Chased (BS#4)

Cristobal

CLARINE's mouth fell open as she tried to find words to say. Ang lakas ng loob na kani-kanina lang ay namamahay sa kanya ay mabilis na tinangay ng maalat na hangin. Unti-unting napalitan iyon ng kaba, takot at pangamba. She was once again hesitant to answer her feelings. It feels illegal to bare her heart and convey every words of affirmation.

That she was here to see him. To check how he is. That she's been feeling so insecure. And that she was aching to know if he really had moved on. There was nothing else she could do but to see it with her own eyes.

Wolvin, on the other hand, waited patiently. He stood there silently watching her. It's beginning to dawn on her that he's really good at this. He's been waiting and been very patient of her since the last time she remembered. At patuloy pa ring ganoon. Para bang hindi lumipas ang taon.

Several minutes had passed yet she still can't utter a word.

Coward.

Bumuntong-hininga ang binata. "You should go back to your suite. Doon ka na magpahinga," anito sa mas kalmadong tinig. His voice was too soothing like the wind gently caressing her hair and cheeks.

Marahan nitong hinawakan ang magkaibang balikat niya at iniharap siya sa direksyon ng hotel. Marahan nitong itinulak ang likod niya upang pilitin siyang maglakad.

Defeated, she followed what he wanted. She couldn't really say it. She can't say anything at all. Kung pipilitin niya ang sarili, natatakot siyang mapangunahan na naman siya ng pride at makapagsabi ng mga bagay na pagsisihan niya rin pagkatapos.

Sinamahan siya nito hanggang sa elevator. Ito pa ang pumindot ng floor number. Walang ibang tao roon kaya naiwan siyang mag-isa nang humakbang ito palabas ng elevator.

"Go to sleep and rest comfortably in your room. Goodnight, Ms. Cristobal." He pressed the elevator button, initiating the doors of the elevator to close. Nanatili ang titig ni Clarine sa binata. Hindi rin nito inalis ang mga mata sa kanya.

Wala siyang nasabi hanggang sa tuluyang sumara ang elevator. Her heart ached at the way he called her. Tears pooled in the corner of her eyes.

Why is she making a fool out of herself? Why is having feelings so hard to deal with? She wanted to run to him and asked him to take her back. Samantalang hindi nga niya magawang aminin rito ang mga dahilan ng pagpunta niya.

All kinds of thoughts penetrated her head. It was exhausting.

Ilang minuto siyang nakatulala lamang sa loob ng kwarto niya nang makarinig siya ng tunog ng bell kasunod ng mararahang katok. Tamad siyang tumayo at binuksan iyon. Bumungad sa kanya ng isang dalagitang nakangiti at may dala-dalang baso ng tingin niya ay gatas.

"Goodevening Ma'am. Sorry to disturb you po. As requested, here's your warm milk, Ma'am."

"I didn't order anything," she said confused.

"Ah, Ma'am. Special instruction po sa itaas."

Saglit siyang natigilan sa sinagot ng dalaga. She was hesitant to ask but was aching to know. In the end, she gave in. "Kay Vin De Silva galing ang instruction?"

"Yes po, Ma'am," nakangiti pa ring sagot nito.

Dagling gumaan ang dibdib ni Clarine. Tumango siya at inabot na ang mainit-init na baso ng gatas.

He could have requested it to be polite. Or could it be to remind her to sleep in her room instead of wandering around at this night.

Nagpasalamat siya sa dalaga at sinara na ang kanyang pinto. Sari-sari pa ring haka-haka at isipin ang naglalaro sa utak niya. Is this concern? Or is he just polite? Whatever he was doing it for, it's driving her hopes up in a very aggresive uncontrollable way.