without--" Naputol ang sinasabi ni Creed nang dumagundong ang boses ni Mirae.

"Tangina, Archer! Umalis ka dyan!" She shrieked. Tila naubos na ang natitirang pasensya.

"I won't. Shoot me if you want. Better put your gun down if you can't." Ngayon ay bahagya ng kalmado ang kanyang boses.

Mirae slowly shook her head as I caught her looked at the woman's eyes who's near my left. Sandali lang iyon ngunit agad na nakuha ng lahat ang ibig sabihin ng tingin na iyon.