Third Person's POV

DEMEEREUX was gripping tightly on the steering wheels of the car. Veins were visible from his arms as his white long sleeves were rolled up to his elbow. Nanatiling tutok ang kanyang atensyon sa daang tinatahak nila patungo sa bahay ni Odessa buong biyahe.

A couple of minutes have past and Odessa were still on her usual self. Her attention were dragged by his elusive charm and she can't understand the strange thing she's feeling as of the moment.

Pakiramdam niya ay nasa matindi siyang interrogation at hindi magawang makapagsalita. She finds it hard to open up a topic when she doesn't even know whether or not he's interested to talk to her. Naroon parin ang kaba sa sistema niya at malakas ang kabog ng kanyang puso habang pasulyap-sulyap sa direksyon ng binata.

Hindi niya maiwasang mapatingin sa gawi nito na animo'y parang may gusto siyang sabihin na hindi niya kayang isiwalat. Looking at his side view profile, she saw how his eyes sparkled when the light coming from the moon directly striked it.

His arched eyebrow just added on his Greek God like face. Even just his side profile, she can see how perfect his features were and she finds it mesmerizing.

"I need you to lead me the way and not to focus on me," he suddenly spoke out of nowhere without glancing on her.

Nang dahil sa gulat ay napasinghap si Odessa habang nanlalaki ang mga matang iniwas ang tingin dito.

Napalunok siya. "S-Sorry,"

Naramdaman niya ang pagi-init ng magkabila niyang pisngi kaya naman siniksik niya ang mukha sa kabilang parte ng kotse na halos mauntog na siya sa bintana nito nang dahil sa hiya. Napansin pala nito ang paninitig nito sa kanya.

"You look tense. Hindi ako nangangain," he added that made her feel shy even more.

Gusto na lamang niyang lumubog sa kinauupuan ngayon dahil nahuli siya nitong nakatitig sa kanya. Nawala sa isip niyang baka mapansin siya nito. Bakit nga ba kasi tinitigan niya pa ito?

Hindi siya agad nakasagot sa sinabi nito. Hindi na niya matukoy kung anong nararamdaman niya sa mga oras na iyon. She felt embarrassed and nervous at the same time. At pakiramdam niya pa'y siya lang ang nakakaramdan no'n sa kanilang dalawa.

"It seems like you wan't to say something,"

Saglit siyang natigilan sa katagang sinambit nito. She's wondering how did he even notice that. Is he a mind reader?

"No, I'm not," dagdag pa nito na mas nagpalaki ng kanyang mga mata.

Humugot siya ng hangin at pinakawalan ito. She's hesitant to asked him about his personal life. Ayaw niyang masabihan siya ng pakealamera nang dahil sa panghihimasok niya ngunit sa kabilang banda ay talagang kyuryoso siya.

"W-Wala po," sambit na lang niya kahit ang totoo'y gustong-gusto na niyang magtanong dito.

"You sure?"

"O-Opo,"

"Po? Opo? You're too polite. Do I look like old to you?"

Gulat ang mga matang lumingon siya rito at mas lalo pa siyang nagulat nang magtama ang paningin nila sa isa't isa. And there she felt like the space between them is getting smaller and smaller from time to time as they stare on each other's eyes.

SA KABILANG BANDA, hindi maiwasang purihin ni Demeereux ang dalaga sa kanyang isipan. He knows he's f*ck up!!

That innocent face is like a magnet pulling him closer to her. But the luck was on his side and he immediately avoided her gaze, trying his best to stay composed and focus on the road like nothing happened.

"Y-You look like older than me. Pero kung gusto niyo po ay tawagin ko na lang po kayong kuya," sambit nang dalaga sa mahinhin nitong boses.

Gusto niyang murahin ang sarili dahil nakakaramdam siya ng mali sa mga oras na iyon. Sa sobrang lambing at hinhin ng boses nito ay baka bumigay siya but it feels like wrong. It's the strange beating of his heart. Iyon ang magpapahamak sa kanya.

