Alluring The Fire [Under Revision]

IKA-APATNAPUNG KABANATA

IKA-APATNAPUNG KABANATA

I dedicated this chapter to @Chikinitzy Hahaha tulad ng pinangako ko! Thank you so much sa pagbabasa ng story na 'to. Sana magustuhan mo at n'yo. Hehehe. 💕

From: Ate Xan

Where are you, Lorenzo? Pls answer your phone or atleast reply to my messages. Nag-aalala na kami sayo.

Napabuga ng hangin si Lorenzo. Pabalang nitong ibinaba ang phone sa bedside table at saka ibinagsak ang sarili sa malambot na kama. He found a hotel an hour drive away from their house. He badly wanted to drive home, but he wasn't sure if he could do it especially he was feeling tired. He hated his life, but he wasn't suicidal yet to drive his car, despite of uncertainty. Nakatulog naman siya nang mahaba haba kanina, ngunit gano'n siguro talaga. When you're emotionally exhausted, your body tends to demand a share.

"I'm so fucking tired." Lorenzo muttered as he heard his phone rang again. His body was too exhausted to even get up from lying down on the bed. Isa pa, wala naman talaga siyang plano na kausapin muna ang kapatid. He doesn't even consider the notion of disclosing his location right now. Ilang minutong nagpalipat lipat ng puwesto si Lorenzo at kahit sa kabila ng pagod na nararamdaman, tila buhay na buhay pa rin ang diwa niya. Gusto man niyang iwaksi ang mga naglalarong imahe sa isipan, 'di niya magawang kalimutan ang mga nangyari kanina. He lifted his fist and looked at it. He was so enraged earlier and he wasn't able to refrain himself from punching his dad. That was the first time he did it; he doesn't know how to feel about it. Should I be guilty, or should I feel proud that at last I got my freedom on that aspect?

Napatihaya siya at napabaling sa direksyon ng phone niyang walang tigil sa pagtunog. He was wondering when the goddamn thing will stop from ringing. Napahinga siya nang tumigil ito, ngunit wala pa man ilang segundo ang nakakalipas ay muling tumunog ito. Lorenzo cursed under his breath before slightly lifting himself up to reach for his phone. He was about to turn it off when he saw Cassandra's name flashing on the screen. He hastily clicked the answering button.

"Lorenzo!" Masayang bati ng dalaga sa kaniya. Lorenzo doesn't have any idea how the young lady did it, but in an instant, upon hearing her voice, he felt that it lighten up the dark atmosphere he was feeling. Katulad kanina, rinig na rinig pa rin niya ang malalakas na ingay na 'yon sa background, ngunit tila mas malakas ngayon. "Lorenzo, Merry Christmas!" And Cassandra giggled. Napakunot ng ulo ang alkalde nang marinig ang pagsasalita ng dalaga.

"Are you drunk?" He queried and Cassandra giggled again.

"Saan 'yung Merry Christmas ko muna?" The young lady jested. Walang ibang nagawa si Lorenzo kundi ang mapabuntong hininga.

"Merry Christmas. Now, answer my question, young lady."

"Hindi ah! 'Di ako---" Hindi na natapos ng dalaga ang sinasabi nito at muling napahagikgik. "Ano ba, h'wag kayong makulit!" Natatawang suway nito sa mga kausap niya. Hindi maiwasang mairita ni Lorenzo dahil sa tono ng tawa ni Cassandra.

"Who is that?" He queried, annoyed.

"Hello, Lorenzo?" Muling tawag ni dalaga. "Nandiyan ka pa ba?"

"Yes, I'm still here. What's happening there?"

"Ito kasing mga 'to, tinutulak tulak ako eh." Wika ng dalaga at saka muling tumawa. "Ang kulit n'yo!"