Star-Crossed Melodies (Echoes #1)

Chapter 36

Trigger Warning: explicit language.

Chapter 36

Truth

I don't want to go home yet... that was the first thought that entered my mind as silence enveloped the space between me and Ellis. He nodded when I told him not to leave me, but I didn't believe it.

I was terrified that after our match in Caloocan, he would distance himself from me and leave again. It's tiring to keep chasing, but I'm not afraid to fight for him, for the year that has been waiting for him.

Gusto kong makalaya siya sa pangyayari iyon at malimutan niya ang ginawa sa kanya. Maramdaman niya ang himbing ng gabi kapag ipipikit niya ang kan'yang mata. I don't care about myself if that means I have to neglect myself. If shattering myself is the key for Ellis to experience freedom, I will do it.

"Pumasok ka na." ani Ellis sa akin nang hindi pa rin ako bumaba sa kanyang motor kahit nasa tapat na ako ng condominium.

Hindi ako gumagalaw sa pwesto ko at na nanatiling nakayakap sa kanya. Wala masyadong ingay sa paligid kaya nakakagan'to ako. Pero si Ellis mukhang gusto na akong suntukin dahil hindi siya makagalaw.

"Sleep with me tonight..." I silently whispered. I don't think I can sleep feeling like this. If he leaves, who will I have in my arms? Who will I gaze at before drifting off to sleep?

"Na naman? Inaamag na apartment ko kasi hindi na ako nakakauwi roon." tanggi niya.

Ngumuso ako at bahagyang nag mulat. I could see from the corner of my eye that it was getting dark around us. I sighed at what he said. Why does he still rent?

"Leave that place. I told you to live with me. Libre tubig, libre renta, wala kang iisipin na gastusin, libre pagkain, ang mas maganda roon may gwapo ka pang kasama-"

Hinampas niya ang aking braso na nakapalibot sa kanyang baywang.

"H'wag mong iniiba ang usapan! Pumasok ka na roon, maaga ang alis n'yo bukas." mahina niyang sabi bago pilit tanggalin ang aking braso na nakayakap sa kanya.

I shook my head and held onto him tighter. This is all I need right now. I won't be able to sleep if he's not beside me. I have so many thoughts weighing me down, and I know he's the only one who can make it all go away.

Narinig ko ang bumuntong hininga ni Ellis. He knows that I'm crying, but he doesn't ask why. I don't want to say it either because I don't even know why. I'm just carrying so much, and it doesn't go away with a simple sleep.

"Sleep with me tonight..." I whispered, trembling.

Hindi siya sumagot pero hawak niya ang aking braso.

"P-please..." nanginginig kong dagdag, takot na baka hindi siya pumayag.

Unti-unti siyang tumango. "Okay. Tara na?"

I nodded as well, feeling a slight sense of relief. We entered my condo unit together. I took a quick shower while he stayed in my room. After getting dressed, I immediately lay down beside him, squeezing myself close and hugging him.

I caught him focusing on his cellphone. I glanced at it too. He was in the gallery, looking at pictures and zooming in.

I licked my lips. "Saan 'yan?"

I saw a picture of him wearing a robe and a red helmet. I suddenly remembered when I invited him to spar, and he looked exactly like that. He looked like a strawberry with the red helmet on.

"Matagal na. Unang pasok ko sa sparring nito tapos kinuhaan ako ni tito ng picture." sagot niya.

Tito niya... I haven't met him yet. Is he here in Manila? Or maybe he's in another country?