Ugh, bakit parang ang lamig... Hindi ko seguro napahinaan ang aircon ka-gabe...
Inayos ko ang comforter and move to my right side, habang nakapikit parin, then yumakap sa katabi ko... Wait... Did I say 'katabi'?
Naimulat ko ang mga mata ko ng maalala ang nangyari ka-gabe. And what I saw first is this guy's half opened eyes and grin.
"Good morning, love." He murmured at give a peek on my lip.
"Ano ba, kakagising ko lang, hindi pa ako nakakapag toothbrush." Sabi ko at tinakpan ang bibig niya.
He chuckled, "So? You always taste so sweet, anyway." Then he grabbed my hand and it landed on his bare chest.
Dumapo naman ang tingin ko sa suot kong singsing. I can't still believe he proposed to me last night. Despite of all the problems I currently have, and the problem I had with his family and our friends.
Yumakap ako sa kaniya, leaning my head to his chest. As he tightly hugged me back.
"Love..." He murmured and I felt his hand caressing my back, his fingers doing a circular motion.
"Hmm?"
He suddenly pulled me closer which made our skin touched. Oh damn, I forgot were both naked.
I immediately pushed him, just a little, to create a space between us. And I saw him pouted.
"Bumangon na tayo, para makauwi na 'ko."
"Later." Aniya at akmang yayakapin ulit ako.
"Aizer, please, it's already 7 am. I'm sure, hinanap na nila ako..."
"Fine... But eat breakfast first before you go, alright?" He gently mumbled and caressed my cheek, I nodded.
Nauna siyang tumayo at nagsuot ng damit bago lumabas. Naiwan naman ako dito sa kwarto niya para maligo.
Things are sometimes moving too fast, just like this ring on my finger. Parang kailan lang nong ayoko sa aura nila sa school, na iinis ako sa walang cold niyang mga tingin, how he doesn't care of his surroundings. But now, tingnan mo nga naman. Hindi parin ako makapaniwala. But for sure, this isn't the end, this is just the beginning. I still have unknown enemies, at hindi ko parin naaayos ang problema ng mom niya sakin.
Just like what he wanted, bumaba at nagtungo kami sa dining area dito sa bahay niya para mag breakfast. Nasa kalagit-naan ako ng pagkain ng mag vibrate ang phone ko, and nang tingnan ko ito, ay message mula kay Zel, hindi na ako nag reply dahil uuwi na naman ako.
"You'll attend our classes tomorrow, right?" Aizer suddenly asked, after naming kumain.
"Yes, why?"
"I want to fetch you again. And I want to talk to your paps." he said then hold my hand, guiding me to the front door.
"Ahm, ikaw bahala." I hesitantly said.
Wala namang segurong grudge si paps kay Aizer, right? Hindi naman siya yung may galit sakin, samin, yung parents lang naman niya. Pero kahit na, alam kong nagalit rin si paps dahil sa mga sinabi ni Tita. Aish! I don't know. Bahala siya kung gusto niya.
"Aizer."
Napatigil kami ni Aizer sa paglakad patungo na sana sa may gate, when someone block our way.
"What are you doing here?" She coldly asked habang walang emosyon na nakatingin sa akin.
"Tita..."
"Mom..."
She looks like, she's not pleased to meet me here at Aizer's place. She's just glaring coldly kaya napatingin ako kay Aizer at napatingin rin siya sakin with a confused look.
"Tita, good morning." I greeted with just a little smile on my face, 'cause it's awkward.
"I'm asking you, what are you doing here?" Muling tanong niya.
"Mom, why are you here?" Aizer suddenly interrupted.
"What?" now she look pissed.
"Aizer! What is she doing here? Have you forgotten everything I said?" Inis niyang tanong kay Aizer.
Naramdaman ko naman ang paghigpit ng pagkakahawak ni Aizer sa kamay ko.
"Mom, let's just talk later." Sabi ni Aizer sa mom niya.
"Let's go, Shein." Aniya ulit sakin, at nagsimulang maglakad paalis.
Napatingin naman ako kay Tita Rose na nakakunot ang noo at parang hindi makapaniwala sa inasta ng anak.
