The Devil's Trap

Chapter 32: Roses and Blood

Chapter 32: Roses and Blood

Pinagmasdan ko ang interior ng bahay. From the wallpaper, to the chandeliers, down to the carpeted floor. The house was fully furnished. The bed has fresh sheets. Everything seems serene and undisturbed the first time I stepped inside the house.

Umupo ako sa kama na sapo ang aking mukha. But what should I feel? This house... this house screams Landon. At kahit gaano pa ito kalaki o karangya, kung wala siya sa aking tabi, lahat ito ay balewala.

I miss him. I'm worried. Nasaan na siya? Ano na ang kanyang ginagawa? Maayos ba siya?

Napahiga ako sa kama at napatitig sa ceiling. This pain... is digging into my bones.

--

I woke up disoriented and dazed the next day. Bumalot sa akin ang tahimik at hindi familiar na paligid. Muling nagsink in sa akin kung nasaan ako.

Nagbihis ako at Bumaba sa kusina upang maghanda ng pagkain. River left me several grocery bags full of food so I don't have to worry about it. Maayos din na gumagana ang mga facilities ng bahay.

Dinala ko ang mug ng kape sa balkonahe. Sumisilip ang sinag ng araw mula sa likod ng nagtataasang pader na binabalutan ng halaman. Tumatama ang sinag nito sa aking mukha.

Payapa ang paligid. Lone birds chirped nearby.  This semi-victorian house is something I could only dream of. At mas maganda pa ito ngayong malinaw kong nakikita ang bawat detalye ng bahay.

There's a garden, with low plants, and bonsai. There's also a small empty pond. Trees are tall, but not looming. Trimmed grass covered most of the ground. I wanted to walk on bare feet to feel the grass. I wanted to feel these simple things again.

--

Pumasok ako sa school noong umagang yon. It took me twenty minutes more of travel time now that I have a new residence.

We have a make up class in a major subject that day. Ngunit maliban doon, ang dahilan kaya pumasok ako ng maaga ay si Elyse. Gusto ko siyang maka-usap. Gusto kong marinig sa kanya ang dahilan kung bakit nagawa niya akong iwan nang ganoon nalang.

Nadatnan ko si Elyse na kausap ang ilan sa kanyang mga katabi. You could put Elyse anywhere and she could be friends with anyone. It's considered a previledge to be friends with Elyse.

Nilapitan ko sila. Nagkatinginan ang kanyang mga kausap. They know who I am. The girl who always tags along with Elyse. This is my identity.

"Can we talk?"

Tinignan ni Elyse ang wrist watch niya. "It's almost time for our class, Danny," she said with a pretty smile. "You can tell it here. Come sit."

Tinuro niya ang bakanteng upuan na pinakamalapit. I was hesistant to tell her there. Madami ang makakarinig.

"About... the apartment..."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Danny. I have a new condo. I can't always tag you along, can I?"

I blinked. Pakiramdam ko napahiya ako.

Noong mga oras na yon kadarating lang nila Daniela sa seminar room. Narinig nila ang aming usapan. Daniela was about to say something when Justin motioned for her to leave this between us.

Ilan sa mga nakarinig ay napatingin sa aming direction. Yes, I understand. I'm Elyse's shadow.

"Naintindihan ko," sinabi ko kay Elyse.

In that exact moment I knew... I lost her. I lost my best friend. And the most painful thing about it... is maybe she never really considered me as one.