The Safest Place
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"You should stop being a hoe..." nakangiwi kong sambit sa harap niya.

His grins widened as he leaned his butt against the wooden counter once more, "Why?"

Napasimangot ako, "Obviously? You have a lover and you keep on flirting with anyone anytime you want." I attempted to be disrespectful to his ears, but all he did was wheeze.

Napaangat ang kilay ko sa ibinigay nitong ekspresyon. Perhaps what I assumed was wrong?

Laughing yet managed to answer, "Do you think I'd keep my time annoying you when I have a girlfriend? Edi, sana hindi mo ako kasama ngayon, diba? At isa pa,..." his hand deftly took the chopping board off his back and carried it alongside him as he walked towards me.

Inilahad nito sa harapan ko ang hawak na may iba't-ibang klase na prutas ang nakahiwa. He smiled showing his attractive teeth and a deep dimple in front of me, "...I don't flirt with just anyone, apple." When he winked, I should've been disgusted, but it was the opposite that made me feel disgusted with myself.

"A-apple? Are y-you missing some...gears?" I stammered—more accurately, I was speechless—because I couldn't render the words he said and the flattery I felt.

Tumango siya atsaka inangat ang hiwang piraso ng mansanas, "Apple because it's my favorite fruit." wala sa sariling tinanggap ko ito habang nakangiwing tinitigan siya na nakalayo na, na may kumakawalang tawa sa bibig.

"What do you want for lunch? Fish, meat, or me?" tanong niya na ikinairap ko kaagad.

"Rice. I want rice." diin ko na ikinabuhakhak niya na naman. Gusto ko nalang mag-iling sa kaniya. May lahing German at ang kalahati ay lahing malandi.

Hindi ko na siya pinansin at panay lamon lang sa hiniwa niyang mga prutas. The fruits were fresh and juicy which made me think that maybe someone really living in this cabin. Dahil bukod sa mga pagkaing nakaimbak ay ang malinis na paligid.

Napatingala ako sa mataas na kisame nito. The cabin was actually huge. Mukha lang itong maliit na one-story cabin kung titignan sa labas dahil natatakpan ang ibabang palapag nito ng mga lupa sa labas kung saan sa gilid ng cabin ay may hagdanan patungo sa dagat sa harap. And the cabin was nearly entirely built up of large windows on all sides. Kaya mas lalong malawak tingnan ang loob.

Even though there were only a few things inside, it seemed like home. Napatayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo at marahan na naglakad papunta sa ibabang palapag.

"May multo diyan, bahala ka." mas nabigla pa ako sa bigla nitong pagsalita kaysa sa pananakot niya.

"I've been with you all the time so I'm pretty much used to ghosts." pambabara ko habang nahihirapang bumaba dahil sa suot sa bestida.

"Kailan ba kita ginhost? Hindi ko naman 'yon ginawa, ah?" tanong niya na ikinalito ko.

I glanced up from the floor towards the terrace of the second floor where he was in. "Pinagsasabi mo?" kunot noo kong tanong bago nag-iling.

Minsan talaga ay nasa magkaibang barko kami.

"Hindi mo alam 'yon? What era did you live in ba?"

Tinapunan ko siya ng masamang tingin sa pang-iinsulto niya, "Shouldn't I be glad because I didn't experience becoming a jejemon like you?"

Napasinghap siya, "Anong jejemon? Hindi 'yon jejemon!" he cried dramatically and I couldn't help my irritation to rose.

Inignora ko nalang siya at naglibot-libot sa ibaba ng cabin. There was a fireplace and a big piano underneath the stairs inside the cabin. Mayroon ring mga picture frame na nakadikit sa dingding at nakapatong na mga photobooks sa isang matangkad na cabinet. Hindi ko mapigilang mapatitig sa mga ito.

I thought he was just lying when he said that this cabin was their group's refuge. Because looking at the pictures on the wall, it seemed like they have been here a lot of times. And I love how three people become five, becomes seven, and ten. Mukhang lahat ata ng sa tingin nila ay aayon sa grupo nila ay sinasali nila. And I believe that the Japanese guy was the recent flag that has joined the group.

Napangiti nalang ako. They must have gone through a lot of things with each other on their sides. They're not even blood related but they seemed more like family. Alam kong wala akong dapat ikainggit dahil may mga pinsan naman ako pero iba pa rin talaga kapag estranghero ang kasama mo.

