𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝟎𝟏: 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭 (𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃)

𝟐𝟎: 𝐈𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥

      Makalat ang sahig ng sala. Puno ito ng mga beer cans na wala nang laman. The lingering scent of alcohol penetrated the room as morning light spilled its light through the windows, casting silhouettes that danced upon the walls. 

     Amidst the gentle rays, two figures rested on the couch, their peaceful breaths intertwining, sharing the residual warmth from the night.

     Nagising si Mathara na may kayakap. She layed comfortably against his arm, his embrace secure and intimate, creating a silent connection in the soft morning light. Mabilis na napatalon si Mathara nang matanto sino ang katabi niya.

     Hindi niya alam anong nangyari kagabi't magkayakap na sila sa umaga. 

     A soft crunch echoed through the room as she stepped backward, the sound of a crushed can gave an abrupt disruption in the otherwise quiet atmosphere. Napatingin siya sa paanan niya. Now she remembered na ang dami niyang nainom kagabi. Kaya siguro hindi na siya nakabalik sa kwarto. She shivered, hindi niya maisip na kinaya niyang matulog katabi si Ronin sa isang maliit pang space. Buti nalang at walang nahulog sa kanila.

     Ronin, too, attempted to soothe the throbbing in his temples, his hand gently massaging the pain away as the lingering effects of the hangover made their presence felt. It's just a light headache pero parang masama na ito para bumungad sa umaga.

     Bumangon na siya para umupo at magkamot ng ulo. He even yawned. Natigilan siya ng makita si Mathara sa harap niyang niyayakap ang sarili.

     "Anong ginawa mo sa akin?" tanong nito. Napakunot ang noo ni Ronin. He's trying to remember what happened last night.

     "Parang wala naman akong ginawa sayo. You're still fully clothed," he replied. Tumayo na ito at isang hakbang lang ay nakatapak siya ng can.

     He suddenly remembered something, that memory of Mathara's soft lips coming back to him. Tama ba itong naaalala niya? Did he truly share a kiss with her? Hindi niya gaanong maalala. Baka guni-guni lang niya. Nagpatuloy na siya sa kusina at kumuha ng baso para uminom.

     Mathara just watched Ronin's back. She's also trying to remember what happened last night. An odd and awkward feeling enveloped her, intensifying the mystery of their shared experiences.

     

     She suddenly remembered a warm body pressing against hers, the sensation of his warm lips devouring hers. Napahawak siya sa mga labi at nanlaki ang mga mata. She somehow knew within her that it was her first kiss. It left her in a momentary state of disbelief, as she grappled with the realization of that first intimate encounter she ever had.

     Ronin on the other hand is froze, as he too, finally remembered what happened. It's just a kiss but he felt he stole something from her. Baka gusto ni Mathara na ang unang halik niya ay mula sa taong mahal at hindi sa kung sino mang lalaki. Isa lang siyang taong nagmagandang loob na sumagip sa kanya sa ilog na yun.

     But is it really just that? Maybe there's something else.

     Buti nalang at may trabaho si Ronin, hindi sila makukulong sa iisang lugar. Pareho nga lang silang nawawala sa pokus. 

     Natumba ang isang baso ng coke na inilagay sana ni Ronin sa counter. Bumalik siya sa sarili at nagmadaling punasan ito.

     "Okay ka lang? Parang wala ka sa sarili a," tanong ng kasamang si Loraine. Tinulungan siya nitong linisin ang counter. Tumango lang si Ronin bilang sagot. "Something's bothering you," she added.

     Umiling lang si Ronin at dinedma ito.

    

     Nakatulala si Mathara kaharap ang tanawin sa labas ng bahay. Wala namang magandang tignan doon, puro mga halaman lang at puno. Hindi lang niya maintindihan ang nararamdaman. 

     Isang pamilyar na sasakyan ang dumaan. It was Jaxon. Nakakunot ang noo nito habang nagdadrive, nasisilaw sa liwanag sa labas. He abruptly noticed a figure standing beside the road, making him step on the breaks to slow down. The face was familiar, that is Death Devil.

     Napatigil siya sa tapat nito. Tinignan lang ni Mathara ang sasakyan. Tinted ito at hindi niya makita sinong nasa loob.

     Ibinaba ni Jaxon ang windshield at nagtama ang mga mata nila.

     Jaxon felt his heart pound once more. When had this girl ever looked him in the eyes before? Ah tama, during their duel.

     "Ugh!" Jaxon grunted, attempting to free himself from Mathara's relentless hold. Stuck in the clutches of her locking attack, he found himself immobilized. His only option to gaze into her intense brown eyes. The rapid beating of his heart echoed in his ears, realizing that this strong girl had won over him again in the hand-to-hand combat.

     Nasa sahig siya nakahiga. His right arm found itself trapped between Mathara's crossed legs, akin to a wrestling hold. His non-dominant left hand is still trying to break free from the girl's arm pressed firmly against his neck.

     Ginawa na niya lahat pero parang mas mahina talaga siya. Tiniis na muna niya ang posisyon upang mapatagal ang titigan na yun. It dawned on him—the only way he could meet her eyes was through this intense confrontation.

     Yes, Jaxon has been secretly admiring Mathara since teenage days. Panahong nagsasanay pa sila. The Death Devil doesn't feel the same way. She has no time for such nonsense. 

     "Sino ka?" tanong ng dalaga dito na nagpabalik kay Jaxon sa realidad. 

     "Hindi mo ako kilala?" he asked to confirm. Umiling lang ang dalaga. He felt peculiar for a moment, this is the first time she ever talked to him.

     "Aren't you--" he paused. Baka ito na ang pagkakataon para makausap siya. Hindi niya alam kung totoong hindi siya nito kilala or maybe she's just playing. Sasakyan niya. Bumaba siya ng sasakyan at tumakbo paikot para makalapit. "I'm Jaxon, and you?"

     "Luci," she replied. Inabot ni Jaxon ang isang kamay niya. Tinanggap naman ito ng dalaga. Jaxon's heart is happy. Napatingin siya sa mga kamay nilang magkahawak.

     Binawi naman ni Mathara ang kamay, medyo matagal na kasi itong hinahawakan ng lalaki. She don't see him as a threat.

     Napa-isip bigla si Jaxon. Luci ba ang tunay na pangalan ni Death Devil? O ibang pangalan yun?

     "Hindi mo ba talaga ako naaalala?" tanong niya ulit. As he gazed at her once more, he noticed a transformation in those once sharp eyes—they are now more relaxed. It was as if the familiar Death Devil had evolved into something different, something softer.

     Hindi na niya namalayan umalis na ito sa harap niya. Saka siya nagkataon na pindutin ang device na nasa tenga niya.

     "I found her."

TakahashiKazumi2024