13th REAPER

4 | Behind his words

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I felt the strong wind as I look at the place where Archelaus walked a moment ago. I don’t know where he went he was swallowed by the mist and tress that was in his way.

I want to go after him actually. I want to ask why does he talks like he knows me well. Like he knows all the deepest secrets that I have and those I don’t even know yet.

He transferred in my school a week ago and we don’t really have any formal conversation yet he talks to me like someone he knows.

Friend? He wants me to become his friend? I doubt it. His eyes do not speak any sincerity when he spoke that word. All I can see was mischief. And his aura that I can’t even turn into words. I can’t even describe.

Whenever I saw him Death is the word that always comes in my mind. I don’t know why but it would just pop inside my head like he programmed my brain to think like this; To be cautious at him.

His words a moment ago spoke nothing but a threat to me. I close my eyes. I bet thousands of women can’t resist him. His blue and deep eyes like the sea. His body was sculpted to be in a perfect beauty and his lips that are sexy and irresistible. Women would kill to be in my position I bet a million on that. Women would kill so that they can talk to him, but seems like that I was different from the rest. I want to get away from him. I don’t want to be involve with him.

But he said that we’re inevitable. Anong ibig sabihin niya sa mga katagang iyon? Bakit siya nagsasalita na parang alam niya ang mangyayari?

I remember my mother told me that everything that is happening has a reason. We might not know what’s the reason now but eventually we will. But I don’t see any reasons behind his actions. Honestly speaking I don’t see any rational explanations about all of his actions at all.

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at nagsimulang maglakad pabalik. As I walk I saw the same scenery I saw hours ago. Habang naglalakad napansin ko si Mrs. Beker na nasa harapan ng isang cake shop at tumitingin ng cake.

I remember that I need a part time job kahit maliit lang ang kita basta may pera akong mahawakan. Agad ko siyang pinuntahan. I greeted her with smiles.

“Hello po.” Saad ko habang nakatingin sa kanya. Napasulyap siya sa’kin at ngumiti pabalik.

“Hello rin Snow, bibili ka rin ba ng cake?” Mrs. Beker said. Mrs. Beker is one of the common lady in some stories. She’s fat actually and she’s holding a basket. She doesn’t wear any make ups yet even though she’s fat I can see the glow in her skin. I can see that she’s happy with her life. I often saw her many times with her husband and she would always smile at me. Her cheerfulness somewhat gives my heart warm hugs in a cold weather like this.

Umiling ako. “Pwede po ba akong mamasukan na baby sitter noong aso niyo? Wala po kasi akong pera ngayon and I badly need one po.” I said politely.

Agad siyang tumango. “Of course it’s open. Sa’yo ko lang naman inalok iyon kasi ikaw lang ang pinagkakatiwalaan ko. My husband and I we’re always away during weekends dahil bumibisita kami kila mama, I can’t take the dog because my mother is allergic to one. H’wag kang mag-aalala, I will raise your pay.”

Ngumiti ako. “Salamat po talaga.” Pili lang ang mga taong pinagkakatiwalaan ko, at isa na doon si Mrs. Beker.

May kinuha siya sa basket niya. It was a little red box that has a red ribbon on it. Ibinigay niya sa’kin ito. “For you, I know hindi ka na naman pinapakain ng tita mo ng mga masasarap na pagkain. Anyways you can start on Friday hanggang Sunday ng hapon.”

I accepted her gift and smiled again. “Salamat po talaga.”

“Walang anuman, Snow. Take care.”

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Habang naglalakad pabalik sa bahay ni Tita Mia tila bumibigat ang aking mga paa. Seems like they have their own mind to just stay where they are right now. Ako rin naman kung bibigyan ako ng pagkakataon hindi na ako babalik, kaso wala akong pera para makapag-rent ng isang maliit na apartment. I need to earn first.

So with a heavy heart I decided to turn and continue walking. I hugged myself when I felt the cold wind brush off my body. Malamig na talaga ngayon, December na e.

Kung pwede lang isipin baka mag-snow na rin sa pilipinas sa sobrang lamig na nararansan ko ngayon. But that is of course impossible according to science and professionals. Sometimes I wish that I can see a snow. Just once. I want to touch and hold its round features. I want to see how white and pure it is.

Because for me, the only thing that is pure and white in this world is the Snow. Everything else is tainted.

Ibinulsa ko ang dalawang kamay ko sa bulsa ng jacket ko habang naglalakad pabalik. Unconsciously, I was counting my steps as I walk through the grassy ground below my feet. Until I felt again the chills that froze my body. Napahinto ako sa paglalakad at nag-angat ng tingin.

My hunch was right. it’s him again.

Archelaus Van Scott.

He’s sitting on the branch of a pine tree and he’s looking down at me. He also changed his clothes. From his black and white suit from some rugged jeans, black and white basketball shoes, white shirt and a black hodie.

Nakaramdam ulit ako ng hangin na dumaan sa’kin. My hair swayed from its rhythm and I felt cold.

I clenched my fist and glared at him.

“What the hell are you doing?” I spat at him. He tilted his head revealing the perfect contour of his nose and emphasizing his perfect jaw. His lips were as red as my blood. I swear this man is a god but I’m not kneeling to him. Not in a hundred years.

