✓ | The Altered Version (Fate's Transgression Series, #2) [UNDER REVISION]

TAV 28: Masked Man

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: Masked Man

Clarinette | Liana

I couldn't move. I can feel his breath on my ear. I can feel his hug that seems like longing. Hindi ko maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko kaya itinuon ko na lamang ang aking sarili sa papalayong mga motorbikes.

Whoever they are, they are looking for this man. And whoever he is, he is not to be trusted.

When I heard nothing but the sound of peace, I tried to release his grasp. Humugot ako ng lakas para tapakan ang kanyang isang paa at bigyan siya ng isang malakas na suntok sa sikmura pero mukhang nabasa niya ang gagawin ko dahil mabilis niyang nailag ang paa at hinawakan ang magkabila kong kamay.

Dahil sa ginawa ko, napaharap ako sa kanya. Isang dangkal lamang ang layo namin sa isa't isa at kitang kita ko ang kanyang pares na mga mata.

A pair of translucent violet eyes on the verge of crying. His stares gave off too many emotions that I could not bear. Even with how bizarre it is looking at me, I can't help but to fall deep into those allures.

Bago pa ako tuluyan mabaliw, tinulak ko siya palayo. I grabbed my swiss knife hiding inside my boots and aimed it at him.

"I don't want to get involved in this situation, and it seems like those riders were after you and not me. I can suggest that we both agree to the idea that we didn't meet. I can turn a blind eye to what you did in exchange for letting me go."

He didn't move nor even aim his gun at me just like what he did to those riders. Walang pagdadalawang isip niyang kinalabit ang gantilyo at pinatay ang rider kanina, pero bakit hindi niya man man tinutok sa akin ang hawak na baril?

Is it because I am a woman?

"Are you mute? Deaf— no, you're not deaf because you can clearly hear the sound of their motorbikes. You can't speak or you can't understand me?"

I am trying to converse with him. He is a dangerous man, still holding the gun he used to kill those riders and if I turn away there is a chance he will aim that on my back and that can kill me.

"I do know I look like a ghost, Mister. However, I am a living person. In case you didn't know, I left my Nanay alone in our small house and I truly don't want to leave her side if you wish to kill me. I can guarantee that my mouth will be shut regarding the shooting that happened earlier, just please let me go."

Come on, speak!

Nakatingin lamang siya sa akin ng direkta. Dahil sa lakas ng kaba at takot ko, wala akong time makipag-eye-to-eye contact sa lalaking ito. He is a murderer, this masked man have a gun and killed people!

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko dahil mukhang wala siyang balak ibuka man lang ang bibig niya. I tried to reason out but he seems too complex for me to understand.

But, he does look familiar. Parang nakita ko na siya dati. I do have a good memory of people's faces but this man sure is a mystery to me.

That kind of build, stares, and the mask were all instances that reminded me of someone. But, I could never raise that hope because it is impossible.

Or not.

Binaba ko ang hawak kong kutsilyo.

"Who are you?" I asked, again.

A question that seems to be demanding. A confirmation is waiting at the far end, but the answer is nowhere to be found. Ayaw kong manguna ang nasa isip ko dahil imposible naman itong mangyari.

There is no way...

They may have similarities, but the probability is low so I couldn't raise my expectations. I had tried not to raise any hope ever since my accident, and I never was that ambitious.