Kabanata 24
KUNG NAKAKAMATAY ANG masamang tingin, kanina pa nakabulagta sa gitna si Ejercito.
I was sitting on the stool with the counter in front of me, sa kabilang banda ay nagluluto si Ejercito ng agahan habang sumisipol pa.
"What a wonderful morning," he sang like an idiot.
Nakamaong pants lang siya at walang damit doon habang may hawak na spatula at nag-iikot ng hotdog.
"Can you shut up?" I hissed.
He didn't even look at me, mas natawa lang siya at iniangat ang spatula na at ginawang microphone.
"I slept with Harriet..." he sang again and my cheeks flushed, lumingon ako sa paligid at napamura na sa utak ko.
"Ejercito!" I hissed.
He continued singing there and I gritted my teeth in annoyance kaya tumayo ako kaagad at inayos ang suot kong dress.
"You know what? I'm leaving!" I said sharply and turned my back, naglakad ako paalis sa kusina pero muli akong napasigaw nang umangat ako sa ere dahil sa bigla niyang pagbuhat sa akin.
"Sandejas!" I screamed.
Pinaupo niya ako nang walang kahirap-hirap sa stool at ngumuso.
"Sorry, Harriet, won't do it again." He smiled sheepishly.
"Let me go!" I hissed and threw him a sharp glare. His lip twitched playfully.
"No, we're still eating," aniya at kumawala man ako ay hinarangan niya lang ako gamit ang katawan niya.
I was so irritated, because first, he was teasing me and second, because he's baiting me with his body! Isa pa naman 'yan sa kahinaan ko!
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin, ngumisi lang siya at bahagyang tumungo sa akin.
"Sorry, Harriet, I'll be a good boy." He said like a puppy. I shook my head at him and rolled my eyes.
"Just...just go away and cook!" sikmat ko.
His lip twitched, his blue eyes twinkled as he slowly moistened his lower lip and stared at me shamelessly.
"Hindi ka ba naaakit sa katawan ko, Lena?" He asked bluntly. I gasped at him.
"Excuse me?!" I exclaimed at bigla siyang ngumuso sabay tabi.
"Dadaan ka?" aniyang nang-aasar at nang makita niyang inangat ko ang kamay ko para batukan siya ay nagtatatakbo siya sa niluluto.
Sakit sa ulo!
Pagkagising ko kanina ay nang-asar siya at sige ang reklamong malikot daw ako sa kama at nahulog siya ng ilang beses dahil sa pagsipa ko.
Apparently, he woke up and saw me sleeping on the side of his bed. Ang sabi niya ay good samaritan lamang siya kaya niya ako inihiga sa kama.
I brushed my hair and looked at the clock, mabuti na lang at mamaya pa ang uwi nina Mamá kaya hindi ako hahanapin pa.
But now, paano ko maipapaliwanag na nandito ako natulog sa mga Sandejas? Paano kapag nalaman ng pamilya ko? Nina auntie?
Sumulyap ako kay Jer na mukhang maganda ang gising at sa aking parang pinagbagsakan ng langit at lupa ang pagmumukha.
"Here, let's eat!" Jer cheerily exclaimed when he was done. Inilagay niya ang prinitong agahan sa hapag at para makatulong ay mabilis akong tumayo at kumuha ng aming mga pinggan.
I took spoon and fork and stopped when I noticed him staring at me with his serious eyes, nakasandal siya doon sa may counter at naka-shirt na ngayon. Nang mahuli ang tingin ko ay tumaas na naman ang sulok ng labi niya sabay kagat doon para 'di lumitaw ang ngiti niya.
"What?" I asked sharply.
"Nothing," he chuckled and looked away, kita ko ang pagkagat niya ng labi niya at dumiretso sa fridge at naglabas ng fresh milk.
I went to the counter again and sat, naglagay naman siya ng baso sa harapan ko at nilagyan ng gatas.
"I will take a bath first and take you home," aniya nang matapos at naupo sa harapan ko.
"No need," I said and shook my head. "Kaya ko naman, isa pa, iniwan mo ang sasakyan mo sa bar."
Nakita kong natigilan siya at napahawak sa mukha niya.
"Right, damn..." he muttered.
"So, there is no need." I smiled at him. "I can ride a cab or something."