"Kuya?" He laughed on his mind.

Damn that word. Gusto na lamang niyang hanapin ang nag-imbento ng salitang iyon at nang masampolan niya. No one called him that way, not even a relative of him.

"O-Opo,"

"I mean how old are you?"

"I'm 18,"

"That young?!" he mumbled a little bit loud that made Odessa looked at him with a question on her eyes.

And then suddenly, she bowed her head na agad naman niyang napansin. Tila bigla itong na-offend sa sinabi kaya tumikhim ito nang mahina, although, he finds her like a little adorable kid. What's gotten into his mind to even think that way?

"O-Opo,"

He gripped more tightly on the wheels of the car because of that information. Child. What was he's suppose to do with a child? Damn!

"F*ck!" he whispered under his breath.

"May sinabi po kayo?"

He shooked his head. "Where do you plan to go to college?" Instead he asked with a plain tone of his voice.

He patiently waits for her to answer him but he didn't hear anything so he glance on her direction just to find her staring outside the car's window.

"Hindi po muna ako papasok," usal niya na nagpakabog sa kanyang dibdib dahil nahalata niyang may lungkot sa himig ng boses nito.

"And why is that?" he asked again.

Narinig niya ang malalim na pagbuntong-hininga ng huli bago siya nito sinagot.

"Walang-wala po kasi ako kaya kailangan kong mag-trabaho,"

"How about your parents?"

Naitikom niya ang bibig at napahigpit ang hawak sa mga pinamili upang pigilan na huwag bumuhos ang kanyang mga luha ngunit wala itong nagawa no'ng isa-isang nagsilabasan ang mga ito mula sa kanyang mga mata kahit na naroon lang at pinagmamasdan siya ng binata sa kanyang tabi.

Those questions suddenly made her cry. Habang patuloy na hinahanap mula sa kanya kung nasaan ang mga magulang niya ay ang patuloy ring pagbubukas ng mga sugat niya sa puso.

Those tears were the evidence how badly hurt she was from those tragedy. She's been enduring all the pain all by herself. At her young age, she's been through a lot but all she can do is to continue living her life even though it means making the pain a part of her life.

Tila nabagabag ang binatang si Demeereux sa nasaksihan. Naguguluhan man ay tila may nasabi siyang hindi maganda at nagsisisi siyang banggitin ang mga katagang iyon kahit hindi pa man niya alam ang kwento sa likod ng kanyang mga luha.

"Wala na sila isang buwan na ang nakakalipas,"

He wants to curse himself for asking but he's clueless about that thing. Those doe eyes screams pain and it looks like it's asking for help. He tightly closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry." At least those words can do.

Tila naramdaman ni Devan ang sakit na nararamdaman ng dalaga sa mga oras na iyon. Magka-iba man sila ng pinagdaanan ngunit pakiramdam niya ay nawala din sa kanya ang mga magulang niya. His father had a mistress and a child with her for so long. He can even tell that they had the same age. Ang ina naman nito ay iniwan siya at nanirahan sa ibang bansa apat na taon na ang nakakalipas.

The thing that confused him the most is the decision that her mother made. Why did she even choose to leave without him? Why didn't she take him with her? Oo nga at mayaman siya but those properties and money were all his hardworks and sacrifices without getting any support from both of his parents. It's not like he need them after all those mess. He felt betrayed.

"Okay lang. Hindi niyo naman po alam,"

Lumingon ito sa gawi ng dalaga at nakita itong pinapalis ang mga luha sa mata. Hindi niya alam kung bakit parang nangyayari ang lahat nang biglaan. He suddenly wants her to depend on him. Naaalala niya ang unang pagkikita nilang dalawa noon. From that moment, he can tell that she struggles a lot and alone.

He saw how she shine bright in the middle of darkness. She stand out like a Goddess but behind that innocent look on her face is a brave woman. How did she even manage to cope up from that tragedy of her life at a young age. Somehow, he felt amazed.

