Kabanata 13
"Are you ready to open up again?" My psychiatrist, Dr. Thorn Valderama asked me, staring intently.
I sighed, muli kong dinungaw ang aking mga daliri at nagsimula nanamang kumalabog ang dibdib ko.
"M-Maayos naman na ako, Doc, diba?" Sumulyap ako sa kanya. "Then, I don't understand why I am still dreaming...why I'm still so scared."
"You've been skipping a lot of therapies now, Miss Almedarez." He said, fixing his glasses. "I emailed you a lot of times but I got no response from you so, I was worried."
"Why did I still have to undergo therapies? Maayos na ako! Maayos na!" Nanginginig kong sabi.
"Kung maayos ka na, then, why are you here?" He said and I froze.
Yeah...why am I here, anyway?
"You don't have to convince me that you are fine because I know you are still not." He said. "Sa lahat ng tao, ako ang pinakanakakaalam ng pakiramdam mo ngayon."
"W-What if I'm crazy? Paano kung may sakit na po pala ako--"
He smiled a bit, tilting his head. Umiling s'ya sa akin at umayos ng upo, kumuha ng stress ball roon sa gilid at iniabot sa akin.
"You're not, Miss Almedarez. You weren't crazy, you were just traumatized about your past experiences."
Hindi ako umimik at pinisil ang stress ball, nililibang ang sarili dahil naiiyak nanaman ako.
"I assume you haven't opened up yet?" Aniya.
I nodded, biting my lower lip.
"You have to slowly let yourself be heard, you have to tell someone close to you your struggles, Winter." He said.
"Will they understand me, Doc?" Bulong ko.
"They will understand you, hija." Aniya. "People who love you will understand your struggles, you have to forgive yourself too, let go of the pain. You can't hate yourself forever."
"Will I ever learn how to face those fears, Doc? All my life since the incident, I felt like I was trapped in the darkness."
"Then you have to find the light in yourself, forgive, reflect and let go of the painful memories. Open every doors in the dark room you're in until you find a light." Pinagsaklop n'ya ang kamay.
"I want to, doc, for years I tried hard but I know it was my fault."
"It is not, Winter. It was never your fault, Summer loves you so much and will do her best to keep you safe. Pakiramdam ko, kung mangyayari ulit iyon, your sister woudn't even think twice and will save you again and again."
I remembered my sister, smiling happily at me, her black eyes glistening as she took my hand and pulled me to the horror house we always wanted to try the first time. Her eyes looks assuring, saying everything will be alright because she's here.
But now...she wasn't here anymore, will I ever be alright?
"Bukod sa nangyari sa Ate mo, that exact week, have you remembered anything now?"
"No," Iling ko. "Everything was blocked from my memory, except for what happened to me and my sister. I tried so hard to remember but I can only see a glimpse, mas malinaw talaga sa akin ang ala-ala ng Ate ko."
"Negative events may edge out positive ones in our memories, especially in traumatic experiences." He said. "Let me help you, okay? Come back here often and please, Winter, siputin mo ang sessions natin."
I noticed how concern laced his voice, ngumiti naman ako roon at napatango.
"Yes, Doc. I'm sorry for skipping therapies...I always thought I am alright."
"No worries, just remember that a lot of people loves you, kung ready ka na, open up. That would lift a heavy load on your chest."
I nodded, smiling at him.
"Thank you," Mahinang sabi ko.
He nodded, licking his lower lip and fixing his glasses. Nang tumayo ako ay tumayo rin s'ya at inihatid ako sa pintuan ng clinic n'ya.
"Take care, Winter, may maghahatid ba sa'yo?" Aniya at ngumuso ako at umiling.
"I went here alone, ayokong pag-aalahanin ang Daddy, busy sa agendas n'ya." I chuckled.
"Alright, congratulations to your father. He won a place in the senate, right? Top place?"
"Yes po," I smiled.
Nang lumabas ako sa clinic ay sumunod s'ya sakin, I nodded and thanked him for giving me time to talk to him and he nodded, smiling a little.
"Take care," He said. Tumalikod ako, maglalakad na sana para umalis nang matigilan ako nang makita ang nakaupo sa sofa.
"Tita Zid?" Dr. Valderama's wife, Zidney, lifted her gaze at me. Nakita ko kung paano manlaki ang mata n'ya nang makita ako at napatayo sa upuan.
"Winter!" She exclaimed.
I chuckled when she hugged me, kaagad ko naman s'yang niyakap at natutuwang humiwalay s'ya at pinagmasdan ako.
