Behind Curtains (ONGOING)

Kabanata 20

Kabanata 20

Calm

We ended up sharing most meals in the incoming days, and talking more... which almost always circles back to my college re-admission.

"Sigurado ka bang okay lang?" I asked one dinnertime, biglang naasiwa sa kaisipang hindi ako 'yong nag-asikaso ng mga kakailanganin para sa sariling enrolment.

Tapos ngayon, I am already being informed that I will be back on being a University student by next week. Agad-agad!

"Not a problem," aniya, busy with slicing his ribeye. "Gerry has nothing much going on nowadays, anyway. He might as well run any errand."

Isa rin 'yan. The somehow public knowledge of this agreement, no matter how minimal it actually was, makes me feel a bit paranoid. I had to reread my work contract with the Floirendo's, and run through few possible loopholes that might serve my ass, just so I could sleep well at night.

Although the idea of having a househelp's education funded by her employer shouldn't feel forbidden, one just cannot be too sure with a household that is finicky down to its lowest level of employees. And looks like I've mulled over the anxiousness too much again this time.

Dahil nakalimutan ko nanaman yatang huminga nang biglang inilapit ni Sir Killian ang kanyang mukha sa akin.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

My eyes widened when he seemed to be moving closer.

"O-Oo..." sabi ko at ibababa na sana ang tingin. Ngunit nahuli na niya ang aking mukha at hinarap muli ako sa kanya. I did not know my eyes could get any wider until he placed his warm palm on my forehead.

Sir Killian's brows furrowed. Hindi ko naman maitanggi ang pag-iinit ng mga pisngi sa simpleng galaw niyang 'yon.

"You really don't look well, Layla," he declared in a low voice, nakasimangot na matapos pakawalan ang aking noo.

"I'm fine," I answered, clearing my throat. "Napagod lang."

"Then..." he muttered to himself, na siyang narinig ko naman. "Maybe you shouldn't wake up in the middle of the night just to switch rooms..."

Natigilan ako roon. A bit shocked, I stared blankly at him. Tumitig naman siya pabalik, leaning on his seat. But unlike mine, this man's stares were demanding, and I cannot help but feel confused. Nilapit ko ang sarili sa mesa, and set my utensils down to focus on him.

"Sorry," nalilito kong pinilig ang aking ulo. "I think I heard you wrong..."

Bahagya itong umiling at kusang tinuwid ang sariling upo. We were both looking at each other seriously. His lips parted a bit, kaya dumako ang tingin ko roon. But when they closed again ay bumalik din ang tingin ko sa kanyang mga mata.

For some reason, we both preferred it a bit dim on the dinner table. Kaya't ang panay tanging naka-bukas na ilaw lang ay 'yong i-ilang cove lights niya. At first, I thought I should be thankful for the semidarkness, because maybe, just maybe, he'd feel a little less intimidating, then. But the foolishness was shortlived.

The partial absence of light only added to his appeal. It also did not help that, amidst the darkness, his deep-set, menacing eyes still liked staring too much. Daring, calculating and overpowering. God knows the tremendous effort I had to put in, so I could talk to him freely without biting my own tongue.

"Are you suggesting... I should sleep in your room?" I tried to clarify, but the man did not look like he was going to give me a verbal response, kaya napanguso nalang ako at binagsak muli ang tingin sa kinakain.