The Demon's Heart

XV: Don't ever

Azalea's POV

Braxon and I became really close as days passed. I've never imagined him to be thoughtful, caring, and funny. I mean, who would, right?

Pero minsan, bigla nalang siyang magiging... weird. No'ng pumunta kami sa park, I know there's something he wants to say to me. And it didn't end there. Sometimes, he will start talking about his self. Tapos kapag medyo lumalalim na 'yong topic, bigla niyang iibahin 'yong usapan. And he will suddenly act strange. Lalo na kapag tungkol na sa pagiging independent niya ang usapan namin.

It was like a forbidden topic. Hindi naman niya ako sinisigawan or anything like that. Bigla nalang kasi siyang umiiwas sa usapang 'yon at magyayang umalis o kumain.

He actually became my constant companion. Nauunang mag-umpisa ang klase ko sa klase niya kaya lagi niya akong hinahatid sa room at nauuna rin siyang matapos kaya bago pa matapos ang klase namin, nasa labas na siya ng classroom namin. Hindi ko nga alam kung sadya bang gano'n ang schedule niya o pinabago niya.

I'm actually enjoying his company kaya hindi ko na siya tinanong tungkol sa schedule niya. Madalas din kaming mag-lunch ni Cornelia kasama silang dalawa ni Lazarus. Kaso minsan mas gusto kong kami lang ni Braxon kasi nakakailang si Nelly at Laz. They're too... close. Ako 'yong nahihiya tuwing may estudyante or professor na titingin sa kanila, eh.

"Hey... what are you doing here alone?" Medyo nagulat pa ako no'ng biglang umupo si Deck sa gilid ko.

Deck and I are friends, too, but we never see each other that often. Paano ba naman, halos oras-oras ko nang kasama si Braxon. Not that I'm complaining.

"My professor has a meeting. He dismissed us early." Bahagya akong ngumiti.

"Really? Then where's your guy friend? I don't want to be nosy but it's weird to see you alone. He was always with you."

"He still has his class," I simply said. Daeglan just nod his head.

Actually, Braxon doesn't know that we were dismissed early. I didn't text him. Alam ko kasing kapag nalaman niyang wala na akong klase, aalis 'yon sa klase niya. I don't know why he's like that. Ayaw ko namang hindi siya um-attend sa klase niya kaya hindi ko na sinabi. I'll just wait for him.

I stared at our open field as I remembered how Asi reacted when she found out that Brax and I are hanging out. As usual, she became too protective and I understand her. That's why I explained to her everything. Marami siyang tanong at paulit-ulit niyang sinabi na sana raw alam ko ang ginagawa ko.

She doesn't trust Braxon, but I begged her to give him a chance to prove to her that he's not what Asi thinks he is. She confronted Braxon. Kung hindi pa ako napadaan sa Management Building, hindi ko pa malalaman na kinausap niya sa Braxon. Sobrang sungit niya kay Braxon no'n at ilang beses niya pang pinagbantaan si Braxon na kapag may nangyari raw na masama sa'kin, lagot daw si Brax sa kanya.

As if she can do anything to Brax...

Natatawa nalang ako kapag naaalala ko 'yon kasi akala mo naman kaya niya si Braxon. Ang laki kaya ng katawan ni Braxon. Kapag pinitik siya no'n sa ilong baka dumugo ilong niya.

"I hope you don't mind me asking but is he your boyfriend?" Napatingin ako kay Deck nang itanong niya 'yon. "It's been really hard for me to talk to you whenever he's around. He's giving me death stares every time I make a move to come near to you."

"And if I'm her boyfriend... do you have a problem with that?" Sabay kaming napalingon ni Deck no'ng marinig namin ang boses ni Brax sa likod namin.

Now I understand what Deck was saying. Braxon is scowling at Daeglan. Tumayo na ako at lumapit sa kanya.

Sa ilang linggo naming magkasama ni Braxon, medyo nakilala ko na siya. If he's scowling, either he's mad or irritated. And he will only calm down if...