Until When?

Kabanata XXIV

Jake...

[Insert The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - You Guardian Angel]

Pakiramdam ko ay huminto ang paligid nang mga oras na iyon. Parang kami lang ni Jake ang tao kaya hindi ko na alintana ang iba pang nangyayari sa paligid.

"Huwag ka nang matakot, nandito na ako," sinabi niya iyon nang may malalim na boses, hindi nakatingin sa akin.

Seryoso siyang nakatingin nang diretso sa daan habang ako naman ay nakatitig lang sa kaniya. Nakapulupot ang kamay ko sa batok niya habang buhat buhat niya ako nang pa bridal style.

Hindi ko na pansin ang paligid dahil parang napako na ang paningin ko sa kaniya. He looks like a soldier or a knight who's willing to do everything for his queen.

I know in myself that I've been waiting for this moment, to be saved by someone. To be saved by my man, but I don't have one.

When I was young, I used to believe in fairy tales because that's what Disney taught me. I used to dream that one day, I will have my own prince charming. Someone who seems to be a perfect lover or boyfriend, because he is attractive, kind, and considerate. But now I realized that I don't need a perfect lover and attractive prince charming. I want someone who's kind and brave, and likely to rescue you from a difficult situation.

In short, I don't want a prince charming because I need my knight in shining armor.

Because prince charming is likely a boy, and a knight in shining armor is a man.

Habang naglalakad si Jake at buhat ako, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang hindi siya tignan. Parang ang layo layo ng nilalakad niya dahil kanina pa kami sa ganitong posisyon. Pero deep inside ay parang ayoko nang matapos ito.

Am I just dreaming or is it real? If it's a dream, please don't wake me up.

I suddenly feel dizziness and pain in my right cheek. Ramdam ko pa rin ang malakas na tulo ng dugo mula rito.

But the fact that he's now carrying me makes me feel comfortable and happy. I feel so safe in his arms.

Ilang saglit lang ay hindi ko na kinaya kaya naman hinayaan ko na ang mata ko na pumikit.

---

"Naniniwala ba kayo do'n sa sinabi nung Jake na 'yon?" umalingawngaw ang boses na iyon ni kuya.

"Malay mo naman? Wala pa rin tayong alam sa kung ano'ng totoo," boses naman iyon ni mama.

"Pero ma! Malay mo naman---"