THE SECLUDED TRAILS OF DECEIT '. ruler of fate series l first book

KABANATA 64

The Secluded Trails of Deceit
written by : riyanisity

An hour or two..? I'm not sure. Halos dalawin na ako ng antok, ngunit nanatili pa rin ako sa aking pwesto matapos no'n. I lost count of how much longer I stayed there — of how rigidly I wasted the consecutive seconds — waiting helplessly for a miracle that would come my way until he finally showed up with five plastic bags on both of his hands.

Saglit siyang napatigil sa paglalakad no'ng mapansin ako, pero kaagad din naman niyang pinutol ang distansya sa'ming dalawa matapos matauhan. "Chantria!" Balisa niyang nilapag ang mga bitbit niya sa lapag. "A-Ano'ng... Kanina ka pa ba rito? Sana tinawagan mo kaagad ako habang papunta ka pa lang para hindi ka na naghintay pa—"

"Save your nagging." Tinabig ko ang mga kamay niyang aalalay na dapat sa'kin at kusang tumayo nang mag-isa. "Kung hindi ka sana alis nang alis, edi sana... Hindi ko rin kailangang maghintay, diba?"

"Ha..? A-Ano..." His eyes blinked, still in a squatting position, with his head raised and pointed towards me. "May kinailangan lang naman akong gawin kanina. Hindi ko rin namalayan 'yong oras k-kaya..."

Napatikhim siya no'ng bumuntong hininga ako nang malakas kasabay ng paghablot ko ng susi sa kamay niya. Hindi na rin ako lumingon pa matapos no'n at dumiretso na lamang papasok sa loob matapos kong mabuksan ang pinto.

Kahit halatang gulat, dali-dali pa rin siyang sumunod sa'kin bitbit ang mga pinamili niya. "The line on the counter was so long since it's rush hour. Sinabayan pa ng traffic habang nagmamaneho ako pauwi kaya napatagal. Sorry, hindi ko talaga sinasadya—"

"Putangina naman, oh!" I rolled my eyes. "You're so loud! Can you shut up for a moment?!"

"Sorry na nga, eh." Draven placed the groceries on the dining table before he started rummaging through it. "Look, Miss! Bukod naman sa mga stock ng pagkain... I also bought your usual shampoo, soap, and conditioner. May napkin ka rin dito pati feminine wash—"

Pabagsak kong nilagay ang mga gamit ko sa mahabang upuan at magtataray na ulit sana, kung hindi lang kami nakarinig ng biglang pagkahulog sa sahig dahil sa aking ginawa.

Caught by what happened, both Draven and I looked at where it literally was and what it actually means. Dahil ako ang mas malapit, kaagad kong nakita kung ano 'yon na nagpakunot ng noo ko.

Talaga nga naman...

With a harsh scoff escaping my mouth, I picked it up for him to see as well. "Gano'n ba ka-importante 'yang emergency mo..? To the point that you have to leave your phone here?"

Lips parted in surprise and eyes blinking repeatedly, Draven then began to skim his pockets unconsciously. Sa huli, no'ng mapagtanto nga na sakanya ang hawak ko ay napalunok siya at napakamot sa kaniyang batok, "Akin pala 'yan..." alinlangan niyang kinompirma 'yon na sinabayan pa ng pilit na pagtawa.

"So, it means... That if I did call you, nothing would change." My head shook in sarcasm as I threw his phone to him. "Wala! Parang tanga pa rin akong maghihintay sa labas mismo ng sarili kong unit."

"Hindi ko napansin... S-Saglit lang naman kasi 'yon. It didn't take much of my time." He gulped heavily. "A-Ang nagpatagal lang sa'kin 'yong grocery na biglaan lang din—"

"Oh, you actually didn't pay attention? Why..? Tumakbo ka ba kaagad na parang ulol?" My arms crossed together with intimidation and in a gibingly manner. "Wow, madaling-madali 'yan..? Atat na atat ka sigurong umalis para mapuntahan 'yon, no..?"

His forehead creased a bit. "Alam kong nainip ka kakahintay na dumating ako, pero hindi ba parang sobra-sobra na 'yang mga pinagsasabi mo, Mahal?"

"So what..? You can't admit it?" My brow shot up. "It's not like I'm lying or anything, right?"