Masked Glamour

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ferula

Too much guilt flowed within me as the days passed by. My heart would always tugged painfully whenever I stared right into his golden orbs. I wanted to just run away. Away from the cave. Away from Azarious. Away from everything.

I can’t help but to pity myself for being a big coward. I am scared to tell him the truth. I am scared to tell him what truly I am. I am afraid it will end whatever we had already started. Whatever we had, I know it was so precious to me.

I know and I can feel it. Deep in my heart, I know something change between us. I just don’t want to have any false assumption that’s why I am still trying to find out what change it is to make it clear and not confusing.

Kahit labis ang pagbulong ng konsensya sa aking isipan na sabihin na sa kanya ang totoo ay mas pinangungunahan pa rin ako ng takot. Hindi lang dahil sa maaari niya akong paalisin nang tuluyan dito sa kweba ngunit alam ko mismo sa aking sarili na mas may higit pang rason kung bakit hindi ko masabi-sabi sa kanya ang totoo.

Tumingala ako sa maliwanag at perpektong hugis bilog na buwan, habang nakadipa ang mga kamay at nakalutang sa ibabaw ng mainit na tubig.

One thing I’ve learned in the falls too, how it's water change the temperature. Sa huli kong pagkakaalala ay malamig iyon na parang may yelo. Ngunit habang pinagmamasadan ko siyang lumangoy noong unang beses na nasaksihan ko ang pagbabagong anyo niya, ay nakaagaw ng aking pansin ang usok na lumalabas sa ibabaw ng tubig.

At ako nga mismo ang nakapagpatunay na nag-iiba nga ang temperatura ng tubig. Lihim akong bumalik rito para lang kumpirmahin ang akimg hinuha.

I wanted to swim and bathe in the falls but I don’t have the courage to ask him. He might not approved or worst got mad at me again for wanting such thing. He might think I am already crossing the line again.

It is still clear in my head that he doesn’t want anyone, especially me, to meddle with his things and properties. Kaya sobra ang pagkagulat ko nang siya mismo ang nagsabi na pwede akong maligo sa talon.

My attention was drawn when I heard Aslan’s soft growl. Nakaupo siya sa tuyong bato na nasa paanan ng tubig. Kagat-kagat niya ang aking berdeng balabal. Iginalaw niya ang kanyang mukha na parang sinasabing umahon na ako sa tubig.

I chuckled softly and then swimmed towards him. This lion was big and looked dangerous who can devoured you anytime but the truth is he’s such clingy and loves to be petted. The fear in me when we first met vanished as he showed me his clingy side. Sometimes, I would wake up with him beside my bed.

Ipinatong ko lamang ang aking dalawang braso sa ibabaw ng malapad at makinis na bato sa aking harapan saka tiningala ang leon. Nanatiling nakalubog ang aking katawan sa mainit na tubig.

“But I still want to swim.” I gave the lion a cheeky smile.

He roared and picked my shawl that he just dropped right beside him using his teeth. Itinapat niya iyon sa aking mukha. Napatawa ako saka iyon inabot at muling ibinalik sa kung saan niya kinuha.

“Sampung minuto!” Ipinakita ko sa kanya ang nakabuka kong mga palad. “Aahon na ako pagkatapos ng sampung minuto.” Nakangiti pa rin ang aking mga labi.

He looked defeated before he laid his massive body on the flat surface. Muli akong napatawa bago inilubog ang buong katawan sa ilalim ng tubig.

Umahon ako para muling lumangoy papunta malapit sa pinakagitna. I do not swim father anymore. The water looks clear and relaxing but there is this small fear in me as if telling not to swim even farther.