𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝟎𝟏: 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭 (𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃)

𝟏𝟗: 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥

     Ronin brought forth two cans of beer and offered one to Mathara.

     Tapos na silang kumain. It was final, ekis na si Nebula sa listahan. Isa nalang ang natira. Ronin doesn't even know he's with that devil.

     And that devil doesn't even know it's her.

     Nasa couch ang dalaga nakaupo sa isang gilid. Napatingala nalang siya kay Ronin nang inoffer nito ang isang malamig na canned beer. Tumutulo pa ito.

     "What's that?" she asked.

     "It's beer. Iniinom," sagot ng binata. Mathara took it and smelt it. She grimaced, repulsed by the unpleasant odor that wafted towards her. Yeah, it was open. 

     Ronin settled onto the other end of the couch, flicking the TV on. Hindi nila alam anong papanuorin kaya hinahayaan lang nila ito. Gusto lang nilang may ingay sa background. Mahina lang naman din ang volume nito.

     "What now?" Mathara asked.

     "We still need to confirm kung ang pangatlong suspect ang may gawa. If it's not her, then I should give up," sagot naman nito sabay lagok nung beer.

     Mathara did the same, finding the taste disagreeable at first. It held a bitter edge, but with each gulp, her tongue gradually got used to the flavor. Tanging ang tv nalang ang nagdadala ng ingay sa loob ng bahay. They are just there, both looking tired. Their backs are rested on that couch.

     The room lay dim as the lights were off, the only illumination came solely from the glow of the television screen. 'Yong ilaw ng tv paiba iba ang kulay, minsan dumidilim minsan sumisilaw. 'Yong mga mukha nila iisang expression lang habang dahan dahan na inuubos ang mga laman ng can nila.

     "Who's the third suspect?" Mathara finally broke the silence, sensing an odd tension in the air as they all shared the same space in quietness. 

     "Death devil," he answered shortly. Inilagay nito sa sahig ang empty can at tumayo.

     Kumuha ito ng mga limang can. Inilagay sa may maliit na center table. 

     Mathara's gaze was focused on the beer cans, watching the droplets of water run down its body until it reaches the surface of the table making a small puddle beneath it. It is her attempt to hide any reaction after hearing third suspect's name. It strung a strangely familiar chord, evoking a discomfort she couldn't quite place, leaving her confused by the inexplicable pain it stirred within her. 

     Nakita niya ito sa litratong mayroon si Ronin at ang batang bersiyon nito doon sa bus ni Mira.

     Hindi din niya ma-explain ang mga detalyadong mga panaginip niya tungkol sa mga murders. It's like she used her body and limbs to execute them. Hindi naman niya maalala, ayaw din niya maalala.

     'Kung ako man siya, mas gugustuhin kong wag nang maalala ang lahat,' she thought.

     Yes, she recalled seeing that name before, though it had slipped from her memory in the midst of her distracted state. Kinuha na niya ang isa pang canned beer at binuksan. Weird, her hand knew how to open it without asking Ronin. 

     In reality, hindi talaga siya gaanong umiinom, sinasabayan lang niya sina Jaxon at Logan. Lalo na pag may celebration, gaya ng successful missions.

     Ronin saw that and smirked. "You like beer, huh?" he reacted.

     Ilang beer pa ang naubos nila. Naubos ata nila lahat ng laman ng ref. Hindi pa naman naramdaman ni Mathara ang epekto kasi hindi pa naman siya gumagalaw sa inuupuan. Exhaustion and drowsiness weighed heavily on her after dropping the last can she had. She attempted to stand up. However, as she rose, her vision spun, sending the room into a disorienting whirl. Nahihilo siya kaya natumba.

     Ronin swiftly caught her, preventing her weariness threatened to overpower her balance. Baka mabagok pa ito sa kung saan.

     Mathara instinctively wrapped her arms around Ronin's neck. Sobrang lapit nila sa isa't isa. Mathara is closing her eyes, she's sleepy. She was trying her best to open them though.

     "Hey," tawag ni Ronin dito. He's feeling dizzy too. Nasobrahan ata sila sa beer.

     "Hmm?" Mathara just gave him a soft murmur.

      They both caught the scent of each other's breath, unmistakably tinged with the aroma of beer. May electric fan pero pinagpapawisan sila. 

     Ronin found himself staring and drawn to Mathara's soft, inviting lips. Their allure tempted him, making him swallow his own saliva as he try to dispel any inappropriate thoughts that crept into his mind. 

     Mathara reluctantly opened her eyes because she can hear Ronin's racing heart in the silence. Their gaze met, and an unspoken connection formed, igniting a subtle warmth in their cheeks. The alcohol may have contributed, but an unfamiliar fluttering sensation in their stomachs hinted at something beyond the influence of the drinks.

     'Yong liwanag ng tv, nakaharap kay Ronin kaya't kitang kita ang namumula niyang mukha. Nasa couch si Ronin nakaupo at naka kandong si Mathara sa kanya. Tatayo na sana siya para buhatin ang dalaga ngunit nahihilo na din pala siya.

     Hindi yun sinasadya pero, pinilit niyang hindi mahulog si Mathara sa sahig. Nagawa pa niya itong hilain para doon sa couch maibalik. 

     The atmosphere thickened with an unexpected awkwardness as Mathara found herself beneath him, arms still entwined around his neck. That weird feeling lingered in the air. Ronin is pulled close to her but he did his best para hindi ito madaganan. Dahan dahan niyang pilit inaalis ang mga kamay nito ngunit mas lalo pa itong humigpit.

     "Wag mo akong iwan," she whispered. May luha pang tumulo sa isa sa mga mata ng dalaga. She's suddenly looking sad. Dala siguro ito ng alak.

     "No, I won't," he whispered back. Nagkatitigan sila ulit. Both of their hearts are racing in unison. A magnetic attraction seemed to draw them closer, the air thick with an undeniable temptation that removed the distance between them.

     Ronin had another gulp as he watched Mathara's eyes looking so--beautiful.

     Their bodies are pressed to each other for the first time. Magkadikit at nanginginit.

     Ayaw man nila aminin pero may kakaunting spark na silang dalawa. It's something small but it lead them into a kiss. Isang halik na nagsasabi ng mga nakatagong nararamdaman ng dalawa para sa isa't isa.

TakahashiKazumi2024