"Anyway, we have spare cars in the garage." He said and smirked, stopping me.
"Honestly, Jer, I can manage." I said, slowly eating the foods he prepared.
"No," laban niya. "You took care of me last night so let me take you home."
"You're busy," I pointed out. "And you have a lot of things to do, may trabaho ka pa."
"Madadaanan ang mansyon n'yo kapag pupunta akong trabaho—"
"Oh, really?" I raised my brow. "I saw you went back to other direction the last time."
He froze then nodded and bit the hotdog.
"Nagpagasolina ako," aniyang parang wala lang.
"See? Edi nakaabala nga ako." I said.
"No, full tank ako ngayon." Aniya at nang hindi na ako nakaimik ay nagtago siya ng ngiti at uminom ng gatas.
Nagpaalam siya sa aking maliligo pansamantala nang matapos kaming kumain kaya nag-stay ako sa kanilang garden para magpahangin at inaantay siya.
I looked haggard, wala pa akong ligo at suot ko pa rin ang dress ko kagabi! Mabuti na lang at nakapagsepilyo at hilamos ako pero ang pangit pa rin!
I was just looking at the flowers blooming in their garden, halatang sobrang inalagaan at inaayos palagi. Auntie must be so fond of flowers, I think.
I saw a red rose near me kaya pinakatitigan ko iyon at napangiti. It's beautiful yet the thorns can hurt you once you touched it. It may look ugly but it only protected the flower from being plucked and hurt. It's the defense.
"Where's Ejercito?" Nawala ang atensyon ko sa mga bulaklak nang makarinig ng boses.
I moved my gaze and saw Emily on her red knee-length dress, may hawak siyang envelope at iilang papeles. A handbag is clinging on her hand and she looks sophisticated in it.
"Ay, Ma'am Emily, magandang umaga po." The maid said.
Hindi umimik si Emily at napasulyap sa mansyon.
"Where is he, I said."
"Ay, Ma'am, pasensya na po at naliligo pa po ata si Sir," ani nito.
"What? Why?" She glanced at her watch. "It's kinda late, bakit ngayon lang?"
"Uh, nagluto pa po kasi ng agahan si Sir."
"Huh?" her forehead creased. "Why would he cook food early this morning? 'Di ba, it's your job to cook food for him? Porket ba wala si Auntie ay hindi na kayo magluluto?"
My forehead creased at her words.
So? Ejercito doesn't have the right to cook? And why is she scolding the helpers?
"Ay naku, Ma'am! Hindi po!" She said, shaking her head. "Nagpresenta lang po si Sir na siya ang magluluto."
"What? Why?" She asked, confused. "He's always busy so I don't think he still has time for it."
"Kasi Ma'am, nasabi niya na siya daw po ang magluluto ng agahan para kay Ma'am Lena," ani nito.
"Lena?!" Her eyes shifted to an emotion. "What is that woman doing here?"
"You have a problem with me?" that's when I butt in, nabakas ko kaagad ang gulat sa mata niya nang makita ako at kaagad siyang natahimik.
"Leona," she called then suddenly smiled. "Hi, nandito ka pala!"
I didn't speak, tinanguan ko lang siya at nakita ko ang pagsulyap sa akin ng maid at pag-ngiti.
"Morning po, Ma'am Lena, masarap po ba ang luto ni Sir?" aniya at ngumiti ako bago tumango.
"Can you leave us here?" Emily suddenly hissed, napatalon ang maid at nagmamadaling umalis pagkatapos akong sulyapan.
Nang makaalis siya ay napuno na naman kami ng katahimikan bago nagkatinginan.
"So, what brought you here?" She asked timidly, hiding a sarcastic smile.
"Uh, I just took care of Ejercito last night since he's drunk," I answered.
I saw how her eyes widen, kumunot ang noo niya at napuno ng pagtataka ang itsura.
"What? He's with you the whole night?" She asked.
"Nagkayayaan lang kahapon kaya sumama siya, he got drunk and since his parents aren't here, walang mag-aasikaso sa kanya. I just assisted him."
"Kayo lang dalawa?" Her forehead creased.
"No, we are with our friends."
"You could have called me," she said, trying her best to calm down pero halatang nagpipigil lamang ng galit.
"I didn't know your number," I answered.
"I'm his girlfriend!" she exclaimed. "No one should take care of him but me!"
