Shattered Souls

Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Thief of the Night

My feelings, my thoughts, my fears, my longings – it feels like I've been searching for this moment all my life. My stomach keeps rumbling as my knees are shuddering.

I felt horrified when his steady eyes went down my neck. That's when I knew what caught his attention. A flicker of anger was seen in his eyes as he met mine again.

I had the chance to gaze at his face freely.

"Astra..." he whispered my name.

Fuck it! My name has been mentioned a million times but hearing it again from his lips sent chills down my spine. I tried to push him but he caught my arms and pinned it on top of me.

I panted when he moved his face to me and the tip of our noses touched each other. His stare was just as harsh as his hold on my arms. Nagawa niyang hawakan ang dalawa kong braso gamit ang isang kamay. Bumaba naman ang isa sa aking batok.

I sniffed when he rubbed his palm against my skin. It was a teasing touch. He's teasing and testing me.

"Say something..." His voice was the contradiction of his move.

Sinubukan kong iiwas ang mukha ko pero mabilis niya itong diniretso sa kanya. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi sabayan ang mga nakakalula niyang titig.

"I-I need to go back outside..."

If I sounded pleading, that's because I am.

Sa tingin ko ay hindi ko na makakayanan pa ang sitwasyon na ito kapag nagtagal pa. His sudden arrival in front of me is still a shock wave and the way he acts is something... I can't absorb just yet.

"Just like that?" he asked.

A roguish smirk formed on his lips. He knew how his mere presence affects me. He knew that my brain cells are now in war whether I should stay here longer or leave now.

Muli akong suminghap at pinilit na humihinahon. I have to get my shits together. I haven't decided yet. Right now, I am still a Nightfall and he is my enemy. This is an act of betrayal.

"Brix..." I stopped for a moment. It felt odd how his name slipped out of my lips. This still feels surreal. "Or S. The leader of this clan. I don't know how to address you without sounding disrespectful but... I really need to get back now."

"You can call me anything you want. You are my lady after all."

Ignoring everything he said, "Nasasaktan na ako."

"Sure."

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag dahil pinakawalan na niya ako. Gano'n pa man ay hindi siya umatras. Masyado pa rin itong malapit sa akin. Kinailangan kong umatras sa gilid pero agad niya rin hinarang ang kanyang braso.

"Aren't you going to pee?" he asked.

Madiin akong napapikit bago dumaan sa kabila. Dali-dali akong pumasok sa isang cubicle at kinandado ang pinto. Napatukod ang mga braso ko sa nakasaradong toilet bowl.

What the heck?

Sobrang lakas pa rin ng pintig sa dibdib ko. He is still outside. I can still feel him.

Shit!

Umatras ang ihi ko dahil sa mga nangyari. Nagpalipas lang ako nang ilang minuto sa loob at kunwari'y ginamit ang flush. Huminga ako nang malalim bago lumabas at dumiretso sa lababo para maghugas ng mga kamay.

I could feel him staring at me. Nangingig pa rin ang mga kamay ko.

"You didn't give me a hug yet..." I heard him complain.