Pain
KUMUYOM ang kaniyang kamao habang nakatingin sa papalayong sasakyan at lulan niyon ang dalaga. Hindi n'ya lubos maintindihan kung bakit gano'n na lamang ang takot na rumehistro sa mukha nito at tumakbo papalayo sa kaniya.
He needs to talk to her, but not now. He walked back to the docked yacht, and when he returned to the ballroom his eyebrows met when he spotted the familiar person in the distance.
Abala ito sa pakikipag-usap sa mga kasosyo sa negosyo dahilan para magtagis ang kaniyang bagang.
That made him understand everything kung bakit nagmamadaling umalis ang dalaga.
Umakyat s'ya sa ikalawang palapag kung saan naroon ang isang silid, pinihit n'ya ang pinto pabukas saka pumasok. Bumungad sa kaniya ang babae na ngayon ay prenteng nakaupo sa malapad na kama, nasa labi nito ang isang ngiti.
"Finally getting rid of that girl, huh?"
Riyella was smiling from ear to ear and it annoyed him so much.
"What did you do?"
Nangunot ang noo nito."I didn't do anything, Zayn. You're suspecting me so early."
"You really think you can play bullshits with me, Riyella?" isang ngisi ang gumuhit sa kaniyang mga labi. "You really invited Azi here on purpose, dahil alam mong masisindak mo si Rhiannon kapag nandirito ang kapatid n'ya."
Riyella stood up and went to his direction, mabagal ang paglalakad no'n at pagkatapos ay umangat ang palad para haplusin ang kaniyang pisngi.
"Kaya gustong gusto kita eh. Even before Zayn, I really want you so bad at nagawa kong tanggihan ang opurtunidad sa ibang bansa para lang makasama ka." malamyos ang tono nito kapagkuwan ay naging malamig." But what really pisses me off is that you ended up with that girl, ang babaeng wala ng ibang ginawa kundi ipahamak ka, ang sirain ang pagkakaibigan n'yo ni Azi. She only caused you a lot of trouble, Zayn. Kaya hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit mas pinili mo s'ya kaysa sa 'kin.." puno ng hinanakit na saad nito.
Too bad for her, her so-called love for him drove her crazy. Nakakaawa.
He stared at her coldly. " You wanna know why?" inalis n'ya ang palad nito sa kaniyang pisngi at kaagad itong tinalikuran.
"Because you're too desperate, and that annoys me a lot, Riyella," he stated before leaving her behind.
Narinig n'ya ang pagtangis nito nang lumabas na s'ya ng silid, binagtas n'ya ang daan palabas saka sumakay na sa sariling kotse. Pinaharurot n'ya iyon papunta sa kinatitirhan ng dalaga, mahigpit s'yang napahawak sa manibela nang muling rumehistro sa utak n'ya ang senaryo kanina.
He'll surely get rid of that man for taking Rhiannon away from him.
NATIGILAN s'ya sa pagluha nang tumapat sa kaniya ang isang panyo. Kaagad naman niyang dinampot iyon at mabagal na pinunasan ang kaniyang luha. Zaijan was just beside her and they we're both sitting on his car's hood.
"You're not supposed to cry, Rhiannon."
Binasa n'ya ang pang-ibabang labi."I know. This is all my fault."
"Don't say that."
She has seen this coming yet still chooses to be with him despite the fact that it might destroy him. Masiyado niyang inisip ang pansariling kaligayahan.
When she saw his reaction earlier begging for her to stay, it did hurt a lot.
"Dapat talaga hindi na 'ko bumalik. Ginulo ko lang ang lahat. Riyella was right, wala na 'kong ibang ginawa kundi ang ipahamak si Zayn. His relationship with Kyros and the others, nasira na 'yon lahat."
Zaijan sighed."It's not too late for you, Riri. We can go back to France together and move on from everything."
Napatitig s'ya sa binata. "Should I just run from this? Kaduwagan na naman ba ang paiiralin ko?"
"Kung hindi kaduwagan, ano? You'll try to work this out before everything gets worst? Mag-isip ka, Rhiannon. Your brother won't allow this, lalong lalo na si Riyella. Patuloy n'ya kayong sisirain at maaring mas ikasira pa iyon ni Zayn."
