Chain of Restrictions

Kabanata 16

Finally

"Talk about what, Hugh?" I looked at him, eyes full of questions for his sudden intruding.

He walked towards me slowly, intense eyes staring at me. Mahina akong napaatras.

He should learn how to freaking stay put! What are we even going to talk about?

Sa patuloy na pag-atras ko, di ko namalayan na nasa gilid na pala ako ng aking higaan. Napatingin ako sa kanya, who's still approaching. Wala akong magawa kundi ang mapaupo sa aking higaan. Ramdam ko ang kabang bumubuo sa aking dibdib.

"H-Hu-"

"Baby."

Napatigil ako sa paghinga when I heard him said that. Sinong tinutukoy niya sa 'baby'? He kneeled his left leg in front of me, and held my face to make me look at him.

"Are you jealous?" What he said made me look at him, eyes wide open.

Paan-

"I heard your conversation with Jane. Is that why you're so cold with me?" Nanlaki ang aking mga mata at hindi alam kung ano ang isasagot. He gently held my left hand napatingin naman ako sa kanya.

"Baby, we can't have a proper conversation, if I'm the only one who's talking." He gently moves some strands of my hair that's blocking my face.

"Tell me." When I looked straight into his eyes, in its depths I saw sadness on it.

Bakit siya malungkot? I turned my back for the second time because of him! He even choose Jane over me. But what's with that f*****g reaction? Parang ako pa ang may kasalanan.

Di ko mapigilang mairita sa nakikita. I already admit to myself na gusto ko siya. But whenever he entertains Jane, 'di ko mapigilang magalit sa kanya. 

And what? Baby? f**k him.

Tumayo ako at naglakad palapit sa veranda, dahilan ng pagka kabitiw ng hawak niya sa akin. Tanaw ko ang tahimik na lugar namin. The moon is illuminating a bright light, making me remember how we used to be.

We have been siblings for almost 12 years, nasanay ako na ako lang ang binibigyan niya ng pansin. He spoiled me with his f*****g attention. Kaya, when Jane suddenly appeared and tries to steal it. It just... doesn't felt nice. I hate it.

"Jane? Yeah right." I scoff roughly. Nilingon ko siya, kitang kita sa aking mga mata na nasaktan ako at nasasaktan pa rin. Tumayo siya at lalapit na sana when I signaled him don't.

"Why does it have to be her? I mean it's also not fine with other girls too. H-Hugh, I... it's hard for me to contain this within me, alright. You started advancing on me, making me feel various emotions, at di ko alam kung paano to. Because I saw you as my brother..." I saw his lips slightly parted. Napansin ko rin ang kanyang panghihina at pagkabigo. But he still looks at me, kahit na kitang kita ko ang lahat sa kanya ngayon.

"But these emotions made me look at you in a different and opposite way. I didn't notice that what I felt weird before was turning into affection. What I've been keeping to myself is slowly coming out. 'Di ko mapigilan. Lalo na't when you met Jane you just... change." Ramdam ko sa aking mukha ang mga luha na ngayon ay nasa aking mukha na. Luha na noon ay pinipigilan kong tumulo. I finally opened and said it.

"I like you, Hugh. And this might seem crazy, but I do. I-"

"Damn it, baby. I like you too." He takes large steps and pulled me for a sudden hug. Natigilan naman ako sa pagsasalita. Ramdam ko ang pagbilis ng t***k ng puso ko. Natigil sa pagluha ang aking mga mata, as surprise enveloped me. Nanginginig ang aking labi sa biglaang pagdaloy ng kiliti sa buo kong katawan.

He likes me... too?

He tightens his hug. Kuyom ang mga kamay, napahawak ako sa gilid ng kanyang damit. The side of my face is leaning on his chest, making me hear and feel the rapid beating of his heart. A smile went to my lips.

Is his heart crazily beating for me? Because he likes me too?

