My Lover is the Son of a Mafia Leader

.33

.33   

       I woke up early with my aching bones, and for a moment, I forgot where I was when memories from last night came back. Severin, Polina, Nikolai, and I were all up until 3 am watching this movie Nikolai recommended, but it turned pretty bad. He was complaining about how we do not have a taste kaya hindi namin na-appreciate ang movie.

They are all pretty chill, minus the occasional threat na papatayin nila ang isa't-isa. It turns out that Severin is good at cooking, Nikolai is loud, and Polina doesn't give a single crap about anything until it's an inconvenience to her.

The kitchen is not far mula sa kwarto kung saan ako natulog. For some reason, I woke up parch. I don't think anyone's awake, considering its 5 am. Pinahiram ni Polina yung nightgown nya sa akin na ayoko sanang suotin dahil kulang nalang ang ay mahubaran ang likod ko. The length of the gown is respectable. Not too short and not too long.

The front is pretty covered and decent, but when the back portion is not. My mid-back is exposed. Hindi ba nilalamig sa ganitong damit si Polina? Parang kakagabagin yung likod ko dito eh. Dumiretso ako sa kusina para kumuha ng tubig. My throat is so dry and pakiramdam ko ay lalagnatin ako.

My wounds still sting, and when I checked myself in front of the mirror last night, I know some of them will leave pretty bad scarring. I was facing the sink and staring at it na hindi ko man lang namalayan na may kasama na pala ako. 

"Sh--, Skyla?" napalingon ako agad. Severin is rubbing his left eye. His hair is so messy, and he looks half-asleep. Aga naman magising nito. He's wearing gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt.

"Hello, good morning."

"Why are you up so early?" he asked, his eyes still closed. Is this guy sleepwalking?

"Wanted some water. My throat feels dry."

"Okay," simple nyang sagot at dumiretso sa harap ng refrigerator. I watched him as I drink my water.

Finally, opening his eyes. Binuksan nya ang fridge at tinignan ito ng matagal bago nya ito sinarado ng padabog. "Gago talaga yun." Sabay sabunot sa sariling buhok.

"What's wrong?"

"Nikolai left an empty coffee mug inside the freezer. He does this every single day to annoy me."

Natawa ako sa sinabi ni Severin? Hindi ako makapaniwala sa kabaliwan ni Nikolai. Sumandal sya sa pinto ng refrigerator, "I'll add broccoli to his smoothies." Severin turned to me and smiled, "Nik hates broccoli."

"I hate them too, so I feel bad now on what you're about to do." Natatawa kong sabi.

"Don't be. Ang mapikon ay talo." He grinned cheekily at me then his eyes traveled from my face to my neck. I looked at him, confused at his sudden seriousness.

"Is there something wrong, Severin?" I asked nervously.

He shook his head, lumapit sya sa akin pero may tamang distansya pa rin sa aming dalawa. Napakamot sya ng ulo, "Skyla, can you turn your head to the right?" he smiled. Nodding, I did what he asked me to. "To your left." Severin paused, "Hmmm"

"Bakit, Severin?" tanong ko nang ibalik ko ang mga tingin ko sa kanya.

His face is serious, and I'm starting to feel nervous, "Uhm, Skyla?"

"Yes?"

"Is it okay if I touch your neck? I just need to confirm something."

Unconsciously, my right hand reached for my neck. "May mali ba sa leeg ko?"