"Napadaan ka ulit! I missed you, Winter, Thorn said you skipped therapies?" Malumanay n'yang sabi at mahina akong tumango.
"But she'll continue therapies now, queen." Sabat ni Doc roon sa likod kaya napangisi ako at tumango.
Tita Zid pouted and nodded, hugging me again.
"That's great! If you want someone to talk to, I'm here, okay?" Ani Tita. "And Thorn too, he's good, right?"
Natatawang tumango ako roon.
"You keep on spoiling Tito Thorn," I said, not being formal anymore.
Humagikhik si Tita at inilingan ako, I saw Tito Thorn laughed a bit, shaking his head and stared at her lovely wife.
She was like a mother to me, I remembered her comforting me years ago when I was so lost.
After my sister's death, I was never the same, for months, I locked myself up in the dark, I blocked anyone from entering my mind. I was too preoccupied blaming myself for my sister's death.
Kahit anong gawin ng pamilya at kaibigan ko, I refused to talk to them regarding my situation. I refused opening myself up. I never shared my problems and kept it in myself.
I may be happy in a lot of times but when I'm alone, as if the memories will comeback, showing it to me. I may be smiling but when I'm alone, I swear, it kills me everytime.
It was the darkest months of my life until I sober up, I decided to ask for help, I want someone to hear my voice and pain so, I asked for medical help.
Tumakas lang ako sa mansyon isang umaga at nagpunta sa ospital sa Maynila para magbakasali.
I was so scared, habang nakaupo sa bench at nag-iisip ng gagawin sa ospital ay naduwag akong magpacheck-up. I was nervous, paano kung nagkasakit na talaga ako?
Hindi ko itinuloy ang plano, umiyak lang ako sa lobby ng ospital until someone reached out for me when she saw me crying.
It was Tita Zidney, hindi ko alam pero ang gaan-gaan ng loob ko sa kanya, in that exact moment, while staring at her, I told her my story and she listened to me, we talked as if we are sharing the same pain.
Nagkapalagayan kami ng loob, she recommend me to her husband who was a psychiatrist in the hospital and talking to my doctor, it was such a relief.
He's really great at his job.
For months, I secretly go to therapies when I told my parents I wanted to live for a while in Manila but they found out. It was all good at first, I am starting to accept everything, bumabalik na ako sa dati. Wala namang problema sa mga magulang ko ang pagpunta sa therapy pero noong pakiramdam ko ay ayos na ako, hindi na ako tumuloy.
I lied to myself, saying I'm better but I wasn't really good at all. Dr. Valderama contacted me but I refused to continue the therapy dahil kinumbinse ko ang sarili na maayos ako kahit hindi.
Pagkatapos mag-kumustahan ay nagpaalam ako kay Tita at Doc, bumaba ako sa lobby ng ospital at lumabas para mamasyal.
I am staying in Manila for a while now, I've decided to come with my parents since kakadeklara palang ng Daddy bilang senador sa Malacañang.
That's why I visited my doctor and I saw how shock he is the moment I entered his clinic. Ang balak ko ay kada buwan ay pupunta akong Manila para sa session ko at para na rin maglibang at makakita ng ibang bagay.
Habang nag-aabang ng taxi pabalik sa bahay namin dito sa Manila ay naramdaman kong may nakamasid sa akin, tila nagbabantay.
I looked around and see nothing so, I shrugged it off. I always got that feeling of being watched pero hinayaan ko nalang din at baka paranoid lang ako.
We stayed for a week in Manila until I decided to go home, nakakalungkot nga lang at ako lang ang uuwi mag-isa dahil kailangan mag-stay ng mga magulang ko.
I reached home tired, hila-hila ang maleta ko ay pumasok ako ng bahay at saglit na nagpahinga sa sala bago umakyat.
What am I supposed to do tonight? Bukas, hindi pa ako nakakarating ay nagdesisyon akong pumunta sa mall para mamasyal. Gusto ko sanang isama si Macarena pero wala s'ya sa ngayon dahil sa bakasyon kasama ang pamilya n'ya.
I know...I know, I'm alone, jowang-jowa na ako kaso wala namang jowa!
May choice ba ako?
My phone rang while I'm on my way to the stairs, hila-hila ko ang maleta ko habang sinasagot ang tawag.
"Hey, Max!" I greeted.
"Hi, Winter! Nakauwi ka na?" Aniya sa kabilang linya.
"Yes, ngayon lang. Ako lang mag-isa, may parents stayed in Manila for now."