I should've had friends if only I wasn't scared of making one back then. Kasi kung hindi lang nangyare ang kay daddy, hindi sana ako natatakot na maiwan ulit.

Malakas akong napatili nang may biglang mga tuhod na sinadyang banggain ang likuran ng mga tuhod ko. Halos napakapit ako sa dingding na nasa harapan ko nang mangyare 'yon. I heard Ysmael's evil laugh that made me throw hands.

"Are you insane?! Paano nalang kung mahulog ko ang mga litrato?! Do you even know how expensive is it to put these huge pictures in a frame?" nag-aaso ang mga butas ng ilong ko na sinabi iyon.

Napakurap na lamang siya at namamanghang tinitigan ako. Inis na inis ko siyang tinalikuran habang inangat ang bestida kong suot.

He coughed to get my attention, "You're rich yet you worry about money." it was kind of a question and a remark.

"Yes, because you haven't heard somebody calling you incompetent and mediocre," I said with a hint of bitterness.

Hindi ko siya narinig matapos kong sabihin 'yon kaya napadungaw ako sa kinatatayuan niya. My eyelids fluttered when I caught him staring at me, "What?"

"Did your dad tell you that?"

Napahinto ako sa paglakad at napatitig nalang sa kaniya. I hate how this guy keeps on surprising me. Lagi nalang niyang nahuhulaan ang nangyayare sa'kin. And what I hated the most is that I couldn't even deny my situation in front of him.

Nagkibit-balikat ako at tinalikuran siya, "Hindi naman siya tama kaya hindi ako naaapektuhan." kagat-labi kong sagot.

I lied but it's true that my dad was wrong.

I flumped into the couch and almost moaned when my skin felt its soft and comfy foam. Bigla tuloy akong binati ng pagkaantok.

"It's a great thing that you know yourself more than the words that he spilt." rinig ko si Ysmael sa harapan ko. Hindi na ako nag-aksaya pang magdilat ng mga mata at tumango nalang dahil sa antok at pagod na kumakatay sa buong katawan ko.

The sleepiness had almost swept me away, but I could still hear his tiny and endearing giggles. "I'll wake you when the food is ready. Sleep well, apple."

After then, all I remember are the tiny waggles of my heart as I slipped into a deep slumber.

Nagmulat ako dahil sa malakas na hangin na bumara sa ilong ko. Napaupo ako at mabilis na humihingal hanggang sa bumalik ang normal na takbo ng puso ko. I sighed in relief.

I looked out the front glass, which had been slammed by the high winds. The silhouette of coconut palms and the flaming orange sun on the horizon across set fire to the sky. Bago pa man ako mapatunganga sa kawalan ay bigla kong napagtanto kung anong oras na.

Mabilis pa sa alas kwatro na napatayo ako at kasabay doon ay ang pagkapunit ng suot ko pa rin na gown. Nakangangang sinilip ko ang punit at hindi mawari ang nararamdaman nang makita kung gaano iyon kalaki.

"I didn't know you love ripping clothes in front of me."

My eyes jolted towards the voice and immediately frowned upon seeing Ysmael's signature smile. "Well, I didn't imagine you've had hots for me that your eyes are almost popping out just to get a clearer view of my underwear!" inis kong sagot habang pilit na tinatakpan ang punit.

It's a little new for me that I don't even feel anxious with Ysmael seeing such lewd. Siguro nga ay nasanay na ako sa ugali nito kaya hindi ako nakaramdam ng pagkatakot.

He acted surprised, "Teka, paano mo nalaman?"

Halos batuhin ko na siya ng unan kung hindi lang ito tumayo paalis. I didn't know where he was going but it's better to not having him around with this stupid ripped gown.

Wala pang kalahating minuto na napaigtad ako nang may biglang naglahad ng damit sa harapan ko. When I looked up, Ysmael was looking away with a bored face, showing me his ear which blood almost popped out.

Kinuha ko nalang ito na may pagtataka kung anong nangyayare sa kaniya. "Where's the bathroom?" I inquired, attempting to correct my stance in order to avoid further harm to the gown.

Napatingala ulit ako sa kaniya nang wala akong marinig na sagot. Inis na tinusok ko ang giliran niya at pareho kaming nagulat; siya dahil sa sundot at ako ay dahil sa biglang paglingon nito.

