Warming the Ice Queen's Tears

Chapter 37.2

I rested my head on the window inside a van while looking far away. Nakatingin lang ako sa kawalan at kanina pa hindi tumitigil ang kaba at pag-aalala ko.

When I heard that my children were kidnapped to be sold to God knows where, hindi ko kinaya. The mask I wore for a long time fell and I broke down. I cried and cried in front of two people I didn't really know and in front of the person I was pushing away from my life.

Bumalik lahat. Bumalik ang ilang mga alaala ko. From the moment when a man induced Chloroform into my system using a towel to where we were shipped while inside a cargo vessel.

I fisted my shaking palms and leaned my head against the vans window. Alam na ni Kristoff ang tungkol sa kanila at kinakausap ata sila sa labas. Naghihintay lang ako dito sa loob habang sila ay naghahanda para sa gagawin. They extended their service to a rescue and raid operation. May kasamahan pala sila sa Philippine army and NBI at iyon ang kinontak nila. Apat lang sila na sumama at hindi daw pwedeng ang grupo lang nila ang gagawa.

So it's easy to cover-up and dispose evidence.

'Yan ang sinabi ni Kael. I didn't have any idea if he's pertaining to dead bodied or anything but I hope that they kill them all. Mas mabuti pa 'yon.

Ayokong maranasan nila 'yon. Ayokong magmakaawa sila ng paulit ulit para lang pakawalan sila. Para lang maligtas at para lang mabuhay sila. Ang umiyak ng paulit ulit hanggang sa mapagod at magutom nalang. Like what I did but...no one helped me.

I did survived but with a complete 360 degree change.

Someone slid the door open perk hindi ko ito pinansin. I was busy staring blankly at nothing. Nakatingin sa kawalan habang inaalala ang lahat. It's a mystery for me why I did not cry over that past. I guess I got used to my nightmares... Except for one scene.

"Here, drink this." Isang bukas na bote ng tubig ang humarang sa paningin ko at napatingin ako sa kanan. Nakatingin sakin ng diretso si Kristoff at hindi ko magawang basahin ang laman ng tingin niya dahil sa sobrang pagod.

I lazily took and drank the content. Hindi ko napansin na sobrang uhaw na pala ako dahil halos maubos ko na ang laman.

Kinuha niya ang bote at pinagpatuloy ko ang pagtingin sa kawalan.

I heard him slightly chuckled. "You look like a mess."

Agad umarko ang kilay ko at napatingin sa kanya. He continue to laugh with his eyes closed that gave me a chance to assess him.

"You changed." Sabi ko.

Dati lagi akong nakakarinig ng papuri sa kanya. Na kahit magulo ang ayos ko at kahit puro dumi ay ako parin ang pinaka maganda sa buong mundo. He was showering me with praises that made me felt like I was truly the most beautiful woman in the world. My heart always worked triple times whenever he said that. I would then become giddy all of the sudden but I wouldn't show it that much to him. Lagi niya kong nakikitang namumula ang pisngi tapos ngingitian niya ko at mabilis na hahalikan kaya kumakalat ang pula hanggang sa leeg ko.

I am me whenever I'm with him.

Not anymore. His laugh died to a smile but his eyes said the opposite. Alam kong nahihirapan at nag-aalala din siya pero kailangan kong mamili.

"I guess." He shrugged. "But you're still the most beautiful." Hindi ko alam kung aware siya sa sinabi niya o hindi. Hindi kasi siya nakatingin sakin at busy sa pagsara ng bote. "That's true."

He was smiling at me. The kind of smile that could send tornado in the pit of my stomach and creep red shade on my cheeks. As always.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin and he let a weary sigh. Tapos tumahimik ng konti bago siya nagsalita.