Ibinaba ko ang hawakan ng maleta at binuhat habang nakaipit sa balikat ang phone.
"Really? You should have called me, I can fetch you at the airport." Aniya at napangiti ako at natawa habang dahan-dahang naglalakad paakyat.
"No need, Max. I am home now, kaya ko namang umuwi mag-isa."
"Sige," He sighed. "But...can I ask you out for a date tomorrow?"
I froze, natigilan ako sa palapag ng hagdan at nanlaki ang mata.
"D-Date?" I exclaimed.
"Yes, I am hoping--" Nawala ang atensyon ko sa telepono nang may kumuha ng maleta sa kamay ko.
I almost jumped, napalingon ako at halos mapasinghap nang makita si Warrion na mukhang kararating lang.
Natulala ako nang makita s'ya.
"Let me," His cold voice said. Hindi ako nakapagsalita kaagad nang maglakad s'ya paakyat, buhat ang maleta ko.
Umalis rin ba s'ya?
He looks tired, tahimik ang pag-akyat n'ya habang bitbit ang maleta ko.
"Winter?" Max's voice filled my ear.
"Oh, right!" I snapped back from my reverie, controlling myself from bursting emotions.
I felt the painful beating of my heart and followed him.
"Can I?" Aniya.
"Sure, bukas ba?" I said formally.
"Really?" He exclaimed. "Yes, bukas! I'm gonna fetch you at home."
I chuckled a bit and walked, nakita kong tumigil si Warrion sa tapat ng kwarto ko at inilapag roon ang maleta pero hindi umalis.
What's his problem? Layas d'yan sa tapat ng kwarto ko!
"Alright, I'll find a pretty dress for tomorrow." I said and walked towards my door.
"Thank you, Winter! See you tomorrow!" He said happily.
"Okay, see you tomorrow too." I said.
Nang matapos ang tawag ay saktong tumapat ako sa kwarto.
Ibinaba ko ang telepono ko at kinuha ang maleta. I can see him looking at me through my peripheral vision but I shrugged it off.
Walang imik na binuksan ko ang kwarto, akmang hihilahin ang maleta ko papasok nang marinig s'ya.
"Who's that?" He suddenly said.
I froze but then managed to stay calm and composed, naipasok ko ang maleta ko at nilingon s'ya.
"Max," I said, smiling coldly at him.
I saw how his eyes turned to something unreadable. Kumunot ang kanyang noo roon.
"Where are you going?" He asked me. He looks serious, looking like he's composing himself too like me, trying to act like he's cool with it.
"Well," I smiled. "You weren't my bodyguard anymore, so, it's none of your business."
I saw how emotion played on his eyes, akmang magsasalita pa nang magsalita ako ulit.
"Anyway, I'm tired." I said and looked at him coldly. "I'll rest, Mr. Alcantara." Mahinang sabi ko at sinarado ang pinto.
The moment his face faded, the composure I managed to show him faded. I found myself melting, my knees wobbling in pain.
Nag-umpisang tumulo ang mga luha ko at mabilis na tumakbo sa CR para doon tahimik na umiyak.
You're really good at faking your emotion, huh, Winter? Dapat sa'yo, may award.
That night, I coudn't sleep again, I cried, like what happened for a few nights. Kung hindi dahil sa Ate ko ay dahil sa lalaking 'yun.
I shoudn't be hurt! I shoudn't be affected! Hindi naman kami pero kung makaiyak ako parang naging kami!
Kaya sa sumunod na araw, para akong lutang. Max and I had a date that day, maaga palang ay sinundo na n'ya ako sa mansyon at lumabas kami at pumunta sa mall.
I didn't even know if I would entertain him or not. There's this feeling inside me that I should give him a chance but I still have a doubt.
I fully can't give my heart to me, I can't fully trust him right now. Eventhough, I know he is a good person.
"Mabuti walang nang umaaligid sa'yo, 'no?" He said, slowly holding my waist.
"Aligid?" Lumingon ako sa kanya.
He smiled and nodded, nakita kong sumulyap s'ya sa labi ko pabalik sa mata ko.
"That asshole, Warrion." Aniya sa akin. "I was annoyed at that man, ang yabang."
"What?" My forehead creased. "Have you ever talked to him?"
"Not really but I don't like his presence. I am annoyed whenever he's around you, I felt like he's taking you away from me."
Hindi ako umimik, pinagmasdan ko ang hawak kong bulaklak.
