The Fan

Chapter 22

Glaiza rammage her trunk hidden under her bed. Rhian standing behind the stopped woman, peeking what could be hidden inside the big wooden container. Glaize pulled something long container, pushed the trunk back to its original place and sat on the bed. The container has been untouched for uncountable years. Huli niya itong ginamit when she was still learning martial arts. Pinagaralan din niya ang weapon na ito, but she excell in archery.

"Lablab, ano yan?" asked Rhian curiously.

Glaiza pulled the top and took out the contents that is covered with a yellowish cheesecloth.

"Arnis ang tawag dito," she answered as she uncover two long and thick sticks. "Binigay ito sa akin ng kaibigan ni tatay na ninong ko. Bihasa siya sa paggamit nito at siya rin ang nagturo sa akin. I have not used this for so long," she continued habang sinisipat ang dalawang makintab na kahoy.

"Anong gagawin mo dyan?"

"Wala akong baril. My bow and arrows are back at the martial arts school,"

"Bakit? Para saan ba yan?"

"Its a kind of weapon,"

"Why do we need a weapon?"

Maingat na ibinalik ni Glaiza ang arnis sa loob ng lalagyan nito at inilapag sa ibabaw ng kama, then stood up and faced Rhian. She tucked her hair behind both ears and sighed. Sa kabila ng mahinahon nitong pananalita, she knows na may kaba at takot itong nararamdaman dahil sa komusyon na narinig nang tinawagan nila ang tiyuhin ng dalaga. Ni hindi man lang pinagpaliban ng mga damuhong ang kanilang balak at talagang sa bisperas ng bagong taon nila ginawa ang kanilang kagaguhan. She wanted Rhian to feel confident. Na mawala ang pangamba niya. No words between them but she understands her completely.

"First, I am your bodyguard. Second, mahal kita. My hands may be my lethal weapon but I will not take any chances na masaktan ka," her fingers traced Rhian's face, sliding down from her jaw down to her chin and held her still.

Para silang mga magnet that both ends attract each other hanggang sa magdikit ito. Under Glaiza's lips, she can feel the other woman quiver. She wrapped her arms around Rhian at umikot, having Rhian's back at the bed. Pushing her gently until her back touched the surface of their thin yet soft mattress having her front pressed against the woman beneath her. 

Their kiss was kind, mild, compassionate and assuring. Glaiza absorbing Rhian's fear of their situation, promising her protection and security. Sa paghagod ni Rhian sa kanyang likod ang naging senyales ni Glaiza that she accepted her encouragement, na hindi niya ito pababayaan. She is her shield, her fortress.

Her HERO.

"Glaiza, anak," pagtawag ni nanay Cristy sa labas ng kanilang kwarto. Glaiza immediately stood up at inayos ang sarili leaving Rhian na ngiti-ngiti dahil sa naudlot nilang pagniniig.

"Nay," Glaiza opened the door.

"Nakapag-ayos na ba kayo?" sumilip ang nanay nito at nakita si Rhian na nakaupo sa gilid ng kama.

"O...opo. May pinag-uusapan lang po kami ni Rhian," she moved aside upang papasukin ang ina.

"Kinausap ko na ang tatay mo. Hindi pa rin niya tanggap pero hindi na siya galit. Pagpasensyahan n'yo na ang tatay ninyo," then she fished  something inside her bestida na nakabalot sa puting tela. "Ito, gamitin ninyo ito," kinuha niya ang kamay ng anak at inilipat ang hawak sa kamay nito. Glaiza opened it, nakita ang isang makapal bulto ng tig-lilibuhing pera. "Mag-eroplano na kayo para mas mabilis ang byahe. May kamahalan ang ticket kapag ngayong araw kayo luluwas. Bisperas pa naman ngayon,"