Unreachable Zacharius

45

Chapter 45

Zacharius walked towards me in three long strides, and embraced me in a warm hug. His arms were tight around my waist as he hugged me. Habang sinusuklian ang kaniyang yakap ay hindi sinasadyang madako ang tingin ko sa sofa kung saan nakaupo ang kaniyang mga magulang. Tita Leandra glanced up at me longingly, but her eyes refused to make contact with mine.

"Why do you look so tensed, hmm..." Zach whispered as he buried his face into my shoulder, exhaling softly.

Napalunok ako at bahagyang umatras. Hinuli ng isa niyang kamay ang aking baywang saka siya kumalas sa yakap. Pilit kong kinunot ang aking noo habang tinitingala siya. My eyes found his as his eyes flickered over my face, watching me intently. Nakagat ko ang aking ibabang labi at napasulyap muli sa kaniyang mga magulang na ngayon ay parehong tahimik na nanonood sa amin.

"This will be my first interaction with your parents after more than two months, Zach. I-I don't know how to act in front of them after what happened," I told him honestly.

Nagnakaw akong muli ng mabilis na sulyap sa kaniyang mga magulang. They're still watching us with those curious eyes. I puffed out my cheeks and looked away, feeling almost child-like. I saw his eyebrows raised as he watched my face closely. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

"W-We should face them now, really," I nervously said.

He hummed low on his throat. I made a weak attempt to pull out of his grasp. Hindi siya bumitaw mula sa pagkakahawak sa akin. I could still feel his dark eyes analyzing my face.

"Zach..." I called his name softly.

Naramdaman ko ang masuyong paghaplos ng kaniyang palad sa aking pisngi. Ngumuso ako at nahihiyang yumuko.

"Oh, damn. There's nothing to be nervous about, baby, okay?" Malambing niyang sinabi. "Don't stress, hmm?" He whispered in his sexy low baritone while his hand reaches up to my hair and pushes it behind my ear.

I innocently fluttered my eyes up at him. Naramdaman ko ang pagdausdos ng kaniyang mga daliri sa aking kamay. The corner of his lips slightly rose into a smile and like a sorcery, my heart magically calmed down. Dahan-dahan akong tumango habang nakatitig sa kaniyang mukha.

"Okay?" He asked and I silently nodded.

He gently pulled me towards his parents. Tumayo sina Tito at Tita habang huminto naman kami sa kanilang harapan. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa dalawang mataman at tahimik na nakatitig sa akin. I cleared my throat and was about to break the silence when Tita Leandra took a step forward.

"Amber, darling. I miss you so much..." Aniya at umambang yayakapin ako.

Nagulat ako sa higpit ng yakap ni Tita. Napabitaw ako kay Zach at wala sa sariling yumakap pabalik. Nagkatingin kami ni Tito Alejandro. Nakita ko ang pagsulyap nito sa anak bago sa akin. Tipid itong ngumiti sa akin ngunit ang galit sa kaniyang mukha nang pumasok sa kuwarto ay biglang rumehistro sa utak ko dahilan upang mag-iwas ako ng tingin.

"I-Is it true? Kayo na ulit ni Zacharius?" Tita asked after pulling away from the hug.

Hawak niya ang dalawa kong kamay at kita ko ang pagkislap ng kaniyang mga mata habang naghihintay sa isasagot ko.

"Yes, po..." I whispered, my voice barely audible, as I carefully watched Tita Leandra's expression.

Namilog ang mga mata ni Tita at napapasinghap niyang nilingon ang asawa bago ulit bumaling sa akin. I bit down on my lower lip.