THE DAY HE BECAME RUTHLESS: The Metaphorical Series #2

THIRTY

I tried to rein in the wave of apprehension as forcibly as possible. Taas noo akong bumalik sa Studio D na hindi tinitignan si Dean na sa panandaliang pagsulyap ko ay nakitang katabi si Wilmer at kausap pa ito. 

Paunti-unti ang paghupa ng ugong ng kanilang usapan sa aking pagdaan. With the way they watch me walk in the room, it's like the whole world is waiting for me to trip on my foot or make a mistake.

Nag-alinlangan tuloy akong umupo sa silya at kung hindi lang iyon minuwestra ni Skyler ay tatayo na lang talaga ako sa tabi niya. Without them having to announce it, I could feel that Dean deserves that seat. Hindi sa akin na aplikante bilang personal assistant. Tawag sa isang class A version ng isang utusan.

Cashiel and Marcus both faked a cough. Naging awkward ang sitwasyon. Ngayon ay nagkakatinginan na lang kami sa isa't isa. What now?

"Are we still waiting for someone?" dominanteng panimula ni Dean na bumahid ang inip sa tono. Marahan ang kunot noo at umiigting ang matalas niyang panga.

Nakadekwatro siya at manly na sinusuri ang kanyang kuko. His other foot is tapping, sinasabayan ang mahinang kanta sa laptop. Why, he couldn't get rid of that combat boots is beyond me. Ang tupi sa manggas ng kanyang jeans ay mas nagpahaba pa yata sa kanyang binti. 

"Oh, uh..." muling tikhim ni Marcus at tumayo nang tuwid sabay lagay ng mga kamay sa bulsa.  "I think we'd have to dismiss the tautologies then and just cut to the chase."

"Better. So why am I being summoned here?" Dean's vocal chords is being monotonous and dismissive.

Even knowing that I am going to be chewed by the aversion through his eyes, I still  found myself looking at him. It's hard not to do so when he's gifted with the kind of charm that would suck everyone's attention. He has aged seven years to damn perfection.

"This is only a trial balloon. I mean, we've already expected for your violent reaction before you know it but, you know, we're testing the waters." Nagkibit si Wilmer na parang wala lang.

"Goddammit Will!"  Bahagyang napausaog sa gulat si Wilmer. Matalim ang tingin ni Dean sa kanya. "Why am I even here? Why is she still here?!"

Dean's near outrage thundered in every solid surfaces of the room. Tinuro niya ako ngunit hindi ginawaran ng sulyap.

We all kept our vow of silence. I'm pulling every calming molecules just to soothe the beating of my chest. Umiinit na ang dibdib ko sa matinding kaba. Somehow, his impatience made a way to my memories when we're still teenagers. The fights he had caused. The insistencies he had made. The assurances he had asked, all led to this trait that no matter how it made no sense to me, I still get to adore it.

Hindi ko alam kung mangangamba ako o ngingiti dahil may mga bagay pa talagang hindi nagbago sa kanya. Maybe he is still the same Dean, just coated with the paint of his abhorrence.

Bumuntong hininga si Wilmer, madaling nakabawi sa inasta ng kaibigan.  Tinukod nito ang kamay sa likod ng silya ni Dean.

"Patrick here  suggested that Ruth is going to be your personal assistant. Do you mind giving her a copy of your rider's list?"

Umawang ang bibig ni Dean ngunit wala akong mabasang gulat sa kanya. His tongue is playing with his upper molars.

Sa kabila ng aking kaba ay nagawa  itong mapaamo ng guwapo niyang mukha. That instead of escalating my heartbeat with fear, it doubled in wonder and adoration. Lalo na noong nag-angat siya ng kilay. The angle seems to be pointing high to the ceiling

"I was expecting all of you to be sensitive when it comes to this intimate part of my life." His growl is menacing. "You know my response to this. Bakit niyo pa ako tinanong?"