Embrace the Suck (Bad, #1)

Chapter Nine

Sunod kong napansin ang pasa sa kanyang pisngi. It was slightly swelling, too. He also got a fresh cut near his lip. My forehead creased at the state of his face. What happened to him?

I can see the apology and guilt in his eyes. He looked like he wanted to head towards me and say something, but he chose to look away and ignore my presence.

What he did was wrong. His alcohol intake doesn't excuse him from what he did. It's not a valid reason. And being together doesn't give anyone a free pass to force someone into doing something they're not comfortable with.

In spite of that, I am not the type who holds grudges. Kahit na may ginawa siya sa akin, I still forgive him. Kahit na wala pang sorry. Maybe because people who'd already wronged me doesn't really matter to me. May magawa man sila, hindi masakit kaya mas madaling magpatawad.

The amount of hurt that you feel is the same amount of care that you have for whoever inflicted the pain.

I was pulled out of my own thoughts when my suddenly rang. I removed my eyes from Darin's retreating form and picked up my phone.

Parang nabuhay ang dugo ko nang makita ang pangalan ni Mama sa  nakailaw na screen. She rarely calls, that's why I can't help but feel excited everytime she does.

"Hello, Ma?" masiglang bungad ko rito.

"Kenna, do you have plans tonight?" mahinahon na tanong niya.

"Wala po. Why?"

"Bianca will be coming home this afternoon. Magkakaroon ng dinner sa bahay. Pwede kang pumunta kung gusto mo," sabi nito. Unti-unting lumaki ang ngiti sa mukha ko.

"I'll go po!" agaran na sagot ko.

"Okay. I'll see you later."

"Yes, Ma. B—" hindi ko pa natatapos ang sasabihin ay naputol na agad ang tawag.

Ganoon naman palagi si Mama kapag kausap ko. And like always, it stung. But then the infliction didn't last because of the event later. We have a family dinner!

My day passed with a big smile on my face. The upward curve on my lips never ceased, even when one of my professors surprised us with a long quiz. I was able to wing it.

Nang dumating na ang dismissal ay halos hindi na ako mapakali. Mamayang gabi pa ang dinner pero kating-kati na ako umuwi. Pagkasundo kay Shadow mula sa day care ay iyon agad ang ginawa ko.

I walked around the estate with Shadow to pass time. Hinayaan ko pa siyang makipaglaro sa ilang aso na nasa park malapit sa basketball court. Naging mabagal ang oras kaya nakuha ko pang mag-ayos ng website. I even got a new order. It was the customized order that a customer asked me to sketched for her. She wants it. I sent her an e-mail, asking for two weeks before I can have it delivered.

Nang mag six na ay naligo ako. Shadow doesn't need to be bathed. Alam kong inasikaso na siya sa day care. I'll be bringing him with me. Hindi ko naman siya pwedeng iwan sa bahay. I can't stand the thought of him alone. May maids sa bahay kaya doon ay mababantayan siya.

The gates were already opened when I reached my mother's place. Nakabukas na ang gate ngunit dahil dalawa lang ang parking space ay sa tapat ng drive way ko lang ihininto ang sasakyan.