Oblique Flames Of Beauty ( Universidad de Cebu Series 1)

KABANATA VI

Beauty

"Thanks for the food."

Nasa labas na kami ng La Vie, sa mismong tapat ng kotse niya. Tiningnan ko ang oras sa aking telepono. It's already 7:30 pm.

"Alis na ko. Ihahanda ko nalang ang mga gamit,
just give me the address pupunta ako bukas."

Sabi niya naman maari na akong magsimula bukas. It's a good thing for me since I won't be troubling myself anymore to find a place to sleep on.

"Get in."

Napatanga ako sa sinabi ni Saber.

"Ha?"

Nag iwas siya ng tingin at binuksan ang pinto ng passenger seat.

"Anong gagawin ko diyan?"

I mean alam ko naman na dapat sumakay pero seryoso ba siya?

"Sakay."

Mas naging seryoso ang kanyang boses sa pag-uulit nito. Tinikom ko ang aking bibig at sumakay na lamang sa kotse. Pumasok rin sya at sinimulan ng buhayin ang makina.

"Pasensya na sa abala.." I snorted.

Tumingin-tingin na lamang ako sa labas. He's rude but atleast he's kinda bit thoughtful.

"Saan kita ihahatid? Aren't you gonna ask permission to your parents first?"

Nanatiling nasa labas ang aking tingin.

"Doon sa bahay na nakatulong sayo noong gabing 'yon.. And I don't have a family..." I lied.

Ayaw ko na rin namang mag kwento mas mabuting akin na lang iyon. Naramdaman ko ang paninitig niya gamit ang aking peripheral vision. Whatever that stare is its probably pity. And I hate such look for I always receive that kind of stares.

I need more than just a pity. Something more genuine that could touch a soul. Something more interesting that could caught my intuition in a surprise. I wonder what that is. Guess battling with your own-made monsters were way more harder than battling with the real ones.

Itinukod ko ang aking siko sa bintana ng kotse, sa paggawa ko noon ay kaagad akong may naalala.

"Saber.."

I looked at him, furtively observing if he'll react with my casual utterance of his name. On my surprise, he remained silent.

"Noong  gabing 'yon..." unti-unting humina ang boses ko nang nag iwas sya ng tingin.

Did I cross the line?

"Ayaw kong pag-usapan."

Ngumuso ako at tumango.

I did cross the line bahagya kasing bumilis ang pagpapatakbo niya ng konti. I should just shut my mouth.. but pero I still have one final question.

"How are you related to Silas Duke de Alba."

Promise this would be the last.

He flinched, sure there was something. Obviously they were related. I just want to know how interconnected they are.

"Why do you know him?"

Napakurap ako sa naging naging tugon niya.

His expression remain impassive but when he glanced at me a faint nerve of accusation fleetingly reflected then faded.

"Are you one of his toy?"

Mabagal akong napailing.

I'm just a bit surprised and caught of guard by his questions. But toy? There's no way I'll let myself to be one.