STUCK IN HIS ARMS

IKA-ANIM NA KABANATA

Jealousy

Nakaupo sa sala habang nagbabasa ng libro galing sa library ng mansion, nakarinig ako ng malakas na pagkatok sa pintuan. Inilapag ko ang aking libro at naglakad pababa sa malaking hagdan para tingnan kung sino ang kumakatok.

Nang buksan ko ito, nakita ko ang aking pinsan na si Jaina na nakatayo roon luhaan ang mukhang humarap sa akin.

"Anong nangyayari, Jaina?" nag aalalang tanong ko.

I grew up with Jaina. Kahit na madalas hindi namin gusto ang isat isa may mga araw parin na nagkakasundo at nagtutulungan kami. Alam kong nagawa niya lang lahat ang pananakit sa akin dahil sa pagmamanipula nila Uncle.

"Father kicked me out," Jaina sobbed. "He said I was too much trouble and that I needed to leave."

Agad kong niyakap si Jaina. Hindi ko maunawaan kung bakit magagawa ni Uncle  ang ganoong bagay sa kanya. Si Jaina lamang ang nag iisang anak nila, kaya ay hindi ko maiwasang magduda.

"Ayla may bisita ba?" biglang dumating si Aling Nemya. Narinig niya rin yata ang malakas na pagkatok ni Jaina.

Gulat si Aling Nemya ng makita si Jaina. Bihira lamang kasi ang nakaka alam ng daan papunta rito sa mansyon.

Nagdalawang isip kaming papasukin si Jaina sa loob dahil baka hindi magustuhan ni Devin kung papatuluyin namin siya.

"What are that thing doing here?"
I was shocked after hearing that voice. Finally his back, it's been more than a month since last time I saw him. My heart was pounding fast when I turned my gaze toward his direction. His piercing emerald green eyes were looking directly at Jaina. I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension mixed with excitement. Devin always carried an aura of mystery and intrigue around him, and I couldn't help but feel pulled towards him.

Jaina was hesitated before speaking, clearly unsure of herself. "My father kicked me out. He said he couldn't handle me anymore."

Hindi nagsalita si Devin. Napatalon sa kaba ang puso ko ng inalis niya ang tingin mula kay Jaina at inilipat sa akin. He was looking at me intently. Wari'y inoobserbahan ako, tinitingnang mabuti ang aking ekspresyon.

"Ayla's decision would matter."  sambit niya habang hindi iniiwas ang tingin sa akin.

Jaina's face lit up with gratitude, and I could see the way she looked at Devin. She found him attractive, which didn't surprise me.
Devin was tall, muscular, and had an air of confidence that was hard to resist. But I knew I needed to keep a watchful eye on Jaina. I didn't want her to get herself into any kind of trouble.

Pumasok kami sa loob upang mas maayos na makapag usap.

"Ayla, please help me,"iyak niya, as she threw herself into my arms.

"You can stay with me." I said. Napatingin ako kay Devin, hinihintay ko kung anong masasabi niya.

"Then she can stay"
Napangiti naman si Jaina na punong-puno ng pasasalamat.

"Thank you so much, Devin! I promise I won't cause any trouble and I'll pay my way," Jaina said, wiping her eyes.

"Come with me," he said suddenly, his expression serious. Hindi ko maintindihan ang kaba ng bigla niyang hawakan ang pulsuhan ko at hilahin ako papasok sa isang silid.

As he stepped closer to me, a rush of emotions flooded my mind, making my heart beat faster. He looked into my eyes and I couldn't help but notice how his gaze seemed to penetrate deep into my soul, as if he knew me better than I knew myself.

"Ayla," he said quietly, his voice deep and resonant.

I swallowed nervously, feeling my heart racing in my chest. "Ano iyon?"

Lalo pa siyang lumalapit sa akin at inilagay niya ang kanyang kamay sa aking balikat, I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine. His touch was warm and gentle, yet I couldn't help but feel drawn to it.

"Do you miss me?"

He stepped even more closer to me, his face just inches away from mine. I could feel his warm breath on my skin, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of electricity pass between us.

"No." I denied, ang totoo ay hindi ko na makontrol ang aking pag iisip dahil sa paghuhurimintado ng aking nararamdaman.

He chucked. "Youre not good at lying Ayla"
Devin's expression became serious, and he took a deep breath before speaking. "You really drives me crazy Ayla," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "There's something about you that draws me in, that makes me feel alive. I can't explain it, Ilang beses na kitang sinubukang kalimutan. Ginusto mo na rin na kalimutan ako, but faith really is faithfull. I tried to forget you but you always comeback to me."

My heart skipped a beat at his words, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and apprehension all at once.

"I feel the same way, Devin," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Ngumiti siya sa akin, and I felt a rush of warmth spread throughout my body. Suddenly, he reached out and pulled me into a hug, and I found myself hugging him back, as if we were two puzzle pieces finally clicking into place.
As we pulled away from each other, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement mixed with uncertainty. Devin was unlike anyone I had ever known before, and I couldn't help but wonder what kind of adventure lay ahead for us.

Kinabukasan maaga akong nagising dahil sa ingay sa kusina. Natagpuan ko ang sarili ko sa Dining hall.

"Andito ka na pala Ayla, I was just about to get you" nakangiting sambit ni Jaina habang nakasuot pa ng apron. "Umupo ka na, tinulungan ko si Aling Nemya na magluto sa kusina. I know you can't cook but thats okay since I'm here ako na ang bahala sa pagluluto." dagdag niya pa.

Jaina's dream is to become a known chef someday. She was studying at prestigious University at town. Her cooking skill is really good, maraming humahanga sa kaniya sa pinapasukan niyang unibersidad dahil dito. She was also known for her beauty. From her glossy skin complexion to her sculpted figure which was twine-thin. She had pair of arched eyebrows looked down on sweeping eyelashes. Her delicate ears framed a button nose. Mas nakakaakit siyang tingnan dahil sa kaniyang itim at mahabang buhok.

Umupo ako sa lamesa at tiningnan ang mga nakahaing masasarap na pagkain sa lamesa.
I could smell the delicious aromas of the food Jaina had just cooked.

"I cooked this for Devin, as a thank you for letting me stay here. He's been so kind to me."
Napa-tingin ako sa ginawang paglagay niya ng pagkain sa plato ni Devin. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. I had never seen Jaina so smitten with anyone before, and it was clear that she was infatuated with Devin.

She spoke about Devin with such admiration and awe, praising him for his kindness and generosity. I noticed how Devin remained silent throughout the conversation, not reciprocating Jaina's adoration.

Ramdam ko na napansin ni Devin ang pananahimik ko. He walked over to me and place a food onto my plate.

"Eat up, Ayla. You shouldn't let good food go to waste."

I felt a warm sensation in my chest at the sound of Devin's voice. Hindi ko namalayang nakangiti na pala ako sa ginawa niyang kilos. Nakita ko rin  ang pag irap ni Jaina nang masaksihan ang pangyayari.

And today's winner well, no other than me Alya Cenesio!

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