It was a typical evening when Mara entered the dining area, her footsteps were slow and deliberate. The dining hall felt quiet and heavy. Her head bowed as she sat in her usual seat without glancing at her surroundings, and then she stared at the food on the table blankly. She had no appetite, her hunger was gone for no reason.
An unfamiliar emptiness lingered deep in her chest that she couldn't quite understand.
"Is the food not to your liking?"
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa gulat ng marinig ang pamilyar na boses bago napadpad ang tingin niya sa gwapong mukha ng lalaking umiinom ng wine sa dulo ng mesa.
He's back! she thought, feeling as though her heart would burst with joy. She just realized how much she missed that deep raspy voice of him.
What is wrong with me? I shouldn't feel this way, this is not right! Her mind protested, but the feelings wouldn't let go. In fact, she felt lively at mas lalo siyang ginaganahang kumain.
"Eat," he demanded with his usual hostile yet gentle tone this time.
Mara didn't feel an ounce of fear from him. She was somehow used to it.
Then, carefully, she began eating while he watched her movements intently.
"Uhm, ilang araw rin kitang hindi nakita," lakas loob niyang wika bago nag-abot ang kanilang mata.
She was speaking from her heart and she sounded clingy.
Pero walang ekspresyon ang gwapo nitong mukha habang nakasandal sa upuan.
"Why? Aren't you happy to see me?" he asked.
His tone was low and sarcastic, but his expression never changed, and remained passive.
Sa dinami-dami nga din naman ng pwede niyang sabihin ay iyon pa ang lumabas sa kanyang bibig. But she knows from the back of her head na hindi iyon ang ibig niyang sabihin. If she is to be honest, she's even happy to see him.
She is happy that he is finally back. Her perception of him had changed ever since nanay Bebeng told her the story. 'Perhaps he's really not that bad,' she said, convincing herself.
Kinagat niya ang babang labi saka binasag ang tingin kay Daemon. She felt like she was on fire when their eyes locked. She can't keep up. He is dangerously charismatic to the point that she can't focus.
"I mean..."
"Mean what?"
"Uhm hmm..." Hindi niya alam kung anong sasabihin kaya't muli siyang napatitig sa mukha ng lalaki.
"I don't think I need to report anything to you." may karampot na pagtitimpi sa boses ni Daemon..
"And trust me," he added.
"You wouldn't want to know it if I told you," saad nito na para bang pinagbabantaan siyang mas mabuti na wala siyang alam.
Dahil sa sinabing iyon ni Daemon ay bahagya siyang nakaramdam ng takot. Ibinaling niya ang tingin sa mesa at sinubukang mag-focus sa pagkain ngunit hindi napawi ang mausisa niyang utak na punung-puno ng mga katanungan.
Kinuha niya ang baso ng tubig sa mesa at dahan-dahan iyong ininom upang matanggal ang kung ano mang bagay na bumara sa kanyang lalamunan.
Mara wondered where her sanity had gone because her mind kept warning her to stay away from him and not to mess with him, but a part of her brain couldn't let go of the moment that they had a brief conversation. Though it wasn't a proper one, but at least it was peaceful.
Pagkatapos niyang ubusin ang isang basong tubig ay muli niyang tinignan sa mata si Daemon.
"Kumain ka na ba, s-sir? M-master, my lord?" pautal-utal niyang tanong. Her tongue twisted. She doesn't know what to call him.
BINABASA MO ANG
DAMNED (Dark Romance)
Fantasi"Feel free to begin now. If you need my help, you might want to earn it," he said. His arms caged me on top of the bed as he leaned closer. His deep voice played in my ears making me shiver. "A-anong ibig mong sabihin?" "Beg for it," he demanded. I...
