"Why now?" She asked seriously. "Bukas na ang libing ni Afianna, mama. I can't just leave her. Lalo ng kailangan ni Tita Fe ng makakasama ngayon." Her voice cracked.
"Excuse me." Tawag-pansin sa kanila ni Vanilla. "Binigyan kami ng headmaster ng tatlong araw upang makabalik sa academy. Pwede naman pong hindi ngayon tayo aalis." Magalang na wika nito.
Tumingin sa kanyang mga magulang si Grace na nagsusumamo na wag sasama ngunit nadismaya lamang siya ng makita ang unti-unting pag-iling ng kanyang ina.
"Oras na upang sanayin mo ang sarili mo anak." Sabi ni Reina sa kanyang anak. "Kailangan na rin nating umuwi roon dahil naramdaman ko ng hindi na tayo magiging ligtas dito sa mga susunod na araw."
Grace disappointingly looked down. No way.
"Grace, ready your things for now." Narinig niyang sabi ng kanyang ama. Tumayo siya habang nakayuko pa rin at pumanik sa kanyang kwarto.
This is not happening. No way. Tutol man sa naging desisyon ng kanyang mga magulang ngunit wala siyang magagawa. That's her parents.
Afianna's POV
I felt a tight grip on my hand. It's warm and soft but it's tight. I can feel the anger from those grips.
The last thing I remember before I fell unconscious was the tight and warm hug of Orium. His worried eyes and calming voice. Until now, I can still feel him, his hugs and touch. It's calming my deepest soul.
"Don't you trust yourself, Afianna?" I remembered Andromeda said making me gain my consciousness. "Afianna, who you are depends on you." She added.
I slowly open my eyes. I look at my hand, someone is holding it tightly. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang kanyang braso at nakita ang mukha ni Orium na nakatingin sa malayo.
"Orium." I called.
Nilingon niya ako at tinitigan ako bago siya nagsalita.
"How are you?" He asked but I chose to ignore his question.
"What are you doing here?" I asked. I tried talking more than two words and the bracelet never disappoints me. It really seal more than half portion of my power.
"Waiting for you to wake up." He answered.
"I am awake." I said coldly before I sit.
Natigilan ako ng maramdaman ang malamig niyang titig.
"Yes, I can see that." His stares never leaves me and it's making me conscious.
"You can leave." I said without looking at him.
"Valerie." He called.
I ignored him. I stand up and walk towards the closed window and then I opened it.
"Valerie." He called again and I chose to look at him.
"What?" I frowned.
He is walking towards me and it's making my heart beat so fast.
What is he planning?
"Enough." His cold voice spent shiver through my spine.
"What? What did I do?"
He is in front of me. Tiningala ko siya dahil mas mataas siya sa akin. But his eyes are making me gulp. Cold and serious.
"I had enough of you ignoring me, Valerie."
He leaned forward, inches away from my face.
I shake my head. "I am not ignoring you, Orium." I said before pushing him away but he holds both of my arms and pulls me. His arms are holding my waist making me unable to move and escape.
"Valerie." He looks intently at my eyes. I gulped secretly. I can smell his minty breath. We are so near at each other.
"What is it?" I said in a low voice just enough for him to hear.
"Who is Afianna?" He asked and I felt my breath halt.
"Wha-what do you mean?" I stuttered. I bit my tongue while still looking at his cold eyes.
"You know what I mean, Valerie." He said and his hold looses up.
Nawala lahat ng emosyon sa mukha ko habang nakatingin sa kanya ng deritso.
"Can I even trust you?" I tilted my head a little and I saw him stilled. I smirked. "Do you really want to know?"
He put his hands in his pocket and gave me the same stare and the same intensity.
"You can trust me, Valerie." His emotions soften. "I want to know you and your secrets."
I bit my lower lip slightly. "I don't know if you will believe me, Orium." I sighed before walking towards the bed and sits down. "Just don't mind me." I said without looking at him.
"I am not like you." His stern voice makes me look up to him. "I did nothing wrong and you ignored me."
I stare at him, dumbfounded. Is he having a tantrum?
"Really?" I raised an eyebrow. "You did nothing wrong?"
"Tell me. Why were you ignoring me?" He asked.
Is he really THE Gemini Orium Feros I know?
"Really, Orium? You are asking me that? After what you'd done?" I shook my head. "Unbelievable."
