The Perilous Haven

Chapter 9

  Copyright © ScribblerMia, 2015 

   

OST: Hold My Hand by The Fray 

"Did you just freaking jump off that freaking wall?" I asked in horror. My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped. I was pointing at the lofty wall beside us. For a moment, the fear I felt suddenly went away. It was replaced by astonishment.

Azrael just stood there, silently staring at me. I could not read his face. Tanging liwanag lamang ng buwan at ang biglang pagkislap-kislap ng ilang metrong layo ng poste sa daan ang nagbibigay liwanag sa amin. He was against the light. I could only see the side of his face and his perfect jaw.

Napansin kong nakahawak pa rin ang isang kamay niya sa kaliwang kamay kong nakahawak sa bag. Azrael's personality was cold, and it confused me why his hand was warm. Napaigtad ako kaya mabilis na tinanggal nito ang kapit sa kamay ko.

Saglit sinulyapan ni Azrael ang kamay niyang kaninang nakahawak sa kamay ko pabalik sa mukha ko.

"What the freaking heavens was that?!" I was still flabbergasted. Who in the right mind would do that? Is he a daredevil or something?

Azrael slowly took a step forward.

Nabigla ako sa ginawa nitong paghakbang kaya napaatras ako. Hindi ko maintindihan subalit biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. I felt a frisson of excitement.

Mas lalong nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Mas humigpit din ang kapit ko sa bag ko. I suddenly freaked out. Excitement? You've got to be kidding me. When you talk about Azrael, you talk about fear, said a small voice from my head.

Dahil sa paglapit niya, naging malinaw ang bawat linya ng mukha niya.

I gulped. "H-how? W-why did you jump?" I blinked. "Did you really jump, or was it my imagination?" I asked again after I regained my composure.

"No." His voice was emotionless. "I actually flew."

I was not sure if it was a joke or a sarcastic remark. Was it my imagination when I caught the faintest flicker of amusement on his face?

Bago pa ako muling makasagot ay muli itong humakbang palapit sa akin. Sa bigla ay hindi ako nakagalaw agad.

Nang magtangka naman akong umatras, gamit ang isang kamay ay mabilis nitong hinawakan ang beywang ko. I gasped. Nataranta ako kung kaya't napahawak ako sa magkabilang braso niya nang mawalan ako ng balanse. Mahigpit ang kapit niya sa beywang ko kaya hindi ako tuluyang natumba. Sa pwesto namin ngayon ay medyo naging malinaw ang kanyang mukha sa paningin ko.

Lumunok ako. "W-what—" 

"What happened to you?" He asked in a deep and cold voice.

"Huh?" I blinked several times, trying to understand what he was talking about.

Tumiim ang mga bagang ni Azrael. "Who did that to you?" Brown eyes filled with murderous rage met mine.

I felt a sudden pang of dread. "I—I"

Lumapit ang mukha nito sa akin. Halos magdikit ang mukha naming dalawa habang kumunot ang noo nito na pinagmamasdan ang kabuuan ng mukha ko.

Napalunok ako. "W-hat are you doing?" I tried to look away, but something about him was compelling. It's like he casted a dark spell to lure me on the edge of the cliff. I knew it was perilous, but I kept going. It's like I was willing to fall for the trap. It's like I was ready to fall. I could not take my eyes off him.