THE DAY HE BECAME RUTHLESS: The Metaphorical Series #2

FORTY ONE

Mga hikbi ni Sue ang nanaig sa kwarto. Ang hilingin na sana'y nagkamali ako ng rinig ay huli na. From how her moist eyes shied away from me and Wilmer's anger, it was a surefire sight that I heard him all right.

I didn't have to ask the questions. Paliwanag ang kailangan ko mula sa dalawa. My mind treaded back to our high school days, trying to trace some proof regarding these two. Ganoon sila kagaling maglihim?

Dean's arm slithered around my slim waist. Kaagad sumunod ang mainit niyang hininga nang bumulong sa aking tenga.

"Ruth, let them talk in private first."

I fought the shiver it brought to my skin and braved my way into his stare. His green slits were deliberate and cautious while mine already has the accusation.

"Let them sort this out then you talk to them after."

I stared at him longer than necessary. How could he let other people have their matters fixed when he wouldn't even allow to settle ours?

Sa muli kong pagbaling sa dalawa ay hindi na sila makatingin sa akin. I started to understand their need for privacy the second I saw their reactions. Wilmer was glaring on the floor while setting his muscled arms akimbo. Si Sue na humihikbi pa rin ay niyayakap ang sarili.

Binitawan ko ang doorknob at lumabas ng kuwarto. Sinara ni Dean ang pinto.

"You look mad," aniya. The loud pounding of his footfalls declared how near he was behind me.

Umikot ako upang maharap siya. Mukha pa siyang nagulat at agad na huminto.

"You knew," I stated.

Hindi iyon tanong ngunit simple siyang umiling.

"How come? He's your bestfriend."

Nag-angat siya ng kilay. "And how come to you, too. She's your sister."

Uminit ang pisngi ko at nag-iwas ng tingin dahil sa hiya.

Huminga ako nang malalim at binagsak ang sarili sa sofa. Mabilis akong hinagkan ng pagod at balak ko na sanang magpahinga. But resting was just the expectation while I was on my way here. Confronting all of these was the reality.

Tiningala ko ang kwartong pinag-iwanan ko sa dalawa. I heard murmurs and slight raise of voices. Muntik na akong sumugod doon nang makarinig ng pagbagsak ng mga gamit. Nagtama ang paningin namin ni Dean.

"Si Arrow?" tanong ko.

"With Skylar. Nasa music room."

"May media sa baba," agap ko, hindi na nagpaligoy-ligoy. "Siguro gustong klaruhin ang nakita nila sa mall. It's all over the social media now, Dean."

He didn't seem bothered. Ang salubong niyang kilay ay hindi ko alam ang ibig sabihin.

"You're worried," He simply stated. And he sounded so relaxed at that!

"Of course, I'm worried!"

"For what? Let them know about us."

How could he say something like that given our situation? Hindi porke't nagpapansinan kami ay maayos na ang lahat. We're all pending cases of an unfinished business in here.

"Paano magkakaroon ng tayo? Our issue is still up in the air because you still don't want me to start talking about it. You don't want to listen. So, what is there for us to have an 'us', Dean?" diin ko.

His nature colored eyes were violently wiped out by the hurricane that has claimed his rude being. The sharp stare reminded me of the lines and bolt of lightning. Hinila niya ang sarili at marahas na inilapit ang kanyang mukha. He was up for a challenge. His jaw indicated it as it clenched.