Rescue Me, Stranger

Chapter 4: Resurface

Chapter 4

Resurface

MECY

“Are you still going to work after beating up those thugs?” I asked. Law has been quiet since he grabbed the wheel so I decided to break the silence. He’s so quiet that it scares me. Napakaseryoso pa ng mukha niya. Hindi ako sanay.

Napatingin ako sa kamay niya na hanggang ngayon ay may bahid pa ng dugo. Nagsisimula na ring mamaga dahil sa dami ng suntok na binigay niya sa kanila. Those hands protected me. I couldn’t be more grateful.

I wanted to tell him to wipe the blood off his hand first before he drives but I was so nervous to do so. The blood from his hand is all over the wheel.

“Should I stay at home?” he asked back without looking at me.

“Of course. You can go to work tomorrow,” I said energetically, trying to lift up his mood. “And because I’m grateful, I will cook something for you.”

“Mecy.” Napatingin ako sa kanya. Seryoso ang pagkakasabi niya ng pangalan ko kaya kinabahan ako. Tumingin siya sa’kin at huminga nang malalim, “Can you even cook?”

Shoot.

Pinilit kong ngumiti at umiwas ng tingin, “Right. I guess, you should do the cooking.”

Shame is eating me now that I brazenly told him I’ll cook something for him. I must be out of my mind. I can’t even cook porridge.

“I’ll do the cooking, you do the eating,” nakangiting biro niya. Mukhang gumanda na ang mood niya dahil nagawa na niyang magbiro. Napangiti na lang ako habang nakatingin sa labas. Nang tawagin niya ang pangalan ko ay muli akong napalingon sa direksyon niya. Tinanong niya ako habang diretso lang siyang nakatingin sa daan, “Did I scare you earlier?”

“A little,” I answered honestly. “You seemed like a different person back then.”

Tumango lang siya at hindi na sumagot. Hindi ko inaasahan na ganoon ang magiging reaksyon niya nang itutok ni Seagull ang kutsilyo sa leeg ko. He was about to kill the man. He could’ve killed him. I didn’t know he’s also a good fighter. Kung hindi ko siya kilala at nakita ko siyang nakikipaglaban nang ganoon, iisipin kong gangster siya.

Malapit na rin kami sa Osung Apartment pero mukhang mas matatagalan kami dahil sumikip ang traffic. Dahil muling nagkaroon ng nakakabinging katahimikan sa pagitan namin, in-on ko ang vehicle audio. Napangiti ako nang The Man Who Can’t Be Moved ng The Script ang nagp-play.

While I sang along the songs on the radio, I didn’t realize we arrived at his apartment. The building is a lot taller than mine. Osung Apartment is some kind of luxury as they say. From the way it looks outside, I can agree that this apartment is the most beautiful and expensive one in Mira Town. While mine is the cheapest one.

“Here’s my key,” sabi ni Law at inabot sa’kin ang susi ng apartment niya pagbaba namin ng sasakyan.

Kinuha niya ang maleta ko mula sa compartment. Habang hinihintay siya, tinignan ko sa susi kung anong number ng apartment niya. 806. Buti na lang, may elevator ang Osung Apartment. Hindi mabigat ang maleta ko pero kung hagdan ang gagamitin patungo sa eighth floor, siguradong mapapagod siya.

I was the one who opened the door and entered first. His apartment is squeaky clean. The first thing I noticed was his bookshelf. It should not be surprising that he owns a lot of book since he’s a lawyer but I can’t help myself but to be amazed.