"Good thing he wasn't your bodyguard anymore, good thing, you're safe. I was really scared when the incident happened, ang gago naman kasi ng bodyguard mo na 'yun at hindi ka maayos na binantayan. If I were him, I know you woundn't get hurt, kung ako lang sana ang kasama mo 'nun."
"Max, that was an accident." I said lowly, pinagbuksan n'ya ako ng pintuan palabas sa mall para makarating sa parking lot.
"Kahit na, mabuti nalang talaga at wala na 'yun. I really don'y like the air surrounding that man. Ang yabang!"
"Can we not talk about him?" I asked, tahimik na sumulyap sa kanya.
"Okay," He breathe and smiled. "Pag-usapan nalang natin ang tungkol sa'tin." Aniya.
Nagitla ako roon at napalunok, sumulyap ako sa kanya at nakita ang sinseridad sa mga mata n'ya.
"Max..."
"I like you, Winter." Aniya. "Matagal na."
Hindi ako kaagad na umimik roon.
How can I tell you that I am not ready?
"Max," I murmured. "I-I'm still not sure, I mean, I don't think I am ready."
"But I can wait!" Agap n'ya at hinawakan ang braso ko.
I shivered with his sudden move, napaatras ako roon at doon ko na naramdamang napasandal ako sa isang sasakyan.
"Max, I like you, you're a good person." I said and he smiled, I was starled when he advanced his steps towards me kaya nadiin ako sa sasakyan.
"B-But you see... M-Masyado pang maaga para dito, I-I mean..." Nakita kong bumaba ang tingin n'ya sa labi ko at namungay ang mata n'ya.
"I don't care, mag-aantay ako..." Aniya.
Napalunok ako, kaagad na kumalabog ang puso nang inilapit n'ya ang mukha sa akin, nakatitig sa labi ko.
"M-Max..."
"I think I love you, Winter, so I don't understand why are you like this." He moved his face closer.
Hindi na ako nakaimik, nang magtama ang ilong namin ay parang sasabog na sa kaba ang puso ko.
No...I don't want your kiss!
Should I push him away?! Damn it, Winter! You should!
I lifted my shaking hands, ready to push him when his lips touched mine briefly when he was suddenly gone infront of me.
Naiwan sa ere ang kamay ko, nanlaki ang mata ko nang makitang nakasalampak na si Max sa lapag habang sa may harapan ko ang galit na galit na Alcantara.
Marahas akong napalunok.
"What the fuck is your problem?!" Max exclaimed.
"Don't touch her!" Warrion's voice boomed, nakuyom ko ang kamay ko at gulat na napakurap.
"Anong pakialam mo?!" Max stood, tumayo s'ya sa harapan ni Warrion, nanunuya.
Warrion's face screams rage, kunot ang kanyang noo, iritado at nakaigting ang panga.
Max eyed him, halos banggain ang kanyang balikat pero hindi nagpatinag ang huli, at dahil nga mas matangkad si Warrion ay hindi manlang itong gumalaw sa pagbangga sa kanya ni Max.
"Tangina mo, anong problema mo?!" Max retorted.
"Stay away from her." Mariing sinabi ni Warrion.
He was just calm saying that but I heard the conviction, threat and irritation on his voice.
Kulang nalang ay magsuntukan sila kaya napasinghap ako at marahas na hinila si Warrion at sa tingin ko'y nagpadala sa hila ko kaya umatras.
"What are you doing here, Mr. Alcantara?" I eyed him sharply.
His jaw clenched, I saw the hidden irritation and mockery on his voice as he was looking at me.
"To fetch you." Malamig n'yang sabi.
"For?" Natawa ako roon nang walang-buhay. "You don't have a say on my life anymore, okay?"
"Your father told me to check on you while he's gone." Malamig rin n'yang sabi sa akin.
"Really..." I laughed and shook my head. "O, nakita mo na ako. Ayos na? Maybe I can continue my date with him?"
Mukhang mas ginalit ko si Warrion, his green eyes almost turned black because of his irritation.
Nagtagisan kami ng tingin, kung matapang s'ya ay mas matapang ako. I rolled my eyes and pushed him a bit when I'm done proving my point.
Hinarap ko ang galit na si Max at lumapit.
"Max, let's go." I said and when he looked at me.
He nodded, mukhang kinakalma ang sarili. Lumapit ako kay Max para sumama nang biglang napunta sa harapan ko si Warrion.
My eyes widen at the sight of that mad ugly ape! Mukha s'yang sasabog sa inis sa akin pero wala akong pakialam sa kanya!