"Sorry," I sighed. "I didn't know your number, I slept here to assist him since he's drunk, nothing else. Aalis rin naman ako ngayong umaga."
"Sana ay umalis ka na lang pagkatapos!" She exclaimed. "Hindi ka na sana rito natulog!"
My heart squeezed in pain pero tumango na lang akong may maliit na ngiti sa labi.
"I'm sorry, masyadong malalim na kasi ang gabi..."
"It's not a reason, Lena!" She gritted her teeth. "Are you flirting with my boyfriend?"
"No..." I sighed. "I am telling you, inasikaso ko siya dahil lasing siya—"
"Know what? Fuck you, Leona! Matagal na akong nagtitimpi sa 'yo! I am civil to you because you two had past pero ngayon, hindi ko na palalagpasin ito!"
Kumuyom ang kamay ko at tinitigan siya.
"Emily, look—"
"No, look, Lena! You are his past now!" She exclaimed. "Ako, ako ang girlfriend niya! I should be the one taking care of him and not some stupid, worthless girl like you!"
Her words shocked me but I couldn't find any words to counter her attack. Nangilid ang luha ko pero hindi ako nagpakita ng kahit anong kahinaan sa harapan niya.
"I was there when he needed me! Nandyan ako no'ng panahong hirap na hirap siya sa pag-iwan mo sa kanya! I was there!"
Hindi ako umimik at pinagmasdan lamang siyang naglalabas ng sama ng loob.
"Maayos na kami! He loved me and I loved him! We are together kaya h'wag kang lalapit at sisirain ang relasyon naming dalawa!"
"Emily," I gasped. "I would never ruin your relationship."
"Guess what, you did, bitch!" She exclaimed. "You kept on flirting with him! You kept on looking at him! Kinukuha mo siya sa akin!"
"You said he loved you, right?" I asked coldly.
"Yes!"
"Then why are you saying that to me now? If you two love each other dearly like you are claiming, why are you scared that I might take him from you? Bakit magpapakuha ba siya?" I inquired coldly.
I saw her mouth parted.
"Dahil malandi ka!" She exclaimed in my face. "You will flirt with him!"
"Are you threatened, then?" I asked, staring at her face.
"What...you!" She lifted her hand, was about to slap me when a grip stopped her hand mid-air.
We both stopped, napabaling kay Ejercito na galit na galit doon sa likuran at hawak ang kamay niya.
"What the hell are you doing, Emily?!" His voice roared.
Napaatras sa gulat si Emily at napakurap.
"J-Jer..." Her voice trembled.
"What the fuck are you doing?" He asked coldly and hardly. His jaw's clenching, nakita kong namula ang mata ni Emily at maya-maya ay naiyak na.
"S-She started it first!" She exclaimed and pointed me.
"What?" gulat kong tinuran.
"She hurt me, Jer! Nakikipag-usap lang naman ako ng maayos! I greeted her and yet, she suddenly attacked me and told me bad things!" She exclaimed, crying.
Natawa naman ako roon at napailing.
"What are you saying?" I commented with her ridiculous remark.
I saw Jer's jaw clenching, malamig ang tingin na itinapon niya kay Emily at nang tumingin siya sa akin ay napapikit ako ng mariin.
"I never hurt you," I gritted my teeth and looked at her.
"You did!" She cried. "I was just nice to you pero ginawa mo sa akin 'to! You hurt me!"
"Look, Emily..." mahinahon kong sabi pero punong-puno na ako.
"See?! Magsisinungaling pa 'yan!" She exclaimed, kumapit siya sa braso ni Jer at doon na mas sumama ang pakiramdam ko at napailing na lang ako bago malamig na tumingin sa kanila.
"You know what?" I murmured. "I don't care anymore, kung anong iisipin n'yo sa akin, wala na akong pakialam."
Sumubok lumayo si Ejercito sa kamay nito nang nagpapaawa at umiiyak na si Emily pero mas kumapit ito sa kanya.
"Pasensya sa abala, Ejercito. Uuwi na ako." Sumulyap ako sa mukhang frustrated na si Ejercito pabalik kay Emily.
"Sorry sa abala, Emily." I said coldly. "Don't worry, I would never try ruining your relationship with your boyfriend."
I saw how confusion played on Jer's eyes.
