VESCOVI SERIES: BORROWED HEART

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

Ilang oras na ang lumipas pero tila nakalimutan na ako ng mundo sa loob ng silid na ito. My stomach was twisting in pain, a sharp, hollow ache that made me feel even more fragile. Napatingin ako sa pinto. I wanted to scream, to call for help, but I bit my lip until I tasted blood.

I can’t. I have to stay silent. Hanggat iniisip nila na pipi ako, hindi nila makukuha sa akin ang impormasyon tungkol kay Kuya. I have to protect him, kahit buhay ko pa ang kapalit nito.

The silence was broken by the harsh sound of the lock turning. My heart hammered against my ribs... a heart that wasn't even mine to begin with.

It was Silas.

He walked in with a cold, predatory grace. He was holding a tray, pero ang paraan ng paghawak niya rito ay walang bahid ng pagmamalasakit. Huminto siya sa harap ko, ang kaniyang anino ay tila isang sumpa na bumabalot sa akin.

"Still playing the silent victim?" he asked, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Hindi ako kumikibo. Tiningnan ko lang siya, pilit na itinatago ang panginginig ng aking mga kamay sa ilalim ng kumot.

He let out a dry, humorless laugh bago niya padaskol na ibinato ang tray sa kama. Natapon ang kanin at gumulong ang manok sa ibabaw ng maruming tela. Napapikit ako sa gulat, pero mabilis din na nagmulat at nanatiling tikom ang bibig.

"Eat," he commanded, his eyes boring into mine. "I need you healthy. I need that heart inside you to keep beating until your brother decides to show his face and kill both of you."

Tiningnan ko ang pagkain, pagkatapos ay dahan-dahang nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya. Puno ng luha ang mga mata ko pero hindi ko hinayaang pumatak iyon. Gusto ko siyang sigawan. Gusto ko siyang tanungin kung bakit kailangang ganito... pero kailangang manatiling sarado ang bibig ko.

He stepped closer, leaning down until his face was just inches away from mine. I could smell the scent of expensive cigars and cold authority.

"Why aren't you eating? Are you waiting for me to feed you? O baka naman hinihintay mong maawa ako sa 'yo?" he mocked, his gaze flickering to my lips. "You’re making this harder for yourself, kid. Your silence won’t save your brother."

I looked at him, my expression blank, although my chest was screaming in agony. Kinuha niya ang aking baba at pinuwersa akong tumingin nang diretso sa kaniyang mga mata.

"Do you even know what he did?" Silas hissed, his voice dropping into a chilling whisper. "He stole the only thing that gave my life meaning. He took Lia's heart and put it inside a girl who can't even offer a word of apology. Tell me, does it feel good? Does it feel good to breathe using someone else’s life?"

I felt the sob rising in my throat. My heart... her heart... skipped a beat. Umiling ako nang bahagya, ang mga luha ko ay tuluyan nang pumatak sa kaniyang kamay.

"Don't cry. It’s pathetic," he said, but he didn't let go. "Your brother is a coward. He left you here to pay for his sins. He knows I’m coming for him, and yet, he’s hiding like a rat. Is that the kind of family you’re protecting?"

I stared at him, trying to convey all my pain and defiance through my eyes. I wanted to tell him that he was wrong, that my brother only wanted to save me... but I just squeezed my eyes shut.

"You're just a vessel, kid. A container for something far more precious than your pathetic life," he added, his grip tightening for a second before he shoved my face away. "If he doesn't show up in three days, I might just decide that I don't need the container anymore. I'll just take back what's mine, regardless of whether you're awake for it or not."

Tumayo siya nang tuwid, looking down at me with pure, unadulterated disgust.

"Eat the food. Or don't. At the end of the day, it’s not your soul I’m interested in. It’s the muscle inside your chest that belongs to my wife."

He turned his back and walked toward the door. Pagkarinig ko ng lagutok ng kandado, doon ko lang hinayaang kumawala ang isang tahimik at gumaralgal na hininga.

I reached for the scattered rice with trembling fingers. I need to live. Not for him, but for the chance to make things right. Kahit na ganito... kahit na parang hayop ang tingin niya sa akin... kailangan kong manatiling matatag para kay Kuya.

I started eating the cold, dirty rice, my tears seasoning every bite, while the ghost of Silas words continued to haunt the silence of the room.