"Ha?" he asked, obviously wandering his head away from reality.

I rolled my eyes, "Saan ang banyo? Magbibihis ako."

Doon naman siya nabalik sa huwisyo atsaka napakurap na tinuro ang banyo sa gilid ng hagdanan. Pinakatitigan ko lang siya na may kunot ang noo habang patungo doon.

He seemed so lost and embarrassed and I don't even know why. My interest piqued, and I had to push myself to think of something else to divert my attention away from it.

After a while, I stared at myself in the mirror. Ysmael is no doubt a big guy. Hindi niya nga sinabing sa kaniya ang damit na ito pero amoy na amoy ko naman ang pabango niya. Matangkad akong babae but his shirt almost dropped two inches above my knees. Hindi na kailangang magsuot ng pang-ibaba. I guess it's the reason why he didn't bother handing me some pajamas to wear.

Kahit papaano ay komportable naman akong lumabas na walang pag-aalinlangan. Hindi ko siya nakita sa ibaba kaya napatingala ako sa itaas nang marinig ang kakaunting ingay ng mga plato't kutsara.

Dala-dala ang inirolyo na bestida na tinahak ko ang daan paitaas. The aromatic smell of sinigang entered my nostrils without reluctance. Namuo bigla ang laway ko sa magkabilang pisnge at panay lunoy nalang.

"Kain na tayo? I cooked rice for you." nakangiting pag-aanyaya ni Ysmael sa akin.

Napakurap ako nang masaksihan ulit ang ngiting iyon. It was the same smile I received last time he cooked me an edible breakfast. My heart fluttered and my stomach was tingling. Ang tanging gusto ko lang ngayon ay ang huwag pawiin ang ngiting ito.

I moaned loudly, fists on the air as I chewed the tastiest pork I have tasted. It felt as if I was ready to die after tasting it. Hindi ko nakayanan ang sarap at nagdagdag agad ng kanin at napahigop ng sabaw.

I could see Ysmael's expectant face in front of me. My reaction was already obvious but seeing him wanting to hear the compliment directly from me is cute.

Napatango nalang ako at nilunok ang kinakain, "It's so good, Ysmael! You should've been my cook instead of a bodyguard!" I exclaimed overwhelmingly.

Narinig ko lang siyang tumawa kaya napangiti ako. Balak kong magpatuloy sa pagkain nang akala ko'y wala na itong sasabihin.

"Why choose one if I can do both?" he confidently said kaya pabirong napairap nalang ako.

"Mahilig ka ba talaga sa pagluluto?" tanong ko para hindi dapuan ng pagkailang ang hapag.

Napatango siya habang nagsisimula sa pagkain, "Nasanay ako noong nag-aaral pa ako. May trabaho sina mama at papa kaya laging pagod pagkauwi. They still have children to take care of that's why I intended to help them with the chores. Ako 'yong panganay kaya ako sa gawaing bahay at pagluluto habang si Ysa naman ay sa pag-aalaga ng mga nakababata naming kapatid."

Nakangiti akong tumango, "So, you learned cooking by yourself?" tanong ko habang ngumunguya.

He happily shook his head and smiled, "Si Olivia."

Agad na napaawang ang bibig ko nang marinig 'yon at mapait na natawa. He was taken aback when he realized what he said kaya natahimik ang paligid namin.

Nakaramdam ako ng kaunting pagsisisi nang tanungin iyon pero mas naiinis ako sa inggit na umaahon sa dibdib.

Halos pilitin ko na ang pagkain na mailunok at uminom ng tubig bago natawa ng peke. "She must really be a great cook." I complimented to let him know how delicious his food was.

Tipid na nginitian lang ako nito bago yumuko sa kinakain. Ilang segundo ang dumaan at binalot na kami ng katahimikan.

The last time I checked, I loved the word silence and itself. It was supposed to be my comfort and escape but now that is happening between us, I doubt if I still feel the way I felt it.

Narinig ko siyang tumikhim kaya napaangat ako ng tingin.

He smiled, "Bakit hindi ka pumasok kanina?"

I wasn't dense enough to not identify what he pertained to. Bumalik ang kaba sa dibdib ko nang maalala 'yon pero nang matitigan ang mata niya ay dahan-dahan rin naman iyon napawi.

