Alluring Mask

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 39

VALENTINA IMARA MEADOWS

Nagusot ang ilong ko ng maramdaman na parang may malamig na bagay roon. I snapped out of my deep thoughts, realizing that we were in Rafael's and my favorite spot. Nakaupo kaming dalawa sa nakalatag na mat, at kumakain ng dala niyang pagkain. Rafael was holding a small cup of yogurt, and I figured it was what he had put on my nose. Kumuha ako ng tissue at pinunasan ang ilong ko.

"Daydreaming? Anong nasa isip mo?"

Napalunok ako habang hindi makapaniwalang tiningnan si Rafael sa harapan ko; he was now sitting in front of me. Nakakunot ang kan'yang noo habang mariin na nakatitig sa akin. He was wearing a white polo shirt and black shorts. His glasses slid down slightly, and he pushed them back up.

Anong meron? Bakit ako nandito? The last thing I remember was losing consciousness after feeling something sharp prick my neck. Malakas akong napasinghap ng rumehistro sa isipan ko ang mga nangyari sa akin. I was kidnapped!

"Sarah?" Rafael's gentle voice brought me back to the present, concern evident in his tone as he noticed my anxiety. "Are you okay? May masakit ba sa 'yo?"

"Raf..." mahina kong sambit habang nanatiling nakatingin sa kan'ya.

Alam kong hindi 'to totoo... itong mga nangyayari sa akin ngayon. Alam kong imahinasyon ko lang ang mga 'to. But as I stared at Rafael, who was still looking at me, I couldn't help but wonder—was I dreaming, or was this real?

"Raf," I called his name again.

Malambot siyang ngumiti sa akin at tinanggal ang suot niyang salamin. I closed my eyes briefly as the cool night breeze wrapped around me. Malamig na ang simoy ng hangin dahil gabi na, at ang nagsisilbing ilaw sa puwesto naming dalawa ay ang dala niyang lampara sa tuwing pumunta kami rito. The gentle rush of the waterfall and the chirping of crickets surrounded us in this secluded place.

"Yes?" Raf asked tenderly.

I wanted to hug him, to throw myself into his arms and hold him tightly because I couldn't do it when he was alive. Isa 'to sa hinihiling ko na sana ginawa ko noong nabubuhay pa siya... so that I wouldn't be burdened with regrets now. But something deep in my chest held me back for reasons I couldn't explain.

Hinayaan ko siyang lumapit sa akin. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko na ngayon ay nakapatong sa aking hita. His face was so close to mine. The black of his ash-grey eyes seemed unnervingly large, almost like cat eyes when they saw their prey; his eyes were dilating.

Bahagyang kumunot ang anoo ko ng makita ang sariling replekson sa kan'yang mga mata.

My chest tightened with anxiety. Naguguluhan ako. Something felt wrong—terribly wrong. Dapat makikita ko ang mukhan ni Sarah sa mga mata niya, pero bakit nandoon si Valentina? Parang habang nakatitig ako ng matagal sa mga mata niya at mas lalong sumisikip at bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ko.

Rafael took my hand and brought it to his lips, planting a soft kiss while never breaking eye contact. His tender smile spread across his lips, and I couldn't help but smile back. Nakakahawa ang malambot niyang mga ngiti habang abala sa paghalik sa likod ng palad ko.

"You're beautiful," he whispered softly.

I gasped lightly when he tugged my hand toward him, causing me to fall forward against his broad chest. His cologne enveloped me—it was distinctly masculine yet gentle, a scent that wasn't overpowering but lingered deeply in my senses. Sobrang higpit ng yakap niya sa akin... na para bang takot na mawala o maglalaho na lang ako bigla sa harapan niya.

I should've been the one doing this.

I should've been the one holding him tightly because he had been gone for so long, and perhaps he was only visiting me in my dreams.