Blinded

Chapter Forty-three

Rare

He quickly turned the engine down in front of our house. Nilapatan ko ng tingin ang wrist watch ko atsaka nagtaas ng tingin sakaniya.

"It's quarter to 12. Let us eat inside first," wika ko. He smiled and shook his head, dismissing my statement.

"Don't worry, may inihandang pagkain doon. I can manage," sagot niya. Kinagat ko ang labi ko. Alam kong importante itong meeting na pupuntahan niya but I can't just let him go with his stomach empty.

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko, "Look, Tria. Dapat ako ang mas nag-aalala sa ating dalawa," he trailed. My forehead creased.

"Is it about my parents? I can handle them," sagot ko. Umiling siya at mapanuksong ngumiti. What's the matter?

"Well, I am well-aware that you are still virgin when we made love and by now I'm sure you are severely sore," aniya at ngumisi.  Redness spread throughout my face.

What the fuck?

Inis ko siyang hinampas sa dibdib, "Nakakainis ka! Hindi ko nga in-open ang topic na 'yon sa'yo, tapos ikaw sasabihin mo bigla 'yan!" sigaw ko. Tumawa siya at hinuli ang mga kamay ko. Inalis niya ang seatbelt sa katawan ko atsaka ako hinila para yakapin.

He chuckled in between my jaw and my shoulders, "I wanna stay with you the whole day, but I can't. This meeting is somehow important, but one word from you that I should stay, I will," kinagat ko ang labi ko sa sinabi niya. This man really knows how to tickle my heart in delight.

Kinurot ko siya sa tagiliran kaya siya natawa, "Nah. Your offer is tempting but I can manage. Besides that meeting is important so you should attend. Marami pa naman tayong oras na magkakasama. It's okay," I said. He hugged me tightly.

I wish we were like this but I know he needs to go now. This is what I learned, to sacrifice for small things. Love is not possessive and it shouldn't be. It's enough for me to see him smile. Everything is enough as long as he's within my reach.

Dinampian niya ko ng halik sa labi pagkatapos ay tumalikod na siya at lumabas. Pinagbukas niya ko ng pintuan. We bid goodbye and he kissed me for the last time.

"Take care!" ani ko ng makapasok na siya sa sasakyan. Pumasok na ko ng bahay. Narinig ko lang ang pag-andar ng sasakyan niya pagkapasok ko.

Sinalubong ako ni manang at sinabihan ako na kumain muna.

Tumango ako, "Yes, I will eat, manang. Pero nasaan sina daddy?" tanong ko.

"'Nak, umalis ang daddy mo dahil may aasikasuhin siya at ang mommy mo naman ay nagpapahinga sa kwarto niya. Katatapos niya lang kumain. Medyo hindi maganda ang pakiramdam kaya nagpahinga muna," aniya. We walked to the dining room.

"At nga pala! Nasa kwarto mo 'yung dalawa mong kaibigan. Halos kararating nga lang noong isa. Pero 'yong si Ma'am Yas kaninang umaga pa," wika niya. I stopped walking midway when she said that. I nodded and did nothing but to think why they are here.

Manang served me my lunch at binilisan ko ang kain. She said that the two already ate. Kasabay daw nila si Mommy.

After eating dumiretso na ako sa kwarto ko. Pagkabukas ng pinto, I expected loud giggles and noises from them but they surprised me with their silence. Malalim na nag-iisip si Elysa habang nakatanaw sa bintana at si Yas naman ay kunot ang noong nakaupo sa kama ko at tila hindi mapakali.

"Guys?" I said as I called their attention. Gulat silang humarap sa'kin. Okay? What's with them?

"Why aren't you answering my calls? Ano ka? Chic?" inis na bulyaw ni Yas at sinugod ako para yakapin ng mahigpit. Wait. Is this why they are like that? Are they worried about me? No, I think there is something else. Kanina lang kami nagkita ni Elysa pero bakit tila problemado din siya?