Midnight Momento (Astalièr Series I)

MDT 27

Chapter 27

Tumuwid ako ng pagkakaupo habang seryosong nakatitig sa kanya. We stared at each other for a few deafening seconds of silence, but my lips turned into thin line and displeased was all I could show on my face. I gave him time to rephrase what he said. Baka mali lang ako ng rinig o baka mali lang talaga ang nasabi niya.

Pero kung ano ang riin ng titig ko sa kanya, ganoon rin siya sa akin. He will never back down when it comes to argument.

"No." I responded without thinking twice.

He looked heavily at me. "Cali." he called me with a warning tone.

"I will not go back to Astalier." my words were clearer than crystal so he would understand that I am determined to stay. "You know I can't do that." I tried to be calm but stress was already burning up in my head.

He can't just barge in here and tell me to come with him in Astalier! Alam kong importante sa kanya ang iniimbestigahan niyang kaso, para iyon sa mga tao sa Hacienda. At importante rin iyon sa akin dahil nakasalalay ang kaligtasan ko roon.

But I have work here! I have a life here in Manila!

He removed his gaze from me and sighed deeply. He already expected my answer. He just can't hide his disappointed reaction.

"Even just for days? Cali?" he still tried.

"No. I said no, Rohen. I appreciate your concern but I have work here."

Umigting ang panga nito.

Pumikit ako ng mariin at hinilot ang sintido ko. Umiling-iling ako sa kanya dahilan upang marinig ko ang panibagong buntong hininga nito.

"Rohen you're being paranoid. I am safe here in Manila even without you—-"

"How can you say so? Dahil wala pang nangyayari sa'yo ngayon? Kailan ka mag-iingat kapag may nagtangka na muna sa'yo?" he cut me sharply with his words.

My chest tightened with what he said. His voice definitely shows he's concerned but annoyance was there. I could totally sense it.

Binasa ko ang ibabang labi at tumayo sa upuan. Wearing my heels I almost reach his eye level. Staring at me with narrowed eyes my gaze is also starting to be intense.

"Sinasabi mo bang pabaya ako at hindi ako nag-iingat?" saad ko pabalik.

Naka-pamewang ito at kumunot ang noo niya.

"You really think I cannot protect myself alone? That I need you every time?" patuloy ko. Ang mga kamay ko ay nakalapag sa ibabaw ng mesa.

He inhaled sharply. "That's not what I mean. But you know I have to protect you. I will not fly here in Manila if I am not concern about your safety." medyo huminahon na siya ngayon.

Natigilan ako. Ang ka-kalmahan sa boses niya ang hindi nakatulong para huminahon ang puso ko. His words. His tone. There's something in it. Like it was carrying the truth I was trying to avoid.

Tinitigan ko siya ng mabuti. For these past few weeks or even a month of being with me, I felt like I already memorized his face. I know every corner of it. I familiarized myself with it everyday. But no matter how I try to deep dive into his eyes, into his mind... I could never ever know what's going on inside it.

That it's our only barrier.

His mind.

How he thinks.

How it plays.

Nagsalita ako matapos ang panibagong nakakabinging katahimikan sa pagitan namin. "Sinundan at sinamahan mo lang ako dito sa Maynila dahil iniisip mo ang seguridad ko." hindi ko na napigilan ang lamig sa tono ko. Pero para akong tinataga habang sinasabi iyon.