In the Shadow of Diamond (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 31

Kabanata 31

Liwanag ang bumati sa akin nang magising. Saglit akong nanatiling nakahiga, pinapakinggan ang katahimikan ng kwarto. The ache between my legs and the scattered trail of clothes leading to the bed told me otherwise. I turned my head slowly, expecting to see his sleepy smirk pero hindi ko siya nakita.

Napabangon ako, nilibot ng tingin ang silid. Sitting quietly on the chair by the corner of the room was a paper bag. Bumuntong hininga ako at ngumiti. Halos sanay na akong may nakikitang ganito sa tuwing gigising matapos ang mahabang gabi.

I slid out of bed, still naked under the sheets, and pulled his shirt over my head. It smelled like him. I padded over to the chair and slowly opened the bag. Inside was a brand-new phone. Katabi nito ay isang note.

Your phone now. So I can contact you.

My lips slowly curled into a smile. Hindi ko napigilan ang mahinang tawa na kumawala sa labi ko. A chuckle of disbelief, of surprise... of something giddy, light and real. Napailing ako habang nakangiti, tinupi ko ulit ang papel at inilagay sa loob ng bag.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto, tahimik ang buong bahay. I was still wearing his shirt, a little too big for me pero komportable sa katawan. I walked slowly down the hallway. Nakasalubong ko si Manang Hilda na may hawak na tray ng pagkain.

"Good morning, Miss Satin," nakangiting bati niya.

"Good morning, Manang." I greeted back. "Sina Mama po?"

"Nasa garden sila, kasama si Sir Cronus,"

Ngumuso ako. "Ah, okay po. Salamat, Manang."

Sabay kaming pumunta roon ni Manang Hilda. The sun was already high as I stepped outside and I saw them.

Hindi ako umalis sa kinatatayuan at nalilibang habang pinagmamasdan na nakikipaglaro si Cronus kay Sam. Sam was laughing as he chased after the ball.

"Dito! Dito!" Sam shouted.

Tumawa si Cronus. He kicked the ball, just enough to make Sam scramble after it. Sam leaped to catch it in mid-air, but it bounced off his fingertips. He groaned in mock frustration.

"Ang bilis mo, Kuya Cronus! Taympers muna."

Lumapit si Cronus sa kaniya. His lips twitching upward in that familiar smirk.

"You're the one who keeps saying you're faster than me," pang-aasar niya, extending a hand to help Sam back up.

"Sige na nga, Kuya."

Sam took it. Nahuli ko ang sariling nangingiti habang pinapanood sila.

"Kanina pa 'yan sila. Kinulit nang kinulit ni Sam ang asawa mo kaya ayan, sila na ang naglalaro ngayon." si Mama na naramdaman kong sumulpot sa gilid ko.

"Natuwa yata si Sam, Ma. Hindi naman siya madalas ganyan ka-energetic pagkagising," sagot ko.

Naglakad kami ni Mama papunta sa dalawa. Sam noticed us first and waved excitedly. Cronus followed his gaze, and when his eyes met mine, that teasing glint was back. He walked toward me. Sam stayed behind, flopping on the grass.

"Good morning," sabi niya nang makalapit siya.

He glanced at me, his eyes dipping briefly to the hem of his shirt that hung loosely on my thighs then back to my face, amusement dancing in his gaze.

"You always look better in my clothes than I do,"

"Mas komportable ako rito kaysa sa mga lingerie na binibili mo sa 'kin," sagot ko, at agad kong naramdaman ang init na gumapang sa mukha ko.