Pakiramdam nga rin niya ay nasosobrahan na sa tagal ang biyahe nila. It feels like the time is getting slower everytime he's with her.

He cleared his throat when they finally reach a specific place.

"Where's your house?"

Odessa sit tall when she finally saw the familiar street.

"P-Pwedeng diyan na lang po ako sa kanto bumaba," she said while taking her things away.

Napakunot naman nang noo si Devan sa sinambit ng huli. Sumulyap siya sa madilim at makipot na kanto at nakaramdam ng pag-aalinlangan. He's wondering if the place is even safe?

Sumulyap siya sa gawi ng dalaga no'ng makarinig ng pagbukas nang pinto. Odessa bowed her head to see him and he patiently wait for her to say something.

"Thank you po sa paghatid. Mag-ingat po kayo sa pag-uwi," she said before closing the door.

He didn't know what's gotten into his mind and he stays there while watching her vanished from his sight. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang siya ngunit hindi parin siya umalis sa lugar na iyon hanggang sa may nakita siyang grupo ng mga lalaking papasok sa kanto kung saan dumaan ang dalaga. His eyes sharpened when he noticed that they are drunk, laughing on each other while talking.

Umiling siya at pinaandar ang kotse upang umalis na sa lugar na iyon ngunit nang mapagawi ang atensyon niya sa inupuan ng dalaga ay biglang kumabog ang puso nito sa hindi malamang dahilan.

He saw a cute little wallet on top and he unconciously grabbed it to check. He suddenly smiled when he saw her baby picture the moment he opened it. Ngunit ilang segundo ay nawala ang ngiti niya nang makita ang family picture nila. He noticed her mother first because of her feature. May lahi ito, and then to her father and lastly to her.

She's perfectly fine on that white dress looking like an angel with that real and genuine smile. She's flawless and they're perfect. Then he suddenly made up his mind. Binalik niya ang mga maliliit na litrato sa maliit na wallet at binuksan ang katabing pintuhan upang sundan ang dalaga.

It's the timing. He has a good reason to check if she's gotten home safe. Mabilis niyang tinahak ang makipot at madilim na daan kahit hindi naman niya alam ang bahay nina Odessa. Sinundan na lamang niya ang malakas na kutob at diretsong tinahak ang daan hanggang sa maabutan niya ang grupo ng mga lalaking lasing na tila may hinahanap.

Binagalan niya ang paglalakad upang pakinggan ang kanilang pinag-uusapan. Mabuti na lamang at hindi gano'n kadilim sa lugar ngunit hindi din naman gano'n kaliwanag. He can hear them clearly without them noticing him.

"Saan na nga ba iyon pumunta, pre?" Rinig niyang saad ng isa at lumingon-lingon sa paligid animo'y may hinahanap.

"Ewan ko pre. Tumakbo yata at nagtago. Natakot sa pagmumukha mo!" Rinig niyang muli na sinambit ng isa pang lalaki na sinundan naman ng tawanan no'ng iba pa.

Demeereux felt the urged to punch them. He closed his fist to calm himself. Malinaw kung sino ang pinag-uusapan at hinahanap ng mga ito. Lumingon siya sa paligid upang hanapin kung nasaan si Odessa. He may not know what the real score is but he can sense something's wrong with those guys. Where is she? His sight cannot see where she's hiding but he can sense a sign of her, somewhere.

Lumingon-lingon ito sa bawat sulok ng daan, nagbabakasakaling makita niya ito. Bumuntong-hininga siya at tahimik na lumapit sa kabila. The guys didn't noticed him when he passed behind them. Hindi niya alam kung dala lang ba ito ng kalasingan nila.

"Tsk. Dumb*ss!" asik niya no'ng hindi man lang siya napansin ng mga ito.

SA KABILANG BANDA, tahimik na nagtatago si Odessa sa isang puno habang sinusubaybayan ang mga grupo ng mga lalaking lasing na naghahanap sa kanya. Pakiwari niya'y mga tambay ito sa lugar nila at walang alam kundi ang manakot ng mga dumadaan doon.

