Maharlika Mahika // undergoing editing

Act XXII

Jiyuu's POV

"What were you doing with Oikawa?!"

The hallway he pulled me in was dark and secluded, hidden from the festivities of the crowd.

No one can hear him yell at me.

"I was just dancing with him." I retorted, and averted my eyes from him.
"But I can see you weren't comfortable with him!" he yelled again.

I fought the urge to laugh at him.

From his agitated demeanor, to his glares, I can see right through him.

He's jealous, it's obvious.

"You're jealous, aren't you?" I said, smirking.

I looked at him, and saw his eyes widen in surprise and a scarlet blush spread across his cheeks.

"I am not! I'm simply protecting you, you know Oikawa. He will not stop until he gets what he wants." he argued.

My smirk faded as he said those words.

He's trying to protect me? Protect me from what?

I'm a Mahika for goodness' sake. I can manage myself well and defend myself.

There's nothing I can't do.

"I'm a Mahika, don't forget that, King." I said coldly, shooting daggers at his direction.

He suddenly took hold of my wrists and thrust me against a nearby wall, pinning my wrists at either side of me, his face dangerously close to mine.

"What would you do if he held you like this?" he whispered.

I tried to whisper a spell and snap my fingers, but he tightened his grip around my wrists, immobilizing them.

I shot him a deadly glate, but his expression never fazed.

"Admit it already. You're jealous, that's why you're doing this." I said through gritted teeth.

He looked furious as those words came out of my mouth.

It's true, why doesn't he admit that he is really jealous?

"I am not jealous!" he yelled.
"Just admit it! I can see it in your eyes, and it's written all over your face! You really are—"

One step.

That was the only thing that could close the miniscule distance between us.

And he did it.

The words that I longed to say evaporated into thin air, as he silenced my argument by pressing his lips against mine to drown out the words I wanted him to hear and ingrain in his mind.

The feeling of his slightly chapped lips against mine made me flustered. It sent butterflies in my stomach, and let me try to forget the previous moments to enjoy my first kiss.

But it also made me mad.

What message is he trying to convey? What is the meaning of this? Why is he trying to make me feel like I'm a helpless human and that I should depend on him?

Is it because I'm a woman? Is it because he still believes in the patriarchal philosphy?

Is it because he thinks I'm still weak?

I freed myself from his grip and pushed him away, breaking off from his kiss. My palm came in contact with his cheek, the sound resonating through the whole hallway, reddening it in the process.

He didn't glare at me. He looked at me with such sorrowful eyes.

And I hated it.

"I can do more than you think. Don't underestimate me because I'm a woman, don't make me feel helpless."

In a snap of a finger, I was in my room, trying to forget the previous events by rest.

I had enough for today.
••••••••••••

A/n

Hello lovelies :)

That was kinda tense...

We all need a woman like Jiyuu, who can fight for her rights as a woman.

I hope you enjoyed act 22

Vote or comment if you do :)

-starlight