Chapter V

Dwight was not still letting go of my hand and wearing that smile on his face like he hit a jackpot. Ipinakilala niya pa ako sa mga kaibigan niya. They reluctantly introduced themselves to me. They all had that teasing grins plastered on their faces.

"Tangina, naka-bingwit ka!" Marco, his friend laughed.

"Nice one, motherfucker." Johnson, the other guy mocked.

I seated comfortably with Dwight. Pinagbukasan niya ako ng can beer saka inabot sa akin.

"Ganyan talaga ang mga kaibigan ko," he whispered.

"No problem, I'm cool with it."

Nagawi naman ang atensyon ko kay Asher na hindi mapakali habang nakatutok ang mata sa phone na hawak niya.

I raised my brow when his gaze met me. He equalled that intensity. The heck with this guy! Ako na ang umiwas.

"I should not be drunk mga pare, ihahatid ko pa si Jez," sambit ni Dwight.

"Sige lang, pre! Condom, ah?" pang-aasar ng kaibigan niya. He gave his middle finger and everyone laughed.

When we reached his car, he opened the door for me. I smiled in return.

"My parents are not here in case you're wondering. They're busy with their work."

I remembered once that he told me how his family owned a construction company.

"Even at your birthday?" I asked. Paano natitiis ng isang magulang 'yon? I saw the glint of sadness in his eyes.

"Yeah." He tightened the grip in the steering wheel. "They have never attended once and I'm used to it. They would just throw a fucking party for me." His voice broke.

It's easy for me to conclude that he wasn't going through something because of the smiles plastered on his face and his playfulness, too. But, I realized people who laugh often are the ones who are more broken. They try to conceal it by being jolly.

Lumapit naman ako sa kanya at hinawakan ang braso niya. "We both have fucked up family but I'm proud of us that we didn't rebel. May iba diyan na piniling sirain pa lalo ang buhay nila kahit alam nilang sira na sila pero ikaw pinili mo pa ring maging maayos, diba? I am proud of you."

He stared at me. "Thank you, Jez." He breathed. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko habang nagmamaneho siya.

The next few days were a pure bliss as we spent more time with each other. Kung paano siya sweet noong nanliligaw siya ay dumoble ngayong kami na. We became more intimate, too and I guess that's part of our relationship.

"Kayo na? Omg talaga!" Kiana was still teasing me the whole day when I told him that we're official.

"Grabe, girl! Sabi ko na, e. Akala ko magpapakipot ka pa," turan niya. Ngumiti lang ako.

I took my notes from my bag and reviewed for the upcoming exam.

I couldn't get rid of the smile in my face when I got perfect again.

"Sana all, perfect! Halimaw ka talaga." I laughed at Kiana.

"Ganyan yata 'pag may boyfriend, e." she added. I was putting my notes on my bag when my eyes shifted outside. I waved at Dwight which he returned with his smile.

"Nandyan na boyfriend mo, uy. Sana all may tagasundo." Kiana remarked.

"Wait mo lang, Ki. You'll find a man who will also see your worth."

Nagpaalam na ako kay Kiana. I was welcomed by Dwight's hug. Bigla akong nahiya dahil nasa harap pa kami ng classroom.

"Nakakahiya, Dwight," I mumbled.

"Don't be. Besides, I want them to know that we're together." He took my hand and intertwined with his.

"Naka-perfect ako sa exam!" Masigla kong sabi.

"Really? Then, you deserve a treat!"

"Hindi na. Ako na. I should be the one to treat you." I grabbed his arm. Nasa labas kami ng university. Inabot ko sa kanya ang baso saka ako tumusok ng fishball.

"I didn't know you eat here."

"This is my favorite, actually." I turned to him. 

"Halagang sampung piso po," sabi ko kay Manong. Bumili rin ako ng palamig saka inabot sa kanya.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay hinatid niya na ako sa bahay. Hindi pa ako nakakalabas ng kotse nang siniil niya ako ng h***k.

"I can't get enough of you. Tangina, kasi...Binabaliw mo ako, Jez..."

I drew a smile. "I love you, Dwight."

He looked surprised that he didn't expect it coming from me. "Shit!" he cupped my cheeks again and gave me his hot and fiery kisses. I was intoxicated. He finally let go of me and our breathing was ragged. He pressed his forehead against mine. "I love you more, Jez."

Bumaba na ako sa kotse niya nang makapagpaalam na ako. Hindi pa ako nakakapasok sa gate namin nang makita ko ang babaeng hindi ko inaasahan. Ang kapal ng mukha niyang magpakita pa rito.

