Strings and Chains (The Frey, #1)

31. Trust

STRINGS AND CHAINS

CHAPTER 31

Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Raiden sa loob ng opisina ni Lauren. Matagal kaming natahimik ni Rai. I don't know what to say. Hindi niya rin alam ang sasabihin sa akin. He just tightly held my hand. He doesn't want to let go. Me too. But am I ready for this? Can I leave everything behind for him? Leave my friends, my family, and my life?

"I just want you to know that whatever your decision is, I will respect it."

Again I'm supressing myself not to cry. This is too hard. It's so hard to decide. Katulad ng sinabi ni Lauren, our life depends on our choices. So what am I going to choose? Am I ready for this life? Malayo sa pagiging ordinaryo. Malayong-malayo sa pagiging tao?

"If you want to go back there, to your family, and be human again, I will let you do it. I won't hold you back. I will respect your decision. I love and will love you always with you or without you by my side."

Huminga ako ng malalim at hinalikan ang kamay niya.

"Let's find the curse breaker. I will tell you my decision after that."

Tumango siya at hinigit ako papalapit sa kanya. He held me tight. He kissed my head at ibinaon ang kanyang mukha sa leeg ko. He kissed my neck too at muling hinalikan ang ulo ko.

"I have to call my brothers," bulong niya. Agad akong tumango.

"I will do anything for you, Maru. I would even give up my life just for you, to be with you, and to hug you like this forever."

I bit my lip as I felt my tears on my cheeks. I can't stop crying. I can't stop the pain in my heart. I love him. I really do. I don't want to let go. I don't want to push him away from me.

Humiwalay siya sa pagkakayakap sa akin at hinalikan ang kamay ko.

"I'll be back. Wait for me. I'll bring that person to you."

Tumango ako at pinanood siyang umalis ng kuwarto. I just stood there, staring at the hallway, and crying. After a minute na nakatulala sa isang walang katao-taong pasilyo ay pinunasan ko ang luha ko. Lumunok ako at huminga ng malalim. Inayos ko ang itsura ko, ang buhok ko, at ang damit na suot-suot ko. Walang nega ngayon. Walang mag-iisip ng masama. Walang mag-iisip ng kung ano-ano.

Let's be optimistic. Let's think of positive things.

Thinking negative things and overthinking will not help me. Raiden will find the curse breaker. He will bring that person here. That person, whoever he or she is, will help me. I'll break free from Lilith's chains. I will be free.

I will.

***

Days. I never seen them for days. Three days ago was the last time I saw Lauren, her husband, Raiden and his brothers. I'm still here in their place, their house. They gave me everything that I need. Alagang-alaga ako rito ng mga katulong nila sa bahay. They made sure I ate on time. Siniguro rin nilang hindi ako mababagot sa loob ng bahay. They would let me explore the house and even outside. Bantay sarado rin ako kahit saan ako magpunta. I don't know kung bilin ba ito ni Rai o ang bilin nila eh kapag wala na ako sa tamang pag-iisip ay may go signal si Lauren na patayin ako on the spot.

Patagal rin ng patagal ang paghihintay ko. Mas lalo akong natatakot at kinakabahan. What if hindi nila makita 'yong curse breaker? What if ito na talaga ang katapusan ko? Paano kung hanggang dito na lang pala talaga?

Magiging positive pa rin ba ako sa bagay na 'to? Tanggapin ko na lang? Susuko na ba ako? I tried but I'm getting more anxious.

I'm sitting on a small chair near the window when I felt someone is looking at me. Lumingon ako sa puwesto na 'yon kung saan ko nararamdaman ang matinding pagtitig nito sa likod ko.