S.T.A.I.D. 1 (COMPLETE) - Published under PHR

25.2 - Updated

"ANO'NG ginawa nila sa'yo?" narinig ni Luke kasunod ng pagdampi ng malamig na bagay sa kanyang pisngi.

Mabilis na idinilat ni Luke ang mga mata at iniikot iyon sa paligid. Inaasahan na niyang may mararamdaman siyang sakit dahil ganoon ang madalas na nangyayari. But the pain didn't come. Pati na ang mga bagay na pumipigil sa kanyang katawan ay wala na din. It was like he could finally move his body freely. Para masigurong tama ang iniisip ay iniangat niya ang kanang kamay hanggang sa mapatapat iyon sa kanyang mukha. For some weird moment, his hand looked alien to him. Na para bang ngayon lang niya nakita iyon.

Then suddenly, a face appeared just beside his hand. Mabilis na inilayo ni Luke ang kamay dahil natakot siya na baka mawala ang imaheng iyon. Pero may pumigil sa kanyang kamay. The next thing he knew, his hand was already holding that face. It felt so real. Luke could swear that it was real.

"Luke."

"Myka?"

"Ako nga," ngumiti ang imaheng nakikita ni Luke. Kasunod niyon ay hindi niya napigilan ang sariling diinan ang pagkakahawak sa gilid ng mukha ng babae. But the woman didn't even flinch in pain.

"Myka."

"Yes, Luke, it's me."

Luke didn't know how he managed to do it but somehow he just found himself sitting up with Myka sprawled on his lap. Ang mga kamay niya ay mabilis na pumaikot sa katawan nito. And Luke was kissing every part, any part of Myka that he could reach. "Thank you, Myka. Thank you so much," madamdaming pahayag ni Luke.

"B-Bakit?" humihikbing tanong ni Myka.

"Salamat dahil ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit nandito pa ako." Pagkasabi niyon ay bahagyan inilayo ito ni Luke. Ikinulong niya sa mga palad ang magkabilang pisngi ng dalaga. His thumbs brushed away the tears from her beautiful face. "You were the one that kept me hanging on to reality."

"Oh my God," napahikbi si Myka. "Si Fred, he said he was trying to brainwash you."

Luke felt like his heart was breaking as he watched the anguish on Myka's face. Even though his mind was still kind of jumbled, he felt calmer and more relaxed now that Myka was with him. "Shh... Don't cry, honey." Pero parang lalo pa itong naiyak sa sinabi ni Luke.

"Si Fred, siya ang may pakana ng lahat ng ito. Gusto niyang maghiganti sa mga magulang mo kaya niya ginagawa ito."

Luke vaguely remembered hearing a conversation about that. "I know," bulong niya. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang dapat na maramdaman. He was angry for sure. But he was also worried and really, really afraid of losing Myka. Speaking of Myka, she was shivering in his arms. Nakasuot lang kasi ito ng manipis na tank top at pantalon. Sigurado si Luke na giniginaw ito dahil sa lamig sa kuwartong iyon. Napaisip tuloy siya kung gaano katagal nang pinagtitiisan ni Myka ang lamig. Too damn long I bet.

Maya-maya ay narinig ni Luke ang pagbubukas ng pinto. Nanigas sa kinauupuan niya si Luke. Then he felt himself blanch when he recognized the man who entered the room. "Ethan." Suddenly, rage and dread filled Luke's chest. "Si Raen—"

"She's safe," mahinang bulong ni Ethan.

Humigpit pa ang mahigpit nang pagkakayakap ni Luke kay Myka nang maglabas ng baril si Ethan. Bigla tuloy naitanong ni Luke kung ito na ba ang pagtatapos ng buhay niya. He unintentionally looked around, taking in the sight of the room. Iyon ba ang huling lugar na makikita niya bago mamatay? And would he let Myka watch him die? The answer was a thundering no. Kaya naman sinubukan ni Luke na tumayo habang yakap pa rin si Myka. But his legs felt unsteady. Nagulat siya nang maramdamang umalalay sa kanya si Ethan. "Ano'ng ginagawa mo?" pabulong na tanong ni Luke.