Casa Castellano: Hues Through the Abyss

Nightfall 27

Italized dialogues are flashbacks, okay? Baka lang malito kayo :>

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NIGHTFALL 27
Third Person

“One of the things that I've noticed about you is you're highly observant,” Aamon said as he scribbled some details on the side of his sketch. Warmth enveloped my cheeks.

I have received compliments like everyone has. Usually, it's my physical appearance that gets complimented, especially my eyes. Pangalawa ay ang pagka-sporty ko, o ‘di kaya'y ang aking academic capabilities.

This was the first time that someone complimented me on a deeper sense—about how observant I am. Kahit ako mismo ay hindi napapansin ‘yon.

For him to notice that, he must have been watching me closely…right?

“Madali ring basahin ang emosyon sa'yong mga mata, which I think would be your greatest asset to get important information from people. Deceive; make them dance around your palm.”

Napalunok ako, nakaramdam bigla ng kaba. Manipulation and Deception? Kailanman ay hindi ko naisipang gamitin iyon. Noong una kaming nagkakilala ni Aamon, I was distant from him because he was so hard to read. Tingin ko ang mga tipo niyang tao ang madaling makapanlinlang. It was shocking to know that he thought of me almost the same way, yet in a different light.

“To successfully do it, you may either have the ability to hide your emotions or to control which one to show. You're the latter with your expressive eyes, Light. Combine it with a play of words, you'll have them wrapped around your fingers.”

“P-Parang ang creepy ko naman dahil d'yan sa sinasabi mo, Aamon.”

He laughed. Pinanood ko lang siyang tumawa dahil ang gwapo niya. He looked carefree even with this situation, kaya kahit paano ay kumakalma rin ako.

“Anyway, we'll be using that to our advantage. Only if it's okay with you, of course.”

I breathed heavily. In certain situations where life is at stake, I'll do everything to keep my loved ones safe.

“Alright. Basta ba backup kita.”

“Don't worry, I won't take my eyes off you.”

Hinapit ako ni Aamon palapit sa kanya matapos naming marating ang gitna ng bulwagan. His right hand held my left hand, my right arm encircled on the back of his neck, and his right arm firmly held me on my lower back. He skillfully led our movements, swirling me around in gentle motion before catching my hand again. We followed the rhythm with the sway of our bodies and steps of our feet. Back and forth, and to the sides.

Namimilog ang mga mata ko sa pagkamangha habang nakatitig sa kanya, hindi kailanman naisip na may talent siya sa mga ganitong sayaw. It made think it's not the first time he danced in a formal ball with another woman.

“What's with the marriage thing?” tanong niya bigla na may magkasalubong na mga kilay.

I raised an eyebrow. “Ang sabi mo ay ako ang bahala sa diskarte ko kung paano kukunin ang loob ni Thomas, ‘di ba?”

Mariin na naglapat ang kanyang manipis na labi. Bahagya akong natawa nang paikutin niya muli ako, pagtapos ay pinalobo ang kanyang pisngi nang muli kaming magkaharap.

“Nagseselos ka ba?”

Suplado siyang nag-iwas ng tingin. “Hindi ‘no.”

“Paano pa kaya kung makilala ko na ang anak ni Thomas?”