Flying Without Wings (Del Gallego Series #1)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Evil

"You..."

Walang tigil sa pagkalabog ang dibdib ko.

Nakatanganga lamang ako sa kanyang seryosong mukha. I was just standing before him, motionless, as though knocked for a loop. I'm unable to speak a single word while feeling my cheeks in a fiery crimson.

How can someone give me this feeling just by saying he misses me? I can't grasp myself, nor my system, who's even delighted with it.

"And I am mad."

When I heard his deep baritone voice speak, I was jolted out of my reverie.

Napakurap-kurap ako. "P-Pardon?"

Kita ko ang pag-igting ng panga niya, dahilan para mapalunok ako.

"I'm mad," he repeated, loud and clear this time.

"M-Mad?" naguguluhan kong tanong. "To whom?"

Naging mariin ang titig niya sa'kin. Hanggang sa umuwang ang labi ko sa isang bagay na napagtanto.

"W-Wait. Are you mad... at me?" I asked and his lips thinned. "So y-you're really mad with me? But why? I-I mean, did I do something w-wrong?"

"Yes, you did something that angered me," namamaos niyang sabi.

Para akong hindi mapakali sa sinabi niya. I was off for seconds thinking about it, but only got flabbergasted when I heard him afterward.

"Because you showed up late and kept me waiting for hours, Athena."

Nang makita na seryoso siya roon ay agad akong napaisip muli. So he's mad at me because of that? Medyo nakakunot noo ako. Wait. Kasalanan ko ba iyon? Eh hindi naman ako... nagsabi kung anong eksaktong oras... kami magkikita, 'di ba?

I pouted.

When I peeked at him, I noticed him glaring at me. Para siyang galit na... hindi ko matantsa. But somehow I understood him. So I chose to eradicate the arguments that came crashing into my mind. I don't want trouble. And a part of me doesn't want him to get mad at me. Pero kasi!

"Lo siento," I apologized so hollowly.

Mas lalong nag-salubong ang mga kilay niya sa tila pilit na paghingi ko ng tawad. Kaya napatikhim ako at napaayos ng tayo.

"Uhm... Fine. What can I do for you to forgive me then?"

Without a blink, he then answered, "Suyuin mo ako."

Sa nanlalaking mga mata, napatingin ako sa kanya. "S-Suyuin?"

"Yes." He runs his tongue on his lips. "Gusto kong suyuin mo ako, Athena. Para hindi na ako magalit sa'yo."

"P-Pero hindi ba, babae ang karaniwan sinusuyo?"

"Fuck!" He suddenly started coughing.

Napasinghap ako.

He punch his chest continually. When I saw him struggling to breathe, panic took over me. Mabilis pa sa alas singkong tinawid ko ang pagitan naming dalawa at hinawakan siya para haplusin ang likod.

"Maximo, are you okay?" I asked. "Maximo!"

"Fuck!"

Napangiwi ako nang hindi pa matapos-tapos ang kanyang pag-ubo.

"I'm sorry! W-What can I do to help you?! Hey, Maximo?!"

"I'm f-fine! I'm fine, don't worry! Fuck!" He coughed again but now eyeing me sharply. "P-Pwede bang lumayo ka muna sa'kin, Athena?"