The Protector

Chapter 20 - Drunken State

Wala na. Lahat ng pinagpaguran ko for the sports that I love ay nawala lahat dahil sa tinamo kong injury.

Mahirap tanggapin na hindi na ako pwedeng makipag compete again as a professional kickboxer. O kahit pa amateur yan o larong kanto lang, hindi na pwede. Ever.

Sana namatay na lang ako.

"Bea, I love you, so much. But we can't stay like this. You have to help yourself. Please." nagsusumamo na sabi pa ni Jho.

But her pleas fell on my deaf ears.

"I don't need your help Jho." sagot ko habang walang emosyon na nakatingin sa kanya.

Doon na tumulo ang luha sa mga mata niya.

"It's hard to help someone who would rather drown in self-pity than find a solution to their problems Bea. I wish we could go back to where we used to be." she said while wiping her tears.

"I wish too." sabi ko bago pinagalaw ang wheelchair at tumalikod na sa kanya.

Matagal na walang nagsalita sa amin. Wala akong narinig na ingay mula sa kanya.

"I love you Bea. Please take care of yourself." dinig kong sabi niya bago sumara ang pintuan ng kuarto ko.

Akala ko babalik pa uli siya sa akin. Akala ko susuyuin niya uli ako. I was so wrong because that was the last time I saw Jho.

End of flashback.

Jhoana hasn't seen me yet as she is busy talking to the governor. I can still disappear if I want to but where will I go?

My legs moved on its own then I felt a hand on my thigh. Huh, kaninong kamay ito? I looked on my left side, I'm sure that it is Jema's hand. She noticed my uneasiness siguro.

"Are you okay?" she whispered.

"Y-yeah." I replied while playing with the table napkin.

"Relax." sabi niya habang nakatingin sa asawa na kausap si Jho.

I took a moment to cool myself by closing my eyes. I took a deep breath, and picture in my mind a place that is relaxing, soothing, and calm. My pad, near the beach. 

Ramdam ko pa ang kamay ni Jema na nakapatong sa hita ko kaya medyo kumalma ako kahit papano. I have to stay positive, nothing bad is going to happen, I convinced myself.

"Guys, this is Jhoana Maraguinot." biglang pakilala ni Gob Anton sa kanya.

He introduced us to Jho one-by-one.

Of course parehas silang nakaharap sa amin. When it was my turn, halos lumuwa din ang mata ni Jho pagkakita sa akin pero nakabawi siya agad. She smiled briefly to us while avoiding my eyes.

"Hello Jhoana." sabi ni Jema.

It is so awkward and nerve racking seeing Jho like this in front of everyone. Parang ang liit ng mundo at dito pa talaga kami nagkita. Mas okay sana kung kaming dalawa lang ang nandito. Dapat pala pumayag na akong makipagkita sa kanya noon when she reached out through Ponggay. Nakapag usap na sana kami. Pero nandito na kami, just act civil na lang.