Restraining Dawn

XIX

Chapter 19

- Cold as You -

"Don't tell me you're gonna wear that?!" Napatakip siya sa kanyang tenga sa sigaw ni Colin sa kanya.

Nasa kwarto sila at namimili ng dadalhin niya para bukas. Mabuti at pumayag kaagad si Genesis na pumunta sa dagat. Gusto niya sanang sabihin kung bakit pero napagdesisyunan niyang huwag na lang. Wala rin namang ibang nagtanong kaya hindi na siya nag-abala.

Hawak hawak niya ang isang itim na sports bra at isang biker shorts. Iyon lang ang angkop na nakita niyang isusuot dahil wala silang biniling ibang bikini noong huli. Hindi rin nila alam na maliligo sila.

"What are you? A 13 year old teenage girl?" She snidely remarked with a hint of disfavor. Natawa siya sa toni nito, kung hindi niya lang kilala ang babae ay pagkakamalan na niya itong taga-ibang bansa. Tunog British kasi ang pananalita nito sa Ingles. Taga ibang mundo, hindi bansa.

Napailing siya sa sariling biro. Inirapan siya nito at tinalikuran na siyang ikinangisi niya. Pagkalabas nito sa kanyang silid ay napabunto g hininga siya ng tuluyan.

THE WIND'S UNUSUALLY WARM, IT'S ALREADY 5 PM. Madalas ay malamig na ang simoy ng hangin kapag ganoon. Nag-iba nga lang ngayong araw.

"Eris! Come on, stop ignoring me! Let's talk!" Sigaw niya dito at hinabol ang nagmamadaling umalis na lalaki.

They've had enough time running away from their problem. Now, they need to face it as they should. She can't waste time, especially since the happenings nowadays are truly unpredictable. She can't go back to her world without solving this with Eris.

"Leave me alone, Ariel! I can't talk with you right now, okay?" Nabigla siya sa sigaw nito. Humarap ito sa kanya kapagkuwan ay sumigaw. Gustong gusto nang tumulo ng luho niya ngunit isinantabi niya ang inis sa akto nito.

"What?! Is it so hard to listen to me and talk to me?!" Bulyaw niya pabalik.

Kinuyom niya ang mga kamay upang maiwasan ang pagiging emosyonal. Kitang kita niya ang sakit sa mga mata nito. Ngunit hindi niya alam kung para saan.

"No..." His voice softened and he looked troubled. It almost broke her heart to talk to him now. He looked forlorn and just wanted to give up.

"Please let's talk" mahinahon niya nang pakiusap.

"I'm sorry..." After saying that, he turned his back on her. Leaving her as she watches his back slowly making its way to the forest.

Sa wakas ay pinakawalan na niya ang luha at hagulgol. She can't believe what just happened. How he shouted and turned her down. Ariel can't believe that their friendship will be put to waste. She didn't even tell him what she felt about his sudden confession. She's confused, but she wants to take time to know what she truly feels for the man.

"Hey" Agad siyang napaayos dahil doon.

"No, don't you dare hide your crying face to me." He warned her. She felt his presence neared as she wiped her tear-stained face with the back of her palm.

"I hate to tell you this but you can tell me" Umirap pa ito at naupo sa isang nahulog na sanga ng isang puno sa tabi. Nagdadalawang isip pa siya kapagkuwan ay dahan dahang umusod at nakiupo sa tapat nito.

The low grass gave her the comfort as she sat. The dew from the morning were now gone as the light from the sky gave enough heat for it to evaporate. Ang mahaba niyang bestida ay bahagyang nadumihan sa kanyang pagtakbo sa medyo maputik na daan kanina. She hugged her knees as she looked at him. Contemplating whether to tell him or not.