Kapitulo 15

HINDI niya alam kung anong isasagot. 

Nagpatuloy pa rin ang binata. “Fuck, I may not know you completely but I’m willing to take care of you.”

“You’ll take care of me even if….” She trailed off, thinking carefully to what she will going to say.

“I don’t even know myself anymore…. I don’t even love myself. And yet you’re saying these things to me?” she scoffed.

“Wala kang mapapala saakin, sinasayang mo lang oras mo saakin.” Sa katunayan ay nagulat siya sa sarili, naituwid niya ng ayos ang gusto niyang sabihin. 

Dahil na rin siguro sa emosyon na nag-uumapaw sa kaniyang dibdib.

“This may be cringe but I will shower you with my love. Your soul may be scattered but please let me fix it until you can be able to love yourself, to know your worth. It’s okay if you’re struggling for trusting me, I’ll work harder to open your eyes that not everything around you is a threat,” mahabang sabi niya, hindi man lang pinansin ang salungat niyang pananaw. 

Hindi siya natinag, iisa pa rin ang nasa isip niya kahit pa may malambot na humahaplos sa puso niya dahil sa mga sinasabi ng binata. “You’ll regret it for sure.”

“I’m not asking you to trust me. If you’re thinking that I’ll regret it then think again, try me.” Nakita niya sa gilid ng mata niya na tumingin sakaniya ito na may ngiti sa mukha.

Her body tensed up when he holds her hand, he gently squeezed it.

It’s okay Fauzia, just the hands. He will never hurt you.

“Let me hold your hand for a moment, please.” His voice was ardent.

They were silent for a minute, she let him touch her hand. Fauzia’s hands were cold but Austin’s hand sent her warmth.

“No one will ever touch you inappropriately.” Inangat niya ang kamay nilang dalawang nakasalikop.

“One day, you’ll get better. Whenever you close your eyes you will not remember those pain again instead you’ll think the good and happy ones.” She intently closed her eyes. 

“While you’re asleep, nightmare won’t bother you again. Your past will never haunt you again and that misery will make you stronger, in the fullness of time.”

She stilled when he let her hand go, inakbayan siya ni Austin at inihilig ang ulo niya sa balikat ng binata.

Her whole system was alarmed then later on she got used to their position and once again closed her eyes to feel his comfort.

He was humming while caressing her shoulder, she somehow felt safe in his arms.

She can’t begin to understand how it happened but it made her heart uplifted to be in his arms.

Afterward, a song she’s not familiar with suffused. 

“Fallin’ out, fallin’ in nothing’s sure in this world no, no

Breakin’ out, breakin’ in never knowin’ what lies ahead

We can really never tell it all no, no, no

He is singing mellifluously and it made her heart pulsated under her fingertips. 

Say goodbye, say hello to a lover or friend

Sometimes we never could understand

Why some things begin then just end

We can really never tell it all no, no, no

Marahang gumalaw si Austin kaya sumabay sa agos rin ang katawan ni Fauzia na nakasandal sa kaniya. 

But oh, can’t you see that no matter what happens

Life goes on and on so oh baby, please smile

Coz I’m always around you

And I’ll make you see how beautiful…” he leaned in. “Life is for you and me.” The whisper of Austin under his breath made her hair raised. 

She had no idea why her heart is rousing. His voice may not be the best but it’s wonderful. She would likely to hear him sing again.

Fauzia opened her eyes when she heard him talk. “Are you sleepy?” agad na umiling siya sa binata.

Binitawan na siya ng binata saka nag-aya. “Let’s go to the fourth floor then.” Napamulagat siya sa narinig, Austin chuckled at her exchanges of expressions.

“That’s the last floor if you’re asking if how many floors are there in this house.” Bumlik ang tingin nito sakaniya nang hindi siya sumunod. “Can I hold your hand? Again?” tanong nito na nahihiya pa.

May kumikiliting ngiti sa labi ni Fauzia habang inaabot ang kamay sa binata.

Iginiya na siya ng binata na talagang maingat na inaalalayan siya, nang makarating sila sa second floor hindi na napigilang magtanong si Fauzia. “Anong meron sa mga kwarto niyan?” turo niya sa mga pintuan ng mga kwarto.

“Oh, that’s our own office room.” Itinuro naman nito ang dulong kwarto kung saan naglaro ang binata kasama ang mga kaibigan nito kanina. “And that’s our activity game room.”

“Mmm.” Napadpad na sila sa third floor na puno na naman ng mga kwarto. “And that are?”

“Guest rooms. ‘Yung sa dulo ang storage room, doon namin nilalagay yung mga gamit na hindi naman kailangan o nagagamit.” 

Tumuntong na sila sa fourth floor. 

Her eyes glistened of how well organized the room was, it’s spacious. There’s a plethora of pillows and blankets on the floor, it feels like it was really made for sleepovers.

It has a floating lanterns all over the room that are so satisfying to watch up here if the light was off. 

“Lay down comfortably, Fauzia.” Ipinatay na niya ang ilaw para bumukas naman ang mga floating lanterns sa paligid nila, namamanghang pinalibutan niya ng tingin ang mga ito.

May remote na kinuha si Austin, itinutok niya iyon sa ceiling hanggang sa unti unti na itong bumukas.

Her eyes dilated, the ceiling was sliding up that made the glass showed. Fauzia can see the dark sky, filled with stars that are brightly twinkling.

Fauzia was amazed at how enthralling the sky is.

The sight was so enjoyable, for the first time she felt at ease while watching the serene sky.

Her eyes sparkled, the sky did make her idyllic. “I never knew how enticing the sky was,” She gasped.

“Yea, it’s resplendent just like you.” That made her face grimaced at what he said.

“I have scars all over my body,” she replied literally and figuratively.

“Your scars are beautiful, you’re imperfections are beautiful. You are beautiful end of discussion.”

Hindi na lang niya pinansin ang sinabi ng binata, pawang na walang katotohanan lang ang lumalabas sa bibig nito. 

She fixated her gaze above, the deafening silence was quite relaxing as she stared the sky.

“This mansion was made when I graduated from high-school, together with my friends.” Napatanga si Fauzia sa narinig.

“You’re that rich?” tanong niya.

Umiling ito. “No, I’m not. Sangre Joven is.”

She wasn’t certain about Sangre Joven. “I forgot to ask. Where are we?”

Ever since she moved to the Philippines her life started to mess up. 

Wala siyang alam sa lugar dito dahil lumaki siya sa ibang bansa at hindi pinapalabas ng bahay basta-basta. 

Nakatingala pa rin ang binata sa kalangitan. 

“Underwater.” Simpleng sagot nito na ikinalaki ng mata niya. 

Bumaba na ang tingin sa kaniya ni Austin. “This is the safest place for us, don’t be shocked.” Turan niya na parang wala lang ang sinabi ito.