Dark Phoenix #2: Echoes Of Lies

CHAPTER 36

Chapter 36

"So you like me..." nilingon ko siya. "...before?" my lips cornered and looked away suppressing the grin forcing on my lips.

"You don't like me now?" I whispered sounding disappointed but wanted to laugh hard with his reaction. His eyes were wide like a kid being caught by his parents doing something.

Tumango ito pero umiling rin kalaunan. His veins on his arms showed as he fisted his hand. Nagbuka-sara ang bibig nito, paulit-ulit ang ginawang pagsinghap at hindi mapakali. He bir his lower lips until finally he found his voice.

"I didn't mean it like that! I...uh—fuck!" He brushed his hair up looking frustrated.

Saglit akong kunyareng natahimik. Tumango-tango at malungkot siyang nginitian. I played with my fingers and move my body like everything is suffocating me and make me uncomfortable. God, I'm such a good actress. I'll tell dad I'm gonna an actress after this.

"Maybe it's really a calling, huh,"

Marahas itong lumingon sa gawi pero bumalik rin sa harap dahil nagdadrive siya. Jin is now looking constipated. His grip on the wheels tighten as he clenched his jaw. He gulped and glanced at me again. Namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa. Nang gumalaw ako ay bigla itong naging alerto at bumaling sa akin. Nang makitang inalis ko lamang ang tali ng sapatos ay parang nabunutan ito ng tinik.

He looks relieved for I don't know what reason. His forehead creased like he just remembered something important that's bothering him.

"Calling what? Anong calling, Cassandra Marie?"

"Na mag Madre ako."

"Put—" natigil ito sa akmang pagmumura ng malakas at bumulong-bulong na lang ito. He's cursing nonstop like he's a cussing machine.

"For the love of Jesus Christ, amen. Why the hell are you going to be a nun? May gusto ka ba sa kumbento?" Inis na tanong nito. Nalaglag ang panga ko dahil doon at napapantastikuhang pinanood siyang parang nababaliw na.

"Bobo ka ba?" Hindi mapigilang tanong ko. "Baka sa halip na maligtas ako ay baka bigla akong kidlatan doon kung papasok ako dahil lang may gusto ako doon."

"Bakit ka nga magmamadre?! Cassandra!"

And because of that, the laugh I'm suppressing all this time came out that I, myself couldn't prepare for my sudden outburst. Napakapit pa ako sa tiyan ko dahil sumasakit na iyon dahil sa katatawa ko.

"I was just kidding! Do you think God will still accept me after what I have done? You moron!" I continue laughing at his stupidity.

"Ah, shit!" As he continue cursing like a madman.

That ended smoothly like nothing heavy happened before that. He bring me home like he used to back then. I admit that I missed this times when it's just so light and feels normal. He made me feel like that during that short time inside he's car. I forgot all the bad things that happened earlier. Jin has always been my saviour in times where I felt like I don't know myself anymore.

"Are you free tomorrow? Or the next day? When are you free?" sunod-sunod na tanong niya. He smiled boyishly as he scratched the back of his head.

"Why?" I asked and watch how his ears turned red like a shy kid asking his crush.

"I...I want you to spend it with me." He's now looking so determine as he anticipates for my answer. I nodded slowly. And just like how a teenager acts after her crush asked her, I felt like blushing and shy.

"I'll see about that." Isinara ko ang pinto ng kotse niya at walang lingon na naglakad papasok ng building na may ngiti sa labi. I felt my stomach knotted as I felt like there's something inside of it that tickling me.