A Tribian Tale

12. The Chase

Nakakuyom na ang kamao ko para suntukin ang lalaki. I never learned any self-defense pero hindi naman ako tuod para hayaan kong nakawan ako ng halik ng lalaking ito. His wish will never happen! 

Naramdaman ko ang mainit na hininga nito sa dulo ng tainga ko. Nakasandal ang braso nito sa pader na nasa likuran ko. 

He leans down. Closer. Closer than I almost forget my knuckles on the grip to meet his face.

Our bodies lit the entire house. I feel very lite.

Nararamdaman ko ang pagdaloy ng mainit na enerhiya patungo sa mga kamay ko. I never thought my body could really respond to danger and protect me from it. All I knew was my system can easily heal any wounds.

Umiilaw na ang dalawa kong kamay. Marahil ay napansin iyon ng lalaki kaya tumigil ang paglalakbay ng mga labi nito patungo sa labi ko.

He jerks his face away from where I stand. His jaw tightens in disappointment. Kaagad ding nawala ang pagkadismaya sa kanyang mukha nang mapansin niya ang mga liwanag sa kamay ko. 

"Well, that's promising." Naaliw na nakatingin ito sa nagliliwanag kong mga kamay. He steps back and just stares at me for the next couple of minutes. 

I tighten my knuckle grip.

He draws back and moves away. "You may go. No one will even hunt you ever."

Napalunok ako. Bigla kong naisip ang tinutukoy nitong Unos at Circles. What if they won't stop? "H-how sure are you I'm not bothered by those squads?"

"They followed us here and saw you enter this house. That means you're already an ally of this house. No one messes with us. Fina already made sure of that."

I look down to settle my nerves. Mas lalo kasi akong pinanghihinaan sa tuwing nakikita kong tinititigan ako nito. I clear my throat and start to stride towards the door. "T-Thank you."

He closes his eyes and ignores me. 

Pinihit ko ang door knob. Palabas na ako nang sumalubong ang isang bulto ng matipunong lalaki na nakatayo sa harap ng pintuan. He's about to open the door. Nagulat ang lalaki nang makita ako pero mabilis ding napalitan iyon ng magiliw niyang ngiti. 

"Stella!" 

"H-Hi!" 

"Something happened? You're in The Drift house." His blue eyes burn into mine. Then he looks at Chase as if to question my presence here. 

Sinulyapan ko si Chase. Hindi ito umimik.

Mukhang sanay naman si Fabian sa ugali ni Chase. Hindi na ito muling nagtanong pa bagkus ay muling bumaling saakin. He might have noticed me leaving the house. "Ihatatid na kita."

It wasn't a question but a gentlemanly gesture from Fabian. I couldn't reject the offer. 

Bigla, tila naglaho ang pangamba ko kaninang maglakad mag-isa sa gitna ng kakahuyan. Tumango ako bilang pagtugon. 

The trepidation disperses. 

"Let's go then."

"Okay."

"Fifth crucible!" Nagawang maisingit ni Chase bago ako tuluyang makalabas ng bahay. 

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Fabian sa lalaki. Balik na naman ito sa pagiging suplado na nagawa pa akong ismiran bago muling pumukit para magpahinga. 

I wonder why he knows my crucible number. Is he just a curious guy, or part of being a member of The Drift is knowing who's who? I don't know. What's important is I will no longer be bothered by creeping and spying squads.