Her Wings (PSS, #2) ✔️

Chapter 30: Sulking

Chapter 30: Sulking

I glanced at him, my heart clenching when I saw his smile; it wasn't as pure or carefree as before. There was a flicker of unsureness in it, perhaps a hidden sadness for the fact that we have no real bond. We aren't the couple everyone thinks we are, unlike what the lady at the shop believed. Malakas daw ang bigkis namin, she said, but in reality, there is nothing formal or permanent connecting us at all.

"Maraming salamat po, alis na kami!" Ezekiel called out, his voice regaining its usual energy as he pulled me away from that small, colorful shop.

I couldn't help but smile to myself while watching his back. I once thought I would never survive a single day with him, but it is turning out that I can. In fact, I would spend every ounce of effort to survive a day with him if it meant staying in this moment.

He suddenly glanced back, catching me staring, so I immediately averted my gaze. He scanned the white wing shaped clip in my hair and smirked, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Bagay na bagay. Ang galing ko talagang pumili."

I rolled my eyes, though my heart wasn't in it. His arrogance was a constant, a part of his personality that I found myself silently praying would never fade. His cracks and jokes were what made him George Ezekiel.

"Saan mo pa gustong pumunta?" he asked.

I looked around at the bustling city of Niol, then quickly back at him. "I-ikaw, bahala ka. Babayaran naman kita para sa oras mo," I said, trying to keep things practical.

He stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face me, his expression hardening. "Hindi na kailangan."

"I'll pay you, Ezekiel. I insist," I pressed, feeling guilty about the money he had just spent on me.

"Hindi ako naniningil," he said, his voice dropping to a low, serious tone.

"Still, I insist. Please, huwag mo na akong kontrahin."

He shook his head firmly. "Hindi ko kailangan ng maraming pera, kaya hindi ko kailangan ang bayad mo."

I felt a surge of frustration mixed with confusion. "If you're not doing this for money, then why are you doing this?"

The air between us suddenly felt heavy. He froze at my question, and I immediately wished I could pull the words back into my mouth. The moment he began to step away from me, panic flared in my chest. I frantically searched for what I had said wrong; I only wanted to know why he was being so kind to me if he didn't want anything in return.

"E-ezekiel, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"Hindi," he interrupted, looking away as if the city lights had suddenly become too bright. "Walang problema sa tanong mo. Ngunit hindi ko pa rin tatanggapin ang pera mo... at hindi ko rin alam ang eksaktong dahilan kung bakit ko ito ginagawa."

"Ezekiel..."

He turned back, his gaze intense and unwavering. "Gusto kitang makitang ngumiti. Iyon lang ang gusto ko, wala akong hinihinging kapalit. Gusto kitang makitang masaya, Prinsesa."

My heart hammered against my ribs so hard I thought it might bruise. Why does he always do this? Every word he says pierces through my defenses, leaving me completely vulnerable. I don't want to get used to this. I'm terrified that if I let myself lean on him, the fall will be fatal when he eventually leaves. Because I know the truth: Ezekiel won't stay by my side forever. Like everyone else, he is just a fleeting joy in a life defined by stone walls.

Once I return to the palace, the dream will end. Ezekiel will be gone.

I startled when I felt his hand rest gently on my shoulder. "Uwi na muna tayo..."

A wave of sadness washed over me. Why did the mood shift so abruptly? Was it really because of my question?

"Sa-sa palasyo?" I asked, my voice trembling.

He shook his head, which brought a small sense of relief, though it was short lived. "Sa bahay muna namin..."

"N-ngayon na?"

He nodded, his eyes devoid of their earlier spark.

"Hindi na tayo maglilibot?"

"Magpahinga ka na, Prinsesa."

"Ayoko," I said, shaking my head. "Maglibot pa tayo..."

"Hindi." His voice was firm, final.

I swallowed hard. I didn't know how to win him back. I didn't know how deep the impact of my question was, but I refused to let our day end on a bitter note.

Pushing aside my shyness, I reached out and gripped his arm, a move that clearly caught him off guard. If he was going to be temperamental, then I would have to play my part in the game he started. I had to tame him; I had to bring back the George Ezekiel who teased me.

"Ta-tara, mag-ikot pa tayo..." I pleaded, pouting slightly as I looked up at him.

His eyes widened, and he went still. "A-anong ginagawa mo?"

My heart was racing, but I saw it working. I was getting through to him. "Tara na, ikutin natin ang Beryllion..."

"A-anong..." he stammered, trying to gently pry my hand off his arm.

But I held on tighter, pulling him to face me directly. I looked into his eyes and took a deep breath, forcing myself to let the emotions I was feeling surface. Tears began to well up; half from the act, half from the genuine fear of losing this moment. He froze completely, looking like a statue as the first tear tracked down my cheek.

"Maglibot pa tayo... asawa ko," I whispered, the term of endearment feeling both strange and electric on my tongue. "Masaya ako rito, kasama mo. Kaya parang awa mo na, huwag na muna nating tapusin ang araw na ito. Gusto ko pang maglibot... kasama ka."