Umiling lamang ako, "I ascertained that I shouldn't be bothering your time with your friends." rason ko.

"Even if death was behind you?" his piercing gaze forced my eyes to lock with his.

Napakagat ako ng ibabang labi, "Mhmm..." at nagyuko.

Tanging pagbuntong-hininga niya lang ang narinig ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sa tingin ko ay pinapagalitan niya ako at mas lalong hindi ko alam kung bakit ako natatakot sa kaniya.

I winced and looked at him with annoyance plastered on my face, "Teka, why are you intimidating me ba? Boss ba kita?" irita kong tanong nang mapagtanto ang antas namin.

Kita kong nagulantang ito at maya-maya ang nagpipigil sa pagtawa. He grabbed his utensils again and leaned towards his plate, "Ang cute mo talagang magalit. Mukhang baby pero may kilay." nakuha niya pang mang-asar.

Imbes na ikagalit ay pinalampas ko na muna. He made me a dinner that was supposed to be a lunch and I couldn't be more grateful for that.

"But you really should've not hesitated entering the room..." patuloy nito kaya napaingos ako.

He laughed, "Your savior was there, apple. You were already protected the moment you saw him." his smiles were escaping.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay kahit paman hindi ito nakatingin, "Yeah, he was. But he was busy with some other girl." I snorted when I remembered the girl beside him. Napasimangot ako.

Biglang ngumiwi si Ysmael at iritang hinarap ako, "I told you she wasn't my lover."

"Huh?" I frowned when I realized we weren't in the same boat.

Mukhang napagtanto niya rin ito kaya mas lalong nag-abot ang mga kilay niya sa gitna, "Lagi ka nalang Noah. Ni hindi nga 'yon tumayo man lang nang sumarado ang pinto." bulong niya at padabog na kumain.

I couldn't contain my smile, "Of course, he won't! His girl was there! Kapag ginawa niya 'yon paniguradong may matutulog sa labas mamaya."

"That doesn't turn you off?"

I shook my head, "Not really. It was actually cute."

Nalukot ang buong mukha niya doon kaya kumawala ang tawa ko, "Type mo yung ganoon? What?! Why would y-you—nakakalito kayong mga babae!"

Hindi ko na mapigilang mapabuhakhak sa kaniya. Wala talaga akong alam kung anong gusto niyang iparating. Nonetheless, I'm pleased I got to see this side of him. Ysmael is difficult to read, which is why I enjoy it when I see him angry about minor issues because it seems like he's slowly revealing himself to me.

"Ano ba ang ikinagagalit mo? Why do you keep on getting furious when we're talking about Noah? Inggit ka ba dahil may jowa siya habang ikaw ay wala?" pang-aasar ko pa lalo pero hindi ko alam na ako pala ang masurprisa sa sasabihin niya.

"Who the hell won't get mad if someone whom you've been saving credited another person even though that person hasn't done anything for her yet?" he sulked softly, but I felt my heart tear as I saw his sorrowful gaze.

With just a splint of second, I saw the series of my life in his eyes. The appreciation I haven't received and the disappointment I have been keeping to myself. Naalala ko bigla ang mukha ni daddy kanina, ang mga kuwentong gusto kong sabihin sa kaniya, at ang problemang hindi ko kayang ipaalam. Punong-puno na ng pagkadismaya ang sarili ko at hindi ko ito napagtanto hanggang marinig iyon.

Napayuko ako at hindi na nakapagsalita.

"Apple?" there was a hint of worry and baffle in his voice.

Nilunok ko lang ang pagkain at nginitian siya. He only stared at me after I brought my eyes back to the food. Wala nang ni isa ang nagsalita sa amin, at wala na ring may balak pang basagin ang katahimikan.

After dinner, I immediately went to the sink to volunteer to wash the plates. He was back to his playful attitude again—placed so much effort to bring back the mood.

"Kaya mo bang maghugas? Baka makabasag ka lang?" his teasingly chuckle caught my ears. As much as I wanted to fight back but it was typical of me to get swallowed by a deep feeling for the meantime, and I hated it.

"Don't worry, I can..." I smiled and started to clean.

"Uhm...just call me if you needed help, okay?" may bakas na lungkot ang boses nito bago umalis.

