The Flame

The Flame- Chapter 14

Chapter 14
Fear

After that sweet yet embarassing moment I had with Bryle, we decided to eat at the shore. Naglagay lang kami ng sarong sa baybayin at maliit na lamesa saka maliit na lampara na tanging nagsisilbing ilaw sa aming dalawa. Nang matapos na kaming kumain, niligpit namin ang pinagkainan at nilagay sa basket.

Nabalot ng katahimikan ang paligid. The only thing that's making noise is the splash of waves. I just enjoyed the feeling of being with him, with no words uttered; just the sound of our heartbeats mixed with the sound of the waves.

“When things go wrong, would you stay by my side?” he broke the silence that envelope us.
“Depends.” I answered, “If you make a mistake that will be too toxic for us, then I can't stay.” he looked at me.
“You won't forgive me?”

I shifted my weight, “Staying and forgiving are two different things and most of the time, they can't go together. A person can forgive but cannot always stay inspite of the fact that forgiveness has been served. On the other hand, a person can stay but can't forgive because everytime you make mistakes again, your previous mistakes will be brought up which means that person hasn't forgiven you yet.”
He nodded.

“Paano kung mahal mo? Aalis ka pa din?” he asked.
“Minsan kahit mayroon kang nararamdaman, nawawalan ka parin ng dahilan. Maybe because love isn't all about staying with the person you love. It is also about knowing when to leave if staying means nothing at all.”

He looked up the sky and then to the fire in front of us. “If ever you leave, I'll be chasing you endlessly. I can't just let you leave 'cause you're the only flame that keeps my fire burning.” he kissed my forehead.

“I won't leave as long as you keep me.” I promised.

We set up a tent at the shore and slept there. During the day, we savoured the time we have together. We did a lot of activities like banana boat riding, we rode a kayak, enjoyed island hopping and a lot more.

Too bad we only had a day to waste since my Dad called me for a board meeting and he's called for something important too.

Pagbalik namin ng Maynila, hinatid niya ako sa condo ko bago sa pumunta ng opisina. In the middle of the ride to my unit, he's very persistent on asking me for a date. Well, I want to as well, I'm just making fun of him.

“Come on Nix, why don't you want to be in a date with me?” now he looks annoyed. That makes me want to laugh so hard right on his face but I tried so hard no to.
“I just don't want to. No apparent reason at all. ” I answered, looking at the road.

Hindi na siya nangulit pa at nanahimik na lang. Pagdating namin sa labas ng condo unit ko, agad kong binuksan ang pinto ng sasakyan. Akmang lalabas na ako pero bumaling ako sa kanya at hinalikan siya.
“Let's have a date.” I announced, making him pissed.
“I was asking you that countless times but you declined. Are you picking up on me, woman?” he leaned on his seat, arms crossed.
“Wrong choice of terms, Mister. I was just teasing you.” I smiled innocently.
“Do you know how chaotic my mind was? I was thinking what have I done knowing that if I'd ask you, you'll just tell me to realize my own fault. But here you-”

I covered his mouth with my hand, making him shut his mouth up.
“I love you” I smiled sheepishly.
“I love you too. Wait, what? Ganoon lang 'yon?”
“That's settled then. Fetch me at 7 pm. Bye! I love you!” I waved him goodbye while he looks dumbfounded. What's wrong with this man?

When I arrived at my unit, I immediately went to the bathroom and took a shower. After that, I went to my mini library inside the house and studied the file Dad sent last night. As I stayed there, I lost track of time. Huli na nang nakita kong alas sais na ng gabi. I asked Bry to fetch me at  seven and here I am, still stucked in the library at six.

Without further ado, I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth then to my walk in closet to search for something to wear. A white halter top body con dress caught  my attention. I remember I bought it the last time I went to Europe. I paired it with a pair of silver cigarette heels. Nagsuot naman ako ng hikaw na bumagay sa aking suot.

Time check, it's six forty-five in the evening. Tamang-tama ang timing ko. Just when I stood up to check my phone, the doorbell rang. He's always early! Good thing I'm done for my preparations.
Before I went to the door, I took my purse and put my phone inside it but a message intrigued me. It's from Arriane.

Arriane:

Be careful with who you trust, dear. Not all the things you believed to be true are really true. You've kept your enemies closer, be strong enough to fight against the demons you pulled close to you.

I don't get what she meant by this but I feel uneasy about it. Who the hell is the enemy she is talking about?
Is she talking about herself? But it would be too impossible if she tells me what's going on except if she's out of her mind.

Lumabas ako ng aking unit na hindi mapakali. Bry noticed it the moment I opened the door for him.
“What's going on in that pretty head of yours?” he asked after he kissed my forehead.
“Nothing. Let's go.“  I denied.
“Okay, just tell me if you get bothered by something.” he said as he encircled his arm around the small of my back.

We arrived at the restaurant but I still feel uneasy. Kabadong-kabado ako sa maaring mangyari. It's like something's going on but I can't figure out what it is. Basta ang alam ko lang, hindi ako mapakali.