This is How We End (Published under Pop Fiction)

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

With the tip of my fingertips, I traced the small face of Zeus and felt a jolt of electricity as I stared at the polaroid picture that was taken several days ago at the beach. A small smile tugged on my lips. I could feel life vibrating throughout the picture. The longer I stared at it, the more it comes to life.

My white hijab was almost washed out by the glaring sun in the picture. A soft look of surprise took over my face when Levi suddenly appeared, a polaroid camera on his hand, and yelled 'Smile!' to the two of us while we were talking.

A lazy smile crept up to Zeus' face as he stared back at the camera. His eyes are deadly but his careless smile announced youth and rebellion on his looks. While I looked so stunned and disconcerted at the front.

Humiga ako sa kama at patuloy na tinitigan ang tanging litrato naming dalawa. Nang una itong ibinigay sa akin ni Levi ay halos hindi ko na ito pakalawan. It burned at the pocket of my pleated skirt and felt so heavy in my arms.

I like how he kept his distance from me but also made me feel safe at the same time. Anyone who would see the picture would just assume that it's a stolen shot of a young Muslim girl talking to someone. I'm glad that it failed to capture the tears glistening at my eyes that time. Only the emotions that I am trying to suppress at the pit of my stomach.

Huminga ako nang malalim at ipinikit ang mga mata. How could I go crazy with this single picture? Zeus may never even have a knowledge of this picture in the first place. Mabilis niyang pinaalis si Levi nang ma-disturbo kaming dalawa sa dagat.

"Anong gusto mong maging?"

"Gusto kong maging? Hmm elementary teacher siguro."

"Bakit?"

"Bakit hindi?" I laughed softly. "It's fun teaching young children. I like children."

"Really?" his eyes darkened at my words that for a second, I wondered if I said something wrong. Something that would stir thoughts to his mind. But I couldn't find it. I frowned a bit and then nodded.

"I can't imagine you being a mother," he chuckled softly. "Masyado ka pang.... bata sa paningin ko."

"14 is already a marriageable age in Muslim, Zeus."

Bahagyang umawang ang bibig niya sa gulat. He stared at me with parted lips and drilling eyes.

"You're marriageable?"

I nodded at him and smiled. "Yes."

"Damn."

I relived his soft cursing inside of my head. The way the breeze had caressed his messy locks and the way his toes dug into the warm sand. Those were stolen moments of us together. And it pains me to think that we may never have something like that again. We need to control ourselves before emotions control us. We cannot be slaves of what we're feeling towards each other or it will lead to a tragedy.

"Sama ka sa amin, Ate Naia?"

I shook my head. "May gagawin ako sa Sabado." I lied.

Zeus stared intently at me. He knows I'm lying. And he knows why. Nakatitig lang siya sa akin habang marahang nginunguya ang kaniyang bubble gum. Zoey shot me a knowing look, too.

"Pwede ka namang umuwi nang maaga, eh. Dad and I are going to set fireworks!"

"Ayos lang talaga, Levi..."

"Huwag mo nang pilitin, Levi!" bulyaw naman ni Zoey sa kaniya.

He pouted. Medyo sumikip ang dibdib ko sa pagtanggi sa kaniya. I badly want to go. Tita Belle personally invited me herself but I rejected her, too. I just can't risk being alone with Zeus again. I'm afraid of what my emotions could make me do. I could feel the last thread of my control slipping out of my hands and I could do nothing about it. Sobrang natatakot ako sa pwedeng mangyari kaya't hangga't kaya ko... iiwas ako.