"What...what boyfriend?" He asked, frowning. Nang lumapit sa kanya si Emily at kumapit ay lumayo siya at nagtaka.
"What the hell is happening?" He retorted, staring coldly at the crying woman. Napailing na ako roon at mabilis na tumalikod paalis.
"What...Lena! Ihahatid kita!" He exclaimed when he saw me walking out
"Jer, mag-usap tayo!" I heard Emily exclaimed.
"Get off me! Fuck, Lena! Shit!" He exclaimed when the woman covered his way.
Hindi ko na siya pinakinggan at tinakbo ang gate palabas, I immediately saw a cab when I went out kaya wala pang ilang segundo ay nakalayo na ako sa mansyon.
I was in bad mood the whole ride, nang makarating ako sa bahay at binati ako ng mga tauhan ay pasimple na akong tumango.
When I got inside, I immediately went to the shower to take a bath. I was doing my best to keep calm but the moment the water poured down my head, my tears fell with it.
Napapikit ako at mahinang napahikbi, isinandal ang ulo ko sa malamig na pader at humugot ng hininga.
I looked so desperate, tinulak ko palayo si Ejercito at pagkatapos ay lumalapit pa rin ako, dahil siguro sa palihim pa rin akong umaasa na p'wede pa kami talaga when in reality, it's impossible.
Bumuntonghininga ako.
Wala akong gana pagkalabas ng kwarto at bumaba para pumasok sa kusina at tumawag sa mga kaibigan ko.
Habang inaantay ang pagsagot ni Cess sa telepono ay hinaplos ko ang kwintas ko.
Should I remove this? To start my moving on phase?
"Hello," I froze when I heard a manly voice in the other line. Nangunot ang noo ko roon at nagtaka.
"Hello? Is Cess there?" I asked, confused.
"Lena," he called and that's when I realized who was it.
"Floyd?" I called. "Si Cess?"
"She's with me, still sleeping." He sighed, I can sense the exhaustion his voice. Kaagad akong nag-alala sa kanila.
"Oh," I nodded. "Why are you there? Si Cecille?"
"She's alone, walang mag-aasikaso...and she puked on my shirt." Reklamo niya. It made me chuckle, biting my bottom lip.
"That's too bad, tapos mag-isa pa siya sa bahay nila." I murmured.
"Yeah," he sighed.
"Nasa ibang bansa rin kasi ang parents niya. How is she coping?" I asked.
"She's good, I guess," aniya. "I warned her a lot about that man she's with pero hindi nakinig. She'd been crying in her sleep kaya sinamahan ko na, she slept well after that."
"Thank you, Floyd." I smiled. "For taking care of Cess."
"No worries," he said. "How's Sandejas?"
"He's good too," I said, my mind flying back to where Jer is. "U-Umalis na ako sa mansyon niya."
"He took you home?" He asked at nakagat ko ang labi ko at napatungo.
"No...uh, he's busy. Naroon na rin ang girlfriend niya."
"What?" I heard the shock on his voice. "He has a girlfriend?"
"Si Emily," I whispered.
"Where did you know that? Sa kanya ba nanggaling?" I noticed how concern his voice is.
"No...but..."
"You should confirm it from him, Lena. I don't want you to believe whatever that woman says, I don't want you crying again, okay? Cecille here is a mess, I can't stand seeing her like this. I swear, if I see that man, I will fucking kill him." He said hardly.
"Wala na rin naman akong pakialam sa kanila," I murmured. "We are over, Floyd, years ago pa. I don't wanna meddle to their relationship anymore."
I heard him sighed and cleared his throat.
"You don't wanna talk to him?" He asked.
"I'd like to but no, sarado na ang parteng iyon ng buhay naming dalawa. He already has someone and I will find my own life, too."
Hindi siya ng umimik sa kabilang linya at alam kong nag-iisip siya.
"Floyd! Cook me breakfast!" On the other line, I heard Cess' voice. Napangiti ako roon.
"The boss is awake," ani Floyd na tunog nagrereklami pero kaagad ding natawa.
"You should be ready, uutusan ka na," biro ko pa.
"Cecille, Lena is calling!" He called her attention.
"Oh! Kausapin ko! Papuntahin mo rito!" She exclaimed. "Go, Floyd, lutuan mo ako ng agahan. I'm starving! Masakit ulo ko, bilhan mo 'kong gamot!"
