Saavedra Series #1: Until I Found You (Book I)

Kabanata 17

Free

I RARELY ASK for help. I've always been my own healer.

Sa tuwing umuuwi ako sa bahay na bugbog sarado ay patago akong pumupunta sa aking kwarto. Ayokong makita nila ang mukha ko at makita na naman ang disappointment sa mukha nila kaya madalas ay ako na ang gumagamot sa sarili kong mga galos at sugat.

Sanay na ako na ako lang ang sumasagip sa sarili ko. Sanay na ako na sa sarili ako palagi nakasalalay sa tuwing nanganganib na ang buhay ko.

I don't need someone to save me. What I only craved was a companion—a presence that offered warmth without suffocating me, someone who respected my own space, even when the shadows of despair creeped in.

Pero iba ang binibigay ng lalaking ito. He's the total opposite of what I've been wishing for. He's always bombarding me with his annoying voice. His playful laugh. His snickering smile.

And while I was drowning in my own darkness, he was there, saving me—grounded feet, chest up high, fists in clad, ready to take risks—all for my sake.

I never imagined finding myself in a situation where I needed a savior.

Not until it's him we're talking about.

Ayrton's broad back and strong shoulders seemed like the source of his broken wings, like a fallen angel. I watched him all entranced as he struck down those who sought to harm ud, swatting them away like mere insects.

Balewala ang mga pamana nilang bakal. Para bang umuusok na apoy ang kabayo na ultimo pati ang bakal na dala nila panghampas ay tumutunaw sa tuwing tumatama ito sa kanya.

All he had were his fists, yet that was more than enough to conquer them all. His power is mesmerizing. I never thought I would see it in him. Akala ko noong una ay hindi siya ito. Ang akala ko rin ay hindi niya kayang gawin ito. Ngunit akala ko lang pala iyon.

And it's frightening. It's frightening to see him like this. To see myself in him—the way he crushed and injured those poor boys, the way he slammed their heads against anything solid as if they were mere toys.

Likod lamang ang nakikita ko sa kanya habang sapu-sapu ko ang aking katawan, pero sapat na iyon upang matakot ako sa susunod pang mangyayari.

I knew what he felt. I knew his pain. I knew his eagerness to win. It was only then that I truly realized how alike we were: the way we both lost someone, the way we both carry the weight of our influence, the way we look like we'll burn the world and the way we fight relentlessly, desperate to win no matter what.

He felt like a part of me, and right now, it was as if I wanted to rush in and stop him. Ayokong maging katulad niya ako. Ayokong maging magkapareho kami. I don't want him to be my pair. To be my other half. I don't want him to suffer just like me.

I just want him to smile. To laugh. To hear his beautiful and vibrant voice. To see him smirk whenever he's teasing me.

Gusto ko siyang manatili sa ganoong punto.

Ayoko ng nakikita ko ngayon.

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at naglakad tungo sa kanilang parte. Halos kalahati na ang napapatumba niya. Nang may papasugod sa aking kanan ay agad akong kumuha ng bakal at hinampas iyon sa mukha niya.

"Andriette!" puna ni Ayrton nang mapansin ako. Hindi siya makalapit sa akin dahil maraming pumupuntirya sa kanya. Sumugod ako sa isa pa na balak din akong iatake, at sa isa nang mapansin kong ihahagis niya ang bato sa dako ni Ayrton.

"Diyan ka lang!" sigaw niya pa habang pinagsusuntok ang isang kalaban.

"Andri!"

I ducked and gave the man a hard punch on the gut and elbowed him on the chin. Pumatong ako sa kaliwang balikat ng lalaki upang bigyan ng triple kick ang kasunod na aatake sa akin. Nang bumaling ako sa dako niya ay naabutan ko siyang biglang nag-brazilian kick sa kalaban niya.