Wages Of Sin

Kabanata 23

Kabanata 23

Niyakap ko ang tuhod ko nang makaramdam nang lamig sa gitna ng gabi. I looked at the sky. Unlike these past few nights, nagkaro'n na ulit ng buwan. But it's crescent.

I took a deep sigh when I realized that it sounds like I came back to the past. Looking at the bright sky, where the moon is. But this time, I'm not with Iko.

"Anong iniisip mo?" I asked as I stared at Robin.

He keeps on watching the moon. Tahimik lang itong naka-upo sa tabi ko. He shook his head.

"Hereafters," he uttered. I heard him took a deep sigh then turned to me. "Ikaw?"

I shrugged my shoulders and said, "You can read minds. Why asking?" He chuckled.

"Do you remember when I told you about those Darkweb and Deepweb shits?" he asked. "It isn't real."

Napakunot ako ng noo dahil sa sinabi niya. "Pinagsasabi mo?"

"I grabbed the chance to call Dr. Valencia that time just to report," he admitted. "Sorry."

Napa-iling na lamang ako. "Damn you, deceiver."

"I know," I heard him whispered.

Muli kaming natahimik. I don't know what to say anymore. Nakakahiya na ring itanong sa kan'ya ang na-itanong ko na. This is just so damn awkward.

I tried to reminisce everything. On how I got here and all. Nahinto lamang ako nang may napagtanto.

"What about the convenience store?" I curiously asked. "The last time I remembered, there were no fire when the guard you controlled pressed the fire alarm. How come?"

Napatingin siya sa 'kin. Then his brows creased.

"There was a fire," he said. "Though I controlled the guard, I saw a fire that they haven't notice. Nag-take advantage lang ako "

I nodded. "Thora's coming here tomorrow?" I asked when I remembered what he said earlier.

He nodded as a response.

Hindi na siya nagsalita pagkatapos no'n. It really felt awkward. This moment is awkward. Parang ang sarap tumakbo palayo para ro'n magsisisigaw. Right here, para akong nakakadena't nakatakip ang bibig ko.

Akmang tatayo na sana ako nang makita ko siyang may dinudukot sa bulsa niya. My brows creased when I saw his necklace, again. That necklace with the silver pendant.

Bigla ko na naman naalala ang pendant niyang iyon na may mukha ng babae. Nai-intriga ako—na alam kong hindi naman dapat.

"Did you open the pendant?" he asked. I slowly nodded. "I recalled that she's my mom. Pero ewan ko ba. I remembered that I've attempted to give this necklace to a girl but she rejected."

Again, I nodded. Kaya pala ang importante ng kwintas na iyon. I saw him shrugged. Inabot niya iyon sa 'kin.

"But I will give this to you now," he said and smiled sweetly. "You should be honored."

I rolled my eyes. "Dimwit. Then I will not accepting it. No, thanks."

Narinig ko itong tumawa bago lumapit sa 'kin. Maya-maya pa'y nakaramdam ako ng isang malamig na bagay sa batok at leeg ko. I gulped.

"Daming arte, susuotin din naman," I heard him mumbled. Then he smiled. "The first time I saw you wear it, I admit it looks good on you."

"It's my second time. Which means hindi na?" natatawa kong tanong. He shook his head.