THE SECLUDED TRAILS OF DECEIT '. ruler of fate series l first book

KABANATA 54

The Secluded Trails of Deceit
written by : riyanisity

I was all alone on the bed when I woke up the next day. Only the crumpled sheets imprinted by his presence, along with the lingering scent of his body, were next to me as soon as I looked around. Tuloy ay hindi ko maiwasan ang panghinaan ng loob dahil do'n. Saglit din akong napatulala sa kisame, kaya kinakailangan ko pang huminga nang malalim para magising ang aking sarili sa huli.

Dumapa ako sa kama at inabot ang cellphone kong nakapatong sa lamesa sa tabi ng kama niya. Then, I browsed my schedule, to-do lists, and newly posted notifications by some of my professors.

Seeing a new pile of plates to be submitted next week, I couldn't help but groan in protest. Ramdam ko kaagad ang pagod sa sistema ko kahit hindi ko pa naman nasisimulan 'yon.

Pumikit ako nang mariin, binaon ang mukha ko sa unan, at nagsimulang magdabog sa higaan. "Gusto ko na lang grumaduate, putangina naman!"

Panting because of the lack of air from what I did, I tilted my head and stared at where Draven should be lying before reaching on to that empty space. "Ang dami masyadong pinapagawa, Love." My eyes rolled in annoyance as I continued on caressing his pillow. "May hindi pa nga napapasa, meron ding kakabigay pa lang, tapos may bago nanaman ulit ngayon."

But... Still... I wouldn't mind it if I were to wake up earlier than expected... Just for me to cuddle with him a bit more.

Kahit ngayon lang sanang umaga — saglit pa man 'yan o kahit katiting lang. Sana naman kinulit at pinilit niya ako, diba..?

A bitter smile formed on my lips, "Yet, he's not here, Vanna." bulong ko sa aking sarili.

I need energy... Some strength... At least I know I deserve that.

Believing that he had left for school already, it was both a shock and excitement for me to hear another creak of the door coming out of his room out of the blue. That made me stand up and rush outside in an instant.

And as soon as I took a step out, my eyes immediately landed on Draven, who was already ready to leave and was in the middle of closing the bathroom's entryway. He wasn't wearing his usual nerdy-nonchalant outfit this time, but instead a more formal one: a black button-down dress shirt with a light gray coat, paired with the same color slacks, and black leather shoes as well.

"You sure are dressed up." Kahit may natitirang pagtatampo dahil sa nangyari kagabi ay hindi ko napigilan ang tipid na ngiting biglang sumilay sa aking labi. "Do you have any recitals or presentations today?"

Imbes na sagutin kaagad ako, saglit siyang nanigas sa kaniyang kinakatayuan matapos marinig sa'kin ang mga 'yon. It even took him a few seconds to gather himself together before I heard him clearing his throat, "Defense po, Miss." maikling sagot niya lamang bago dumiretso sa mga gamit niyang nakapatong sa mahabang upuan.

Is it just me, or he's being really odd right now..? That would be absurd for him to do given what happened to us last night, right..?

I flicked my tongue in frustration, "My boyfriend's becoming an asshole." halos hindi ko marinig gamit ang mismong tainga ko nang ibulong ko 'yon sa hangin.

Just then, Draven suddenly took a peek at me using the corner of his eyes after he was done putting on his graded-glasses. Ngunit kaagad din naman siyang umiwas sa mga mata ko matapos magsalubong ang tingin naming dalawa na parang wala siyang nakita. Pakiramdam ko nga hindi umabot ng isang segundo 'yon dahil sa bilis niya.

"So..." My brow shot up when I noticed him slowly cleaning and clearing his stuff. "Where's my good morning..? You're leaving like this?"

For the second time, Draven halted on his track after hearing that from me. His school bag, which he was about to carry on his shoulder, was once again brought down on the couch before he decided to walk to where I was. Hindi niya ako nilingon, sinilip, o pinagmasdan man lang sa kalagitnaan no'n at nanatili lamang ang mga mata niya sa sahig, kaya hindi ko maiwasan ang malito.