"Move!" I exclaimed.
"Sasama ka ng maayos o pipilitin pa kita?" He said hardly.
Natawa ako sa inis, tinulak ko s'ya ulit pero hindi na s'ya natinag.
"Move out of my way!" I said.
"Let her go!" Max exclaimed, sinubukang lumapit pero tinulak s'ya ni Warrion. "Padaanin mo ang girlfriend ko!"
Gulat man sa sinabi ni Max ay hindi ako nagreact, I eyed Warrion sharply at dahil masama ang timpla n'ya ay malakas akong napatili nang tumungo s'ya, walang hirap na isinampay ako sa balikat n'ya na parang damit at dinala ako sa sasakyan n'ya.
"Let me go!" I exclaimed, slapping his back. "You asshole! I-I have a date with my boyfriend!" Kunwaring sabi ko.
"Your boyfriend should fuck himself." Mariing sabi n'ya at ibinagsak ako sa shotgun seat ng sasakyan n'ya.
When he moved away, sinubukan kong buksan ang lock pero tumunog iyon dahil may pinindot s'ya kaya frustated akong napasigaw, ginulo ang buhok ko at nagwala sa loob.
"Let me go! You fucking bastard!" I screamed.
Nakita kong galit na galit si Max roon pero hindi natitinag si Warrion, nanlaki pa ang mata ko nang biglang sinuntok ni Max ang huli pero walang hirap na nahuli ni Warrion ang kamao n'ya.
My eyes widen more when in just a snap, pinilipit nito ang kamay ni Max at tinulak bago bumalik sa sasakyan.
"What the fuck did you do him?!" I screamed on his ear when he entered. Ngumiwi s'ya pero umirap sa akin at pinaandar ang sasakyan.
My mouth parted when he quickly maneuvered the car and drove away, leaving the mad Max on the parking lot.
Nakahalukipkip ako at mabilis ang paghinga habang nasa sasakyan n'ya.
"Ano bang problema mo?" I exclaimed while looking at him.
"I need to check on you." Parang walang pakialam n'yang sabi.
"Check on me? Para saan? Your contract ended right?" Giit ko. "I know I was just a job but the contract ended! Ano pang trabaho mo sa'kin, huh?"
"I will protect you." Giit n'ya, kalmado at hindi pinapansin ang pagwawala ko sa kotse n'ya.
"Protect from what?!" Sigaw ko. "Wala nang kalaban! Nakulong na, pinakulong mo, diba?!"
Hindi s'ya umimik at kumunot lang ang noo.
Napasinghap naman ako nang di na n'ya ako sinagot at umirap sa hangin.
This asshole! Papalayasin ko na 'to sa mansyon!
Someone called, I overheard him talking to Caspian, his brother, mukhang nagpapasundo sa ospital.
"We'll go to the hospital first, I'm gonna fetch him and his family." Aniya.
"Pagdating doon, mauuna na ako sa bahay." Malamig kong sabi.
"Sasama ka sa'kin." Utos n'ya.
"Ano ka, boss? Kaya kong mag-isa, Mr. Alcantara." I said.
"Warrion." Giit n'ya. "Call me Warrion, Winter."
"Oh, yeah, where's Miss Almedarez now, huh?" I mocked him.
His forehead creased, sumimangot at umirap ako sa hangin.
We reached the hospital after a ride full of fighting and my harsh mouth. Pakialam ko? Edi kung magagagalit s'ya edi, pababain n'ya ako!
Nang lumabas s'ya ay pinagbuksan n'ya ako at naglahad ng kamay. I looked at his hand boredly and raised my brow.
"Gagawin ko d'yan?"
"Take it," Aniya, nakatitig sa akin.
"I don't need you." Irap ko at madabog na bumaba, hindi pinapansin ang kamay n'ya.
"Oh! Sakit 'nun, men!" I stopped when I heard a voice, kaagad akong lumingon at nagitla nang makita ang tatlong lalaki roon.
"The fuck you're doing here?" I heard Warrion's voice.
"Calm down," Ngisi 'nung isang gwapo na may pilyong ngisi.
My forehead creased at that.
"Hi, Miss, I'm Vioxx." The tall, handsome man said. "Warrion's cousin."
My mouth parted.
Kaagad kong tinanggap ang kamay at ngumiti.
"Hello! I'm Winter." I smiled sweetly.
"May tinanim akong bomba sa sasakyan mong tangina ka." Biglang sabi ni Warrion kaya napabitaw sa kamay ko 'yung Vioxx at sumulyap sa sports car na pula sa gilid.