"Aizer!" Rinig kong pagtawag niya sa pangalan ni Aizer. I glance at him, and saw how he's back with his usual fierce face.
Hindi ako umimik at sumunod lang hanggang makarating kami sa tapat ng kotse ko.
"I'm sorry, seems like your mom's angry again." I mumbled.
"No, don't worry about that, I'll talk to her." He uttered and caressed my cheek.
"Drive safely. See you tomorrow." He added as he give a peek on my lip.
Tumango lang ako at sumakay na sa kotse ko, and started the engine. He immediately went inside kahit di pa man ako nakakalayo. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at itinuon ang atensiyon sa kalsada.
Tita Rose is really mad. I understand her, since she's just concerned about her son's safety. May mga kaaway na nga silang kaaway because of business dadagdagan ko pa. And worst, our enemies way dangerous.
"Saan ka galing?" Zel immediately asked ng makarating ako sa bahay, naabutan ko siyang nakatayo sa may entrance papunta sa living room.
"Saan ka nag punta ka-gabe? Saan ka natulog?" Sunod sunod niyang tanong ulit.
"I'm with Aizer last night." I just simply answered at nagpatuloy papunta sa living room.
"Wow~ talagang hindi nagpapaisindak ang love story niyo sa problem mo sa nanay niya." Rinig kong sabi niya habang sinusundan ako.
Napairap nalang ako at naupo sa couch. Napatingin naman agad sa akin si Clayd na busy sa harap ng laptop niya.
"Don ka natulog ka-gabe sa kanila?" Tanong niya naman.
"So you met his mom?" Tanong naman ni Zel.
"May sariling bahay siya... But I did met his mom before ako umuwi. She suddenly visit her son." Sabi ko at napasandal nalang sa couch.
"She must be furious." Clayd said.
"Anong sinabi at ginawa niya nang makita ka?" Tanong naman ni Zel.
"Of course she's not pleased to see me." Napabuntong hininga nalang ako.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, that will be difficult." Zel commented. Hindi nalang ako umimik.
I know that.
"Where's Blake and paps, by the way?" I suddenly asked, since silang dalawa lang nandito.
"He's going to meet someone daw." Sagot ni Zel.
"For sure, he's going to meet Cianna." She added at napairap.
"Zel, you have incoming call." Clayd suddenly said habang nakasilip sa phone na nasa center table, just beside his laptop.
"Hayaan mo yan." Sabi naman ni Zel at napairap ulit.
"Who's calling?" Tanong ko naman kay Clayd.
"Cian." He simply answered.
Napatingin naman ako kay Zel na hindi maipinta ang muka.
"That damn jerk. He didn't even visit when I was at the hospital." Inis na sabi niya.
"Those bastards and bitches, too. Wala silang mga utang na loob. Pano nila nalaman na nadischarge at nakauwi na ako?" Nakanguso niyang sabi ulit.
Hindi naman ako nagsalita. Maybe Aizer told them. I know Zel's mad at them as well as they also mad at us. But it seems like they still care about everyone.
Well, sana nga. Sana nga natanggap na nila.
Kinabukasan, ay maaga palang ako nagising, since may pasok at papasok na kami.
It's been three weeks and for sure marami kaming habulin na activities. Gosh, for sure magiging super busy na naman kami. Tsk. Hindi pa nga kami nakakapag usap usap tungkol sa nangyaring ambush. Hindi naman kasi kami kinakausap ni paps at Mr David tungkol don. And mas priority parin ang paggaling nina Zel at Blake, dahil hindi pa naman as in magaling ang mga sugat nila.
Nang makababa ay agad akong nagtungo sa dining room. Everyone's already there.
"Good morning." Bati ko sa kanila.
"Morning." Bati naman nila sakin. Tumango at nagtungo nalang agad ako sa upuan ko. At agad na kumuha ng pagkain.
"Shein? Saan mo nabili yan?" Blake suddenly asked habang nakatingin sa kamay ko.
Oh... Nakatingin siya sa singsing na suot ko.
"Huh? Nakita ko rin na suot mo yan kahapon? Tho, I didn't asked." Sabi naman ni Zel.
