Risqué Interchange (Revising)

Chapter 11: Forebodings

Chapter 11: Forebodings

Erin

I grew up with no one to take care of me but Gwen and myself. I learned to be self-reliant at a young age when my mother died from my father's extreme violence. That person showed no sign of mercy that he almost killed me as well. Kung hindi pa nalaman ni Gwen na parati kaming binubugbog ng ama ko at nasumbong sa mga magulang niya para matulungan ako ay baka namatay na rin ako kasabay ni Mama.

Gwen did everything para hindi ako mapunta sa ampunan o kahit kaninong kamag-anak dahil menor de edad pa ako no'n. She tried so hard to convince her parents in being my guardian and in return, I will do every ounce of my will to repay them. I did. And I'm still doing it.

Hindi ako tumira sa bahay nila. Sa dati naming bahay pa rin ako tumira matapos makulong ni Papa at mamatay dulot ng atake sa puso habang nasa kulungan. Gwen and her parents became my saviors. They hoisted and pulled me up from the quicksand where I was struggling so hard in order for me to survive.

Their affluence aid me from my life's utter adversity. Ginamit nila ang connections nila para hindi ako masilip ng mga departamento ng gobyerno. Pinag-aral nila ako through one of their foundation's scholarship grants. They provide financial assistance whenever I was in need. And Gwen never left my side kahit alam niyang may nagbago sa akin sa buong panahon na nagkasama kami.

Nag-iba ang ugali ko, ang mga pananaw ko, mga paniniwala ko, pero hindi ko kailanman sila tinalikuran at tatalikuran.

Habang buhay akong indebted sa pamilya ni Gwen at itinuring ko na rin sila bilang pamilya.

I stopped accepting assistance from Foliejo family nang makapagtapos ako ng pag-aaral. They were even refusing but I insisted with conviction. I'm more than grateful to them pero ayoko rin na habang buhay akong aasa sa pamilya ng best friend ko.

And here, I thought I can take care of myself. I've always been independent. I also like the freedom I possess.

Pero nakakapagod din pala.

Until I met Ross. College. Young and pliant when it comes to love. Besides, he strived so hard to earn my trust, my love above all. We were okay at first. Sa loob ng 2 years, mas nakilala ko siya. Mas hinangaan. Mas minahal. He took care of me.

But little did I know that the man who fought loads of battles just to get me will also be the one who can render great pain to my being.
He filled my emptiness with so much love that's why I made a mistake by putting it all to him with nothing left for me.

Hindi lang ako nasaktan ni Ross dahil lang sa niloko niya ako at ipinagpalit sa ibang mga babae. No, that's way too inconsequential. Napakababaw pa ng dahilan na 'yon why I always claim that Ross betrayed me.

"Ross, pare, salamat talaga ha. Matagal ko na talaga 'tong gustong gawin. Hindi ako makapaniwalang papayag ka."

"Maliit na bagay, bro. Sige ha, kita na lang tayo bukas."

Nakatulala akong tinitignan ang likuran nilang dalawa habang ang isa ay palapit sa nakaawang na pinto.

A tear escaped my eye as I felt Ross' hands maliciously caressed my nakedness.

"Erin, babe," he leaned in until he leveled against my ear and whispered, "I've always had fetishes, alam mo 'yan. Kaysa gawin ko sa iba, sa 'yo na lang ha?" before kissing my trembling lips.

Yuwan emerged into my bedroom holding a tray of food. Nakaupo na ako at nakasandal sa headboard pero nag-adjust ulit ako para bigyan siya ng space. He placed the tray on top of my bed and unwrapped and prepared the medicine. He examined my temperature and breathed out a small sigh of relief.