Russian Requiem (Book 2 of RR Trilogy)

Requiem #34

Chapter 34

(Reconcile)

I remained firm from where I'm standing, even though I wanted to lash out on him again. How dare he accuse me of cheating when clearly, he is the one doing it?

And that fucking Valter... Isa pa ang gagong iyon! Bakit ba panay ang pagpapadala ng regalo nito sa akin?!

I can see Clade's gritted teeth as he is just standing right in front of me. He looks so livid. Kaunting patak na lamang at tuluyan nang sasabog ang galit niya.

"Clade, don't you dare," sambit ni Alek sa aming tabi. Umamba pa itong lalapit sa amin ngunit napigilan ito ng mga salita ni Clade.

"I said stay out of this, Aleksandar." Ngitngit ang ngipin na saad niya habang sa akin pa rin nakatingin. "Answer me, Ariadne. Is it you?"

Hindi ko napigilang umismid. Wow. This is so amazing. I can't believe he still has the audacity to turn the tables right now.

"Why, Clade? Did I kiss Valter too? Did I also go home late these past few weeks? Did I really give you a reason to doubt me, huh?" Taas-noo kong tanong kahit na nagbabadya na naman ang mga luha ko.

Mas lalong dumilim ang kanyang mukha. "Don't put the spotlight on me now! We are talking about Valter's gifts for you! Why is he giving you gifts?!"

"I don't know!" I shouted to his face. Hindi siya natinag roon. "Why don't you ask him yourself?! Because I also wonder why he is suddenly giving me gifts!"

He scoffed. Umatras siya ng bahagya at nagpamaywang. Napahawak pa ang isang kamay niya sa noo habang nakatalikod sa amin.

Nang humarap siya ay mamula mula na ang kanyang mata. I continued talking then.

"He just suddenly gave me gifts. Like that cake he sent me in IMC..." kita ko ang labis na pagkunot ng noo niya habang nakapamaywang. "I also don't know what game your brother is playing, Clade." Buo ang boses na saad ko.

Saglit kaming natahimik. Hindi siya makabuo ng salita. Paulit ulit na umawang ang kanyang bibig at mariing ipinipikit ang mga mata.

"How would you feel if I told you that I don't believe you right now?" He asked after a while.

I didn't answer it. I just stared at him with a poker face. But deep inside, I am hurt with what he said. Why won't he believe me?

Humakbang siya ulit palapit sa akin upang mas lalong ipaintindi sa akin ang mga sinasabi niya.

"What if I tell you right now that I believe you are indeed cheating on me? Hmm?" He is almost whispering those words, ngunit may paghahamon pa rin roon.

"I am not cheating, Clade." Walang emosyon kong sagot. Kasabay noon ay ang pagtulo ng isang luha ko.