"Hindi ka naman ng susuot ng singsing." Sabi naman ni Clayd.
Napatingin lang ako sa kanila at hindi sumagot.
O-oh~ napangiti nalang ako at kumain nalang. Napatingin naman ako kay paps na seryosong nakatingin sa akin habang ngumunguya.
"Don't tell me, engagement ring yan!" Biglang sabi ni Zel, nagulat ako kaya parang bumara ang kinain ko sa lalamunan ko, kaya dali dali akong uminom ng tubig, ganon din naging reaction ni Blake.
"Engagement ring? Sino naman magbibiga-" hindi naituloy ni Blake ang sasabihin at nakabukas pa ang bibig habang nakatingin sa akin.
"Hindi ibig sabihin may suot na singsing, engaged na." Ani ko at napairap nalang.
"Ang oa niyo." Sabi naman ni Clayd.
Nagpatuloy nalang ako sa pagkain at sa pagkain ko lang ang atensiyon ko kahit na ramdam ko ang mga tingin nila.
"Excuse me everyone." Biglang sulpot ni Mr David.
"Aizer's at the living room." Agad na sabi niya habang nakatingin sa akin.
Hala oo nga pala! I thought he won't pick me up.
"You should have asked him to join us with breakfast." Sabi naman ni paps kay Mr David.
"I did, he refused." Tanging sagot ni Mr David.
Napatingin naman ako sa mga kasalo ko sa hapag. Poker face lang silang nakatingin sa akin.
"I'm full, please excuse me." Biglang sabi naman ni paps kaya napatingin kami sa kaniya.
"Finish your food, Shein. I'll entertain Aizer first." Aniya ulit at nag lakad na paalis.
My mouth parted a bit, and glance at the three. They shrugged their shoulders at bumalik sa pagkain.
Napatingin naman ako sa wristwatch ko at 7 am na pala.
Mabilis kong tinapos ang pag kain ko. Pero mas nauna si Blake at Clayd, pero hindi muna sila umalis sa table. Ako naman after kong matapos ay agad ako umalis at nagtungo sa living room.
I saw Paps and Aizer having a serious conversation kaya napatigil ako at hindi na nagpatuloy sa paglapit.
"Anong pinag-uusapan nila?" Nagulat naman ako sa biglang pagtanong at pagsulpot ni Clayd sa tabi ko.
"I don't know." I just simply answered.
"Maybe they're talking about your wedding." Biglang sulpot naman ni Zel.
"Gaga." Ani ko. Natawa naman siya at napailing naman si Clayd.
"Elshein." Napalingon agad ako ng marinig ko ang boses ni paps.
"Paps?" Agad na sambit ko ng makitang papalapit sila ni Aizer sa amin.
They're both serious kaya nagkatinginan kami nina Zel at Clayd. Ano kaya ang pinag-uusapan nila...
"Good morning." Aizer said nang makalapit sila sa amin.
"I wanted to talk to you, later. But for now, umalis na kayo, dahil baka malate pa kayo." Paps suddenly said, at nakatingin pa siya sa akin. Napalunok nalang ako at marahang tumango, kahit na nakatalikod na siya at papunta sa taas.
"See you later." I just simply said to Clayd and Zel na nasa likuran ko.
"Una na kami." Ani naman ni Aizer sa kanila.
"Okie, sunod naman ako." Sabi naman ni Zel.
Aizer wrapped his hand to my waist as we both walk towards the door. Wala akong imik habang nakahawak sa strap ng bag ko at hinahayaan si Aizer na e guide ako papunta sa sasakyan niya.
Ano kaya ang pinag usapan nila ni paps. Dahil ba yun ka-gabe? Sa singsing? Sa proposal niya?
"Anong pinag usapan niyo ni paps?" Agad na tanong ko nang buksan niya ang pinto para sakin.
"Hmm... Some stuff?" He simply answered, napakunot noo nalang ako.
He suddenly chuckled, "It's not a big deal, alright?"
Hindi nalang ako umimik at pumasok nalang sa loob ng kotse.