"Why are you here?"

"I want to talk to you."

I found myself at a nearby coffee shop together with this thicked-face lady. She paid for it which I didn't protest.

"I am pregnant." Panimula niya.

I almost bowled over with what she said. "Then why are you telling to me?" lakas loob kong tanong. Hindi ko alam kung saan siya humuhugot ng kakapalan ng mukha.

People like her disgust me. Home-wrecker.

I was young when I saw him kissing my father and my mother brushing it off like it didn't happen. I witnessed my mom's cries every night because Dad won't go home. It's all because of her.

"Tell your mother to annul with Jeoffrey. Encourage her," sabi niya.

I scowled. I couldn't believe she had the nerve to tell this right in front of me. "What did you just say? Ang tindi mo rin, ano. Ang kapal ng mukha mo!" I gritted my teeth in anger. I held the glass of water and I had this urge to splash it all over her face but I refrained myself from doing so. "You think you can convince me?" I mocked. "Well, you can't. Go on with your life living as mistress forever." I pointed her face with disdane before I hastily stormed away.

Naabutan ko si Mommy na nakatutok ang mata sa laptop habang nasa sala pagkauwi ko. I seated beside her.

"Ba't ngayon ka lang?" Bungad niya. I turned to her. Binaba niya ang eyeglasses niya saka humarap sa akin.

"Mmy..." I hesitated. I knew she would be pissed if I'd tell her.

"I met Daddy's mistress." My mother remained calm, trying to pull off that facade in her face.

"What happened?"

I bowed my head before saying it. "She told me she was pregnant," 

"That bitch!" She hissed. 

"Mmy, why can't you just break up with Dad? Why would you stay with him if you're hurt?"

She avoided my gaze. "D-Do you think it's easy for me?" Her voice cracked.

"Then you can just annul him! Bakit mo pa pinapahirapan sarili mo?" I raised my voice.

"You don't understand me..." Pag-iling niya.

"Hindi ko talaga maiintindihan, Mmy." Giit ko.

"Because..." She sobbed. "Because I love your father..."

I stared at her in disbelief. "You still love dad despite of what he did?" 

Why love can't be easy? Bakit hahayaan mo pang patuloy kang sirain ng pagmamahal? Kung hindi na kayang ayusin lalo na't may lamat na, bakit mananatili ka pa?

That's why people say that love is complicated. It is indeed.

"Ano'ng balak mo sa bakasyon?" Kiana's voice made me snap out of my endless thoughts.

"Ha?"

"Okay ka lang ba? Lalim ng iniisip mo." Kumento niya. Kita ko ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya. I heavily sighed. 

"Wala naman. Ano bang meron?" tanong ko. I then, realized that I was here in the classroom and the professor was discussing in front.

"Sabi ko, ano'ng balak mo sa bakasyon?" Pag-uulit niya. Bigla kong naalala na matatapos na pala ang second semester at bakasyon na.

"Wala naman." Kibit balikat kong sagot.

"Uuwi yata kami probinsya." 

"Talaga? That's great. Saan nga uli 'yon? Iloilo?"

"Ilocos Norte." Pagtatama niya.

"Starts with I, atleast." We both laughed.

Kinabukasan, sinundo ako ni Dwight dahil may liga sa baranggay nila. He wanted me to watch him play.

"Ang hot ko kaya 'pag naglalaro ako." Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. He really is with his jersey on. His hair was slightly disheveled but still he looked handsome.

"Oo na po," sabi ko. He held my hand.

"Thank you for supporting me, Jez." He smiled. 

"Ofcourse, I am your girlfriend. I should be."

"I love you," he whispered which brought shiver down my spine. Hearing these words from him are my euphoria.

"Tama na ang lambingan, oy! Mag-start na." Marco's voice boomed. Dwight turned to me then planted a kiss on my forehead before he went to the court. He glanced me again and winked at me.

Nasa malapit ako ng bench. My eyes wandered around and saw a lot of women who's definitely cheering for the guys here. Some of the men here are damn hot.

I waved at Kiana when our eyes met. I told him to be with me. Ayokong ma-out of place rito. Good thing, she was here.

"Excited na ako." She giggled. I twitched my lips and my gaze went back to the game.

Nagawi naman ang atensyon ko kay Asher. He looked pissed. Nakakunot ang kanyang noo, animo'y pinagsakluban ng langit ang lupa. His gaze met mine. There was something in his stare that I couldn't point out. Kagaya ng parati kong ginagawa. Ako ang umiwas.

