Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 34

"Akio! I told you, not tonight!" singhal ko pagkabukas ng pinto.

"What?" His eyes turned into slits, snarling at me. "I just wanted to see you, it's not as if I'll sleep in here."

He looked like a child saying those words—it almost made me laugh. I bit my lip, holding it back. He sounded so soft, so different, just for me. Pero pinigilan ko ang sarili, nandito si Malaya ngayon sa condo. It doesn't feel right for my niece to see him.

Binuksan ko lang ang pinto sa maliit na siwang, idinukwang ang ulo habang tumulala sa kaniyang nakapamewang sa harap ko. He looked worn out—his tie hung loosely, and the sleeves of his polo were messily rolled up to his arms.

"Come on, let me in. I'll be quiet. I'll just stay in the living room... I just missed you," he pleaded in a hush.

I breathed heavily, my chest trembling just enough for me to hear it. Defeated, I pulled the door open—only to jump in surprise when a voice spoke from behind me.

"Who's that, Momma?"

Mariin akong napapikit, sa huli ay sinamaan ang lalaking nagpupumilit bumisita dis oras ng gabi. Ang kulit! Kinamot ko ang ulo. I looked over my shoulder and saw Malaya, still half-asleep. She must've woken up the moment she noticed I wasn't beside her anymore.

I muttered a string of grumbles under my breath at Akio, knowing full well that his sudden visit had disturbed the kid's much-needed rest.

"Why are you whispering, Momma? I can hear you po," she commented while I shoved Akio toward the door, urging him to leave.

But the brute acted like he didn't hear me, pushing me lightly, inviting himself over my place. Aren't devils supposed to be welcomed so they can freely walk inside your house? Ibang breed siguro ng demonyo ang isang 'to. Ang kapal ng mukhang dumiretso sa loob na akala mo ay inimbitahan ko siya eh.

"Why are you making me leave when I could just stay?" he murmured, plopping down on the sofa in the living room. "I won't bother you, I swear."

Swearing, he raised his left hand. Para siyang namamanata—yung ginagawang weekly ceremonial ng mga high schoolers. I scowled at him, but it melted into a small laugh. He was seriously trying to win me over, just to let him stay for a bit.

"Are you my Momma's boyfriend?"

Tanong ni Malaya na mukhang nakabawi na at tuluyan nang nawala ang antok. For sure, I'll end up staying with her until four in the morning before she finally falls back asleep. Buti na lang weekend, wala siyang pasok bukas. Mataray itong tumayo sa kanyang harapan, magkakrus ang mga braso.

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang mahinuha ang kaniyang naging tanong.

"Yes."

"No!"

We answered in sync with different answers. My head snapped to him in an instant, shooting him with daggers. What the heck is he saying? Hindi na naman siya nag-iisip! When did he become my boyfriend?

I wasn't informed that I had one, o na may sinagot pala akong lalaki para hindi na ako maging single.

"Ano..."

I threw him a quick glance, silencing him before he could butt in. Kung ano pa man ang sasabihin niya, he should just keep it to himself. Dahil sigurado akong hindi 'yun makakatulong, baka maniwala pa ang bata sa kung anong kalokohan na sasabihin niya.

"He's ano... Momma's friend," alanganin kong pakilala. "His name's Akio. You can call him Tito," dagdag ko pa.

From me to him, Malaya checked him out—scanning him from head to toe, clearly judging his whole being. While she was busy with that, I turned to the other one, who seemed completely unbothered by the child's inspection. In fact, he was even lounging on the sofa, arms spread wide, looking thoroughly amused.