How To Tame A Demon

Chapter 54

54 : Crazy

Sa sobrang gulat ay hindi ko sinasadyang maitulak palayo si Travis.

He stumbled back, hitting the fridge hard with a groan. Napadaing ito sa sakit habang nakangiwi na hinihimas ang balakang niya.

I stared at him, wide-eyed, wanting to apologize. Pero bago ko pa magawa iyon ay narinig ko ang mga yapak ni mama na papalapit sa amin.

Dali-dali kong hinila si Travis palayo. Habang tumatakbo kami palabas ay naririnig ko pa ang paminsan-minsang pagngiwi niya sa sakit. Pero wala na akong oras na intindihin iyon dahil ang mas mahalaga ngayon ay makatakas kami.

Paglabas ng bahay, si Travis na mismo ang naunang tumakbo. He practically dragged me towards his car, urgency evident in his movements. Wala kaming sinayang na oras; sumakay kami agad. He started the engine, glancing at the rearview mirror kung saan makikita si mama na hinahabol kami.

"Bilisan mo," I whispered, panic rising in my voice. Tumango lang siya, and with a smooth motion, we sped off, leaving my furious mother behind.

Saka lamang ako tuluyang nakahinga ng maluwag nang makalayo na kami.

What the hell was I supposed to tell her now? Maipapaliwanag ko pa sana yung natapong gatas kagabi, pero dahil sa kalandian nitong katabi ko... nahuli na talaga kami. No explanation could get us out of this one.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead. Kinapa ko ang bag ko pero natigilan ako—naiwan ko pa nga yung gamit ko. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako, feeling completely defeated. Ang galing talaga.

"Hey, chill yourself. Don't stress out so much--"

"Don't stress?!" I shot back, my voice sharp. "Paano ako hindi ma-sstress kung napagkamalan tayo ni mama na may ginawa—na totoo naman, pero iba na 'yon sa isip niya!"

Napatikom si Travis, turning his eyes away. The silence that followed was heavy, pero hindi ko alam kung paano i-handle. I was still fuming, pero halatang nag-reregret na rin siya sa nangyari.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay? I just... can't control myself when it comes to you," he admitted, voice low, almost vulnerable. I glanced at him, but he kept his eyes on the road. Bumaling ako sa bintana.

"Sorry din... kung nasigawan kita," mahina kong bulong, ang init ng mukha ko ay bumabalik na naman. Hindi ko kasi mapigilan. It wasn't just him—it was me, too. Ako rin naman... nagpabaya.

"You don't have to be sorry, baby. It doesn't matter," he said softly, trying to ease the tension.

"Isa pang baby mo, ipapakagat na talaga kita kay Toby," banta ko, though it was more bark than bite.

"If only he can," sagot niya, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. Napailing nalang ako, trying to suppress a laugh. He was impossible.

But his expression softened. "Seriously, I'm sorry for kissing you. It was just supposed to be a smack on the lips, but... I can't seem to think straight when it comes to you."

What was I... even supposed to say to that?

"I'm going crazy, Avery," he whispered, his voice so serious it sent a chill down my spine. "And you're the one driving me crazy."

Natahimik ako, the weight of his words sinking in as he held my gaze. His eyes were intense, almost burning with something I couldn't quite put my finger on. Para bang may gustong sabihin ang mga mata niya na hindi kayang i-express ng mga salita.

For a moment, neither of us said anything, just the quiet hum of the engine and the sound of the road beneath us. But the air between us felt heavy, thick with unspoken thoughts. I wanted to break the tension, to say something—anything—but my throat felt tight, my mind a mess.

Sensing my unease, he finally looked away and focused on driving again. I sighed in relief, quietly wiping the sweat off my forehead. What the hell was that?

Trying to shift the conversation, I mumbled, "H-hindi ko na mapapaliwanag kay mama yung gatas." It was a weak attempt, pero kahit papaano, I hoped it would lighten the mood.

"It's fine. At least it won't be hard to explain to tita once we actually do it," he teased, a grin creeping back onto his face. Namula ako sa sinabi niya, at agad akong bumaling ng tingin sa labas ng bintana, pretending I didn't hear that.

Baliw na talaga siya.

***

Pagdating namin sa university, agad kaming nagtungo ni Travis sa aming klase. I could feel the eyes on us—mga tingin na hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit kailangang tutukan kami. Napayuko ako, trying to avoid their stares. Pero ramdam ko pa rin ang bawat tingin na sumusunod sa amin, lalo na sa kanya.

Travis wasn't just your typical guy; his reputation preceded him. Kilala siya sa pagiging matikas, basagulero, at halatang dominante ang presensya. Hindi nga lang mga babae at binabae ang naaagaw ng atensyon niya—pati mga lalaki, napapalingon.

Pero habang naglalakad kami, naramdaman kong iba ang tingin ng ilang kalalakihan. Parang biglang kumirot ang tiyan ko. Ano na namang problema ng mga ‘to?

I quickened my pace, inunahan si Travis papunta sa loob ng silid. I was just thinking maybe if I move fast enough, I can just disappear into the background.

Pagkapasok ko, diretso akong umupo sa aming spot, resting my forehead on the desk. The weight of their stares had drained me.

The day had barely started, pero pakiramdam ko, napuno na agad ang utak ko. I breathed deeply, closing my eyes for a moment.

Kailangan kong kumalma.

Hindi naman nagtagal bago ko naramdaman ang presensya ni Travis na umupo sa tabi ko. His presence was always... overwhelming, kahit hindi siya nagsasalita. I didn't need to look to know it was him. Bigla kong naramdaman ang kanyang kamay sa likuran ko, banayad na humihimas. My body stiffened.

"I-itigil mo yan," I muttered, trying to sound firm.

"What's wrong? I'm just comforting you," he whispered back, his voice calm, pero alam kong may bahid ng paglalaro iyon. I bit back a groan, wishing he would just stop.

"It's not helping," I replied sharply, irritation creeping into my tone. He let out a small chuckle and pulled his hand back—only to drape his arm over my shoulders, his grip firm. Hindi na ako kumilos. It was pointless.

"Travis," I warned, my voice low. Pero hindi siya natinag, acting as if he didn't hear me.

I shifted in my seat, hoping he'd take the hint and remove his arm. But instead, he tightened his hold, pulling me closer until my face was buried in his side.

"T-Travis!" I gasped, trying to push him away, but his arm remained firm, securing me against him. I shot him a glare, hoping he'd realize I was serious, but the look he gave me in return was... playful. Mischievous.

Gusto ko na siyang idaan sa tingin pero hindi ko magawa. So instead, I reached out, pinching his side as hard as I could. Pero sa halip na pain, a loud groan escaped his lips.

The whole room fell silent.

My blood ran cold as every single person in the room turned their attention to us. It was like time froze, and I could feel my face drain of color. I dared to glance at Travis, who was still grinning like an idiot and clearly enjoying the situation.

I could feel my entire body heating up in embarrassment. Slowly, I sunk back into my seat, hiding behind his broad frame, my only shield from the judging stares around us.

"Papatayin talaga kita mamaya, Travis," I hissed under my breath, my voice shaking with a mix of anger and mortification. He responded with a low, amused chuckle.

"Sure then. I'll be waiting, baby," he whispered back, leaning closer, his tone teasing and daring all at once.