Plotted to Love You

C̶h̶a̶p̶t̶e̶r̶ 25

Trust

Nasa kalagitnaan kami ng byahe. Hawak ni Rojo ang kamay ko at nakapikit siyang nakasandal. Hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa kamay naming mag-kahawak at sa kanyang serysong mukha. I feel the flutters inside my heart every time he squeezes my hand gently.

Natigil lang iyon nang biglang mag-mulat si Rojo at agad nakatuon ang paningin niya sakin.

Mabilis akong umastang may tinitingnan lang sa labas ng bintanang nasa gilid niya.

Nang maramdaman ko ang paninitig niya ay saka ko lang sinuklian ang mga tingin niya at maganda siyang nginitian.

"Um.. So... Do you know anything about The Circuit? Or... Scorpion?" Sambit ko, binabaling sa ibang bagay ang isip niya.

"It's better if you know nothing, Demy." Aniya at muling pumikit. "To keep you safe."

Is he serious?? He's the one who makes the place dangerous in the first place.

I laughed sarcastically making him look at me again.

"And how are you going to do that? By keeping me in your tower like a princess? I'm not a princess, Rojo. And you are definitely not my prince to protect me."

Nag-tikhiman ang mga kasama naming tauhan niya.

"You think a stupid prince can protect you? No, little girl. You know what will?" Nilabas niya ang kanyang baril at agad kong pinanood kung paano niya ito hinaplos sa hita ko. "My gun will protect you." He said while pausing what he's doing. "I will blow up anyone who hurts you cause you are my princess..so stop your mind from thinking.. just relax and sit pretty."

Hindi makapaniwala akong suminghap.

"Sorry to hurt your feelings but I don't need your gun." Mayabang kong sinabi. Kinagat naman niya ang labi niya at mataman akong tiningnan.

"Yeah.. not my gun.. you won't need that."

Matalas ko siyang tiningnan ngunit ngisi lang ang sinukli niya sakin.

"And what do you mean by that?"

"You don't want me saying it in here, Demy.." Bulong niya bago muling sumandal.

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang paligid at napansing di mapakali ang ilang tauhan.

Natigilan lang ako nang marahan niyang hawakan ang kamay ko. Dinala niya ito sa kanyang labi at marahang hinalikan ang likod ng palad ko.

"You just have to need me.. I'll pull the trigger for you."

I felt the heat on my cheeks because of that and I hope that it's not turning into red. Ngayon, ako naman yata itong hindi mapakali. Mabuti nalang at hawak niya pa rin ang kamay ko.

Nakahinga lang ako ng maluwang nang tumunog ang kanyang bagong cellphone. Sa wakas ay napunta rito ang atensyon niya.

Ilang ring lang ay sinagot na niya ang tawag.

"Yeah.. Alright, I'll be there." Simple niya lang sinabi bago binalingan ang driver. "Nueve, daan muna tayong coffee shop, I gotta meet someone."

"Noted, boss Red." Sagot ng malaking lalaking nag-mamaneho.

"Sino?" Bulong ko kay Rojo at di niya napigilan ngumiti.

"The little girl's curious huh?"

Ngumuso ako at umirap.

"Fine! I'll get my answers anyway. I have my ways."

"What? Ask your boyfriend to stalk me?" Agad umawang ang bibig ko.