FORBIDDEN LOVE SERIES: CROSSING THE LINE

SIX

We still have one class for the afternoon. Morning classes kasi ang dalawa naming subject for today. I just read a message from our group chat, we were informed by our class representative, Josh, that our instructor for that subject will not be attending our class.

Okay sa akin yon dahil hinila nalang ako basta ni  Ares sa kung saan. Heto nga kami ngayon at nasa loob ng kaniyang sasakyan at binabaybay ang daan sa Tagaytay. He told me that we're going somewhere more quiet.

I couldn't stop myself from staring at him. There is something off to his expressions, kahit pa nga itago niya yon sa akin.

Kilala ko na siya sa tuwing kailangan niyang mag-isip, kapag kailangan niyang maglabas ng galit o kapag kailangan niya ng isang masasandalan. I've been living with him and I knew him too well.

I know the things he doesn't like, the foods he loves to eat, things he wants to buy and even the type of women he would surely bed.

"We will not have a class for later. What about you?" I asked him. Don't want to say anything about his problem. He will open up, I know. He definitely will.

"I can follow up, Ava. Nakakalimutan mo yatang ako ang rank one sa klase natin noong senior high"

Umikot ang mga mata ko sa kaniya. "Ang yabang" I murmured.

Hirap na hirap ang buhok ko, lalo na at mahaba yon. Sumasabay kasi ang buhok ko sa bawat hampas ng hangin, pero gusto ko ang ganito. Pasimple kong inilabas ang kamay ko sa gilid ko at pinakiramdaman ang hangin doon.

"You always worry too much about my grades. I could survive even I don't go to school. We have lots of companies, Ava"

Gustuhin ko mang manahimik ukol doon. Kailangan ko siyang maliwanagan.

"You don't know what will happen in the future, Ares. And, for me, education is still important whether you are poor or you're this rich. No one could steal it from you. Ako, 'yon ang pangarap ko. Ang matapos sa pag-aaral at mabuhay ko ang sarili ko, gamit ang pawis at pagal ko. Don't you want to feel that kind of satisfaction? You finally carrying all the responsibilities for yourself? Yong proud ka kasi you can buy or get everything you want from your own hardworks?"

Ares looked at me. The car finally stopped. "I love it when you talk like that"

He smiled. I looked at him seriously.

"I know that even you were still young before, may trust funds ka na. But it's an achievement for me if I could afford something I want, from my own money. Also, degree is like a trophy for me"

Ares went out of his car so I did too. I walked beside him as he climbed up a stairs. Patungo 'yon sa isang building.

My eyes roamed around the place and we were surrounded by trees. Are we outside the city? Tagaytay perhaps?

"Where are we?" I couldn't help but ask.

Ares turned to look at me and then went to my back to make me walk first. His hand went to my lower back as he guided me inside the building. It was small, not really small. Smaller than their company buildings.

"I want you to see the rooftop" Ares guided me to the stair, didn't have any intention on answering me.

"Ares, you didn't tell me that we're going outside of Mani—"

"Just for this time, Ava. Don't be a kill joy" he put his hand in front of me, telling me to hold that. I did. "Good. As much as I love hearing you nag at me, I want you to just behave now and obey me"

"What?" Gulo kong tanong sa kaniya.

"Just behave" saka niya bahagyang ginulo ang aking buhok. Hawak niya sa isang kamay niya ang kamay ko at saka na kami nagtungo sa rooftop.