Angel in Disguise

Kabanata 7

Ali didn't know when he started to like Angel. Basta isang araw gumising na lamang siya na masaya siya kapag nakikita ang dalaga, at malungkot naman kapag hindi niya ito kasama.

Three days without talking to each other is like a hell for Ali. Angel never know how much he beg himself not to talk to her. Even though hindi niya ito nakakausap sa bahay man or sa school he make sure that Angel's always safe.

Laking pagsisisi niya noong nauna siyang umuwi noong gumagawa sila ng project. It's an emergency, inatake kasi ng highblood ang lola niya kaya kinailangan niyang umuwi nang maaga para tulungan ang ate niya na asikasuhin ito sa hospital.

Nakauwi lang sila noong naging stable ito at dumating na ang personal nurse para siya na ang magbantay dito. Pagdating sa bahay ay nag-aalala na siya. Alam niyang male-late ng uwi si Angel dahil sa project na pinagawa sa kanila. He even ask a favor to Xandro na kung p'wede ay pakihatid na lang sa bahay si Angel pero out of coverage at busy ang line ng mga kaibigan niya. He also tried to search for Anna's number to ask if Angel was already on her way or kung p'wede siguro ay isabay na ito pauwi but it's too late before he received a respond from Ana. Kaya noong hindi na rin mapakali ang ate niya at umalis na siya agad kahit wala pa siyang naririnig na utos galing dito.

When Alister saw the man that's like a lion who's going to eat his prey, bumaba siya agad ng sasakyan. It was accidentally she saw Angel behind him. Umiiyak ito at takot na takot.

His anger grew up. His even boiled too much when he found out na hina-harass ng lalaki ang babaeng gusto niya. Kung hindi siya napigilan ni Angel ay baka napatay niya pa ang hayop na iyon.

When they got home after the incident. He thought everything was alright. But, her Angel wasn't. Ilang araw itong ayaw lumabas ng k'warto, ayaw siyang papasukin sa k'warto. Ang ate Alissa lamang niya ang nakakapasok roon and they think that Angel got a trauma after what happened.

"Ayaw niya magpahawak... nakatakip lang siya ng comforter, " Alissa said.

Ali gritted his teeth, his fist closed. "Dapat pinatay ko na lang talaga ang gagong 'yon e!" Napalunok si Alissa ng marinig ang kapatid saka pinakalma ito.

"Nakakulong na siya."

"Hindi, ate. Hindi 'yon sapat! He touch her, at ngayon ano? She got a trauma because of him!" Galit na galit si Alister at parang anytime ay susugod ito sa presinto.

His routine was like that everytime he came back from school. Pumupunta siya agad sa k'warto ni Angel kahit ayaw nito na naroon siya.

"Anna wants to see you..." he said.

Malayo sa kaniya si Angel. Ayaw pa rin nitong lumapit sa kaniya. Naiintindihan niya ito dahil na rin sa nangyari. He promised himself that when everything's alright. He will never leave Angel's side.

"Namimiss ka na ng mga kaklase natin, " He tries to get close with her pero umiwas ulit ito.

"Angel, I know it's too hard for you... naiintindihan kita, but you need to fight, you need to be okay. Trust me, I'll protect you next time. I promise." Nagulat siya nang makita ang sunod-sunod na pagbagsak ng luha ni Angel.

Dahan-dahan siyang naglakas loob na lumapit dito. Umiiyak ito at humihikbi, halata ang takot sa mga mata. Niyakap niya ito agad nang makalapit.

"Everything's gonna be alright. You need to be strong, " paalala niya. Finally, Angel let him hug her again.

Tumagal nang ilang minuto ang pagkakayakap ng dalaga. Ali's just quite while comforting her. Walang tigil ito sa kakaiyak, he also don't mind feeling his shirt wet because of Angel's tears. Maga ang mata nito ng maglayo ang katawan nila. He wipe her tears. "I promise..." He look at her eyes with so much sincerity. "No one's gonna touch you ever again, I'll always stay by your side from now on, " he promised. Kinuha nito ang kamay ng dalaga at hinalikan.