Running the Risk (Nightfall Series #1)

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Trigger Warning: Sexual Violence, Trauma, Physical Abuse

We helped the sisters clean up the place before we left. Pagkarating sa bahay ay dumaan pa rin sina Kuya Aries para tulungan kami ni Tita magligpit. Naka-dress pa man ay tumulong na ako kaagad para makauwi na sila at makapagpahinga.

I tied my hair in a messy bun while washing the dishes. Hindi pa ako natatapos sa isang container ay naglapag na kaagad si Kayi ng mga hugasin sa lababo. Bukod kasi sa catering ay nagpaluto pa si Tita ng ibang putahe.

"Mga ganap pagkatapos ng handaan," natatawang sabi niya bago umalis.

I rolled my eyes and just resumed on scrubbing the container. I felt someone’s presence behind me. I thought it was still Kayi so I fired a question.

"Regular classes na raw ba sa Monday?"

My eyes widened when I saw a familiar arm and hand reaching the other sponge. I traced their owner and saw Rivo who’s now wearing a white shirt.

"Katatapos lang ng birthday mo, aral na aral ka kaagad," nakangising sabi nito at saka kumuha ng hugasin.

I tightly pursed my lips and just remained silent.

"‘La, galit... Galit ka?" tanong nito at pumihit pa paharap sa akin. He even lowered his head to meet my eyes.

"Sorry na. ‘Di ko nakalimutan, promise," he softly said.

My heart hammered in an erratic motion.

"What are you talking about? ‘Di ako galit. Feeling significant ka na naman."

He chuckled. "Hoy, ‘wala kang magogoyo rito, Daiyu Verity. Sorry na nga. Tumawa ka na kanina, e. ‘Di raw galit, o."

He took a glance at my hands. I forgot to wear gloves. Maglalagay na lang ako ng hand cream pagkaligo ko mamaya.

"Ako na rito, baka masira kuko mo."

I arched my eyebrow, getting tempted by the offer. I forgot that my nail polish was expensive!

He also imitated how I raised my eyebrow.

"‘Wag kang makialam rito, Rivo. Bumalik ka na sa San Pablo," matalim na litanya ko sa kaniya.

Humalakhak siya. "Anong gagawin ko ro’n? Wala kaming prof bukas. Wala namang pasok sa Linggo at Lunes."

"I didn’t ask about your schedule."

"Sige. Ako na lang magtatanong, pwede?" biglang pagseseryoso niya naman.

"If it’s nonsense, sinasabi ko sa’yo... umalis ka na ngayon pa lang."

From my peripheral vision, I saw him plastering an amused smile.

"‘La, pinapaalis ako agad. Por que may ano na."

Being unable to decipher what he said, I stayed silent. Pinihit ko ang gripo at binanlawan ang hinuhugusan. He called me by my name again.

"Daiyu..."

I was supposedly going to look at his face when my gaze accidentally saw how his Adam’s apple protruded—like he’s trying to gain the courage to say something.

"What?" I asked, then put the freshly-washed containers on the clean side of the sink.

"Close kayo nung... si ano. ‘Yung pinsan ni Chico? Bakit ‘di ko siya nakita kanina?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. Who’s Chico’s cousin?

"I don’t know any of Chico’s relatives, Rivo. Umuwi ka na nga. You’re so random."