Aphrodisia | 18+ (Written In Filipino) ✔️

ika-20

Ikadalawampu

Help me

-

"It will be fine," ani Ramona at pinasa sa'kin ang tissue sa harap ng kotse niya. "Okay?"

   Lumabas ako maya-maya nang nanlalamig ang mga kamay. I had my head down, but I held in Duke's SUV at the other side of the road as my sister slowly walked with me across.

   "Uno. . ." tawag ni Ramona pagkatapos bumaba ng mga bintana at binuksan ang front seat upang sumakay ako. 

   He was here.

   Already here, I assured myself, closing my eyes for one brief moment. Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay hindi ko dinaya ang sarili ko sa kaluwagang naramdaman ko dahil nandyan si Duke. Even if he still sees me as I am. I would allow myself a small exhale, because no one else in this place reminded me of the calmness the paradise in Mindoro gave me.

   "Be safe," bulong ng kapatid ko sa'kin na hindi nakaabot sa pandinig ni Duke bago bitawan ang mahigpit kong pagkahawak sa kamay niya kasabay ng pag-alis.

   Lumapat ang likod ko sa front seat, feeling the heaviness go away.

   I knew it would only last me an hour or a half. But it was better than anything. Better than nothing.

   Hindi na hinintay ni Duke na umalis ang sasakyan ni Ramona nang pinaandar niya agad ang kotse palayo doon. I fisted my hands to the lap of my summer dress, counted my numbers. "Thank you," sambit ko at bumaling kay Duke. 

   His expression was indiscernible. I wish he could do something at least for fake avowal. Hindi niya ako sinulyapan. "We're going to a distant warehouse I use when we're having extra packages to hand our couriers. There will be no one else but us, and I will let you talk once we get there."

   My gaze moved back to the road in a faint manner. He must have left so much work for me. I called him even if there shouldn't be anything between us again. Para kong pinalampas ang ginawa niya sa Luman Playa. Gumagana ang ugali kong hindi pinapakialaman ang mga tao sa paligid basta lang masolusyonan ang mga problema ko. But I was desperate and I already stooped so low. 

   Whatever was happening before was happening now. Pinipilit ko pa rin ang sarili ko sa isang taong ayaw ako. Duke's turn. Kung noon ay nagsusumamo ako kay Giles na mahalin niya ako, ngayon ay sa kanya ako nagmamakaawa upang tulungan niya ako. 

   Nakarating kami sa lugar na iyon ng walang imikan. I saw the parking gates lift before Duke parked the car in the lot. Too hot, but I knew I had to say what I wanted to say. 

   Lumabas ako at nakita ang pag-alinlangan ni Duke na pagbuksan ako ngunit lumakad siya sa isang working table at yinuko iyon. "Talk."

   My throat felt raw as I looked away and tried my focus on the surroundings. "I need your help." 

   "What help."

   "Help to. . ." Nababa ko ang mga mata ko. "Stop Anselm from jeopardizing our family again."

   "You sure he's jeopardizing your family or just jeopardizing you alone?" giit niya.