Haunted Past

Chapter Ten

Zedri's POV

I almost dropped my phone when I entered the new house.

"What the heck are you doing here?" Tanong ko kay Jeavy na abalang nagwawalis ng sahig sa living room. Bigla siyang napatalon sa gulat. My eyes automatically searched for Danzelle.

"Zedri! OMG ginulat mo ko! How mean!" Sigaw sakin ni Jeavy tapos niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit. I tried to break free, but I'm afraid that I might hurt her if I did. After all, she has been my little sister because she's Marlee's best friend. "Ikaw ha! Kung hindi ko pa tinawagan si Irene! Hindi ko malalamang lumipat ka na! Paano na yung breakfast mo every morning?"

Dahan-dahan akong lumayo sa kanya. "What are you doing here, brat?" Tanong ko sa kanya habang ginagala yung mata ko. Where's Danzelle? But instead, I asked, "Where's Irene?"

She pouted. "Nandun sa taas. Kasama yung babae mong weirdo." Sabi niya tapos pinagpatuloy niya yung pagwawalis niya. "I'm just curious, Zed. Ano mo ba talaga siya?"

I didn't bother to answer her. "I'll deal with you later." Sabi ko habang umaakyat ng hagdan. "And please, prepare a valid explanation why you are here."

Pag-akyat ko second floor alam ko na kaagad kung nasaan yung kwarto ni Danzelle. Pero bago ako kumatok, pumasok muna ako sa sarili kong kwarto para itabi yung bag ko. I glance around my new room. Irene did a great job. I have everything I need and want here inside.

I change to plain v-neck shirt and cargo pants and went to Danzelle's room. Hindi na ako kumatok kasi nakabukas na yung pintuan. Sinilip ko kung sino yung tao and saw Danzelle sitting on her bed, reading a book. I realized Irene's no longer here, so I grab the chance to talk to her. Alone.

"Liking your new room?" Tanong ko sa kanya habang lumalapit ako sa kanya. She froze for a moment and turned her back to look at me. I smiled at her as I took a seat beside her. Tinignan ko yung librong hawak niya. "Wow. Austen. You like Austen?"

Hawak-hawak niya yung isa sa mga novels ni Jane Austen. Well, nakilala ko si Austen noong may Lit Crit kami noong college at masasabi kong hindi ko siya gusto at mga sulat niya. Bakit? Two reasons: Dahil babae siya. At dahil pambabae ang mga nobela niya. I'm into novels written by men, actually.

Ngiti lang yung isinukli niya sakin tapos nagpatuloy siya sa pagbabasa. "Hey," I called. "Okay ka lang ba sa bago mong kwarto? Are the curtains too bright for you or what? Is your bed sheet looks fine? Just tell me." Sabi ko sabay hawak sa kamay niya.

She looked up at me and I can see her cheeks turned scarlet. "O-okay lang. Salamat." I stare deeply into her eyes and confirmed that she's really comfortable with the setting here in her new room. "Salamat, Z-zedri."

Sobra akong napangiti sa pagbanggit niya ng pangalan ko. Her voice sounds so sweet. How I wish I can make her repeat it again. But maybe next time. We have a lot of time in the world.

Hindi na ako nakapagpigil. I bent my head down to kiss her cheek. Alam kong hindi siya magiging komportable sa ginawa ko pero hinayaan ko na lang ang sarili ko. I was so drown by her hot cheek against my lips, and I almost kissed her lovely lips. I pulled away and look sideways. Muntikan na. Kung hindi pa ako nakapagpigil, siguradong mao-offend ko na siya.

Nararamdaman ko yung uneasiness niya pero hindi naman ako naaalerto. Tinignan ko siya at sobrang pula ng mukha niya. I can't help but to smile. I really wanted to crush her in my arms.

Tatayo na sana ako nung nagsalita siya. "A-anong ginawa mo?" She whispered. She sounds hesitant, but dead curious. Tinignan ko siya pero bigla siyang yumuko. I always hate it everytime she turns her head down.