ADMIRATION

Mino's P.O.V

I don't know what I need right now to eliminate this feeling in my chest. I tried meditation, singing and even dancing in front of the mirror yet I am still thinking about it.

I lifted my head and looked at the wooden ceiling of the large bathroom where I am. I soaked my body on the wooden bath tub with different flowers on its top side. Everything looks pretty, everything she created is so beautiful just like her.

I closed my fist, siya na naman ang nasa isip ko. Everything just reminds me of her and this is making me crazy. I harshly stood up from the bath tub and stepped my feet on the floor. It really fells good to be wet and naked sometimes.

I grabbed the big towel hanging on the door and I rubbed it on my body. When I am contented that my body was dried off, I switch the rubbing of the towel to my head.

I walked out of the bathroom as I dry my hair but I stopped when I am in the foot of the bed. I sighed while looking at the royal clothing that I had prepared for myself. It still feels silly for me, pakiramdam ko ay pupunta ako palagi sa costume party kapag ito ang suot ko.

Why can't the royal men just wear a suit and tie na para bang nasa isang office meeting lamang sila. But it's okay, I still look handsome on it and that is what it matters the most.

I started to rub my hair dry again but heck- "SANTA MARIA!" I shouted as I was so surprised when the door loudly opened na para bang nire-raid ako ng NBI. I covered my body instantly and looked at the person who is confident enough to burst my door open.

I instantly saw her back habang nakatakip siya sa kaniyang mga mata, really? Great! Umiiwas na nga ako pero siya pa mismo ang pumasok sa kwarto habang nakahubad pa talaga ako.

"Damn! Bakit naman kasi walang habas na pumasok?" I exclaimed harshly while her back is still facing me. "I am sorry it's urgent!" she replied quickly. Napahinga ako nang malalim at madalian ko ng isinuot ang aking mga damit.

Okay Mino! Just get your act together okay? After some time, I heard her voice again, "We need to go away from here Mino." Okay that really sounds like an urgent action to be taken. Tila gusto ko pang murahin ang aking sarili dahil nanginginig pa ang aking kamay na papalapit sa kaniyang likod.

Napahinga ako nang malalim nang matagumpay ko siyang natapik. Why the heck I am trembling?

"Humarap ka na wala ka ng makikita," I stated coldly while preparing myself to see her beautiful face again. Mabilis na siyang humarap sa akin and I just felt my breath instantly stopped as I saw her perfect features again. Why are you this gorgeous? Damn!

Mabuti na lamang at hindi siya makatingin sa aking mga mata dahil na din siguro sa hiya dahil kung tititigan niya ako ngayon ay baka tuluyan na akong hindi makahinga. I just tried so hard to look at her coldly.

"Is there any problem? Bakit kailangan natin umalis?" I inquired calmly and I instantly comb my hair up with my left fingers.

"Patungo na sa direksyon na ito ang ibang kaharian. May kasama silang Awol," she explained but my brows furrowed. What the hell is she talking about?

"Awol? Absent without official leave? May military school ba dito sa inyo?" I inquired. Shit! Magmumukha na naman akong walang alam sa kaniya. Her raised eyebrow tells me a lot about me being a weirdo in front of her.

"Baka naman OTWOL 'yung "On the Wings of Love" ni James Reid at Nadine Lustre may ABS-CBN kayo dito?" I asked again because I freaking don't know what she is talking about.

"Not those nonsense Mino! Awol in this world is a beast that can smell human breath and can tear you apart! They are born to kill humans and tear them to shred!" she quickly said and I was stunned, no not stunned! I am freaking horrified!

I clenched my jaw and slowly hide my trembling hands on my back. Great! Just great! What shall I do with that information?

"We need to go baka madamay ang mga taga-baryo. Your enemies will play dirty again," I said seriously as I tried to hide my fear. Hindi na ako papayag na madamay na naman ang kanilang nasasakupan dahil sa akin. Hindi pa ako nakakabawi sa una kong kasalanan!

After she bid goodbye to her uncle and mother ay nagsisimula na kaming maglakad patungo sa natatanaw ko na malawak na disyerto. I am still processing my thought about the sanctuary that they are talking about as well as kung sino ba ang nilalang na nandoon dahil tila inis na inis si Vreihya.

I am also puzzled about having a strong mind there and going insane if the mind is weak. Shit! Kung alam ko lang na problema lamang pala ang sasalubong sa akin ay sana sinulit ko na ang pagbabad ko kanina sa paliguan.

Ilang sandali pa kaming naglalakad hanggang sa mabatid kong malayo na kami sa kagubatan. I sighed heavily again, I plan to be away from her as long as I can but fate is clearly not on my side. I am just doing myself a favor here, I must not feel anything for her.

"Mino, ano ang binulong sa iyo ni Tiyo kanina?" bahagya akong nagulat sa bigla niyang pagharap sa aking direksyon at nagtanong. Damn! I am not prepared to see her face again. "I won't tell you," I answered back seriously.

She rose her eyebrow while walking backwards so she can still face me while walking. "I need to know dahil baka kung anong kalokohan na naman iyan!" she hissed ngunit pinili ko na lamang na hindi pansinin.

"Tumingin ka sa dinadaanan mo prinsesa, baka mapatid ka," pagsuway ko sa kaniya ngunit umiling lamang siya. Haist! Ang kulit!

"Ayaw mo lang sabihin sa akin eh. Ano ba kasi 'yon?" tanong niya ulit habang nanatiling paatras na naglalakad habang nakaharap sa akin. Nosy princess!

"No I won't tell you!" I said coldly as I wanted to brush off that topic.

I looked down as I can't stare at her eyes anymore. I remembered very well what his uncle told me. "Silvestre can see everything, and you know what? He told me about a mortal starting to have an admiration towards the lovely princess," he begin and pull out something on his pocket and gave it to me. I was stunned when it is the same flower that I threw away, I was supposed to give it to Vreihya when I was on her veranda.

"But admiring the princess is not that easy, if you want to make yourself worthy for her, the sanctuary will put you to the test. Make sure your mentally strong, I don't want a weakling for a future nephew in law."

I will never let Vreihya know that, I will keep that as a secret 'till death.

"ENTRANTE!" I looked up at her when I heard her yell but I am surprised when she immediately grab my cloth. Oh shit! Agad kaming natumba pareho ngunit mabilisan ko siyang niyakap. Ramdam ko ang init ng buhangin habang patuloy kaming gumugulong pababa.

Haist! Ang kulit mo talaga! Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang kaniyang bewang at prinoktehan ang kaniyang ulo gamit ang isa ko pang kamay. Fuck! There is a fucking rock ahead of us!

No! Hindi ako papayag na siya ang tatamaan niyan! Agad kong pinilit na igulong muli ang aking katawan upang sa akin sumakto ang bato. I can't let her get hurt! Not on my watch!

Ilang sandali pa ay agad kong naramdaman ang malakas na pagtama ng bato sa gilid ng ulo ko. Agad akong napainda dahil tila pinalo ako ng baseball bat.

Damn! Ang hapdi! Ilang segundo pa ay naramdaman ko na tila nanlalabo ang aking mga mata. Things I do just to protect a creature that I supposed to hate. Damn!

After that, everything went blank.