Stonehearts 8: Peridot

Ten

Running is slowly becoming my thing. And it's annoying because I freaking hate cardio, but if it means getting away from Kiel Loyzaga then I'm willing to sprint uphill if that's what it takes.

After he chased away the foreign dude, claiming I'm his wife AGAIN, then he kissed me AGAIN, and said those words I'm not going to repeat because it does weird things to me, I kicked him in the shin and ran away. Freaking ran like batshit crazy away from him.

Wala nga akong direksyon, eh. Umabot ako hanggang sa harap ng grotto ni Mama Mary. Tamang-tama dahil kailangan kong magdasal. Humingi ng lakas ng loob at resistensya laban sa mga lalaking katulad ni Kiel.

He's goddamn sin in an angel's suit. Whenever he's near me, there's this strong magnetic pull I can't ignore. Parang konting-konti na lang, oo na ako sa lahat ng sinasabi niya.

Binagsak ko ang sarili ko sa kama. Nag-sisisi kung bakit ako nag-impromptu marathon kanina. My body feels like jelly. Nangangatog ang kalamnan ko at tuyong-tuyo ang pakiramdam ng lalamunan ko kahit inisang lagok ko lang ang kalahating litro ng tubig kaninang pagkabalik ko sa kuwarto ko.

And that's another reason why I should stay the hell away from him. Because until now, I didn't even think it was possible to consume that much water in one go without pausing to breathe.

I groaned and turned to lay flat on my stomach. Is there some way to know if someone put a voodoo spell on you? Gayuma ba? Baka kailangan kong pumunta ng Quiapo pagkabalik ng Maynila para matanong ang mga matatanda roon. Wait, is it possible to bewitch someone with a kiss? Sa laway? God, that's disgusting.

I sighed. Clearly, my head is not on the right track. Kung anu-ano ng naiisip ko. Muli akong umikot para tumihaya. I stared blankly at the mini-chandelier on the ceiling.

What do I have to lose if I ever give in anyway?

"Your sanity." I answered immediately. "See, you're slowly slipping away from saneness." I added.

Napahalinghing ako muli saka bumangon. I think, I need to shower. The bathroom is a good place to contemplate on deep things.

I started removing my jewelries when a knock on the door resonated through my quiet room. My fingers stopped unhooking my loop earrings as I stared dead on my door.

Again, a knock vibrated through it. But it was harsher followed by a slightly muffled voice but enough to let me know who's on the other side.

"You got your space. Now, open the goddamn door or I'm breaking it on its hinges."

Bolts of electricity coursed through my spine making me shiver. My fingers started to tremble, my heart frantic on its beating. I was frozen on my feet, stupidly boring a hole on my wooden door.

"Five." He shouted. I wonder if there are guests peeking to see who's making all the fuss on the hallway.

"Four." He continued.

Then it was as if I was out of the trance his sudden appearance brought me. I shook my head quickly, my brows furrowing. He's counting down. Counting down before he break the door?

"Three." His voice, dipping low and threatening. Would he really break my door? Hindi naman sa kanya. And I know he knows the trouble he'll be in once he does it. Kaya sa tingin ko hindi niya gagawin.

"Two." But then again, this is Kiel. At wala siyang pakialam kung ma-stress man ang mga tao sa paligid niya makuha niya lang ang gusto niya.

"One." He finished the same time I swing my door open. And he's there, all six foot and three inches. He has both of his hands on the door frame, his stance ready to kick the door down.