Forbidden

Chapter 33

Be ready for our confrontation, Jared! I thought to myself.

After my class, I immediately approached the basketball players.

Pagdating ko roon, wala si Jared!

"Sky!" Riley messed my hair.

I glared at him. Wala akong oras makipag-usap sa kanila.

"Sorry," he mouthed.

"What brings you here?" Czar asked me with such annoyance.

I crossed my arms and tilted my head. "Saan si Jared?"

"Why?"

"I have to talk to him. Duh!" I made a face.

Clarke answered my question before Czar could say something and might start our "bickering".

"Nasa carpark siya, Sky. He said he is going to get his duffel bag."

"Thanks," I said and stormed towards the carpark.

Walang tao kaya agad ko siyang nakita.

I clenched my jaw the moment I saw him.

"Jared, I have to talk to you," I demanded.

He turned and face me. "What is it, Sky?"

"I know you told our three other cousins yesterday to go here. Why?" I asked calmly but there is always the hint of anger in my voice.

"You won't listen to me, anyway! What am I supposed to do to stop you from saying yes to that Denis?!" He answered.

"Ano bang problema mo kay Denis?" I asked. "Bakit mo siniraan si Denis kina Krypton? Why did you told them that he is a playboy?"

"Because he is, Sky!" His voice rose. Those piercing eyes again! I have to look like I am not intimidated.

"Paano mo nasabi 'yan, aber?" Tanong ko.

"I know him more than you do. Close kayo, kami hindi. But what I am saying is true! Hindi ako naninira. He is a heartbreaker, Skylar!" He said.

"Aurora said matino siya," pagtatanggol ko kay Denis.

"Stop defending him, Sky! You are damn gullible!" He sounded frustrated. "Naniwala ka naman na matino iyon dahil lang sabi ni Aurora. Magkapatid sila Sky! Malamang hindi niya ibubulgar sa iyo ang baho ng kapatid niya," paliwanag niya.

"You are such a liar! Admit it, would you? Why do you hate Denis so much?!" My hand was clenched into a face.

He pinched his nose bridge and breathe deeply. "You want to know the real reason why I hate Denis so much? Fine, I'll tell you!..."

Then, the next thing he said surprised me.

"Ayoko sa kanya dahil nagseselos ako! Sky, I am falling for you!" He spatted.

Parang sasabog ang utak ko. I am feeling mixed emotions, right now! My heart raced. My stomach churned. I was speechless. I wad breathless.

Should I be happy because he feels the feeling I have for him?

Or, should I push him away because this is wrong? We are cousins!

Nakakatakot pala!

This is wrong!

"Stop kidding!" I laughed nervously. I am trying to lighten up the atmosphere we're in but I failed.

"I am serious, Sky. I am falling for you," he said.

Shit!

"You know that this is wrong, right?" Sabi ko.

Yumuko siya. "We are not cousins by blood but you carry the name Arcella. I have no idea if this is right, honestly."

Wala talaga akong masabi. Shit!

"Sky, I tried to stop this," sabi niya. Hinawakan niya ang aking magkabilang kamay. His palms were warm.

Tumingin siya sa akin ng may mapupungay na mata. "Believe me, I tried to stop this!" Malumanay ang kanyang pagsasalita. "Nagsinuplado pa nga ako sa iyo, hindi ba? When I would see you with other guys I feel jealous and irritated all of a sudden kaya pinagsasabihan kita noon na huwag makipagharutan sa ibang lalake sa harap ko. I would also feel like I would like to protect you. Noong pinagkaisahan ka nina Adi at Czar doon ko na kinalimutan ang lahat. Kinalimuta ko na na dapat dumistansya ako sa iyo. Na dapat kalimutan ko iyung nararamdaman ko sa iyo. I felt like you needed me. I just want to be right there for you. Kaya naisipan kong maybe pwede naman tayong maging close. It was all alright pero lumalim iyung nararamdaman ko para sa'yo. I used Jacqueline to distract me and eventually forget my feelings for you."

Bumuntong-hininga siya at nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita.

"It wasn't successful, though. Plus, ayaw mo sa kanya. Feeling ko ayaw mo na rin sa akin. So, hiniwalayan ko siya. Natatakot ako na baka tuluyan ka nang lumayo sa akin. Pero, mali pala ako. Mas nagalit ka pa sa akin. Then, biglang dumating si Denis. Nanligaw sa iyo. Kinausap kita na huwag masyadong maging malapit sa kanya but you are so stubborn! Kaya nagawa ko iyon."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla na lang akong na-guilty.

He has this thing for me at ngayon ko lang nalaman ang lahat.

"And... I can tell that you have this thing for me, too," sabi niya.

I gasped in astonishment.

How did he...?!

"What are you talking about?" Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. I can't bear looking at him straight in the eye.

He help my chin and made me look at him.

Ako naman sa simpleng gesture na iyon parang nakadama ako ng kuryente.

"Admit it," he said. "You like me."

I can't lie to him. Aywan ko kung bakit sa dinami-rami ng tao sa kanya ako hindi marunong magsinungaling.

Tinapik ko ang kamay niya at napayuko. Bwiset!

"Kung hindi mo kayang aminin, eh di huwag! Alam ko rin naman simula't sapul eh," wika niya. "I've overheard you telling your bestfriend that you like me."

Another shocking thing!

"Sige na, alis na ako. Hinihintay na ako ng teammates ko," paalam niya.

Kinuha niya ang duffel bag niya at iniwan akong gulat na gulat pa rin sa nangyari.

👗