DARK GANG

Chapter 104: Walked Away

[WALKED AWAY]

DETH'S P. O. V

NASA kwarto namin kami nina Kian at Denver pero wala silang dalawa rito kaya ni-lock ko ang pinto para makapag-usap kami nang masinsinan ni Luna.

The suffocating silence between us was thick, broken only by her soft sobs. Nagkapalit kami nang makapasok na kami sa kwarto. Tumigil na ako sa pag-iyak habang siya naman ay umiiyak.

"D-Deth, sorry. Sorry if I didn't tell you about the necklace." Paghingi niya ng tawad. Seeing her cry felt like my heart was being shattered into a thousand pieces. The pain was overwhelming, but what hurt even more was knowing that I was the cause of her tears. Tila nanghihina ang buong sistema ko dahil sa katotohanang ito.

My feet felt heavy as I took a step toward her. Her eyes, red and swollen, met mine, filled with sadness. I cupped her face with my trembling hands. Gently, I brushed her tears away with my thumbs, wishing I could wipe away the hurt she feels as easy as this. She closed her eyes at my touch, leaning into my hands as if seeking comfort. I averted my gaze.

Hindi ko talaga kaya. Hindi talaga ako sa bala ng baril mamamatay. Sa iyak niya. Sa iyak ng babaeng nasa harap ko.

She's hurt again. My woman is crying again. And I'm the reason again. It's like a cruel cycle I can't seem to break, watching her suffer because of me.

I looked at her again. Her eyes were already opened. I tried to muster a smile, though it felt hollow and forced. "Tell me the truth. Kailan mo pa nalaman? Bakit hindi mo agad sa akin sinabi?" Mahinahon kong tanong.

Ayoko siyang matakot sa akin. Mahal ko siya, e at hindi na magbabago 'yun kahit nilihim niya pa sa akin ang tungkol dito.

Her lips trembled as she fought to hold back more tears. She slowly shook her head and stepped back. Kasabay ng pagbagsak ng kamay ko ang pagbagsak ng tingin ko sa mga paa niyang humakbang palayo sa akin.

She...she did what?

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. Halos hindi ko na makita nang maayos ang mukha niya dahil sa namumuong luha sa mga mata ko.

"Bakit ayaw mo 'kong sagutin?" I keep my voice steady and my emotions in check. I tried to maintain my composure so I wouldn't bring another problem to our table. However it was hard-so damn hard-especially while looking at her crying.

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa nanginginig niyang mga kamay.

"Look at me, Luna. I'm not mad, okay? I'm just asking," I said softly. I tried to appear soft and calm, though it felt like it took all my strength to keep it that way.

She swallowed hard. Her shoulders shook as she tried to hold back more tears. It was like watching her break in slow motion, and it made my chest ache. I wanted to take her hand again and hug her but I stayed where I was, waiting for her to speak.

"Bakit, Luna? Nagmamakaawa ako sa'yo. Bigyan mo 'ko ng kahit anong rason..." I begged, my eyes pleading with her. Desperado na ako. Kahit anong paliwanag niya tatanggapin ko. Kahit mababaw. Wala na akong pake. Basta galing sa kaniya. Basta galing sa bibig niya mismo kasi siya ang pinagkakatiwalaan ko, eh. Siya ang mahal ko. "K-Kahit maliit, tatanggapin ko. Pipilitin kong intindihin. Magsalita ka lang."

Hindi na ako nakatiis at nilapitan ko na siya. I held her arms habang hinahabol ang mga mata niyang panay iwas ng tingin sa akin.

"Why? Bakit hindi mo sinabi?" Matapang na tanong ko.

"I can't tell you," she finally answered, her voice barely audible.

"Luna, I want to know the truth from your mouth," I said with my firm voice. I was at my breaking point. I couldn't hold my feelings any longer. My tears were already streaming down my face.