Dazzled by Flames (Flames Series #3)

Chapter 10

Mask

"Hey..."

I shut my eyes tightly before letting go of him. My lips quickly curved into a grin, masking my true feelings. It seems like my lips knew what to do. Naging natural na sa akin ang pag-ngiti kahit sa anong sitwasyon. 

"Gano'n pala 'yong feeling kapag crush mo 'yong kayakap." I lifted my head and met his dark gaze. His eyes are laced with concern, something I didn't expect to see.

Seeing that glint of concern in his eyes touched something inside my chest. It flattered me. Nakakatuwa pala talaga kapag may taong nag-aalala sa'yo.

He's always been cold and stern, so seeing him care for me makes my heart race and my stomach quiver. I never knew he has this effect on me.

"Are you okay?" he asked that question again.

I'm glad that I was able to free myself from the overwhelming pain a while ago. Nabawasan din kahit papaano kaya kaya kahit na pangalawang beses niya nang tinanong kung ayos lang ba ako, I didn't cry in front of him. 

Ayaw kong makita niya ako na malungkot. I want him to see me as the Tali he knew. The one who is always in joy. Hindi iyong ganito ngayon na mapagpanggap.

"Oo naman, ikaw?" tugon ko.

Kumunot ang noo niya. Mariin niya akong tiningnan kaya iniwas ko kaagad ang tingin. Humakbang ako paharap para hindi niya makita ang mukha ko.

Nag-aalala ako na baka kapag pinagmasdan niya pa ako ng mabuti, makita niya ang tinatago ko. Mahalata niya ang pagpapanggap ko. 

"Bakit ka pala nandito?" I asked to divert his attention. I can feel him behind me, sinasabayan ang mga hakbang ko. 

"Skye lives nearby. Why are you here and why are you alone?"

"Jogging," was the first thing that came to my mind. Hindi na ako nakapag-isip!

"You don't jog wearing a dress." Sarcasm was evident in his voice. Kahit hindi ko siya tingnan, sigurado akong masama ang tingin niya sa akin. 

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa suot ko saka tumawa. Ang tanga, nahuli tuloy.

"Kidding. Galing ako somewhere at gusto ko lang maglakad-lakad."

"Maglakad-lakad? It's dangerous to walk alone at night, Catalina," his authoritative tone had a bit of annoyance.

From my peripheral vision, I saw him try to get closer to me. Mas binilisan ko pa ang paglalakad.

"Hindi naman, ah? Okay pa naman ako."

"Are you sure you're fine?" bakas doon ang labis na pagdududa. 

"Dapat ba hindi?" I intentionally made my tone light and playful.

"Look at me, then," he ordered. 

I nibbled on my lower lip. Dahan-dahan ay pumihit ako paharap sa kaniya.

I smirked at him when our gazes met. "Crush mo na rin ba ko kaya gusto mo kong makita?" biro ko. 

Nanatili siyang seryosong pinagmamasdan ako. Mapanghanap din ang mga mata niya, parang may hinahanap sa mukha ko o sa mga mata ko. Gusto ko mang umiwas dahil sa pagkailang, hindi naman puwede dahil lalo niya lamang akong pagdududahan. 

Umiling siya. "You don't look fine."

Pinigilan kong mapasinghap o magpakita ng kahit na anong reaksyon. I don't want him to know that he's right. Na hindi naman talaga ako okay.

"Gutom na kasi ako," pasisinungaling ko. "Uuwi ka na ba? Samahan mo muna ako. Ililibre naman kita."

"Okay." Hindi ko inaasahan ang mabilis niyang pagpayag. Akala ko ay kailangan ko pa siyang pilitin.