The cabin was so quiet but it didn't even bother me a bit for my mind was wandering elsewhere. Ni hindi ko nga napansin na nakatitig na pala ako sa umaagos na tubig kahit tapos na akong manghugas.

Napailing ako atsaka ito sinara. I already wasted their food and now I'm wasting their water. Magkano kaya ang bill ng tubig nila dito? I hope it's not that expensive, though.

Pagkatalikod ay nadatnan ko ang mga ilaw mula sa labas ng cabin. The sun was too fast in setting, unlucky how I didn't get the chance to watch it rest across the horizon.

Pasimple akong dumungaw sa ibaba upang hanapin si Ysmael. Inside the cabin was already bright my the luminescent lights which I thought was a little disturbing to my eyesight, but later on I get used to it.

Bumaba na ako sa palapag at napatunganga nalang sa labas. Gabi na kaya't hindi na malinaw ang dagat sa labas pero malakas sa tenga ko ang mapayapang alon mula rito.

Dahan-dahan akong lumabas mula sa malaking gawa sa kahoy na pintuan at agad na hinampas ng preskong hangin. Mabilis kong hinawakan ang damit baka liparin rin ng hangin. Madilim na nga ang paligid pero maliwanag naman ang buwan at ang nakahilerang poste sa mga bakod sa labas.

Kung titingnan ay parang isang pribadong lugar itong bahay nila, bukod sa nag-iisa ito ay pinalibutan rin ito ng matataas na bakod. Hindi maipagkaila na isang rest house ito.

Gulat ako sa mga kamay na biglang nagtali ng kumot sa beywang ko. Nang maamoy ko ang pabango ni Ysmael ay agad rin naman akong kumalma.

"Pasensya na, walang naiwan na damit sina Anna dito..." kamot ilong nitong sambit.

"It's fine, really..." I am already grateful for his generosity.

Tumango siya at naiilang na nakatayo sa harapan ko kaya hindi ko mapigilang matawa. "Kanina ka pa dito?" he nodded.

"The night was calm and I needed it. Gusto mo bang maglakad sa buhangin?" we both looked at my feet that were nude and I couldn't help but grew conscious because it might be dirty or ugly in his eyes.

"Don't worry, the sand is white and safe." nginitian ko na lamang siya atsaka sumunod sa kaniya.

He wasn't lying when he said that the sand was safe. Dahil pagkatapak na pagkatapak ko ay agad nanlaki ang mga mata ko kung gaano ito ka pino at kasarap sa pakiramdam sa tuwing bumabaon ang mga binti ko. Seconds later I found myself grinning while silently playing the sands.

Nakarating kami sa bahagi kung saan medyo basa at malamig. The water probably reached this part earlier before the low tide came. Doon kami naupo at nagulat pa ako na hindi pala talaga ito basa.

The moon above us sent us enough light to watch the waves on the shore. May kakaunting liwanag pa naman sa parte namin mula sa bakod kaya kahit papaano ay hindi nakakatakot.

We sat there for many minutes, each one's mind wandering and eyes fixed on the stars overhead. It was great; peaceful and quiet. Katulad ito sa nakaraang araw ngunit mas mapayapa dahil sa kalmang ingay na ginagawa ng alon.

My neck snapped towards Ysmael when he talked, "Do you ever wonder why we have to have problems?"

I hemmed, "It's probably because we're born to have them."

Napahalikhik siya at bahagyang ininat ang mga binti habang mga kamay ay nakatukod sa likuran. Napayakap tuloy ako sa mga paa at ngiwing pinanood siya. The audacity of this guy is scaring me.

"Sabi nila para raw lumakas at tumatag tayo. But how about those people who have been carrying certain problems their whole life? 'Yon na ba ang kapalaran nila? But why does it seem so unfair and ridiculous? Kasi hanggang sa mamatay sila ay nandoon na lagi 'yon, ni hindi man lang naranasan ang mawala iyon ng isang araw."

Ysmael tried so hard to not mention anything he's been carrying even though his voice and heart were both weeping from the misery they've got. Kahit na hindi ko alam kung ano ang problema niya ay ramdam ko naman kung gaano ito kabigat.

Kung iisipin nga ay maswerte nalang ako at nakuha ko ang sakit ko ngayong malaki na ako. I mean, it's probably different if I got it from when I was young. Kasi panigurado akong hindi ko makakamit ni isa sa mga pangarap ko.

