Crossroads [SC SERIES #1]

Kabanata 19: Mrs. Aguilar

[Nhelandrie's POV]

I know that... of all people. I am special to no one. No one wishes to see this fucking face everyday. No one has ever said that I was important to them, but...

"But you are, Klare. You are special to me, that's why I want to protect you."

Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko... even me. She stopped breathing at nakatulala lang siya habang nakatingin sa mukha ko. Her face shows shock and she seemed can't believe for what I said.

"You are my slave and i'm just your master. Please avoid to consider your personal feelings-"

"Fuck that punishment! I brought you here as a friend. Can you be just... yourself?!" I cut her off before she could even say something nonsense.

Mabilis siyang umiwas ng tingin. I looked in her eyes and I noticed something... she's guilty. Is she guilty for what she said or did my words strike her?

"I'm leaving. I still have to attend an orientation for the Red Cross first thing in the morning," sabi niya sabay tayo. Nanghihinayang naman akong umiling.

Their faces are alike but their personalities are so damn opposite. Klare is so controlling. She can't stay like this forever.

"So you're going home?"

"Yes, alone."

"No, hop in."

Mabilis ko naman siyang nahabol sa paglalakad at pinagbuksan ko siya ng pinto nung makarating na kami sa sasakyan ko, pero hindi siya huminto at dire-diretso lang siya na naglakad at nilagpasan ang sasakyan ko.

"You don't know the road and streets here. You don't even know how to commute!" Pasigaw na paalala ko.

"I'm 18-years-old, Vice President of the Student Council and i'm clearly independent. I live alone for six years and getting home from an unknown place is not a big deal."

Kung matigas ang ulo ko, yung sa kanya puso't isip. Damn, she's a pain in the ass... twice more than I am.

Naiinis akong pumasok sa kotse ko at sinundan siya. I pulled down the window and looked at her... she's not showing any expression as she walked.

"Hey, don't make this hard for me. Just get inside and i'll promise to do anything you want." Mabagal kong pinatakbo ang kotse and she didn't even looked at me when she answered, "i'm not getting inside your car ever again."

"Turn right." I said when she was about to go left. She clearly doesn't know the way or where we are.

Mabigat siyang bumuntong-hininga at tumigil sa paglalakad. Parang nabuhayan din naman ako nung humarap siya sa 'kin.

"Nhelandrie Aguilar," pagsambit niya sa pangalan ko at may kinuha sa kanyang bulsa.

"Do the groceries. Dapat andun kana sa bahay bago ako makauwi."

Inabot niya sa akin ang maliit na listahan. Napataas ang kilay ko nung napagtanto ko na handwriting niya 'yun... ba't mas malala pa yung handwriting niya sa 'kin?

"Get inside, sabay na tayong mag-grocery. Baka maligaw ka pa."

"It's an insult, Mr. Aguilar." I sighed. Ba't ang hirap niyang kumbinsihin? Gusto kong mainis o mapikon pero may part sa sarili ko na gusto siyang kulitin kahit na sa huli ay ako rin ang mapipikon.

"Get inside, Mrs. Aguilar, or i'll drag your ass from there."

Finally, a chuckle was released from my mouth when her eyes rounded in shock for calling her 'Mrs. Aguilar' and for the first time, I think she got what I mean.

"D-do you like me, Mr. Aguilar?" Thank goodness... how can she be so naive?

"Yes, Mrs. Aguilar. Isn't it obvious? Now, hurry up or i'll carry your butt."

"Stop fooling around and head to the grocery store before the next two minutes or-"

"Or what?" Nanghahamong dugtong ko sa banta niya.

"...Or i'll send you to the President. You're always on my way, I couldn't get things organized and done as scheduled."

"Then puni-"

"Enough!"

Parang kinapos ako sa hininga nung bigla na lang tumaas ang boses niya. I looked at her eyes to see the emotions playing inside her... and she's mad. As in totally mad.

Tahimik kong sinara ang bintana at binilisan na ang pagpapatakbo ko sa sasakyan.

I'm just getting on her way... Tss.

.

[Klare's POV]

He said he likes me, he brought me to a fancy market, drove me from school, and he even kiss me.

Mr. Aguilar is so unusual today... but still, you can't say what is really true from fake. This world we are living in is such a mystery that we often fell into a trap.

Bumuntong-hininga ako when at last, nakalabas din ako ng subdivision. The traffic road surprised me... especially that I don't have any single idea where I am.

I don't know how to commute... I never tried before and it's quite challenging. I know pinili ko ang tamang desisyon na huwag sumakay sa kotse niya. Mr. Aguilar is unpredictable that it makes me nervous sometimes.

Nagsimula na akong maglakad papunta sa pinakamalapit na bus station... pero hindi ko alam kung saan iyun.

'Asking some questions won't hurt.'

Naalala ko ang sinabi sa akin ni Mr. President nung sinadya niya akong iwan sa mall para ma-test ang independence ko, but i'm just like the other students out there... I hate tests.

"Excuse me, may alam ba kayo kung saan ang pinakamalapit na bus station-" I shut my mouth and took a step backward when the man that I was about to ask for directions smirked at me.

Unti-unti itong naglakad papalapit sa akin at imbis na umatras ay matibay akong tumayo. He'll corner me if I would go backwards and running won't also help... I easily get tired and he would easily catch me if I try to.

"Kaya pala tumatayo na si Junior ko eh... may naramdaman pa lang kagana-ganang pangmeryenda. Mga tol! May estudyante rito, nanghihingi ng direksyon!" Nakangising sigaw niya na hindi man lang inaalis ang tingin sa akin.

"M-mister, I need to go home safely, so I need your help."

"Wow, Tol, mukhang mayaman ang isang 'to ah. Tiyamba natin!"

This is bad... worse than bad.

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