Dispareo (PUBLISHED UNDER PSICOM)

X : Cielo's Labyrinth

CHAPTER X:

Cielo's Labyrinth

Dana's POV

"Shit." Napamura ako nang matabig ko ang tasang puno ng kape, buti nalang at hindi nabuhos.

"Easy lang." Sambit ni Shem habang humihikab at kinukusot ang kaliwa niyang mata. As usual, he's still wearing his yellow helmet. Cute idiot.

Here we are in a coffee shop, looking sleepless and downright messed. Malapit nang dumilim pero heto kami at kape ang pinagt-tripan. I don't have to ask Shem kasi obvious naman sa hitsura at kilos niyang gaya ko ay puyat rin siya.

"When was the last time you slept?" Tanong ko na lamang matapos akong uminom ng kape.

"Yesterday?" Natawa si Shem at umiling-iling, "I don't even remember. Pero mukhang mas matagal kang puyat ah?" Aniya pa.

"Sleep's not my friend these past few days... make that weeks." Sagot ko at hindi ko na napigilan pang mapahikab, "I really really want to sleep but my head is just." I can't find the words to say so I just clenched my fest closed my lips shut.

"Napapanaginipan mo rin ba sila? Ang mga lecheng skunks?" Tanong ni Shem at napasandal sa salaming nasa kanyang gilid.

"I wish sila nalang." Natawa ako ng bahagya, "There's this weird version of Cielo haunting me; blaming me shit and trying to put the hurt on me, hindi na siya makalapit sa akin kaya sa panaginip na siya dumadaan. I know she's not real, that she's not Cielo pero wala eh, apektado parin ako. I take medicines to stay awake but I'm running out, my doctor won't prescribe me another bottle so I'm thinking of pulling a grand theft stimulant stunt." Biro ko na lamang.

"Sleep deprivation could play tricks on your head." Aniya kaya agad akong umiling-iling.

"But sleep deprivation wouldn't grab me from the blanket and throw me on the wall like a piece of doll." Giit ko saka sarkastikong ngumiwi.

"You got thrown on the wall? Welcome to the club." Biro niya at nakipag high-five pa sa'kin. Almost forgot, Shem was thrown on the wall too—not to mention, got his head smashed by Johny not-so bravo.

"So? What's the sitch?" Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako't napasandal sa kinauupuan ko. Dahil sa sinabi ko ay biglang sumeryoso ang mukha ni Shem kaya napaupo na lamang ako ng maayos.

Shem seemed like out of words. Para bang may gusto siyang sabihin pero nagdadalawang-isip siya, parang nag-aalangan. The look on his face seems like he's being careful of his words.

"Cielo's in hell. Raze told me just before he disappeared." Bulalas ko na lamang. Baka kasi yan ang gusto niyang sabihin.

"Ano?" Nagulantang si Shem sa sinabi ko. Bigla siyang napatingin sa mesa, his eyes darted from left to right as if he realized something.