Conquerors of the New World ✓

CNW 33: Bond

Anong mararamdaman mo kung ang isa sa pinakamahalagang tao sa buhay mo ay may tinatago palang sikreto? At ang masama, ay ang malaman mo pa iyon sa ibang tao imbis na sa kanya mismo?

I tapped my foot, crossing my arms with a brow curved upwards while waiting for Dustine to speak. Panay ang buntong hininga nito at patuloy ang pag iiwas ng tingin.

“I repeat, why did you hide it from me?” Tulad kanina ay malamig at matalim ang boses na pagkakasabi ko nito. At tulad kanina ay iniiwasan lamang ni Dustine ang aking tingin kahit hinuhuli ko iyon.

Annoyance consumed my whole body. Hindi ako nakatiis nang paluin ko ang table na nasa harapan namin at swear, I saw people look at our side but I don't care. “Sumagot ka kuya, naiinis na 'ko.” Mariin kong pagkakasabi at kunot na kunot ang noo.

Dustine sighed and opened his mouth. Naghintay ako ngunit sinarado nya lang ulit. Napahilot ako sa aking noo. “Kuya—”

“Fine. I'm shy.”

Hindi makapaniwalang tumingin ako kay Dustine. Not because of what he admitted, but because of his reason. Eh, diba pareho lang 'yon?

Nang hindi ako nagsalita ay nagpatuloy ito. “How could I tell you? I mean, how?” Diniinan nya ang pagkakasabi ng ‘how’, “Like, ‘Princess, I like someone who doesn't like me back,’ like that? Ain't I just make myself like a fool if I tell you like that?” He sighed. “You see, I'm not proud that she's pushing me away. I'm Dust— ShadowHunter. I'm the captain of the rank third Anonymoųs guild and I'm on rank number four in today's ranking. And a certain woman doesn't want me?” He laughed bitterly.

“I'm sorry that I hid it from you. It's just that, I'm planning to tell you when she finally accepted me with… that f—cking invitation, you know.” And he sighed, completely defeated.

Hindi kaagad ako nakapagsalita sa gulat. He really looks so lost, even tho he doesn't even lose in his battle with that Demon. Isa pa ay sobrang bago nito. Knowing Dustine, lahat ng gusto nya ay nakukuha nya. He's from a rich family, he has nice friends, his academic performance is exceptional, he has looks and that girls flock to have him. At ang kaisipang namomroblema sya dahil sa isang babae ay talagang bago lang sa akin.

I tried my best not to smile. Ah, now I finally understand why Red and the others are so happy. Tama. Finally Dustine met his match. The one who can tame him from a lion into a nice kitten.

Nevertheless, “What if she doesn't accept you? Are you even planning to tell me that?” Mas tinaasan ko ang kilay ko. So ganito nga ang pakiramdam? Ang sayang makita itong talo. Sorry, ang bad ko yata pero nakakatawa talaga eh!

Once in a lifetime lang 'to, 'no! Kaya susulitin ko na!

Naiinis na bumuntong hininga ito. “I already told you.” Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay. Ang naiinis nitong ekspresyon ay napalitan ng parang batang humihingi ng paumanhin sa ina.

Gusto kong tumawa ngunit pinipigilan ko lang. I kept my face straight as I speak with my coldest voice. Kunyari galit.

“I get it.”

“Princess—”

“I said I get it, kuya.” Mariin kong pagkakasabi. “Now, I'm going to pull that Demon's hair for declining your couple invitation from her. Like seriously? You're Dust— I mean ShadowHunter, our strong and fearless captain… ops, you have weakness and fear na pala.” Sa pagkakataong ito ay hindi ko na napigilan ang ekspresyon ko. I grinned.

Napamaang ito sa akin. “You're not mad?” Sabi ko na nga ba!

“Of course not.” I rolled my eyes. “Maybe nagtatampo because you didn't tell it to me but now I understand. Nakakababa nga talaga ng ego, hano po?” Ngumisi ako. Nanlaki ang mata nito.