How the Mighty Fall (The Sinner #1)

SIN 7

Viel

"I'm hungry!" I knocked on the wall between mine and Kairos's room. Ngayong alam ko nang maririnig niya ako, I can use that to my advantage.

"Kairos, I'm sooooo hungryyyy!!" I shouted with a groan. Pinabagsak ko ang sarili ko sa kama. I took deep breaths while looking up the ceiling. Then lifted both my legs to reach the wall and use it to knock instead.

I banged my feet alternately on the wall.

"Pinagfafasting mo ba ako? How dare you! Sixteen hours na akong hindi kumakain!" dahil wala naman akong ibang magagawa sa silid na ito kundi tumulala. Tatanggapin ko na ang lahat ng pwedeng pagkaabalahan. Kahit pa ang pagbibilang kung ilang oras na akong hindi kumakain.

Alas onse na ng umaga ngayon. Pinakain niya ako kagabi ng alas siyete. I never fasted until this late. Alas otso pa lang ay nagbubunganga na si Consuela para kumain ng agahan. I don't know whether to be grateful that I'm away from her nagging mouth or promise the Gods out there na pagtitiisan ko na lang si Consuela basta ay makakain ako kung kailan ko gusto at hindi na uli magutom nang ganito.

But on the other hand, mas gugustuhin ko rin na gutumin na lang kaysa umuwi sa amin at maging trophy wife. Since birth, my name has always been associated with men. I'm respectable to most because of my father. And if I did not leave Cebu, I would be known as a Mancini's wife.

I want to be known because of me. Otherwise, I would always doubt whether I'm deserving of

respect.

Pinigilan ko na ang sarili nang maramdaman na ang pagbabara ng lalamunan. No way am I going to be vulnerable here. I'm their captive but I won't be their laughingstock.

I cleared my throat which I might have overdone.

"Gently blow and stir the fire, lay the mutton down to roast, dress it nicely I desire, in the dripping put a toast," I used a voice like disney to put some dramatics in the poem.

"That I hunger may remove, mutton is the meat I love..." I continued.

"On the dresser see it lie..." Then I exclaimed, "Oh! The charming white and red!"

Kasabay ng pagsambit ko ng kasunod na salita ay bumukas ang pinto. But I acted nonchalant to his presence. He ignored me for hours. Why spare him a glance right now?

"A poem is all it would take for you to finally show your face," I said while fiddling my thumbs. "That was Jonathan Smith by the way."

"Riveting," a different voice answered which made me catapult up the bed.

Atlas De Cordova strolled inside the room like he owns it. Technically, it belongs to him more than me. He is Kairos's brother after all.

Sa tray na dala dala niya ay mayroong isang tamang laki lamang na mangkok na naglalaman ng oat meal. Then there is black coffee.

I scrunched my nose at the sight of it. I usually have coffee latte in the morning or iced coffee. But it will have to do. Count your blessings, Viel. At least you are still being fed. Just not as adequate as when I'm in my house.

I scooped an oatmeal to my spoon, not minding Atlas who was still lurking beside me.

Kung hindi lang ako gutom na gutom, I would've spit the oatmeal on the spot. Forget counting my blessings. This is the most bland tasting oatmeal I had!

My glaring eyes met with Atlas's amused one. He shrugged.

"The boss's orders."

Pakiramdam ko ay kumakain ako ng matabang na lugaw na ginagawa ni Consuela sa tuwing magkakaroon ako ng diarrhea.