THE SECLUDED TRAILS OF DECEIT '. ruler of fate series l first book

KABANATA 36

The Secluded Trails of Deceit
written by : riyanisity

After applying a light make-up and a decent amount of perfume to my wrists, neck, and clothes as well, I went out of my room wearing my white satin backless boatneck, paired by a black mid-thigh fitted skirt, and d'orsay heels. Its ankle strap is made of pearls, while the rest of the material is a shade of crimson red. My current bag is the same color as it, while my hair is in a clean bun.

It's been weeks since Draven and I, personally, last saw each other. Both of us are busy doing our research papers while also drowning in a lot of activities, like him doing his readings and me making my plates. Sa sunod-sunod na recit niya, at ang mga site visit na pinapagawa sa'min ay nakakatulugan na nga namin ang isa't isa, o 'di kaya ay nalilimutan na dahil tutok kami sa kaniya-kaniyang ginagawa kapag tumatawag kami tuwing gabi. Dahil huling taon ko na sa pag-aaral, kaya bagsakan talaga ang mga gawain. Draven, on the other hand, still has one year to finish his law school but is studying nonstop too.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mahagip ng aking mga mata si Sab na nakaupo sa sofa at hawak-hawak ang ulo niya. Hindi man lang niya napansin ang tunog matapos kong isara ang pinto, hanggang sa makalapit ako sa tabi niya. It's as if she's lost in her own thoughts.

Right when I held her arm, she let out a loud gasp, immediately stood up, and took a step back. Her eyes were widened, her forehead was sweating, and her hands were trembling all at the same time. Namumutla rin ang buong mukha niya na mas lalo kong ipinagtaka.

I placed the back of my palm on her neck before wiping her sweat with my hand. "Are you okay?"

Nang marinig ang boses ko ay mistulang natauhan siya. She gulped and licked her lips before letting out a heavy breath. Tinanggal niya ang kamay ko sa kaniyang mukha at ngumiti nang tipid. "I'm okay, Vanna. Pagod lang sa mga ginagawa sa school. Matutulog na muna ako."

Before I could even answer, she was quick to walk away from me and go inside her room. Hindi niya na 'ko nilingon pa simula no'n, hanggang sa maisara niya ang pinto sa pagitan naming dalawa.

Instead of heading straight out of the unit, I followed her path and made a knock on her door. "Call me when you need something, okay..? Aalis lang ako saglit."

"Huwag mo 'kong alalahanin. Ingat ka, Vanna."

I bit my lip and slowly nodded my head, even though she couldn't see it. Saktong pagtalikod ko sa kwarto niya, ang pagbukas naman ng pinto ng condo namin. Izelle walked inside like she's one of the owners of this unit and even threw her bag on the couch before heading straight to our kitchen.

"Good, you're here. May magbabantay kay Sab."

Tumingin siya sa'kin pabalik, habang nagsasalin ng tubig sa baso. "Bakit..? Ano'ng nangyare? May sakit ba..?"

My shoulder's shrugged. "I don't know, really. Namumutla, halatang walang tulog, at pagod din siguro. Bantayan mo, baka magkasakit ng tuluyan 'yan mamaya. Babalik din naman ako kaagad."

"May hihiramin lang sana ako, pero sige." She gulped the cold water continuously before running to Sab's room.

Bago pa man siya makapasok at makalampas sa'kin, ay hinila ko ang damit niya sa likod, which choked her a bit. "Didn't you hear what I said..? She's tired, so let her rest. Tsaka mo na lang lapitan, kapag may kailangan."

Pinalo niya ang kamay ko at tinulak ako papalayo. "Tangina, papatayin mo ata ako, eh." Her lips twitched as she fixed her blouse, "Makikitabi lang naman. Bawal ba..? Pagod din naman ako, no!" mataray niyang sagot.

I rolled my eyes and headed straight towards the door, "You can sleep anywhere for now, but not beside her. Wala akong pakialam kahit sa banyo o labas ka pa matulog." saad ko bago lumabas sa unit namin.