The Devil's Trap

Chapter 37: Silver and Gold

Chapter 37: Silver and Gold

"You should not go."

Ito ang sinabi ni Landon matapos mabasa ang invitation. Nakaupo siya sa sofa. Nag-igting ang kanyang panga habang nakatukod ang siko sa tuhod at malalim ang iniisip.

He never looked so tired, so defeated. His family already know where I am. They already know that Landon is with me. Landon cursed under his breath. Naihilamos niya ang palad sa mukha.

"Hindi ko alam kung ano ang iniisip niya," sinabi nito sa mababang boses.

"I will go."

Nag angat ng tingin si Landon at agad na napatitig sa akin. Bumakas ang pagkabigla at pangamba sa kanyang mukha.

"No," mariin niyang sinabi. "Hindi mo kailangan na harapin siya. Ako ang bahala. Kaya kitang protektahan."

"Landon, tama na."

Landon blinked. Tila naguluhan siya sa aking sinabi.

"You know what I wish for? It is to be with you without fear... without hiding. I want normal days with you, and nights where I don't have to worry if you would still be beside me the following day. Landon, I want it so bad it's killing me. Can't we have that?"

Tumayo si Landon at lumapit sa akin. Hinawakan niya ang aking pisngi at pinahid ang luha sa aking mga mata.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry if this love is tiring you."

Umiling ako. It's the other way around, Landon. I'm terrified that someday you'll get tired of this. That somehow you'll see that this love is nothing but pains and cages. That the connection that once binded us now chains us.

Dumampi ang noo ni Landon sa akin. Tuluyan akong napa-pikit nang maramdaman ang kanyang halik.

Landon, I'm terrified to the point of trembling. I'm scared I might lose you after this night.

But I'm also hoping. I'm hoping that somehow a day will come that we don't have to fight for our light anymore because they are finally within our reach.

How can love be this tiring, Landon? When will you be within my reach?

--

Dumating ang araw ng Sabado. Araw na nakatakda sa invitation. Hapon palang ay naka-abang na ang dalawang itim na sasakyan sa labas ng mansion kasama ang ilang bodyguards na galing sa mansion ng mga Monaghan.

Papalubog na ang araw nang pagmasdan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin. I'm wearing the dress that comes with the invitation. A silver, fitted, long dress, which sparkle beneath the light.

Mula sa bintana ay pumapasok ang matingkad na liwanag ng araw na dumadampi sa aking mukha. Huminga ako nang malalim. Once again, I'm about to enter their world. Landon's world. Will I have the strength to stay?

This could be the beginning. This could also be the end.

Pumasok si Landon sa kwarto. I saw his reflection from the mirror. He looks stunning.

He's wearing all black. Black tuxedo, black polo, black tie. His hair is styled in it's usual way of playful formal; cut shorter, with messy strands. His face is clean shaven, emphasizing his thick eyebrows and sharp jaw.

I stared at him through the mirror, with longing in my eyes. Up to this moment I can't believe he's mine.

"You look beautiful," he said. "But there is something missing."

Isang manipis na bagay ang dumampi sa aking leeg. Sinuot ni Landon sa akin ang isang kwintas. Hinawakan ko ang pendant nito. It was a black stone with intricate carving of a rose and lion crest.