"Life is cruel, what do you expect?" I bitterly said.

"Pero bakit sa mga tao pa na wala namang kasalanan?"

I shrugged, "Because they're too pure to remain in a cruel place? That's why God is slowly bringing them back to where they deserve they should be in."

Natahimik kaming dalawa matapos iyon. I didn't mean to open a topic about death but I just want to be optimistic about it. Alam kong presko pa rin ang sugat niya sa puso dahil kay Olivia. Death is pitilessly cruel. It is expected for people to mourn and suffer when death knocks on someone's door. At kahit saang bahagi nito ay puro sakit at pait lang.

Of course, I understand the anguish of dying and realizing how great my mom was, I couldn't help but wonder why God brought her back so quickly. She deserved to live a life with her family and in the place where she's happy. But only then that I realize that the world is nothing compared to His kingdom. Heaven is a place for all good people and those who have left. They are entitled to more in this world than they receive. And I understand why He feels compelled to take people who are far too valuable in this terrible world.

"Do you know how fortunate are those left us?" his gloomy eyes met mine, I smiled, "Because they're finally free from suffering. God loves them too much that he needed to get them sooner than expected."

His lips arched a little, "But how about us? Does He loves us the way He loves them?"

Bahagya ko siyang tinapunan ng buhangin sa paa. I understood what he's pertaining to. Kasi nasasaktan rin ang mga taong naiwan. But how dare this guy question the Almighty? "Of course! Kaya nga buhay tayo! Because even if it means suffering, He still wanted to see our smiles at the end of every problem we'll encounter." I playfully smack his stomach and laughed.

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako kumuha ng lakas para sabihin sa kaniya iyon. Di hamak na may mabigat na problema rin ako na hindi ko kayang labanan mag-isa. Ewan ko, siguro ay gusto ko lang talaga siyang bigyan ng lakas kagaya ng sa tuwing ako yung nalulungkot.

"Bakit kasi kailangan pati tayo ay masaktan pa..." nalalasahan ko ang pait ng boses nito kaya napabuga ako ng hangin.

"Because we are merely human beings who love and whose heart is fragile." sambit ko at hindi na napigilang mapatitig sa kaniya.

Gusto kong tanungin kung anong problema niya pero wala ako sa lugar para malaman iyon at isa pa, nangako ako mismo sa sarili ko na panatilihin ang pagkaroon ng impormasyon tungkol sa kaniya. I know I've been crossing over the line since the beginning, but there are times when things are too hidden for us to find.

In the meantime, I want to comfort him the way he always does for me.

Nabalik ako sa huwisyo nang marinig itong natawa. My brows furrowed while my smiles were peeking. "Why?"

Napailing lang siya, "Ang drama ko." he realized that's why I nodded which made him laugh louder.

"Kamusta pala?" tanong niya kaya iningusan ko.

"Do you not realized that we have been seeing each other straight for the past two weeks?"

"Alam ko naman pero hindi ikaw ang ibig kong sabihin..." my brows furrowed, "...yung puso mo."

Napakurap ako, "Why? What's wrong with my heart?"

He only smirked, "Kinakamusta ko lang baka may nararamdaman na 'yan para sa'kin." it was the moment I knew he was back in his typical self. Akala ko pa naman anong seryoso ang sasabihin.

"Hoe." bulong ko.

"Na pogi. Ulitin mo, lagyan mo ng po—aray! Biro lang!" hindi nito natuloy ang sasabihin dahil malakas na pinagbabato ko siya ng buhangin.

He groaned when I accidentally threw some into his mouth. Napakurap ako dahil akala ko ay nagalit ito pero ang hindi ko alam ay ang nakaabang na pangingiliti ng mga daliri niya.

Our laughing reverberated across the space. Despite the fact that the peaceful and lonely location was disrupted, a lovely symphony of laughing arose. The chilly breeze battled the heat radiating from our cheeks, eventually abandoning us as sweats began to rise.

Our hearts were full of joy as the night progressed. As we panted for air under the moonlight, I saw how two lonely individuals connected, understood, and accompanied each other.

It's as if we were fated to meet and listen to one's burden. And, similar to how I requested sanctuary, I didn't realize I already have it since the first time our eyes meet.

I thought I could escape from the danger but only to discover that that danger was the safest place for me.

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nyariina
8/5/'21