Kabanata 11
"BABY..." RAI WHISPERED as he dried my tears.
Napapikit ako nang mariin at suminghap, bago ko hinawakan ang kamay niya sa aking pisngi.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
I shook my head, pulled away from his hand, and discreetly wiped my tears.
"Nothing," I muttered, suddenly aware of how weak I must look in front of him.
I quickly stood from the bench, but Rai immediately rose as well, catching my elbow and holding it gently.
"Sera..."
"Ayos lang talaga ako." I forced a small smile. "S-Sumasakit lang ang mga mata ko."
Seryoso siyang tumitig, binabasa ang ekspresyon ko. This time, no matter how much I pretended, I knew he didn't believe me.
He held my arm again. I tried to pull away, but he caught me easily.
"Serafine," he called firmly.
"Ayos nga lang ako, Rai," I said calmly, even though inside I wanted nothing more than to embrace him.
"Sera! Baka p'wede nating pakiusapan—"
Someone spoke. I turned to the direction where the voice came from and saw Marco approaching—mukhang kalalabas lang niya galing sa opisina. He froze, biglang bumagal ang hakbang nang matanto sino ang kasama ko.
"Engineer Miranda?" Marco called.
"Mr. Flores," Rai acknowledged him, his tone stiff.
Marco looked at me again, his gaze lingering on Rai's hand gripping my arm. Lumayo ako.
"Sera, may dahilan naman kung bakit na-late ka, 'di ba? Pakiusapan na lang natin—"
"You were late?" Rai asked and glanced at me with a question.
I stepped back, but he immediately caught my waist and pulled me close.
"Yes, Engineer. Nakiusap si Sera sa HR kaso—"
"Marco," I warned. "Huwag na."
"Sera..." Rai's voice softened.
"Rai, I swear, ayos lang nga ako—"
"Serafine..." Kalmado pa rin ang boses niya, pero may diin na. I could already see the growing irritation in his eyes. "What the hell happened?"
I sighed. Marco's confused gaze lingered on me, but he said nothing.
"I... was just late," I said.
"And you didn't make it to the interview?" Rai's forehead creased.
"Yes..."
He closed his eyes and nodded, then glanced at the HR woman, who was now watching us with a bewildered expression. He released me and walked toward her, his expression serious. Nag-panic ako at nagmamadaling sumunod sa kanya.
"Rai!" I called.
He didn't look back, his stride determined. I quickened my pace, grabbing his wrist.
"Ephraim!" I exclaimed.
He stopped. I stepped closer, tugging his hand until he turned to face me.
"What?" Tunog iritado na ang boses niya.
"Let's go," I said firmly.
"I'm gonna talk—"
"No..." Umiling ako.
BINABASA MO ANG
Dancing With Fire (TO BE PUBLISHED)
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