Chapter 23

“Stop it.” Inangat ko na ang strap ng aking dress at nilingon siya. He’s looking at me intently, but his hand was still on me.

“Accius, can you even tell me kung nasaan ko galing kanina? I was thinking about you the whole time. You always leave like that. Alam ko naman na hindi dapat ako nakikialam sa ginagawa mo pero…” I sighed and did not continue.

I shook my head and got up from the bed. “I… I’ll just get some fresh air. I feel suffocated.” Nagtungo ako sa balcony ng aming kuwarto. I looked at my shaking hands. I bit my lower lip to stop my tears from falling. Hindi ko ininda ang lamig na bumabalot sa aking katawan dahil sa hangin at lamig ng labas. Naramdaman ko na lang ang roba kong binalot ang aking nilalamig na katawan.

I turned at Accius who put his black silk robe on me. Habang siya ay topless at walang suot na roba dahil sinuot niya sa akin ang kaniya. He hugged me from the back and gently kissed my shoulder. Napapikit ako nang higpitan niya pa lalo ang kaniyang pagkayaka