Healed in his arms (De Alleje 1)

12

ASG

“Catherine!”

I had a feeling na susundan niya ako. And I'm right, he really did.

Naudlot ang katuwaan namin nang mag-buzz na, kaya nagsipagbuwagan agad kami. Mag-isa lang akong naglalakad ngayon papunta sa klase ko since hindi ko nga classmate si Coreen sa susunod na subject.

Hindi ko nilingon si Ezekiel sa halip ay mas lalo ko pang binilisan ang paglakad.

“I know you're not deaf Catherine, so stop acting like!”

Damn! I cursed inward. He's so persistent that it makes hard for me to just ignore him. Napapikit na lang ako. Half of me wants to hop on him and hug him tight. While the other half wants to pull away from him. And I don't know which half will I heed.

“Hey!”

Oh great! He swiftly grabbed one of my arm. So now, matalim ko siyang tiningnan. Mukha siyang kulang sa tulog. His weary eyes oozes loneliness. The latest piteous version of Ezekiel De Alleje—not good in sight.

Pakiramdam ko may tumubong bukol sa aking lalamunan. And I'm holding back the urge to hug him right now. Something in him could vanish my rage away, I guess. Pero sinikap kong itago apeksyon ko sa kanya.

“Don't ever think about it… Ezekiel,” I warned gritting my teeth. Mapuwersa kong binawi ang braso ko mula sa kanya. He was stunned by the moment. Eyes grew wider. Like I made an impossible thing to him. Apparently yes, I made.

Noon kasi kapag sinusuyu niya ako tuwing nag-aaway kami o kung hindi ko siya pinapansin, bumibigay agad ako. This is the very first time that I didn't give in to him. Cause everything has changed. Perhaps will never be the same again.

Bigla siyang pumikit at napalunok. Damn! Ganito ba talaga siya? Hindi naapektuhan ng kung anumang nararamdam niya ang kanyang kagwapuhan! Sad or happy, rain or shine he's still dazzlingly handsome. He could be illegal, I guess. Probably because of that dashing looks he have all over him. Bulag lang ang hindi maaakit sa kanya. Dumilat siya at malamlam akong tinitigan.

I doubted kung may mas lalamlam pa ba sa kanyang mga titig. “Catherine it's true.”

“How could you?” angil ko. Sana lang hindi ako maiyak. I gathered all my strength, “it's a betrayal!”

“Cath I didn't mean to betray my broth—”

“You betrayed me! How could you?” I burst into tears right away. “You made me believed that we're best friends Ezekiel!”

Hindi ko na kayang kimkimin ang nagwawalang damdamin ko. Sobra na…

“Cath I'm sorry… I was just so scared na layuan mo ako pag nalaman mo ang totoo. I held onto our friendship just to keep you . I’m so obsessed, wala na akong ibang maisip na paraan para…  makapiling kita, ’yun lang.”

“My God Ezekiel! Are you gone mad?” I scorned though still crying.

Be strong Cath.

“I am betrothed to your brother for pete sakes! Sana pinigilan mo 'yung feelings mo! Sana sinubukan m—”

“What do you think Catherine? Hindi ko sinubukan? Hindi ko pinigilan?” sumbat niya. Bahagyang umangat ang kanyang bagang. “Heaven knows Cath! Sinubukan kong ibaling ang nararamdaman ko sa iba! I hopped from girl to another girl countless times para lang makalimutan kita… but I failed,” bigla siyang nanlambot. “Mas lalo akong nahihibang sa'yo tuwing nagloloko ako sa mga babae. God, you're irreplaceable Catherine. And I’m dying each day apart from you.”