A Bloodless War

Kabanata 15

Kabanata 15

MY tears fell. Napapikit ako at sa pagmulat ko ay nakita ko ulit ang nakahigang si Zeijan.

My hand felt numb, so I tightened the grip. One by one, I took a step forward and each step feels wrong, it feels heavy.

I pointed the gun at him again and closed my eyes. That's when I remembered Zeijan's warm smile while holding my hand. I saw his sweet blue eyes, his cheesy jokes, his calming voice.

Naalala ko lahat at sa pagmulat ko ay nanghina ako.

Suddenly, my fingers shook. Nabitawan ko ang baril at napaupo habang sapo ang mukha ko.

"I-I can't..." I whispered.

No, hindi ko kaya... Ayoko...

Napaluha akong lalo at tinakpan ang bibig ko.

"T-this isn't true... Hindi..." I kept on saying, convincing myself. Ang bigat sa dibdib ko ay kinakain ang katawan ko. Nawawalan ako ng lakas. Nanghihina.

He moved. I gasped. Kaagad akong napatayo at inabot ang baril ko. I was shaking as I walked. Gusto ko mang lumayo kaagad ay dinala ako ng mga paa ko sa kanya.

I sat next to him, shaking. Inabot ko ang mukha niya at umalpas ang hikbi sa labi ko nang makita kung gaano ito kaamo. I touched his face softly, with my hands trembling and my tears falling.

I touched him because this will be the last time, I will see him. I have to go. Aalis ako dahil kailangan, dahil hindi kami pwede. Dahil niloko niya ako.

He moved again. Aalis sana ako pero nahawakan niya ang kamay ko kaya natigil ako. He didn't open his eyes and just held my hand. He's still asleep pero naramdaman ko ang halik niya sa likod ng palad ko at ang pagyakap niya sa kamay ko.

I tried removing my hand, but his grip is so tight I can't escape.

Zeij, please... Let me go...

I moved my hand again and tried removing it and when I did, kaagad akong tumayo at mabilis na nagpalit ng damit. I immediately got my important things while shedding tears.

I have to go away. I can't see him again.

"T-Trece?"

"Lyx? Why?"

"C-could you fetch me? Please?" pabulong kong sabi sa telepono.

"Huh? Bakit?"

"P-please, Trece... I have to go," bulong ko at mahigpit na napahawak sa telepono.

"Huh? Sige, wait, where are you?" I told her exactly where I am. At bago ako lumabas ay muli akong sumulyap sa kama kung nasaan si Zeijan at mabilis na napatalikod paalis.

I didn't know how I got into Trece's car. Tahimik akong umiyak sa likuran ng sasakyan habang siya'y nakatingin lang sa akin sa salamin.

She's not saying anything, tanging ang mapanuring tingin ang ibinibigay niya sa akin at ikinaluwang ng loob ko iyon.

How is that possible? Si Zeijan... Si Archer.

How did that happen? Paanong... Parang impossible! Zeijan is just Zeijan, my husband! Bakit... Bakit siya si Archer?

I remembered the man who saved me while I was fighting with the fake one, the one wearing a black hoodie, that one man who got stabbed on the waist. Si Zeijan.

But why? Why did he lie? Why did he fool me?

"Lyx..." Sa nanlalabong mga mata ay sumulyap ako kay Trece. Bumaba ang tingin ko nang iabot niya sa akin ang isang panyong puti at pagkatapos ay malungkot na ngumiti.