THE SECLUDED TRAILS OF DECEIT '. ruler of fate series l first book

KABANATA 30

The Secluded Trails of Deceit
written by : riyanisity

I squinted my eyes when I heard my phone ringing. The first thing that greeted me was my drafting table, which I slept on, and the plate rolled beside me. Naramdaman ko ang pangangalay sa aking likod, maging ang sakit banda sa batok ko, pero inuna ko paring sagutin ang tawag.

Nang una ay puro iyak lang ang naririnig ko mula sa kabilang linya, hanggang sa lumakas 'yon, nadagdagan, at naging klaro sa aking pandinig. "Ate..."

Kaagad akong napatyo matapos makilala ang boses na 'yon, "Sereiana..? What happened?! Are you okay? Is that Amirah who's crying?!" puno ng pag-aalala kong tanong.

"She's... Nandito kami sa condo, Ate." I heard a long sigh coming out of her mouth. "I don't know what to do to her."

I shook my head to wake myself up, gulped heavily to ease the nervousness, and started getting my important things: my keys, a single jacket, and my wallet. "Papunta na 'ko." I said, ending the call before rushing out of my unit.

Just as I was about to enter the elevator, Draven and I almost bumped into each other. Halata ang pagod at antok sa kaniyang mukha, pero napalitan 'yon ng pagtataka at pag-aalala matapos makita ang balisa kong mukha.

She held my cheeks, "Hey, what happened? Are you okay?" kinakabahan niyang tanong sa'kin.

Instead of answering first, I pushed him back inside and pressed the basement floor and closed door button.

Naramdaman ko muli ang paghawak niya sa aking magkabilang pisngi, hanggang sa tumayo siya sa aking harapan. "Miss..? Are you okay? Anong nangyari, hmm? Bakit nagmamadali ka..?"

I bit my lip and decided to embrace him with my arms. Dahan-dahan ko ring tinapik ang likod niya at binaon ang aking mukha sa kaniyang dibdib, "Didn't Sereiana call you?" mahinang tanong ko.

I felt Draven's heartbeat starting to get fast because of what I said. Narinig ko rin ang ginawa niyang paglunok dahil sa pinaghalong kaba at kalituhan sa lapit naming dalawa.

Nang i-angat ko ang tingin ko sakanya, ay tanging pagkunot lang ng noo ang kaniyang ginawa bago abutin ang cellphone sa bulsa niya. He pushed the open button, still only seeing the black screen. "Deadbat."

Hearing the opening sound and seeing the door of the elevator turn wide at the same time, I let go of Draven and held his hand to pull him outside. Tinago ko ang susi sa aking bulsa at kinuha mula sa kamay niya ang sakanya. "Where's your car? I'll drive for us."

"Teka, ano bang nangyayari, Miss? May nangyari ba..? Bakit—" Humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko at kusang huminto para hindi ko siya mahila pa. "Napa'no si Iana? Si Irah..? Tumawag ba sila sa'yo?"

I sighed after sensing his nervousness and a face full of questions. Nakaukit sa mga mata niya ang hindi masukat na pag-aalala sa hindi niya rin malamang dahilan.

I shook my head, "Tumawag sa'kin si Sereiana. Magkasama sila, pero hindi niya raw alam ang gagawin niya kay Amirah na umiiyak—"

With that, Draven didn't let me finish and pulled me all the way to his car after taking his keys back. He opened the passenger's door hastily and was full of eagerness for me before walking around to the driver's seat. Lahat ng kilos niya ay napakabilis, kaya pati ang pagmamaneho niya paalis do'n at papunta sa condo ng mga kapatid niya ay parang ilang minuto lang para sa'kin. He was really trying to take over every car in front of us. Hindi ko na nga alam kung anong mga nadaanan namin dahil naging malayo at parang guhit na lamang ang bawat gusali, puno, at mga tao sa paningin ko.

When we parked, Draven was quick to pull his keys, unbuckle the seatbelt around him, and go out of his car. Muli niya ulit akong pinagbuksan ng pinto at hinawakan ang kamay ko para mas mapabilis ang lakad namin. A single step of his was equivalent to my two steps, so I was already running.