Twisted Hearts Book 1: The Beauty Tames The Beast

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Tita August asked me to accompany Alas to the rice fields that day. Sa gilid ng malawak na palayan ng mga Monterio ay may isang maliit na lawa. Ngunit hindi na ito sakop ng kanilang pag-aari kaya naman malayang nakakapunta ang mga tao doon.

"But I'm not really sure if he'll agree to it . . ." natatawang wika ni Tita August habang sinasalinan ng tsaa ang aking baso. "He had never gone out of the house ever since . . . you know, he lost his sight."

I nodded my head. "I understand, Tita."

"Will you give it a try, Belle? I just want my son to experience the outside world again . . . even though he's blind."

"Susubukan ko po." I licked my lower lips and racked my brain for anything plausible that might convince Alas to go out with me. "It's not going to be easy, but I'll give my best shot."

She expelled a breath of relief. "I'm really glad, hija. You are a very charming girl. I'm sure Alas will at least consider it."

Nerbyos na tawa ang aking sagot sa kaniya. "Sana nga po . . ."

---

"Alas!"

He seems startled by my sudden voice. Alas pulled his earphones out and scowled. "What?"

I chuckled and marched towards his bed. "It's a good weather today, huh?" I wondered out loud.

"Yeah, I can see that." He answered sarcastically.

"Crap." My hand flew to my mouth. I'm so stupid to say that! "I-I mean . . . it's not raining or whatsoever, just so you know. At wala ding blackout ngayon."

He only nodded at me.

"And it's really windy out there!" I said with much enthusiasm.

"Really?" he doesn't seem interested with what I'm blabbering about.

"Yeah, it is. Really. Most of my friends are out in the sun."

"Then why don't you go out with them?" suplado niyang tanong sa akin.

I bit my lower lips. Alas makes me feel stupid, sometimes.

"Uhm . . ."

He pressed something on his iPod and pulled his other earphone. "So, what do you really want, Belle?"

"H-Ha?" I chuckled nervously. "Wala no, ikaw naman." I even forced a laugh.

"Stop faking your laugh." He deadpanned.

Napalunok ako. Ngayon ay hindi na ako mapakali sa aking kinatatayuan. I could only image what I would feel if Alas could really see me. Siguro ay kanina pa ako nabuwal at hinimatay?

"Listen, it's a really good day today and I promise it really is and I just want you to go out—"

"No."

"—with me in the rice fields. There's a small lake there . . ." I said in a small voice.

Alas' lips went into a thin line. Then he scoffed. "My mother has told you about this, right?"

Lumunok ulit ako. "But I really want to show you the rice fields—" I paused. "I mean, I just want you outside of your room, that's all. It's really windy today. Masarap mamasyal."

"Pwes mamasyal kang mag-isa," suplado niyang sagot sa akin. He turned away from me. Napalingon ako nang biglang pumasok ang kaniyang pusa sa kwarto. Dire-diretso ang lakad nito at tumalon sa kama ni Alas. It curled against Alas' torso.