Not a big deal my ass. Bakit ang seryoso ni paps, at gusto pa akong makausap later? Tsk. For sure, it's about last night.
"By the way, how's Tita Rose? Have you talked to her?" I suddenly asked, while we're at the middle of the road.
"I did, but she really mad."
Napatingin naman ako sa kaniya dahil sa sagot niya. He's wearing that serious and cold expression again.
"Sorry." I muttered.
"Don't blame yourself. Mom will understand and accept everything sooner or later, okay?" He said, at tumango nalang ako.
I hope so...
Nang makarating kami sa RU ay pinagtitinginan na naman kami ng mga schoolmates namin, from the people at parking lot, until we arrived to our classroom.
Napatingin agad si Alexus, Allyza at Joellen sa amin nang makapasok kami.
Umiwas ako nang tingin at dumeretso agad kami sa mga upuan namin. Ang awkward tangina. Tahimik lang kasi sila mula nung pumasok kami hanggang mag start ang klase.
Okay lang naman sakin, hindi rin naman ako madaldal. Hindi rin madaldal si Aizer. Okay lang yan, Shein. Parang first day of class lang to. Yun nga lang, aware ako sa presence nila. Kaya ang awkward.
Morning classes ended, just like the normal days. Nang lumabas ang prof namin ay agad na lumabas yung tatlo kaya nagkatinginan kami ni Aizer.
"Let them be, I'm sure they are not mad, they're just confused."
Tumango-tango nalang ako at lumabas narin kami. Hindi ko na nakita yung tatlo, ang bilis naman yata nilang maglakad.
"Let's eat lunch outside?" Aizer suddenly said.
"Sige." Tanging sagot ko.
Nakahawak lang siya sa kamay ko habang naglalakad kami pababa ng building, maraming mata of course, pero wala naman kaming pake.
Napadaan kami sa harapan ng cafeteria at nakita ko sina Allyza na kausap si Zel. Hindi sila lumingon samin kaya deretso lang ang lakad namin ni Aizer papunta sa parking lot.
We had our lunch at the restaurant we once visited before.
Okay lang naman na si Aizer kasama ko, this was just like before nong bago palang kami. Hindi naman boring, since Aizer never leave my side the whole day, hanggang uwian, syempre hinatid niya ako.
"What do you want to talk about, paps?" Agad na tanong ko kay paps nang makapasok ako sa office niya dito sa bahay.
"You accept his proposal." He suddenly said while such serious tone.
"Why didn't you tell me about it?" He added habang nakakunot ang noo.
"It's —"
"Well! Whatever." He interrupted.
"I'm not against of your relationship, you know that... But have you thought about the task you all promised after you graduate?"
Hindi naman ako nakasagot dahil sa sinabi niya.
"Just look what happened recently, Elsh. Do you think his parents will allow him to be with you when you get back to work?" napasapo naman siya sa noo niya.
"Sana hindi ko nalang kayo pinayagan sa kagustuhan niyong bumalik dito para mag-aral... Diba yun naman talaga ang original plan, Elsh? Three years, just for experience. But it seems like you're not doing this just for experience."
I guess, I really did, fall in love this hard and deep.
"I know you understand what I mean... You shouldn't have accepted that ring! You're just going to hurt him."
"Paps!" Inis kong sambit.
"What? Am I wrong? Tell me? You're just going to hurt him, and you are just going to hurt yourself, too."
"Wala ba akong karapat maging masaya? At mag mahal?"
Natigilan naman dahil sa sinabi ko.
"All my life, I feel like I was never been happy and never been loved... Lumaki ako na walang alam sa totoong pagkatao ko... You hide everything from me. And you never let me feel the normal life. You made me feel like I owe you everything, I owe you my life. You shouldn't have rescued me at the first place, dad should still be alive, while I should have graved... Kadugo ba talaga kita? Why does I feel that I'm just your slave. And I have plenty of debt that will not even be payed even if I die."
Agad akong tumalikod at naglakad palabas ng opisina niya. A single tear falls down from my eye, agad kong pinunasan ito at mabilis na nagtungo sa kwarto ko.
Why does I feel like I am alive and I am here in this world just to feel unhappy and unloved.