Celeste: The Last Witch

Chapter 25: Who's Behind That Mask?

Nakaharap ako sa salamin. I could see myself change a lot. Facing my face on the mirror is a challenge. This is what my mother love about me, it was and always been my face. She would not let anyone touch it or pinch it except for her. She would always remind me to wash my face day and night. She would tell me that "You always remind me of the day that a little miracle was left on our doorstep."  Hindi ko man kahawig si mama sa tingin ng iba pero para sa aming dalawa ni mama, magkahawig kami.

We also have this bond, a string that tie us together that won't separate us. But unluckily, someone cut the string. The string that ties up together. Ngayong wala na si mama, the bond that we made still remains but now became a memory. Tumayo ako para kunin ang cloak na ginagamit ko sa tuwing tumatakas ako. Funny because mama made this cloak for me at ngayong wala na siya ay saka ko pa gagamitin ito ng hindi tumatakas. This cloak is my only heirloom from her and I will keep it forever.

It's almost sunset. Kailangan kong makapunta sa gubat bago tuluyang magdilim. Hindi ko kilala ang nagpadala ng sulat. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit niya ako pinapunta. Ang tanging alam ko lang ay may importante siyang sasabihin sa akin.

"Mag-iingat ka, Celeste." Saad ni Clint. Tumango ako sa kaniya at ngumiti. "Mag-iingat din kayo habang wala ako."

Wala akong dala na kahit ano maliban sa suot ko. Sinuot ko ang hood ng Cloak. Sinisigurado kong walang nakasunod sa akin. Wala na masyadong tao kaya binilisan ko ang lakad ko.

"Shit." I cursed underneath my breath nang mabundol ako sa isang lalaki. Mabilis na lumayo ako sa kaniya. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ko siya at ganon din siya nang makita ako.

"Kael?" Tinakpan niya ang bibig ko at tinulak ako papunta sa isang madilim na sulok. What the freak? Bakit niya ako dinala dito? 

"Anong gagawin mo? Umalis ka nga. May pupuntahan pa--" hindi ko natapos sasabihin ko nang takpan na naman niya ang bibig ko gamit ang kamay niya.

"Huwag kang maingay." Utos niya pero hindi nagpatalo ang pagiging katigasan ng ulo ko. Kinagat ko ang kamay niya that made him removed his hand on my mouth and winced in pain.

"Your hands taste--"

I was cut off when he kissed me. It wasn't just a smack kiss but a passionate one. I was shocked by his sudden move. Nagulat ako sa biglaang pangyayari. Pina-process pa ng utak ko ang nangyari. I know I am dumb that I let him kiss me. Hahayaan ko lang ba siya o Itutulak ko siya? My stupid dumb brain chose the latter. My lips parted that gave his tongue the freedom to explore the inside of my mouth but I wasn't responding to his kisses. His arms had a happy adventure on my body which gave me goosebumps. Hindi ako makagalaw ng maayos. I was just letting him do the job without responding to any of it.

I can't move and can't properly breathe. I was like stuck but being chased by something that made my heart beat rapidly. I could even smell his breath and feel his sweat. His lips is so soft that is manipulating and seducing me to kiss back. But instead, I did my best not too. Seems like he's enjoying it, I could sense it. I snap out of thought as a man's voice spoke.

"Oh! I'm sorry. Dito kase tumakbo ang anak ni Don Arthur. Kaya," hindi niya pinagpatuloy ang sasabihin at agad na tumakbo. "Wala dito. Natakasan na naman tayo!" Narinig kong sigaw ng lalaki.

Mabilis na tinulak ko si Kael. I felt my cheeks burned. Hindi naman din niya mapapansin dahil madilim. I'm super red because of what he did was wrong. At the same time I can't spill any words from my mouth. Agad na tinakpan ko ang buong katawan ko. Why did he do that?

"Bakit mo ginawa 'yon?"

"Sorry."

Sabay pa naming sabi. It's a sexual assault and I can sue him for that. I already knew that I should stay away from him.