And why am I appreciating his god-like features again? Damn! Him being here is such a destruction to my world peace. why can’t I have my world at peace? huh? Why can’t he just ignore me? he’s not my friend to begin with or what-so-ever acquaintance, he’s just a stranger to me. a total stranger who keeps on bugging me every second of the day and like a mushroom popping up whenever he feels like it.

“Do I make you feel uncomfortable?” he said.

“No! but you’re making my body froze from what-so-ever you’re doing. So please, Archelaus stop showing your face and stop bumping into me like this was all a coincidence because dammit to hell I’m not buying it.”

Napangiwi siya at saka walang pagaalinlangan na tumalon. Nanlaki ang mata ko kasi nasa mataas na parte siya ng puno and he’s going to jump like he’s in a pool or something. Doesn’t he know that the hard ground was waiting for him?

Napapikit ako. I just can’t bear to see him broke his one or two legs because of his impulsiveness, so I closed my eyes and waited for a crushed or a scream but seconds later I didn’t hear either of those.

Slowly I opened my eyes only to see him standing infront of me, unhurt. He also has the guts to smirked like he’s liking my reaction right now!

“It’s not funny!” inis na inis kong saad sa kanya at akmang aalis na nang bigla niyang hawakan ang kamay ko. Agad ko itong binawi at lumayo ng dalawang hakbang sa kanya. His hands were neither cold nor warm. His hands we’re …… dammit! Why can’t I describe it?

“You’re acting like I have some contagious disease, Serene.” He said as he looks at his hands. Yung kamay ginamit niya para mahawakan ako. He returned his gaze on me and smirked.

“Wala kang sakit pero hindi ko alam.” I said. Damn! Why am I feeling so frustrated right now? “I don’t want to be close to you.” I honestly said to him hoping he would walk away. Hoping he would be offended and he’ll just leave me alone but seems like I was stand corrected only to see him smile. He even laugh! What the hell is funny?

“Ah! Seems like your body remembers.”

“Remember what?” I tilted my head. Ito na naman siya. Bakit ba parang alam niya lahat! At bakit ba siya lapit ng lapit sa’kin?

“Nothing.”

“Bakit ka na naman nandito?!”

“I’m just sitting on the tree, Serene. I didn’t do anything that would of course hurt someone. I’m harmless after all. I’m just waiting for my father.”

“Father?” I asked curiously. Father? Him? Waiting for his father? Why can’t I see the picture?

“Yes, He visited his friends and I don’t like to mingle with them that’s why I am waiting here, Serene. and there’s no law prohibiting me to sit on a tree and looked at you while counting your steps. It was very amusing though.”

Napakurap ako. Ngumisi lang siya at saka naglakad malapit sa puno kung saan siya nakaupo kanina at sumandal doon.

Akmang magsasalita ulit ako nang may nakita akong isang lalaking palapit. “Dad!” Archelaus said and I look at the man even more closely.

The man was wearing the same outfit Archelaus was wearing this afternoon. He was holding in his right hand his coat. I looked at the man’s face closely. His eyes we’re silver and he have some features that was the same with Archealus but he seems like he’s young.

Why?

“Do you believe me now, Serene?” he asked me. His eyes glisten with playfulness and I hate it.

“Stop calling me Serene. we’re not that close.”

“We will, soon.” He mysteriously said. Nagtaka na naman ako. “by the way, Serene, Four days. You better start counting so that you can prepare.”

“Four days? Prepare? for what?” I repeated. Anong ba talagang pinagsasabi niya?

He smiled the wind blows. His hair dance making him more handsome and mysterious. “You’ll know soon enough.” He said and walk towards his father.

“Dad, this is my classmate, Serene.”

His dad looks at Archelaus and Smirked. Bigla akong kinabahan. “A pleasure to meet you, Serene Snow.” He said. Bigla akong nagulat. Why does he know my second name? “Please take care of my son”

His father looked at Archelaus. “They left, Arc. We need to go.” Biglang sumeryoso si Archelaus. His playful smiles we’re gone and I took a step back.

Napabaling si Archelaus sakin at saka ngumiti. Despite of his dark and serious aura he winked and….

“Do you want to come with me, Serene?” Am I hearing it right?

I looked at him waiting for him to said the “Joke” word but none. He said nothing.

Agad akong umiling. I don’t want to get involve with him remember? I’m trying my best to avoid any contact with him but seems like I can’t.

“Sad.” He mumbles. “I want to show you something but I guess it’s not the right time yet.” I eyed at him seriously. “But don’t worry you’ll see it soon enough. Bye for now Serene, see you at school.”

Sumakay silang dalawa ng kanyang ama sa isang itim na kotse at nag-drive ito palayo sa kinaroroonan ko. Biglang bumukas ang bintana nito at inilabas ni Archelaus ang kanyang kamay. His hand waves at me. biglang napataas ang kilay ko.

I clenched my jaw and heaved my breath. I need to calm down. Seeing Archelaus right now really drains all my energy. We’re not even close yet he’s acting like we’re the best of friends! The nerve of that guy.

Sumulyap ulit ako sa sasakyan na palayo. I suddenly remember his words a moment ago. What does he mean by my body remembers? What are the meaning behind his words?

At bakit nakakaramdam ako ng takot?

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