He's right. Kahit anong subok nila ng binata gano'n at ganoon parin ang mangyayari, magkakasakitan lang sila. Zaijan suddenly held her hand.
"Come with me, Rhiannon. Ilalayo kita sa mga bagay na makakasakit sa 'yo. I promise, hindi kita pababayaan." he said sincerely.
Nakatitig lamang s'ya sa kamay ng binata na nakapatong sa kaniya. This feels wrong to her but she knows that this is the right thing to do.
"You can't take her away that easily from me, brute."
Kapwa sila natigilan ni Zaijan nang may magsalita mula sa likuran. It's none other than Zayn who's staring at their hands like a daggers.
"Zayn",
What is he doing here though? Dapat nandoon ito sa lugar na pinag-iwanan n'ya rito kasama si Riyella. His sharp, frigid look is killing her, and something is forcing her to look away, which she is incapable to do.
He ignored her call and went through Zaijan who was now holding her hand firmly.
"Rhiannon no longer wants you kaya pwede ba umalis kana."
Zayn glared at him, mockingly. " And who do you think she wants? You?"
Nais na niyang bumitaw sa pagkakahawak ni Zaijan at awatin na ang binata ngunit pinangungunahan s'ya sa kaba.
"She'll leave with me, Callistus. Palayain mo na si Rhiannon sa mga katarantaduhan mo, wala ka nang ibang ginawa kundi saktan s'ya." litanya ni Zaijan ngunit tila ba hindi iyon narinig ng binata, bagkus mula itong nagbaba ng tingin sa mga kamay nila.
"Bitaw",
"You think her brother would let you? No, patuloy lang kayong magkakasakitan."
Zayn suddenly eyed him coldly.
"Which part of what I've just said you didn't get?", nagtagis ang bagang nito. "Let go of her."
"You don't boss me around, Callistus. "wika ng huli at nakipag tagisan pa ng titig dito.
Napasinghap s'ya nang hugutin ng binata ang baril nito mula sa tagiliran, mabilisang ikinasa at itinutok sa katabi n'ya.
"What the hell, Zayn?!"
"You've been testing my patience, man. I am very much territorial in something that I own, and Rhiannon is not an exception to that. Don't make me repeat it myself, you won't like it.'' he said those words in an authoritative tone and it's scaring the shit out of her.
Sinubukan niyang alisin ang pagkakahawak sa kaniya ni Zaijan ngunit nagmamatigas ito. Kilala niya ang binata, hindi nito iyon palalagpasin.
''One.''
Nanlalaki ang mga matang napatitig s'ya sa binata. '' Zayn, ano ba!'',
''Two.''
Bago pa man umabot si Zayn sa bilang nito ay marahas na niyang tinulak si Zaijan dahilan para mapabitaw ito sa kaniya. Hindi makapaniwalang napatitig ito sa kaniya.
''Please leave now, Zai. I'll talk to you later.'' aniya.
He surrendered his hands in the air, then drew back. He was staring at Zayn, who was now holding the gun with one hand down and she was so terrified that she was practically out of breath.
''If that's what you want, Riri.'' he said before turning his back to them. Naiwan sila ng binata bago pa man s'ya makapagsalita ay hinila na s'ya nito papasok, madilim sa mansiyon kaya batid n'ya na wala roon ang mommy n'ya sa mga oras na 'yon. Bago pa maproseso sa utak n'ya ang nangyayari ay nakalock na ang pinto ng kwarto n'ya.
''What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here, Zayn.'' aniya sa mababang tono. He was merely sitting on the bed with his elbows resting on his thighs, a look of exhaustion was written all over his face. Wala siyang narinig ni isang salita mula rito at para siyang mabibingi sa sobrang katahimikan. Ang liwanag ng buwan ang tumatanglaw sa madilim niyang silid.
She sighed and walked towards the door.'' You better leave now. Baka maabutan ka pa ni Azi rito—'' she wasn't able to finish her words when he suddenly pulled her hand and automatically encircled his arms on her waist making her stilled in shock.
''I already know the reason why you left in a hurry earlier. It's Riyella's fault, you don't need to explain.'' wika nito sa malamyos na tono.
Nag-unahang tumakas ang masaganang luha mula sa kaniyang mga mata papunta sa kaniyang pisngi. Napahawak s'ya sa balikat nito sa marahan itong itinulak.
