Island of Insanity

Kabanata 23: You're Saved

[Phraea's POV]

Napaawang ang labi ko at napatitig sa kanya. My heart beat started racing when I see the adoration in his eyes as he stared down at me like a precious jewel.

Maingat niyang hinawakan ang pisngi ko. "You know that I have a delusional ideology about the world. I have swore to follow my principles and rules, having an exception is considered cheating. I hate cheats, but now... i'm willing to break every single one of those wholeheartedly when it comes to you. I won't mind bending my morals and going against every single thing that I once believed in." I could feel the sincerity in his voice and happiness ignited inside of me because of it. No one would dare to do such thing for me.

"I never said it before but... I love you, Phraea. I've seen goodness and hope through you. You're full of light and precious... you're too good for me." Bulong niya at unti-unting nilapit ang kanyang mukha. Napapikit kaming dalawang nung magdikit ang noo namin. I could sense his luxurious fragrance filling my nostrils. It was comforting, I never felt so much peace before.

Mabilis ko siyang niyakap nang mahigpit at naramdaman ko siyang napaestatwa sa ginawa ko. I closed my eyes when I felt him responding to my hug. The heat coming from him is making my heart feel at ease. I buried my face on his chest and suddenly... I feel home. This is home.

"I don't want to go back," bulong ko. I felt his hand caressing my back as he keeps kissing my hair.

"Why is that?" Hindi ako makasagot at mariing kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi ko. He held my chin and looked straight into my eyes. "Tell me, love," he repeated in a hoarse voice, almost a whisper.

"This... this is home." Bulong ko bago sinunggaban siya ng halik. I could feel him smile between our kisses. He grabbed my waist as he tenderly deepen our kiss. Pinulupot ko ang mga braso ko sa batok niya para mas lalong mapalapit ang katawan namin.

My stomach became home to the ghostly butterflies that I never felt when I was with Almer. His huge palm was resting in both sides of my waist, keeping me in place.

Bumaba ang halik niya sa panga ko at marahan niyang hinila ang buhok ko nung unti-unti kong maramdaman ang mainit niyang mga labi sa aking leeg.

"G-garen..." hinihingal na ungol ko nung pinasok niya ang kanyang kaliwang kamay sa loob ng damit ko.

He started drawing small circles on my right breast as his kisses slammed back on my lips.

Parehos kaming natigilan nung makarinig ng malakas na pagsabog. Napalingon kami sa pinanggalingan ng pagsabog at nanlaki ang mga mata ko nung makita ang mansyon na nasusunog.

"Oh no, Paige!" I was about to run back to the mansion but Garen stopped me.

"Stay here!... no matter what. No matter how long it takes. Do you understand me?" Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang pisngi ko nung makita ang takot at taranta sa mga mata ko.

Pilit niyang hinuhuli ang mga tingin ko at nung magtagumpay siya ay unti-unti akong kumalma.

"I-i'll wait for you."

"Very good," he said before kissing me on the forehead. I watched him run towards the burning mansion.

Nanginginig ang kalamnan ko dahil sa maitim na usok na nanggagaling sa mansyon. Napaupo ako sa gulat at tinakpan ang magkabilang tenga ko nung makarinig muli nang pagsabog.

I watch the mansion burn into pieces and thinking that Paige is there along with Verdant and Rowena, I can't help but to be scared.

What if hindi nagtagumpay si Garen sa pagligtas sa kanila? No, no.

I took the thought off my head. I shouldn't go there. Hindi rin naman ako makakatulong. I will just pull Garen down from saving his daughter.

Napahikbi ako at mas diniinan pa lalo ang pagtakip sa mga tenga ko dahil sa sunod-sunod na pagsabog.

Ano na ang gagawin ko?

I feel so scared and useless. Just like what happened when I first arrive in this island. I just watched... everything.

I want to help too. I stood up and was about to walk but I couldn't move my feet to take a step. Napatangla ako at napaawang ang aking mga labi nung makakita ng helicopter. Napatuon ang atensyon ko sa dagat nung makarinig ng tunog ng barko. I was shocked.

Everything happened so fast. The mansion is burning, an helicopter and a vessel arrived. Halos nabibingi ako sa sobrang impormasyon na nasasagap. The next thing I knew, I almost fainted and fell on the sand but a petite pair of arms caught me.

"You're now saved, Chelsey."

.

Napaungol ako nung maramdaman ang pagkirot ng magkabilang sintido ko.

I opened my eyes and I found myself inside an unfamiliar room. Everything is so dark, the long curtains are closed. The furnitures and the floor are also dull and dark, painted in black and brown.

"Chelsey!" Nanlamig ako nung may isang pares ng pamilyar na mga braso ang yumakap sa akin.

"A-almer?"

"Yes, it's me, baby." Almer planted a soft kiss on my hair. He hugged me even tighter and I was still shock. I couldn't even blink my eyes, but one thing's for sure... i'm disappointed. I honestly feel disappointed that it was not Garen.

"N-nasaan ako?"

"You're in an asylum. Your parents, especially your friends thought that it's better to have you here. I know that you're still traumatized about what happened, so we think that it's better if we take it slow. We won't force you to tell things that you don't want to tell."

"W-where is Paige?"

"Are you talking about the little girl?-"

"Yes!" Nagulat ito sa bayolente kong reaksyon. "Where is she? Kamusta ang kalagayan niya? Buhay pa ba siya?"

"She's doing all good, Chels. She's actually just right next door- Stop it, Chels. You need to rest!" Pinigilan niya ako nung akmang tatayo na ako para puntahan si Paige.

"I-i need to see her." Gumagaralgal ang boses kong ani habang binabawi ang braso ko mula sa pagkakahawak niya.

"No, you need to rest. Paige is sleeping!" Sumuko na ako nung isiniwalat niyang nagpapahinga pa si Paige. Nanghihina akong napaupo muli sa kama.

"I know that i've never been a good boyfriend to you, Chels. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not loving you the way you deserve. I promise to make it up to you... for everything. Now, get some rest. Your psychologist will arrive any moment."