Snow White is a Man

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Knock, knock

I looked at myself from the mirror, exhaling loudly, fogging up the glass. I wiped it off and stared right into my eyes. Pumayag si Snow White na samahan ako pababa rito sa Sky Island. I don't know how many months has passed since Snow White brought me here. I felt like I've been here for a very long time so I'm kinda excited to see the outside world.

You ready?

Napatalon ako sa gulat nang madinig ang boses niya.

I nodded although I know he couldn't see me. "Yup." I stood up and turned around. I  gasped when I saw him in front of me. I didn't see him from the mirror. Siguro'y totoo nga na walang repleksyon ang mga bampira sa salamin. "Bakit ba bigla ka na lang sumusulpot?"

Umirap siya sa kawalan. "Does it matter?"

"Oo naman! Aatakihin ako sa puso nang dahil sa'yo!" I pointed at him, emphasizing my point.

Tinabig niya ang aking kamay. I flinched when I felt his cold hand touched mine. "Ang OA mo."

Tinalikuran niya na ako at lumabas na sa'king kwarto. Hindi na ako nakipagtalo pa. Sumunod na lang ako sa kanya.

I have a lot of things to buy. I need new clothes. I need books and newspapers. I need moisturizer and face wash. Napkins aren't a problem because Snow White stole a whole box of it. Oo! Literal na isang box! Talagang tinotoo niya na magnanakaw siya ng isang box. Pang-ilang taong supply na ang kinuha niya para sa'kin.

"We'll jump down." aniya habang naglalakad kami patungo sa bangin.

Biglang bumaliktad ang sikmura ko nang madinig ang sinabi niya. I'm afraid of heights. How am I supposed to handle it?!

"Wala bang ibang way?"

He gave me a dead look. "That's the only way."

"E, ba't noong dinala mo ako rito hindi ko man lang naramdaman? Pagmulat ko nandito na ako." I had to run a few steps just to catch up with him. He wasn't walking, he was striding. Damn him and his long legs!

He rolled his eyes at me again. "I did it in a blink of an eye. If you're afraid of heights, there's nothing to worry about."

Wala na akong choice kundi ang maniwala sa sinabi niya. Nang makarating kami sa bangin, walang sabi-sabing binuhat niya ako na parang sako.

"What—" Hindi na niya ako hinintay na makapagreact pa dahil naramdaman ko na lang ang pagtalon niya.

I felt dizzy because of the sudden movement. The cold air hit us so hard that it was hard for me to breath for a moment until I heard a soft thud.

Nang buksan ko ang aking mga mata ay nasa lupa na kaming muli. Nasa loob kami ng isang kagubatan.

"No one should recognize you." Ito lamang ang sinabi niya. He snapped his fingers and started walking away.

I followed him. "Ano'ng ginawa mo?" Pakiramdam ko'y ginamit na naman niya sa'kin ang kapangyarihan niya.

"I just put an illusion to you. When people look at you, they won't see Erza but someone they don't know."

I knew it.

Wala talaga akong kawala sa kanya.

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa. Ang kaunting pag-asa na makakatakas ako ay naglaho na parang bula.

"May mga kailangan akong bilhin pero wala akong pera—" Hindi na niya ako pinatapos sa pagsasalita. Hinagisan niya ako ng pulang pouch. May pulang ribbon na nakatali rito.