Miletria: The Withering Fire

12

I woke up very weak and exhausted. I looked around and there I saw Yxius sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed. I tried standing up, but I groaned in pain when I felt the deep wound on my right shoulder.

Agad namang nagmulat ng mata si Xiu at lumapit sa akin. Aalalayan niya sana ako but he stopped midair. I just smiled at him and just lay down on my bed again.

"How are you? May masakit ba sa'yo?" he asked, and I forced a smile.

"I heard from Ezekiel what happened. He's visiting Xamara by the way," he said.

"How is she?" I asked. He raised his brows and amusingly smiled.

"You are seriously asking that? Worry about yourself. You always worry about other people. Sarili mo ang isipin mo." I blinked several times to process what he said, but I ended up taking a deep breath.

"I don't want to be selfish," I whispered but he shook his head.

"Ganda ng mindset mo." He imitated me making me laugh a little. "Caring for yourself is not selfishness, brat."

"Ang suplado mo naman." I laughed but I stopped when my wound ached.

"Sige tawa ka lang." I pouted when I heard his mocking laugh. Instead of helping me, he really chose to laugh huh? "Thank you for your concern." I rolled my eyes.

"By the way, I'm sorry for tricking you earlier. I'm insensitive. I hope you're not mad." I grinned sheepishly.

"I totally forgot that when they said you are critical. Thank you for making me remember."

"Sorry, Xiu." I pouted.

"Mama mo."

"Yxius, sorry na nga," pangungulit ko sa kanya but he just ignored me and closed his eyes.

"I'll touch you if you don't forgive me," banta ko sa kanya.

"Then burn yourself," he said, his voice monotone and eyes half-closed, barely glancing up.

I made a face because of what he said. "I'm not kidding, Yxius."

"Whatever."

He's really provoking me, huh? I tried my best to sit up on the bed and face him. His eyes are still closed and unbothered. I used my left arm and slowly caressed his red hair. "I like your hair. It's red... like fire."

He immediately opened his eyes and moved back to me. "What do you think you're doing?!" His breathing is getting rigid and I can feel the intense fear in his system.

"Tangina, wag mo naman akong paglaruan."

"Count, Xiu," saad ko, pero marahas siyang umiling at pumikit habang nakasabunot sa sarili nilang buhok. He's repeatedly chanting 'no' and it pains me seeing him like this.

"One," I counted.

"Stop." He covered his ears with his hands.

"Two."

"Blaine naman! Don't do this to me. I'm begging. Stop." He's shaking in fear. "Ayokong maging dahilan ng pagkawala mo. Ayoko. Please."

"Open your eyes, Xiu," I said but he just shook his head repeatedly.

"Three."

I saw his palms forming a fist. I didn't talk for a few seconds and waited until he opened his eyes, but he never did. He's this traumatized, huh?

Inabot ko ang kamay niyang nakakuyom at hinawakan ito ng mahigpit. He flinched because of the contact. His hands are still shaking. He slowly opened his eyes and tears flowed down on his cheeks. I smiled at him.