ALLURING FIRES (COMPLETED)

Chapter 24

I heard the sound of thunder followed by pouring rains. Hinayaan kong mabasa ang sarili mula sa pagbagsak ng ulan mula sa kalangitan, tila'y dinadamayan nito ang sumisikip kong dibdib at ang pagtulo ng aking luha.

I keep sobbing with cold atmoshepre embracing me, I can't find any strength to stand on my feet, I feel so weak and my knees are trembling. I'm not hurt because of what Chaucer told me, I'm hurt because I hurt him... I am so mean, and I don't deserve someone like Chaucer. Still, I can't deny that he's the only person knocking in my heart.. and that... that's painful.

Hindi ko mapigilang magtaka ng tumila ang ulan saaking gawi, pinahiran ko ang lumalabong mga mata hanggang may naaninag akong sapatos. Dahan-dahan kong inangat ang tingin, a man standing infront staring blankly, he's holding an umbrella to stop the rain pouring above me.

"You're not a leading-lady in some dramas Zenica, you're not a loser either. Stand up." Diretso at seryoso niyang pagsasalita, my heartbeat skipped even more. Napayuko nalang akong muli at pilit na pinigilan ang nagbabadyang luha.

Hindi ako pumalag nang hawakan niya ang braso ko at hinigit patayo, I want to talk but I couldn't, I can't find my voice and I'm still surprised to see him. Nagpahila ako sakanya hanggang ipinasok niya ako sa sasakyan, I stared blankly at the windshield with drops of rain on it. I felt his warmth putting jacket in my shoulder before starting the car engine.

"Get change at the backseat." May inabot syang paperbag, walang gana ko iyong tinanggap ngunit hindi ko sinunod ang utos niya, "They're throwing a party at your house."

"What!?" Nabalik ang boses ko dahil sa gulat, napalingon ako sakanya at seryoso lang syang nagd-drive.

"Bachelorette party before you get married, Zenica." Sumulyap sya sakin, "The boys are throwing party at my house too."

Napabuntong-hininga ako at kaagad na lumipat sa backseat, I want to be emotional more but not infront of him, I'll try to divert my attention away from thinking Chaucer when I'm with him.

Habang nagbibihis ako ay hindi ko mapigilang magtaka at sulyapan sya, I want to ask how did he know I was at Belle's cafe? Where did he get these clothes? Why the hell he's not asking anything like he already know the answer if he asked. Wait, what?

"T-Tuecer.." marahan akong nagsalita ng makabalik sa frontseat, "A-aren't you gonna ask?" Kinakabahan kong tanong habang nakatitig sa dinadaanan, tumila na rin ang ulan at dahan-dahang bumalik ang sinag ng araw sa hapon.

"Will you be honest with me if I ask?" Napatikom ako sa bibig, of course not. "I don't want to hear lies Zenica, I'd rather not ask."

Why do I feel like he knows something.. napahawak ako sa dibdib ng kumabog ito. What the hell is happening with people around me these days.

Yumuko ako at napatingin sa suot na long sleeve dress, "Whose clothe is this?"

"I bought it as a gift." Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa tag na tinanggal ko kanina.

"How did you know I was at Belle?"

"She called me." napasinghap ako bago tumikhim. Nakarating na kami sa bahay at dire-diretso niyang ipinasok ang sasakyan sa parking lot, napakunot ang noo ko ng may nakapark na mga motorcycle at mga klase-klaseng sasakyan. "All of your guests are inheritors."

Napalingon ako kay Tuecer habang tinatanggal niya ang seatbelt sakin, "Who invited them? It's not on my schedule to have fun."  Sabay kaming lumabas ng sasakyan ngunit sumandal lang sya at pinagmasdan akong humahakbang paalis kaya napatigil ako't nagtaka, "Aren't you gonna say hi?" to your lover there.