DM #4: Ares Madriaga

Kabanata 15

Kabanata 15

Invest

I woke up with the dim lighting of the room, and without Ares on my side. I pulled myself up to lean on the headrest of the bed.

I immediately found him leaning beside the glass window that is currently close to the curtains. He's in the dark side of the room, but with the shadow and intimidating frame, I immediately recognized that it was him. He's talking to someone on his phone quietly while his eyes are on my place.

I bit my lower lip and looked away. Hindi ako sigurado kung bakit pa ako bumangon. It's awkward, especially I looked like I'm waiting for him in the bed.

Dahil sa paggapang ng hiya, dahan-dahan akong nahiga muli. Tumagilid ako at tuluyang tinalikuran ang banda kung saan siya nakatayo.

I closed my eyes and tried to sleep again. Kaso ilang minuto pa lang ang lumipas nang naramdaman ko ang paglalim ng kama. The bed is pretty wide, but I can feel his warmth on my back.

Pasimple akong umusog palayo, tila naalimpungatan lang. But before I could move more, his muscled arm hugged my waist lightly from the back as he gently pulled me towards him. Kinilabutan ako, lalo na nang maramdaman ang mainit niyang hininga sa aking leeg.

"Am I hurting you?"

Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi at marahang umiling.

"No," paos at halos bulong kong sagot.

I heard him sighed. I'm not sure if he's aware that I'm awake, but then for sure he won't ask me if he knows I'm asleep.

He pulled me closer to him, making me feel his hard chest on my back. He carefully lifted my head and inserted his arm to my neck to make it as my pillow. He lifted the comforter until it reached my shoulder.

Hindi ako gumalaw at hinayaan lamang siyang gawin ang nais. Ngumuso ako, tahimik ring nagustuhan ang kanyang ginawa.

"Can you come with me tomorrow?" he asked calmly.

He knows that I'm awake. Bahagya ko siyang nilingon sa aking balikat.

"Where?"

He effortlessly found my lips and kiss me. Natigilan ako.

"In my hospital. I'll do some tests," aniya, tila wala lang ang ginawa.

Tumikhim ako bago muling nagsalita.

"I-I'm fine,"

He groaned painfully.

"Please, don't be so hard..." paos na bulong niya.

Ngumuso ako, dahan-dahan nang naramdaman ang pagpayag sa kanyang gusto.

I don't know what's been with me these past few days. I know I shouldn't feel like this, especially since we don't even have a label. But for once, I want to admit that I crave for his attention ever since I stayed here in the suite alone.

I never ask for help from anyone. I chose to stay away from him and suffer alone. We may have a close connection, but I'm also aware that I shouldn't include him in any of my problems and sufferings. He's out of it and I'm not one of his obligations to begin with. Kung anuman ang nangyari sa amin sa Siargao, mananatili iyong nasa Siargao.

I don't want to depend on anyone anymore, especially after what happened between me and Papa. I don't want to believe the things I thought are true because for sure, I will only be disappointed at the end. Lalo na kapag sa kanya pa ako dedepende.

Siguro ngayon, swerte pa ako dahil agad akong nabangon galing sa nangyari sa pagitan namin ni Papa. Pero siguradong kapag sa kanya na, hindi ko na kakayanin. I might fall, not just on my knees but totally on the ground, to the point that I can't stand for myself anymore.