Every Bad Thing

Chapter Thirty-One

I woke up sore and drained the next morning. Masakit na iyon matapos may mangyari, pero mas lumala ngayong umaga. I didn't want to get out of my bed. After eating breakfast with my family, I went back to my room before my family realizes that there's something wrong with me.

While watching the television, everything that happened yesterday kept on playing back in my mind like an old movie. 

Silas took care of me after we... made love. He was shy but he constantly asked me if I was okay or if it hurts. We weren't able to watch another movie after that. I wanted to be held by him, so we just cuddled on the sofa as tranquility wrapped around us like a blanket.

I wish I could stop the time at that moment. Or at least extend each second to minute. I wanted yesterday to last. I wish I could relive it over and over... I wish it didn't have to end.

I blinked the tears away when a set of knocks disturbed the silence. I didn't lock the door. I didn't want them to think there's something wrong with me. They will all hover when they find out. I just want to be alone.

The door opened even when I didn't give whoever knocked permission to come in. Hadeon sauntered inside the room. Unlike me, he's all dressed up. Looks like he's got plans for today. I could smell his strong cologne from here.

"Silas sent me a text, asking how you are feeling." he asked, glancing at the screen briefly before looking back at me. Sumikip ang dibdib ko. "I asked him why he's texting me instead of you... and he said Mom confiscated your phone."

Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Isang iglap pinagpapawisan ako at medyo nanlalamig.

"Now, Laurene, why did you lie to him?" Hadeon carefully asked.

I took a deep breath. My brain frantically searched for an alibi. I averted my eyes from him. "T-Tinatamad akong mag text."

"Don't lie to me, L." he spat, his irritation finally showed.

"Then don't ask me questions anymore." I bit back. My face and ears were warm in slight anger.

He clamped his jaw. He closed his eyes and massaged his temples, like talking to me was giving him a major headache. He brought down his hand and looked at me in resignation. He heavily sighed.

Hadeon inspected my face, as if he's looking for something that was buried underneath layers of masks. Worry glittered his eyes. "Are you okay?" 

My eyes warmed. I inhaled deeply. I need to be careful or my tears will fall off. I reined my emotions, taking full control. A smile managed to break free from my lips. "I'm fine."

Alam ni Hadeon na kung may tinatago man ako sa kanya ay hindi niya ako mapipilit na sabihin iyon, Hindi na niya pinilit pang alamin at nagpaalam na lang na may pupuntahan.

Monday, I didn't go to school early like I've been practicing for the past two years  and went back to my old ways. Hindi na ako nauna sa pagkain ng breakfast pero hindi ako sumabay sa mga kapatid ko. Maging si Hadeon ay nauna sa aking umalis. Idinahilan ko na mag-aayos pa ako. They didn't question it. All of them except for Hadeon were not suspicious of my excuse.

Saktong bell na nang dumating ako sa school. Nang pumasok ako ng room ay ramdam ko agad ang mabigat na pagtitig ni Silas sa akin. My heart gets pulled off my chest whenever his eyes are on me. He's waiting for me to return his stares. I didn't.

The lecture immediately started for our first subject. Wala siyang naging pagkakataon para lapitan ako. Before the class ended, I excused myself to go to the restroom. Bumalik lang ako nang nakasigurado na nasa room na ang pangalawang subject teacher. I did the same thing before recess came.