Author's Note (The Villain Series 1)

Kabanata 33

LOGAN couldn't count the times he spaced out today. It was Sunday and he was cleaning the house with Adamas. Himala nga dahil nagboluntaryo itong tulungan siya pero ang mga sinulid lang din naman nito ang gumagalaw.

"What is wrong with you today? You're not focusing." Gamit ang sinulid, inagaw nito ang hawak-hawak niyang walis.

Bumuntonghininga muna siya dahil nagdadalawang-isip siya kung sasabihin niya ba kay Adamas o hindi. Mabigat pa rin sa puso niya ang mga katagang binitiwan ni Gon kahapon. Hindi niya inaasahan iyon. Sana pala hindi na lang siya nagbiro at tinanong ang babae. Ayan tuloy, na-reject pa siya nang hindi siya handa.

Napabalik siya sa kaniyang diwa nang may bagay na bumangga sa kaniyang paa. Ang walis niya pala iyon na kontrolado na ng mga sinulid ni Adamas.

"Sorry." He moved aside to let the broom sweep the dust stranded on his feet.

"Seriously what's wrong with you, human?" Muli nitong tanong habang prenteng nakahiga sa sofa.

Naglakad siya papalapit at umupo sa couch. "I w-was rejected by Gon yesterday."

"What?!" Mabilis pa sa alas kuwatro na napabangon si Adamas. "You confessed with her yesterday? Without telling me? And without preparing something grand?!"

Napatakip siya sa kaniyang tainga dahil sa malakas na boses nitong parang naka-loud speaker. "Calm down. It was an indirect rejection."

"Tell me the details."

"Nosy," mahina niyang sabi. "Ayon nga, na-reject ako. Sabi niya hindi niya ako gusto."

"Why did she say that?"

"Because I asked her if she was jealous. And that was her response."

"Why did you ask that?"

"Because she saw me talking with my co-teacher. I was just playfully asking, but I didn't expect she'd say her feelings straightforwardly." He scratched his nape in embarrassment. "The world should have warned me at least so I could prepare myself. Masakit pala."

"Pfft." Isang malakas na halakhak ang pinakawalan ni Adamas. Umalingangaw ang literal na 'haha' nito sa buong paligid habang hinahampas ang sofa. "That was why! Now I understand what happened."

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing," natatawa pa rin nitong sabi. "You two are just too fun to watch. I would probably be going to think of you two from time to time when I go back to Fictosa."

"You're going back soon?"

Napansin niya ring panay na ang pagbanggit nito na malapit na itong umalis. Kahit na dumagdag si Adamas sa sakit ng ulo, siguro, kahit papaano, ay mamimiss niya ito.

"I can't help it, human. The system will decide for me. I can't go against it." Napababa ang tingin nito sa kaniyang dibdib. Akala niya'y siya ang tiningnan nito pero parang may ibang nakikita ang lalaki. It must be the system he was talking about. "The Character Restoration is almost done. Before I go back, I hope you could say your feelings to my reddy readsy."

"I already told you, she rejected me already."

"It was indirect. You didn't confess, so how can you be so sure she would say the same thing?"

"What she said is clearly what she felt for me. There's no hope for me anymore--"

"No, no. You're wrong," angal nito kaya napakunot ang kaniyang noo.

"Ano ba tinutulak mo? Wala na ngang pag-asa. She doesn't like me."

"And? You're not going to say it to her because you were slapped by that indirect rejection?" He crossed his arms. "Taking cowardice to the next level, huh?"