"Tangina?" Vioxx exclaimed.
The two men laughed, the othed one looked like a prince to me, well lahat naman sila! But this man has this aura!
Si Warrion kasi ay malakas ang aura. He looks too strong, unang tingin mo palang feeling mo durog ka na. Bratatat ba, ganun.
Dahil matatangkad at magkaka-height ay halos malula ako sa mga gwapo sa harapan ko.
"Lucian," The man with deep set of black eyes said. The one who looked like a prince!
"Winter," Pakilala ko at tinanggap ang kamay ko. "Prinsipe ka ba? Ang gwapo mo." I said.
"Winter!" Warrion exclaimed at humagalpak ng tawa ang mga lalaki roon.
"Secret lang natin, Miss." Ngisi n'ya. "Baka hindi ako bayaran sa utang n'yang bebe mo."
"Bebe?" I eyed the furious Alcantara and rolled my eyes. "No way!"
Nagsitawanan nanaman ang tatlo, nang bumaling ako roon sa isa na nakangisi at naiiling ay napansin ko ang magkaibang kulay na mga mata n'ya.
Staring at him, my mouth parted when I realized who he is.
"Wave Nievarez?!" I exclaimed at napakurap ang lalaki at tipid na ngumisi sa akin.
"Hello, Miss Winter. Nice meeting you again." He greeted me.
Napatalon ako sa gulat roon. Nang ilahad n'ya ang kamay ay tinanggap ko iyon kaagad.
"You knew each other?" Lucian asked.
"Yeah," Ani Wave.
"He's my co-model in some shoots," I said, smiling widely.
"Wow, ang galing! Magpipinsan kayo?" Sumulyap ako sa kanila. "Pati si Caspian, diba?"
Nang tumango sila ay natuwa ako.
"Kakatuwa naman, ang gwapo n'yong lahat!" I said at biglang lumitaw ang nakasimangot na si Warrion kaya ngumiwi ako at tinuro s'ya.
"Except sa'yo." I spatted and rolled my eyes.
Bumusangot na si Alcantara, parang mababaliw na kakatawa ang mga pinsan n'ya at proud na proud ako sa sarili ko dahil sa sinabi ko.
Hinawi ko ang buhok dahil sa malakas at sariwang hangin. Ngumuso ako at sinubukang ilagay ang buhok sa likod ng tenga pero naaalis rin dahil sa hangin kaya sumasabog sa mukha ko ang buhok.
"Ano? Anong barya?" My forehead creased when I heard Lucian spoke.
Sa pagsulyap ko sa kanila ay nakita kong kinakausap s'ya ni Warrion.
"Basta, may bibilhin ako." I heard Warrion said.
"Ano?" Lucian asked. "May balance ka pa nga mangungutang ka pang barya!"
"Basta! Babayaran nga kita." Giit ni Warrion at narinig kong mapamura si Lucian pero wala ring nagawa at kumuha ng barya sa bulsa at inabutan si Warrion na nagmamadaling umalis kaya nagtaka ako.
"Saan 'yun?" I asker his cousins.
"Baka bibili mik-mik." Ani Vioxx kaya ngumuso ako.
"Seriously?" I laughed.
I had fun chatting with his cousins, naputol lang nang dumating si Warrion na may dalang kung ano.
"Come here," I flinched when he touched my forearm.
"What?" Gulong sabi ko.
"Stay still," He said huskily.
Nagtataka man ay hindi ako umimik, ngumuso ako at umayos ng tayo. Naramdaman ko ang paghawak n'ya sa magulo kong buhok dahil sa hangin.
"Ano ka, magpaparlor?" I asked.
Nagsitawanan nanaman ang mga pinsan n'ya, sumimangot ang huli at ngumiwi sa akin.
"Shut up, Winter. I'm doing my best to be sweet here." Aniya.
"Oh, smooth!" Vioxx exclaimed.
Natigilan lang ako nang makitang may hawak s'yang hairpin. I was confused when he fixed my hair at the back of my ear before putting the hairpin to support it.
He then brushed my hair slowly and lowered his face until our eyes met.
My heart quickened in pain and nervousness.
"He's...your boyrfriend?" He said in a low voice, whispering.
My eyes dilated, napalunok ako nang makita ang lungkot sa mga mata n'ya at tumikhim, pinapatatag ang sarili.
"Why would you even care?" I said bitterly and smiled painfully. "I am just a job for you, anyway."