Touched

Fourteen

Thea Elise

    I just got out of the shower when I heard the ascending ringtone of my cellphone. Kunot noo kong nilapitan ang bag at hinalungkat ito, noting how Grayson was watching me intently as he sat on the beanbag across the bed. I don't know how or why I let him come with me dito sa loob ng nirentahan kong cottage, I just did not want to argue with him anymore and let whatever we have be. Nangako naman siyang hindi ako susunggaban or what, gusto niya lang daw akong hintayin at makasigurado na hindi ko siya tatakasan sa dinner namin mamaya. Ni hindi pa nga siya nagbabanlaw at naka boxers pa din siya.

    "You should wash up too, hindi ako aalis." Turo ko sa extra towel sa gilid ng kama.

    He looked broodingly handsome kaya napatigil ako sa pagkakalkal ng bag ko. I really should buy a small pouch dahil sabog ang mga gamit ko lagi.

    "Walang details sa labas." He announced, pero tumayo na rin at otomatikong tumapat ang mga mata ko sa abs niya.

    Shit talaga. I held on to the towel that's covering me dahil baka malaglag at hayaan ko nanaman na gawin namin ang alam kong masarap na bagay.

    "There's no need for details.." I sighed then came near him. I reached for his jaw and held it gently. Napapikit siya kaya napangiti na ako. "Hindi ako aalis, Grayson."

    Napapangiti na din siyang nagmulat ng mga mata.

    "Okay, baby. Mabilis lang ako." He looked at me happily while biting his lower lip, parang ayaw niya pa ding gumalaw.

    Hindi ko alam kung bakit uminit ang pisngi ko, kinikilig yata ako na hindi ko maintindihan dahil sa pagkakatitig niya saakin kaya ako na ang nag-iwas ng tingin at pinuntahan na ang bag para hanapin ang phone ko.

    "Found it." I mumbled but frowned when I saw that it was Nicky calling. Agad kong pinindot ang answer button.

    "T..." I heard sobs.

    This is not good.

    "What's wrong??"

    Matinding pag-aalala ang agad kong naramdaman dahil bihira lang si Nicky umiyak at ang tipo ng iyak niya ngayon ay katulad ng iyak niya years ago. That was around the time that she was attacked by her stepfather at her own apartment. So, this is really bad.

    "C-come home p-please. I-I need you."

    "I'm on my way." I closed my eyes as I ended the call.

    I cannot help but think about what she is going through. Nicky is stronger than me when it comes to emotional setbacks and as much as possible she does not show her weak side. She had mastered the art of taming her troubles and fears masking it with her happy and bold demeanour. I hate to think that I have been a bad friend to her lately dahil kung mabuti akong kaibigan ay hindi na ako mag-iisip kung ano ang pwede niyang pagdaanan ngayon. I think I may have been selfish at puro sarili ko ang naiisip ko at ni hindi ko man lang siya nakumusta after the drugging incident at the Pink Dahlia.

    I did not see Nicky for three days after that and all I got was a call from Archer informing me that she was with him the whole time. Nang umuwi naman siya ay preoccupied na din ako sa predicament ko sa amin ni Grayson.

    Shit, ang sama kong kaibigan. I took out my phone again and texted her.

    Me:
    Pauwi na ako. Wtvr it is, know that I love you.
    And I am here, always.

........

    "I'm coming with you. We'll use my airbus." Grayson announced as he started getting dressed.