Behind Every Pages

Chapter Forty:

Lestari

Dati takot na takot ako, takot akong harapin ang mga problema ko. Lagi ko na lang tinatakbuhan, tinatakasan, hindi hinaharap. But now that Ezra is here, I feel a newfound strength to confront all my challenges because I know he won't leave me.

He is peacefully asleep beside me. All I do is gaze at his peaceful face. I remind myself that this time, I won't abandon him. This time, I will fight for him. I know I won't be able to handle it if he disappears from my life again.

"Stop staring," his sudden words startle me. He opens one eye, a grin on his face.

"I love you," I say bravely.

Now, I can admit the truth without feeling any fear. Kasi kung may consequences ulit kung mamahalin namin ang isa't isa, alam kong this time, mas matibay na kami. I will do whatever it takes for him.

"And I love you more than my own life," he whispers, pulling me close for a hug and planting a kiss on my forehead. "Please don't leave me again," I sense his fear of me walking away again, so I hug him tightly before promising.

"I promise, I won't leave."

Kinakabahan akong lumabas sa kwarto niya nang umagang iyon dahil baka may makakita sa akin. Hindi pa namin napag-uusapan kung sasabihin ba namin sa mga kaibigan namin.

Kahit iika-ika ay tumakbo ako mula sa pinto niya papunta sa pinto ko nang makitang wala namang tao sa hallway. Nang buksan ko ang pintuan ko ay tumingin pa muna ako sa kaniya at ngumiti.

Pagtalikod ko at nagulat ako sa nakita ko. Euradice raises an eyebrow while standing, and Harper sits with arms crossed on the sofa.

"Saan ka galing?" tanong ni Euradice.

"H-huh?"

"Saan ka galing teh?" Harper's question makes my heart race with nervousness. How did they enter my room?

"Kung nagtataka ka paano kami nakapasok, yung bag mo naiwan mo sa reception. Kaya saan ka galing? Kung nasa amin ang susi mo saan ka natulog?" lumapit si Euradice na agad kong ikina atras. "Saka ano ito? bakit iba na ang damit mo?" aniya habang hinihila ang t-shirt ni Ezra.

"At naka boxer pa talaga?"

"Bruha ka! Saang lalaki ka umuwi?"

"H-ha?! Ano bang sinasabi niyo diyan. K-kay Luther ito,"

"No, that's not mine," I am surprised as Luther emerges from the mini kitchen with coffee.

I go quiet, frustrated at being caught so easily. What should I say now? Should I confess? But Ezra and I haven't discussed it yet.

"Sagot, Lestari Yvette Castellano. Saan ka galing?" seryosong tanong ni Euradice. Nakakatakot din talaga ang isang to eh. Kawawa naman si Ross sa future kung ganito ka terror ang misis niya.

Just as I was about to respond, the door behind me swung open, and we all turned to look. Ross entered, with Ezra following closely behind. I immediately felt a surge of nerves, as if we were about to be caught.

"Oh! Nandito ka na pala, nag-aalala kami kagabi kung nasaan ka," sabi ni Ross. "Oh guys, nandito na rin si Ezra, hindi kasi namin kayo mahanap kagabi eh kaya nag-aalala kami... teka?" He suddenly paused, his eyes widening. He pointed at Ezra and me, as if questioning his assumption.

"Magkasama ba kayo kagabi?" tanong ni Euradice.

"Baka sa iisang kwarto pa?" nakangising tanong ni Luther.

"At anong ginawa niyo?" hirit naman ni Harper.

I blushed intensely from nervousness. But all my fears dissipated when I felt a hand wrap around my waist.