The Veil of Desire

CHAPTER 21

Nalu's Point of View

"Ano, Olivia? Kaya mo pa ba? Palitan na lang kaya kita riyan kaysa naman sa bumagsak tayo pare pareho.” Pag singit kong sabi sa kanya habang nauutal utal siya sa harapan. Inirapan niya ako’t nag pumilit pa rin siya sa pagsasalita na wala namang kabuluhan.

As she spoke, the laughter gradually subsided, replaced by a grudging admiration for her unwavering fortitude. By the time she had finished, the classroom was silent, the atmosphere heavy with a mix of shame and awe.

“Pinag aralan mo bang mabuti ang ire-report mo sa harap ng klase, Olivia?” Tanong ni Sir Yoshio. Wala siyang nagawa kundi ang umiling dahil sa totoo lang ay hindi naman talaga siya nag-participate kanina sa discussions namin magkakagrupo.

Sir Yoshio's voice reverberated through the classroom, guiding us through the complexities of our subject matter. His steady gait carried him around the room, his presence both authoritative and approachable. As he drew near my desk, my gaze fell upon a crumpled piece of paper perched precariously atop my chair.

“Sir Yoshio.” I whispered. Ngunit patuloy pa rin siya sa pagsasalita.

Curiosity piqued, I cautiously reached out and unfolded it, my heart pounding with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation. The message scrawled upon it was both simple and profound: 'Kiss me or reject me.'

Luminga linga ako saka mabilis na kinuyumos ang papel na hawak ko. Napalunok ako at tila ba butil-butil na pawis ang tumutulo sa noo ko.

Time seemed to slow down as I processed the implications of this unexpected declaration.

As I flipped the paper, Puntahan mo ako sa building 301 2nd Floor. Aantayin kita.

Hindi ko na napansin na tapos na ang klase ni Sir Yoshio. Tumayo siya at lumabas na wala man lang iniwang salita. Kinuha ko ang susi sa bag ko at ni-lock ang pinto. Since, president ako sa klase namin ako palagi ang may hawak nito, sinu-surrender naman ito sa guard house every after class at pagtalikod ko tumambad ang isang batang babae.

“Excuse me? Have you seen my father?” Sabi ng isang batang babae. Wait?! Paano nakapasok ang bata rito sa school?

“May kasama ka ba?” Tanong ko sa paslit na nasa harap ko ngayon. “Opo may kasama po ako nanay at kapatid ko. Inaantay po kasi namin si papa.” Kasabay nito ang paglabas niya ng kanyang cellphone at pinakita ang litrato ng kanyang ama.

“Ah, e? Hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya. Pasensya ka na ah? Pauwi na kasi ako.” Iniwan ko siyang mag isa at dali-dali akong naglakad.

Bawat lakad ko ang siyang pagpatak ng luha ko. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko. Pakiramdam ko nasasaktan ako na hindi naman dapat.

As I hurriedly gathered my belongings and left the classroom, a surge of anxiety coursed through me. With each step towards Building 301, my heart pounded like a drum against my ribcage. As I neared the end of the hallway, a shadowy figure emerged from the depths. It grew larger and more distinct, illuminating the dim space until it became apparent that it was Sir Yoshio. He stood there, his enigmatic gaze fixed upon me, patiently awaiting my arrival.

At that moment, time seemed to slow down, and the weight of my apprehension threatened to overwhelm me. I had anticipated this encounter, but the reality of facing him filled me with a mix of trepidation and a strange sense of inevitability.

“Why did you take so long, Nalu? Umiiyak ka ba?” Sa sandaling ‘yon biglang niyang pinunasan ang mukha ko gamit ang kanyang kamay para tanggalin ang bakas ng luha roon.

Hinawi ko ang kamay niyang ‘yon at umatras, “Sir, ano bang ginagawa mo?” Naguguluhang tanong ko sa kanya. “Have you decided your answer?” He asked.

“Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ‘tong nararamdaman ko. Anong ginawa mo sa akin. Sinusubukan kong lumayo sayo pero bakit hindi ko kaya. Bakit ayaw mo ba akong tantanan? May asawa’t anak ka na!” Bulyaw ko sa kanya.

“Halikan mo ako kung gusto mo ako kung hindi sampalin mo ako’t iwan mo ako rito.” Muli siyang nagsalita at hindi pinansin ang sinabi kong ‘yon.

Sir Yoshio's approach was gradual, his steps measured and deliberate. As he drew near, I instinctively recoiled, my body tensing against the unforgiving wall behind me. My mind raced, grappling with the unexpectedness of his advance. Just when I gathered my resolve to rebuff his advances, he seized me in a sudden embrace. His lips descended upon mine with a force that both startled and disarmed me. The kiss was a torrent of passion, a tempestuous wave that swept away all resistance. In that moment, time seemed to stand still as my senses were overwhelmed by the unexpected intensity of his desire. The wall against my back became a silent witness to the unfolding drama, as I found myself lost in a vortex of emotions that I had never experienced before.

“Mahal kita, Nalu Coleis!” Rinig na rinig ng puso ko ang mga salitang ‘yon galing kay Sir Yoshio.

Kumawala ako sa kanyang pagkakahalik at tumalikod. Aalis na sana ako ngunit this time, I called him by his name. “Yoshio, we both know that we can't love each other. May asawa ka, may anak ka pa. Let's just end this, ‘wag na natin patagalin. Hindi pa man naging tayo ngunit hindi kaya ng puso kong makita kang kasama ang asawa mo. Nasasaktan ako. Hindi ako pinanganak para lang masaktan at lalo na hindi ako pinanganak para lang maging kabit.” Tumutulo ang mga luhang kanina ko pa pinipigilan.

“Gagawa ako ng paraan just to make you mine.” Naramdaman ko ang kanyang paghinga sa likod ko.