At all Cost

Chapter 22

"After this war, I'll marry you."

Every burdens that I have been carrying slowly fading like a thin air. His words soothes my raging heart. His words made me feel safe. Unti unti akong humarap sa kanya at nagmamadaling nagtungo sa direksyon niya. He spread his arms waiting for my warm embrace. When I am centimeter apart from him I throw myself onto him and give him a warm embrace.

"Don't you dare ruin your promise!"

"I will not."

I let go of his hug. Whatever happens I pray that everything will be fine. I hope we will leave this place unscathe.

At this moment I let him lead the way and I was like a obedient wife submitting myself to my husband.

Nang marating namin ang dulo ng pasilyo isang pinto ang bumungad sa amin. He opened it and we were both surprised when Orion welcome us with a wide smile and a spread hands as if ready to hug us. May mga ilang armadong lalaki itong kasama at pinalilibutan ang buong lugar.

Mabilis na nagtungo ako rito ay binigyan siya ng yakap. Venzon was on my side.

We were safe.

"Where's Zion, Dyne, and Geo? Did they sent you here to save us? Kilala din–" nahinto ako sa pagsasalita ng marahan na hilain ako ni Venzon palayo kay Orion na may malawak na ngisi.

"You were still that person who likes to interrupt my fucking plan! Panira ka parin sa mga plano ko! Ang hilig mong makisawsaw!"

Para akong tinuklaw ng ahas nang marinig ang bawat pasaring ni Orion kay Venzon na ngayon ay malalim at malamig ang titig kay Orion. Venzon was far from the guy who always have this bright smile as well as Orion who have always this cheeky smile.

"You can't have her." malamig na turan ni Venzon. He switched our position–him at my front protecting me from Orion.

What is happening? I don't understand.

"Dahil ang hilig mong mang-agaw!" sigaw ni Orion na nanlilisik ang mata. But when our eyes met he soften and instead of feeling safety, I felt scared.

"She was never been yours.  After that ridiculous plan of yours you still have the guts to show yourself up and what? continue your hideous plan? You think I will let you?"

Kalmado pero may diin ang bawat salitang binibigkas ni Venzon na halatang may galit kay Orion.

Bakit ako nadadamay? Hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi nila. Did I missed something important? May hindi ba ako nalalaman tungkol sa dalawang ito?

What's going on between those two? Why am I being involved?

Orion's laughter bombarded the place which made me more feel scared. Bakit pakiramdam ko bumalik ang takot ko nung mga panahong kolehiyo ako. Yung takot ko na baka narito lang siya at pinagmamasdan ako at handa ulit akong atakehin at ituloy ang plano niya?

"I can't believe you've forget about me after I gave you the pleasure that you've been wanting for, Zanaira! Sabagay pano mo ako maalala kung binago ko ang itsura ko. Nice scheme, right Zanaira? Alam mo bang gustong gusto na kitang angkinin sa bawat araw na nakikita kita. I can't believe I have this self control."

Mabilis na napahawak ako sa damit ni Venzon nang maalala ang boses na iyon. Ang boses na nagbigay takot at pangamba sa buong buhay ko. Nanlalamig ang kamay ko at mas lalo pang isiniksik ang sarili kay Venzon.

I felt so weak and scared. Nanginginig ang buong katawan ko at hindi alam kung saan titingin. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong gawin. Pakiramdam ko bumalik ako sa dating Zanaira na laging may takot at mahina ni hindi man lang maipagtanggol ang sarili.