A Crossroad ✔

Chapter 11: Unlucky Heart

[Quin]

"Hey, why are you so silent?" Hindi ko siya inimik.

Nakatali pa rin kami sa isang silid at ilang oras na rin kaming ganito. Kagyat-kagyat din ang pag-iinspeksiyon ng mga lalaki. At kahit nakawawala ng pag-asang makatakas pa kami rito dahil mag-uumaga na ay wala pa rin akong maisip na paraan para makatakas, I am not yet done thinking about some ideas.

One good thing with having this creative mind is it helps solve things. Not that it is all the time, but it does.

There has to be a way out somehow... From this gloomy room, mosses and green algae damped on the wet areas of the cold, cemented floor. A window with metal balusters. It is the only resort, unless we have some key to unlock the cellar and run outside, which I think is harder.

Screw this kidnap for ransom thing!

"Magsalita ka naman. You're making me worried..." Even though they seem so real, I cannot dare believe the concern in his voice as he said those words. The soulful eyes of this celebrity locked on mine, parang nagsusumamo pa.

"Bakit? May magbabago ba kung mag-iingay ako rito?" I asked him, my brows almost arched to show him I definitely have no plans of entertaining his stupid suggestion. Andami ko nang iniisip, dumaragdag pa siya. Tsk.

"I'm not saying you should make some noise. I just hope you'll talk... somehow." Lihim ako napairap kahit sobrang bilis naman ng tibok ng puso ko. He's just sitting in front of me, at ang distansiya sa pagitan naming dalawa, bagama't malayo para sa iba ay masyado nang malapit para sakin ayon na rin sa personal space rules ko.

It is a matter of two meters away. Social distancing!

"What's the point? It won't change a thing." Itinuon ko na lang ulit ang pansin sa mga kamay kong hanggang ngayon ay nakatali pa rin. My pale skin is scathed with minor bruises from the tight rope. It is even inflamed and reddish.

"Of course, it would. We can ease the boredom and tension, then---"

"Then those men hear us and shoot us dead. The end. Now, zip your mouth and don't talk to me," I snapped him off as fast as I could. Can't he feel my need to enjoy the silence? Is he that dumb to not see my hostility?

Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga niya, it was a long one and frustration is etched on his face. Evidence can include the rash movement of his Adam's apple, his brows darkening even more.

"Hindi ka ba kakain?" Napatingin ako sa pagkaing ibinigay nu'ng mga lalaki sa amin kanina lang. A fried rice, mixed with some viand and two bottles of water.

"No," tanggi ko.

"You should eat. You'll get thinner by doing that. Do you wanna get sick?" I remained silent, feeling somewhat elated with the hint of concern in his tone, and embarrassed at the same time. Mabilis kong pinasadahan ng tingin ang aking katawan.

Teka, ano bang pakialam niya sa timbang at kalusugan ko?

Ako nga na siyang hindi pa kumakain ng pananghalian at ngayon nga ay agahan, hindi naman nagrereklamo, ah? Paano kung may lason 'yan? Paano kung uhm... Whatever.

Being negative isn't really that toxic. Maybe because it teaches people considerable caution enough to consider safety and stops them from expecting too much... and getting hurt too much too.

"Come on, Quin. Eat." He sounded like he's pleading. His hoarse voice awakened so many weird thoughts and emotions within me and I hate it so much that I can't wait for all of this to be over. I turned to him, trying my best to give him a warning look.