''Ayoko na, Zayn. Let's end it here, I'm tired of all these bullshits. Niloloko lang natin ang mga sarili natin.'' aniya at marahas na pinahid ang kaniyang luha saka umatras palayo rito. He suddenly stood up and tried to reach for her arm ngunit agad niyang iwinaksi iyon. Pain visibled in his eyes.
''Baby, what are you saying? If you can't tell Azi then let me...'' his voice broke. ''I know you're scared...'' he was crying now but still managed to smile at her trying to calm her down.''You are just scared...You can come with me, let's run away together... You don't have to worry about your future, tangina gagawin ko ang lahat 'wag mo lang akong iwan.'' he stated and what make her shock, even more, when he suddenly kneeled in front of her while hugging both of her knees.
He is no longer the Zayn that she knows. Gone the sharp gaze, the cold tone. He was so damn helpless and it was killing her so badly.
''I've planned everything for us. We'll get married. Ititira kita sa magandang mansiyon malayo rito, malayo sa kanilang lahat. We'll build a happy family, a family that I never had kaya pakiusap.. Huwag mo namang ipagkait sa 'kin 'yon..Ikaw lang ang nag-iisang babae na tutupad ng pangarap kong 'yon. Kung hindi kapa handa.. I can wait.. Baby, I can wait just tell me. I will wait for you kahit gaano pa 'yon katagal. Damn, I love you so much Rhiannon that I'm willing to give up everything for you...''
Para siyang sinasakal habang pinagmamasdan ito. Kumuyom ang kaniyang kamao saka inalis ang pagkakayakap nito sa kaniya saka sinampal ito.
She laughed, mockingly.'' Akala ko ba matalino ka? Do you really think I'll give up everything for you? Well, I'm done playing with you. Too bad, seems like you get attached to me that much. Everything was just a game, salamat sa partisipasyon mo...'' aniya at napangisi.
''You're lying...''
Kinagat n'ya ang pang-ibabang labi at sinalubong ito ng tingin. '' I'm not. Sa hinaba haba ng laro natin hindi mo pala talaga ako tuluyang nakilala. I did that to get even with you, and I think patas na tayo ngayon..''
Umawang ang mga labi ng binata.'' You know the reason why I did that.''
''Yes, you did that on purpose. Pero 'yon ang naging dahilan kung bakit ganito ako ngayon. Hindi p-pwedeng mapunta lang sa wala lahat ng pinaghirapan ko. I'd never let that happen.''
''Baby, please...''
She glared at him.'' Pwede ba? Umalis kana? You're wasting my time.''
Nanginginig na ang kamay n'ya kaya naman inipon n'ya lahat ng lakas upang buksan ang pinto ng silid n'ya. Mabagal namang napatayo ang binata at pinahid ang luha nito. Sinalubong nito ang kaniyang titig at kaagad naman s'yang nag-iwas, dahil pag hindi n'ya ginawa ay baka bawiin lang n'ya lahat ng kaniyang nasabi.
''You broke your promise again.'' nagpakawala ito ng buntong hininga saka naglakad patungo sa direksyon n'ya. He suddenly held her face and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Naramdaman na naman n'ya ang muling pagdaloy ng luha sa kaniyang pisngi.
Bakit kailangang umabot silang muli sa ganitong punto?
Mabagal nitong inangat ang kaniyang mukha at gamit ang hinlalaki ay pinunasan ang kaniyang luha.
''It's alright, love. Even if you hurt me again and again. I will never stop loving you. Always remember that.'' he mumbled softly.
Tuluyan na s'yang napahikbi, hirap na hirap na s'ya. How could she do this to him?
''Zayn I—''
He hushed her.'' It's okay...Don't cry please.. It's killing me...Everything will be alright, baby. Take care of yourself for me.'' hinaplos pa nito ang buhok n'ya bago tumalikod at lumabas ng pinto. Hindi na s'ya makapag isip ng maayos at nanlalabo na ang paningin n'ya.
Napatitig s'ya sa terasa at gano'n na lamang ang kaniyang pagkabigla nang makita ang bulto ng isang lalaki. He was puffing on his cigarette while holding onto the railing. She moved cautiously in its way before finally realizing who it was.
