CROSSING THE WILD WAVES (Familiá Altamirano #2)

CHAPTER 21

Unexpected Surprise

      THE undas break ended and Croisx was back in school. Tapos na ang isang linggong bakasyon niya. Kasalukuyan akong lulan ng elevator pababa sa ground floor dahil tumawag sa akin ang guard at sinabing may package ako sa ibaba.

"Miss Khriz! Nandyan na po pala kayo. Ito po pala, may nagpadala po sa inyo ng bulaklak." Nanunuksong wika ni Mang Rudy, ang security guard ng Silvermoon Tower. He handed me the flowers and a PR box from a famous brand.

Nakakunot noo naman akong tinanggap 'yon. "Nagpakilala po ba ang nagpadala ng bulaklak?"

"Hindi po, Miss. Tinanong ko nga po kung may invitation pass po siya pero mukhang wala. Mukhang secret admirer niyo po ata!" Nanunuksong sambit niya.

Tipid akong ngumiti at nagpasalamat kay Mang Rudy bago dumiretso paakyat sa aking unit. Pasulyap-sulyap pa ako sa bulaklak habang sakay ng elevator. Why am I suddenly getting uneasy while carrying this bouquet?!

Pagdating sa loob ng aking unit ay hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng oras at inilipat ko na sa vase ang bulaklak. Ang kahon naman ay ibinaba ko sa coffee table. Napunta sa nahulog na papel ang mga mata ko.

I pick it up and read it.

To my sweetheart, Khrizanta.

Enjoy your sweetest moment with your toy because soon you'll be mine, alone.

My face prickled in fury and anxiety. Bumilis ang tibok ng aking puso sa nabasa. The letter was written using blood! I don't know which blood it is! Pero dugo 'yon!

My hand formed a fist as the card crumpled between my palms. That motherfucker stalker knows how to mess with me!

Mabilis kong kinuha ang mga bulaklak na nilagay ko sa vase at dinala sa banyo. Ramdam ko ang pangangatal ng kamay ko dahil sa kaba at galit. Then, I flushed it on the toilet as tears began streaming down my face.

I couldn't help but sob as I hid my face using my hands. Nanghihina akong napaupo sa tiles ng banyo habang luhaan ang mukha. I'm so tired dealing with him. . .

"Khrizanta?"

I heard a familiar voice called my name. The person was obviously in the living room. Mabilis kong pinunasan ang luha sa mukha ko at inayos ang sarili bago lumabas ng banyo. Huminga ako ng malalim bago tuluyang lumabas sa kwarto at nagpanggap na ayos lang ang lahat.

"Hey! Nakauwi kana pala," I chirped, lighting the mood.

Lahat ng takot, pangamba at galit ko kanina ay nawala nang magtama ang mga mata namin. I swallowed and was about to speak again when he went ahead of me.

"I think you drop this."

My eyes widened, and my breath hitched when a familiar crumpled card was on Croisx's hand. I was frozen in my spot for a second. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked innocent while holding the card.

Mabilis akong lumapit sa kanya at inagaw ang card. Tinago ko 'yon sa aking likuran at pinagpupunit. "Y-Yeah. But it's nothing. Just a random card," I lied and chuckled.

Did he read it? Pease, God, I hope not.

Nasa mata niya ang pag-aalala at pagtataka. "Did you cry? Babe, umiyak ka?" He asked out of the blue.

I felt the corner of my eyes burn but immediately looked away because I felt like tearing up again. "Hindi, ah!" I panicked.

A familiar warm comfort fills me when he approaches me for a tight hug. My eyes immediately shut as my hands curled into fists. My heart throbs in my chest.