Losing Grounds [Davin & Ninaandrea]

Kabanata 17

I felt foolish for opening the door without thinking that he owned this unit and there was no need for him to ring the doorbell.

Balisa ako sa mga sumunod na sandali. Siguro ay mas mapapanatag pa ako kung kinompronta ako ni Miss Samantha pero hindi iyon ang nangyari. She just stared at me, gave me a once-over from head to feet then left without saying a word to me.

I was so disoriented that I needed a moment to grasp what just happened. Upon regaining myself, I ran to Davin’s room, almost tripped on my own feet to get there, and pulled a white longsleeve and boxer shorts from his closet. Nang makapagbihis ay nagmabilis akong umalis, hindi na siya mahihintay pang bumalik.

Nagkulong ako sa kuwarto nang makarating sa apartment ko, tulala sa kisame habang sari-sari na ‘yong tumatakbo sa isipan ko. I made a promise before that I would make it up to Papa. I also vowed to myself that I would start anew for my parents, especially for Vini. I was also putting in my utmost effort to finish my education while juggling it with work to support it. My goal was to secure a decent job in the future so I could provide for my son. Pero ang mga iyon ay tila ba unti-unting lumalabo na. Hindi naman siguro tanga si Miss Samantha para hindi bigyan ng malisya ‘yong nakita niya. Hindi siya manhid para isiping walang namamagitan sa aming dalawa ni Davin. Dahil sinong matinong estudyante ang matatagpuan sa loob ng bahay ng professor niya na tanging robe lamang ang suot?

My heart ached as I confronted the harsh realizations that my dreams for Vini was now about to crumble before my eyes.

Trembling, I struggled to find Mama’s contact on my cellphone to talk to Vini, and it took several rings before she was able to answer the call.

“Mommy?” si Vini amg sumagot na siyang agad na ikinagaan ng pakiramdam ko.

“Hi,” tugon ko.

Bugbog na bubog na ang dibdib ko ngayon sa pangamba. Inaasahan ko nang naisumbong na ni Miss Samantha ang tungkol sa nakita niya. After all, she possessed every right to take the necessary action. She was now supported by a concrete evidence. It was her own eyes that caught sight of me inside Davin’s unit and clad in nothing but a robe.

“Mommy, umiiyak ka po?” Vini worriedly asked that interrupted me from my thoughts.

“Nope!” I replied with a fake cheerful voice.

Bumangon ako sa kama at sumandal sa headboard, itiniklop ang mga tuhod sa dibdib, niyakap, at ipinatong ang baba roon habang hawak sa tainga ‘yong cellphone ko.

“Mommy,” tawag niya sa isang malungkot na tinig.

“Vini, what’s wrong?” pag-aalala ko sa kaniya.