Behind Closed Doors (COMPLETED)

Thirty Nine

#BCD39 Chapter Thirty Nine

THE THREE HELPERS were lined up in front of the main door when Artemis and Paris arrived at the Cordova's. Buhay na buhay rin ang buong bahay kahit na dis oras na ng gabi. By the looks of it tila alam na niya na inaasahan na ng kanyang mga magulang ang kanyang pagdating.

"Should I accompany you inside?" tanong ni Paris nang mapansin ang kanyang pagkabalisa. She looked at him and just smiled a little.

Nasa loob sila ng taxi na kinuha ni Paris nang makalapag sila sa NAIA. Pagkagaling sa ospital kung saan naka-confine si Nova at dumeretso na sila sa airport at nag-book agad ng flight pauwi ng Pilipinas. Hindi nila nakasabay si Apollo sa pag-uwi dahil mas nauna ang flight nito na matagal na ring naka-book. Nasisiguro siyang nasa loob na ng kanilang pamamahay ang kakambal at hinihintay na rin siya. Mas nadagdagan pa ang kabang nararamdaman ni Artemis dahil alam niya kung gaano kagalit si Apollo sa kanya.

"Thank you," she just replied to Paris who's staring at her intently. Nakuha naman agad ng binata ang gusto niyang sabihin kaya napatango ito.

"I'll just help you with your luggage."

"Hindi na. Ako na. Kaya ko naman."

"Bumaba ka na. Kukunin ko lang sa likod."

"Paris —"

Paris looked at her with his serious eyes.

"Ibababa ko lang, Artemis."

Artemis pursed her lips. Napa-iwas siya ng tingin at saka tumango. Lumabas na ng taxi si Paris at ganun din siya. She waited for him to unload her luggage and pushed it in front of her. Lumapit sa kanila ang isang guard na nagbabantay sa gate nila para kunin ang kanyang mga maleta. Pinasalamatan niya ito saka muling bumaling kay Paris na nakatayo sa kanyang harapan habang nakapamulsa.

"Thank you," she said again.

"No worries," Paris replied with a shrugged.

Nanatili siyang nakatitig sa binata habang kinakalkal ang utak kung ano pa ba ang dapat niyang sabihin dito. They both stood there in silence. She can feel how cold the night was. Artemis was just wearing a plain grey shirt tucked in her high waisted jeans. Nakalugay ang mahaba niyang buhok para matakpan kahit papa'no ang namumula niyang pisngi. It still stings. She really need to put an ice pack on it.

"Uwi ka na," she said in a sweet tone para hindi magkamali ng intindi ang binata. "Go take a rest. Uh... I'm so sorry I dragged you into this mess."

The side of Paris' lips rose. He scoffed and glanced at his shoes for a split second.

"You didn't dragged me. I dragged myself into it because I wanted to protect you," he replied seriously.

"Thank you — " mahinang bulong ni Artemis. Paulit-ulit na niya iyong sinasabi sa binata and Paris was not hiding the fact that he's enjoying hearing it. "And I'm really sorry."

Umiling ito. "Don't be."

"I really feel sorry." Nagbaba siya ng tingin.

"Artemis," seryosong tawag ni Paris sa pangalan niya. "Apologize to your brother."

Tinignan niya ito nang ilang segundo at saka tumango. Paris gave her a nod and opened the taxi's door behind him.

"Good night," pahabol niya nang mabuhay ang kanina ng sasakyan.

"Good night." Paris never left her eyes.

She watched as the taxi made a U-turn and drove away from their house. Nang siya na lang ang mag-isang nakatayo sa gilid ng kalsada ay doon na niya naramdaman ang matinding kaba.