DATE THY ENEMY | ES:1

6

Chapter 6
''Threat''

Hindi na ako nagulat nang bigla itong tumayo at nagpaalam na magpapahangin. I didn't even turn my head to see him leaving. Jena stood up as well to follow Javier. She gave me a death glare first before leaving though. Nagtanong ang mga tao sa mesa pero walang nakakaalam ng sagot kung saan sila pupunta.

I don't know. Some privacy perhaps?

Three bites and I stopped eating the shrimps. Uminom ako ng maraming tubig pagkatapos, tila uhaw na uhaw. In front, I saw Jakob's eyes watching me. I know he's been watching me, I already noticed that a while ago. Siya ang pinakatahimik sa lahat, tila nagmamasid at nakikinig lamang sa mga nangyayari.

''More water, Vernaise?'' tanong niya pero nilagyan rin naman ng tubig ang aking baso.

''Thank you.'' I replied, ignoring his stares.

Pinagpawisan ako nang biglang makaramdam ng kakaiba sa lalamunan. It's itchy. And my chest started to heave. Muli akong uminom ng tubig nagdarasal na mawala din agad ito. Pero bawat minutong lumipas tila lumalala ang aking nararamdaman. I excused myself for a while to go to the bathroom.

Pinagmasdan ko ang aking mukha na unti-unting nawawalan ng kulay. Uminit ang aking pakiramdam. I washed my face with water to ease the heat in my face. Ngunit habang binabasa ko ang aking mukha, napansin ko naman ang maliit na kulay pulang nagsisimula nang magpakita sa aking kamay. I cursed mentally and tried to calm myself.

Ilang minuto akong nanatili doon bago muling bumalik sa aking upuan. Napansin kong nakabalik na si Javier at Jena. Ang nawawala naman ay si Rhys at Jakob. Mas mabuti na ring ganoon.

Hindi ako tinapunan ng tingin ni Javier kahit nang makaupo na ako. Halatang masama pa rin ang timpla ng kanyang mukha. Hindi ko nalang din siya pinansin pa. I just wish this lunch will be over soon before things get worse.

When I saw the shrimps in my plate, I hurriedly got rid of it. Halos nanginginig na ang kamay ko nang gawin iyon, muntik ko pang mabitawan ang pinggan. Someone's hand caught it before it fell in the glass table. I nervously uttered my thanks. Ramdam ko ang titig ni Javier pero hindi ko siya nilingon.

Uminom ako ng tubig nang muling manikip ang aking dibdib. I started to breathe heavily. May pag-iingat sa bawat paghinga upang hindi mapansin ng iba. Good thing's my heavy breathing was drowned by Solenn's laughter. She's busy talking with the other guys. And the two De Leon are still nowhere to find. I'm sure when Jakob's back, he'll easily figure out something's wrong with me. He's the keen observer among the group.

Muli akong napatingin sa kamay nang dumami ang pamamantal. I coughed, trying to breath really hard. Nagiiba na rin ang paningin ko. Sinubukan kong gumalaw para tumayo ngunit bumagsak ako sa upuan nang hindi kinaya. My right hand flew to Javier's thigh for support. Pumikit ako. I gripped on his clothes so tight trying to breath properly. Nang imulat ko ang aking mata ay nagkatinginan kami. Agad akong nagiwas ng tingin.

''S--sorry.'' I said, taking back my hand.

I gathered up my remaining strength to finally stood up and once again excused myself from the crowd.

''M--magbabanyo lang a--ako. Uminit bigla d--dito. I need to... freshen up.'' I tried to make my voice hard so they won't notice. Kahit hirap na hirap na. I smiled at them and didn't wait for their response.

''Vernaise!'' Solenn called my name.

''Bathroom.'' sagot ko.

Pero hindi daan papuntang banyo ang tinahak ko. I went out of the resto and walked to the hotel building just beside it. I didn't smile when the woman in the front desk greeted me. Mabilis kong tinungo ang elevator, isang pindot at agad iyong bumukas dahil walang tao. I went inside and clicked the floor which my room resides.