Caught Up In Lucifer's Eyes

Kabanata 12

Ice Cream

A warm, steamy bath calmed my nerves completely. Ang init na nanunuot sa aking balat ay nakakakalma. My body was soaked on a bathtub and the thick bubbles of the soap covered me.

It's funny to think that soon, this body will be numb of every pain it could ever experience. Hindi ba't kapag laging nararamdaman, nasasanay na rin tayo?

I'm developing trust issues. I should distance myself now. Hindi ka pa rin kasi natututo, Helena, kaya paulit-ulit na nangyayari sayo. If this is the Almighty's punishment, I could say that he was doing it too hard on me.

Hindi rin nagtagal at umahon na ako sa bathtub na iyon. I covered my body in a bathrobe and clothed it with proper clothes. Pyjamas and oversized shirt seem to be comfortable.

Tulala akong nakatitig sa mangkok ng umuusok na lugaw. I'm very hungry. Kung susumahin, buong araw akong walang kain at walang tubig.

Hinipan ni Lucius ang lugaw na iyon. His eyes were softer now, hindi na kasing galit noong nakita niya si Marco. His stares are as if checking me if I'm still sane and at my right mind.

"Kumain ka na,"

Inilapit niya ang mangkok sa akin. I sighed. He's on it again. His overwhelming kindness.

I lifted the metal spoon. The warmth of the thick soup comforted my senses. Feeling ko pati lugaw, nakikidalamhati sa akin. Naiiyak ko iyong tinignan. What? Why am I so moody?

Ipinagpatuloy ko ang pagkain. Tumutulo ang mga luha ko. Lucius was staring at me while I eat.

"Don't watch me," I warned him.

"Why are you crying?"

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Nothing. Masarap lang talaga itong lugaw."

"I've never seen a human cry just because of eating porridge,"

"May ganon, Lucius. May mga pagkaing nakakaiyak dahil masarap."

He looked amused while I was eating. Hindi na siya nagtanong pa sakin ukol sa nangyari. I guess he knows that I don't want to talk about it. It bring bad memories.

Kumain ako nang tahimik kaming dalawa at walang nagsasalita. I admire Lucius for not forcing me to speak. Alam kong kahit siya, maraming tanong sa pangyayari.

Pagkatapos kumain ay hinatid ako ni Lucius sa kwarto. It wasn't necessary, but I let him. Akmang papatayin na niya ang switch ng ilaw nang pinigilan ko ito.

"Wait... Can you please leave the lights on? Hindi yata ako makakatulog kung walang ilaw?"

Lucius nodded at me. Hinayaan niya ngang nakabukas ang ilaw gaya ng sinabi ko.

"I'm sorry, babayaran nalang kita sa karagdagan sa bayad ng kuryente,"

Lucius clenched his jaw.

"No need. I just want you to be comfortable at all costs. You can use anything here."

Hindi nalang ako sumagot. Pagod akong ngumiti sa kanya.

"Good night, Helena. "

Sinarado niya ang pinto at pinakawalan ko ang hiningang kanina pa pinipigil.

Behave yourself, Helena. Do not get swayed by a man's kindness. Masyado kang marupok.

Mabilisan akong nakatulog dahil na rin sa pagod. I slept heavily. Sa tulog lang naman napapayapa ang isipan ko.

Nagising ako ng ang sinag ng araw ang tumatama sa aking balat. Napabalikwas agad ako ng bangon. I was shocked when I saw it's already 7:50 in the clock! Alas-otso ang pasok ko.