"What are you...a boss?" Floyd hissed.
"May sinasabi ka?!" Cecille exclaimed and I heard Floyd scoffed violently.
"Wala, boss." Floyd said sarcastically. She laughed.
"Wala ka pala, eh," tawa niya sa kabilang linya.
I went to Cecille's house after and we talked about her heartbreaks, we did our best to help her to somehow ease the pain since hindi ko naman siya maturuan kung paano magsimulang mag-move-on, knowing na ilang taon na at mahal ko pa rin si Ejercito.
It will suck if I give a moving-on advice dahil sa sarili ko nga ay hindi ko mai-apply, sa kanya pa kaya?
We listened to her, though, Floyd will walk away or would just get angry with the mere mention of Cecille's ex name, natakot nga kami at baka totohanin niya ang bandang pagsugod sa lalaki.
During the past years, I have never thought we'll be this close to Floyd Sanchez. He's a good man, and I did like him back then because he's handsome but it's nothing compared to what I feel for Ejercito.
Nakakatuwa lang dahil naging malapit kami kay Floyd, miski kahit natapos na kami sa kolehiyo ay kasa-kasama namin siyang dalawa ni Cess at ngayo'y isang napakalapit na naming kaibigan.
Umuwi lang ako nang mag-bandang-gabi na at nakauwi na sina Mamá sa mansyon.
I didn't accept Floyd's offer for a ride home since I want him to stay with Cecille first, sinabi naman nitong ayos lang na mag-isa pero hindi kami pumayag na mag-isa lang siya sa kanila sa ganitong panahon.
"Kuya, sa tabi lang po." I said and the cab stopped.
Nagbayad ako ay kaagad akong bumaba at nakakita ng isang pamilyar na itim na sasakyan. My heart quickened, habang nakatitig ako sa sasakyan ilang metro lang ang layo mula sa mansyon ay kinabahan ako.
"Lena!" My eyes shifted from the car to a man who called me.
Nangunot ang noo ko at napaawang ang labi nang matanto kung sino 'yon.
"August!" I called.
He chuckled, nang ilahad niya ang kamay ay masaya akong lumapit at marahang yumakap. He kissed my cheek swiftly then stared at me.
"Kanina pa kita inaatay," he said, stopping me.
"What? Kanina ka pa nandito?" I asked.
"Yes, kaso hindi kita naabutan, sina auntie lang ang narito at no'ng tinanong ko sila kung nasaan ka ay sinabing baka nasa mga kaibigan mo."
"I'm with Cecille and Floyd, may pinag-usapan lang. Sorry, August, hindi ko alam na pupunta ka." I apologized.
"It's alright, I had fun talking to your parents, anyway." He smiled.
That made me smile too, sumulyap ako sa mansyon pabalik sa kanya na nakapamulsa sa harapan ko.
"Tara, pasok muna tayo..." I offered. "Sorry talaga kung matagal kang nag-antay."
"No, ayos lang, I also can't wait too long, I have a dinner with my parents." He said at na-guilty akong lalo.
"I'm really sorry, Gus, I really didn't know. Kung alam ko sana na nag-aantay ka, I should have come home earlier."
"No, ayos lang." Tawa niya at hinawi ang buhok ko. He removed the hair from my forehead and placed it behind my ear.
Nagtaka man ay hindi ako umalma nang marahan niyang haplusin ang pisngi ko.
"You're beautiful, Lena." He murmured, staring at me.
"Uh...thanks." I chuckled awkwardly. Bahagya akong napaatras at ngumiti sa kanya.
"I liked you since the first time I met you, I remembered you saying na may iba kang gusto, na siya lang talaga but I don't see you with that man you're talking about so, I wanna try a chance with you."
Natahimik ako, habang pinagmamasdan siya ay wala akong maramdaman na kahit ano.
"August," I murmured.
"Let's date, Leona." He said, staring into my eyes.
Kumalabog ang puso ko sa kaba roon sa sinabi, niya, I already know what my answer would be pero hindi ko masabi dahil umiling siya.
"I know what will be your answer now so, I am not rushing you," he said.
"But August, you already know..."
"Give me a chance," he pleaded. "I promise I won't mess it up, I will give you time to think. Maybe you'll reconsider us."
