1937 (Editing)

[L] Chapter 38: DOLl

Lincoln

Continues headache made me open my eyes. I suddenly noticed a familiar yet different surroundings and therefore roamed my eyes. I tried to get up but my back hurts, I can't move properly.

"He-hello Kuya Lincoln."

Agad akong lumingon sa isang pamilyar na boses.
"Savannah? Nasaan ako?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"Hospital Kuya, nabundol ka remember?" She slowly walked towards me while scratching her neck, avoiding eye contact. "Because of me, kaya ka nandito ngayon. Sorry at thank you na rin for saving me. Never have I imagined you risking your life for me."

Oh that's right, I remember, I saved her.

"Yeah whatever." I rolled my eyes and looked away.

Umupo si Savannah sa gilid ng hospital bed at nagsimulang magbalat ng mansanas na nasa ibabaw ng table. "Giovanni likes apples, I assume ikaw din?"

Kinunutan ko sya ng noo, "I used to love apples pero since gusto rin pala 'yan ni Giovanni, mangga na lang ang new favourite fruit ko." Ugh, I would never tolerate such an insult.

"Ah eh Kuya wala tayong mangga e—"

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng inis sa inaasal sa akin ngayon ng kasama ko kaya kahit masakit ang likod ko ay agad akong bumangon para mapantayan sya. "Wala akong gustong kainin. Huwag kang magbait-baitan sa akin dahil lang sa, entre guimet, linigtas ko ang buhay mo."

"Sorry Kuya, ito kasi yung way ko ng pagpapasalamat e."

"Pwes huwag kang magpasalamat, tinulak lang naman kita mula sa katangahan mo! That's it!"

"I'm sorry."

I bit my lip as I try to maintain my composure, "Look Savannah, you know me well right? I didn't save you because I wanted to be your hero." I rested my arm on her shoulder and leaned my face on her back. "Of course I want something in return."

Ramdam ko ang biglang pagkabog ng dibdib nya, nanginig din ang buo nyang katawan. "Ah...Kuya...I'm just going to see Zachary outside, kausap nya kasi yung...yung naka—"

Akmang tatayo na sana sya pero agad ko syang pinigilan. "You're not going anywhere without my consent, hindi ko pa nga nasasabi ang kabayaran 'di ba?"

Savannah's trembling voice reached my ears. "What do you want in return? Hindi pa ba enough lahat ng mga nagawa ko para sa'yo?"

Secretly, I smirked behind her back. "Well...I just want to see my little brother Giovanni, although I bet he doesn't want to see me, can you go and get him for me?"

Savannah looked at me, teary-eyed, and spoke. "What do you want from him?"

I was about to open my mouth when the door opened first therefore making me halt.

"I'm here, what do you want?"

My eyes immediately landed on a tall lad who just came in, my lips formed a smile when I realised who he was. "Giovanni."

Giovanni immidiately snatched Savannah from my arms and held her tightly. "Can you stop bothering her?! What do you want from me?!" He shouted in rage.

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti ko't hindi ko na nga naiwasang matawa. "Kumalma ka nga, I just saved that girl, kung makapang-husga ka naman."

"You saved her because you need something from her! You said it so yourself! I heard you! Quit mocking me and tell me your real intentions!" Hindi na nakapag-pigil si Giovanni at kinuwelyuhan na ako. "Do you want the crown huh? Do you want the power?"