GABRIELLE
HINDI KO alam kung saan kami papunta. As he drove his car, I just watched outside the window. This was the first time I'd been in his car. The interior of it was so manly and expensive. Amoy na amoy ko rin ang kaniyang mamahaling pabango.
The entire ride was accompanied by deafening silence, and no one dared to break it. My entire body was buzzing with unfamiliar excitement and fear. Sa loob nang ilang taon na kakilala ko si Zerachiel, I never had the chance to know him well. Ang alam ko lang sa kaniya ay ang iilang bagay tungkol sa kaniya. I did not know him that much. Perhaps that was the reason why I felt this buzzing caress of anticipation and excitement with tailing fear.
I always wondered how he lived his life. He was the son of Governor Astor Singson. He came from the most powerful family in Ilocos Sur. No one dared to lay a hand on him. His surname spoke volumes. Sa pangalan pa lang niya ay matatakot na ang mga taong saktan niya.
My insecurities had the best of me, as always. A life that formed into a constant torture and endless battle of self-worth and self-destruction. The scars on my wrist could attest to my silent battle.
Huminga ako nang malalim at napabalik sa realidad nang huminto ang sasakyan ni Zerachiel. Napasinghap ako no'ng narealize ko kung nasaan kami. We were in S-Yard, it was a food court located by the shore. Maganda rito at kung pu-p'westo ka sa itaas ay kitang kita mo ang lawak ng karagatan. It was nearly 8 PM, and the food court was already crowded with people. Puntahan din kasi ng mga estudyante rito at mga magkakaibigan.
Naunang lumabas si Zerachiel at pinanuod ko siyang umikot para pagbuksan ako. His wicked smirk flashed in front of me, showing me his sharp incisor teeth. Umihip ang malamig na hangin, dahilan para sa kaniyang buhok para umalon sa indayog ng hangin.
"I don't think I have enough money to buy even a drink in here," sabi ko sabay tingin sa loob ng food court.
Zerachiel winked at me, "No need to worry. I'll take care of it,"
Hindi ako umangal dahil siya naman ang nagdala sa 'kin dito. Dapat lang na siya ang magbayad sa kakainin ko.
Zerachiel tried to hold my hand, but I was fast enough to evade my hand from his attempt. Sumulyap ako sa kaniya at nakita ko kung paano dumilim ang kaniyang tingin sa akin. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpatuloy nalang sa paglalakad.
The cold caress of wind slithered through my body, eliciting shivers to run through my skin. The moon was brightly glowing amid the vast canvas of black dotted with glinting stars. With the growling of waves from the sea, I could feel the saltiness of it that was brought by the howling wind. Today, the rain did not visit us, it was calm and warm.
I breathed a lungful when we got into the food court. Maingay ang paligit at halatang nagkakasiyahan ang lahat. I saw some familiar faces. May mga iilan ding taong napatingin sa lalaking katabi ko. Every member of the Singson household was treated like a royal. Kaya hindi na nakapagtataka na halos lumuhod ang mga taong nakakakita kay Zerachiel.
"Zera!" someone called behind us.
Napatingin ako roon at gano'n din si Zera. Kumunot ang noo ko noong nakita ko kung sino ang tumawag kay Zerachiel. Hindi ko kilala ang lalaki pero alam ko nakikita ko na siya sa UNP. He walked towards Zera, and they made this manly handshake.
"I didn't know I'd get to see you here, pare," sabi noong lalaki. Dumapo naman ang mga mata no'ng lalaki sa akin, at ang mapang-asar na ngiti ay sumilay sa kaniyang mga mata, "What a surprise! You're with Gabrielle!"
Ngumiti ako pero lito dahil alam nito ang pangalan ko. Naglahad ng kamay ang lalaki at nginitian pa lalo ako, "I am Dominic, by the way,"
"Hello," tipid kong bati. Napatingin ako kay Zerachiel at nakita ko siyang madilim ang tingin sa akin.