Suddenly, my heart leaped when I saw Terrence doming down holding a ball. Was he invited? He looked at me and flashed his taunting smirk.

"Hala, ba't nandiyan si Terrence?" tanong ni Kiana.

I answered her with a shrug.

"Talagang lalaking 'yan, hindi maawat. Sinabi mo na ba kay Dwight 'yan?" Umiling ako bilang tugon. I heard her sigh. "You should tell him, Jez. Hindi natin alam kung anong gagawin niyan. Patay na patay pa naman sa'yo." I scrunched my nose and pretended cool.

Dumagundong naman ang sigawan at hiyawan nang magsimula ang laro. Dwight flashed his captivating and alluring smile when he got the ball.

"Go, Dwight!" I cheered. Kinutya pa ako ni Kiana dahil doon.

Magkakampi sina Dwight at Asher, si Terrence naman ang kalaban.

Dwight's really good the same with Asher and Terrence. Everyone was too intensed and focused with the game.

Madalas ang banggaan ni Dwight at Terrence. What the heck is wrong with him?

I saw Dwight clenching his jaw when Terrence bumped him. He was about to go to him when the buzzer beeped. Lumapit naman siya sa akin. I gave him a towel.

"Siya 'yon diba noong nakaraan?" I nodded my head.

"Sabi ko na nga ba, kaya mainit dugo ko, e. Dayo na nga lang dito ganyan pa umasta." Kinuha ko ang towel mula sa kanya at ako na ang nag-punas.

"Don't provoke him, Dwight. He's not someone you should mess with," I said. He gave me a confusing look.

"And what do you want me to do? Just let him to do that?" He suddenly looked pissed.

"Hindi naman sa ganoon..."

"Sabihin mo nga sa akin ginugulo ka pa rin ba niya?" He turned to me with his blazing eyes. Pakiramdam ko iba ang Dwight na nasa harap ko.

"I'm sorry. I told him several times to stay away from me. That I already have a boyfriend but he won't budge." He balled his fist. He stood up and I was fast to hold his hand.

"Dwight, No..."

I heard him deeply sighed. "Sana sinasabi mo sa akin 'yang mga ganyang bagay. Parang hindi mo naman ako boyfriend niyan." He walked away leaving me worried.

Nagsimula na muli ang laro. Second half. Lamang ang team nila Terrence.

"Go, Dwight! Go, Babe!" I yelled. It was loud that Terrence heard it. Dwight was suppressing his smile.

"Nakanaks naman! Babe." Pang-aasar ni Kiana sa tabi ko. She bought two mineral waters for us and gave me the one.

I bit my lower lip.

Maya maya'y nagka-initan ang laro nang marahas na binunggo ni Terrence si Dwight kaya napaupo ito sa sahig. I stood up because of worry. Terrence's gaze turned to me and flashed me his smirk. Nakita iyon ni Dwight kaya mabilis siyang tumayo at  kinuwelyuhan ito.

"Dwight!"

Nagkagulo na ang laro. Asher stood behind Dwight to stop him.

"Tangina... Kanina pa ako nagtitimpi sa'yo." Gigil na sambit ni Dwight. He looked mad. I wanted to stop them.

"Jez, 'wag ka ng sumawasaw," Kiana said beside me. "Let them. They're old enough." she added. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang umupo muli.

Ang hindi ko inaasahan ay sinuntok ni Dwight si Terrence.

"Dwight!" 

"Tigilan mo girlfriend ko. Gago ka!" He gave another strong punch. Hindi ko na kayang tumayo pa rito kaya mabilis akong tumakbo.

"Dwight! No..." I muttered when I tucked his shirt. His eyes then shifted to me. Tears started streaming down my face. That was his cue to stop. Marahas niyang binitiwan si Terrence saka lumapit sa akin.

He pulled me against him, sliding his other arm around my waist.

"Let's go." Malamig niyang sambit.

Hindi na natuloy ang laro dahil doon. We were seated in the bench. He was still silent beside me. I played with my hands.

"Jezrel." He sternly said. Napalingon ako sa kanya. "You're not entertaining guys other than me, right?"

What's with his question?

"No." Mabilis akong sumagot.

"Good. Hindi mo ako ipagpapalit, diba?"

I nodded. He reached for my chin so I could look at him in the eyes.

"I won't leave you so you should too, babe," sabi niya. I sweetly smiled at him.