It's the reason why she doesn't like to go out at night because of those kinds of people. Ngayon lamang siya umuwi nang gano'ng oras kaya labis siyang natakot no'ng magsimula siyang sundan ng mga ito. Gusto man niyang humingi nang tulong ay hindi niya alam kung kanino. If only he asked him to accompany her, then she doesn't have to worry about herself anymore. Ang direksyon kung saan siya nagtatago ay kasalungat ng daan patungo sa kanilang bahay kaya hindi pa siya makakauwi hangga't nakaharang mula roon ang mga lalaki.

Nakatira man siya sa lugar na iyon ay hindi parin niya kabisado ang daan dahil hindi naman siya madalas gumala roon. Umikot lamang ang buhay niya sa paaralan at sa bahay nila. Hindi siya sigurado kung may ibang daan pa upang makauwi siya.

Agad niyang siniksik ang katawan sa may puno upang makapag-tago no'ng lumingon ang isang lalaki sa kanyang direksyon. Humugot siya nang malalim na hininga at dahan-dahang sumilip ito sa kanila ngunit gano'n na lang ang gulat niya no'ng biglang may tumakip sa kanyang bibig mula sa likod niya.

Nagpumiglas pa siya dito at hindi maiwasang matakot. Naiiyak siya dahil sa labis na kaba ngunit napanatag lamang ang loob niya nang magsalita ito.

"Shhh. It's me," he uttered that made her calmed down.

Agad niyang nakilala ang boses ng binata at nanlalaki ang mata niya itong tinignan.

"D-Demeereux!" Naiiyak at nanginginig niyang sambit. Tila nabunutan siya nang tinik sa lalamunan.

"See? Much better if you call me by my name," he said while glancing on those men who's been looking for her. "But Devan will do," he added.

"A-Anong ginagawa mo dito? Hindi ka pa po umuwi?"

"Nakikita mong nandito ako,"

Natutop niya ang sariling labi sa narinig mula rito. Yumuko siya sa pagkapahiya. Para tuloy may kasama siyang ibang tao dahil sa kakaibang pananalita nito ngayon.

"I'm kidding. You could've told me about your place earlier. Sobrang delikado ng lugar niyo lalo na sa gabi," mahinang sambit nito na tama lamang upang silang dalawa ang makarinig. "They're gone. Let's go," he added and pull her from where they're hiding.

"Okay na po ako dito. Salamat," Odessa uttered.

Binawi nito ang kamay na hawak-hawak ni Demeereux. Sakto namang tumapat sila sa maliwanag na lugar kaya kitang-kita nila ang hitsura ng bawat isa.

He's sporting a clothes to the simpliest remained his Greek God like appearance. Sumakto ang hugis ng mukha nito sa kanyang katawan at tangkad gayunpama'y makikita parin ang malamig na ekspresyon nito sa kanyang mukha ngunit mas nakadagdag pa ito sa bigat ng kapangyarihan at otoridad na nagmistulang anino niya, saan man siya magpunta.

"Lead the way and I'll walk you home," he said and she felt her heart pounding like it was currently on a race.

Tumango siya at nagsimula nilang tinahak ang daan patungo sa kanyang bahay.

Meeting Demeereux was one of her dreams all along but being with him is way too much and impossible. She once dreamed on having him but it was all in her past because the person who's with her is a different man from that person she wanted to meet.

They are similar in physical way but completely different at the same time. He became aloof to everyone which is a total opposite of the young man who loves the people around him. He became ruthless and way more handsome.

Odessa could feel the harsh beating of her heart that if only she can refrain herself from doing it and so be it. Because she cannot afford to fall for the same person for the second time around. It's a different feeling from what she felt before.

Napahawak siya sa tapat ng puso niya at napabuntong-hininga. Bakit kakaiba ang nararamdaman niya sa mga oras na iyon?

Itutuloy.........