Kahit na natapos ang paghuhugas ni Shey at dumaan siya rito sa sala ay walang siyang sinasabi. Noon kasi ay kadalasan siyang nagdadabog, nagpapakita ng pagkadisgusto niya kapag nandito si Rafus.
Pending parin ang thesis namin ng kagrupo ko nang mag-holiday break. After the Christmas party of our class, we decided to send what we've started on the thesis to our group leader for review. I did my part but I also have a lot to do.The plans Rafus and I made were only for ourselves. I wanted to ask Shey if she wanted to come with us but she declined saying, "That's your holiday break, enjoy and unwind to the fullest, Ate."Hindi ko nalang siya pinilit baka may plano rin siya para sa sarili o doon siya magdadaos ng Christmas at New Year niya sa Iloilo. That night, Rafus came over to our house to help me pack my clothes."I thought you're going to help me?" I asked with furrowed brows while both of my hands were on my waist.He just laughed befoMy following days were never the same. And I'm aware that it slightly affected my relationship with Rafus. I often spaced out and rarely communicate with him. I'm just too drowned with my thoughts about Shey. I'm ignoring her right now because I'm still feeling the pain and the disappointment, but I noticed Shey's doing her best to make up with me. I would be glad yet I can't force myself to accept it now. Even when we welcomed the New Year, I just greeted her then returned to my room to sleep the heavy feelings."Baby, are you okay?" Rafus worriedly ask.I was pulled out from my deep thoughts. I shook my head and a reassuring smile crept my lips. "Uhm, yeah. I'm okay.""Are you sure?"I sipped from the iced coffee he ordered for me. "Hundred percent."We're in a particular coffee shop here at El Paso. Kabubukas lang nitong business kaya nag-aya siya na pumunta dito lalo na't alam niya na medyo adik ako sa kape."Anyways, do you
"Kaya mo ba ang responsibilidad na maging batang ina, Shey?!" Dumagundong ang boses ni Nanay kahit na sa tarangkahan palang ako ng bahay.My heart sank when my eyes landed to Shey. Her eyes are full of tears mixed with different emotions. Regret was deeply etched. And she seems helpless.This is when the moment I knew... that I have to defend her.I had to defend her even though it means I have to be slapped by my mother for accusing me that I tolerated this matter and not telling them after I found this out.After that day, Shey's been grounded. Kailangan ko pang magmakaawa kay Nanay para pigilan siya sa pagsugod sa pamilya ni Norman.Buti nga at pumayag si Norman na subukang kumbinsihan ang magulang niya na kausapin sina Nanay at Tatay. Nagkaroon ng hidwaan sa pagitan ng pamilya namin at maging si Tatay ay mayroong hinanakit sa akin at kay Shey. Naiintindihan ko naman kung saan nanggaling iyon pero ang sakit lang kasing isipin na parang
"Good afternoon, Ma'am," I greeted in almost formal yet in polite way."Have a seat," Mrs. Cattaneo said and gestured her hand to the seat across to hers."Pwede po ba akong magtanong kung ano iyong pag-uusapan natin?"She just smiled, totally ignored my question. She then softly pushed the menu to my side using her middle and forefinger. "Have yourself something to eat or drink first.""Uh, busog pa po ako sa pagkaing ibinigay niyo kanina." Magalang kong pagtanggi at medyo ilang na ngumiti. "At salamat po pala sa pagbigay no'n Mrs. Cattaneo, hindi ko nagawang magpasalamat kanina kaya sasamantalahin ko ang pagkakataon para magpasalamat sa inyo ngayon."She just nodded and sipped from her drink. The moment she putted the cup back to the table, I feel like my mind was gone haywired.Mrs. Cattaneo looked at me as if magnifying my flaws and my heart skipped a beat after hearing her question. "You're my son's girlfriend?"I n