''K-kanina ka pa ba diyan?''
Bahagyang kumiling ang ulo nito para pagmasdan s'ya.'' Enough to hear all of your conversations. I didn't know that he would lower himself for you. Such a loser.'' anito at bumuga ng usok.
''What are you doing here?''
''You're way too harsh on him, lil sis.''
Napaawang ang kaniyang mga labi.''You knew all along?''
Azi chuckled.'' Kuya mo ako. Dapat lang na alam ko maging pinakamaliit na detalye tungkol sa 'yo. ''
''Kuya,'' tuluyan na siyang napahagulhol. Tinapon nito ang yosi saka inisang habang ang direksyon nila para yakapin s'ya.
''Such a cry baby.'' tumatawa parin ito.'' Dalaga na talaga ang prinsesa ko.''
Bakit nga ba hindi n'ya naisip 'yon? Azien is her brother, maging simpleng galaw at pagsisinungaling n'ya ay nalalaman nito. Ang nag-iisang tao na hindi s'ya kailaman iniwan at tumayong ama sa kaniya. Ilang minuto pa s'yang nanatili sa bisig nito hanggang sa tuluyan s'yang tumahan. She eventually found herself lying next to him on the bed. She was on her brother's lap as he continued to stroke her hair.
''I missed this.'' himutok n'ya.
Madalas nitong ginagawa iyon no'ng panahon na mawala ang kaniyang ama. He was there all along as she grieves for their father's death. Nagawa nitong pakalmahin s'ya sa kabila ng mahirap na sitwasyong pinag-daanan nilang pareho.
''Kailan mo nalaman ang tungkol sa 'min?'' naguguluhang tanong n'ya rito.
Napahimas ito sa sariling baba.'' Even before you get back here.''
Nangunot ang kaniyang noo.'' How was it possible?''
Nasiguro nilang pareho ng binata na hindi malalaman ng kuya n'ya ang patungkol sa kanila lahat ng lakad nila ay tago at panigurado n'ya na hindi rin iyon ibinulgar ng mga kaibigan nito, especially Kyros Hidalgo.
''I am aware of the confession you made to him when you were younger. I warned Zayn about that because I knew that was already ingrained in his head.'' napailing ito.'' That brute, akala n'ya ba hindi ko malalaman. I wasn't planning to stop you two kahit pa umamin ka sa 'kin...''
''What?''
Hinaplos nito ang pisngi n'ya.'' I know you'll make a good decision at iisipin mo parin ang mararamdaman ko.''
''I'm sorry for lying, natakot lang ako.''
Nagtagis ang bagang nito.'' I'm planning to kill him though.''
''Kuya!''
He chuckled in a husk.'' He's way too old for you, and you're precious. You're an attractive flower to bees kaya binabakuran kita sa kaniya. Well, hindi lang naman sa kaniya kundi sa lahat ng lalaking umaaligid sa 'yo.'' seryosong anas nito.
She clearly understood. Hindi s'ya nasasakal sa ikinikilos nito, she's still young though at wala na ang daddy nila kaya naman gano'n na lamang ang pag protekta nito sa kaniya.
Napatitig s'ya rito.'' Are you sure you won't allow us?''
''Only time can tell, sweetheart. Huwag n'yong masiyadong minamadali ang mga bagay bagay. That dude, if he has to wait then he'll probably do it. Masiyado ka pang bata, kung kayo, kayo talaga.'' litanya nito. Medyo naninibago s'ya sa kapatid, ngayon lang kasi nagseryoso ito nang ganoon.
Napanguso s'ya.'' What if he'll get tired waiting?''
''Then he's not the right man for you.'' he paused.'' A real man won't ever allow passing time prevent him from waiting. He claimed to be ready to sacrifice everything for you, then he has to prove it.''
Oras nga lamang ba ang makakapagsabi kung ano ang mangyayari sa kanila? Hindi pa nga ba sapat ang lahat ng paghihirap nito para makamit s'ya? Sana lang magawa pa nitong antayin s'ya, panghahawakan n'ya ang pangako nito.
''By the way,'' his brother paused when she stood up. Matiim n'yang pinagmasdan ito.'' Your flight to France is already scheduled for next week..''
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