Old Love as the Hills (Variejo Series #3)

16

Boldly 

Marahan kong iminulat ang aking mata noong sumunod na araw, bahagyang nasilaw sa liwanag nangmumula sa bintana. Muli, nasa silid ako ni Israel. Mataas na ang araw ngunit ramdam ko pa rin ang pagod noong mga nakaraang gabi. Inakala ko na panaginip lang ang lahat. The scratches on my hand and elbow... the wound on my neck ... tells me everything is beyond reality. It hurts when I move. 

Bumangon ako. I heaved a deep sigh. Another day is up, how can I face him, huh? 

My thoughts left in the air. Nabato ako sa higaan noong pumasok si Israel dala ang isang tray ng pagkain. “You're up,”

He marches towards the marble table near the couch. He put the tray on the table and then he approaches the bed. He sat near me, staring entirely deeply at me. I equal his stare. 

“About last n-night...”

“Don't make me worry again,” he said softly while tracing my face using the back of his fingers. He puts some of my hair strands behind my ear. His hands then slid down my neck. I could almost see the burning anger through his eyes. “Why did you run?”

He failed to hide his sadness when he asked. He's just too good to put his mask back on by the speed of a light. The madness in his eyes are evident now. He's two-faced. I knew him. I have seen this long before. How come I did not learn to do it?

“Come closer,” utos niya, bahagyang huminga. 

Wala sa sariling inilapit ko ang sarili sa kaniya. Hinayaan ko ang sarili na magpasakop sa bisig niya. Pumikit ako noong pinadampi nito ang labi sa gilid ng ulo ko. Pinigilan ko ang nagbabadyang luha.

His arms are warm. His arms are still the old warmth that comforted me when everything was chaotic. It's still here... he's here.

“Do you know him?” he interrogated.

He's Seven. Sergei's friend. But after what happened, I don't think I can say the truth. I don't think I need to hide it either. I'm oppressed. What would happen if I told him Seven's relationship with my brother? 

Hindi ako sumagot. Wala akong naiintindihan sa mga nangyayari. It was not me who they're after. It's Red! Anong ginagawa nila sa lugar na iyon? Bakit kailangan nilang kitilin si Red? Anong atraso nito? May alam ba si Israel sa mga nangyayari?

“How did you find me... it's f-far... and isolated.”

Siya naman ang hindi nakasagot. Kumalas ako sa yakap upang tingnan ito sa mata. Akala ko ay iiwas siya pero sinalubong niya ang titig ko. Malinaw kong nakikita ang katotohanan roon... na wala siyang kayang itago sa akin.

“You're with Red that morning...” I paused. “She kissed you..." habang nakatingin sa labi niya. “Right there.”

“That's why you run... I see.” he sighs softly.

I nodded, slowly getting ashamed. I looked down. I played my fingers to reduced the tension I'm feeling. But Israel gently held my hands, putting my gaze back at him.

I wasn't able to think straight when he lowered and tilted his head to aim my slightly parted lips. My eyes grew wider in shock, unable to respond. He gave me two kinds of kisses. The first kiss is gentle and sweet which lasted for seconds. The second kiss is rough and remarkably deep which sent shivers down my spine. I could almost lay back on the bed if he did not stop. 

He breathes when he pulls away. I swallow. 

“Only I will kiss my precious baby that way...” aniya habang nakatitig pa rin sa labi ko. “A kiss is better than a fight.”