Playing with Fire (Acosta Sisters Series #3)

Kabanata 9

Kabanata 9

"Quit playing games, Kallista. Because the next time you push my buttons, I might not be able to stop myself from chaining you to me for good."

Napasinghap ako't biglang napabalikwas nang mapanaginipan ko muli ang mga salitang iniwan niya sa'kin noong nakaraan.

This is is not the first time I dreamed about that. Kada pipikit ako, kahit saan, mukha ni Kleo ang bubungad sa panaginip ko habang sinasabi ang mga salitang iyon.

I sighed and leaned back against the soft headboard, eyes closed while I steady my racing heart after being abruptly awake. I could also feel the strain and weariness in my eyes. At sa pagkakaalam ko ay magta-tatlong gabi na rin akong puyat.

I took my iPad on the bedside table and tapped my finger on the screen. My eyes narrowed as I tried to look at the time.

It's only 2:17 a.m, and still too early.

I ran my fingers through my hair, frustrated with myself. Pagkatapos ay tamad na pinadausdos ang sarili pahiga at sinubukan muling bumalik sa pagtulog. Pero makalipas ang ilang minuto ay hindi na ulit ako dinalaw ng antok. I also tossed and turned in bed, trying different positions, but I still can't catch sleep.

Bigo akong umiling.

This is all his fault! Every day and every night, I'm haunted by him! Ano bang nangyayari sa'kin? Anong ginawa niya? Did he curse me? Bakit ba hindi ako matahimik sa mga salitang iyon?

I let out an audible sigh and grabbed my iPad and pen. I went to the notes app and quickly jotted down the exact words I remembered him saying.

Mahina akong natawa nang basahin sa isip ang mga pinagsusulat ko. I could also hear his voice echoing those words back at me. Nakikita ko rin pati ekspresyon niya. Is this even normal?

Padabog kong itinapon sa kama ang iPad at pen na hawak bago sinabunutan ang sarili.

This is so frustrating! Nababaliw na yata ako.

I pulled my legs together and hugged them tightly before burying my face into my knees. I stayed in that position for a while, letting the quiet settle around me. When I finally grew tired of it, I rested my chin on my knees and glanced at the still-lit screen of my iPad.

Games . . . that was the first word that accidentally caught my attention.

Napailing ako. What did he mean by that? I don't even play games. Hindi ko alam ang mga pinagsasasabi niya. Tingin niya ba naglalaro lang ako? That I'm just playing with my life, if that's what he meant? Mind him! I'm serious. Ito siyang parang naglalaro, pinag-iisip pa ako ng kung anu-ano, hindi naman ako manghuhula.

Hindi rin ako tanga para hindi maintindihan ang mga sinabi niya. I just couldn't processed it completely. Hindi ko paniwalaan. I just know it's impossible. I don't want to assume either.

And what does he mean by chaining me to him?

Sa papaanong paraan niya ba ako itatali sa kanya? At bakit? Does he meant marriage? Will he marry me if I push him to his limit? Or did he mean it literally? Ang gulo. Parang ang labo naman. Bakit naman aabot sa gano'ng punto? I don't think he's considering that. Baka nagkakamali ako. He doesn't seem like the type who would ever think about settling down.

What else?

"Hold back, my sake." I said reading those words at the bottom of the screen.

So, what made him hold back for my sake? And how can it be for my own good when he's driving me crazy just thinking about him!

Ugh! I don't know anymore. I have so many questions, but none of them have answers. I even searched for clues online yesterdsy, but nothing could confirm it. Hindi ko alam na mas mahirap pa palang ispelingin si Kleo kaysa sa mga pilosopong pinag-aaralan ko.