"I've been restraining too, but each time, I always disappoint myself. Because I always found myself expressing. Pinipigilan ko rin naman ito, Leigh, since we're family. But I don't want it to be like this, I want it to be a legal one, baby. Me marrying you... when the right time comes." Inangat ko ang aking ulo mula sa kanyang bisig. Both of his hands are now on the small of my back, still caging me.

M-Marrying? He's already thinking about that?

"I want you to be mine. That's why when you said I'll be more likeable if I socialize, kahit di ako marunong nun. I tried. I change my ways. But you suddenly turned cold. Kaya inisip ko ang posibleng dahilan... si Jane. Am I right?"

Di ako sumagot, di rin ako tumango. I just stared on his eyes. Seeing and feeling his sincerity.

"So when she invited me, I took that opportunity to confront her. To make her stop. Pero aksidenteng narinig ko kayo." Tinanggal niya ang pagkakahawak sa likod ng aking bewang.

Nagulat ako ng ipinaglapit niya ang aming mukha. His nose is now touching the tip of my nose!

"I didn't intend for you to get jealous, baby. I'm sorry." He backed away and kissed the tip of my nose. While his lips were on my skin, I felt him smile.

"November 17, 2020. Finally, mine." He happily announced and kissed my forehead.

That night is a very memorable night. I can truly say that I finally made peace with my emotions. And also with him.

Hugh and I have been dating now, secretly. Since I don't know how to tell my friends about this, our parents too. So we decided to keep it a secret, first.

"Okay, class. Since we're now in the third quarter, we will now start doing our research. You can choose the group members that you want. Mayor, please send it to me via mail. That's all, thank you." Our research teacher as he talked about the research, of course. Research!

Pumunta kami sa pinakamalapit na mall after the class dismissed. We went to a milk tea shop and ordered. Hugh ordered for me, habang ako naman ay umupo sa aming upuan. With me Nicholette and Dahlia.

Feeling bored, I scrolled on my feed. I reacted with a heart on a beautiful rose gold bracelet that I saw being advertised. It's really pretty, but oh well. Dumating ang aking mga kaibigan at umupo sa kanilang upuan.

"Here." Hugh as he placed my cake milk tea in front of me.

"Thank you." I sweetly smiled at him, he just scrunched his nose slightly. I stopped scrolling and placed it on the table. Kinuha ko ang inumin and sipped on it after inserting the straw.

"Guys, you still remember the guy that I partnered with? Yung sa horror booth?" Karsyn as she giggles. Tumango naman kami.

"Oh, you mean the cute one? Yeah, we still do." Karsyn glared at Dahlia when Dahlia called the guy 'cute'. Napataas naman ang dalawang kamay ni Dahlia, malakas naman itong tumawa.

"Hey. I don't have plans okay. Type ko yung mga katulad ni babe." Napairap naman ako as she calls Vaughn 'babe' and winked at Hugh. I looked at Hugh whose playing with my phone. Kailan niya nakuha 'yan? Well, okay. He can use it naman.

"What about him?" Nicholette asks while playing with her phone. Narinig ko naman galing sa kanyang cellphone ang 'Savage', naglalaro na naman ng mobile legends.

"So, uhm. I searched his name on f*******:. And guess what? Single siya! So I added him and not less than a minute, he accepted! Hinihintay niya siguro akong mag add friend sa kanya. Hihi." Masayang saad ni Karsyn as she waved her phone in the air. Parang tanga na yumugyug ang kanyang balikat.

Ang bilis ni madam. Parang Dispatch ng Korea.

"Uhm, excuse me." Natigil kami at napalingon. He has black hair, brown eyes, sharp nose and he has this good boy vibe on him. He's wearing the shops apron, but he still looks good on it. Nahiya naman ito at napakamot sa kanyang ulo when all of us looked at him.

He works here? Hmm.

"What is it?" Katalina asks as she puts her drink on the table after taking a sip.

