This is How We End (Published under Pop Fiction)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

"Zeus..."

My heart ached when I saw him aiding to his own wounds by himself. He sighed and placed down the cotton smeared with blood and betadine. Zeus' eyes darkened as he stared at me, before he averted his gaze and set his jaw.

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa kaniya. Natatakot akong baka hindi niya magustuhan ang paglapit ko. I studied him and then sighed to myself as well. His lean body is sitting on the cemented bench under the mercy of the Oak tree's shade. Dito siya dumiretso pagkatapos siyang awatin kanina sa loob matapos makipagsuntukan sa matanda.

Without a word, I stood awkwardly in front of him. Then I reached for the cotton and with trembling fingers, let the soft material kiss the cut on his lips.

For a moment, I got lost in the depths of his dark eyes. It's so inviting and helds so many unspoken promises that I cannot tear my gaze away. But then I reminded myself again that I am a Muslimah and I should never stare straight into a man's eyes.

Nahihirapan man ay ibinaba ko ang tingin ko.

"You're touching me..." he commented. "Aren't you gonna get in trouble?"

I bit my lower lips and lowered my gaze. Hindi ako umimik at hindi ko rin tinagpo ang titig niya. I just made sure that I've applied the right amount of betadine to all of his wounds.

"Naia..." may pagbabanta na sa boses nito.

I dropped my hand and placed the cotton back. Then I glanced briefly at him only to meet his fiery eyes.

"You shouldn't have done that," I murmured under my breath, shifting my weight on the balls of my feet.

"What do you want me to do? Just watch him insult you?"

I smiled sadly at him. "Sanay na ako, Zeus. People insult us all the time. I cannot change the way they view us. The least thing I could do is avoid any kind of trouble."

He cursed under his breath and in an angry manner, closed the first aid kit tab and threw the cotton to the bin nearby.

"Well, I hate to say this to you but I won't just stand and do nothing if someone is harassing you. Of all the things I hate, it is a man striking a woman, Naia. Heck, you're even just a little girl."

Binalot na ng matinding guilt ang dibdib ko. Hindi ako umimik ulit. Zeus studied me for a few moments before he angrily lurched away, carrying the first aid kit.

Nang mawala na siya sa paningin ko ay nanghihina akong napaupo sa semento. I stared at my fingers that had come into contact of Zeus' face earlier. It is trembling and aching at my first touch of a man's face except for my father. Mas lalo pa akong binalot ng guilt. I shouldn't feel this way towards him. He's just protecting me the way he'll protect his little sister or any other younger girls.

Biting my lower lips, I gazed at the Cerulean-blue sky, bathing in the glow of sunlight. Underneath my niqab, I could see clearly how beautiful it is and thanked Allah for the wonders of the world.

I silently confined to him about my confusion to the boy who saved me earlier. The mixed emotions that I am feeling towards him is starting to scare me. When a mere attraction becomes a sin to a Muslimah like me, I give birth to a heavy heart. I should cover myself and stay away especially in the presence of a man.

But with him... I just can't.

Mabigat ang loob kong umuwi sa bahay kinahapunan. Kinausap ako at humingi sila ng despensa sa naging trato ng lalaki kanina sa akin. I assured them that I am alright, and I am willing to forgive him even if he didn't bother to show his face and ask for forgiveness after what happened.