Nakita ko ang pagtaas ng gilid ng labi niya. "You mean the kiss?"
I hissed. "Just get out."
Unti-unti siyang naglakad papalapit sa akin kaya napataas ako ng kilay.
"The door is that way." Tinuro ko ang pintuan na kaharap ko.
But he just smirked and stopped in front of me.
"I want to taste you again." He said in a slow, low and husky voice. I gulped.
Jerk!
"I thought you want to know who is Afianna, Orium." I tried my best not to stutter. He is leaning slow towards me and that is not good. I can hear my own beating heart, pounding crazily and insanely loud. I even think that he can already hear it.
"You are changing our topic, baby." He smirked. His face is five inches away from mine.
"You were the one who changed the topic." I defended.
"Hmmm-mmm." He shook his head. "Baby."
And hearing that endearment from him is lethal. This is not the first time but my heart still pounds wildly.
Calm down you foolish heart! This is very dangerous you idiot!
"I never regretted kissing you." He whispered with his husky voice near my ear before he gently blows it.
"Fudge!" I cussed tried to push him away but I didn't even make him budge. "Jerk! What do you think are you doing?!"
"What do you think am I doing?" I can hear the mischievousness in his tone.
Damn him. I didn't know he has this side.
"You have a fiance for goodness sake!" I half shouted, half hissed.
Sabay kaming na tigilan sa sinabi ko at nagkatinginan sa isa't isa.
"Is that the reason why you are ignoring me lately?" His voice turn into a stern one.
I gulped. "S-step b-back." I stuttered and I unconsciously bit my lower lip.
Natigilan ako sa kanyang ginawa. Nanlalaki ang aking mga mata habang hindi makapaniwala sa nangyayari.
His soft lips met mine. He is passionately kissing me.
I can feel the affection in his kisses. He is closing his eyes and gently pull me closer to him.
No, please. I begged in my mind. One more push and I am done.
Marahan niya akong inihiga sa kama habang patuloy pa rin akong hinahalikan while his arm is still at my waist, holding me tightly.
He stopped kissing me but let his lips stay above mine.
"Baby." I felt his lips move on top of mine.
His eyes are full of emotions, not the cold one I used to stare at.
"I never regretted kissing you." He said. "I don't care about my engagement. I only care for you. You made me so worried at the same time mad." He sigh. "You're making me mad for letting me feel that you don't want me beside you. I am f-cking jealous of your g*ddamn best friend who can get near, touch, hug or even kiss you whenever he wants! It's making me mad, baby."
I only stare at his face, his eyes. We are so near at each other that I can feel and smell his breath. It's intoxicating. I can also hear the sincerity of his voice, I am dumbfounded.
I didn't know he felt that way.
"You are a prince meant for a princess. I'm only a lowly commoner, Orium." I said in a low tone hiding the pain in it.
Ngunit tila may nasabi akong mali. His stares became grim and dark.
"Do you like me?" He asked seriously.
I stare at him for a moment.
Can I be selfish for a while? Just this time? Can I?
I genuinely smile at him before I nod gently.
Natigilan siya sa naging sagot ko. Tinitigan niya ako ng mabuti at parang binabasa ng mga mata niya kung ano ang nasa loob ng aking isipan.
Just this time, I'll be selfish.
Before I knew it, he crashed his lips into mine and I accepted it wholly this time.
It is a fervent feeling. He kissed me passionately and I return it with the same intensity.
I let him feel my emotions, my affection towards him, the genuine happiness and a feeling of extreme sadness. It was a mixed emotion. And I felt a warm tear dropped from my eye.
Naramdaman ko na inalis niya ang kanyang mga labi at inilapat ito sa luha kong tumulo at dinampian ito ng halik.
"Tell me what's wrong, baby." He asked while looking at my eyes.
"Do you think I'm selfish?" I asked and wait for his answer.
"I like you being selfish." He answered before placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. "You have a lot of things to tell me. You better rest."
Inayos niya ako sa pagkakahiga at tumabi siya sa akin.
"I will tell you my secrets but not now, not here."
Naramdaman ko lamang ang kanyang pagtango bago niya ako niyakap.
"Te quiero, baby." I felt myself blushed.
I know what that means. I remembered. But isn't this dangerous? Yes, being selfish is not a good thing. Yet, for my happiness, I am being selfish. They say, happiness is equivalent to sadness.
Whatever happens, I hope I did the right thing, for now.