"O-Oh. You left your wallet on the counter, miss." He talked with an accent which made him sound more charming. Nakita ko namang namula si Katalina, agad itong tumayo at kinuha ang wallet sa lalaki.

"T-Thank you." She shyly said. The guy just nodded at naglakad pabalik sa counter. Dahlia looked at Katalina who's still staring at the guys back.

"b***h, gotta calm down. You're very obvious right now." Dahlia teased at Katalina, Naiinis na nilingon ni Katalina si Dahlia and she slightly pushed her back nang dumaan siya sa likuran nito. Dahlia just rolled her eye. Kailan kaya to sila magbabati? Laging mainit ang ulo pag nag haharap eh.

"Sino magiging leader natin?" Carter asks while we're currently in our room, planning about the research. It's been a week now and we are officially starting our research.

"I vote for Dana." I glared at Kreia and shook my head no. Ikaw na lang, mahirap maging leader.

"I vote for Mayor." I said while looking at our Mayor na kagrupo namin. We recruited him of course.

"b***h no. I'm already busy being the mayor." Did I mention that our Mayor is gay? Well 'she' is. He likes to be called Johana, from his real name 'John'.

"I also vote for Mayor." Naiinis na pinanood kami ni Mayor as we all raised our hand. He just sighed and agreed.

The classes ended and pauwi na kami sa bahay. I saw Hugh on my left, checking his phone. Napataas naman ang aking kilay. We didn't talked while in the car hanggang sa dumating kami sa bahay. What's with him and his phone?

Padabog akong umakyat sa hagdan papuntang kwarto. Nilingon ko ang aking likod and didn't saw Hugh. Naiinis akong pumasok sa aking kwarto. At pagod na humiga sa aking higaan. Where is he?

Pagod kong itinaas ang dalawa kong kamay sa aking uluhan when I felt something. Bumangon ako at tiningnan ito.

A square velvet box!

I opened it and I was shocked when it was a Cartier bracelet. Parehong bracelet ang nakita ko sa f*******: but this ones different! This is a known brand! I was about to get it out from the box when someone knocked. I excitedly opened the door when I kinda knew who it was.

It was Hugh, who has a cute smile on his lips. I opened the door wide on my room to let him in. Pumasok naman siya at nanatiling nakatayo malapit sa pintuan.

"Did you receive my gift?" Nanlalaki ang mata na tiningnan ko siya.

"Sayo galing yun?" He smiled as he nodded. Lumapit siya sa aking higaan at kinuha ang box na may laman ng bracelet. When he faced me his face was now all serious, the playful aura was gone. But his eyes are full of admiration.

"Happy 1 week, baby." Seryosong saad niya habang matiim na nakatitig sa aking mga mata. Kinuha niya ang bracelet mula sa lalagyan nito, at nilagay ang box sa bedside table ko.

I felt the rapid beating of my heart as he has this bright spark on his eyes. I didn't notice that I have a delighted smile plastered on my lips. Napailing naman siya at masaya akong tiningnan. Lumapit siya sa akin. He held my right hand and wore it on my wrist, after screwing the sides. It has a cute screwdriver. Ang dami namang paandar ng bracelet nato.

The bracelet is very beautiful though, it is a rose gold one with diamonds around it. I catched a glimpse of his left wrist at mangha siyang tiningnan. He also has one! It's silver.

This is a couple bracelet?!

"Looks good." He held my hands and gently caressed it as he looks straight to my eyes.

Bigla niyang Ikiniling ang kanyang ulo pakaliwa. Napapikit ako ng maramdaman ko ang kanyang labi na lumapat sa aking pisnge.

Dinig na dinig ko ang sabay na malakas na pintig ng aming mga puso sa tahimik pero komportableng katahimikan ng aking kwarto. He then pulled me and enveloped me with a warm hug.

I do like him.

Like so bad.

Happy 1st week it is. Baby.

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sshandi

cheeks!