I hastily wiped my unending tears. My lips trembled and a sob escaped my lips. I was never a gold-digger... and the thought of taking advantage of Rafus' riches never ever crossed my mind.Why do they have to be this cruel? Just because my social standing differs from Rafus, doesn't mean I'm only chasing after his money. Why does people view this that way? This society is goddamn fucked up!Mugto ang mga mata ko nang bumalik ako sa pagtatrabaho. Nawalan ako ng paki sa estado ko ngayon matapos marinig ang mga salita ni Mrs. Cattaneo kanina. Oo, nirerespeto ko siya, pero sobra naman ata ang pagtingin niya sa akin. Nanliliit ako at kahit gusto kong ipagtanggol ang sarili ko ay hindi ko nagawa dahil nalunod ako sa sinabi niya.I ended my shift earlier and rushed to Tito Edison's house for confirmation about our land being purchased by the Cattaneo's."Oo, Slaine. Ibinenta ng Nanay at Tatay mo 'yong lupa niyo bago pa man sila pumasya na doon na manirah
"Ma'am Slaine, nandito na po ang delivery ng mga stocks." Imporma sa akin ni Krizza nang makapasok siya sa opisina ko."Sige, susunod ako." Simple kong sagot at pinatay ang laptop bago lumabas ng opisina.Naabutan ko na nagdidiskarga ng mga box ang tauhan ko at ang nagdeliver. Binati nila ako at tipid na ngiti ang iginawad ko sa kanila."Sandali lang, huwag mo munang ipasok sa loob, Leo." Pagpigil ko sa empleyado at tumango siya sa akin bago ilapag ang box.I opened the boxes easily with the cutter I'm holding. Isinuri ko ang isa sa produkto sa kada kahon at nang makontento na ay pinahintulutan ko iyong ipasok sa café."Ma'am, pakipirma nalang po nito." Tinanggap ko ang papel na inabot at pinirmahan.Hinintay ko munang maubos ang mga kahon bago ko binalik ang papel sa driver at nag-abot ng isang libo bilang tip para sa kanila. They extended their gratitude, and I gave them a sweet smile before returning to my office to continue m
"Slaine, are you okay?" I came back to consciousness when Crezst tapped my shoulders.I saw Rafus' eyes were on me and every seconds had passed, my nervousness doubled. I drank all the wine that has left in my glass before nodding at her question."Yeah, I'm okay."I simply glance at Rafus for the second time but I think it's a very wrong move because I meet his eyes again. Sa akin siya nakatingin kahit may kausap siyang businessman.Tamang tama ang pagdaan ng waiter sa table namin kaya napakuha ako ng dalawang wine glass na may laman at nagpa-refill ng wine sa basong ginamit ko kanina.Natawa si Crezst's sa tabi ko, "Hindi ka ba makapaghintay sa after-party?"Umiling ako at napasimsim sa wine, "Hindi na siguro, medyo pagod pa kasi ako sa byahe papunta rito kanina.""I thought you had your beauty rest earlier?" Helen asked me worriedly."Matapos mong umalis kanina sa hotel room ko, napagpasyahan kong pumunta sa
"Damn baby," he hissed and my breathing hitched when he rushed towards me. With his drunk eyes and using his husky voice, he said these words. "Drop the formalities, it's making me horny."I felt feverish when he cupped my cheeks, so I gave all my might and pushed him. Hinila ko siya hanggang sa makarating kami sa labas ng hotel room ko, alam ko naman kung gugustuhin niya hindi siya magpapahila sa akin."Don't baby me, Mr. Cattaneo. Our business was done four years ago, I don't have hang ups with you so please as ex, respect my decision and I don't want to be affiliated with you nor any of your family."Agad akong nakaramdam ng konsensiya nang makita ang malamlam niyang mata. Napaiwas ako ng tingin at nakaramdam ako ang pananuyo ng lalamunan. The memories of him begging to me to take him back resurfaced on my mind."Please Rafus..." I desperately said. "Just go and leave me alone.""No, not gonna happen." He said as if it's irrevocable. H
"Chan baby," I said and leveled my height to him as I gained consciousness. I cupped his face and smile to hide my awkwardness. "How did you know I'm home?"Chan smiled, "I've been waiting for you Mama then I saw you got out from the car so I've rushed towards here."Nakakapanibago dahil Mama talaga ang tawag ni Chan sa akin. I'm used of him calling me Tita, so I kinda feel confused. Tumayo na ako at nilingon si Rafus. Tahimik parin siya habang seryoso ang tingin sa amin ni Chan.Naglakad ako papalapit at kinuha sa kaniya ang duffel bag ko. I held his hand and stared into his eyes."Again, thank you so much for the ride Rafus."Hindi ko na hinintay ang tugon niya at tumalikod na ako habang inaakay si Chan papasok ng bahay."Shey, ano ba ang itinuturo mo kay Chan?" Tanong ko kay Shey nang tuluyan akong makababa sa hagdanan.Kanina ay hindi ko siya magawang tanungin dahil hindi umaalis sa kandungan ko si Chan at ngayon lan