The Killing Dance (Snow White and the Seven Reapers)

Chapter Twelve

Karaniwan akong nagigising mula sa pagkatulog kapag may kaumakatok sa pintuan ko, sa ingay gawa ng doorbell, sa ingay ng alarm clock, or di kaya'y sa sigaw ng mga kaibigan ko para magising ako, pero iba ang dahilan sa oras na ito. This time, someone was inside the house.

I could hear them moving around. From the sound of their shoes brushing over the carpeted floor to their fingertips on the walls, I could hear it all. On alert, I slowly sat upright and peeled the blankets off me, reaching out for my gun under the bed. Quietly, I grabbed the handle and opened the door, peering out into the hallway.

Nang wala akong makita na kahit na sino ay dahan-dahan akong lumabas ng kwarto ko at mahinang sinara ito. Pinakiramdaman ko ang paligid, and from the sound of them, I could tell they were still in the living room.

"Andrea!" My name was called from downstairs as it echoed throughout the house. Napakunot agad ang noo ko ng makilala ko kung sino ito. Anong ginagawa niya dito? Paano sila nakapasok?

Nagmadali akong naglakad patungo sa hagdanan, pero bago iyon ay itinago ko ang baril na hawak ko sa isa sa mga mini cabinet sa hallway.

"Alex?" Nagtataka ko siyang tinignan ng makita ko siyang nasa pinakaibaba ng hagdanan habang napaka-seryoso ng mukha nito.

"Hey," Nalipat ang tingin ko kay kuya Xander na bigla na lamang lumitaw sa gilid ni kuya Alex. "Huwag mo naman akong kalimutan."

Hindi ko mapigilan na hindi matawa sa itsura niya. He never really changed. I began to make my way downstairs, taking steps two at a time. I was quickly taken, swept up onto their arms and crashed into a bone crushing hug.

"C-can't b-breath." I successfully muttered into their chest.

"Sorry." They both muttered and smiled at me sheepishly as I was set gently on my feet and released from both of their hugs.

"What are you guys doing here? How did you even get inside?"

"About that," Napataas ang kilay ko ng makita ko ang seryosong mukha na naman ni kuya Alex. "I was about to push the doorbell when Xander knocked on your door and to our surprise, bukas ang pintuan mo."

I shuffled feet to feet as I tried to avoid the narrowed gaze of Alex.

Nalipat naman kay kuya Xander ng tumikhim ito. "I suggest you better check if your door was perfectly closed at night, even in daylight, unless you want anymore unwanted intruders in your house."

"I will remember that." Nakayukong sagot ko sa kanila.

It was a bad habit of mine, ang maiwang bukas ang pintuan kapag gabi.

"Kapag nalaman ito ni Austin, ewan ko na lang sayo." Wala sa oras na napairap ako kay kuya Xander. Kailangan pa bang mabanggit yung lalaki na iyon?

Matapos na asarin kami nila Mirai ay hindi natuloy ang pagkilatis ni Nikolo kay Austin dahil may emergency na nangyari. Kinakailangan na umalis agad ni Nikolo, kaya hindi na iyon natuloy, pero natuloy naman ang halos walang katapusan na pangaasar galing sa tropa. Nik was like a brother to me and a very important person in my life. Utang ko ang buhay ko sa kanya.

"We were wondering." Kuya Xander's voice snapped me out of my trail of thought. He began as he started playing the hem of his shirt while looking nervously at me. It was his mannerisms, playing the hem of his shirt. Ginagawa niya lang iyon kapag kinakabahan siya.

"If we could take you out for a day. Gusto lang namin na makasama ka dahil buong linggo ka namin hindi nakausap," Pagtutuloy ni kuya Alex as he stuffed his hands in his pants pockets.

"Please, pumayag ka na, ngayon lang." Pagpipilit ni kuya Xander.

"I'll meet you guys in your car," I mumbled. Kuya Xander had a huge triumphant grin on his face, while Kuya Alex was sending me a small smile.