I shut my eyes closed tightly.
"Lena," he touched my cheek and made me look at him.
"I can't promise you a good answer, Gus." I whispered, staring at him. "Palagi ko namang sinasabing may ibang laman na 'to." I pointed my heart.
"I understand," he nodded repeatedly. "Gusto ko lang sumubok, Lena. Malay mo, the risk I will be taking right now might be a successful risk someday."
"I don't want to break your heart," iling ko. "hindi ko...hindi ko kayang mag-pangako ng isang bagay sa 'yo kung may iba nang nag-mamay-ari nito.
"You won't, Lena, you won't. This is my decision and I know p'wede akong masaktan pero wala na akong pakialam."
I just stared at him and nodded slowly.
"Okay," I murmured.
That made him smile, napaangat ang kamay niya sa ere at nagitla akong nang bigla niya akong yakapin.
"Thank you, Lena. Thank you!" he exclaimed. Tipid lang akong napangiti.
Hinatid ko siya sa kanyang sasakyan ilang metro rin ang layo mula sa aming mansyon para makaalis na siya at makapunta sa dinner. Kanina pa raw niya inilabas ang kotse sa mansyon para madali na lang na makaalis.
Habang naglalakad kami palapit roon ay hinawakan ni August ang baywang ko, I noticed the familiar car again then tilted my head.
That's impossible. It might be the same model, I think.
"So...good night?" Nang tumapat kami sa kotse ni August ay ngumiti ako sa kanya.
"Yeah, goodnight." I smiled.
He nodded, he licked his lower lip. He took a glance on my face then placed his hand on my cheek.
"Thank you, Lena." He murmured.
I nodded slowly and smiled.
He caressed my cheek, his eyes went from my eyes down to my lips. Then, I was startled when in the blinked of an eye, he lowered his head and claimed my lips without warning.
Sa sobrang gulat ay naestatwa ako, nag-panic lang ako nang matantong hinahalikan niya ako!
I lifted my hand to push him away from me when someone pushed him from me.
"Fuck you!" Napatulala na lang ako nang nakita kong sumalampak sa lupa si August at isang pamilyar na lalaki ang sumusuntok dito ngayon.
My mouth parted, gulat habang nakatingin sa kanilang nagpapang-buno na ngayon.
"Fuck you! You don't have the right to kiss her!" Ejercito's enraged voice filled the place, nakasalampak doon sa lupa si August at walang awa niya itong sinuntok.
"Fuck! Sino ka ba?!" August exclaimed, napasigaw ako nang gantihan niya ng malakas na suntok sa mukha si Ejercito kaya napaupo ito sa lapag.
"No! Stop!" I exclaimed when Gus punched Ejercito repeatedly pero hindi rin nagpatalo ang huli, mabilis niyang nagantihan si August at sinuntok.
"Fuck...fuck you!" Ejercito exclaimed, napasigaw ako nang i-angat niya ang kwelyo ni Augustine patayo at isinalampak sa pader.
"No! No, stop it, Ejercito!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, sinubukan kong hilahin ang damit niya pero hindi man lang siya natinag kaya napaatras ako.
"Sino ka ba?! Putang ina mo, bakit ka nanununtok?!" August cursed.
"You..." He punched August in the face again, "don't have the right to kiss her!"
"Stop!" I screamed but then August punched him back in the face.
"At ikaw may karapatan ka ba?!" August exclaimed.
When I saw Jer lifted his hand to punch him again, I screamed harder.
"Stop!" I exclaimed, my voice started shaking. "Stop fighting!"
That stopped them. Nang huminahon ng bahagya ay doon na ako napaiyak ng tuluyan at ipinikit ng mariin ang mga mata.
"Don't fight...p-please." I sobbed.
I opened my eyes. Nanlalabo iyon sa mga luha pero kitang-kita ko ang pagkakatigil ng dalawa sa pag-aaway sa harapan ko.
I saw how August pushed Ejercito. Napatitig sa akin si Jer habang umiiyak ako at mabilis na lumapit sa akin si August para humawak pero dagli akong napaatras at umiling.
"U-Umuwi ka muna." I murmured.
"L-Lena..." He breathed and tried touching my cheek. "I'm sorry, hindi ko alam kung bakit niya ako sinuntok—"
"P-Please, Gus, go home first. Let's talk again." I murmured.
