Hush Louder

#HL32

#HL32

This is a special interactive chapter! If you see the play symbol: ► in the chapter below, it means you should open the comments section on that line and follow the simple instructions. Thank you! :)

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DING-DONG!

I was reading the instructions on the side of a cardboard box on how to microwave some instant mac 'n cheese when I heard the sound of the doorbell. Nakasuot lamang ako ng manipis na puting spaghetti strap at maiksing gym shorts dahil tatambay lang naman sana ako sa bahay ngayong araw.

Para hindi nakakahiya, kinuha ko na lamang ang navy blue trench jacket ko at sinuot ito bago pagbuksan ng pintuan ang aking hindi inaasahang bisita.

Napanganga ako nang makita si Xalvenge na parang kinakabahan doon sa doorsteps, panay tapik ng paa sa sahig at panay kagat sa kaniyang mapulang labi.

"Venge?" Umarko ang aking kilay kasabay ng pagsandal ko sa gilid ng pinto. "What does an attorney want with me on an early Sunday morning? Mayroon ba 'kong kaso?"

"Fiorisce, listen. . ." panimula niya nang may seryosong pares ng mga mata. Lumabi muna siya bago magsalita. "There's someone who wants to talk to you."

I blinked my eyes, confused at why he's acting weird. When I tilted my head to think, that's when I realized who he was referring to.

Xalvenge brushed the right side of his hair downwards, and placed his fingers on the loose buttons of his suit, closing them one by one, up to the collar. I saw his Adam's apple going up and down, as if he was preparing his voice. His left hand held the length of his necktie as he pushed the knot upwards using his right hand, adjusting it to a tight fix. He then tilted his head from side to side, like he's stretching his neck. And when he finally opened his eyes, I knew he wasn't the attorney anymore.

He's the doctor. The mysterious and elusive Dr. Xalvien Vouganville.

"D-Doc?" I stammered. It was only the second time that I met him in my current memory, yet why did my heart race automatically upon meeting his lustrous silver eyes?

"Good morning, Miss Fiorisce," pagbati ng kaniyang mapupulang labi na gumuhit ng malambing na ngiti. Ang kaniyang boses ay parang mga anghel na humuhuni, malumanay ngunit nakakaakit. "Can I take you out for a date?"

Nang mapansing hindi ako makasagot agad ay sinundan niya ito. "Don't worry, I have the attorney's permission."

***

DAHIL biglaan ang kaniyang pag-anyaya, mabilis na lamang akong nagsuot ng pantalon na pinalit ko sa pambahay na shorts. Ang pang-ibabaw ko pa rin ay ang puting spaghetti strap na pinatungan ng pahabang trench jacket. Kaya naman nang dalhin ako ng doktor sa isang mamahaling restaurant ay tila ako binuhusan ng isang baldeng kahihiyan. I wasn't prepared!

"T-Teka, puwede bang umuwi ulit ako para magbihis ng mas maayos?" pakiusap ko sa doktor habang napapakamot sa leeg. "Nakakahiya ang hitsura ko!"

The tall doctor inserted his hands in the pockets of his pants and leaned forward towards me, his sharp nose almost touching the tip of my nose. He looked at my eyes, to my lips, then back to my eyes again.

"Hindi nakakahiya ang ganda mo, Miss Fiorisce," he said with lips that play between a smile and a smirk.

W-What the hell?! Mas malandi pa pala 'tong si Vien kaysa kay Venge! Muntik na akong mabuwal sa kinatatayuan ko dahil pinalambot niya nang husto ang mga tuhod ko.