The Minxes Series Book One: Asking for the Moon

Chapter Eighteen

She thought her nightmares would only happen at home... in her own bedroom... but she didn't know it would worsen in another's home.

Her eyes were wide awake all night while looking at the four corners of the brightly lit room. Kung dati'y hindi siya sanay na matulog na nakabukas ang ilaw, ngayo'y tila hindi niya magawang pumikit man lamang ng walang nakikita sa paligid niya.

Tila siya napapraning. Na para bang anumang sandali'y may biglang susulpot sa kung saan. It was as if she have developed this 'fear of the unknown'.

Mariin niyang ipinikit ang mga mata. She groaned in frustration.

Anong oras na ba?

Kinuha niya ang cellphone. Alas tres na ng madaling araw and it seems like she's not getting sleep anytime soon. She started counting sheep until she eventually fell asleep.

At pakiramdam niya'y kakaidlip niya pa lamang ng biglang tumunog na ang alarm. Pikit matang kinapa niya ang cellphone at saka pinatay iyon. Hindi niya maibuka ang talukap ng mga mata kahit na anong gawin niya hanggang sa muli siyang iginupo ng antok.

Naalimpungatan siya ng may maramdamang kamay na yumuyugyog sa balikat niya. The feel of someone's hand on her skin was enough to wake her sleepy mind. As if on instinct, napabalikwas siya at mabilis na umusog sa headboard ng kama. Her eyes wide awake, biglang nawala ang antok sa sistema.

"Did I startle you?"

She snapped her gaze at Atticus who's staring at her with honest confusion. Kunot noong nakatingin ito sa kanya at tila ba hindi mawari kung ano ang naganap lamang.

Bigla siyang natauhan. Isinuklay niya ang mga daliri sa buhok.

"Sorry, Ahm... I... was having a bad dream."

With his frown still on, he cocked his head to the side to study her reaction.

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at ibinaling na lang ang mga mata sa cellphone.

"Were you always having these bad dreams?"

"Uh, lately lang..."

"What kind of bad dreams?"

Bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa tanong nito. Her mouth refusing to answer.

His frown deepened. "Are they that bad?"

"No. J-just silly bad dreams." Averting her eyes, she chuckled awkwardly.

Muling tumunog ang alarm niya. Her eyes widened when she looked at the time.

"Shit! I'm late!"

Nagkukumahog siyang bumaba ng kama at saka dumiretso sa banyo upang bigla rin lang mapatigil ng maalala ang lalaking nasa kwarto pa rin. She turned only to find him standing there still with his unsmiling face on.

"I forgot to say..." Tipid siyang ngumiti. "Good morning."

He seemed taken aback. The frown that was there on his face a while ago instantly vanished.

"Uh... I should start showering. We're both running late."

He just answered her with a curt nod.

Pagdating sa dining ay si tita Solen at Atticus lamang ang nandoon. They haven't started eating yet. Mukhang hinihintay siya. Tinamaan tuloy siya ng hiya.

"Good morning, tita. Sorry tinanghali po ako ng gising." Wika niya bago yumukod at humalik sa pisngi nito.

"Huwag mong alalahanin iyon, Sesha. I know nakakapuyat ang pagrereview para sa nalalapit mong exam." Puno ng pangunawang wika ni tita Solen. Hinayaan na lamang niyang iyon ang isipin nito.