I saw his weak face, confused of my decision but then nodded and took a step back. Nakita ko ang masamang tingin niya kay Ejercito na galit.
Ejercito's jaw is clenching, his cold eyes sent chills and I immediately noticed his bleeding fists.
"S-Sorry, Gus." I whispered.
Napatango si Gus at hinawi ang dugo sa kanyang labi bago sumulyap kay Ejercito.
"I am not done with you, asshole." He gritted his teeth.
Jer cocked his head, his jaw clenched again, I saw the burning rage in his eyes that it almost turned pitch black.
Without any other words, Augustine left with his car.
Nang makaalis siya at sa nanlalabong paningin ay tinitigan ko si Ejercito.
"What's your problem?" I asked coldly. "Why the hell would you punch my friend—"
"Friend? Tang inang pagkakaibigan 'yan, Leona!" He exclaimed.
"Anong problema mo?!" I exclaimed angrily.
"He fucking kissed you! Your friend fucking kissed you! Tell me, huh, does friends fucking kiss each other?!"
Natawa ako roon sa sinabi niya, hinilot ko ang sentido ko at malamig siyang tinitigan.
"Ano bang pakialam mo?"
I saw how pain crossed his eyes, his bleeding lips parted as he looked at me.
"He's your friend! Why would you let him kiss you?!" He breathed.
"Ano bang pakialam mo?!" I repeated. "Wala kang pakialam sa ginagawa ko!"
"I care!" He exclaimed. "I still care a lot for you!"
Natigilan ako sa narinig. Bahagyang umawang ang labi pero mabilis ding napailing.
"Stop fooling me,"
"Oh, I wish I was just fucking fooling around, Leona!" He exclaimed. "I wish I don't care! I wish I am not fucking jealous! I wish I don't love you anymore!"
My heart fastened in pace, nagwala ang puso ko kasabay nang pag-ikot ng sikmura at hindi ako nakapagsalita sa sinabi niya.
"Sana hindi na lang kita mahal!" He said weakly. "All I thought is you still care for me..."
Hindi ako nakaimik at mahinang humikbi.
"How I wish I moved on! How I wish I haven't got stuck in the past while you're moving forward without me! Kasi ako...Lena, hindi ako makausad!" His tears fell. I gasped and sobbed more.
"Ayaw mo sa akin dahil may iba kang gusto. Ayaw mo sa akin dahil wala akong pangarap kaya ginalingan ko!" His voice broke.
"I became who I am today because I think of you! I wanted to become successful because I want you to be proud of me! I did my best k-kasi baka...baka kapag naging magaling ako, may mapatunayan na ako sa 'yo..."
Harsh sobs left my mouth more, napatakip ako sa bibig ko at napatitig sa kanya.
"J-Jer..."
"I was in Cambridge but I am dying each passing days that I am not with you pero tiniis ko! Tiniis kong mag-isa para may mapatunayan ako sa 'yo! Sa pamilya mo para matanggap nila ako!"
Umiling ako't mas humilam lang ang mga mata sa mga luhang paamba.
"I worked harder to deserve you, Lena." He murmured and lowered his head.
Mariing nakagat ko ang labi hanggang sa naramdaman ko ang dugo mula roon.
"But I guess...maybe, whatever I do, I will never deserve your love." He whispered weakly.
"J-Jer..." My voice broke, humihikbi at gustong lumapit pero nanigas lang ako sa kinatatayuan sa sobrang panghihina.
"I'm sorry, Lena." He said weakly, his eyes looked like in grief, lumandas ang luha sa mga mata niya pababa at marahas niya itong hinawi. His jaw clenched.
"A-Akala ko kasi may pag-asa pa," His voice shattered. He shook his head.
"J-Jer...I..."
"Emily's not my girlfriend, I never loved another woman but you." Sinuklay niya ang buhok at napatango.
"E-Ejercito... I'm sorry, I-I don't—" mas nanginig ang boses ko. "I..."
"I understand," hinawi niyang muli ang luha niya.
"I'm sorry for messing your life again, Lena. Don't worry, hindi na kita muling guguluhin." He whispered and before I could even say anything, he walked out, mabilis siyang nakasakay sa sasakyan at mabilis na pinasibad iyon paalis.