These Wrecked Hearts- (Published Under IMMAC)

Kabanata 11 - Territorial

ZARIA's POV

7 P.M.

Kanina pa ako kinakabahan. Naisip ko na ito na ang chance para masabi ko kay Khiana ang totoong nararamdaman ko sa kanya na matagal ko ng itinatago. I'm here at Primo Bar since 6pm to wait for her. I'm excited and anxious at the same time.

Panay ang tingin ko sa pintuan para tingnan ang mga pumapasok sa tao. Pagkalipas ng limang minuto ay nakita ko ang pamilyar na lalaki na naglalakad papunta sa gawin ko. My forehead creased, I don't know what he's doing here. Why is he in front of me? What does he need?

"Ryker? What are you doing here?" I asked.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit si Ryker ang nasa harapan ko ngayon himbis na si Khiana.

My heart was thumping frantically in my chest as I stood up. Hindi ko man lang naisip na pwedeng hindi si Khiana ang kausap ko sa telepono kung hindi si Ryker.

"Nasaan si Khiana?" tanong ko.

"She's not coming," he said in his deep voice. "Because it was me who texted you, not her."

Biglang nagsink-in agad sa utak ko ang sinabi niya. I never thought that he could possibly do something like that. Posible na ginamit nito ang phone ni Khiana para i-text ako. Mas lalong kumabog ang dibdib ko nang unti-unting naglakad pa 'to palapit sa akin.

"W-Why? I couldn't understand. H-How?" I was stuttering as I said those words.

"I texted you to come here using her phone. Then, I deleted the messages to remove traces," he spoke those words calmly. Then he smirked at me, "Are you satisfied now with my answer?"

"Bakit? Bakit mo 'to ginagawa, Ryker?" hindi ko mapigilang tanong sa kanya.

He remarked in a furious tone, "You should have stayed away from her, Zaria," and his voice was filled with frustration. "You have no clue what you are getting yourself into, and you have no way of knowing."

"Hindi mo pag-aari si Khiana. Kaya 'wag mo akong mandohan!" matapang na saad ko kahit na ang totoo ay kinakabahan ako. Hindi ako pwedeng maging mahina sa harap niya.

I tried to talked to him in a calm way, but he would not listen to me.

"I don't fucking care!" he shouted at me. "Kahit ano pang sabihin mo, I don't want to hear it," he said, raising the volume of his voice. "I forewarned you of the consequences that would follow if you attempted to meddle. I'm not going to go easy on you."

"Why are you acting like that? Wala akong planong masama kay Khiana. She is my friend." Depensa ko. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit ganito na lang ang galit niya sa akin.

"Huh! You think I am stupid? I can clearly see that you like Khiana."

Namilog ang mga mata ko at hindi agad nakapagsalita. Hindi ko alam na baka sobrang obvious na pala ang mga kinikilos ko at may nakakahalata na. "So what now? Ano naman pakialam mo kung gusto ko nga siya? You're not her boyfriend!"

Nagulat ako ng bigla niya akong hinila, masyadong mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa braso ko dahilan para mapaigi ako sa sakit. I felt like my bones were going to break. The heaviness of his hands on my arms will surely make a mark on me.

I became aware of the danger I was in, I had a shudder that ran down my spine. I was well aware that Ryker is not someone to mess about with, and I also understand that I would not be able to compete with him physically.

"P-Please, Ryker... Let me go. I'm hurting! R-Remove your hands," I pleaded, my voice is shaking as I said those words. "I have a good intention to Khiana."