NINETEEN: Know Thy Enemy
Evangelyn's Point of View
Maru went back inside and I followed him. I closed the door behind me. Marahas siyang umupo sa wooden chair at bumuga ng hangin. Something was bothering him lately and hindi niya iyon sinasabi sa akin. I wanted to know what it was about.
Ilang beses ko na siyang pinilit na sabihin iyon sa akin, but he just wouldn't open up to me. And I would not give up on him the way the other girls did.
I sat on the chair across from him. Nakatakip ang dalawa niyang kamay sa kanyang mukha. "Hey, Maru," tawag ko sa pangalan niya. He didn't bother looking up. "Maru, look at me." I tried again.
"This... everything is falling apart and I can't do anything about it," his voice was shaking. He's about to cry.
Umupo ako sa tabi niya. I placed my hand on his back and gently brushed it. "Magiging maayos din ang lahat. You're doing your best, babe," sabi ko sa pinakamalambing na tono.
Noon siya bumaling sa akin. His eyes were red, his cheeks wet. Maru looked vulnerable right now, fragile. "T-thank you, babe."
Pinatong ko ang ulo ko sa balikat niya at ipinulupot ang dalawa kong kamay sa katawan niya. "I'm always here, just know that."
After a few seconds, umayos ako ng upo. I touched his cheek. Saglit niya iyong tiningnan at nagtaas ng tingin. He was looking into my eyes. I could feel his heat from my place. Tinawid ko ang distansya ng mga mukha namin. I knew he wouldn't do it, so I would.
I kissed him hard. Naramdaman kong bumaba ang kamay niya sa likod ko. I groaned, placing my hand on his nape. Napahigpit ang hawak ko roon nang bigla siyang tumayo at kargahin ako. The cold wall against my skin, he trailed kisses down my neck. Nagpakawala ako ng isa pang ungol. I didn't care who would hear us. I just wanted him... right now.
"M-Maru..." nanginginig ang boses na sabi ko.
I could feel myself starting to get wet down there. Bumalik ang labi niya sa labi ko. I firmly closed my eyes, feeling his growing bulge brush against in between my thighs.
Lumipat ang mga kamay ko sa kanyang pisngi at bahagya iyong itinulak. Ang magkabila niyang pisngi ay namumula pati rin ang kanyang labi. I smiled at him, as flirtily as I could. Saglit niyang pinasadahan ng tingin ang mukha ko bago ako muling hinalikan.
"I-ibaba mo ako..." utos ko sa kanya. And he did as I say. Matangkad si Maru kaysa sa akin kaya hanggang balikat niya lang ako. I gently pushed him to the wall and kissed him again. His hands went down to my lower back and pulled me hard to him. I could feel his every muscle tightening and hard against me.
I was about to unbuckle his belt when he grabbed my hand. I tilted my head to look at him. Nakahawak ang kamay niya sa kanyang sentido.
"I-I'm sorry, Evangelyn. I... I can't do this right now," he said.
Parang may patalim na bumaon sa dibdib ko. Nanatili akong nakatayo roon. He walked past me. Pero bago ko pa mapigil ang sarili ko, I said, "Is it because of Blair?"
I am not a fool. I heard what he said to her earlier. Kaninang umaga, nagpanggap ako na kakagising ko lang. I was hurt and still hurting. Gusto ko siyang tanungin kung bakit niya ito ginagawa sa akin. He was with me... pero ibang babae ang nasa isip niya.
Pumihit ako paharap. Nakahawak ang isa niyang kamay sa door knob. He sighed. "It's not about her." And with that, he went outside without looking back.
I felt tears starting to crawl down my cheeks. "Liar," I said through gritted teeth.
It's always about Blair...
Kinuha ko ang plato na nasa mesa at hinagis iyon. Tears blurred my vision. Bumagsak ako sa sahig. "Fuck you, Blair... w-what is it about you..." I shouted.
Narinig kong bumukas ang pinto. Nagtaas ako ng tingin at nakitang si Kal iyon. I expected Maru but I was wrong. Mabilis siyang lumapit sa puwesto ko.
"Everything okay?" he asked, scanning the place.
"Of course not," asik ko. Kal put his hand on my shoulder. Marahas ko iyong inalis. "Don't touch me."
Tumayo ako at lumabas ng silid. Dumeretso ako sa loob ng building at tumaas sa second floor. Si Margaret ang unang lumapit sa akin. She knew more than to ask if I was okay. Alam kong alam niya ang isasagot ko roon. Iginiya niya ako sa kama niya at pinaupo roon. Margaret had been my friend since I got here. But that doesn't mean I trust her. I don't trust anyone but myself. Iyon ang bagay na magpapanatili sa akin dito. I needed to survive. And if what it would take was to leave people behind, I would do that. Over and over again.
"I'm fine," pagsisinungaling ko. It came out more like in an angry tone.
"Ah," nakangiting sabi ni Margaret. "Kukuhanan kita ng pagkain."
Margaret stood up and went out of her room.
Napatingin ako sa bintana ng silid.
Ang ginawa ko kay Blair at sa best friend niyang si Celaena, they both deserved that. Or atleast, Celaena did. Masyadong nagpaka-hero ang babaeng iyon. We were about to be killed and I did the only thing that would make me survive—leave them behind.
Kung hinihintay niya ang sorry ko, she wouldn't ever hear it from me. Never.
And I found myself hoping that Eyrene wouldn't be able to find this place.
BINABASA MO ANG
Glory and Gore (Completed)
Mystery / ThrillerIN THE GAME OF DEATH, THERE ARE ONLY TWO OPTIONS: YOU EITHER KILL OR GET KILLED. In Year 2029, the Earth's population increased ceaselessly. That was when the creators of humankind came down to Earth to wipe out the entire human race to start anew...
