Serie 1 - Prisoner of Him (UNDER REVISION)

CHAPTER 7

Paraluman Ysabelle

"That was the monster... It wasn't me." Tila wala sa sarili niyang tugon.

I saw how he lost his eyes. Tila nawala ito sa sarili at bigla nalang may malalim na inisip. Bigla nalang itong tumalikod sa akin at iniwan ako. He didn't even dare looking back at me and I saw how stiff he was.

The air in the room was thick with tension, every breath I took tasting of fear and something darker—scared of something dark, isang bagay na nagpapabilis ng tibok ng puso ko, hindi dahil sa takot, kundi dahil sa alam kong hindi na ako maaring maka-alis sa lugar na ito. Nazaron stood across from me, his eyes burning with that familiar intensity that always left me trembling.

Based on how he acted then he was affected on what I've said. Malinaw na naapektuhan siya sa sinabi ko.

Hindi maalis sa isip ko ang gusto niyang mangyari. Not a single soul would want to get married to their violator.

Madalas ko ng maramdaman na gusto kong mag-laho. Gusto kong bumalik ang dati kong pamumuhay. Sa probinsiya kasama si Nanay at Tatay at magpastol ng mga alagang tupa at mag-tanim ng Gulay sa Hardin para may makain kami.

Miss ko na ang simple naming buhay...

Kung hindi ba nagkasakit si Tatay at nagtrabaho ako dito sa siyudad ay hindi kami magtatagpo ng landas ni Nazaron?

"Let me go," bulong ko. "gusto ko na umuwi." fear was evident on my voice, it was so weak that you almost couldn't hear it.

"No," he refused.

I looked at him, trying to read his expression... I don't know why he seemed to... Bothered.

Malinaw na malalim ang iniisip nito. His elusiveness...It's scary.

Tulala lamang itong naka-titig sa kawalan, lumunok ito at tumitig sa akin. Isang nakabibinging katahimikan ang pumalibot sa silid.

His presence was overwhelming,as if it was a storm that I could feel in my bones before it even arrived. Sinubukan kong pakalmahin ang paghinga ko, at tumingin sa malamig na marmol sa ilalim ng mga paa ko—kahit ano para huwag akong matangay sa tingin na dala niya. But it was impossible. He had a way of commanding every inch of space around him, a way of making the very air tremble with his anger, his desire.

"Why do you resist me, Lu?" His voice was low, a dangerous whisper that sent a shiver down my spine. "You know this is where you belong. With me."

Pinagsikapan kong manatiling matatag, kahit nanginginig ang boses ko sa pagsagot, "Hindi ako pag-aari ng kahit sino," galit kong sagot, kahit nararamdaman kong sa anumang sandali ay bibigay na ang katawan ko sa takot. "Lalong hindi ikaw."

He moved then, closing the distance between us in an instant, his hand gripping my chin with just enough force to remind me of the power he held over me. Para siyang apoy na tinutupok ang pader na sinubukan kong itayo sa paligid ko. I hated him for it—hated him for making me feel so weak, so vulnerable.

"You can say that," bulong niya, "but your eyes tell me a different story, Paraluman."

Nagsisinungaling ito upang mapikot ako lalo. I will not fall unto his trap. He's good at playing his cards, a master manipulator who could stir your own emotions into thinking the exact opposite thing.

His lips brushed against my skin, barely a touch, yet it was enough to set my blood ablaze. I should have pushed him away, should have screamed, fought, anything to break the spell he had over me. But I couldn't. Nagmistulang naging estatwa ang katawan ko—nanigas at nanlanig ng dahil sa hawak niya. Nakakadiri.