Seven Minutes In Heaven (COMPLETE)

Chapter Twenty-Two - Rebellion

Napailing na lang si Efren nang puntahan nito sa school clinic si Matilda. He saw some scratches on her skin and the obvious reddening of her cheeks due to the slaps she took. Naka-messy bun na ang buhok nito at uminom na si Matilda ng mineral water na dala ni Efren para sa kanya.

"Katatapos lang ng meeting ng Student Council," binalita niya rito habang nakaupo sa tabi niya sa kama sa school clinic na iyon. "We are planning a summer vacation trip together before the school year ends."

"That's nice. Saan naman?" Matilda smiled. Mas lalo siyang napangiti nang hawakan ni Efren ang kanyamg kamay.

"Well, Batangas," ngiti ni Efren. "Sila na ang bahala sa preparations. Ako naman sa announcements at planning." He placed an arm around Matilda who was already sitting on that bed with her legs stretched out.

"Maraming magandang beaches doon," tumango-tango si Matilda. "Maraming sasama."

"I hope so. Hindi na ako gagawa ng programs. Basta isa siyang get-together before the school year ends."

"Magandang idea iyan. When will you implement that?"

"Pag in-approve na ng admin ng university. Target date is first week of April," hinawi nito ang buhok ni Matilda at inipit iyon sa likod ng tainga niya. "Anyway, what happened to you? Hinimatay ka raw sa auditorium. You got me worried sick! Buti na lang pagdating ko heto at okay ka na."

"Well... I just got into a fight."

"Huh?" napaatras ito ng kaunti. "Kanino?"

"Kay Courtney. Eh marami siyang kasama...so..."

Efren narrowed his eyes. He felt the desire to kill someone. "Bakit? Ano na naman ang ginawa niya?"

Napatingin si Matilda sa kawalan. "She visited dad. That bitch. Parang gusto niya nang mamatay si Papa."

"Anong ginawa niya?"

Napapikit si Matilda. "A-Alam na ni Papa, Efren... Alam na niya ang tungkol sa ating dalawa."

Hinaplos nito ang mukha ni Matilda kaya napatingin ito sa kanya. He found himself lost in her dark watery eyes. His lips found their way to hers and locked together with it. Then he kissed her, squeezing a lip between his lips.

Dahan-dahan niyang nilayo ang mukha sa girlfriend niya. Efren watched her smile. It was as if a ray of sunlight flowed through a colorful church's glass mosaic.

"Alam na pala niya," he grinned. "Pero wala akong pakialam. Away nila ni Kuya iyon, hindi niya tayo dapat idamay."

Bumalik ang lungkot sa mukha ni Matilda. "Pero Efren... paano na? Ano na ang gagawin natin? Sooner or later ilalayo na ako nila Papa sa iyo."

"That won't happen. Hindi natin hahayaang mangyari iyon. I love you so much, I feel too powerful to let them shatter us."

She smiled wider and pulled him close for another kiss. Then, she released him.

"Then, let's fight for our love."

***

Nakaupo ang Kuya Hermes niya sa sofa ng living room. Naka-corporate attire pa ito at tila hinintay talaga nito ang pag-uwi ni Matilda.

"Saan ka galing?" he asked with a dark look from his eyes. He was obviously under pressure and stressed out. Nangangayayat na rin ito.

"I just strolled, Kuya."

"With Efren." Napatiim-bagang ito. "Sinabihan na kita, 'di ba? Papatayin mo ba ang papa? Why can't you do his only request?"

She chose to ignore him. Dumeretso na lang ng akyat sa hagdan papunta sa kwarto si Matilda. As much as possible, ayaw niyang sagutin pa ang kuya niya. Naaalala lang niya si Efren, how he taught her to be more patient and to shut her sharp-tongued mouth para hindi siya napapasok sa gulo tulad nung nangyari sa kanila ni Courtney.