The Happy Prince

11. Caught

Mabilis ang hakbang ko pero hindi maingay. No one is around at this hour because it was late. Lahat tulog na yata at ako lang ang nandito. At dahil gusto kong malaman ang totoo ay heto ako sa kabaliwan na ito. Ito yata ang kabaliwan ko na ayaw ni Mama at ng mga kaibigan ko. At alam din ni Uncle Estefan ito.

He knows me, and I know that he can read my mind. That's why he was strict in giving his rules to me. But it was useless because here I was, walking towards my underground pit.

I need to confirm something because I could not be at peace. After reading almost halfway through this book, I couldn't be at ease.

Nabasa ko na ang librong ginawa ni Alessandro at may pagkapareho ito. Pero iba, iba ang bawat detalye ng kwento at kabaliktaran ito sa kanya.

The happy prince in that story was a superhero who consistently defended the people and fought the bad ones. But this diary book speaks for something. It was like the sequel to what was inside the happy prince's mind. He was not a superhero in how people saw him, but not inside his secret kingdom. He was evil, a killer.

I paused when I finally saw the dark shadow of the willow tree swaying slowly to the silent wind. Malamig ang hangin na tumatama sa mukha ko at napapikit-mata ako. I feel goosebumps and sense that someone is secretly looking at me. I swallowed hard and, with courage, took more steps closer to it.

Tahimik at wala kang maririnig sa paligid maliban nga lang sa ingay ng mga insektobng pang-gabi. Humakbang pa akong lalo palapit sa malaking puno. Gusto kong matitigan ito at mahawan man lang.

The last time I was here was day time and Alessandro was fishing on that corner. Bahagya kong tinitigan ang pwesto ni Alessandro noong nangisda siya at walang kakaiba rito. Pero nahinto ako nang makita ang isang anino na hindi kalayuan mula rito.

Nahinto ako at kinabahan na tinitigan ito. Pero nang mapansin ko at marning ang hakbang niya papalapit sa punong ito at napaatras na ako.

It was a slow backward step I took, ensuring I would not create such nice things. But the heck, my heart pounded for more when he finally noticed.

Malaki at malapit ang punong ito, at dahan-dahan ang bawat hakbang ko patalikod. I could not see where's that shadow and I could not see where to go. It's dark and I'm scared.

"Shush!"

Namilog ang mga mata ko nang tinakpan niya ang bibig ko at mabilis akong hinila sa bahagi ng puno.

"Shh. . . It's me," in his low voice.

Ang akala ko ay tuluyan na akong mawalan ng malay pero nang maaninag ko nang maayos ang mukha niya ay napanatag ako. . . si Alessandro.

I hold my breath while his hands are covering my mouth. His hard body pressed against mine, and I could almost smell his manly scent.

I don't know if I have to move but I choose not to. Ayaw kong mahuli kami kapag gumalaw lang ako. Kaya nakikiayon ako sa gusto niya.

He wasn't even looking at me because his eyes were focused on the person approaching us. I can feel my heartbeat almost coming from my chest, and I shut my eyes.

Alessandro pulled my body together, with him moving along the side. It was a slow and careful step as we didn't want to be heard by that person around us. Until we settled, leaning against the hollow of the willow tree.

It was like the tree was hugging the two of us in this position where his body pressed against mine.

Hanggang sa hindi ko na marinig ang bakas na ingay na hakbang at mukhang lumayo na ito. Mahina niya agad na tinangal ang kamay niya sa labi ko at tinitigan ako ng husto.

"What are you doing here at this hour?" in his almost whispering voice.

I blinked a few times as our face was still close, and I could almost hear his heartbeat.

"And what are you doing here?"

Ibinalik ko ang tanong sa kanya at napayukong napangiti siya.

He chuckled in a sarcastic tone, but it was silence. The irresistible smile on his face made me weak when our eyes met. I swallowed hard.

It's confusing how my heartbeat is like this, but the heck. I did not expect this.

"Ang bigat mo!" Sabay tulak ko sa katawan niya sa ibabaw ko. Sandaling nakalimutan ko ito at uminit lang ang pisngi ko dahil sa naging posisyon namin kanina. Mabilis kong inayos ang sarili at napailing siyang namaywang habang tinitigan ako.

"Why a lady like you wander around at this hour, Sylvi? What are you up to?" He seriously stated.

"Uhm, I-I need fresh air! I was feeling suffocated, and I needed to breathe." I lied. I was making the best excuse I could to get away.

"Huh, and you expect me to believe that?" His brow furrowed, and both hands were now on his hips.

"Oh, well. Bahala ka nga! Problema mo na iyon kung maniniwala ka o hindi! At ikaw? Ba't ka nandito? What are you up to? Huwag mong sabihin na gusto mo rin makalanghap ng preskonghangin kaya ka nandito?" Pamaywang ko. Nilakasan ko na ang loob at para makaluskot ako sa sitwasyon na ito.

Bahagya siyang napangisi at napailing lang ulit. Halatang hindi siya naniniwala sa akin.

"I saw you getting out from the back of the kitchen door. So, I followed you," tiim-bagang niya.

Napaawang na ang labi ko. Huh, kaloka. Sa huling sandali ako rin pala ang may mali. Napalunok na ako at mabilis akong umiwas sa kanya. Mabilis ang ginawang paghakbang ko palayo at hindi na nag nagsalita pa.

I looked behind me, and there, I saw him following me.

Kung malas ka nga naman oh. Kasalana ko pa ito. Isip ko.

I could be bothered looking at him when I entered the kitchen door. I left it open for him because I knew that he was following me.

Umakyat akong patakbo patungo sa kwarto ko at nilock ito. Sa kama agad ang bagsak ng katawan ko.

I was scared, like it was the end for me, and at the same time, I felt embarrassed when Alessandro caught me.

How the hell will I face him tomorrow? Huh, I don't know!

.

C.M. LOUDEN