The Unbreakable Glass (Costillano #4)

Kabanata 6

Secrets.

We do have that, don't we?

We hide something for different reasons because we have different perspectives. Some are terrified to show up because they're afraid of people's judgments; some were being threatened for the rest of their lives, taking the horror beneath their beings; for others, they just wanted to be safe, avoiding the possible chaos they'd create once it got exposed.

And I, Sahara Catedras, belong to the latter part.

I am terrified that someone might find out who I really am and where I really belong because I somehow behave like a glass that gets transparent whenever I lose control. But the great, great, great Zideon Lorenzo Costillano dares to daunt me with his captivating eyes, sharpening toward mine as I feel him rubbing and tracing the side of my neck.

I have no clue what's gotten into him for him to do this because I know how uninterested he is in knowing someone like me; for him wanting to know what I've been hiding behind my hood. He's somewhat of a snob and often ignores me, even from the very first time he met me, so what's the reason?

Hindi ko alam kung nakahihinga pa ba ako matapos niyang iangat ang ilang hibla ng aking mga buhok na nakatabing sa aking batok, subalit may biglang tumunog na nagpatigil sa binabalak niyang gawin. I swallow when he slightly distances himself from me as he takes off his phone from the pocket of his jeans, quickly answering the phone.

"Alyna."

Ilang beses akong kumurap matapos 'yon. Napailing-iling na lamang ako bago ibinalik ang hood sa aking ulo at mabilis siyang nilampasan.

"Miss Catedras—"

Hindi ko pinansin ang pagtawag niya sa akin dahil nagmadali na akong lumabas sa locker. Kailangan kong lumanghap ng hangin sa labas at makahinga nang maayos.

I close my hand into a fist as I heave a sigh, wanting to let go of the heavy feeling on my chest. Gulong-gulo sa kung bakit hindi ko siya napigilan sa ginawa niya kanina. Kung wala pang tumawag, paniguradong tuluyan na akong natuod doon at hindi na alam kung ano pa ang susunod na gagawin.

That was close!

Hindi ko dapat iyon ginawa. Hindi dapat ako nagpadala sa mga mata niya. Hindi ko dapat siya hinayaan na gawin iyon. He's just a president. He might order me around, but he doesn't have the right to invade my privacy. That's a foul thing for him to do.

"Oh? Ano'ng nangyari sa 'yo?" bungad sa akin ni Ferisha nang oras na nakapasok ako sa apartment. "Mukha kang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa."

Wearing my grumpy expression, I storm inside the room and give a profound glance at the ceiling with my menacing eyes. Narinig ko ang yabag ni Ferisha patungo rito sa kuwarto. Napansin ko siya sa sulok ng aking mga mata na ipinupuyod ang itim at maalon niyang buhok, hanggang dibdib ang haba niyon.

"Nandoon siya," mahina kong saad.

"Sino?"

"Si Zideon."

"Oh, tapos?"

Lumingon ako kay Ferisha bago umayos ng upo at tuluyan siyang hinarap. I remove the hood that I'm wearing; a surprise expression plasters on her face after seeing me in a bun. Hindi naman siya umimik dahil mukhang hinihintay niya ang susunod kong sasabihin.

I prick my tongue on the side of my cheeks, wondering if I should tell her about what happened. Nakikita ko ang kagustuhan sa kaniyang mga mata na marinig ang mga susunod kong sasabihin, ngunit pumikit na lamang ako nang mariin at ipinilig ang ulo bago bumalik sa pagkakahiga.

"Wala. Magpapahinga na ako."

And probably be careful with my actions next time.

Tuesday comes, and I'm wearing my PE; iyon ang araw na tinapos namin ni Ferisha ang mga natira naming exams simula pa kahapon. Quite busy and a hectic schedule for both of us.