A death god staying inside a mortal body longer than necessary subjects oneself to being tainted with mortal sins.
***
I told myself that it wasn't too late to save myself from feeling for the dumb death god. I wanted to believe it. Kaya nang mga sumunod na araw, maaga akong umaalis at late nang umuuwi. Kapag naririnig ko ang mga iniisip at mga pag-aalala ni Prof. sa'kin, umiinom ako ng tonic ni Lolo Dimos. It worked against my borrowed abilities.
Ilang gabi na rin akong natutulog sa living room kahit tinututulan ni Prof. I was giving him the chance to steal back his feather but he wasn't doing anything. Ang natanggap ko lang sa kanya ay sermon para sa katawan ko. Baka raw nangangalay na kong matulog do'n. Sayang daw 'yung upa ko sa kuwarto.
Ilang beses na rin akong pumasok nang walang paalam sa kuwarto niya at inilagay ang kwintas ko sa mesa niya. Pero bumabalik pa rin ang kwintas sa'kin. Hindi ko na alam kung pa'no ko isasauli sa kanya ang balahibo o kung pa'no niya kukunin.
Hindi kami nag-uusap at nami-miss ko siya. Hindi kami sabay kumakain at nami-miss ko siya. Ayoko siyang ma-miss pero nami-miss ko siya. It's getting harder everyday with his cowlicks teasing to be touched and his gentle eyes on me.
He wasn't saying anything either even though he knew that I was avoiding him.
Why won't he just take the feather back? Why is he staying as a human? It's frustrating.
"You sighed again," puna ni Jeremy sa'kin.
Napatingin ako sa kanya. We're at a nearby deli. Kumakain ng dinner. Or not. Dahil pagbaba ng mata ko sa plato niya, ubos na ang monster burger niya. 'Yung sa'kin, nagmamakaawa pang kagatan.
"Sorry. I was thinking about something," sabi ko sa kanya at ngumiti.
"Lagi kang may iniisip," sabi lang niya. His smile was comforting and there was no judgment in his voice.
"Yes. Sorry."
"Something at home?"
I smiled. I wish Prof. and this feeling were just 'something at home', but no. This feeling was something which shares a breath with me. An invisible weight in my chest.
"Kailangan mo na bang umuwi? Hatid na kita?"
Sumulyap ako sa wristwatch ko. It was almost nine. If I ride a taxi now, I'll be home by ten-thirty.
"Hindi pa naman. Ano'ng oras ba magsasara 'tong deli?"
"Ten."
"Can you keep me company until ten?" tanong ko bago kalabitin ng hiya. "Ay, sorry. I'm not even considering if you've got things to do. Baka may gagawin ka?"
Mahinang natawa si Jeremy. He relaxed in his seat and looked at me like I'm—
"You're amusing," he said.
"What?" I was getting uncomfortable with the way he was looking at me. Jeremy is good company at nitong mga nakaraan ay nasasanay na 'kong kasama siya. 'Wag lang siyang titingin sa'kin nang ganito. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Ilang beses ko nang inisip kung ano'ng iniisip mo kapag natutulala ka. You're so focused kapag nasa clinic. But from time to time, I can see you spacing out. Sometimes, you're mumbling about something, too. Then, you will grab your necklace and sigh."
I was amazed. "Napapansin mo lahat 'yun kapag nasa clinic tayo? Kahit may ginagawa ka? That's some amazing observation skills! Magiging magaling kang psychiatrist."
BINABASA MO ANG
After Death (Hello, Death 3) (Completed)
Fantasy[This story will become free again on AUGUST 30, 2021] After Natalie escapes death, she finds a silver feather, phone messages from an unknown sender and gets the ability to foresee death. All of which lead her to unlikely love. ...
