Chess Pieces #2: Hunter Sanford

Chapter 52

I pushed the doorbell and waited for the door to open. I took a deep breath so I could calm myself. I don't know why am I feeling so nervous. Maybe because I am afraid that Hunter is not here and I might get disappointed.

I wonder how is he? I bet he's so hurt right now. Gustong gusto ko na talaga syang makita at yakapin para maiparamdam na hindi sya nag iisa.

Everyone will be hurt if they lost a family member. It hurts if someone left us in this world... Permanently.

But this is too much for Hunter since Gray is the only family he had left. Pero maging si Gray ay iniwan din sya. Hunter is the only one left in their family.

But he's not alone. I'm still here. And I'll do everything to comfort him.

I inhaled a sharp breath when I heard someone unlocking the door. My heart began to beat so fast while waiting for the door to open. And when it did, saka ko lang pinakawalan ang hangin sa baga ko.

Standing in front of me is the love of my life. But he's so different from the Hunter who was chasing me before. He always looked so proud back then. But now... This Hunter in front of me looked so... Wretched.

Dark circles formed under his eyes. There were also some stubble that I saw on his chin and jaw like he haven't shaved from the last time that we've met, wearing only a white shirt and a cotton shorts. Pumayat din sya. And his eyes looked so empty.

I tried so hard not to cry in front of him. I need to be strong now that he's weak. I must provide him the strength that he needs.

"Hi." I greeted and gave him a small smile. Hindi nagbago ang expression sa mukha nya habang nakatingin sa akin.

"What are you doing here?" he asked coldly. Hindi ko ipinahalata na nasaktan ako sa naging trato nya sa akin.

My smile remained on my face. "Hinahanap kita, Hunter. You're not answering my calls. I'm worried about you."

"I'm okay. Umuwi ka na." malamig nyang sabi at akmang isasara pa ang pinto pero pinigilan ko.

"Won't you offer me a cup of coffee?" I asked. My smile wavered when he give me a cold glare.

"Umuwi ka na, Artemis. I don't need you here."

Well, that hurts! I'm not used to him treating me like this, like a nuisance. He always treats me as a very important person. Palagi pa nga syang nakasunod sa akin noon dahil ayaw nyang mawala ako sa paningin nya.

But I still tried to comprehend what's happening to him. He's hurt. He's mourning. And base on what I am seeing, he doesn't care about his health and what would happen to him.

He will try to push me away. He will make me feel like a bother but I won't give up on him.

"Come on, Hunter. I am tired. Just let me rest inside for a minute, please?"

He stared at me. Kahit na malamig ang mga titig nya ay alam kong nandoon pa rin ang pag aalala nya. I know that he still loves me. Natatakluban lang iyon dahil sa sakit na nararamdaman nya.

He sighed. "Just go away, Artemis." sabi nya at pinigilan ko na ang mapaluha. It really hurts!

"Don't be like this, Hunter. I came here for you. I want to be with you."

"Hindi ko kailangan ng kasama."

"I know. But please, just let me be with you. Promise, hindi ako mag iingay. I won't even talk to you! Hayaan mo lang akong makasama ka."

I saw his jaw clenched and his eyes screams of danger. Mukhang nakulitan sya sa akin pero sinalubong ko ang tingin nya. I won't give up. He's hurting so I should be here beside him.